People were gradually arriving, and the meeting began to take shape. An intense versation was visible at Billy's table. Ohio another, and he ended up engaging in a discussion about how he started drawing, how he developed the fighting styles in ics, and the various teiques shared by the other artists at the table, some of which were o him.

  -Still, I'm impressed, kid. You make it seem like the fight is taking pce right on the pages of your book. The transition from oack to another, with the various ways you draw your characters, gives me a sense of euphoria that made me create two new volumes of Daredevil along with Stan Lee and Bill Everett, - Joe Kubert said, with Stan Lee's acceptance.

  -They're set to be published year. We want to create a long series ected with oing stories, - Stan Lee added.

  The motivation to create more ics had opehe floodgates. They were a petitive bunch eager t the best stories to light, leaving nothing behind.

  -Now, I worry less about dialogues and even press Frank to work on those captivating battle poses, - Stan Lee said, adjusting his gsses. - Oh yes, we heard you on the radio. You sounded a bit older, but it was an excelleing that made me look forward to this day with more enthusiasm. -

  -Thank you, sir, - Billy said, blushing. The stant pliments from people he sidered great artists had thrown him off a bit.

  -e on, son, drop the formalities, - Stan Lee said.

  -I'll try, - Billy sighed.

  At that moment, Mike Richardsoered with Mike Migno. They were both engaged in a hushed versation about something important.

  -Here es Mr. Richardson, - Mike Wieringo said.

  -Gd to see you, Mike, Joe, and Steve, - Mike greeted them warmly.

  -Billy, what a pleasure to see you. For a moment, I thought you wouldn't make it. I've retly been reading your new series, Evangelion, and it's a true work of art, - Mike Migno said, giving Billy a tight hug.

  -An absolute pleasure for me, Mike. I've seen the new Hellboy series, 'Secrets of Dark New York,' and it's fantastic too, - Billy said.

  -I'm still w on it; my designs have to adjust. You've giveough job to follow yothid realistic style, - Mike Migno said, looking pleased. There was no doubt that Billy's artwork had posed challenges due to the hyper-realistid dark artistic approach he had taken throughout the story.

  -I mentiohat to Mike too; sometimes I feel like the ic is talking to me. The movement spaces are fantastic, - Steve Gerber added.

  -Steve, it's great to see you again, - Mike said.

  -How's the woing? Do you have any issues? You still e and work with me a bit; the Rocket Ra series be extended for a few extra chapters. I miss w with you, - Steve Gerber said.

  -We dedicate some time to that after I finish the sed installment of the Hellboy series: 'Secrets of New York, - Mike Migno replied.

  -I'm looking forward to seeing your work then. I've had some iing ideas since we expahe Marvel universe once more, and the multiple races we're w with have led us tanize special ses for space opera, - Steve Gerber expined.

  -Has Jack Kirby had any ideas?- Mike Migno asked, curious about what he sidered a rival.

  -He's had a few ideas, but he's busy expanding the Avengers, and creating some cepts. But his illness has prevented him from w as he used to,- Steve Gerber answered.

  Billy listetentively, losing track when Mike Richardson tapped him on the shoulder aured for him to follow. The versation they had been waiting for was about to begin.

  -How's your woing? I've read your new publications; I always keep a close eye on your work, - Mike Richardson said.

  -Everything is going as pnned, - Billy replied.

  The room, unlike when they had arrived, had tables scattered around with various people. Billy couldn't reize many of them. Mike stopped by a drinks table and poured himself a drink.

  Billy took the fruit punch, relieved to find that it didn't tain any alcohol. He discreetly gnced around, then examihe desserts oable.

  -I want our versation to be as private as possible between you and me. you do that? - Mike Richardson asked.

  -Yes, sir, - Billy replied.

  -I hope that's true. Even in 15 years, I want you to keep what's unfortunately happening a secret, - Mike Richardson said.

  -In about five months, I'll uniterally cel the distribution tract expiring in February 1994. sider this a warning. I'll cover the damages for breaking the tract, which amounts to 3,000,000 for the wo years. This is prompted and promoted by Warner, who haven't set their sights on you yet but are fraudulently interfering with your operations. This happens when they want to make an aggressive purchase of another pany. If this tihey might start taking as in other industries you're involved in, like your suppliers and small-scale workers, but that's less likely, - Mike Richardson expined.

  -Warner? What would be their motive? - Billy asked.

  -They might want to buy your ipany, and they're not happy with the series you're handling. The real issue, however, is another shadow looming over you. Disney has been closely watg Pixar's moves, and they don't like the 3D teology you're implementing in your movies. Be prepared; they will strike where you least expect it, - Mike said.

  -Disney? - Billy was shocked.

  Billy couldn't believe the audacity of these panies, and their irrelevant as. Why would they do such a thing? It's a small ipany with a 3D animation studio, and there's no threat whatsoever.

  -That's all I know about these two pahey haven't revealed all their cards to me, and I'm caught in the middle. I reend that you watch your back. In a few months, they might have lost i in w with you. But my advice is to either align yourself with a rger pany or form retionships with other pahat cover your back if something happens, - Mike Richardson said.

  -Whipany? How I be sure that they won't go after me? I've accepted many favors from Warner, and they turheir bae for some price. What should I do? - Billy asked.

  -Just keep doing what you do best, - Mike Richardson said firmly, his gray eyebrows furrowing with a hint of guilt.

  Billy felt lost in the vastness of corporations, pying with businesses is scarier than an impending real estate bubble. He grabbed a dessert from the table; sweets often help calm ay.

  -Do you have any experieh this? - Billy asked.

  -Of course, that's why I invited you here. Everyone is supportive of you. Only people with more than ten years in the industry attend, but they made an exception for you. They'll help you. Don't be afraid to ask for help. I've spoken to some who are willing to assist you. Joe Kubert has an excelleionship with The New York Times. See that guy over there? He's one of the artists/writers for the Spider-Man series, Todd Me. Alongside him, you have Jim Lee, Erik Larsen, and Whilce Portacio. They're all fans of yours and want to leave the shadow of Marvel id Dics. If you vihem to join your pany, it's just oep for Sunrise Distribution to distribute all your ics. Erik Larsen is close friends with the owner of Diamond Distribution, - Mike Richardson expined.

  -So they'll ect me with a distributor? - Billy asked.

  -They might even help you create ohey've been in the idustry for a long time, and they're die-hard fans. Just be straightforward. Jim Lee tends to beat around the bush until you say things directly but be cautious. They'll surprise you, for sure, - Mike Richardson said.

  -Thank you, - Billy replied.

  -e, I'll take you to their table, and then you go back to your table with the old school. Get to know the modern school of ics, - Mike Richardson said.

  Billy gnced over at Raimon, who was engaged in an animated versation at the table, with ics spread across it while some ic authors sighem.

  The table with the new school, just as Mike Richardson had described, was different. The age range varied pared to the others. Perhaps it was the air they breathed, something more cheerful and humorous than the ih versations at the previous table.

  -Cheer up, Billy. I know you'll do great, - Mike Richardson said.

  Billy could only nod. They were all dressed casually, quite a trast to his suit. He was the only one in a suit. Not even the legends were wearing suits.

  -Gentlemen, this is Billy Carson. I hope you give him a warm wele, - Mike Richardson said.

  -A pleasure to meet all of you, - Billy said.

  As Mike passed by his bad walked to a distant table, he lightly tapped Billy's back, almost whispering for him to have the strength to break the standards that these men had imposed on him, the young iius.

  -Mike has told us the situation, - Todd Me said. He was dressed in an open white shirt with three neckces hanging over his chest. His tone exuded fidend happiness, but his smile disappeared slightly as he spoke.

  -I'm irely sure what he's told you about my situation! - Billy replied.

  -Everything has been clear; they're targeting your ipany. Mike says that Dark Horse ics mao survive its first-year thanks to your uable sales and that you have a proposal for all of us, - Todd Me expined.

  -That's true, - Billy said, looking at the faces around the table, waiting for a response.

  -But it's not true that I've pnned a proposal. I'm looking for a new distributor for my ics, - Billy crified.

  -ertage are you ? - Erik Larsen asked.

  -Pertage? - Billy questioned.

  -Yes, how do you distribute the profit sharing? - Erik Larsen inquired.

  -Well, final works, my pany has a id poster produ factory. So it's 30% for the distributor, 30% for the rights owner and lising fee, and 40% for me as profit, taking into at that I do all the work and printing of the issues, - Billy expined.

  Erik Larsen massaged his head, with unspoken thoughts. -- You hahe printing of all the id pag them, -- Erik Larsen asked.

  -That's correct, - Billy firmed.

  -I work with that. The premise is that your ics sell, and there's no doubt about that. Mike mentiohat you've sold millions in the past three years, - Erik Larsen said.

  -That's correct, - Billy replied.

  ic sales reached 9.3 million in the past year, sidering all his work, including omnibuses and pition books.

  Billy now had some ideas. Mike had mentiohat these individuals were dissatisfied with Marvel and DC.

  -Also, refleg on the good news, I have ay factory. You see, I'm the only one making i my pany. It would be beneficial for me if any of you want to e work at Lux ics, - Billy suggested.

  -We want to establish our bel and manage our sales. We're not happy with our current employers, but I'm ied, - Jim Lee said.

  -Yes, that's correct. But as an artist, I uand the disfort of giving away the cht of our works. Let's do it this way: Mike mentiohe dissatisfa you have with ipanies. e to San Jose and work with me. Sometimes, I have so many ideas that I 't materialize them all on my own. With multiple workers, like writers, artists, editors, and fans, we create many more series, - Billy expined.

  -You want to colborate? - Todd Me asked.

  -Yes, I want colboration, - Billy replied.

  -Do you already have an ending in mind for Evangelion? - Wilce Portacio inquired.

  -I do, from the first chapter. The story is roughly 90 to 100 chapters long, - Billy said.

  Jim Lee let out a whistle. -- You must have some otherworldly pnning, -- he remarked.

  -It's ; it could be more or fewer chapters. It all depends on how inspired I feel. It's just that I haven't had a group to share my ideas with, and wheory doesn't go where I want it to, it slows down my creation process, - Billy expined.

  -Alright, what would be the terms? - Jim Lee asked.

  -I don't want mohe ic distributor is all I want. With it, I don't need anything else but a pencil and paper to make money. You create your work as you like. I'll only charge you for the cost of printing and distribution. The cht be yours, - Billy proposed.

  -So, that's 30-35% for distribution, and the rest goes to the author, - Erik Larsson summarized.

  -Of course. Even if you don't have many ideas, I pay you to be my editor. It would save me some time, and I could produce more work, - Billy expined.

  -How much do you pay for aor's work? - Erik Larsson asked.

  -Mmmm... per issue, I'd pay 3,000, - Billy replied.

  -That's very little, - Erik Larsson remarked.

  -Well, it's because you haven't seen my work. It's perfect; I just o fix some minor things and correct the lettering. I release four publications a month, which is more than enough to make a great sary, -- Billy said, adjusting the sleeves of his suit. -- With aor, I'd save hours of work oail cheg and could double my w time, maybe even publish six works a month. -

  -You wouldn't be making money; what's the point? - Erik Larssoioned.

  -Mmmm... I want to create a television el, and I'm produg a TV series on my own. With three people in my supproup, I have scriptwriters and creators who provide me with ideas for future series. Besides, with editing work sorted out, you als in a colorist. I don't know many good colorists; ics are going out of style in the Uates, and I don't trust a newer, - Billy expined.

  -Go to Calrats; the artists there are excellent, - Erik Larsson suggested as if it were on knowledge.

  -I would, but I need someoh experience, someone who teach them to be my editor, - Billy replied.

  -I'm in, as long as I bring my two friends along. There are three of us: Brandon Choi and Terry. Terry is a good script editor, and we share him. Oh, and that you respect cht, - Jim Lee said.

  -Yes, agreed. The tract will be 30% for distribution in case we hire one, plus the cost of the ic, which will be deducted from the sales. If I rea agreement with the distribution pany, the cht will be yours. My idea is to hire someone else to help with editing, - Billy expined.

  -Don't worry, I'll help you with the distribution pany. I'm friends with Steve Geppi, who has a distribution pany in the Uates. He'll be happy to bee the distributor for Lux ics. I'll iate a 25 to 30% deal. Do you have some data on ic sales? - Erik Larsen asked.

  -I have it up to st year, - Billy replied.

  -That should be enough. With your sales, they might accept the tract without hesitation, -- Erik Larsson said, fshing a mischievous smile. -- Oh, I help you buy a distribution pany. I don't have the money for these purchases, but I'd like to. This save up to 15% on sales. Sunrise ics, based in California, is going bankrupt and is about to be sold, as well as Titan Distributor. We want to create a ipany. If you buy these panies, you help us distribute the new 'Image ics.' If we start produg our iewbie panies might charge us 40% for distribution. -

  -How much would it cost to buy these two panies? - Billy asked.

  -Sunrise ics is in bad shape, losing titles. You buy it for 2 million, but I probably buy it for a lower price, maybe 1.6 to 1.8 million, - Erik Larsson expined.

  -You all want to create your own ipany, - Billy remarked.

  -That's right, - Todd Me firmed.

  -What will you call it? - Billy asked.

  - Imagine ics. We have some good ideas, but we'd like to have bag. If we get someoo distribute at 30%, it's a win-win for us, - Erik Larsson said.

  -I buy it, but not until the end of July, - Billy stated, thinking in the back of his mind that he already distributed ider the store "Toys and ics" and they were pnning to open a bran San Mateo.

  -That's perfect. Sunrise ics is known for its mail-order ic business, tracts with neer panies, and strong tractual agreements with ic retail stores. They have 24 stores in total, 6 of which are under lease, and they have an agreement with a video game and ic retail pany, - Erik Larsson expined.

  -I uand, but I'm not very experienced in the distribution field. I don't think I do a good job, - Billy said.

  -I'll take care of that, - Erik Larsson reassured. - We want to distribute our bel under Sunrise ics, so I have some ideas. But we all ehat the pany runs smoothly. You have the support of everyone in this room. -

  -And if we ter merge with Diamond ics, we leave it to the experts aiate from a stronger position, - Billy suggested.

  -That could be true, but only after we've fulfilled our is, - Erik Larsson agreed.

  -Very well, I think everything has been discussed. Let's move on to the individual ic awards, - Jim Lee suggested.

  [1] Mike Wieringo: He is reized for his work on ics such as Fsh, Spider-Man, and Fantastic Four, and he created his series called Tellos.

  [2] Todd Me: He is a writer known for his Spider-Man series, whicluded several appearances by Venom.

  [3] Erik Larsen: He is a ic book artist, editor, and writer who has worked for both Dd Marvel ics. He has colborated with Todd Me on Spider-Man projects.

  ...