Mid-October 1980.

"Resident Evil" was a big hit in the Hong Kong market, and "Martial Arts and History" magazine added "Resident Evil" fandom articles.

Therefore, the attention of "Resident Evil" has increased suddenly.

What's even more unexpected is that at this time, Hong Kong's cosplay culture has become popular. There were people who put on makeup, dressed up as zombies, and swaggered on the streets, attracting a large number of onlookers.

At the invitation of Shangguan Xiaobao, Zhang Shaojie visited the 82 Painting Society for the first time.

Unlike a large comic company like the Yulang Organization, which has reached a scale of more than 500 people, 82 Painting Society is a very small company.

Now there are only more than 30 people in the whole company, and it can be said that the scale of the 82 Painting Society is about the same size as that of Tianxia Publishing Company.

Of course, most of the painters of the 82 Painting Society serialized cartoons in newspapers such as "Good News" and "Qingbao", and were later appreciated by Shangguan Xiaobao and accepted as apprentices and assistants. After a few years of training, those talents have become the mainstay of the comic market.

Of course. The treatment of the 82 Painting Society is far inferior to that of the Yulang Institution. Many painters can only earn a few hundred dollars a month, so they have to change jobs.

Shangguan Xiaobao is also helpless, because the entire 82 Painting Club is actually eating the boss, and what makes money is just making a fuss about the previous "Bruce Lee" series. After "Bruce Lee" is finished, the prequel, postquel, and side story are drawn. After this is all drawn, I will come to "New Bruce Lee" and then come to the prequel, postquel, and biography

Originally, the "Bruce Lee" comic was based on real deeds, but in order to draw more, I could only make up a bunch of plots. A good brand will be done to death!

And because Yulang International's "Dragon Tiger Gate" is a fictional character, the main readers accept the characters in the plot, and no matter how bizarre the plot is, it will not make comic readers feel "not in line with reality". Therefore, even if "Dragon Tiger Gate" is so long-lived, its popularity is still very prosperous.

"Shaojie, look at these characters, is that Jill in your mind?" Shangguan Xiaobao handed more than ten drawings to Zhang Shaojie.

"This one is good! Looks the best! Zhang Shaojie flipped through it, and after a few minutes, he picked out one - on this sketch, Jill showed a suspender suit with fragrant shoulders, short hair, and a pistol, looking very heroic and pretty!

After Shangguan Xiaobao heard that Zhang Shaojie agreed, he couldn't help but smile: "Originally, I also thought that this one was the most satisfied!" ”

Although the "Resident Evil" comic was authorized to Shangguan Xiaobao, he was not in a hurry to launch the comic at once, but carefully prepared.

Only if Shangguan Xiaobao thinks that it is perfect, the comic book version of "Resident Evil" will be listed.

For each persona, they will not only draw it, but also use the form of sculpture to make a model of Chengren's design. And topographic maps like the castle and Raccoon City in the comics were also made.

Zhang Shaojie even felt that after taking the draft of their comic book setting, he could even directly develop it into a game

―――――――― have to say that Zhang Shaojie's investment in Hong Kong is really a wise move.

Industries such as anime and games were later collectively referred to as the ACG industry.

If the novel industry is the creative source of all film, television and animation, then the comic industry is the foundation of the entire ACG industry!

Popular comic works have always been one of the basic raw materials of the animation and game industry.

For example, the "Robot Cat" comic, an adapted cartoon, quickly became one of the hottest animations in the world. The peripheral products related to "Robot Cat" can create a huge output value of hundreds of millions of dollars every year. It is equivalent to the record performance of the top 10 real estate companies in Hong Kong at this time.

Hong Kong's comic industry was one of Hong Kong's later important creative industries.

Although in the 80s, Hong Kong comics were not as amazing as Hong Kong movies in overseas markets. However, from the perspective of the local market in Hong Kong, the development of Hong Kong comics is only slightly inferior to that of Hong Kong films.

In addition, Zhang Shaojie continues to provide creative factors for Hong Kong Man. As a result, Hong Kong's comic market has developed faster than it has historically.

With the early release of the two future masterpieces of "The Legend of Double Dragons of the Tang Dynasty" and "Chinese Heroes", the market scale has expanded! It is expected that the local market size of Hong Kong will exceed 150 million this year, with an annual growth rate of 100%!

Historically, in the 80s, Hong Kong comics and the Hong Kong film industry went hand in hand. However, the comic book market is only half the size of the film market. However, since the 90s, Hong Kong's Hong Kong film box office has stagnated at 1 billion Hong Kong dollars, and it has been unable to develop for a long time, while the Hong Kong comic market has bucked the market, reaching 700 million Hong Kong dollars by the end of the 90s. It has narrowed the gap in scale with the film industry.

Later, at the beginning of the 21st century, Hong Kong's film industry has become very embarrassing with the strong rise of mainland films.

In the 21st century, Hong Kong comics are unique because the comic and animation industries in the mainland have been sluggish.

A few months ago, Zhang Shaojie invested HK$1 million in Commonwealth Publishing Company. Now, with the circulation of "Chinese Heroes" published by Tianxia increasing to 70,000 copies per issue, the company's monthly profit has reached more than 1 million Hong Kong dollars.

It can be said that the amazing results of "Chinese Heroes" are enough to earn 10 million Hong Kong dollars a year.

At present, it is already a triumph in the Hong Kong comic market!

The champion of the sales list "The Legend of Double Dragons of the Tang Dynasty" Huang Yulang is the main writer, selling 130,000 copies per issue.

The runner-up in Hong Kong manga sales is the veteran comic "Dragon and Tiger Gate" produced by Huang Yulang, who sells 110,000 copies per issue.

The sales list Tanhua "Chinese Hero" Ma Rongcheng is the main writer, and each issue sells 70,000 copies.

These three strong comics have occupied 70% of the Hong Kong comic market in Hong Kong's comics market! The rest of the comics are basically either cannon fodder or inconspicuous scum

Maybe it won't be until the 82 Painting Society launches "Resident Evil" that it will be able to change the current Hong Kong comic pattern.

After ―――――――― left the 82 Painting Society, Zhang Shaojie came to Tianxia Publishing Company.

Ma Rongcheng took a bill and reported to Zhang Shaojie.

"Now, "Chinese Heroes" has been published in 6 issues, and the circulation has increased from 58,000 copies at the time of the first issue to 70,000 copies per issue now! In addition to operating costs and paying taxes, the company already has a surplus of 1.3 million on its books. If you need funds for other investment projects, the company can pay dividends to shareholders," Ma Rongcheng looked quite high-spirited.

Zhang Shaojie smiled: "It's not good!" Sure enough, I didn't mistake you, as long as you have the opportunity, you will definitely be able to become a character not inferior to Huang Yulang in the future! However, dividends are not necessary, and the money earned by the company should be used for the company's own development. ”

Ma Rongcheng said distressedly: "Huang Yulang is so strong, this is impossible!" Yulang International, that is a monopoly on more than eighty percent of Hong Kong's outstanding talents. Even if the popularity of works such as "Dragon Tiger Gate" and "The Legend of Double Dragons of the Tang Dynasty" declines, they can quickly launch new comics according to the market trend and adapt to the market. Although our current "Chinese Heroes" has good benefits for the time being, it only relies on a single comic to support the performance of the entire company, and its ability to resist risks is too weak! ”

Zhang Shaojie said with a smile: "Since it is, why not speed up the development." For example, you can start "Anime Boys" first! In addition, the printing business is better in the hands of the company itself, rather than relying on outside printing companies! ”

Ma Rongcheng nodded and said: ""Anime Boy" is ready to be built next month. As for the printing factory, the factory that has been cooperating with us for a long time asks for 2.7 million Hong Kong dollars! ”

"2.7 million? What do you think? Zhang Shaojie said.

Ma Rongcheng said with a smile: "Judging from the asset evaluation, all the equipment and fixed assets of that factory are only worth 2.3 million. However, this factory has a tacit understanding with us, and the workers in the factory can always do a good job! Especially these masters, most of whom have been working for more than 20 years, are technically exquisite, and can also lead apprentices. At this point, I think it's worth it! ”

Zhang Shaojie smiled: "Okay! The most important asset of the company is not monetary assets, but from the creativity of talents! Since you think that the talent in that factory is excellent, then even if the factory is not worth a penny, it is worth buying talent! ”

"If you buy the printing house, at least until next year, the company will not have money!" Ma Rongcheng said.

Zhang Shaojie and Ma Rongcheng talked about the future development of the company more relaxed and happy.

Of course, Ma Rongcheng still has a little complaint about Zhang Shaojie's authorization of "Resident Evil" to the 82 Painting Society.

Zhang Shaojie said with a smile: "The tree is a big wind!" Now that the world publishing company is getting stronger and stronger, what do you think Huang Yulang will do? ”

Ma Rongcheng said: "Of course, it is to snipe us with all your might!" ”

"What if, Huang Yulang's old enemy, the salted fish of the 82 Painting Society, turns over?" Zhang Shaojie asked.

Ma Rongcheng suddenly realized: "Shangguan Xiaobao's strength is not inferior to Huang Yulang, but he is not as good as Huang Yulang in management, so he is gradually lonely." If the 82 Painting Society suddenly rises, Yulang International will definitely go all out to deal with the 82 Painting Society. ”

Zhang Shaojie said with a smile: "Yes, it is to use the 82 Painting Society to share some of the pressure from Yulang International for us!" ”

After Ma Rongcheng heard Zhang Shaojie's explanation, he couldn't help but admire it. In fact, Zhang Shaojie did this with one stone.

First, supporting the 82 Painting Society can give the World Publishing Company one more ally and share the pressure from Huang Yulang. Second, it also made Ma Rongcheng realize that Zhang Shaojie's creativity and strategic role in the market enhanced Xiao Ma's respect for Zhang Shaojie.

Finally,Zhang Shaojie also wants to let the Hong Kong comic market bloom,At the same time,If the creativity of Hong Kong comics development is related to Zhang Shaojie,Then Zhang Shaojie's position in the Hong Kong comics market,No one can shake! At that time, under the expectations of the public, Zhang Shaojie was able to make a statement, so that most companies in Gangman operated according to Zhang Shaojie's baton!

(To be continued)