Animated versions of comic strip bad boy Mervin and his teddy bear companion Thoreau held glasses of sparkling Char-a-Cola out to viewers. Their smiles showed black-stained teeth (“Just like it says on the can.”).

“Well,” the always-smiling executive asked, as the jingle faded, “What’d you think?”

“You promised me you wouldn’t change anything. That my creations would last forever.”

The exec shook his head. “No, no, not your IP. That has to change. Our sponsors insist. But think how lucky your kids will be--with the serum in their blood, they’ll get watch them change again and again and…”