American comics: I drew Superman during the Great Depression

"Hello, sir... I heard you are looking for us?"

In the Courier newspaper office, several boys wearing obviously ill-fitting clothes and newsboy hats crowded together and asked Colin cautiously.

Due to long-term malnutrition, all the newsboys look very thin and their faces are sallower than those of their peers.

In fact, the people who suffered most during the Great Depression were children.

According to later statistics, the proportion of malnourished children in some states at that time even exceeded 90%. This also led to the conscription of children who grew up during the Great Depression during World War II. Nearly 40% of young men were physically unqualified. Symptoms such as poor vision, heart and circulatory diseases, arm and leg deformities, and mental disorders are common.

Including the famous Captain America Steve Rogers, a young man who grew up during the Great Depression.

And his skinny appearance before being injected with the super soldier serum is a true portrayal of most adult men during this period.

"That's right."

Putting down the pen in his hand, Colin smiled at the newsboy in front of him and said in a kind tone.

With the help of Old John's relationship with the deliveryman, he finally found the newsboy smoothly.

"Can I take the liberty to ask..."

Colin's kind attitude made the newsboys feel at ease.

The children looked at each other. The last one, who looked about twelve or thirteen years old, seemed to be the leader of the newspaper boy. He mustered up the courage to speak to Colin and said: "Sir, why did you come to us? If it is about the price of newspapers, I'm sorry that I can't agree, sir, because this is related to the livelihood of all newsboys, and the Courier has almost made us no money recently."

When the price was mentioned, the children gathered around to increase each other's momentum.

For a newsboy, every cent of the price of a newspaper is a matter as big as the sky.

The cause of the newsboys' strike in 1899 stemmed from the 10 cents difference per bundle. The newspaper tycoons at that time increased the price of each bundle of newspapers by 10 cents for their own benefit, reducing the profits of the newsboys, making them almost Unable to make ends meet. To this end, the newsboys decided to go on strike to protest against the expensive newspapers, and ultimately won.

"No, quite the opposite."

Shaking his head, Colin looked at the newsboys gathered in front of him.

The vast majority of them are not even ten years old yet, but they already have to run around for a living.

"The purpose of why I came to you is not to raise the price, but to give you money."

"Send money?!"

Colin's words, as expected, caused a commotion among the newsboys. They looked at each other with surprise on their young and sallow faces.

Not only the newsboy was surprised, but also Old John was also shocked by Colin's words.

On the side, he opened his mouth to say something, but was stopped by Colin's gaze.

"Thank you for your generosity, sir."

When the commotion calmed down, the leading newsboy spoke. He looked at Colin with a small face full of freckles. Although his tone was also a bit excited, his expression was unexpectedly calm and he said: "But, can you tell us the reason?" Are we just a group of ordinary newspaper boys who work hard every day? Working hard to distribute newspapers is just to be able to live. If your purpose is to use our identity to do some illegal things, I'm sorry. Although we are poor, every penny is the result of hard work. This Makes us feel at ease every day.”

The words of the leading newsboy awakened the children who were originally immersed in joy, and they all turned their attention to Colin.

Feeling the gazes from the newsboys, Colin couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

Naturally, he had no intention of using the newsboy to carry out so-called illegal things, but the neither humble nor overbearing attitude of the leading newsboy left a big impression on him.

Colin couldn't help but ask: "What's your name?"

"Jimmy, sir."

He nodded and remembered the name of the leading newsboy.

Colin then continued: "Very well, Jimmy, regarding your concerns, I can tell you for sure that the purpose of calling you here is for the newspaper, that is, the "Courier", and what we are going to talk about next It will only be about things related to newspapers.”

"call……"

Colin's words were like a reassurance, which relieved the anxious hearts of the newsboys.

After listening to Colin's words carefully, the newsboy Jimmy said: "We want to believe you, sir. So, what do we need to do to get the money?"

"It's very simple."

Looking at the newsboys with hopeful eyes in front of him, Colin raised the corners of his mouth and showed a smile: "I just need you to learn a few lines of the song..."

There were not many lyrics in Colin's mouth, and after a few minutes, the newsboys present had already memorized them.

Repeating the lyrics in his mouth, Jimmy looked at Colin in front of him, and for the first time there was a look of confusion on his expression: "Sir, is this really the only reason why you are looking for us? As long as we sing these lyrics, we will be able to do it every time." Pay 5 cents less for a bundle of newspapers?”

"That's right."

Nodding, Colin looked at the freckled face of the newsboy Jimmy and smiled and replied: "Not only the newsboys who come to the Courier, you can also go back and tell the news to other newsboys. As long as they memorize these lyrics and promise to sing them when selling the Courier, they can buy newspapers from me at the same discount."

The 5-cent purchase price discount is enough to impress the newsboys with meager incomes.

You know, the trigger for the newsboys' strike was only 10 cents.

Moreover, under the current Great Depression, the situation of all walks of life is difficult, and even newsboys are no exception.

Therefore, after a little hesitation, the newsboys quickly agreed to Colin's request.

"Colin, no, boss..."

Watching the newsboys leave happily, Old John's face in the Courier could not help showing a bit of worry.

He turned his head to look at Colin in front of him, and couldn't help but say: "Are you really going to lower the price of newspapers? I'm afraid that..."

Although the discount of 5 cents per bundle doesn't seem much, once accumulated, it will be a huge burden for the shaky Courier Newspaper, and it may even lead to a crisis if not careful.

Regarding his job, Old John felt it necessary to say something more.

"Perhaps, we can try to let Little John go to more places and take some photos..."