American comics: I drew Superman during the Great Depression

"Extra, Extra!"

"Republican President Hoover announces his re-election campaign!"

At six in the morning, the sky was just getting light.

On the streets of New York, newsboys waved newspapers in their hands and started a new day's work.

Colin took out a 2-cent coin and bought a newspaper, The Baltimore Sun, from the newsboy. He opened the front page and saw a news report clearly about Hoover's announcement of his candidacy.

The Baltimore Sun was founded in 1837, and it has a history of nearly a hundred years. It has a huge influence in the eastern United States and has always been guided by a strong stance. In terms of politics, the Baltimore Sun has a close relationship with the ruling Republican Party. Previously, in the Democratic Party's internal election, the Baltimore Sun once published an article mocking: "The Democratic Party has selected their most cowardly candidate."

As the election approaches, the media took the lead in opening the prelude to the war.

The major newspapers also returned to the team, tore off the usual mask of fairness, and built momentum for the party they supported.

During this period, the possibility of Roosevelt getting the nomination in the Democratic Party seemed to be getting higher and higher. Al Smith, a candidate from the same party, directly criticized the media, saying that the Democratic Party was self-destructing and that Roosevelt would only lead the Democratic Party into hell and hand over the next four years to the Republican Party again.

At the same time, Hoover also began to express his opinions publicly in the media, comparing the Democratic Party’s primary election to "stinky meat in rotten soup", which was unpalatable no matter which piece. He called Roosevelt, who was leading in the nomination, a "chameleon in a blanket", and Al Smith "the eternal loser", devaluing the two of them.

On the other hand, Roosevelt also compared Hoover to a "fat, cowardly capon", believing that he was the source of the Great Depression.

The Baltimore Sun compared Hoover to the defender of American traditions.

This is in line with the consistent style of the newspaper. As an ancient newspaper in the short history of the United States, the Baltimore Sun often prides itself on its long history of founding. Occasionally, they would express criticism of Colin's "Courier", believing that the "Courier"'s opportunistic approach was not worthy of being a newspaper media.

Perhaps, the "Baltimore Sun" was right, and the "Courier" should indeed do some of the media's main work.

Taking his eyes off the newspaper in his hand, Colin thought silently.

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

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

What Colin has to do next is to expand more readership 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.

The "World Journal" has been in the first position for a long time, and it is time to come down and sit down.

…

Although he had an idea about the future development of the Courier.

Colin did not take action immediately, but instead focused on a more important task at hand - the recruitment of the Courier Comics.

With the increasing number of Courier Comics, Jacob alone has obviously become inadequate.

Not only does he need to color the background characters of the serialized comics, he also recently started serializing his own comic journal "Thunderbolt" in the Courier Comics. Although Jacob himself has always insisted that he can complete the work, judging from his daily fatigue, he has obviously reached his physical limit.

In order to avoid the cartoonist he hired from being "killed in the line of duty" and for the subsequent development of "Courier Comics", Colin made the decision to recruit and published this news in the latest issue of "Courier": "Courier Comics" recruits cartoonists and painters with painting skills. Those who are interested, please go to the Courier Newspaper on Avenue of America in New York County."

During this period, there were only a few people who really made a living by creating paintings. During the Great Depression, these freelancers could only find other jobs if they did not want to be truly free.

Originally, Colin thought that the recruitment information he published in the newspaper would meet the requirements of only a few applicants, but he ignored the degree of desire of the unemployed for work in the context of the Great Depression.

"Sorry, Mr. Reed, you may try somewhere else..."

In the Courier Newspaper, Colin said to the impoverished applicant in front of him.

"Please give me a chance, sir, I will work hard!"

Faced with Colin's cold reply, Reed begged bitterly.

"The Courier Comics is looking for cartoonists, 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, there are many people queuing up to find a job, but most of them are just like Reed, just trying to get a chance.

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

Inside the newspaper, Reed still said with some reluctance.

"The Courier Comics is looking for skilled workers with drawing skills. If you want to learn to draw, please find someone to learn from..."

Colin frowned and said to Little John while signaling with his eyes.

As the applicant Reed was "invited" out of the newspaper by Little John, Jacob, who was standing by, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Everything that happened in the Messenger newspaper made him more aware of the difficulties of this era. If he relaxes a little, the applicants waiting outside the door may be his future.

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

Using [Super Perspective] to take a look at the line of applicants outside the newspaper, Colin gave Little John an order.

With Colin's reminder, the people waiting outside the line obviously became a little agitated. 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 to stay in the line to fight for this non-existent hope.

…

“Congratulations, Mr. William Steiger.”

In any case, except for a few who still did not give up, most of the next applicants had a certain degree of painting experience.

For example, the applicant in front of Colin, William Steiger, had rich experience in painting and creation. He had written pictures and covers for The New Yorker before the recruitment of The Courier Comics.

After reading William Steiger's works for The New Yorker, Colin immediately decided to make a decision.

On the side, Jacob looked at William Steiger's works, and a sense of pressure arose in his heart.

Just from the perspective of creative skills and level, William Steiger is obviously much better than him, worthy of being 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?

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 The Courier Comics?"

"Because I need money, and the price offered by The Courier Comics is higher than that of The New Yorker, so I came."

Mr. William Steiger's answer is simple, but convincing.

Later, Steiger, who was hailed as the "King of Comics" by Newsweek and is also the author of many award-winning and best-selling children's picture books and children's books, told Colin: "If I could choose my own path at the time, I might become a professional athlete, or a sailor, or a beach bum, or live other forms of wandering life, or be a painter, gardener, author, banjo player, traveler, in short, no matter what I do, I will not be a rich man."

"When I was a teenager, Tahiti was my paradise. I was determined to settle there one day. I planned to be a sailor like Melville, but the Great Depression forced me to be a cartoonist to support my family."

William Steiger's life trajectory was changed by the Great Depression.

His father went bankrupt because of the Great Depression, his elder brother married and started a family independently, and his younger brother was only 17 years old, so he could only support his family by constantly drawing and creating.

"Believe me, Mr. William Steiger, you won't regret your choice."

Perhaps because he had supported his family early on, William Steiger was more mature than he looked. After asking Colin about the work and the time, he left the newspaper to deal with the follow-up work of The New Yorker.

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

Among them were graduates of the Academy of Fine Arts, and some staff members who had specialized in creating posters for movies, but they were not very good in painting skills. Of course, if they were just ordinary colorists, they could also be competent in The Courier Comics.

In this way, several future comic colorists were barely selected from these candidates.

Just when the interview was about to end, a special candidate appeared in the newspaper.

The reason why he was special was that his dress was different from that of most applicants. Ordinary applicants usually wore suits, but the applicant in front of him wore a black coat, a skull collar pin, two beautiful mustaches, and a strange hat.

His eyes were retracted from the hat with two holes for eyes 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?"

Compared with his strange dress, Charles Adams' answer seemed much more normal. He took off his hat and replied seriously: "No, but I have learned to paint and have tried to submit articles to newspapers, but so far, there are no serialized works."

Charles Adams looked up at Colin in front of him and said: "In fact, I have also submitted articles to the Courier."

The Courier did receive submissions for comics for a while, but Colin had already decided to serialize Superman in the newspaper, so he naturally would not contact the cartoonists who submitted their works. Charles Adams was obviously one of those who were rejected.

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

It has been almost half a year since the Courier serialized Superman, but Charles Adams, who submitted his work at the time, still has not successfully serialized a comic in the newspaper. There are obviously some problems.

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

Charles Adams obviously has self-awareness about this.

"Difference in style?"

"Yes, I have been fascinated by coffins, bones, tombstones and other things since I was a child. I often focus on these in my comics. Obviously, not everyone can accept my comic style."

In the Courier Newspaper, after hearing Charles Adams' explanation, Colin took another look at the other party's weird dress, and suddenly said in his heart: "In this case, Mr. Charles Adams, can I take a look at the comics you created and understand what the style surprise you mentioned is?"

Charles Adams raised his eyebrows in surprise at Colin's reaction. Obviously, he did not expect Colin to be interested in it. He originally thought that he had no chance to apply for the job this time. Thinking in his heart, his hands moved quickly.

"Of course."

Charles Adams took out a few drafts of comics from his coat pocket and handed them to Colin. As the other party approached, Colin saw a skeleton-shaped ring on Charles' finger. Obviously, as the other party said, he was very fond of coffins and bones, even in the choice of accessories.

"Sure enough."

Colin took the drawing handed over by Charles Adams, looked down at the content, and a look of understanding flashed in his eyes.

Originally, he didn't have much feeling about the name Charles Adams, but when the other party appeared in that incompatible outfit and described the style of his comics, Colin gradually had some guesses in his heart.

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

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

window._taboola = window._taboola || ; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbs-feed-01', container: 'taboola-below-article-thumbnail---300x250', placement: 'Below article thumbnail - 300x250', target_type: 'mix' });