"Jim, it seems you've figured it out. Welcome to the world of DC." Anton smiled, shaking Jim's hand with a warm, confident grip.
After chatting a while longer, they quickly mapped out DC's new approach. Jim would naturally oversee the film division, bringing in his industry expertise.
Meanwhile, Toby, the acclaimed screenwriter with whom Anton had previously worked seamlessly, would take charge of the scriptwriting. Anton, of course, would handle the overarching creative vision and direction.
The plan wasn't limited to just movies. DC would recruit talent to expand into novels, comics, and animation, creating a multifaceted entertainment empire.
Additionally, Anton had an innovative idea: he'd open a forum for novel serialization on the official Daily Bugle website, featuring stories of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and others.
Over time, as the forum gathered a substantial user base, it would evolve into a standalone platform for "Internet Literature"—what Anton envisioned as the Marvel Universe's answer to a "Starting Point" network, bridging fans and content seamlessly.
The ambitious blueprint left Jim with a surge of excitement. While he'd heard many grand ideas over the years in Hollywood, only a few ever came close to success. Anton, however, was different.
He possessed two distinct advantages that set him apart: he had already proven his creative genius with "Batman Begins," and he had the backing of the powerful Jameson family. With control over the Daily Bugle, Anton was a force in the media industry, giving him a huge leg up in his entertainment pursuits.
Unlike others, Anton wouldn't encounter much pushback when stepping into Hollywood; if anything, he would be welcomed with open arms.
What Jim didn't realize was that Anton's vision for his career expansion was only a small part of his true goal. Anton was equally motivated by the "fan value" system, a unique reward that corresponded to each Justice League hero he introduced.
So far, only Batman's fan value was growing—14.8 million and counting. But the rest? Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash—they all sat at a depressing zero.
Unlocking these additional heroes required a substantial number of fans, with values ranging from 10 million to a staggering 100 million. Anton had barely unlocked Batman's template at a discounted 9.98 million fans, and he knew the journey ahead would be challenging.
To reach his full goal, he needed fan value the size of the Pacific Ocean.
"Time to get to work," Anton muttered with a mix of determination and ambition.
Jim, sensing his partner's drive, mistook the comment as forward-looking optimism. He slapped Anton's shoulder with a grin. "Anton, don't worry—I won't let you down!"
Anton blinked, surprised but pleased by Jim's enthusiasm. The two celebrated their newly established partnership in a friendly atmosphere as the party continued.
The next morning, Anton woke up alone, regretting he hadn't found the actress to reclaim his pride. Heading downstairs, he devoured the breakfast his staff had prepared and ran into Betty, who looked at him with an amused expression.
"What's with the face, Betty?" Anton spread his hands in mock exasperation. "It's not like this is the first time you've seen my handsome face."
Betty smirked. "I take it you haven't checked the New York news this morning?"
"Why would I? I'm a busy guy, you know," Anton replied, dismissing the notion with a shrug.
Betty raised an eyebrow. "Well, turns out Batman made an appearance in New York last night. He apprehended the leader of the Fraternity of Killers and several of his top men, along with a thug called Bullseye."
Anton froze mid-bite, a spark of satisfaction glinting in his eyes. "Perfect. Now, with Batman spotted in New York while I was here in LA, people will finally see there's no way I'm Batman. I'm just me—Anton."
"Maybe," Betty said, shrugging slightly, though she couldn't help but feel there was still something odd about it. The connection between Anton and Batman wasn't exactly a secret, there must be something more.
"Alright, Betty. Let's get back to New York. There's work to do. Jim will handle the launch of Batman's next film, The Dark Knight. It's time for us to kick off our own plans."
Betty started to reply but hesitated. "One problem, though—your private jet staff quit last night. There's no one to fly it now."
Anton's smile faltered. "What? When did I tell you to fire them?"
Betty grinned, not backing down. "Whether you did or not, it will take time to hire next batch!"
"Guess you'll have to go without a bonus this month," Anton retorted frustratingly.
Back in New York, the news of Batman's reappearance swept through the city, igniting excitement across every corner. For New Yorkers, Batman wasn't just a name; he was a symbol. Even those who didn't follow him closely couldn't resist getting caught up in the buzz.
The Daily Bugle ran an exclusive front-page report. Batman had decimated a shadowy organization known as the Fraternity, capturing both their ringleader and key operatives.
During the scuffle, he'd also apprehended the notorious gangster Bullseye and delivered him directly to the New York Police Department.
The New York Police Department hadn't officially commented on the matter, but the high-quality photos splashed across the Bugle made it impossible to deny.
For Police Chief George Stacy, this was a new level of fame. Before he could even park his car at work, reporters were swarming him, shouting questions as they shoved cameras and microphones in his face.
"Chief Stacy! Has the NYPD officially teamed up with Batman?"
"Is Batman authorized to carry out police work?"
"Will Batman receive law enforcement status or face arrest?"
Bombarded by the barrage, George muttered a hasty "No comment" and pushed his way into the building.
Meanwhile, in a high-rise overlooking Manhattan, two men were having a heated discussion about Batman.
"The prime suspect for Batman's true identity is Anton Jameson, the Daily Bugle's young CEO and the grandson of J. Jonah Jameson," Wesley reported, glancing at his boss with a nervous expression.
"After investigation, we concluded Anton might actually be Batman. But last night, he was in Los Angeles, while Batman was clearly here in New York."
The burly figure across from him, Wilson Fisk—better known as Kingpin—let out a low growl, his displeasure radiating through the room.
"So, you've discovered nothing?" he said, his voice a dangerous whisper. "Everything you've told me is worthless. I want Batman's identity."
James Wesley's face turned pale as he felt Kingpin's growing rage. "W-we believe that Anton still has a close connection to Batman… I'm certain he knows who's under the mask."
Kingpin's eyes narrowed. "Then bring Anton to me. I'm not interested in excuses. I want results, Wesley. Don't fail me."
…
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