American comics: I drew Superman during the Great Depression

Superman.

Superman.

As the first superhero in the history of American comics, it is undoubtedly a milestone.

At the same time, it is also the cornerstone of a series of "superheroes" born from comics. The name Superman constructs the basic concept of a superhero: a person who is far better than ordinary people and has Super abilities.

The character of Superman fits all the imagination of Colin's condensed mark.

…

“Can The Courier serialize comics?”

After making a decision, Colin immediately asked Old John.

"Comics are usually only published in daily newspapers."

Facing the inquiry, Old John didn't have much surprise on his face. In fact, he had been vaguely prepared since he just saw Colin asking Little John about "Dick Tracy".

"However, the Courier has received submissions from some cartoonists during this period, asking the newspaper if they are willing to serialize their cartoons in the newspaper. If you are willing, I can contact these cartoonists and send them to the newspaper... "

Until now, John Sr. had thought that Colin was just planning to serialize comics in the Courier.

"Submit, no, we don't need to submit."

Shaking his head, Colin rejected Old John's proposal.

"Don't submit, then..."

Hearing this, Old John looked up in confusion.

Under the puzzled gazes of the two people in the newspaper office, Colin said slowly and confidently: "The comics serialized in The Courier are created by me myself."

Fortunately, I learned to draw before time travel, otherwise, I might not be able to speak out.

As he said this, a thought flashed through Colin's mind.

…

"...So, this is the comic protagonist created by you, boss, Supe...well, Super..."

In the Courier newspaper office, Old John looked at the figure that Colin drew on the manuscript paper, wearing a weird shape that resembled a circus tights and cape, and said hesitantly.

"Superman."

Turning the pen in his hand, he completely sketched out the image of Superman on the manuscript paper, Colin added.

"Okay, Superman."

Pushing up the brass reading glasses hanging on the bridge of his nose, Old John looked at the 'Superman' he wrote, looked up at Colin in front of him, and continued to ask: "So, what is the main storyline of the comic? That's right? A story about a private detective solving crimes like Dick Tracy?”

Detective comics were the mainstream comic strips during this period, and many newspapers published comic content of this type.

However, Old John secretly glanced at the 'Superman' on the manuscript paper. No matter how he looked at it, he didn't look like a private detective.

"No."

Shaking his head and putting away the pen in his hand, Colin pointed at the word 'Superman' on the manuscript paper and threw out the comic setting: "Superman was born on Krypton, and his real name was Kal-El. When he was a baby, His parents put him alone in a spaceship, and when he was leaving, there was a big explosion on the planet where he was born..."

"...After arriving on Earth, the infant Superman landed on the ground and was found and adopted by the farm owner and his wife, and was renamed Clark Kent. When Superman grew up, he came to the Metropolitan newspaper "The Courier Journal" and became a news reporter …”

"So, the comic is about Superman working as a news reporter at The Courier Journal!"

Unlike his father John Sr., John Sr., who usually likes to read comics, accepted Colin's background setting of Superman more easily. Especially after hearing that Superman had become a reporter like himself, he couldn't help but speak up. said.

"Reporters are just who Superman is on the surface."

Not dissatisfied with Little John's interruption, Colin looked at Little John, who looked a little excited, and reminded with a smile: "Don't forget, Superman is an alien from Krypton, although in appearance he There is no difference from us, but in fact he has a very different ability and identity? "

"Identity, what is that?"

Successfully attracted by Colin's words, Little John couldn't help but ask.

"Superhero."

Seeing this, Colin didn't tempt him too much and immediately exposed Superman's 'secret identity'.

"Superhero?!"

Although, little John had never heard of this name before.

But for some reason, he felt that the title 'superhero' seemed to have some strange attraction.

Compared with Little John's fascination, Old John on the side seemed much calmer. Perhaps because of the age difference, the attraction of superheroes to him has greatly weakened.

"I admit that your setting of the comic character Superman, whether it is an alien, a journalist or a superhero, is very attractive and surprisingly complete. However, there are still many mainstream comics serialized in major newspapers. Mainly humorous 'four-frame comics' or detective action comics..." Here, Old John deliberately avoided another major type of comics.

"Even horror comics have become less popular with readers in recent years. However, there is still a question mark whether a comic with a theme like 'Superman' that is completely based on science fiction aliens will be accepted by readers."

What Old John proposed was not to deliberately make things difficult.

But some problems that exist in reality.

The birth of the original Superman comics also went through many twists and turns.

At that time, the comic creator took the Superman manuscript to visit many newspapers, but was rejected by all of them. It was obvious that the newspapers had the same view as Old John, and they were hesitant about comic themes like Superman.

However, unlike the impoverished Superman author at that time.

At present, Colin is not only the creator of the comics, but also the boss of the newspaper.

Therefore, even if Old John expressed his concerns about the science fiction comics of Superman, he was the one who made the final decision.

After listening carefully to the suggestions of the newspaper workers.

Colin still made a decisive decision to serialize the Superman comics next week.

However, under Old John's argument, he still made some concessions. He did not ignore it directly and use all the pages of the "Courier" to serialize Superman comics, but used the method of testing the water temperature to serialize three episodes of content through the newspapers on the back of the "Courier" to see if this theme of comics can attract readers.

As for the remaining pages, they still typeset President Hoover's "cordial" greetings.

As the sales of the Courier increased in the past few weeks, the song that Colin gave to the newsboys gradually became popular, and even many people who had never bought a newspaper began to hum it spontaneously.

It is said that even Hoover knew the content of the song.

I just don't know what kind of expression he had on his face when he listened to this nursery rhyme in the White House.