Mei Man: I drew Superman during the Great Depression

Chapter 95 Hiring
The latest "Superman" serialization.

Provoking people's nostalgia and reminiscences of the 'Yellow Tabloid Era' and behind that era, the prosperity, hustle and bustle, luxury and dreams of the American economy at that time.

That night, in many families.

On the only radio that testified to the glory of the 'Roaring Age', a new pop hit struck a chord with the crowd.

"Brother can you spare a dime?" (Could you give me a penny bro?)

This popular song that reflects the tragedy of unemployment, the background of the lyrics is based on the story of the Great Depression, but there is an accidental reference to Superman in it.

"...Brother, can you spare a dime? Let me buy a superman and look back at that roaring age... (Brother, can you spare a dime? Let me buy a superman and look back at that roaring age Era……)"

From Colin's point of view, the lyrics of this popular song are obviously suspected of rubbing off on his popularity in comics.

However, from a certain point of view, it just proves that the popularity of "Superman" is not limited to newspaper cartoons, and more people have learned about Superman's name from other places.

It doesn't matter whether they are from the topics of the townspeople or the lyrics of popular songs.

……

【Faith (7452/10000)】

Taking his eyes away from the [Faith] column on the text, Colin straightened his top hat.

He reached out and knocked on the door of the apartment in front of him.

tuk tuk-

"who is it?"

Hearing a knock on the door from outside, a slightly tired voice came from inside.

Click.

Immediately afterwards, there was a series of hurried footsteps.

The door opened, and a youthful-looking man with sunken eye sockets, it shouldn't be called a boy, looked at him suspiciously and asked, "May I ask who you are?"

"Mr. Jacob Kurzberg?"

Seeing the man coming out of the room, Colin compares the information he got from the newsboy, and introduces himself: "I am the boss of the Courier, Colin Luper. The purpose of my visit this time is , as long as you want to hire you to join the newspaper and work for "Messenger Comics" under the Messenger newspaper."

"I am Jacob."

Hearing Colin's introduction, Jacob glanced at him suspiciously: "How did you know my address?"

It’s nothing more than Jacob’s vigilance. During the Great Depression, it’s hard to believe that such a good thing would happen.
Although Jacob is not very old, under the impact of the Great Depression and the impact of his father's unemployment, he has dropped out of school early to find a job.

"Newsboy, it was Jimmy who told me about you."

Hearing the name from Colin's mouth, Jacob's eyes became less vigilant.

Before starting to create comics, he worked as a newsboy for a while, and after publishing a few works in the specialty shop of amateur cartoonists, he officially entered the world of professional cartoonists and was hired by "World Journal" to produce comic strips and Suggestion comics, the "Blame Man" serialized in "World Daily" before is from his hand.

However, with the latest serialization of "Super Soldier" in "World Journal", Jacob's original drawing of "Blame Man" was replaced, and he also lost his job of serializing comics in the newspaper.

"Mr. Colin Looper."

Hearing Ke Lin's explanation, it occurred to him that the man in front of him might really be the boss of the Messenger newspaper.

The suspicious expression on Jacob's face suddenly became tense. He grabbed the hem of his clothes with some anxiety, and quickly opened the door to greet Colin in front of him.

"I'm sorry, sir, I didn't mean to doubt you, it's just... because I couldn't believe that a big man like you would come to me in person..."

"Don't be nervous, Mr. Jacob."

Under Jacob's guidance, he entered the narrow apartment where he lived, and Colin smiled at him and comforted him.

"I can understand your concern."

"Please, please sit down, Mr. Colin..."

Leading Colin to the only sofa in the apartment, Jacob gritted his teeth and made a cup of coffee that he would not normally drink, brought it to him, and said cautiously.

"Thank you."

Reaching out his hand, he took the coffee Jacob handed over, and under his gaze, took a sip.

"So, what do you think about my proposed employment, Mr. Jacob?"

Colin put down the coffee in his hand and looked at Jacob, who had a nervous expression in front of him.

"You can call me Jacob, sir."

Facing Colin's title, Mr. Jacob said something, and then grabbed a corner and said hesitantly: "The newspaper is willing to hire me to work, so I have no objection, but, Mr. Colin, I can ask you Why on purpose, I mean, why me?"

He is not a well-known cartoonist. Before creating comics for "World Journal", the only work related to comics was to join "Mark Fleisher Studio" to produce a "Popeye" cartoon, responsible for two cartoons Draws intermediate frames between images so that the first image smoothly evolves into the second image.

However, before the studio could complete the animation, labor disputes broke out in the studio soon after the Great Depression, and Jacob had to leave the studio to find another job.

"If I have to say it, I personally like the story of "Blame Man". This is one of the reasons why I am willing to come to you after I learned that "World Journal" fired you, even though you can no longer continue. Serialize the story about "Blame Man", but through another form, let this character appear again in the "Superman" comics."

"Let 'Blame Man' appear again."

Hearing Colin's words, a look of excitement flashed in Jacob's eyes.

For this comic character created by himself, Jacob naturally has quite deep feelings.

"So, Mr. Jacob, what is your decision?"

"No problem sir, I'm honored to join your newspaper and continue to create!"

……

Jacob Kurzberg, born in New York, is a famous American cartoonist, editor, and screenwriter. He is one of the most famous and prolific cartoonists in the modern American comic field.

Known as the "Master of American Comics" and "The King".

After joining "Messenger Comics", Jacob Kurzberg worked as a background artist and colorist for "Superman" comics in the early days, and in the following days he continued to create a series of classics for "Messenger Comics" Under the advice of Colin Luper, the father of 'Superman', Jacob successfully shaped the classic superhero villain role of 'Human Torch'.

And later, "Thunderbolt" derived its own independent comic from the story of "Superman".

(End of this chapter)