[6] In 1963 Bails renamed the organization (which now had a membership of 90)[1] the Academy of Comic-Book Fans and Collectors upon ratification of its charter,[1] with these goals: Forum was name of the ACBFC journal, the first issue of which was published in October 1964 out of South Bend, Indiana.
[1] Under Kaler's leadership, the academy produced three successful "Academy Con" comic book conventions in New York City during the summers of 1965–1967,[11][12][13] attracting industry professionals such as Otto Binder, Bill Finger, Gardner Fox, Mort Weisinger, James Warren, Roy Thomas, Gil Kane,[11] Stan Lee, Bill Everett, Carmine Infantino, and Julius Schwartz.
[12] Kaler planned another Academy Con for the 1968 Thanksgiving weekend,[14] but it never came to pass, possibly because of the successful first iteration of Phil Seuling's Comic Art Convention (a.k.a.
By 1968, comics fandom — including annual conventions being held in New York, Detroit, St. Louis, and the Southwest — had become well established, and the academy's mission had been essentially fulfilled.
In early 1968, due to a number of factors, Executive Secretary Kaler left, and Academy member Maggie Thompson declared the ACBFC "moribund".
[15] A 1969 mention in "Marvel Bullpen Bulletins" may have helped revive interest temporarily — it noted that the group "holds an annual poll to determine the most popular mags, writers and artists of the preceding year" (referring to the Alley Awards) and directed fans to obtain a ballot from then ACBFC executive secretary (and future comics professional) Mark Hanerfeld (who resided in Flushing, New York).