Welcome to BillSchelly.com!

FAQ – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is "comic fandom"?
When I refer to comic fandom (some people prefer to call it comics fandom), I am speaking of the grassroots movement that began in 1961 with the publication of Alter Ego, the first amateur magazine devoted to costumed heroes. Alter Ego served as a rallying point for fans of comic books to come together and celebrate their hobby. The movement started small, with just a few fanzines (AE, Comic Art, Xero) acting as catalysts. Soon, people who had grown up with the colorful heroes published during World War II joined with those who had only come along later, to celebrate what Jerry Bails called "the Second Heroic Age of Comics." This 2nd age began when DC Comics (then National Periodical Publications) brought back a modernized Flash in Showcase #4 (1956), which led to new versions of the Golden Age heroes Green Lantern, The Atom, Hawkman and more.

Suddenly amateur comics fanzines (fan magazines) began popping up like mushrooms, and it wasn't long before the hobby of comic book collecting was growing like topsy. Soon there was a fanzine devoted just to selling and trading old comics (The Comicollector), providing news of upcoming events in professional comics (The Comic Reader), and a whole series of publications offering articles about comics both old and new. By 1964-1965, when the first comic book conventions were held, it was clear that comic fandom was an ongoing phenomenon with no end in sight ... and it has been rolling along ever since.

What is the Comic Fandom Archive?
The C.F.A. is a not-for-profit entity established by Bill Schelly in 1992, so collect and preserve fanzines, books, photographs, movies and other memorabilia from what he deemed "the Golden Age of Comic Fandom," the period from 1961 to 1972. Currently, the archive has about 1,600 fanzines, hundreds of vintage photographs, original artwork, videos, audio tapes, and many other relics of that halcyon period. This archive, much of it donated by fans of his books, has become the source of much of the material in Schelly's books of fandom history. Schelly has pledged to donate the entire contents of the Archive upon his demise to a university comic art collection.

Donations are always welcome, and can be sent to:
Comic Fandom Archive
PO Box 27471
Seattle, Wa. 98165

Where can I find old comics fanzines?
Collecting old fanzines is a fascinating hobby. Despite the fact that few exceeded print runs of 200 copies, they aren't as hard to find as you might think. The Internet has greatly facilitated the process of selling and buying such fanzines, with "eBay.com" a focal point. Want Ads in Comics Buyer's Guide can also produce excellent results. A list of most of the better fanzines appears in the Comic Fandom Reader.

Why do you call your publishing company Hamster Press?
It's meant tongue-in-cheek. Instead of naming my company something grandiose, I decided to pick something small and insignificant. Actually, the name first appeared on my contributions to CAPA-alpha in 1969, I believe. I revived it in 1992 with the publication of the Ronn Foss Retrospective #1, and officially established it as the legal name of a licensed business in 1995

Will you sign books if I mail them to you?
Sure! Indicate whether you want them signed, or whether you would like them signed "to someone"--like you, a relative or a friend. You must also include a sturdy return envelope with sufficient postage. If you are willing to go to the trouble to do this, I'll be more than happy to do my part.

Can I order a copy of your book on Harry Langdon from you?
No. But you should be able to find a copy through Internet searches. Please note that the dust cover depicted on this site was designed and made by Yours Truly; the actual book was published without a jacket, in black hardback boards with a silver embossed title on the front, and spine. If you would like a laser-print of the dust jacket to put on your copy, send me an email and we should be able to work something out.

Is Hamster Press looking for books to publish?
Hamster is a small company, and mainly publishes books that I write, or at least instigate. Most of them are about some aspect of comic books or comic book fandom. That said, you're welcome to pitch your idea in an email, but please don't send me anything unsolicited via the US postal service.

Can I send you my manuscript for your honest opinion?
Sorry, no. I don't have enough time as it is to write all the articles and books that I have planned. Besides, my opinion is no more valid than anyone else's. I'm not an agent, and I'm not in the business of helping people get published. My best advice is to join a group of writers who are formed specifically to get feedback on their work. (Most cities have them.)

Do you accept outside assignments?
Yes. But HP keeps me pretty busy.