American manga: I drew Superman in 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 subsequent World War II when these children who grew up during the Great Depression were drafted into the army. Nearly 40% of young men were physically unqualified.

Symptoms such as poor vision, heart and circulatory system 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, who were originally worried.

The children looked at each other. The last one, who looked about 12 or 13 years old, seemed to be the leading newsboy. 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 one after another to increase each other's momentum.

For a newsboy, every cent of the price of a newspaper is a big deal.

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. For this reason, 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.

Most 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.

"Sir, thank you for your generosity."

When the commotion calmed down, the leading newsboy spoke, looking 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?

Is it? We are just a group of ordinary newspaper boys. We work hard every day to deliver newspapers just to survive. If your purpose is to use our identities to do something illegal, I'm sorry. Although we are poor,

Every penny is the result of hard work, which 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 newsboys 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, making the newsboys feel relieved.

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, showed a smile and said: "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 purpose of you 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 replied with a smile: "Not only the newsboys who come to the Courier Newspaper Office, you can also go back and tell other newsboys, as long as they memorize it.

If you sing these lyrics and promise to sing them when selling The Courier, you can get the newspaper from me at the same discount."

A purchase price discount of 5 cents is enough to impress a newspaper boy with a meager income.

You know, the original opportunity for the newsboy strike was only 10 cents.

What's more, under the current Great Recession, all walks of life are in a difficult situation, even newsboys are no exception.

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

"Colin, no, boss..."

Watching the newsboys leaving happily, in the Courier newspaper office, Old John's face could not help but reveal a bit of worry.

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

Although the discount of 5 cents per bundle may not seem like much, once it accumulates, it will be a huge burden for the already shaky Courier Newspaper Company, and it may even lead to a crisis if you are not careful.

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

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