Chapter 42: Clues

there a shortage of stones at my place please lend some to me

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Chapter 42: Clues

Piero Siegel's words carried a distinct message that was not difficult to discern.

Prior to his meeting with Colin, "Famous Funnies" had already engaged with several cartoonists, even discussing the possibility of publication. His specific purpose in seeking him out was apparent—to acquire the "Superman" comic held by Colin.

"Superman," serialized in the widely popular "Messenger," stood as one of the most sought-after comics of the era. Given "Famous Funnies'" aspiration to establish its reputation through reprinting comics, it naturally could not overlook the immense popularity of "Superman."

"We at 'Famous Funnies' hold a sincere interest in the 'Superman' comics you have serialized, Mr. Colin Luper. After internal deliberations, we are prepared to offer a manuscript fee of 50 US dollars per issue," Piero conveyed, the words resonating within the newspaper office.

During the Great Depression, $50 represented a substantial sum. To put it into perspective, the average American wage at the time was a mere $17 per week, with some individuals struggling on as little as $7 weekly. Even the salaries of employees at the Messenger newspaper, such as Old John and Little John, stood at a mere $10 per week. Even esteemed professions like doctors earned around $60 per week during this era.

Naturally, prices were generally lower during this time, primarily due to the impact of the Great Depression. Nevertheless, the fact that "Famous Funnies" was willing to pay $50 per issue to acquire and publish the "Superman" comics illustrated their sincerity.

If memory serves me right, the initial manuscript fee received by the two creators of "Superman" was a mere $20. If Colin were an ordinary comic writer, he would likely have been swayed by "Famous Funnies'" generous offer, similar to the cartoonists behind Dick Tracy.

However, Colin held a dual role as both the author of "Superman" and the proprietor of "The Messenger." Today, "The Messenger" had long surpassed its initial predicament, thriving in its own right. Consequently, while Colin felt a twinge of temptation upon hearing the $50 per issue quote from "Famous Funnies," he revealed no outward indication.

Piero's subsequent conditions swiftly extinguished any lingering flicker of interest within Colin's heart.

"Of course, 'Famous Funnies' is not without conditions for purchasing the reprint rights of 'Superman' at such a fee. We request exclusive copyright ownership of the comics. From this point forward, only 'Famous Funnies' will be permitted to serialize 'Superman' comics," Piero stated, believing the condition to be reasonable.

After all, they had allowed "Superman" to be serialized in both newspapers and magazines simultaneously, effectively enabling Colin to profit twice from the comics. This request was influenced by the ongoing rivalry between the "Daily World" and "New York News" in their layout competitions. The heated competition led to the migration of the entire Sunday edition team from the "Daily World" to the "New York News," resulting in a fierce dispute between the two newspapers.

The newsboy strike of 1899 also emerged as a significant social event during the period of intense competition between these two major newspapers.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Piero Siegel," Colin conveyed, his decision already crystallized within his mind. Shaking his head, he tactfully declined the offer.

"At present, I have no plans to serialize 'Superman' in any other magazines."

"Very well," Piero Siegel, the editor of "Famous Funnies," responded, perceiving Colin's refusal. He refrained from further pestering, evidently displaying more courtesy than the individuals at the "Daily World."

Donning his peaked cap once more, Piero adjusted the brim and addressed Colin before him, "Mr. Colin Luper, should you consider serializing comics in magazines, please do not hesitate to contact me. The offices of 'Famous Funnies' are situated near Sixth Avenue, not far from here, and our previous offer still stands."

"Okay, I will take it into consideration," Colin replied, offering a smile and nod as acknowledgment.

...

Over the ensuing days, publishing houses arrived one after another, inquiring whether Colin would be interested in serializing "Superman" in their respective magazines. The conditions proposed varied, with some comparable to "Famous Funnies," while others fell considerably short.

Among them, Humor Publishing House proved the most sincere, presenting not only a substantial manuscript fee of $60 per issue but also omitting any exclusivity requirements akin to "Famous Funnies'."

Regardless of the quality of the offers, Colin turned them all down.

He had already discerned a pattern within the actions of these publishers.

True to his intuition, Colin rejected the proposals to serialize "Superman" in these magazines. The news of his rejections made its way into various newspaper reports.

"...the senator, in response to the concerns voiced by local religious groups, has expressed a commitment to combatting salacious magazines. He promises to actively support legislation aimed at banning the sale of these explicit publications, advocating for appropriate punishments for the publishing houses responsible..."

From the reports, it became evident that the federal government intended to take action against what they deemed as vulgar criminal magazines.

Religious groups, renowned for their conservative stance, naturally voiced opposition. When the new wave of sensational tabloids resurfaced, it was these groups that took a stand, organizing boycotts alongside reputable newspapers and media outlets, ultimately leading to the decline of such publications.

The senator's decision to address the matter reflected an official stance. As a result of the Great Depression's impact, publishing houses faced challenging circumstances. To boost sales, they occasionally included explicit content to attract subscribers.

Presently, this situation had provoked dissatisfaction and backlash within society.

In an attempt to evade potential legal repercussions, these publishers altered their approach and began exploring content that deviated from vulgarity. Under such circumstances, comics emerged as an attractive option for them to consider.

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