Mei Man: I drew Superman during the Great Depression

Chapter 65 Growing Sales

Today, the studio has successfully made a name for itself with Mickey Mouse.

However, that experience in New York still made Walt unforgettable.

Putting away his memories, he returned his gaze to the newspaper in his brother Roy's hand.

"The Courier?"

After receiving the newspaper, to Walt's surprise, what the other party said was not a well-known big newspaper like "World Journal" or "New York News", but a little-known tabloid.

Looking at the name on the newspaper, Walt couldn't help but glanced up at Roy in front of him, as if asking if he had made a mistake.

"You'll understand when you read it."

Roy motioned Walt to look down.

With a half-belief in his eyes, Walter continued to read the "Courier" in his hand.

Opening the newspaper, there wasn't much other content on it, let alone the news pages he was familiar with. Instead, it was replaced by a big "comic strip version" serialized content.

"Superman?"

Looking at the serial comics on the newspaper page, the doubts in Walt's eyes deepened.

He looked down the newspaper page, and soon his whole attention was attracted by the "Superman" story in the newspaper.

The plot of the comics is not complicated. It mainly tells the story of Superman as the protagonist helping others and saving the metropolis.

But the concept of superhero undoubtedly broke Walt's traditional understanding of past comics. This brand-new story genre gave readers a brand-new experience, and the design of the metropolis in the story gave people an inexplicable feeling. into the sense.At this point, "Superman" and Walt's Disney studio can be said to be two completely different creative ideas.

Most of the animation works of Walt Disney Studios focus on creating fairy tales, including the design of Mickey Mouse and the content of the animated short films of the "Symphony of Confusion" series, which can be seen.In the "Confused Symphony" animation, you can see various anthropomorphic stories, including insects and even plants.

However, the "Superman" comics on the "Messenger" are obviously taking a modern route, moving the theme of the story to reality.Moreover, Walt, who has been to New York, recognized at a glance that the metropolis in the background of the comic story is obviously based on the city of New York.

"Excellent work."

Flip through the newspaper to see the end of the serialized story on the last page of Superman.

Hua Te nodded and said with a sigh.

"I now understand why it can outsell demand."

After reading the serialization of "Superman" in the newspaper, inspiration flashed like sparks in Walt's mind, and a vague idea emerged.

"The "Messenger" is not the only newspaper that sells well. In fact, the "Messenger Comic" they launched is also selling amazingly. It is said that it has sold as many as 30 copies in New York."

Roy obviously had some knowledge about Colin's Courier newspaper. Not only did he know the situation of the Courier newspaper, but he even heard a little about the comic book "Messenger Comics" that he had just launched.

The news of this period is far less convenient than that of later generations.

Unless it was something as vicious as the Detroit Hunger March, newspapers rarely carried news stories outside the states.

"The Courier Comics."

Hearing his brother Roy's introduction, Walter looked down at the "Courier" in his hand again.

"I admit that the "Superman" serial in the "Courier" is a good work, but this does not seem to have much relevance to our studio."

Looking away, Walter said with some doubts.

"It seems that you haven't noticed."

Facing his younger brother's questioning, Roy's mouth curled up slightly: "If 'Mickey' knew, he would cry."

The ridicule in Roy's tone obviously carried a hint of surprise.

Hearing his words, Walter picked up the "Courier" again, and sure enough, a few minutes later, he saw the familiar figure from a serial page of the comic.

"It's Steamboat Willie!"

In the comics, the shape of holding the rudder and wearing a sailor hat is undoubtedly a replica of the image of the animation "Steamboat Willie".

Although, limited by the comic printing technology, the image of Mickey Mouse is not clear, but as a caring person, especially the creator of Mickey, Walt recognized it 'at a glance'.

"So, the reason you brought the newspaper is to tell me that Mickey appeared in the "Superman" comic?"

After the excitement, Walt calmed down and looked at Roy in front of him with some puzzlement and said.

"Or are you planning to sue the Courier for copyright infringement through Mickey in the newspaper?"

Because of the previous experience of "Oswald the Lucky Rabbit", Walt Disney Studios has put a lot of thought into the copyright of Mickey, and is obviously unwilling to repeat the mistakes of "Oswald the Lucky Rabbit" in the past.

"If it's a prosecution, I don't think there's much chance of success."

Looking at Mickey on the comics, Walter said hesitantly: "After all, this kind of black and white comics, except for the main characters, the other characters are very blurry, and it is difficult to sue them based on this."

After all, judging from the plot of the comics, Mickey's appearance is obviously a bit of a surprise. Maybe the creator of the comics likes the animation "Willie Steamboat". Even if Mickey in the comics is removed, there is nothing wrong with the whole plot. influences.

"A few days ago, the sales of Mickey Mouse dolls in New York City rose by about [-]%."

Seeing Walt's reaction in his eyes, Roy suddenly said.

Hearing what his brother said, Walt was a little puzzled at first, wondering why the other party would suddenly bring up such a topic, but he quickly came to his senses and looked down at the "Courier" in his hand. On that rough Mickey took another look at each other.

"You mean?"

Regarding this, Roy nodded noncommittally and replied.

"Obviously, the comics serialized in the "Courier" played a certain role."

In the industry, Walt Disney Studios has achieved certain success with "Steamboat Willie", and has been affirmed by Oscars.In terms of business, the expansion of Mickey's territory has encountered a little problem, especially in the sale of toy products.

Initially, the Disney-licensed Mickey and Minnie figures have been showing momentum.

But with the impact of the Great Depression, the economic impact became worse and worse, and even the sales of Mickey products were also affected.

According to Bybo Land, the studio's New York-based publishing company.

People seem to no longer like Mickey Mouse as much as before, and the sales of peripherals have also begun to decline.

(End of this chapter)