Hollywood Art: System of sunnys

The first meeting of the day ended in a perfect cooperation agreement between the two parties. The next one is for better or for worse, the highlight of the day. The purchase of a superhero from Charlton Comics didn't initially interest Thomas, as he wasn't particularly interested in the bidding war until his young Billy mentioned the potential of Captain Atom and the possible profit from the character.

-Do you think it'll be that easy with Mr. Mike? - Billy asked.

-I doubt it. These people are still willing to fork over some dollars for their characters. Almost a year ago, they sold Blue Beetle to D.C. Comics for $50,000. - Thomas explained.

-Why didn't they sell Captain Atom along with Blue Beetle? - Billy inquired.

-That I don't know. But Mr. Joe Gill, the creator and the one authorized to sell the franchise by his former boss, is likely looking for a substantial commission. He might be sent to us to evoke that sense of nostalgia. - Thomas mumbled.

In the following years, the world would transition from an era dominated by big movie stars to one defined by major franchises. Marvel, for example, would break box office records and shake up the entertainment industry. In the meantime, entertainment was largely shaped by hit television series and streaming platforms like Netflix.

For a moment, Thomas paused to question whether his plan with Captain Atom would yield the expected results. It felt like a leap of faith, supported by the fame of his copied works and his incredible system that helped infuse emotions into manga, all while enhancing his skills. Ultimately, the partnership with Dark Horse Comics would help create a more stable continuity line to generate a strong foothold.

In essence, most successes stem from a reimagined brand that resonates with a key fan base and appeals to different fans through your drawings.

How do you create a good superhero? – Perhaps the question is how to create a compelling character. Can my new designs for Captain Atom offer the right balance to break into the superhero market? With improved character designs, which I've honed through studying cartoons with better perspectives, updates in the movements of each character, creative panels, and the new visual structure model.

-Dad, what's the maximum amount we're willing to pay for Captain Atom? - Billy asked.

-Approximately $20,000. Even if they demand a price above that, I can't go beyond that amount. - Thomas replied promptly.

-How famous is this character? - Billy inquired.

-Not very famous, it mostly sold about 10,000 copies across all the collected volumes, which are nearly 16 volumes. Charlton Comics hasn't sold much since the early '80s, but the co-creator has also been involved in different comics like Spider-Man. - Thomas explained.

-Let me handle the negotiation. - Thomas said.

-You're the lawyer, Dad. I trust you with the negotiation. – Billy Commented

Surprisingly, most of the negotiations Billy has attended or witnessed are held in cafes or private dining rooms. What's common is that nobody orders food during the negotiation. Is it a symbol of trust? Is it considered impolite?

-Good afternoon, Mr. Gill, a pleasure to see you today. - Thomas said.

-Likewise. - Gill replied. He looked deadly serious with his well-groomed white mustache and furrowed eyebrows.

-Let's get straight to the point. I'm willing to offer you a copyright assignment for Captain Atom for 70 years for a value of $18,000. - Gill stated peremptorily.

-We could do it for $17,000. - Thomas responded.

-Done. - Gill said so quickly that it caught Billy off guard.

Thomas produced a contract on legal-size paper. Billy's father read the contract out loud and discussed some legal terms with Mr. Gill regarding the rights to exploit the work, along with other random terms.

With a 3% share of copyright profits for Captain Atom, they paved the way for a new IP for the development of Lux Animation, which was gradually taking shape.

In summary, they negotiated that the work could be modified, and new creations would be counted as a derivative work of the authorship itself. It was disappointing that the negotiation didn't last more than five minutes, and the other party's disappointed at giving away their work so easily, but perhaps they had hoped to scratch up more than the proposed $15,000.

In summary, they established an animation company, "Lux Comics," bought an industrial comic machine, rented a small warehouse, expanded the garage, and acquired Captain Atom.

Expenses amounted to a total of $70,000. Considering Billy's two years of savings, they only added up to $5,570, after refusing birthday and Christmas gifts, working by mowing lawns, and doing school chores for two dollars.

The following portions came as a gift from the grandfather, amounting to $1,000 for my company. The rest was covered by Thomas's total savings and a $20,000 bank loan, with the understanding that only hard work in the coming months would recoup the investment.

...

edit.

disclaimer: This is a science fiction series.