The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund has announced that Greg Thompson has been named the organization's new Deputy Director.  Thompson has over nine years experience in comic book retailing including four years at Austin Books & Comics and five years handling customer service and shipping for Lone Star Comics' mycomicshop.com.  Thompson also has credentials as a comic book creator (he is the writer of Hero Camp, published by Image), and his experience with both the retailing and creative sides of the comic book business makes him, the words of CBLDF Executive Director, Charles Brownstein, 'a perfect fit for the Fund.'

Greg Thompson got his start in comic book retailing with Austin Books & Comics, and Brad Bankston of Austin Books, with the help of Paul Benjamin and Terry Moore (creator of Strangers in Paradise) presided over a fundraising event for the CBLDF that the organization hopes will become a model for money-raising activities across the country.  The event raised over $2000 for the fund, the major portion of which came from the sale of 159 $10 admission tickets.  The organizers provided beer, pizza, in-store sales and an art print featuring a previously unpublished image from Strangers in Paradise #80 -- and Terry Moore was in attendance to provide autographs.   In addition to signing, Terry Moore, along with Clayburn S. Moore, Antarctic Press, Lone Star Press, Penny Farthing Press, and Viper Comics all donated items for a silent auction, which raised nearly $500 more.

Thrilled with the success of the evening's festivities, Brad Bankston noted: 'The success of his event shows that with planning and motivation, similar events could provide a steady cash flow for the fund.  We hope that this can become a template for other stores to help raise money and awareness.'