discussions. (part 2)

Ronald Perelman didn't disappoint; primarily, this type of negotiation was seen as a joint development by people who always spun everything to their advantage. Nationality, origin, and company didn't matter—even if the money wasn't theirs, gaining something always drove people's actions. The more they gained, the more satisfied they felt.

-Your words align well with our interests; we could create a great animated series. My investment has helped offset expenses. Moreover, products related to the X-Men have started generating revenue. If we collaborate again, our animated channel, like Marvel, could benefit, - Billy remarked, playing along with the highlighted ideas of cooperation. However, he knew they would dedicate all their work potential to Saban.

"I don't think it's healthy for Marvel to invest in animation. It's a business with few benefits. As an expanding company, we should seek other profits," Ronald Perelman commented, sticking to his forced viewpoint, one he wanted to push above all else.

-I underestimated them; perhaps he doesn't care about producing series. He probably won't support any television show, and it's just a coincidence, or if someone offers money to motivate him, - Billy thought.

-In that case, I hope everything unfolds as Marvel has projected for the coming years, - Billy replied.

-It's business, and we all abide by the goodwill of the company. I can't risk my company for a likely cause, - Ronald said, slower, more deliberately. - However, I believe I know what this is about—you want to negotiate a deal with Marvel. -

-Not for now. I have things to consider, but opinions may change in the coming months, - Billy commented.

Ronald Perelman merely nodded, giving it no more than a nod of importance, plotting to use his small animation studio, supported by Saban, the television machine branch.

-I heard that you haven't just succeeded in the world of animated series; video games are an interesting market to enter, and you are a status symbol for the market, especially with your latest video game, - Ronald Perelman responded attentively, knowing that a much closer involvement with video games would satisfy agreements. This channel could even profit from selling a video game. A game is easily more profitable than ten TV shows. Americans have started buying video games in droves. If only he could use such companies for Marvel.

-You're right, video games are three times as profitable, but their construction is costly. Our projects are expensive, and good video game teams aren't what we expected. Sometimes it's better to use third-party companies for certain games and share interests, - Billy commented.

-I just need you to spend more money than you already have on hand, - Billy thought.

-On the other hand, our main meeting is different... about the trading card market you've insisted on so much. Collectible special cards of the different animated Marvel characters, - Ronald Perelman said.

-Well, though it's an excuse to see you—to create different animated TV series, something I find endearing—I have a refined taste for television series. But the card market is fruitful. In my mistake, I decided to venture into sports leagues. To my error, I found a string of stoppages. I find that the athlete system isn't as perfect as I initially thought. That's why I want to collaborate, so together with some artists, we can create some designs, - Ronald Perelman commented.

-I would do it; I have no objection to working with Marvel animators. We have a very good relationship. However, the contracts must have some creative freedom. For the cards to be collectible, they must be based on something that makes them valuable, - Billy commented.

-We will proceed with the procedures with the specialists. -refuse

A conversation that left a sour taste; many of the mistakes they both made were to avoid reading the room. On one hand, if Billy pressed more, he would convince Ronald to produce television programs, while Ronald fell into Billy's act, which only wanted Ronald to remain engrossed in his aggressive expansion of Marvel, acquiring and making money.

Those weren't all the problems the company was facing; since 1999, it had received multiple copyright infringement lawsuits from Avid Arad and Ike Permulker. After the profits made during the cinematic era, these demands progressed. Stan Lee himself filed thousands of lawsuits over every character he produced. Subsequently, there were even lawsuits from Marvel for copyright registration by Marvel, gaps in contracts, and foreseen errors in previous years due to lax contract terms.

Avi Arad is now just a Marvel rights hunter, linked to toy companies. The presidents and CEOs ended up being the company hunters. Michael Eisner himself has bought shares of Disney in his name; the stakes must be laughable, in a way that can only be called uncontrollable.

***

Ronald Perelman's arrival only brought political chaos to the company and called for many investors to join hands in their activities. Not only the ambition to be part of Marvel but also the ambition of some to use the Marvel market for their benefit. The goose that lays the golden eggs, only the different creation lines are in constant struggle, declaring that copyright is part of it. Both Stan Lee's heirs and other great artists have bought the copyright of such companies. If you want to avoid an intrinsic struggle, you must at least invest $30 million, just in Stan Lee. For his possible copyright, Jack Kirby is on the list, like many other creators who never stop asking for more rights, no matter the character.

-We're drowning. Marvel is losing what we were made for. It's no secret that the stock price was $35 in 1980. Now, the value of comics is overrated, and we make less money per creation, - Stan Lee disagreed with the creation of video games.

-It's detestable. For now, I have the copyright for X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Iron Man. You can work for me. However, your rights over comics, and merchandising, prevent me from attributing merit in that sector. I can't help you. I tried to talk to Ronald Perelman about creating an animated series together with Marvel. His rejection is likely because he prefers another company that doesn't invest as much money, - Billy commented.

-A very well-executed series. I quite liked how you made an adaptable script of all the TV series and highlighted the important factors of each one, - Stan Lee commented.

-Nothing like you old guys, although somewhat conservative, I still give credit to your work, - Billy commented.

Billy's entry was prompted by the artists who knew well that with Billy, they would gain the creative freedom they were seeking. It was a brief indication on many occasions; that artists filed lawsuits when they weren't properly compensated or when their family took an interest and filed a lawsuit promptly.

-I'm unsatisfied, but what more can I do? How could I be capable of leaving my company, one that has been nurturing me for a long time? The company is dear to me; I just want to go back to the '60s when everything was simpler, - Stan Lee commented.

-Old man, I know what you've been trying to do in recent years. I have the money to buy Marvel, but I don't have the money to fight against them, - Billy replied to Stan Lee's incident. After several conversations, he, along with Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and Steve Englehart... all of them will join to buy, however, among them, they do not gather more than $5 million, and for now, they allow the purchase of Marvel shares.

-It is, but I hope one of the new creators can continue our legacy, - Stan Lee commented, still curious. - The shares belong to a finance company willing to sell us the shares. They have a 6.7% stake, and we set a price of $8.9 million. Do you have the money? - Stan Lee asked.

-I have it, old man. I'll buy the shares and keep buying shares. I'll fight for Marvel and create an economic system. I can't do the same system as Jim Lee; it's not profitable. I may be in favor of increasing revenues, but don't think so highly of me, - Billy commented.

-I'm aware that Jim Lee wasn't grateful. He did as he pleased, to the extent that he received reprimands from some people. He just wanted to start his company, and we're grateful. We'll reach a better agreement. The poor guy doesn't know the mistakes he made; once the money runs out, he'll likely form a union with Image Comics, - Stan Lee commented.

-If you can keep introducing me to people, I can buy more shares. It would be interesting, - Billy commented.

-You can only extend to 10%. I mentioned that Ronald Perelman made the purchase of the shares on his own after the bubble burst, but due to his bad actions, he has been planning a merger with Toy Bizt. His main idea is to share the load; this company is part of a relationship agreement with Ronald Perelman. We have just under 2%, you have 2%, and now acquiring 6.77%, the profits are better than expected, - Stan Lee commented.

-You're right. However, Toy Bitz has the same desire to buy Marvel, and Avi Arad has the same desire to buy, - Billy commented.

-You mentioned that it would fall; they will fall, and through their fall, you will negotiate with the company. Let's separate from Toy Bitz, and we will dedicate ourselves to being Marvel, as it always should have been. Your proposal to be a single Marvel entity is magnificent, - Stan Lee commented.

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