The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is currently holding an auction for a signed artist proof copy of Frank Miller‘s 1986 genre-defining The Dark Knight, also known as The Dark Knight Returns.

This edition of The Dark Knight Returns, published by DC Comics and Graphitti Studios, was limited to 4,000 copies. I cannot express how truly rare this is, and as a Batman and Frank Miller fan, this is one version of this book that I’m dying to get my hands on. It has long been out of print, as you can currently only purchase the book in the paperback or Absolute formats. So collectors, get your PayPal accounts ready. You’re going to want to take a shot at this. I mean, just look at the signed Artist Proof Page.

How could you not want to get your hands on this?

But if you don’t really consider yourself a collector, then you have probably the best reason possible to put your bid on this, as well. It’s for an amazing cause. Possibly the best cause out there. Protecting free speech. The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a charity that I’ve always got my eye on, and one that I strongly believe in. The CBLDF takes donations and supports through awesome auctions like this and from the proceeds of comics like the Liberty Comics Annual (coming October 12 of this year) to support comic book creators and fans who have, or should have, the freedom of speech. On many circumstances creators have been met with great resistance when turning in “objectionable material” that is key to the story at hand. Even readers have been arrested for possession of manga that authorities have deemed pornographic and offensive based on the art styles. I’m not saying that comic out there is inoffensive or innocent, but shouldn’t the creators have the right to create whatever they want? And shouldn’t readers be able to read whatever they want? I think so. And I hope you do, too.

If you are a strong believer in free speech (you should be), and if you like Batman (who doesn’t?), then this auction is something you should put your money behind. It’s worth every penny that the future top bidder of $500,000+ will spend.

Need any more convincing that you should get behind the auction? Watch Frank Miller tell you about why he believes in the CBLDF.

Once again, the auction is held here.