October 9th 2022.
Chapter one:
The Javitz Center is bursting with energy. The line in the morning went up and down 34th street. It's the last day of this year's New York City Comic Con. People dressed as their favorite characters from every conceivable parade around to get comic books signed, pictures taken, attend artist/writers panels, compare customes, purchase merchandise and collectables, as well as hang out and connect with fellow fans of the same work. It's a magical time.
However, this New York City Comic Con is a bit different than usual. People dressed as Spider-Man, Captain America, and Black Widow, and many other beloved Marvel characters can be seen with mixed emotions on their faces, excited, yet also despondent. Looking at them you'd think that someone just told them that their favorite grandmother was to die but was also leaving them with her entire fortune after she passed away. If asked about it, many would agree with that sentiment, especially those who live in this city that never sleeps.
The reason for this occurred two weeks ago. It was announced online that this would be a beloved icon's last convention in his birth city of New York. The man who has given all Marvel fans so much of his time and energy, as well as being a co-creator of so many of the more well known characters in the Marvel Universe. Stan Lee is having his last panel at this location today, this afternoon, in fact. Right now though, the man every comic book fan adores can be seen chatting and signing autographs from behind a white plastic table with the upcoming Marvel studios movie poster Doctor Strange in the multiverse of madness" blown up behind him.
One New Yorker can be seen in line to get the man's signature, shuffling in place nervously but gingerly holding a limited edition copy of Fantastic Four #72. His deep brown eyes looking over the others ahead of him in order to see how long it'll be until it's his turn. A cough from behind startles him. He turns around to see who wants his attention.
"Hey tall guy, what's got you so impatient? Its not like you can make the line move any faster. Said Thanos.
Embarrassed, the man scratches the back of his head as he looks down to acknowledge the older gentleman. He must be around five ten? Five nine? Maybe 70 or 80 year's old. And dressed as Thanos, the Mad Titan, of all people, completed with a replica of the infinity gauntlet and purple makeup. It's kind of a odd choice of character for an elderly person to dress as. While keeping up with the rest of the line, the brown haired man responds.
"Sorry, it's just, I've always wanted to meet again since the first New York City Comic Con I went to and I don't want to miss him. I mean, it's his last one y'know?"
Thanos show's a knowing smile.
"I get it, believe me, but doin what your doin ain't gonna help at all. By the way, been meaning to ask you... who are you cosplaying as?" Thanos asked, gesturing to the man's attire. "You can't be dressed as Peter Parker, you're too bulky for it... Clark Kent? That'd fit, but you don't have the glasses on...
"Huh? The man looks down at his plaid button down shirt, white undershirt, and jeans. "Oh! No, sorry, I actually couldn't really afford to make a custome this year. So, I'm just me, unfortunately. Said the brown haired man.
"Ah, Thanos nods. "No worries young man, we've all been there. By the way, name's Jack. And you are? Jack extends his non gloved hand out for a handshake.
Taking Jack's hand with the one not holding his most prized comic, the man replies, Travis LaRowe, but you can just call me Travis, nice to meet you. Nice Thanos custome, by the way.
Jack grins. "Thanks, made it myself. Took a while to get it right, though people keep telling me I'm too old for this stuff. If I had a build like you and maybe twenty or so years younger I'd probably be able to pull it off better.
Now it was Travis's turn to smile. "Nonsense, just say you're a Thanos where Dr. Strange used the time stone to accelerate your age and you're good to go!
Jack showed a bemused expression and chuckled as the both of them kept waking forward in line. "Yeah, that'd work, if I didn't have the Time Stone already in the Infinity Gauntlet that is.
"Ah, I guess you're right. Then how about a Thanos that's an extra few thousand years old? Said Travis LaRowe.
"Again, Infinitynfinity Gauntlet. With the stones, Thanos wouldn't need to age like he normally would. Plus his races longevity doesn't work like most others, he'd look the same clear up until the day he died. Replied Jack Kirby.
"Hmm, then say you're a Watcher who is a fan of the Titan? Said Travis LaRowe.
"Nope, if there were a Watcher that was a fan of Thanos he'd have his title revoked. Though they're supposed to be neutral, they favor good over evil. The only outlier in the Watcher's is that simpleton that watches Deadpool exclusively. And the other Watcher's tolerate him because Wade Wilson is usually doing good. Replied Jack Kirby.
Travis and Jack continued chatting about comics, how to resolve Jack's cosplay identity, and their favorite characters for a while. All of a sudden a trio of cosplayers dressed as Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, and Power Girl walk by, distracting Travis for a few seconds while Jack gives the young man a smirk. Though, after a bit it becomes more annoying than funny. So Jack snaps him back to reality.
"Hey now, they're beautiful alright, but there's no need to stare that much. What would your girlfriend think?
Startled, Travis hastily waves his hand in front of his face. "Eh!? No, no, no. I don't have a girlfriend. At least, not anymore.
Jack's eyes widen slightly in surprise. "Really? Big guy like you doesn't have a girlfriend? Well, I'm sorry to hear that, what happened?
"Ah, well... after I got out after my last tour I found out she left me, so I moved back home to Queen's for a while. Jon show's a self deprecating smile. She said she couldn't stand me being away all the time and that I wasn't able to give her what she needs. She's married now with kids on the way... Replied Travis LaRowe.
"Ah jeez, I'm sorry, shouldn't have brought it up. Wait a minute. Got out? Last tour? Your a veteran? Said Jack Kirby.
"Hmm, I wouldn't really classify myself as a veteran. It's not like I was in the full 20. But I did a few tours with Kilo Company. 3rd Battalion in Afghanistan. Some of my friends that served with me would say that anyone who deployed and saw the desert is a veteran, but personally, I think the guys who stayed in and continued their service after being in that hell hole are the real veterans. But anyway, after that, well, like I said I got out and came back home. Replied Travis LaRowe.
"So, what are you doing now? Said Jack Kirby.
"Not a whole lot. Living by myself and going to school again to get a degree, G. I. Bill won't use itself, you know? But mostly I'm just reading comics and watching TV and movies. Replied Travis LaRowe.
"Hey, no shame in that. And thank you for your service. Said Jack Kirby.