relations with Nike.

Shortly after the theater club debacle, Billy delved into studying Nike's request, completing the manga exactly as they had asked.

The development of the Slam Dunk manga:

Initially, the comic and manga samples faced several challenges due to handling black, white, and gray colors. The prints didn't allow for special tonal adjustments. Manga printing until the year 2000, based on the technology of the time, saw a change due to the use of glossy paper. Although it increased comic assembly time, it added a bit more impressionism to the artwork.

Through his previous experience as an editor, inker, colorist, and independent cartoonist in his former life, Billy managed to improve the current poor image quality and adapt the comic to a practical black-and-white design as much as possible. However, Mike Richardson mentioned that an industrial printer allowed for more vivid colors. The issue? The price.

For now, only a spectacular drawing was all they could offer.

This success in selling comics from the Lux Animation company was due to the innovative handling of shadows and the artistic approach of drawing to portray a more linear idea with complete scenes. It caused a stir thanks to its design, ahead of its time, along with the increased quality of paper, using 45-gram offset paper.

However, offset paper couldn't compare to the thicker, finer couche paper, which would increase total costs by 30 cents per comic.

Relations improved due to talks with Mike. Canadian company Domtar handled all the work, specializing in producing fine papers, weights, and formats, with a headquarters in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and expanding into the North American market. The paper quality was different in terms of ink absorption.

Although couched paper already had a special manufacturing process, it was used for printed publications, brochures, or business cards, and was adopted by the comic industry in 1997 amid a progressive decline in sales, even though color printing covered excessive paper costs.

For now, offset paper is the most suitable. A prompt update would require a few years back.

-I still don't understand why I have to come to the contract signing meeting, - Billy said.

-Nike doesn't have a headquarters in California, so the meeting was scheduled at The Sainte Claire, - Mr. Carsen said.

Billy had never entered such a beautiful and elegant restaurant in his two lives; this was the first time. The deserving hotel represented a change in the way it made its customers feel. "The Sainte Claire" was a historic hotel located in downtown San Jose, near San Jose Diridon Station, and it was simply spectacular.

Everything was very elegant, comparable to an 80s movie, even though it was the early 90s. The waiters dressed professionally with gloves. A not very tall dark-skinned man and a common white man, both in standard business attire.

In the distance, two men in identical black suits observed the Carsons' arrival with a raised hand, a call.

A pleasure to meet you, Thomas Carsen. I'm Peter Ruppe, Director of Marketing for Nike's Sportswear Division in the United States, and this is Tom Clarke, executive assistant manager of the sales division, - Peter Ruppe said with a friendly smile.

-Pleasure, gentlemen. This is my son Billy, the cartoonist of Lux Animation. I'd like to call him writer, cartoonist, and designer of the Slam Dunk comic, - Thomas said to Peter and Tom, in a presentation that would astound anyone.

Both stopped in surprise; it wasn't common. Their raised eyebrows said it all. A comic of such structure, with elements proposing a classic, being designed by a young man—Americans' precocity directed towards different social aspects. This was the new Richard Branson of the era.

"Please, have a seat," Tom said.

"We ordered a bottle of wine, but it seems that was a hasty decision," Peter Rupe mentioned jokingly. "But, I was expecting two adults; my apologies for the miscommunication," he added with a calm voice.

-No problem at all, Mr. Clarke. It's very kind of you. I'll order a burger for Billy. And I'll enjoy the wine with you gentlemen, - Thomas said, signaling the waiter again.

-It's appreciated. Now, as we've discussed in phone meetings, we have a framework of ideas for the expected advertising of these comics, but there are some doubts, - Peter Ruppe said with a hint of flavor.

-There are some necessary events to determine the ongoing business we're proposing. I understand this is one of the few linear series in the industry. How long do you expect this series to be in print? - Peter Rupe asked, directing their gaze towards Billy.

-At least eight years, - Billy commented, notching up. - No! Maybe ten years, - he corrected himself.

-That calms our doubts. It will be put in writing. Additionally, if possible, could you dedicate a collaboration page with Charles Barkley, John Stockton, and Clyde Drexler? The average age of Slam Dunk series buyers is 12 to 23 years old. This has generated a sense of anticipation in these past two months. We have a perspective to negotiate for the duration of the series for a minimum of two years, - Peter Rupe said.

-That's possible, - Thomas said. - In the series extension, we expect the publication time to range from two to three years, not including post-completion publication. -

-As for the exclusivity proposed in clause number 6 regarding the comprehensive advertising of derivatives on platforms outside of comics, the relationship and due payment are not detailed, - Thomas pointed out.

-Ah-ha, - Peter acknowledged.

-The comic's design aims for this series to have some on-screen appearances in television and cinema. I'd like to extend the preferential right regarding the design to extend this clause and generate payment attached to the production company, - Peter Rupe said.

-Do you expect support from our company for a possible audiovisual production? - Thomas asked.

-That's correct. We know it; future buyers will come sooner or later, - Peter replied.

-Well, we'll have a series. If Nike wishes, they can create it, - Thomas remarked.

-We accept the sponsorship deal for advertising; however, part of the animation is distant for Nike. But if it happens, it also implies that you notify us in case the said series is produced, - Peter responded.

-That's fair, - Thomas agreed.

Billy ate his cheeseburger with a gesture of discomfort. Although fast food from the 90s has become standardized, specialized burger joints are scarce. Fast-food chains are associated with economy, speed, and availability on every corner.

The back and forth between Thomas and Peter Rupe was intense; every topic was meticulously studied by Thomas.

-Billy, do you have anything to say? - his father asked.

-Yes, I have the idea of releasing some collectible cards for the Slam Dunk series after showcasing some other characters. I like the idea of having cooperation in selling collectible cards similar to baseball cards, - Billy said to Peter and Tom, looking up from his burger.

-You can publish them without any inconvenience. Meanwhile, we'll think about possible activities that would benefit us as a company and brand in the future. If you have an idea, just let us know! - Peter encouraged.

-Alright, - Billy replied, returning to his burger, ears attentive to anything else.

They poured another glass of wine, now halfway through.

-That's good, then there's no problem. We've reviewed the faxed copy of the contract; it's a pleasure to meet you both, - Peter Rubbe said.

-Yes, we've read the contract. It's a pleasure to sign a cooperation agreement with Nike. I'll send it over when everything's finished. For now, we'll work on Nike's advertising as much as we can, -Thomas said.

-Very well. The initial payment of one million dollars will be deposited at the end of this month, in late 1990, with the next payment at the convenience of fulfilling the agreement, - Tom, the other part of Nike, more responsible for the organizational side, stated. - It's the mistrust of closing a business of such capital without any inconvenience! -

-Why was everything so easy, Dad? - Billy asked.

-I don't know, son. One reason could be the eagerness to close the deal, - Thomas replied.

For that reason, they would be eating into the market before it even manifested itself. Maybe Adidas will be at my door next month. Billy thought. But it doesn't matter anymore; an exclusivity agreement was signed. Winning now is more convenient. It's possible that with the bidding of two sports companies at play, the sum of advertising may increase, but I'm just a small comic company, backed by a comic company with only a few years in the market.

...