In my office, Mr. Anderson was pacing back and forth, a perpetual motion machine of worry. Emily and I exchanged glances, confirming our shared thought: this old guy was really wearing on our nerves.
"Mr. Anderson, it's almost done. You've been wandering around here for three hours," I said helplessly, exasperation coloring my tone. Was he doing this on purpose? Couldn't he see he was acting like a human light bulb?
"I'm still worried. Iron Man will be released tomorrow. Is it really okay to launch a new comic like this?" Mr. Anderson's voice was laced with anxiety. Captain America had helped Marvel Publishing House reach its peak, and although he fully supported me, he couldn't shake his concerns about the future of the publishing house.
"Mr. Anderson, just trust me. Iron Man can be as successful as Captain America," I replied with unwavering confidence. I had to believe that.
Opening Iron Man comics had cost me ten million points to exchange. The Captain America series had been a freebie from the system, but starting a new series required me to dip into my own points. Still, I didn't feel bad about it. Captain America had already made me a small fortune, and sales were equivalent to exchange points. Now I had nearly 30 million exchange points. Spending 10 million points was entirely bearable.
Besides, when Iron Man comics sold out, they'd earn more than ten million points. This business was sure to profit without losing money. Next, I planned to exchange for Captain America's shield, Iron Man's armor, and a smart butler like J.A.R.V.I.S. Whatever others had, I would have too. What others didn't have, I would ensure I did. This was the most powerful perk in history.
"But the protagonist of Iron Man is Tony Stark, the biggest arms dealer. He cooperates with the state. If you depict him like this, won't it cause big trouble?" Mr. Anderson voiced his primary concern. The Stark family's power in the United States was overwhelming. Even the president and Congress generally didn't dare provoke that playboy. He couldn't understand why I chose Tony Stark as Iron Man. Couldn't I just make up a new character?
Mr. Anderson definitely didn't know that Captain America was real, and that Iron Man was about to appear in reality. He simply thought I used Tony Stark to attract attention and sell better.
I understood Mr. Anderson's concern and laughed internally. Tony should soon be off selling arms, and by then, half his life would be in the hands of terrorists. He wouldn't have time to trouble me. Plus, Tony Stark was so rich, I hoped to eventually have him as an ally.
"Don't worry, Mr. Anderson. I promise that Tony will not only not hate us but will be grateful to us!" I assured him.
Mr. Anderson saw my confident look, and his face grew a bit weird. He seemed to doubt that Tony Stark, violated in his portrait rights, would not only not hold a grudge but be grateful. Was he being naive?
He shook his head helplessly. Since I started drawing Captain America, I had become more confident and mysterious. Everything I said came true, so he chose to trust me again.
"Forget it. I can't guess what you're thinking. I'll go back and handle the logistics."
As Mr. Anderson left, I turned to Emily.
"Emily!"
Seeing my smile, Emily seemed wary, thinking I was up to something. She stepped back, saying, "What? Are you going to take advantage of my dad's departure?"
A few black lines flashed across my forehead. How colorful was her image of me?
"You think too much. I'm just standing on the boss's point of view and instructing my secretary to do something."
Listening to my serious tone, Emily seemed conflicted. Was she too reserved? Or should she give me a little more encouragement?
"Hey!"
"Huh? What's wrong?"
Seeing Emily in a daze, I called her again. Seeing her dazed face, I knew this careless girl must be distracted again.
"The financial report should be almost done. Go check it and bring it to me when it's finished."
"Oh, okay."
Emily agreed and left the office. I purposely sent her away because reporting this stuff was troublesome, and Emily would likely be gone for a while.
I took out my phone and dialed Nick Fury's number. Nick had left it with me when he visited last time. For now, Nick Fury couldn't see through me, so he planned to befriend me instead of taking further action.
As the phone rang, I couldn't help but think back to the first time Nick Fury had walked into my office. His presence had been intimidating, the weight of his authority palpable. Yet, there had been a curiosity in his eye, a hint that he saw something in me that intrigued him. That was the beginning of an uneasy alliance, a dance of mutual interest and guarded secrets.
"Fury here," Nick's gruff voice broke my reverie.
"Nick, it's Jason. I wanted to update you on the progress with Iron Man. We're set for release tomorrow," I said, keeping my tone professional.
"Good to hear, Jason. I hope you know what you're doing with this one. Stark's a big name, and you've got a lot riding on this," Nick replied, his tone unreadable.
"I understand the risks, Nick. But I believe Iron Man will resonate with the audience just as Captain America did. This is a calculated move," I reassured him.
There was a pause on the other end of the line, a moment of silence that felt heavy with unspoken thoughts. "Alright, Jason. Just remember, we're watching. Don't screw this up," Nick finally said before hanging up.
I put the phone down, feeling a mix of relief and determination. Nick Fury's approval, however tentative, was a significant milestone. It meant I was on the right track, at least for now.
Turning back to my desk, I reviewed the final drafts of the Iron Man comics. Each panel had been meticulously crafted, every dialogue bubble carefully placed. The story of Tony Stark, the genius billionaire who becomes Iron Man, was one that needed to be told with precision and flair.
Tony's transformation from an arrogant arms dealer to a selfless hero was a narrative I knew would captivate readers. The juxtaposition of his high-tech armor and the moral dilemmas he faced was what made Iron Man compelling. It wasn't just about the suit; it was about the man inside it.
As I flipped through the pages, I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. This was more than just a comic; it was a part of a larger vision. The Marvel Universe I was creating was starting to take shape, each character adding depth and complexity to the overarching story.
My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Emily returned, carrying the financial report.
"Here you go, Jason. The financials look good. We're on track for another successful release," she said, handing me the report.
"Thanks, Emily. I knew I could count on you," I replied with a smile. Her efficiency and dedication were invaluable.
Emily blushed slightly, then asked, "So, what's next on the agenda?"
I leaned back in my chair, contemplating the next steps. "We need to start preparing for the promotional campaign. Reach out to our marketing team and make sure they have everything they need. We want this launch to be even bigger than Captain America's."
Emily nodded, jotting down notes. "Got it. I'll coordinate with the team right away."
As she turned to leave, I called out, "And Emily, let's make sure we get feedback from our readers as soon as possible. Their input will be crucial for the next phase."
"Of course, Jason. I'll make it a priority," she replied, giving me a reassuring smile before exiting the office.
Left alone, I allowed myself a moment of reflection. The journey from the inception of Captain America to the upcoming release of Iron Man had been tumultuous but rewarding. Each step had been fraught with challenges, yet each victory had brought me closer to realizing my vision.
The office felt quiet, the hum of the air conditioning the only sound. I stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the bustling city below. This was just the beginning. The Marvel Universe was on the brink of something extraordinary, and I was at the helm.
Taking a deep breath, I returned to my desk and opened my laptop. There was still work to be done, details to be finalized, and plans to be set in motion. The world of Iron Man awaited, and I was ready to bring it to life.
As I immersed myself in the tasks at hand, the weight of responsibility felt lighter. With each keystroke, I could feel the excitement building, the anticipation of what was to come. The journey ahead was uncertain, but with determination and vision, I knew we could achieve greatness.
The Marvel Universe was more than just a series of comics. It was a testament to creativity, resilience, and the power of storytelling. And as I worked late into the night, I knew that this was only the beginning of something truly remarkable.