Billy saw Raimon some pizzas and k was the perfeent to vey all the information to his father. The room still had some people chatting quietly. Billy went to the food table in the ter of the room. Raimon was humming to himself as he served small portions here and there, carefully deg which dishes to choose.

  -Raimon, how's everything going? Did you get what you were looking for? - Billy asked.

  -You startled me, -- Raimon said, nearly spilling his food on the floor. - - Yeah, everythi well, -- he replied with a suspicious look. -- They might ask me to do more work. -

  -I'm gd to have brought you along, -- Billy said. -- You've ily helped me. -

  Raimon blushed aouched inside. What more could he ask for?

  -Yeah, thanks for inviting me. I know you could have brought Anne or Lucas, but you e. I'll never fet this. We're blood brothers, - Raimon said, g his hands in a straar Trek-style salute. His round cheeks formed an unusual smile, one only seen by Raimon's close friends when they pyed Dungeons and Dragons in the garage.

  -Well, everythi better than expected. I mao find a pany that could distribute us, and I even got an offer to buy a distribution pany on the market for 1.8 million dolrs. Do you think it's possible to buy it? - Billy asked.

  -Of course. Last month, the financial returns from the stocks came in, and we received a det sum, 1,277,933 after taxes. With the growing sales, we buy it tomorrow if you want. Although Anne earmarked that moo pay off the refinanced loans, periodivestments, and the debts on the nd you bought, - Raimon expined.

  -Do you think it's possible to buy it in June? - Billy inquired.

  -Yes, it's possible, but it's uable. The pany has a lot of expehat arise from the projects you're starting. I retly spoke with Jim Waitt and the Sentai Ranger lise was iated for 230,000 for the use of derivative work for 45 years and 3% of total profits. He wants you to audition! If we bihe advertising expehat have already beeled and Disney's promised iment in August, we could stretch a bit in the summer. With good sales, we could buy it or cim royalties from Warner. We might be able to purchase the distributor and i in Pixar, and perhaps some stocks, - Raimon expined.

  -Could you call my father and tell him about the distributor? He wasn't aware of Jim Waitt and the auditions, along with the Sentai Rangers lise, - Billy asked.

  -Oh, sure. After the party, I'll fill you in ohing. I only say that Saban Haim is a business genius. Jim Waitt's price was around 800,000, but Saban Haim charmed Toei pany Ltd. I 't imagine what he did, but he mao iate a favorable price. He even asked Jim for permission to iate on your behalf, implying that he wants to have a good retionship with you and discuss the bes you're , - Raimon expined.

  -Thanks, - Billy said, curious about this tig time bomb that Raimon had just handed him.

  -Do you want some pizza? It's delicious, - Raimon said, trying to break the awkward silehat had settled over Billy.

  -No, I'm not hungry, - Billy replied, his mind filled with thoughts of the possible ges the future would bring – buying a distributor, potentially creating Power Rangers, and buildiionships with key figures in the Marvel and DC worlds, which would be beneficial for future character acquisitions, series development, or event participation. - Do you think you could tell my father ter about the distributor? -

  -Well, you should eat something. Jack Kirby isn't just good with ics; he has the best taste in food in the world. And yes, I'll talk to your father, no problem. I'll request the analysis department to thhly iigate the purchase, - Raimon said, on his third slice of pizza for the day.

  -Thanks, Raimon, but I'm satisfied with all the food I have, - Billy said, sighing slightly. He walked back to the table with Raimon, who cheerfully greeted Steve Gerber, who was eating alongside him.

  -You're missing out! - Raimon excimed.

  At the table, he saw Stating alone and decided to greet this enigmatic figure.

  -Mr. Stan Lee, a pleasure, - Billy said.

  -Oh, young man, - Stan Lee replied.

  The awkward silence lingered.

  -Do you have something to tell me, Billy? - Stan Lee asked. Normally, it's the kids who op talking when they're around him. He looked curious, still not wearing his iic bck sungsses but sp rge-framed gsses instead.

  -Nothing, I just wao greet you. Although I'm curious why you never created a pany separate from Marvel, - Billy said.

  -Ahhhhh, I don't even know myself. We just do what we must, and that's how everything happens with time. Creating stories was thrilling, but it still is. I'm so pleased to see my stories e to life in the eyes of kids. At the time, the pay was good, and the money was enough for me. Among the characters, whie is your favorite? - Stan Lee asked.

  -I have a soft spot for anti-heroes. I like the Punisher, - Billy replied.

  -Don't let Joe hear that; he'll get all puffed up about what he's worth, - Stan Lee joked, with a pyful 'bah' at the end.

  -I like most of your works, Mr. Stan Lee, but I also really like the Puhey're exg, - Billy said. - I came up with an idea. Would you like to be my writer for my project? I'll draw, you do the writing, and we split the profits from the book, - Billy proposed.

  -Are y to recruit me for your ipany? - Stan Lee asked, pyfully.

  -Not at all. I just want a mutual colboration, to create something iing together. A hero created from scratch, for both of us. I publish it under Marvel or Lux ics, depending on your preference, - Billy expined.

  -You've piqued my i, young ma's make a deal. I'll write a script for you, and you draw a script for me. Isn't that fair? - Stan Lee suggested, raising his hands in a gesture of agreement.

  -I couldn't agree more, - Billy said, shaking his hand firmly.

  -It's going to be an iing project. When I have a script ready, I'll send it to you. Don't expect it too soon, but it might not take too long, - Stan Lee said, stroking his thoughtfully.

  -You're very proactive, son, - Joe Kubert chimed in, having overheard the versation along with a few others at the table.

  -Oh, Joe, let me tell you, he is. You're curious to see him work too, - Stan Lee remarked.

  -I am, in a way, I'm also curious to work with Billy, - Joe Kubert said, adjusting his posture to a more rexed one, leaning back with a drink in his hand.

  -Let's colborate on a project together, - Billy suggested.

  -Oh, not tent with the edy one, you also want to work with me. You're a very ambitious young man, - Joe Kubert said.

  -He's ambitious, and cks a bit of tact, but being so young, we'll let it slide, right, old grump? - Staeased Joe Kubert with a mischievous grin.

  "Not at all, Mr. Kubert, Mr. Lee, these aren't business matters. It's a pleasure that es from the heart. W with you is something I always sidered a bit distant, and now I have the opportunity to do it. It's just a whim of a child," Billy expined, smiling toward Joe Kubert.

  -A rather peculiar child, - Jack Kirby chimed in, having also observed the situation at the table.

  -You heard him, Jack. So, Punisher, huh? - Joe Kubert said.

  -Just oory among many, - Stan Lee replied.

  -Well, you're the editor of Punisher. Without Joe ahat story would, - Jack Kirby said, now reveling in seeing Joe's work. He had been somewhat sidelined from the ic world sihe te '80s and missed his drawings.

  -Don't you want to colborate with me, kid? - Joe Kubert asked, speaking more loudly than usual.

  -Of course! Same principle. Or do you want both of us to create a ic together? - Billy suggested.

  -I wouldn't mind borrowing some of your drawing skills. How about during the summer vacation? I have to teach csses, and my schedule is quite busy. The only responsible thing I've been doing tely is taking care of my students, - Joe Kubert expined.

  -Well, I have some pns for the summer, but we work out the time. New York is just a stohrow away, and I'd love to visit you, - Billy said.

  -You stay at my house, - Joe Kubert offered, secretly pnning his final story – one he had been pting for a while. He was sure it would be amazing. - Not too far from reality, the story I wao tell reted his youth, suitable for a fantasy world. -

  -That would be amazing, sir. I'll e. The best ic we create together, - Billy said.

  -Ahhh, young man, ics are muses of art, little glimpses of our lives captured on bnk vases. We'll create something we love so much that others will love it too. I'll do the rough sketches, you and I, - Joe Kubert said.

  -Wow, I think I still have a lot to learn for such a profound vision. I hope we create a work that touches people's hearts, - Billy replied.

  -BAHAjajajjjaa. You're a surprising young man. I heard you have circution issues. Jack Kirby has a close retionship with Golden Apple ics, a newly established pany for ic exhibitions. You get into the distribution game. These people are going big in the distribution business, so it's good to make a deal. If you , extend a tract for seven years, - Joe Kubert suggested.

  Jack Kirby nodded. -I help you with that tomorrow, young man, - he said. Jack was also a fan of Billy and knew how challenging it was to create a ipany. He tried to assist younger individuals with enough energy to start a pany.

  -That would be a great help, - Billy said. - Erik Larsseioned buying Sunrise Distribution and helping me ma on the dition that I give prefereo the pany they want to create. However I don't have musight into whipanies could showcase my books if I want to publish them. -

  Joe Kubert listened patiently. -It's simple. Some stores even want to get to know you. My advice is not to rush it. You'll gradually establish your position. Usually, the directors of these stores are fans, or their employees are, so it's easy for them to accept you. -

  -I'll talk to Golden Apple; they'll be happy to have you. They're a ore and need a broad market. Although you may not know it, they already distribute your ider the Dark Horse ics bel by Mike Richardson. They also help you with Mile High ics, a ipany in Colorado. We're good friends, and they'd do a favor for this old man, - Stan Lee added.

  -That would be amazing. It would greatly help with the pany's growth, - Billy said.

  -Of course, son. How many copies of ics do you sell in a month? - Jack Kirby asked.

  -I'm not sure, sir, -- Billy replied, making a face. -- Raimon, do you know? - he asked Raimon.

  -Well, ting the distribution prid the seller's share, plus the prints we produce daily, weekly, and monthly, I'd say we sell around 500,000 to 600,000 copies a month, - Raimon answered.

  -You see, son, you sell enough even if Dark Horse ics' distribution line isn't as strong as Marvel's. You make enough money for everyone. Being blocked is a blessing for you. If you expand your sales numbers in the Uates to a million copies or more per month, you're very close, - Jack Kirby expined, giving Billy the fidence he he silent approval of his growth was firmed by everyone's belief that the boy's drawings would gradually increase. With a new game in the race, the TV series ung in October, and the periodic sale of ics, Lux ics only increase its sales.

  -Do any of you know how much Marvel ics sells? - Billy asked.

  -Well, kid, we sell millions of copies. The biannual statistics exceed ten million copies sold, which is to be expected, given the rge popution of the Uates. There's room for a lot of sales. Some fans buy 20 to 50 ics a month, - Stan Lee expined.

  -Plus, your stories are ongoing, with 66 linear publications. That's something we only work on for a maximum of 10 issues, - Jack Kirby added.

  The ment of these three industry veterans, who promised to help this young future, is rooted in the refle they saw on the boy's face. Joe Kubert himself, at the age of eleven, was looking for work on the lonely streets. How could they not help him? He had his d succeeded, and now he had to pass the torch to younger geions. These people helping Billy were also helping Erik Larsson, Todd Me, Whilce Portaarc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino.

  Mike Richardson, who was sitting at a table with Frank Miller and Mike Migno, was the only one paying attention to Billy's versations. He had a smile on his face, like a puppeteer behind the ses, watg with satisfa as things developed. If Billy succeeds, could he e ter to help him?

  After the iations, the party tinued with jazz and rock music, celebrating the successful discussions.

  ...