Chapter 31 Luthor

Clang—

Leaving behind harsh words, the representative of "Daily World" departed from the newspaper office without looking back.

"..."

Witnessing a failed acquisition that ended in discord, both Old John and Little John had complex expressions.

After hesitating for a moment, it was Old John who spoke up and said to Colin, "Boss, I believe 'Daily World' meant what they said."

"My refusal is equally sincere."

Colin replied casually, raising an eyebrow at Old John in front of him.

"No, what I mean is..."

Shaking his head, Old John carefully continued, "As far as I know, 'Daily World' has an average reputation in the industry. Many newspapers disapprove of their methods... However, even if they are dissatisfied, it doesn't change the fact that 'Daily World' is the largest circulated newspaper in New York."

From Old John's words, it was easy to hear that he was subtly reminding Colin.

'Daily World' rose to prominence by starting with "yellow journalism," using sensational and provocative means to exaggerate news events involving sensationalism, violence, crime, natural disasters, and other calamities, in order to profit greatly. It had a profound impact on the news industry at the time and is the very foundation of 'Daily World' becoming the colossal entity it is today.

Given the scale of 'Daily World,' if they were to make a move against the newspaper, they would be powerless to resist.

After attentively listening to Old John's concerns, Colin's expression remained unchanged.

To be honest, he didn't take ' The Daily World's warning too seriously.

As the other party had mentioned, this world didn't have just one newspaper that could create superheroes; but they didn't know that there is only one Superman.

...

'Daily World's retaliation came faster than Colin had originally anticipated.

Just three days after the failed acquisition negotiations, precisely the day before the serialization of 'Superman.'

'Daily World' introduced their very own superhero in the newspaper—Human Torch.

The main plot of the comic depicted a creature created by a scientist in a giant test tube. Whenever it came into contact with oxygen, it would burst into roaring flames. Everything the Human Torch touched would burn.

Out of concern for their safety, people sealed him in concrete, but a tiny crack gave him oxygen and an opportunity to escape.

The Human Torch burst out of his prison, unleashing furious fire. Criminals attempted to use him, but he refused to be controlled.

In the final chapter of the serialized comic, the Human Torch destroyed the scientist who created him and appeared in the modern society setting.

Setting aside the current antagonistic relationship between Colin and 'Daily World,' just judging by the serialization of 'Human Torch,' it was undoubtedly an excellent comic story.

Clearly, 'Daily World' didn't slack off in terms of both the artist and the writer.

They genuinely wanted to suppress the 'Messenger.'

However, excellent storytelling and artwork couldn't overshadow the inherent problem of 'Human Torch' itself as a comic.

Namely, it was not a superhero story at all but more akin to a horror story.

It was a Frankenstein-style comic with themes like "the danger of science" and "destroyer of creation."

Of course, it was no wonder the artist and writer chosen by 'Daily World' would create such a comic.

After all, besides Colin, superhero-themed comics were unfamiliar to anyone in this era.

Even if they wanted to feel their way across the river and create a new superhero.

They would need a stepping stone, rather than simply relying on a few issues of 'Superman' to conjure up a brand-new superhero out of thin air.

…

Messenger Newspaper.

Little John put down his copy of "Human Torch," a serialized comic in the Daily World.

Since the previous acquisition negotiations fell through, he had been keeping an eye on the actions of the Daily World. Now, having finished reading the serialized "Human Torch" in the newspaper, Little John felt somewhat worried.

Although he could sense some differences between the "Human Torch" comic serialized in the Daily World and Colin's creation, the "Superman" comic, there was no denying that the "Human Torch" comic was already excellent and captivating in its storyline. Especially considering the circulation of the Daily World, Little John's unease deepened.

On this side, while Little John was anxiously preoccupied with the "superhero" themed comics serialized in the Daily World.

On the other hand, Colin remained calm and composed, continuing the serialization of the latest issue of "Superman."

"Finally finished drawing."

Setting down his brush and looking at the completed content of the latest comic on the manuscript paper, Colin breathed a sigh of relief.

"Boss, can I...?"

Since a while ago, Little John had been silently observing Colin's actions at the newspaper office, and as soon as he saw him stop, he couldn't wait to speak up.

After receiving Colin's permission, Little John cautiously approached and reached out to pick up the manuscript paper on the table, holding it in his hands, and looking at the freshly created comic content. A touch of excitement appeared on his awkward face.

"Flight! Superman's ability to fly!"

Especially when he saw the scene of Superman flying amidst an explosion, Little John couldn't contain his emotions and let out an exclamation of surprise.

Although Colin had mentioned in the first issue of the "Superman" comic that Superman had the ability to leap over twenty-story buildings with a single bound, seeing him take off in the comic was still enough to stir up a surge of excitement in Little John.

This feeling was something he had never experienced while reading the serialized "Human Torch" in the Messenger Newspaper.

The next day, Wednesday morning, the eagerly awaited readers.

They also saw the latest installment of the "Superman" serialized storyline in the Courier Herald.

In this installment, an evil genius named "Luthor" made his appearance in the comic. He had a bald-headed appearance, immense wealth, and supreme political power. He controlled a spaceship and attempted to provoke a war between two European countries to profit from the war.

Clark and Lois went to investigate, but amidst the chaos, Lois was kidnapped by Luthor. In order to save Lois, Clark infiltrated Luthor's secret base while invisible and then transformed into Superman, engaging in an intense battle with Luthor. Ultimately, Superman defeated Luthor, and in the midst of the spaceship's explosion, he showcased his ability to fly and saved Lois at the critical moment.

Colin initially hesitated about the portrayal of "Luthor." Should he make his classic bald appearance or stick with the initial depiction of a middle-aged man with red hair? Later, considering the printing of the Courier Herald, which couldn't portray Luthor's red hairstyle, Colin ultimately chose a compromise.

Hence, readers now see the semi-bald appearance of Luthor in the serialization.

As for how long Luthor's remaining hair will last, that will depend on the popularity of this character.

Once readers show acceptance of Luthor, Colin will continue to feature him in subsequent storylines until he loses the last strands of hair on his head, completely transforming into Colin's envisioned bald image.