Mei Man: I drew Superman during the Great Depression

Chapter 181 Comics Candidates

"Outside the number, outside the number!"

"Republican President Hoover announces re-election bid!"

At six o'clock in the morning, it was just dawn.

On the streets of New York, newsboys start their day's work waving their newspapers.

Colin took out a 2-cent coin, bought a newspaper "Baltimore Sun" from the newsboy, and flipped through the front page, which clearly published the news report of Hoover announcing his election.

The "Baltimore Sun" was founded in 1837 and has a history of nearly a hundred years. It has a huge influence in the eastern United States and has always been oriented by a strong position.In terms of politics, the "Baltimore Sun" has a close relationship with the ruling Republican Party. Before the Democratic Party's inner-party election, the "Baltimore Sun" once published an article mocking: "The Democrats have elected their most cowardly candidate. "

With the general election approaching, the media took the lead in kicking off the war.

The major newspapers have also returned to the team one after another, tearing off the usual mask of fairness, and building momentum for the parties they support.

Since this period of time, the possibility of Roosevelt's nomination in the Democratic Party seems to be getting higher and higher. Al Smith, a fellow candidate, directly complained in the media that the Democratic Party is destroying itself, and Roosevelt will only lead the Democratic Party to To hell, give up the next four years to the GOP again.

At the same time, Hoover also began to publicly express his opinions in the media, comparing the primary elections in the Democratic Party to "rotten meat in a rotten soup", no matter which one it is, it is hard to swallow.He called Roosevelt, the leading nominee, a "chameleon in a blanket," and Al Smith "a perpetual loser," dismissing both as worthless.

Roosevelt, on the other hand, compared Hoover to a 'fat, cowardly capon', arguing that he was the cause of the Great Depression.

The Baltimore Sun likened Hoover to a defender of American tradition.

This is consistent with the style of the newspaper. As the oldest newspaper in the short history of the United States, the "Baltimore Sun" often prides itself on its long history of founding publications.Occasionally, he would criticize Colin's "Courier", thinking that the "Courier" was opportunistic and unworthy of being a newspaper at all.

Perhaps the "Baltimore Sun" is right, and it's time for the Courier-Journal to do its job as a media outlet.

Withdrawing his gaze from the newspaper in his hand, Colin thought silently.

"The Courier", as the second largest newspaper in New York after the "World Journal", if it wants to develop further, it does need to make some changes.

Especially in terms of newspaper content, the "Courier" has basically consolidated a group of loyal readers through the long-term serialization of comics. As long as the newspaper does not make too many changes, these readers will not easily change their subscription habits.

What Ke Lin has to do next is to expand more reader groups while consolidating the core readers.

If the "Courier" is simply used as a way to serialize "Superman", it would be a waste of the influence of this mass media on society.

"World Journal" has stayed in the first position for long enough, and it is time to sit down.

……

Although, I have an idea about the next development of "The Courier".

Colin didn't take action immediately, but instead focused on a more important job right now - the recruitment of "Messenger Comics".

With the growing volume of Courier Comics, Jacob alone has obviously become dwarfed by the numbers.

Not only does he need to color the background characters of the serialized comics, but he also started serializing his own comic periodical "Thunderbolt" on "Messenger Comics" not long ago.Although Jacob himself has always insisted that he can complete the work, judging from the other party's daily fatigue state, it is obvious that he has reached the limit of his physical strength.

In order to prevent the cartoonist he hired from "died on duty", and also for the follow-up development of "Messenger Comics", Ke Lin made a recruitment decision, and published this in the latest issue of "Messenger News" A message: ""Messenger Comics" is recruiting cartoonists and painters with drawing skills. Those who are interested, please go to the Messenger Newspaper on Avenue of the Americas in New York County."

During this period, there were only a small number of people who really made a living by creating paintings. Under the Great Depression, these freelancers could only find other jobs if they didn’t want to be truly free.

Originally, Colin thought that the recruitment information he had published in the newspapers met very few applicants, but he ignored the desire of the unemployed for work under the background of the Great Depression.

"Sorry, Mr. Reed, maybe you can try somewhere else..."

Inside the Messenger newspaper office, Colin said to the impoverished applicant in front of him.

"Give me a chance sir, I will work hard!"

Facing Colin's cold reply, Reed begged bitterly.

""Messenger Comics" is applying for a cartoonist, but you don't even have the most basic drawing skills, so I'm sorry Mr. Reed, we can't hire you."

Outside the newspaper office, there were many people queuing up to find a job, but most of them were just like Reed, just for a chance.

"I can learn, just give me a little time sir, I believe I will learn to draw soon."

In the newspaper office, Reid still said with some unwillingness to give up.

""Messenger Comics" recruits technical workers with drawing ability. If you want to learn to draw, please find someone to learn..."

Frowning, Colin said while pointing his eyes at Little John.

As the applicant Reed was "invited" out of the newspaper office by Little John, Jacob secretly heaved a sigh of relief. Everything that happened in the Messenger newspaper office made him more aware of the hardships of this era.If there is a little slack, the applicants lined up outside the door may be his future.

"Little John, tell the people in line outside that if they are still like Reed and have no work experience related to painting, then don't continue to line up. "Messenger Comics" will not hire these people to work .”

Using [Super Perspective] to glance at the line of applicants outside the newspaper office, Ke Lin gave Little John an order.

Following Ke Lin's reminder, the crowd queuing outside obviously became a little commotion. Some of them left the line and no longer wasted time on this job that had no chance. However, there were still some people who hesitated. So he stayed in the team and fought for the hope that didn't exist.

……

"Mr. William Steiger, congratulations."

No matter what, except for a few of the next applicants who are still unwilling to give up, most of them have a certain degree of painting experience.

For example, the candidate named William Steiger in front of Ke Lin has rich experience in painting and creation. Before the recruitment of "Messenger Comics", he wrote and created pictures and covers for "The New Yorker".

After looking through William Steiger's works for "The New Yorker", Colin immediately made a decision.

On the side, Jacob looked at the works of William Steiger, feeling a sense of pressure in his heart.

From the perspective of creative skills and level alone, William Steiger is obviously much better than him. He is indeed a cartoonist who once worked in "The New Yorker".

But, since there is no problem with William Steiger's creation, why did he leave "The New Yorker" again?
Colin was obviously curious about Jacob's question, so after finalizing the recruitment, he asked.

"Mr. William Steiger, I would like to ask, since you have been working for "The New Yorker" before, why did you choose "Messenger Comics?"

"Because I needed money, and the Courier Comics offered more than The New Yorker, so here I am."

Mr. William Steiger's answer was simple but convincing.

Later, Steiger, who was hailed as the "King of Comics" by Newsweek and author of several award-winning and best-selling children's picture books and children's novels, told Colin: "If I could choose my own path, I would Could be a professional athlete, or a sailor, or a beach bum, or some other form of homelessness, or a painter, gardener, novelist, banjo player, traveler, whatever And I won't be a rich man."

"When I was a teenager, Tahiti was my paradise. I made up my mind to live there one day. I was going to be a sailor like Melville, but the depression forced me to go to To support my family by being a comic book writer."

The trajectory of William Steiger's life changed because of the Great Depression.

His father went bankrupt due to the Great Depression, his older brother got married and started a family independently, and his younger brother was only 17 years old, so he could only support the family through continuous painting and creation.

"Believe me, Mr. William Steiger, you will not regret your choice."

Perhaps because of supporting his family earlier, William Steiger looked more mature. He asked Colin about work issues and time, and then he left the newspaper office to deal with the follow-up work of The New Yorker.

After William Steiger, the performance of the remaining candidates was somewhat unsatisfactory.

Among them are graduates of the Academy of Fine Arts, and there are also staff who once specially created posters for movies, but they are not very good in painting skills.Of course, if you are just an ordinary colorist, you can also be competent in "Messenger Comics".

In this way, a few colorists for future comics were barely selected from these applicants.

Just at the end of the interview, a special applicant appeared in the newspaper office.

The reason why he is special is because the other party’s dress is different from most of the applicants. The normal attire of ordinary applicants is a suit, but the applicant in front of him is wearing a black coat uncharacteristically, with a black coat pinned to his chest. Skeleton collarpin, with two beautiful mustaches, and a weird hat on his head.

Looking away from the hat with eyeballs embedded in the two holes on the applicant's head, Colin then looked at the applicant in front of him and asked calmly.

"Mr. Charles Adams, do you have any experience in painting related work?"

Compared with the weird attire, Charles Adams's answer seemed much more normal. He took off his hat and replied solemnly: "No, but I have learned to draw and tried to contribute to newspapers, but at present So far, there are no serialized works."

Speaking of which, Charles Adams looked up at Colin in front of him: "Actually, I also contributed to the Courier."

The "Courier" did receive submissions for comics for a while, but at that time, Colin had already confirmed that he would serialize "Superman" in the newspaper, so naturally he would not contact those cartoonists who contributed, Charles • Adams was apparently one of those rejected.

"Then, Mr. Charles Adams, can you tell me the reason why your work cannot be serialized in the newspaper?"

It has been almost half a year since the serialization of "Superman" in the "Courier", but Charles Adams, who contributed the original manuscript, still failed to serialize a comic in the newspaper, which obviously has some problems.

"Maybe it's because of the difference in style."

In this regard, Charles Adams obviously also has self-knowledge.

"A difference in style?"

"Yes, I grew up obsessed with things like coffins, bones and tombstones, and I often focus on this in the comics I create. Obviously not everyone can accept my comic style."

In the Messenger newspaper, after hearing Charles Adams' explanation, Colin glanced at the other party's weird outfit again, and suddenly said in his heart: "In this case, Mr. Charles Adams, I can take a look at the comics you created Works, do you understand what is the style surprise in your mouth?"

Regarding Colin's reaction, Charles Adams raised his eyebrows in surprise. He obviously didn't expect Colin to be interested in him. He thought that he had no chance of applying for the job this time. The action is not slow.

"of course can."

From his coat pocket, he took out a few first drafts of comics, and Charles Adams handed them to Colin. As the other party approached, Colin saw a ring in the shape of a bone on Charles' finger. Obviously, it was As the other party said, he paid attention to things like coffin bones in 10 minutes, and even the choice of accessories.

"really."

Reaching out his hand to take the drawing handed over by Charles Adams, Colin looked down at the content on it, and a look of understanding flashed in his eyes.

Originally, he didn't have much feeling for the name Charles Adams, but when the other party appeared in that out of place outfit and described his comic style, Colin gradually had some guesses in his mind.

And this guess, with the sketch handed over by Charles Adams, was finally confirmed.

(End of this chapter)