Chapter 95: Employment
2023-05-02 Author: Yue Shang Xintou
The latest *Superman* serialized story.
It ignited people's nostalgia for the 'Yellow Press Era' and the prosperity, bustle, luxury, and dreamlike quality of the American economy that characterized it.
That evening, in many homes,
In the only radio that bore witness to the glory of the 'Roaring Age', a latest popular song resonated with the public.
*Brother can you spare a dime?*
This popular song, whose lyrics were based on stories from the Great Depression and reflected the tragedy of unemployment, unexpectedly mentioned Superman.
"...Brother, can you spare a dime? Let me buy a copy of Superman and look back at that roaring age..."
From Colin's perspective, the lyrics of this popular song clearly had the suspicion of riding on the coattails of his comic's popularity.
However, in some ways, it also precisely proved that *Superman*'s popularity was no longer limited to newspaper comics, and more people learned about Superman's name from other sources.
Whether it was from street talk and gossip among citizens, or from the lyrics of popular songs.
...
[Faith (7452/10000)]
Withdrawing his gaze from the [Faith] section, Colin adjusted his top hat.
He reached out and knocked on the door of the apartment in front of him.
Knock, knock, knock—
"Who is it?"
Hearing the knock from outside the room, a slightly tired voice came from inside.
Click.
Immediately after, accompanied by a series of hurried footsteps,
The door opened, and a raw-looking young man—or rather, a boy—with sunken eyes looked at him with a puzzled expression and asked, "May I ask who you are?"
"Is that Mr. Jacob Kurtzberg?"
Looking at the man who emerged from the room, Colin compared the information he had received from the Newsboy and introduced himself, saying, "I am Colin Roper, the owner of The Messenger Newspaper. My purpose in coming this time is to hire you to join the Messenger Newspaper to work for Messenger Comics, a subsidiary of the Messenger Newspaper."
"I am Jacob."
Hearing Colin's introduction, Jacob looked at him suspiciously: "How did you know my address?"
Jacob's wariness was understandable; during the Great Depression, it was hard to believe such a good thing as being personally hired at one's doorstep would happen.
Although Jacob was young, under the impact of the Great Depression and his father's unemployment, he had already dropped out of school early to look for work.
"A newsboy. Jimmy told me about you."
Hearing the name from Colin's mouth, the wariness in Jacob's eyes lessened.
Before he started creating comics, he had worked as a newsboy for a period. After publishing a few works at an amateur comic artist's store, he officially entered the world of professional comic artists and was hired by World Daily News to produce comic strips and advice comics. The *Flameman* series previously serialized in World Daily News was his creation.
However, with the latest *Super Soldier* serialized story in World Daily News, Jacob's *Flameman* series was replaced, and he also lost his job serializing comics at the newspaper office.
"Mr. Colin Roper."
Hearing Colin's explanation, he realized that the man before him was indeed likely the owner of Messenger Newspaper.
The suspicious expression on Jacob's face immediately turned anxious; he nervously clutched at the hem of his clothes and quickly opened the door to welcome Colin.
"I apologize, sir, I didn't mean to doubt you, it's just... I find it hard to believe that a figure of your stature would personally come to my humble abode..."
"No need to be nervous, Mr. Jacob."
Led by Jacob, entering the narrow apartment where he lived, Colin smiled and offered a word of comfort.
"I can understand your concern."
"Please, please sit, Mr. Roper..."
Leading Colin to the only sofa in the apartment, Jacob gritted his teeth and brewed a cup of coffee he usually couldn't bear to drink, and carefully placed it before him, saying cautiously.
"Thank you."
Reaching out, he took the coffee Jacob handed him and, under Jacob's watchful gaze, took a small sip.
"So, regarding the employment I proposed, what have you thought about it, Mr. Jacob?"
Colin put down the coffee in his hand and looked at the anxious Jacob in front of him.
"You can just call me Jacob, sir," Jacob replied. Then, hesitantly clutching the corner of his clothes, he continued, "If the newspaper is willing to hire me, I naturally have no objection, but, Mr. Roper, may I ask why you specifically came? I mean, why me?"
He wasn't a famous comic artist; before creating comics for World Daily News, his only work related to comics was joining "Max Fleischer Studio" to produce a *Popeye the Sailor* animation, where he was responsible for drawing the intermediate frames between two animation images so that the first image smoothly evolved into the second.
However, before the studio could complete the animation, the Great Depression caused labor disputes to quickly break out at the film studio, and Jacob also had to leave the studio to seek other work.
"If I had to say, I personally am quite fond of the story of *Flameman*. This is also one of the reasons I was willing to seek you out after learning that World Daily News had dismissed you. Although you won't be able to continue serializing the story of *Flameman* from now on, you can, through another form, allow this character to reappear in the *Superman* comic."
"Let 'Flameman' reappear."
Hearing Colin's words, a trace of excitement flashed in Jacob's eyes.
For this comic character he had created himself, Jacob naturally had a very deep attachment.
"So, Mr. Jacob, what is your decision?"
"No problem, sir, I am honored to join your newspaper, to work and continue creating!"
...
Jacob Kurtzberg, born in New York, is a famous American comic artist, editor, and screenwriter, and one of the most famous and prolific comic artists in modern America.
Known as the "Master of American Comic Art" and "The King".
After joining Messenger Comics, Jacob Kurtzberg initially worked as a background artist and coloring artist for the *Superman* comic. In the following days, he continued to create a series of classic superhero comic characters for Messenger Comics. Under the suggestion of Colin Roper, the father of 'Superman,' Jacob successfully created 'Human Torch,' a classic Superman villain.
And later, *Human Torch* even spawned its own independent comic publication from the *Superman* story.
(end of chapter)