Chương 20: Can Comics Also Have Easter Eggs? What a Crazy Move!

The release of Captain America's fourth volume caused a tidal wave in the comic book industry. Anticipation had been building, but so had skepticism. Many fans and critics had speculated that the Captain's story would lose its momentum after the defeat of HYDRA. With Steve Rogers now invincible after vanquishing Red Skull, many wondered how the plot could maintain its excitement.

Inside a bustling comic book store, conversations buzzed around the shelves stacked with the latest release. Groups of fans argued and speculated, their excitement palpable.

"If they keep bringing in new villains, it's just going to feel repetitive," one fan mused, adjusting his glasses.

"Why worry about it now? The Captain's still fighting. Let's read the fourth book first!" another fan interjected, clutching a copy of the latest issue.

"I don't care. I love this Captain, and I'll follow him no matter what!" a third fan declared emphatically.

The store owner, a grizzled man named Bill, listened in on the lively debate. He had seen many comic series come and go, but he knew Marvel's Captain America had the potential to set new standards. It would be a significant loss if it faltered.

Among the fervent crowd, a boy named Tommy sat quietly, engrossed in the comic. Captain America was more than just a character to him; Steve Rogers was his hero and role model.

"Is there going to be a decisive battle? What will happen to the Captain?" Tommy wondered aloud, his voice almost drowned out by the surrounding noise.

As Tommy turned the pages, he felt himself being pulled into the story. He accompanied Steve on every mission, facing dangers head-on and strategizing against HYDRA's menacing plots.

"Be careful!" Tommy whispered urgently as he saw the Captain get ambushed. His heart pounded, but he sighed in relief when Steve escaped unscathed.

The Captain didn't disappoint. With unparalleled skill and some strokes of luck, he stormed the HYDRA base, taking out enemies with precision and might.

"Captain, catch up, don't let him go!" Tommy urged as Steve, after sharing a heartfelt kiss with Peggy, jumped onto Red Skull's plane for the final showdown.

The comic was nearing its end, and Tommy's heart raced with anticipation. He watched, awestruck, as the Captain steered the plane into the deep sea to save the city from destruction.

"Captain, why didn't you just land safely?" Tommy cried out, desperate for answers. His breath caught in his throat as he turned to the last page, only to find a single line of text:

"The Captain will suspend updates. To see what happens next, please follow the second volume of the Marvel series—'Iron Man' Volume 1. There's a Captain America Easter egg in it!"

"Iron Man? What happened to the Captain?" The unresolved ending left Tommy in agony. He closed the comic and leaned against the wall, knowing he wouldn't find peace until he read Iron Man.

Around him, other fans were equally distressed, their faces flushed with frustration and excitement.

"My God, is this Jason trying to torture us? What happened to the Captain?" one fan shouted, his voice tinged with desperation.

"Hello? Police? I want to report a cartoonist who's keeping me up at night!" another joked, though the stress in his voice was genuine.

"I want to send a bomb to Jason. How could he leave us hanging like this!" a particularly incensed fan growled.

"Calm down, didn't he say the ending would be in Iron Man? Just buy it and find out!" a voice of reason attempted to soothe the crowd.

"I can't wait. Jason's driving me crazy with this new comic!" another fan cried, wringing his hands.

"Didn't anyone notice Marvel's next series? I wonder what Iron Man will be like," one more inquisitive reader pondered aloud.

"I don't care. Even if it's not good, I'll buy it. If I can't see the Captain's ending, I'll have regrets for life!" a passionate follower exclaimed.

"Seriously, comics can have Easter eggs now? This author is something else!" one bewildered fan said, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Damn, this author is too sneaky!" another agreed, throwing his hands up in exasperation.

"Oh my, this Jason is so cheap!" one shouted, stomping a foot in mock anger.

"I don't care about Iron Man. I just want to know what happens to the Captain!" a dedicated fan insisted, eyes gleaming with determination.

The bookstore was in an uproar, fans of all ages expressing their mixed feelings about Jason's bold move. Bill, the owner, couldn't help but chuckle at the passionate reactions. He had seen this kind of fervor before but never on this scale.

Meanwhile, back at Marvel Publishing House, I sat in my office, contemplating the chaos I had unleashed. Sarah, my assistant, was busy massaging my shoulders, her gentle touch providing a brief respite from the storm I had created.

"Jason, do you always paint like this before publishing?" Sarah asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

I smiled, enjoying her massage. "More or less."

If comic fans knew my usual process, they'd probably be outraged. They had no idea how much of it was guided by the mysterious system helping me.

"Aren't you afraid the comics will be late?" she asked, genuinely curious.

I chuckled internally. The system ensured I never fell behind. "Sarah, I'm not an ordinary painter."

"How unusual is it?" she pressed, clearly intrigued.

"Why don't you try and find out?" I teased with a mischievous grin, leaning back into her touch.

Just as things were getting comfortable, there was a knock on the door. I didn't need to guess who it was—it had to be John, Sarah's father and the head of the publishing house.

John often dropped by unannounced, ostensibly to check on the progress of the comics, but I knew he had other reasons. He was protective of Sarah and probably wasn't thrilled about her spending so much time alone with me.

Opening the door to let John in, Sarah left the office as usual, her presence a balm I'd miss.

John approached my desk, clearing his throat. "I wanted to take a look at the captain's fourth manuscript. If everything's in order, we can send it to print."

I handed over the drawings, feeling a bit exasperated. "John, this is your fourth visit today. Why the rush?"

John looked slightly embarrassed but busied himself with the drawings, justifying his frequent check-ins. "I'm just making sure everything is perfect. After all, the publishing house has invested two generations of effort in your family's work. I have to do my part."

As John reviewed the manuscript, he suddenly stopped, puzzled by the final drawing. The captain had paused after defeating HYDRA, and the following note was unexpected.

"The captain will suspend updates. To see what happens next, please follow the second volume of the Marvel series—'Iron Man' Volume 1. There's a Captain America Easter egg in it!"

"Why is the captain stopping? This is Marvel's flagship series. Won't such a sudden halt affect sales? And what is Iron Man? What's your plan, Jason?" John's confusion was evident.

I had anticipated this question. "Captain Marvel's success lies in its innovation, but we can't rely on this one comic forever. Readers will get tired of the same character. I plan to create a broader universe, the Marvel Universe, with a variety of stories."

John seemed to understand, albeit reluctantly. "No matter how good a protagonist is, readers need something fresh. Launching a new series is a good idea, especially with your talent."

He hesitated but then nodded. "Alright, let's do it. I'll send the manuscript to the printer."

Although it was risky, John saw the potential. If it failed, they could always go back to Captain America.

I, however, had grander ambitions. The Marvel Universe was just the beginning. I envisioned an interconnected web of stories and characters, each enriching the other.

Back in the bookstore, Tommy and other fans grappled with their emotions. The unresolved ending of Captain America had left them desperate for more. The promise of answers in Iron Man Volume 1 was a tantalizing lure, ensuring they'd come back for more.

Bill observed the chaos with a knowing smile. He'd seen passionate fans before, but this was different. The anticipation and frustration in the air were almost tangible.

As the day wore on, the buzz in the comic book community grew. Online forums exploded with theories and debates about the future of Captain America and the mysterious Iron Man.

"Who do you think Iron Man is?" one user posted, sparking a flurry of responses.

"I think he's a new superhero with cutting-edge technology," another replied.

"Maybe he's related to Captain somehow. A protege or a rival?" speculated a third.

The discussions were endless, the excitement infectious. Fans dissected every panel of the latest issue, hunting for clues and hidden meanings.

Tommy, meanwhile, couldn't shake the feeling of suspense. He pored over the comic repeatedly, hoping to find something he'd missed. But there was nothing. The only way to know what happened to the Captain was to buy Iron Man Volume 1.

The frenzy spilled over into school the next day. Tommy's classmates were equally obsessed, and the playground buzzed with talk of Captain America and Iron Man.

"I heard Iron Man has a suit of armor that can fly!" one boy exclaimed.

"No way! He's probably just another super-soldier," another countered.

"I don't care what he is, as long as I find out what happened to Captain America," Tommy said, his voice filled with determination. The suspense was too much to bear, and he knew he wasn't alone in his obsession.

Back at Marvel Publishing House, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. Lisa returned to my office, a steaming cup of coffee in her hands.

"Here, this might help," she said, placing the cup on my desk with a warm smile.

"Thanks, Lisa," I replied, grateful for the small comfort amidst the whirlwind of activity. The fan reaction had been explosive, and we were all riding the wave of excitement and anxiety.

"How are you holding up?" she asked, her concern evident.

"Better now, thanks to you," I said, taking a sip of the coffee. It was perfect, just the way I liked it.

We spent the rest of the morning preparing for the launch of Iron Man Volume 1. The logistics were complex, but the team was efficient, and everything was falling into place. Mr. Anderson had already sent the Captain America manuscript to the printer, and now all eyes were on Iron Man.

The afternoon brought another flurry of activity. Reporters had caught wind of the Marvel Universe expansion and were clamoring for interviews. I agreed to a few, knowing the publicity would only fuel the frenzy.

Sitting down with a journalist from the New York Times, I braced myself for the barrage of questions.

"Jason, the ending of Captain America's latest volume has left fans in a state of turmoil. What can you tell us about Iron Man and how it fits into the Marvel Universe?" the reporter asked, leaning forward eagerly.

"Iron Man represents a new chapter in our storytelling. While Captain America has been the cornerstone, we believe it's time to introduce fresh characters and narratives. The Marvel Universe is vast, and there's so much more to explore," I explained, choosing my words carefully.

"Can you give us any hints about what to expect in Iron Man Volume 1?" the reporter pressed.

"Without giving too much away, I can say that Iron Man will bring a blend of technology and heroism that's distinct from what fans have seen with Captain America. It's an exciting new direction, and I think fans will be pleasantly surprised," I replied, smiling cryptically.

The interview concluded, and I felt a mix of relief and anticipation. The stage was set, and now it was time to see how the fans would react to the new series.

In the days leading up to the release of Iron Man Volume 1, the excitement reached fever pitch. Pre-orders skyrocketed, and social media was ablaze with speculation and fan theories.

Tommy, like many others, had marked the release date on his calendar. He counted down the days, barely able to contain his excitement. When the day finally arrived, he was among the first in line at the comic book store.

Bill, the store owner, had anticipated the rush and had prepared accordingly. Stacks of the new comic lined the shelves, and the line of eager fans stretched out the door.

"Here you go, Tommy," Bill said, handing over a copy of Iron Man Volume 1. "I saved one just for you."

"Thanks, Bill!" Tommy exclaimed, clutching the comic to his chest. He found a quiet corner of the store and immediately began to read.

The story of Iron Man unfolded before his eyes, introducing Tony Stark, a brilliant but flawed inventor who creates a powerful suit of armor to save his life and fight evil. The narrative was gripping, and the artwork was stunning.

As Tommy reached the end of the comic, his heart pounded with anticipation. He turned the final page and found the promised Easter egg. There, in a small panel, was a hint about Captain America's fate, tying the two stories together in a way that left him both satisfied and eager for more.

The reaction from the other fans was similarly electric. The introduction of Iron Man had been a gamble, but it paid off spectacularly. The Marvel Universe was officially launched, and the possibilities seemed endless.

Back at Marvel Publishing House, the team celebrated the success. Lisa brought in a cake, and we all gathered in the conference room, the air filled with excitement and camaraderie.

"Here's to a new chapter and many more to come!" Mr. Anderson said, raising a glass. "Jason, you've done something incredible here."

"Thank you, Mr. Anderson. And thanks to everyone for believing in this vision. This is just the beginning," I said, feeling a surge of pride and gratitude.

As the celebrations continued, I found a moment to step outside for some fresh air. The city was alive with the energy of its people, and I felt a deep sense of connection to this place and its stories.

Lisa joined me, her presence a comforting constant. "What's next, Jason?" she asked, her eyes shining with excitement.

"Next, we build on this momentum. There are so many stories to tell, and I want to explore them all," I replied, gazing at the skyline. "The Marvel Universe is just getting started."

We stood there for a moment, taking it all in. The journey ahead was uncertain, but it was filled with potential. With a strong team, a loyal fanbase, and a universe of stories to explore, anything was possible.

Inside the store, the buzz of excited conversations continued. Fans dissected every detail of Iron Man Volume 1, already speculating about what might come next. The Marvel Universe had captured their imaginations, and they were eager for more.

Tommy, his face alight with joy, left the store with his prized comic. He couldn't wait to share the story with his friends and discuss the implications of the Easter egg. For him and many others, the Marvel Universe had become a new world to explore and get lost in.

As I returned to the office, ready to dive back into work, I felt a deep sense of fulfillment. The gamble had paid off, and the future looked bright. With the support of my team and the enthusiasm of the fans, we were poised to take the Marvel Universe to new heights.

The journey was just beginning, and I was ready for whatever challenges and adventures lay ahead.