The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, at its Board of Directors meeting at this year's San Diego Comic-Con International, elected new officers.  Founder Denis Kitchen, marking the end of an eighteen year era, retired from the Board and was replaced as President by Top Shelf Publisher Chris Staros.  

Kitchen noted the different environment now vs. when the Fund was founded.  'In the eighties, comics were still fighting for respectability and it was perhaps easier for them to be stigmatized as kid stuff,' he said.  'Two decades later, comics have attained a certain respectability, but are facing new sets of challenges. I think it's fitting that the generation directly facing these challenges, led by Chris Staros, a publisher after my own heart, should be the ones standing up to them.' 

Staros talked about his new role.  'For two years I've had the pleasure of serving on the Board under Denis, and have witnessed first hand what an amazing asset he's been in defending the First Amendment rights of our industry,' he said.  'It'll be tough to fill the shoes of the founder of the Fund, but I'm honored to take over as President, and look forward to working with the entire community in this role.'

ICv2's own Milton Griepp was elected Treasurer, taking over the position formerly held by Frank Mangiaracina.  Kitchen said of Griepp's selection, 'He brings a particular corporate expertise and experience in non-profit fiscal management that I'm certain will help the Fund grow even stronger in the future.'

The other Board members, Peter David, John Davis, Neil Gaiman, Frank Mangiaracina, Greg Ketter and Louise Nemschoff, were re-elected.