Hollywood Art: System of sunnys
567. hits, and comics.

January 8.

Who can blame them when things start to pick up, when a month isn’t enough, and they’re forced to return to reality?. The first place to be is at the regular shareholders' meeting, where all those who are—or at least appear to be—the right people to receive the copyright agreements were summoned. And for a simple reason: this would put to rest any doubts future copyright claimants might have regarding any litigation or related matters. A waiver of claims for any Marvel work currently or potentially under litigation, stipulated in a contract drafted and agreed upon by Billy. Different types of contracts, all prepared under a copyright law firm, containing every clause necessary so that when Billy uses the MCU, all prior agreements would be automatically void. Affidavits would be signed, and Lux Nation would handle any unresolved matters.

After 2008, Marvel faced 30 copyright lawsuits from writers who insisted their ideas were their own—something that had been known for a long time. And when the paperwork speaks for itself, many future costs can be avoided.

–So as I see it, it’s a way to avoid future lawsuits – said Stan Lee.

–Not with you, but with your children, grandchildren, or anyone else who might come forward with a claim… and also to ensure proper payment for what these comics have earned, to at least compensate part of it – Billy added, handing over the contract, which was not only a share package from the company, but also included a $4 million payment for any future profits they might generate, along with an enviable work contract offering creative freedom. The payments were substantial, but only three people reached such sums: Steve Ditko and Jack Kirby, among the first, who had the strangest gaps in their contracts, and ironically, were among those who earned the least despite all the work they did.

Fifteen individuals were on the list, while others simply received amended contracts granting better social security benefits and bonuses—advantages covered by a special fund that ranked among the top in the country, managed by a very demanding Swiss firm.

–Those are some good conditions – said Stan Lee.

–Well, I had to go for a rather unnecessary capitalization for some, but the $50 million injection helped a lot to put an end to future legal disputes – said Billy, who saw his ownership percentage drop to 98.7% after that capitalization. A bit invasive, but necessary, to get a handle on the liabilities and unpaid balances Ronald Perelman left hanging. After all, everyone’s salaries represented half of Marvel’s cash, which would now be used for new series.

–I just want to take Marvel into a new golden age. I can’t fire the people who were hired, so our next step is clear—upgrade the animation team. We’ve got 30 animators who’ll now have to undergo extensive training and master 2D animation at the highest level – Billy replied.

–Will you rehire those kids, Ronald? Let go? Some had to work outside the industry – asked Stan Lee.

–Of course. Contact them all first thing tomorrow. I want their help not only with Marvel. I’m also planning to adjust a few other comics I have in mind, like Men in Black, Hellboy, The Walking Dead, Tomb Raider, Resident Evil, and Doom, said Billy. Expanding all those titles under Marvel would help not just in series production—it would lighten his workload. New people bring new ideas. And fresh ideas can lead to great scripts, especially when he has Netflix in his hands.

For instance, Resident Evil had 45 episodes based on the five games, nine episodes per game. It was only a matter of time before he adapted the original saga to his advantage—what Billy would call "the franchise strike."

–Well, I couldn’t ask for more – said Stan Lee, signing and helping the others to do the same. That was the deal—one he fulfilled immediately by handing each person a check, already issued by the company as a certified manager’s check.

–That’s good, because I’m going to give you so much work over the next few months that you’ll wish you had turned me down. I want you to be the creative director, help young writers find their stories, and guide them in creating amazing series. I won’t interfere with the work, but we will establish a few ground rules, like Dark Marvel. It’ll be printed in black—adult comics, Stan – said Billy.

–That’s what makes me feel alive—being useful and helping take Marvel to the top – replied Stan Lee.

–I’ll buy the entire building and breathe new life into the facilities. This place needs its cafeteria, healthy food, not-so-healthy food, and ergonomic chairs – said Billy, noting that a company’s condition begins with the tools it uses, and clearly, the state of the furniture was far from ideal.

–Kid, go for it—unleash everything you’ve got. But I expect my Hawaii vacation. Word’s getting around—everyone’s already dreaming of a company-wide getaway – said Stan Lee.

–Two years. The company doesn’t have the finances for that right now, Stan. But in two years, I’ll take it to where it always should’ve been – said Billy.

With countless ideas already lined up, he was preparing to reinterpret new movies, starting with the X-Men, Spider-Man, and fantasy series that were already on Fox’s radar. Even though they didn’t own the rights, they could share them with Billy—a relationship he knew he’d need in the coming months. Although the Murdoch family was as dangerous as Old West outlaws, he was certain he had to be extremely cautious, knowing that the methods people used weren’t exactly conventional—from wiretapping to encoded microphones, hacking, and all sorts of tactics that seemed designed solely to hinder him due to the innovative work underway. But again, America—especially at that time—was the land of progress, at least in terms of big corporate ventures that thought beyond the present. Maybe that’s why investors welcomed the idea, only to fail when the bubble burst.

...

Hours of work followed, during which Billy, along with Raimon and his team of lawyers and accountants, made all necessary adjustments to Marvel—alongside, of course, a representative from the Securities Commission, whose only goal was to oversee the transition to a privately held, non-listed company.

–Avi, let’s take note of everything we need to do for our next steps – said Billy. – Don’t make that face. We’re taking Marvel to the big screen, and the question is, how much are you willing to invest? –

Avi simply observed the calm stance. After merging with Marvel and collecting shares, he followed the bond game and received a total of $40 million in shares. But everything was far more sinister. The fact that a young man, no older than 20, had taken full control—not just of the company, but also of the toy division—and legally held all the money, even his lawyers viewed litigation as a double-edged sword. Because proven mismanagement was a real issue, and when that gets proven, everything changes.

–You’ve got good money. I’ll buy the studio in Santa Monica, open a subsidiary—Marvel Films—and borrow some capital for a movie. In this case, X-Men. Are you in? – asked Billy.

–Then the shares? –

–Investment contract. But I’ll give you 5% equity if you want. There’s no other way. –

–I don’t have a choice. –

–You’ll get your money back—and double it. What more could you want? I was honest with you. We were going to make money, but at the last minute, you went with that businessman Karl Ikahm, who got cold feet. You don’t play roulette with pocket change, Avi – Billy answered.

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