American manga: I drew Superman in the Great Depression

"...Technicolor invented a color film shooting technology that converts black and white films into color through three-color printing technology. Walt Disney is considering applying it to animation production to shoot the world

The first color cartoon..."

Continuing to read the newspaper, news about Walt Disney appeared in Colin's eyes.

During this period, Walt Disney had already risen to prominence.

A few years ago, "Steamboat Willie" was released and premiered at the New York Diaspora Cinema, where it was a huge success. It was the world's first fully synchronized sound animation.

"Steamboat Willie" laid a solid foundation for Walt Disney's subsequent development. Founder Walt even defined November 18, 1928, the date of the film's release, as Mickey's birthday, symbolizing the birth of Disney.

Animation?

It is not that Colin has never thought about creating animations related to "Superman".

However, due to the development of the times, the animation technology during the Great Depression was far less mature than that of later generations.

The production cycle of an animation is often surprisingly long.

Take Walt Disney's masterpiece "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" a few years later as an example. This feature-length animated film took a total of three years to produce. During the production process of the film, Disney not only had to face

There are technical obstacles and financial problems that need to be overcome.

It is said that in order to complete the production of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", Walt Disney invested a total of 1.5 million, but the final completion of the film is still far away.

At present, although the "Messenger" and "Messenger Comics" in Colin's hands have brought him considerable profits, they are still far from the level to support his independent production of "Superman" animation.

Perhaps, you can consider partnering with Walt Disney?

Looking at the newspaper reports about Disney, thoughts were flowing in Colin's mind.

But soon, he suppressed this idea.

At least not now. At this time, even Walt Disney is still in the exploratory stage in animation production.

What's more, with the success of "Steamboat Willie", Walt Disney has obviously focused more energy on the creation of its animated characters. At this time, even if Colin came to seek cooperation with them

, Walt Disney also has a high probability of expressing rejection. They are even too busy with the animations on hand, so there is no time to make other animations.

All, need to wait.

For the current "Superman", animation is not the first choice.

Silently suppressing the idea of ​​making a "Superman" animation in his mind, Colin continued to flip down the newspaper in his hand.

The reason why he reads newspapers so frequently is not only to obtain news, but also to collect inspiration and materials for his comic creation.

As a weekly comic strip in the Courier.

How to create a Superman plot is also a test for Colin.

Considering the characteristics of the Great Depression, many "Superman" comic stories are not suitable for this period.

Especially many "correct" stories in later generations were incorrect during the Great Depression.

Fortunately, with the unlocking of [Super Brain Power], although this ability is also subject to restrictions in the real world.

However, with the convenience brought by ability.

Colin has always maintained a certain standard based on the creative inspiration of the "Superman" comics.

At the same time, he would also draw hot events during the Great Depression into comics. This creative method that breaks the illusion gives readers an immersive feeling that Superman is around them.

It is very popular among readers, and even many fans have written letters, swearing that Superman is by their side.

My aunt who was far away in Washington once saw Superman on a farm.

"Superman syndrome", also known as the "Clark Effect", is a psychological phenomenon that appeared during the Great Depression. Because of something widely circulated, people lost the separation of reality and fantasy, and

The stories seen in comics newspapers were mistaken for what happened in reality.

According to a survey by Time Magazine, many people at that time believed that they saw Superman appearing in reality. This witness was either from their friends or themselves. In short,

Superman seemed to be everywhere in that era.

…

Courier Newspaper Office, just as Colin was concentrating on reading the news in the newspaper.

Harry Donnerfield pushed open the ajar door and walked in.

At this time, the expression on his face was high-spirited, and he no longer had the anxiety and uneasiness of the past.

"The circulation of the first issue of "Messenger Comics" has exceeded 290,000 copies. It is time to publish the second issue."

Although the emergence of piracy has had a certain impact on the distribution of "Messenger Comics", the sales of comics are still in short supply.

Perhaps, some people will find it difficult to understand this.

But during the Great Depression, newspapers and magazines became people's most important forms of entertainment after radio.

The price of "Messenger Comics" is 10 cents per volume, which may not be cheap, but this does not prevent more people, especially comic fanatics, from pursuing and loving comics.

Not to mention, "Messenger Comics" only sets the price of a single copy at 10 cents. It does not mean that only one person can pay for it. Cash-strapped readers of "Superman" often buy it in three or two.

They gathered together, scraped together money for a copy of "The Courier Comics", bought the comics from the newsstand, and took turns reading them.

"So, the first issue of The Courier has almost been sold?"

Putting down the newspaper in his hand, Colin glanced at the impatient Harry in front of him and said casually.

"Only a small number of newsstands still have some Courier Comics in their hands. I asked the bosses of these newsstands. In addition to the special instructions from old customers, some bosses simply planned to collect them themselves.

"

Having said this, Harry glanced at Colin in the newspaper office, his eyes full of admiration.

When Colin chose to print an additional 200,000 copies of "Messenger Comics", he still had some hesitation in his heart. He was afraid that such a radical approach would cause the comic book's original good momentum to be hit, or even go further, thus causing

The publishing house went bankrupt.

Although, Colin originally approached them for the reason of cooperation.

However, both Harry and Jack knew in their hearts that the real controller of "The Courier Comics" was Colin. Whether it was the creation of the comics or the distribution plan, it was ultimately decided by the other party. What the two of them did was just to

Provide channels and assistance for the publication, printing, and distribution of comics.

The combination of the publishing house and the Courier Newspaper is more like a disguised acquisition than a cooperation.