In one of the lamer cases of prosecutors gone wild we’ve heard about in a long time, Gordon Lee, a comic-shop owner in Rome, Georgia, is going on trial this week for two misdemeanor charges of distributing lewd material to a minor. His alleged crime? Accidentally handing out pictures of Pablo Picasso’s wang.

On Halloween 2004, Lee’s shop, Legends, participated in a free comic-book giveaway. One of the many publisher-supplied free comics he handed out was “Alternative Comics #2,” which included an excerpt from Nick Bertozzi’s then-in-progress graphic novel The Salon, historical fiction based on the early-century Paris art scene. (Vulture excerpted The Salon here.) One panel shows a naked Pablo Picasso meeting George Braque for the first time, and when that comic book ended up in the hands of two kids with an extremely angry mother, Lee was arrested.

There have been all kinds of shenanigans in the case over the past few years

Your country is going insane.

I think we should offer him aslyum from unjust prosecution

I almost fell off of my chair until I saw that this took place in Rome, Georgia. Figures.

I wonder if he could countersue for emotional distress and possible loss of livelyhood?? 

I also read in the news lately that that judge who sued for the loss of his pants is back at it with an appeal of the original ruling.  I cant’ see it ending out any different that it did the first time.

I seem to rember reading that the State bar had begun disbarment procedures on him.

Why are parents up in arms about this when the kids can go to the school libary and look up classic works of art that includes nudes like Michelangleos David?  and where were the parents during this hand out?  censonsor ship is the first responbility of the parents

We had “The Joy of Sex” in out school library.

I would also think that her sons are quite aware of what a penis is since they have ones of their own. The drawing is hardly pornographic.

It’s not just in the US that you find these attitudes though. I was suprised to see this post on a forum for a toddler cartoon channel on cable TV up here in Canada. The show in question is a really stupid one with people in leotards doing rhymes, singing and tumbling/gym moves.

Some people just have issues I guess. It just sucks when their personal issues end up potentially ruining other people’s lives.

Renquist - 18 August 2007 12:00 AM

We had “The Joy of Sex” in our school library.

You too?

A favorite book of mine in my elementary school library was one that touted ‘101 Science Experiments’, and was published in the mid-40s. Had a few mundane things that are easy to come by today, but also some more advanced tomfoolery, such as how to create high-powered transformers, arc lamps, an electrical furnaces capable of melting steel.

I *really* wish I’d snuck it out in 5th grade, since they got rid of half the library by 6th.. good book.

Robin Bobcat - 20 August 2007 10:47 AM

Renquist - 18 August 2007 12:00 AM

We had “The Joy of Sex” in our school library.

You too?

A favorite book of mine in my elementary school library was one that touted ‘101 Science Experiments’, and was published in the mid-40s. Had a few mundane things that are easy to come by today, but also some more advanced tomfoolery, such as how to create high-powered transformers, arc lamps, an electrical furnaces capable of melting steel.

I *really* wish I’d snuck it out in 5th grade, since they got rid of half the library by 6th.. good book.

For the budding evil mastermind, no doubt.

“Hey Billy, you coming round my house tonight?”

“Sorry but we’re all going to Victor’s house to see his new Tesla coil.”

“I’ll bring my sister’s Barbie and we destroy it then.”