The Comic Book Business

by Jet556

AU set in 1969. The comic book business has always been big. Then in the 1950's the Comic Code came into effect. It leaves some new writers at A. Nigma Comics stifled, Lee Ping most of all and so a meeting between writers occurs to discuss what they could do.

1. Censorship

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Censorship

The year was 1969. "Midnight Cowboy" was in theatres, Pierre Trudeau was the Prime Minister and "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" had appeared on bookshelves. However the Comic book Code was still in effect. At A. Nigma Comics, the new blood writers were feeling the restrictions that had gotten on the nerves of their predecessors now getting on their nerves.

"Crimes shall never be prevented in a way as to create sympathy for the criminal, to promote distrust of the forces of the law and justice… There is no way this can continue!" exclaimed Lee Ping, sitting in his studio. "Ultra-General has always been considered a vigilante by the authorities, he has a reason to distrust them! If he can't trust them then the readers can't trust them. What is this?"

"Guess his days of razing slums to get new neighborhoods built are done." Commented Cam Martinez.

"You and Basil don't have this problem."

"Well, the Creep is a monster and the Sea-Matelot is an enemy of Canada." Stated Cam. "It is hard to change that around."

Lee didn't mention Holger Holgaart or Biffy Goldstein because their characters did not come into conflict with the authorities. Holger's character fought Communists and Biffy's fought evil gods and monsters. There was absolutely no conflict with the authorities for their characters. Cam's character came into the conflict with the military and Basil's came into conflict with the entire nation.

"It is like the Code is aiming for characters like Ultra-General alone." Said Lee.

"Well, maybe vigilantes as heroes are just out of fashion." Suggested Cam. "But Basil is having trouble too."

"What trouble?" asked Lee perplexed. How he have trouble writing for a character who was an enemy of Canada?

"The same trouble Basil's predecessor had." Replied Cam. "Roman has been an enemy of Canada that at the same time has fought Canada's enemies during wartime. The Korean War ended sixteen years ago. Roman can't fight North Koreans, Chinese or Soviets anymore. Thus all Basil has for Roman to do is fight our country."

"Gather our friends." Said Lee. "I think we need to have a creative discussion."