Hollywood Art: System of sunnys

Billy saw Raimon ordering some pizzas and knew it was the perfect moment to convey all the information to his father. The room still had some people chatting quietly. Billy went to the food table in the center of the room. Raimon was humming to himself as he served small portions here and there, carefully deciding which dishes to choose.

-Raimon, how's everything going? Did you get what you were looking for? - Billy asked.

-You startled me, -- Raimon said, nearly spilling his food on the floor. - - Yeah, everything went well, -- he replied with a suspicious look.  -- They might ask me to do more work. -

-I'm glad to have brought you along, --  Billy said.  -- You've indirectly helped me. -

Raimon blushed and felt touched inside. What more could he ask for?

-Yeah, thanks for inviting me. I know you could have brought Anne or Lucas, but you chose me. I'll never forget this. We're blood brothers, - Raimon said, clasping his hands in a strange Star Trek-style salute. His round cheeks formed an unusual smile, one only seen by Raimon's close friends when they played Dungeons and Dragons in the garage.

-Well, everything went better than expected. I managed to find a company that could distribute us, and I even got an offer to buy a distribution company on the market for 1.8 million dollars. Do you think it's possible to buy it? - Billy asked.

-Of course. Last month, the financial returns from the stocks came in, and we received a decent sum, $1,277,933 after taxes. With the growing sales, we can buy it tomorrow if you want. Although Anne earmarked that money to pay off the refinanced loans, periodic investments, and the debts on the land you bought, - Raimon explained.

-Do you think it's possible to buy it in June? - Billy inquired.

-Yes, it's possible, but it's unpredictable. The company has a lot of expenses that arise from the projects you're starting. I recently spoke with Jim Waitt and the Sentai Ranger license was negotiated for $230,000 for the use of derivative work for 45 years and 3% of total profits. He wants you to audition! If we combine the advertising expenses that have already been settled and Disney's promised investment in August, we could stretch a bit in the summer. With good sales, we could buy it or claim royalties from Warner. We might be able to purchase the distributor and invest in Pixar, and perhaps some stocks, - Raimon explained.

-Could you call my father and tell him about the distributor? He wasn't aware of Jim Waitt and the auditions, along with the Sentai Rangers license, -  Billy asked.

-Oh, sure. After the party, I'll fill you in on everything. I can only say that Saban Haim is a business genius. Jim Waitt's price was around $800,000, but Saban Haim charmed Toei Company Ltd. I can't imagine what he did, but he managed to negotiate a favorable price. He even asked Jim for permission to negotiate on your behalf, implying that he wants to have a good relationship with you and discuss the benefits you're offering, - Raimon explained.

-Thanks, - Billy said, curious about this ticking time bomb that Raimon had just handed him.

-Do you want some pizza? It's delicious, - Raimon said, trying to break the awkward silence that had settled over Billy.

-No, I'm not hungry, - Billy replied, his mind filled with thoughts of the possible changes the future would bring – buying a distributor, potentially creating Power Rangers, and building relationships with key figures in the Marvel and DC worlds, which would be beneficial for future character acquisitions, series development, or event participation. - Do you think you could tell my father later about the distributor? -

-Well, you should eat something. Jack Kirby isn't just good with comics; he has the best taste in food in the world. And yes, I'll talk to your father, no problem. I'll request the analysis department to thoroughly investigate the purchase, - Raimon said, on his third slice of pizza for the day.

-Thanks, Raimon, but I'm satisfied with all the food I have, - Billy said, sighing slightly. He walked back to the table with Raimon, who cheerfully greeted Steve Gerber, who was eating alongside him.

-You're missing out! - Raimon exclaimed.

At the table, he saw Stan Lee sitting alone and decided to greet this enigmatic figure.

-Mr. Stan Lee, a pleasure, - Billy said.

-Oh, young man, - Stan Lee replied.

The awkward silence lingered.

-Do you have something to tell me, Billy? - Stan Lee asked. Normally, it's the kids who never stop talking when they're around him. He looked curious, still not wearing his iconic black sunglasses but sporting large-framed glasses instead.

-Nothing, I just wanted to greet you. Although I'm curious why you never created a company separate from Marvel, - Billy said.

-Ahhhhh, I don't even know myself. We just do what we must, and that's how everything happens with time. Creating stories was thrilling, but it still is. I'm so pleased to see my stories come to life in the eyes of kids. At the time, the pay was good, and the money was enough for me. Among the characters, which one is your favorite? - Stan Lee asked.

-I have a soft spot for anti-heroes. I like the Punisher, - Billy replied.

-Don't let Joe hear that; he'll get all puffed up about what he's worth, - Stan Lee joked, with a playful 'bah' at the end.

-I like most of your works, Mr. Stan Lee, but I also really like the Punisher. They're exciting, - Billy said. - I came up with an idea. Would you like to be my writer for my next project? I'll draw, you do the writing, and we split the profits from the book, - Billy proposed.

-Are you trying to recruit me for your comic company? - Stan Lee asked, playfully.

-Not at all. I just want a mutual collaboration, to create something interesting together. A hero created from scratch, for both of us. I can publish it under Marvel or Lux Comics, depending on your preference, -  Billy explained.

-You've piqued my interest, young man. Let's make a deal. I'll write a script for you, and you draw a script for me. Isn't that fair? - Stan Lee suggested, raising his hands in a gesture of agreement.

-I couldn't agree more, - Billy said, shaking his hand firmly.

-It's going to be an interesting project. When I have a script ready, I'll send it to you. Don't expect it too soon, but it might not take too long, - Stan Lee said, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

-You're very proactive, son, -  Joe Kubert chimed in, having overheard the conversation along with a few others at the table.

-Oh, Joe, let me tell you, he is. You're curious to see him work too, - Stan Lee remarked.

-I am, in a way, I'm also curious to work with Billy, - Joe Kubert said, adjusting his posture to a more relaxed one, leaning back with a drink in his hand.

-Let's collaborate on a project together, - Billy suggested.

-Oh, not content with the old raggedy one, you also want to work with me. You're a very ambitious young man, - Joe Kubert said.

-He's ambitious, and lacks a bit of tact, but being so young, we'll let it slide, right, old grump? -  Stan Lee teased Joe Kubert with a mischievous grin.

"Not at all, Mr. Kubert, Mr. Lee, these aren't business matters. It's a pleasure that comes from the heart. Working with you is something I always considered a bit distant, and now I have the opportunity to do it. It's just a whim of a child," Billy explained, smiling toward Joe Kubert.

-A rather peculiar child, - Jack Kirby chimed in, having also observed the situation at the table.

-You heard him, Jack. So, Punisher, huh? - Joe Kubert said.

-Just one story among many, - Stan Lee replied.

-Well, you're the editor of Punisher. Without Joe and me, that story wouldn't exist, - Jack Kirby said, now reveling in seeing Joe's work. He had been somewhat sidelined from the comic world since the late '80s and missed his drawings.

-Don't you want to collaborate with me, kid? - Joe Kubert asked, speaking more loudly than usual.

-Of course! Same principle. Or do you want both of us to create a comic together? - Billy suggested.

-I wouldn't mind borrowing some of your drawing skills. How about during the summer vacation? I have to teach classes, and my schedule is quite busy. The only responsible thing I've been doing lately is taking care of my students, - Joe Kubert explained.

-Well, I have some plans for the summer, but we can work out the time. New York is just a stone's throw away, and I'd love to visit you, - Billy said.

-You can stay at my house, - Joe Kubert offered, secretly planning his final story – one he had been contemplating for a while. He was sure it would be amazing. - Not too far from reality, the story I wanted to tell recounted his youth, suitable for a fantasy world. -

-That would be amazing, sir. I'll come. The best comic we can create together, - Billy said.

-Ahhh, young man, comics are muses of art, little glimpses of our lives captured on blank canvases. We'll create something we love so much that others will love it too. I'll do the rough sketches, you and I, - Joe Kubert said.

-Wow, I think I still have a lot to learn for such a profound vision. I hope we create a work that touches people's hearts, - Billy replied.

-BAHAjajajjjaa. You're a surprising young man. I heard you have circulation issues. Jack Kirby has a close relationship with Golden Apple Comics, a newly established company for comic exhibitions. You can get into the distribution game. These people are going big in the distribution business, so it's good to make a deal. If you can, extend a contract for seven years, - Joe Kubert suggested.

Jack Kirby nodded. -I can help you with that tomorrow, young man, - he said. Jack was also a fan of Billy and knew how challenging it was to create a comic company. He tried to assist younger individuals with enough energy to start a company.

-That would be a great help, - Billy said. - Erik Larssen mentioned buying Sunrise Distribution and helping me manage it on the condition that I give preference to the company they want to create. However I don't have much insight into which companies could showcase my books if I want to publish them. -

Joe Kubert listened patiently. -It's simple. Some stores even want to get to know you. My advice is not to rush it. You'll gradually establish your position. Usually, the directors of these stores are fans, or their employees are, so it's easy for them to accept you. -

-I'll talk to Golden Apple; they'll be happy to have you. They're a new store and need a broad market. Although you may not know it, they already distribute your comics under the Dark Horse Comics label by Mike Richardson. They can also help you with Mile High Comics, a comic company in Colorado. We're good friends, and they'd do a favor for this old man, - Stan Lee added.

-That would be amazing. It would greatly help with the company's growth, - Billy said.

-Of course, son. How many copies of comics do you sell in a month? - Jack Kirby asked.

-I'm not sure, sir, -- Billy replied, making a face. -- Raimon, do you know? -  he asked Raimon.

-Well, counting the distribution price and the seller's share, plus the prints we produce daily, weekly, and monthly, I'd say we sell around 500,000 to 600,000 copies a month, - Raimon answered.

-You see, son, you sell enough even if Dark Horse Comics' distribution line isn't as strong as Marvel's. You make enough money for everyone. Being blocked is a blessing for you. If you can expand your sales numbers in the United States to a million copies or more per month, you're very close, - Jack Kirby explained, giving Billy the confidence he needed. The silent approval of his growth was confirmed by everyone's belief that the boy's drawings would gradually increase. With a new game in the race, the TV series launching in October, and the periodic sale of comics, Lux Comics can only increase its sales.

-Do any of you know how much Marvel Comics sells? - Billy asked.

-Well, kid, we sell millions of copies. The biannual statistics exceed ten million copies sold, which is to be expected, given the large population of the United States. There's room for a lot of sales. Some fans buy 20 to 50 comics a month, - Stan Lee explained.

-Plus, your stories are ongoing, with 66 linear publications. That's something we only work on for a maximum of 10 issues, - Jack Kirby added.

The mentoring of these three industry veterans, who promised to help this young future, is rooted in the reflection they saw on the boy's face. Joe Kubert himself, at the age of eleven, was looking for work on the lonely streets. How could they not help him? He had his chance and succeeded, and now he had to pass the torch to younger generations. These people helping Billy were also helping Erik Larsson, Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino.

Mike Richardson, who was sitting at a table with Frank Miller and Mike Mignola, was the only one paying attention to Billy's conversations. He had a smile on his face, like a puppeteer behind the scenes, watching with satisfaction as things developed. If Billy succeeds, could he come later to help him?

After the negotiations, the party continued with jazz and rock music, celebrating the successful discussions.

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