American manga: I drew Superman in the Great Depression

To this day, the studio has successfully made a name for itself with Mickey Mouse.

However, that experience in New York was still something Walt could never forget.

Putting away his memories, he returned his gaze to the newspaper in his brother Roy's hand.

"The Courier?"

Taking the newspaper, to Walter's surprise, the one he said was in short supply was not a familiar big newspaper like "World Journal" or "New York News", but an unknown tabloid.

Looking at the names on the newspaper, Walter couldn't help but look up at Roy in front of him, as if asking him if he had made a mistake.

"You'll understand after reading it."

Roy motioned for Walt to look down.

Retracting his gaze with hesitation, Walter took the Courier in his hand and continued reading.

Opening the newspaper, there wasn't much other content on it, let alone the news sections he was familiar with. Instead, there was a large "comic strip" serialized content.

"Superman?"

Looking at the comic strips on the newspaper page, Walt's eyes became even more confused.

He looked down the newspaper page, and soon his entire attention was attracted by the "Superman" story in the newspaper.

The plot of the comic is not complicated. It mainly tells the story of Superman as the protagonist helping others and saving the metropolis.

But the concept of superheroes undoubtedly breaks Walt's traditional understanding of past comics. This new story genre gives readers a brand new experience, and the design of the metropolis in the story gives people an inexplicable sense of excitement.

At this point, "Superman" and Walt's Disney Studio can be said to have two completely different creative ideas.

This can be seen in the animation works of Walt Disney Studios, which mostly focus on creating fairy tales, including the design of Mickey Mouse and the content of the "Symphony of Silly" series of animated shorts. In the "Symphony of Silly" animation

, you can see various anthropomorphic stories, including insects and even plants.

The "Superman" comics in the "Courier" obviously took a modern route and moved the theme of the story into reality. Moreover, Walt, who had been to New York, recognized at a glance the big character in the background of the comic story.

Metropolis is obviously based on the city of New York.

“Excellent work.”

Flipping the newspaper, I saw the end of the serialized story on the last page of "Superman".

Walter nodded and sighed.

"I now understand why it's so popular that demand exceeds supply."

After reading the serialization of "Superman" in the newspaper, inspiration flashed like sparks in Walt's mind, and vague ideas emerged.

"The Courier is not the only best-selling newspaper. In fact, the Courier Comics they launched also have amazing sales. It is said that as many as 300,000 copies have been sold in New York."

Roy obviously had some knowledge of Colin's Courier Newspaper. Not only did he know about the Courier, but he also heard about the "Messenger Comics" comic issue he had just launched.

News in this period was far less convenient than in later generations.

Unless it's a vicious event like the "Detroit Anti-Hunger March," newspapers rarely publish news events outside the states.

"The Courier Comics."

After hearing his brother Roy's introduction, Walter lowered his head and glanced at the Courier-Journal in his hand.

"I admit that "Superman" serialized in "The Courier" is an excellent work, but it does not seem to have much to do with our studio."

Looking back, Walter said with some doubts.

"It seems like you didn't notice."

Faced with his brother's doubts, Roy's lips curled up slightly: "If 'Mickey' knew about it, he would probably cry."

The ridicule in Roy's tone was obviously a hint of surprise.

After hearing his words, Walter picked up the Courier again, and sure enough a few minutes later he saw the familiar figure from a certain page of the comic strip.

"It's Steamboat Willie!"

In the comics, the figure holding the rudder and wearing a sailor's hat is undoubtedly a replica of the image of the animated "Steamboat Willie".

Although, limited by comic printing technology, the image of Mickey Mouse is not clear, but as a caring person, especially the creator of Mickey, Walt still recognized it at a glance.

"So, the purpose of you bringing the newspaper is to tell me that Mickey appears in the "Superman" comics?"

After the excitement, Walter calmed down and looked at Roy in front of him with some confusion and said.

"Or are you planning to sue The Courier for copyright infringement through Mickey in the newspaper?"

Because of the previous experience with "Oswal the Lucky Rabbit", Walt Disney Studios has put a lot of thought into the copyright of Mickey, and is obviously unwilling to repeat the mistakes of the past "Oswal the Lucky Rabbit".

"If it's a prosecution, I don't think the chance of success is high."

His eyes fell on Mickey in the comic, and Walt said hesitantly: "After all, this kind of comic is printed in black and white. Except for the main characters, other characters are very blurry. It is difficult to sue them based on this."

After all, judging from the plot of the comic, Mickey's appearance is obviously a bit of a surprise. Perhaps the comic creator himself likes the animation "Steamboat Willie". Even if Mickey is removed from the comic, it will not have any impact on the entire plot.

Influence.

"A few days ago, sales of Mickey dolls in New York City increased by about 10%."

Seeing Walter's reaction, Roy suddenly spoke.

Hearing his brother's words, Walter's face was a little confused at first, wondering why the other party suddenly brought up such a topic, but he quickly came to his senses and looked down at the Courier in his hand.

The sketchy Mickey looked at each other again.

"You mean?"

In response, Roy nodded noncommittally and replied.

"Obviously, the cartoons serialized in The Courier played a certain role."

In the industry, Walt Disney Studios has achieved certain achievements with "Steamboat Willie" and has been recognized by the Oscars. In terms of business, the expansion of Mickey's territory has encountered some minor problems, especially

On top of the sales of toy products.

Initially, Disney's licensed Mickey and Minnie dolls have been showing good momentum.

However, with the impact of the Great Recession and the worsening economic impact, the sales of Mickey products were also affected.

That's according to Baibo Lan, the studio's New York-based publishing company.

People no longer seem to like Mickey Mouse as much as before, and sales of surrounding items have also begun to show a downward trend.