Mei Man: I drew Superman during the Great Depression

Chapter 26 Creating Heroes
The early comic plots of Superman were uncomplicated.

In addition, "The Courier" is serialized in the form of four-panel comics. In order to attract readers' interest from the first issue, Ke Lin chose the simplest and crudest way of comics.

Instead of going into detail about Superman's origins, he quickly skips over his upbringing in a rough way and goes straight to what he's capable of.

Of course, during this creation process, Colin also repaired some original "Superman" settings, making the background of the comics closer to what is well-known to future generations.

For example, in the original version of the "Superman" story, after Superman landed on the earth, he was discovered by a passing car driver and sent to an orphanage. That is to say, at the beginning of the comic series, Superman was a An orphan who grew up in an orphanage, and the place where he first showed his ability was also in the orphanage, lifting the sofa in the form of a baby.

Colin revised this part of the plot, deleted the plot of the orphanage and chose the more familiar farm parents as the background setting.

The plot was repaired, and Clark's superman identity was introduced through a few comics.

"Whoo~"

Inside the Messenger newspaper, Ke Lin turned his sore wrist, put down the paintbrush in his hand, and let out a long sigh of relief looking at the four-frame cartoon on the manuscript paper.

The comics of this period, especially the comics serialized in newspapers, were not as strict as later generations in terms of style requirements due to the relationship between manuscripts.Therefore, although Ke Lin's drawing skills are average, it is barely enough for serialization as a comic.

For an excellent comic, drawing skills are important, but the most important thing is to tell a good story.

With a good story as a foreshadowing, even if it is matched with a bad artist, it can also attract readers, but not necessarily vice versa.After all, no matter how gorgeous the style is, the empty content piled up is still empty.

……

After completing the content of the first issue of the "Superman" comics, Colin handed him over to Old John.

Little John, who was helping on the side, became the first person to witness the birth of a superhero in this era.

"It turns out that this is a superhero!"

After reading Colin's manuscript, Little John handed some unfinished manuscript paper to Old John in front of the typesetting machine, and asked Colin impatiently: "So, how did Superman's ability come about? Is there really such a thing as Superman?"

"Who knows, maybe or maybe not."

Instead of answering Little John's question directly, Colin replied with a meaningful expression and a smile.

Perhaps, in the world of the Great Depression, there are no so-called superheroes.

However, for Colin, superheroes actually appear in his life.

It's just that it's not in the world in front of you.

……

In the next few days, Colin concentrated on the 'creation' of "Superman".

The content of the last two issues of the manga will be completed soon. Not surprisingly, the stories of these two episodes have also been sought after by Little John, and the other party has even vowed to guarantee it.

The "Superman" created by Colin is the most exciting cartoon he has seen so far.

After all, in some comics of this period, although some heroes have appeared, their abilities are far less powerful than the superman created by Colin. This kind of superman only exists in science fiction stories and far surpasses human beings. Superpower is the power that everyone yearns for but cannot achieve.

Completing the creation of comics does not mean that Ke Lin's work is over.

On the contrary, what he has to do has just begun.

Inside the Courier newspaper, Jimmy held the big newsboy cap on his head and cautiously greeted Colin.

"Hello, Mr. Colin..."

"Hello, Jimmy."

Smiling and saying hello to the newsboy in front of him, Colin looked at his freckled little face, but there was no trace of contempt on his face.

In this era, everyone is working hard, even the newspaper boy is no exception.

Sensing goodwill from Colin's smile, Jimmy's original nervous expression gradually eased, but soon he seemed to think of something and restrained the expression on his face.

He stretched out his hand and pulled the clothes on his body, trying to make himself look more mature, Jimmy said to Colin with a stern face, "So, sir, the purpose of your asking someone to contact me is to negotiate wrong?"

"negotiation?"

Reporting the contents of the fairy tale surprised Ke Lin a little.

But Jimmy nodded calmly and said: "That's right, negotiation. In fact, all newsboys understand that generosity has a time limit. It is impossible for the Courier to always pay 5 cents per bundle." The discount gave us the newspaper. During this time, with the spread of nursery rhymes, the effect of newsboy singing has become less and less effective. It is not too surprising that you plan to take back the discount..."

If so, in this era, who is the most sensitive to the direction of the newspaper.

That was undoubtedly the newsboys.

As the leader of the newsboys in this area, Jimmy is naturally responsible for guaranteeing the income of the newsboys: "The newsboys understand what the "Courier" does. We just hope that the newspaper will not increase the price of the newspaper, and just maintain the original price without discount. Just give it to us, sir."

"We just wanted a chance to make a living..."

Having said that, Jimmy's tone was filled with pleading.

Under the impact of the Great Depression, life was not easy for newsboys. Even adults in this era had a hard time, let alone children like them.Especially with the popularity of newsstands, more and more people are getting used to choosing publications in front of newsstands instead of buying limited newspapers from newsboys.

This made life even more difficult for newsboys, who had to travel farther to sell newspapers in neighborhoods where newsstands were not yet common.

Looking at Jimmy's firm and expectant eyes, Colin suppressed the smile on his face and said, "Don't be nervous, Jimmy, I didn't come here for the discount on the Courier. Negotiations, in fact, I never thought of raising the price of newspapers again from the beginning to the end."

The job of a newsboy is vital to both the Courier and Colin himself.

Naturally, it was impossible for him to fall out with them for a mere price of 5 cents. After all, the previous newspaper office that did this had already tasted the bitter fruit, which proved that newsboys were indispensable.Without their hard work, newspapers would lose access in an age without home delivery and electronic media.

Or it is precisely because of this awareness that the newspaper industry will actively develop newsstands to replace the role of newsboys.

However, at least for now, the existence of newsboys is still necessary, especially for local tabloids such as the Courier, which are not very competitive on newsstands.

Not to mention, for Colin.

The existence of the newsboy has another more important meaning, that is, he needs to gain more [faith] through the hard work of the newsboys to complete the cohesion of the [Black Iron Mark].

(End of this chapter)