Approaching Xero: The SF Prehistory of Comics Fandom by Rob Hansen

See https://taff.org.uk/ebooks.php?x=Xero

Most of this book is devoted to a long essay exploring the impact of comics on early science fiction fandom – SF fanzines were discussing the comics as early as 1936, hurling both bouquets and brickbats – and the ensuing threads of consequences that led to and/or merged into later comics fandom. Other topics include the comics story that put the 1957 World SF Convention on Mars, superhero cosplay at Worldcons from their earliest days, the birth of British comics fandom, and Rob Hansen's own memories of being both an SF and a comics fan in the UK.

First published as an Ansible Editions ebook for the TransAtlantic Fan Fund (TAFF) website in July 2025. Cover art by Phil Bronson for his Scienti-Comics #2, August 1940. Over 40,000 words. A printed paperback is also available; all proceeds from sales go to TAFF.