American comics: I drew Superman during the Great Depression

Courier newspaper office, inside the warehouse.

Everyone saw the new rotary machine that Colin mentioned. The machine was transformed from an old rotary printing press. Old John and others could also see some shadows of the old rotary machine on it, including the bearings and handles.

However, the overall structure of this rotary machine is completely different from the rotary machine that Old John and the others remembered. It is somewhat similar to the color rotary printing press currently used by newspapers, but there are obvious differences.

Looking at this specious rotary printing press, Old John and others opened their mouths, but they didn't know what to say.

"Next, don't blink."

Standing in front of the prototype machine, Colin took a deep breath, connected the power supply and pulled the switch, and the old rotary machine took on new vitality.

Creak, creak——

Most of the parts of the prototype machine came from old rotary machines that had been eliminated by the newspaper. Even if Colin polished some of the parts, he still could not change the fact that it was old.

Under the gaze of everyone, the turbine began to start.

The paper was loaded into the machine in an orderly manner, and with the operation of the wheel, the printing work was repeated. Soon a colorful newspaper cover appeared in front of everyone, and was automatically caught by the machine.

The entire printing process is smooth and natural, and the printing speed is much faster than the color rotary machines currently used by newspapers.

Of course, this is not the most important thing.

"The effect of this printing!"

Reaching out to pick up a newspaper cover from the place where the rotary machine picks up paper, Old John looked at the clearly visible fonts and colors on the printing paper. He couldn't help but take off his glasses and said tremblingly: "I have never seen anything so clear. Printing effect, sir, how on earth do you achieve this?”

"Offset printing." In response, Colin replied with a smile: "I replaced the lead alloy letterpress in the rotary machine and replaced it with a softer and more elastic rubber cloth, so that the ink can be spread more evenly throughout the printing process. Transfer to paper."

At present, the mainstream printing technology on the market is still based on the lead alloy letterpress printing process.

Although offset printing machines already exist, they have never been able to replace the rotary machine market, which is dominated by lead alloy letterpress printing technology.

After all, when the offset printing press was invented, the technology of the lead alloy letterpress rotary machine was also progressing. Although this process has shortcomings such as high labor intensity, long production cycle, and environmental pollution, in terms of cost, after decades Years of development have brought it to the extreme, which is far beyond what offset printing machines can compare with.

At the same time, the Great Depression also hindered the promotion of offset printing presses.

Under normal circumstances, the Plaa-Deca, the first four-color sheet-fed offset press capable of color printing, would be launched by KBA in 1932, symbolizing the possibility of commercialization of the huge progress in offset printing technology.

Then, due to the outbreak of World War II, the development of the entire offset printing technology was delayed for more than ten years, and it was not until the mid-to-late 1940s that it flourished.

The prototype machine in Colin's hands obviously spans this period of history.

The four-color double-sided paper offset printing press he transformed not only combines the development of later offset printing technology in terms of technology, forming a mature technology, but is also more advanced than the sheet-fed offset printing press launched by KBA in the same year. The advancement has installed a flip structure, allowing it to not only perform color printing, but also double-sided printing.

Such a small flip structure design also contains the ingenuity of a large number of paper offset press manufacturers in later generations. It cannot be made casually. It is not only the flip structure, but also includes automatic paper loading, automatic paper splicing, automatic Functions such as cleaning, automatic detection of ink color, and automatic adjustment of ink volume were all put on the prototype machine by Colin.

Including the ink balance problem in the offset printing process, it was not solved until the dampening system was added in the 1960s. But in Colin's hands, he has already taken the lead in completing the installation of this system.

It can be said that the technological content of such a prototype offset printing machine has exceeded the level of printing machines currently on the market for 20 to 30 years.

The newspaper in his hand was taken away by everyone around him, but Old John didn't care.

When he came to the prototype machine, he stretched out his rough palm to touch the machine. Old John said excitedly to Colin beside him: "Sir, I have a hunch that your invention may change the history of printing. Starting a revolution in the newspaper industry.”

"We'll see."

Hearing this, Colin did not show too much excitement. He just turned to look at the prototype in the warehouse and said with a little regret.

Limited by the level of the times, he was unable to push the technical level of rotary printing presses to a higher level.

In his mind, it's not that there are no more advanced printing technologies than the prototype of the four-color double-sided paper offset printing machine in front of him, but the development of many technologies requires not only inspiration, but also the cooperation of materials. During the Great Depression, many material technologies as we would later know them were in their infancy, or simply did not exist at all.

Therefore, even if Colin wanted to improve the technological level of the printing press, he would not be able to do it in a short time.

Unless, he is not only involved in the production of rotary machines, but also engages in research on materials science.

But this is undoubtedly too cumbersome. If possible, Colin does not intend to make it so hard for himself in the real world.

After all, he did not come to correct the world to benefit society. "Superman" is his foundation.

In other fields, no matter how outstanding his achievements are, he cannot unlock even one more ability on the [Bronze Seal].

…

"Extra number, extra number!"

"The Courier-Journal launches new printing technology so you can see Superman more clearly!"

"Same price, clearer Superman!"

Weekend mornings.

Newsboys shouted loud slogans and waved the latest issue of the Courier in their hands, appearing in the streets of New York City.

"Give me a copy of the Courier..."

After a long period of hard work, "The Courier" currently ranks second in New York City's newspaper sales.

In this regard, except for "World Journal" which occasionally publishes targeted reports in newspapers, arguing that "The Courier"'s actions are not news reports at all, the vast majority of newspapers have actually accepted this fact.

After all, no matter how much they objected, the Courier's sales were there.

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And even if it finds fault in news reporting, the Courier has also achieved good results. Simply reporting on the scandal in New York City that forced the former mayor to step down is no longer what tabloids like them can do.

"Can you really see Superman more clearly?"

The pedestrian stopped the newsboy and said a little doubtfully.

"That's absolutely true, sir."

He took out a copy of the newspaper in his hand and opened one of the pages in front of passers-by, letting them see the clearly visible serials in the newspaper at close range. The newsboy said: "It is said that all these belong to Mr. Colin." Credit goes to him for inventing new printing technology that can make newspapers print better, but he is still willing to sell the Courier at the same price, so that everyone can see clearer newspapers without increasing the price... …”

"Give me a newspaper!"

Regardless of whether the facts stated by the newsboy were true or false, at least passers-by could clearly see that the printing quality of the Courier in the hands of their opponent was much better than all the newspapers they had seen before. Therefore, without any hesitation, he bought a copy of the Courier.

"Happy reading, sir."

Taking the change from the pedestrian's hand and handing him a folded newspaper, the newsboy grasped the rope on his shoulder and continued his hawking.

"Sure enough, it's new printing technology."

On the other hand, he took the latest issue of "The Courier" from the newsboy and looked at the comic series clearly visible on it. Even though he had already glanced at it, he couldn't help but sigh.

Such clear printing is rare in this era.

After all, due to the impact of the Great Depression, the vast majority of printed matter on the market chose cheap paper and printing methods due to cost considerations, even in the newspaper industry.

Pedestrians have only seen such clear printed images on movie posters.

But you must know that the poster was specially designed by someone, and it was obviously impossible for the "Courier" in his hands to do this.

In addition to sighing at the printing quality of the Courier, the stories serialized in this issue of the newspaper are equally attractive.

In the new issue of "Superman", two new villains appear one after another.

The first half of the story tells the story of an insect scientist whose real name was Roderick Ross. He was obsessed with insect research and eventually transformed himself from a human into an insect through a chemical experiment. After the experiment, Roderick Ross, or the young winged insect, was wrapped in a green exoskeleton. His two pairs of eyes were like the compound eyes of an insect. Only his mouth retained human characteristics.

In its insect state, the larvae have great strength and can easily lift a locomotive.

At the same time, after turning into a young winged insect, Roderick Ross's evil purpose was also exposed. He wanted to turn everyone in Metropolis into an insect form like himself, and to be slaves inferior to this adult insect. larva.

Thanks to the effect of Colin's four-color double-sided paper offset printing machine, the finished product after Jacob's coloring was clearly printed on the newspaper. Looking at the weird half-human, half-insect shape of the larvae in the serial, although Although he was just a character in a comic book, pedestrians who saw this scene still had some creepy feelings.

"This printing effect is a bit too real."

In the previous color printing, due to the limitations of the coloring process, except for Superman as the main character, many villains could only be filled with single colors to avoid color bleeding.

After the four-color double-sided paper offset printing machine, this problem has undoubtedly been greatly reduced.

Jacob's detailed outline of the character of the young winged insect makes the entire shape more realistic, especially the pair of insect-like red compound eyes, which give readers who read this sentence a feeling as if they are really watching. The feeling of an insect monster.

Of course, it’s not just the villain character like the larvae that has been improved in image quality.

Superman, the protagonist of the comic, has also been greatly improved in clarity.

In the comic, the red cape behind Superman is clearly visible when Superman fights with the young winged insect, and even the wrinkles on it are clearly depicted.

The fighting effect presented in this way is far beyond any previous serial content, making readers who see this scene can't help but shout with excitement.

At the end of this episode, it is customary to end with Superman's victory.

Through freezing breath, Superman froze the young winged insect into ice withering. At the same time, Superman established his first base Secret Citadel in this episode.

The setting of Secret Citadel obviously aroused the strong curiosity of readers.

However, Colin, who depicted this scene, deliberately only drew the appearance of the fortress, and did not take readers to a deeper understanding of the situation inside the fortress.

He will depict the plot of the secret fortress, but will not reveal too much.

The more important introduction will be put in the new quarterly magazine of "Superman".

The setting of the secret fortress has aroused the curiosity of readers.

In the second half of the comic series, Colin showed Superman a new ability - super premonition.

In this episode, Superman, who works at the Daily Courier, vaguely sensed that some kind of danger was happening, and the villain Cryptid also appeared.

Thousands of years ago, a creature called "Cryptid" was born on the earth and struggled for life. However, in a volcanic eruption, the primitive ancient creature was unfortunately sealed in an underground cave and is still in a state of suspended death.

However, during an archaeological activity, American archaeologists accidentally discovered this sealed cave. They chiseled open the cave and found the caveman who was suspended dead inside.

Archaeologists were ecstatic and thought it was a great discovery in the history of archaeology.

They brought the suspended dead caveman to Metropolis and wanted to study him. However, in the process, the caveman woke up and released terrible ancient radiation.

It turned out that over a long period of time, the caveman was affected by the mysterious radioactive substances on the earth and mutated into a dangerous existence.

In the radiation of the caveman, the archaeologists died painfully, and the awakened caveman fell into madness because of the city that was completely different from the metropolis, and began to destroy the city.

At the critical moment, Superman, who had a premonition of danger, appeared and stopped the destruction of the caveman.

At the same time, the radiation from the caveman seemed to have no effect on Superman. Sensing the dangerous radiation from the caveman, Superman built a huge isolation device through thermal vision to trap him, and finally sent him to outer space with his own superhuman power, forcing this monster who had awakened from ancient times to fall into a state of suspended animation again.

Please remember the domain name of the first release of this book:. Shuquge mobile reading website:

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