Mei Man: I drew Superman during the Great Depression

Chapter 61
"... 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 capture the world. On the first color cartoon..."

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

During this period, Walt Disney has emerged.

A few years ago Steamboat Willie, the world's first fully synchronized sound animation, was released to great success at its premiere at the Expat Theater in New York.

"Steamboat Willie" laid a solid foundation for the later development of Walt Disney. The founder Walt even defined November 1928, 11, which is the date when the movie was released, as Mickey's birthday, symbolizing the birth of Disney.

Animation?
It's not that Colin didn't think about creating animations related to "Superman".

However, limited by the development of the times, the animation technology during the Great Depression was far less mature than 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 three years to produce. During the production of the film, Disney not only had to face Technical obstacles, but also need to overcome financial problems.

It is said that in order to complete the production of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", Walt Disney invested a total of 150 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 gained him a lot of benefits, they are still far from the level that supports his independent production of "Superman" animation.

Perhaps, consider working with Walt Disney?

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

But soon, he suppressed this thought.

At least not now, during this period, even Walt Disney is still in the groping stage in terms of animation production.

What's more, with the success of "Steamboat Willie", Walt Disney obviously focused more energy on the creation of animated characters in his hands.At this time, even if Colin came to seek cooperation with them, Walt Disney had a high probability of expressing his rejection. They were too busy with the animation in hand, so there was no time to make other animations.

So, need to wait.

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

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

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

As a comic that will be serialized in the "Courier" every week.

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

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

In particular, many "correct" stories in later generations were not correct during the Great Depression.

Fortunately, with the unlocking of [Super Brain Power], although this ability is also restricted in the positive world.

However, with the convenience brought by ability.

Based on the creative inspiration of "Superman" comics, Colin has always maintained a certain level.

At the same time, he will also draw hot events during the Great Depression into the comics. This creative technique of breaking the illusion gives readers an immersive feeling that Superman is by his side.

It is quite popular with readers, and even many fans wrote letters, swearing that Superman is by their side.

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

"Superman syndrome" is also known as the "Clark effect". It is a psychological phenomenon that appeared during the Great Depression. The stories seen in comics and newspapers are mistaken for everything that happened in reality.

According to a survey by Time Magazine, at that time, many people thought that they saw the appearance of Superman in reality. The object of this witness was either a friend around them, or they themselves. Superman seemed to be everywhere in that era.

……

The Messenger newspaper, just as Colin was concentrating on reading the news in the newspaper.

Harry Donnelfield pushed open the ajar door and walked in.

At this time, the expression on his face was full of vigor, and the restlessness and uneasiness of the past had long since disappeared.

"The circulation of the first issue of "Messenger Comics" has exceeded 29 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 this incomprehensible.

But during the Great Depression, newspapers and magazines became the most important form of entertainment after radio.

The price of 10 cents for a volume of "Messenger Comics" 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 doesn't mean that only one person can pay for the purchase. The cash-strapped readers of "Superman" will often gather together in twos and piece together the money for a copy of "Messenger Comics", and buy comics from newsstands. Take turns flipping through.

"So the first issue of the Courier is almost sold out?"

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

"There are only a small number of newsstands left, and there are still some "Messenger Comics" left here and there. I asked the bosses of these newsstands, and apart from partly because of special orders from old customers, some bosses simply plan to keep them for themselves. "

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

At the beginning, when Colin chose to print 20 copies of "Messenger Comics", he still had some hesitation in his heart, fearing that such a radical approach would lead to a blow to the original good momentum of comic books, and even further, resulting in the publication of The company went bankrupt.

Although, at the beginning, Ke Lin approached them for the reason of cooperation.

However, both Harry and Jack knew in their hearts that the real controller of "Messenger Comics" was Colin. Whether it was the creation or distribution plan of the comics, it was finally decided by the other party. Publishing and printing of comics, as well as providing channels and assistance for distribution.

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

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(End of this chapter)