Jerry Bails

Jerry Gwin Bails (June 26, 1933 – November 23, 2006) was an American comic book fan and historian who helped establish the first comics fandom and later originated the field of comics scholarship by producing the first systematic indexing of comic book stories and articles in 1961.

Bails created the first organized comic book fan club, the All-Night Party, in 1961. He published the first comic book fanzine, Alter Ego, in 1961 with Roy Thomas. In 1964, Bails collaborated with Biljo White and Hames Ware in publishing the first comic art fanzine, The Comicollector.

Jerry Bails is considered the "Father of Comics Fandom" and the "Father of Comics Scholarship." He recognized the potential value of documenting and studying comic book stories and articles when others dismissed them as disposable entertainment. He produced the first systematic indexing of comic book stories and articles in 1961, paving the way for further academic study of comic books.

Jerry Bails' contributions to comics fandom and scholarship established a foundation for the comic book industry to be taken seriously as a subject of study and appreciation. His indexing work and efforts to document comic book history have had a lasting impact on the field of comics scholarship. His fan club and fanzines also helped bring comic book fans together and fostered a sense of community.

Jerry Bails passed away on November 23, 2006.