Peter Parker walked alone as he exited Midtown High School. His friend Harry Osborn had left school to manage the Osborn enterprise, and Mary Jane Watson had stayed by Harry's side. Peter kept his secret well-guarded, never revealing that the Green Goblin was actually his Uncle Norman. To the outside world, both Norman and Tony Stark were as missing as ever, and Peter held onto a glimmer of hope for Harry.
Yet today, Peter was focused on something more personal—a new day for Marvel Comics.
The buzz around "Shinigami vs Naruto," a new game featured on the official Marvel website, had been palpable. Despite being a small game, it featured characters from both Naruto and Shinigami. This included Naruto's Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, and Kakashi Hatake, as well as Shinigami's Sado Yasutora, Orihime Inoue, and Uryu Ishida.
According to the official announcement, these characters would make their appearances in the upcoming comic issues, with updates promised to come faster than the comic releases. This news had ignited excitement among fans, who flocked to the website. The game's graphics may not have been the most detailed, but its dynamic ninjutsu and spiritual power abilities, like "Raikiri," "Great Fireball Technique," and "Crescent Sky Chong," were incredibly engaging.
The official website even included a forum, which quickly became a hub of activity. Fans flocked to discuss the game, speculate on the next plot developments, and analyze the skills of their favorite characters. The site's traffic surged as more fans joined in.
Outside the bookstore, a crowd had gathered. Peter, making his way through the throng, spotted a familiar face.
"Dave?" Peter called out.
Dave, a curly-haired boy often picked on for his timid nature, turned and greeted Peter with a smile. "Peter! Are you here to pick up the new issue too?"
"Of course," Peter replied.
Dave had already purchased two magazines and was eagerly flipping through Juvenile Jump. A new character had appeared on the cover: a black hedgehog with reddish hair and golden bangs, a golden brick hanging around his neck.
"Looks like there will be new characters in every issue," Dave said, his excitement evident as he continued to browse.
When Peter bought his magazines and joined Dave, they both marveled at the new content. Their enthusiasm was interrupted by a peculiar discovery—a card wrapped in plastic film nestled among the pages.
"Huh? Peter, I have a card here. It's strange," Dave noted.
"I have one too. It says 'Chestnut Balls,' and the design is quite intriguing," Peter said, examining his own card.
Dave looked at his card, which was marked with a 'Light Shield Sword,' and the designs were completely different. "Do you think it's related to the new comic?"
They paused near the bookstore's wall, engrossed in their new find. Peter's focus was entirely on the mystery of the cards, momentarily forgetting his Spider-Man identity. He failed to notice the dark liquid that slid from the eaves and into his backpack.
Meanwhile, Edward, a professional comic critic, was at home, settling in with his comics. He logged onto Twitter and visited the official Marvel website. One of the top posts caught his attention—a game linked to the new comic Yu-Gi-Oh.
"New comic? Card duel?" Edward wondered, intrigued by the connection between the game and the comic.
He quickly navigated to the new comic issues, determined not to let the promotional hype influence his critical perspective. His first stop was One Punch Man, where Sonic's latest appearance had been highly anticipated.
The comic depicted Sonic in a fast-paced battle with Saitama. Sonic's devilish grin and incredible speed were captured with stunning clarity by the artist. Edward's anticipation grew as Sonic prepared for his attack.
Despite the simplicity of the art style, the sense of speed and movement was palpable. Saitama, typically unflappable, seemed challenged by Sonic's swift maneuvers. Edward watched closely, savoring every detail as Sonic's attack approached.
Then, in a surprising turn, Saitama effortlessly countered Sonic's assault, causing Sonic to recoil with bloodshot eyes. Edward found himself shocked by the intensity of the scene. Sonic's attempts to provoke Saitama had backfired spectacularly.
Edward, clutching his coffee, nearly spilled it as he absorbed the impact of the comic. "Heroes Association!" he exclaimed, realizing the gravity of what he had just read. "This is redefining the world of superhero groups. Xu Mo, what are you trying to convey?"
He was both stunned and impressed. The comic wasn't just entertaining—it was reshaping his understanding of superhero narratives. Edward felt a mix of awe and apprehension as he contemplated the implications of Xu Mo's creative vision.
As the day drew to a close, Peter Parker, Dave, and Edward each carried a sense of wonder and anticipation. Peter and Dave were intrigued by the mysterious cards, while Edward grappled with the new heights of storytelling in One Punch Man. Each of them was touched by the ongoing evolution of Marvel Comics, a reflection of the ever-changing world around them.
In the midst of these experiences, Peter remained unaware of the dark liquid that had slipped into his backpack—a subtle reminder that even the smallest details could hold significant meaning. For now, he and his friends were caught up in the excitement of new stories and the possibilities they held.