Comic Book Legal Defense Fund to Relocate to Portland in 2016

After a decade based in New York City, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, a nonprofit organization focused on defending free expression and First Amendment rights, is relocating its offices to Portland, Oregon, beginning June 1.

The move is expected to reduce operating costs at the nonprofit CBLDF and will also put the organization closer to many of its biggest member-companies, located largely on the West Coast—among them Dark Horse, Oni Press, Image Comics and DC Comics, which moved to the West Coast last year after 75 years in New York. Portland is a well-known and popular center for comics publishing and comics artists.

The Comic Book Legal Defense Funds is a nonprofit First Amendment watchdog for the comics reading, publishing and retail community.

CBLDF executive director Charles Brownstein, said “the largest concerns came down to reduced expenses, proximity to partners, and access to vital creative, activism, and education communities.” He said the move, “will represent a significant savings over the ever-increasing costs of being a non-profit in New York.” He also acknowledged that “the comics business is now largely centered on the West Coast, and it makes sense for our needs to be closer to those partners.”

“Portland has a tremendous community of creators, educators, retailers and booksellers who are already supportive of our work, and who we believe we can serve well as we continue to develop our mission,” Brownstein said.