Hollywood Art: System of sunnys

July 11.

The $30 million credit approved by the San Jose bank is a significant financial asset that will be quickly put to use by Lux Comics. The initial purchase, among many to come, is the ongoing $25 million acquisition of AutoDesk. Even though it's just a 60% stake in the company, it's a strategic move to gain control of the latest 3D animation technology. From there, Pixar is poised to reach greater heights.

-Well, Dad, this is another negotiation since we founded the company, - Billy said. Life had changed since he first took part in a negotiation. As usual, on Sundays, his father woke up early to prepare breakfast.

-Even though you argued that buying a distribution company was a bad idea, look at us now, planning to acquire one and negotiate multiple deals throughout the state with various comic book stores, - Thomas remarked.

With some fatigue, they hired three people for the company: a sales director and two assistants, to shape the entire sales management that the company was currently facing.

-I never thought Mike would collude with an entertainment giant like Warner. He was a pleasant guy who was always willing to help us. But as we grow as a company, we encounter more shadows and enemies at every turn, - Thomas stated.

Billy didn't lie; he shared the information that Mike Richardson had given him at the ceremony about the sabotage acts against Billy's company by Disney and Warner.

-Well, there are many mistakes we made. Every time I think about the potential screen that Warner could have offered us and the fantastic collaboration we could have had, creating a lasting channel., - Billy said.

-How could you have known? - Thomas asked.

-I should have expected a trap like that, a big one. Something in my gut told me it might end up this way, - Billy replied.

-No one can predict the future, son. Let's just learn from this setback. Now we know that Warner, and quite possibly other companies, may also engage in similar actions if they consider us a low-rank company, - Thomas concluded.

-It's true, Father. Let's go meet Erik Larsson. He said he'd handle the distribution company for the first year, as long as we assist in creating his startup, - Billy said.

Thomas Carson simply nodded as he adjusted his suit cuffs and tie.

-How beneficial it is to guide these artists in the right direction. The editor, Terry, now used by my son, is a very capable worker. Billy has managed to complete many comics in just two weeks. It's almost like a time leap that has allowed him to write a book during his free time, - Thomas Carson thought.

Erik Larsson greeted them with joy. All their plans had gone as they had schemed with their partners: Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri, Jim Valentino, and Jim Lee, who was still willing to invest. Now the sale of Sunrise Distribution was on the verge of being finalized, and the last negotiation talk was underway. After the legal formalities, he could rest for a while to oversee distribution.

-Welcome, this is the Sunrise Distribution headquarters, -- Erik Larsson said.  -- My partner here is none other than Scott Rosenberg, who speaks on behalf of the board, and Mr. Campiti, who unfortunately couldn't make it. -

Without waiting for responses, Erik Larsson was ecstatic and continued.

-Here is the contract for your review. You can check and examine it. It's the back-and-forth negotiations I've discussed with you throughout the negotiation process. Our final terms have arrived as follows: Sunrise Distribution will be sold for a value of $1.7 million, and the 'Men in Black' comic from Malibu Comics is valued at $350,000. In points two, three, and twelve, the new Sunrise Distribution agrees to distribute the four publishing imprints currently distributed by Mr. Rosenberg, with a distribution fee of 30%. These clauses are subject to renewal under equivalent conditions when distribution takes place, - Erik Larsson said.

Billy could nod while his father carefully read through the contract, every word with great care. Rosenberg didn't seem very pleased, but his penetrating blue eyes indicated that he had no other choice. It was much better than succumbing to DC Comics. He was confident that over time, people would come to appreciate the quality of his comics.

-I agree. But let's wait for my father to finish reading the contract, - Billy said, giving his father the green light.

-Of course, - Erik Larsson replied.

-I'd like to know when you'll start with the investment and improvement of the distribution company. I've tried building the company in different ways, but in the end, I realized that if I had invested, I wouldn't have so many problems, - Scott Rosenberg said, pointing to the contract clauses. The company currently had a debt of $600,000, which the Carsons had already paid off, and surprisingly, this was one of the reasons for selling the company.

Thomas nodded after a long, detailed reading. Mr. Rosenberg closed the deal and waited to speak privately with Erik Larsson.

-Now we have a distribution company in our hands. I'll take care of the legal matters next week when we sign. The investment will take place before October of this year, for an amount of at least two million dollars, - Thomas said.

This comics company not only helped distribute comics but also video games, movies, and TV series, which was very beneficial for the company's growth. The ground floor had been completely opened up for the printing of more comics. Currently, there was no need for operation, but the future outlook was promising. Along with a poster printing machine for promotional posters and collectible cards.

-That's true, Father. We just need to see how things wrap up for our future projects. I have a lot in mind that hasn't been finalized yet, - Billy said.

-You're talking about the animation and 3D studios, aren't you? - Thomas Carson asked.

-Yes, I'm talking about the uncertainty we have about not being able to meet all the expectations we're generating. We have a lot of work to do in these two days. Some publishers have decided to feature us, - Billy said.

-Of course, we sent out the proposal that the creator of Lux Comics had decided to venture into the creation of fantasy literature, and the doors are open for us. We have a total of 14 offers in the United States, 3 in Canada, and 5 in the United Kingdom. Only four of them offer international publication, but their percentage is lower than expected, - Thomas said.

-How much is the offered price? - Billy asked.

-It ranges from 15% to a maximum of 23% on book profits. We negotiated for a ten-year publication period, during which they will have distribution rights. This clause rarely changes, and the conditions tend to be very similar across all of them, - Thomas explained.

-Well, I'll review the publishers. You know we can use that as a guide to secure some film licenses for our TV series, - Billy said.

-I don't quite understand that topic, son, but Anne knows more about it, - Thomas replied.

Erik Larsson emerged from the private meeting with Rosenberg, and his smile remained on his face. Image Comics was getting closer to becoming a dream come true. The contacts of Joe Kubert and Jack Kirby had connected him with so many comic book retailers that, in less than a month, they could start publishing their books.

-I think we should leave as soon as possible. I have to attend the dinner with Alice, - Billy said.

-Let's go, - Thomas agreed.

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