[3] The CBLDF is supported by many big names of the industry; over the years, its board of directors has included Larry Marder, Ted Adams, Reginald Hudlin, Gene Luen Yang, Chris Staros, Peter David, Neil Gaiman, Paul Levitz, Milton Griepp, Steve Geppi, and many other industry figures.
Additionally, Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab offers a line of perfumes whose profits go directly to the CBLDF.
The CBLDF is a sponsor of Banned Books Week, and also works with libraries, helping to keep graphic novels on their shelves.
In the past they have partnered with such organizations as the Kids Right to Read Project, the American Library Association, and the Office of Intellectual Freedom as part of this mission.
[10] Denis Kitchen officially incorporated the CBLDF in 1990 as a non-profit charitable organization with capital left over from Correa's defense fund, and Burton Joseph became their legal counsel in 1996.
A pivotal figure in this movement was psychiatrist Dr. Fredric Wertham, whose work "Seduction of the Innocent" argued that comic books were a negative influence on children, leading to juvenile delinquency.
Wertham's conclusions significantly influenced public perception and even led to a U.S. Senate inquiry into the comic book industry.
In June 2020, CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein resigned following,[18][19] as described in The Hollywood Reporter:[12]renewed pressure from the comic book industry surrounding a sexual assault from 2005... Brownstein assaulted comic book creator Taki Soma at Mid-Ohio Con in November, 2005, in an incident that was reported to police without leading to an arrest... Brownstein, who characterized the incident as "a stupid, drunken prank, of which I'm ashamed," remained in place with the CBLDF following what was described as an independent investigation carried out on behalf of the organization.Polygon reported that "multiple comics creators", including Brian Michael Bendis, Al Ewing, Pia Guerra, and James Tynion IV, "announced they would no longer be working with the CBLDF — or spoke publicly about how they had already stopped working with the organization — because of Brownstein's conduct".
[21] CBLDF issued a statement on June 29, 2020: We respect the decisions that Paul, Katherine and Jeff have made to leave the Board.
[22]In July 2020, The Daily Beast reported that "under Brownstein's tenure, the CBLDF drew criticism for defending Milo Yiannopoulos, while not intervening to defend 11 creators who were slapped with a defamation suit after accusing small-press comics creator Cody Pickrodt of rape and sexual harassment.