Chapter 47: Advertisement
"It's a Bird... It's a Plane... It's Superman!"
In the early hours of the weekend, the resounding cries of newsboys echoed through the bustling streets of New York City. Their voices carried throughout the streets and caught the attention of passersby at every corner.
"May I have a copy of The Messenger, please?" the man said, captivated by the lively calls of the newsboys. He halted a young newspaper vendor peddling along the street, withdrew two cents from his pocket, and purchased a copy of The Messenger from the eager seller.
While awaiting the exchange, the man unfolded the newspaper in his grasp and immersed himself in its contents. Within its pages, the latest installment of the "Superman" comic strip was being serialized.
The storyline followed the events of the latest issue, where it was revealed that Luthor had miraculously survived. Frustrated by his evil plans being thwarted repeatedly by Superman, he resolved to exact revenge on the heroic figure and conspired with corrupt economists to execute his malicious scheme.
Using hypnotic gas, Luthor sought to manipulate government officials into inducing a state of depression within the nation. Yet, in the end, it was Superman who emerged victorious, foiling Luthor's plot and safeguarding the welfare of the country.
"Why is it that, in reality, there is no savior like Superman to avert the catastrophic event of the Great Depression?" The storyline of this article deeply resonated with the individual.
Especially when witnessing Superman descend from the sky and thwarting Luthor's nefarious scheme to instigate the Great Depression, he couldn't help but be overcome with a profound sense of longing.
Given the option, he would undoubtedly choose to reside in Metropolis, where the presence of Superman provides hope, rather than grappling with the grim reality of the present turmoil.
In Metropolis, at the very least, there exists a formidable figure capable of rescuing society from the clutches of the Depression.
In contrast, the real world offers only an ineffectual president who stood idly by as the Great Depression unfolded before their eyes.
Within the recesses of his thoughts, he sent a series of sardonic well-wishes to President Hoover.
Having vented his inner frustrations, the man proceeded to peruse the newspaper in his possession, continuing his reading.
The latter half of the comic introduces a new antagonist.
Adorned in a dapper suit and a bowler hat, this character assumes the moniker of Mr. Mxyzptlk.
Mr. Mxyzptlk, despite his whimsical appearance, possesses an unexpectedly formidable power. Asserting himself as a magician hailing from the enigmatic realm of fifth-dimensional space, he boasts an array of potent magical abilities.
Within the confines of the three-dimensional world, a cunning Zriff infiltrated the realm where Superman resided. The arrival of Mr. Mxyzptlk in the bustling metropolis brought forth a display of astonishing destructive might.
With a mere snap of his fingers, he effortlessly erased an entire building from existence in Metropolis, leaving no trace behind. The imminent threat posed by Mr. Mxyzptlk compelled Superman to embark on a relentless pursuit.
To the astonishment of all, Mr. Mxyzptlk exhibited a flight speed surpassing even that of the Man of Steel himself. As he soared through the skies, he engaged in a remarkable dialogue with readers, transcending the boundaries of the newspaper medium.
"Dear readers, if you are perusing this scene within the confines of the newspaper, you may undoubtedly wonder how a peculiar-looking character such as myself can wield powers surpassing those of Superman..."
"However, upon contemplation from an alternative perspective, one may find that the understanding of such phenomena need not be arduous. Similar to how a small step for humanity constitutes a monumental journey from the standpoint of ants, my abilities, originating from the fifth-dimensional realm, find their explanation."
Although this mischievous character possesses extraordinary might within the story, he remains unable to elude the inevitable truth that evil often triumphs over good.
In the midst of a high-stakes wager with the enigmatic Mr. Mxyzptlk, Superman astounded with his formidable intellect, deftly enticing his adversary to inadvertently utter his name backwards. This clever maneuver forced Mr. Mxyzptlk to return to his original dimension. Due to the time differential between dimensions, the impish antagonist would have to patiently bide his time for a full ninety days before being able to reenter Superman's world.
"Mr. Mxyzptlk, I must admit, I have never encountered such kind of comic character," remarked the man, his tone tinged with intrigue.
"Capable of communicating through newspapers..." he mused further, recognizing the unique novelty of a character who could break the fourth wall and engage directly with readers.
The man, clearly enthralled by the comic's contents, audibly marveled and expressed his admiration. Leafing through the pages of the "Messenger" in his hands, he eventually arrived at the final page, where his gaze abruptly fixated.
To his astonishment, the last page prominently displayed an enlarged headline: "Introducing 'Messenger Comics': The Premier Edition of the 'Messenger' Comic Series. Launching on Sunday, March 21st. Available for Morning Release."
Excitingly, the announcement proclaimed that the comic compilation titled "Messenger Comics" would include all the serialized adventures of Superman, thoughtfully remastered and organized. Each edition was reasonably priced at 10 cents. Urging readers not to miss out on the vibrant and up-to-date colorized edition of Superman!
"Messenger Comics?" the man wondered aloud, his curiosity piqued.
Glancing at the promotional report on "Messenger Comics" in the newspaper, a perplexed expression appeared on the man's face. However, before he could reach a decision, the waiting transfer bus came to a halt at the platform.
Casting one final glance at the advertisement in the "Messenger," the man stepped into the crowded vehicle, clutching the newspaper in his hand.
...
[Ability - Super Brain (Black Iron)]
[Ability Description: Superman possesses an extraordinary intellect, exhibiting remarkable cognitive capabilities, enabling him to effortlessly acquire complex languages, skills, and tackle intricate tasks.]
With less than a day remaining until the release of "Messenger Comics," Colin also unlocked a new ability through the latest installment of the "Superman" comics.
Colin acquired Superman's "Super Brain."
However, in comparison to the comics where Superman possesses boundless abilities, mastering foreign languages within mere seconds of conversation, Colin only obtained the black iron level of the [Super Brain] ability. Clearly, this was insufficient. Judging from the accompanying textual notes, the initial function of this ability primarily enhanced his learning capacity.
Naturally, Colin had foreseen this limitation. He never anticipated that unlocking the black iron level of the [Super Brain] ability would propel him into the skies, transforming him into a genuine superhero.
The decision to introduce the gradual unlocking of abilities in the comic series was primarily driven by the demands of the plot and the necessity to seamlessly integrate a previously acquired power, namely "Super Hearing."
Indeed, the underlying purpose behind Colin's choice to unlock the "Super Brain" ability primarily revolves around its compatibility with the utilization of "Super Hearing."
While the previously unlocked power of "Super Defense" provided Colin with a certain degree of protection against severe injuries resulting from the effects of "Super Hearing," the recurring drawbacks associated with its usage continued to pose challenges for Colin. These hindrances prevented him from effectively harnessing the full potential of the "Super Hearing" ability.
Consequently, in an attempt to overcome this obstacle, Colin contemplated the acquisition of "Super Brain."
By leveraging the formidable computational capabilities bestowed by "Super Brain," Colin would be empowered to utilize "Super Hearing" to its utmost capacity. No longer burdened by the need to meticulously concentrate and suppress any disturbances while employing the ability, he could now maximize its benefits without fear of auditory disruptions.
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