Chapter 4: Captain America: New Beginnings is on Sale!
Although I didn't entirely agree with John's initial skepticism about my idea, he still pushed forward with his tasks and quickly completed the renaming of our publishing house. The name "Marvel" was now proudly emblazoned on our publications. The fresh scent of paper from Captain America: New Beginnings filled bookstores across the city.
With the comic's release, my time at the publishing house grew more leisurely. Most of the work focused on supervising the printing and distribution, leaving me with unexpected free time.
Bored, I picked up some drawing paper and began sketching the second volume of Captain America with the system's help. It was the second day after the comics hit the shelves. The scorching midday sun streamed through my office window, and a glance at my watch told me it was already noon.
"No wonder I'm starving; I've been drawing for hours," I muttered. Picking up my phone to order takeout, a knock on the door interrupted me.
"Come in!"
John walked in, holding two insulated lunch boxes.
"Haven't eaten yet?" he asked.
I stood up quickly and took one of the boxes from him. "No, Uncle John. You're a lifesaver; this meal's right on time!"
John sat on the sofa, opening his box as he chuckled. "Busy as ever, huh? It's my daughter's birthday today, but I thought I'd stop by and bring you something."
I grinned, opening my box. "Jane's cooking is legendary. You always know how to brighten my day."
John smiled, clearly pleased. "Don't underestimate her! By the way, you seem awfully cheerful. What's got you so confident?"
As we ate, John glanced at me, his curiosity piqued by my upbeat demeanor.
"I'm confident sales will be good," I replied. "You'll see."
Despite the challenges facing the physical book industry, Captain America: New Beginnings stood out on the shelves. After school, students—our primary audience—flooded into bookstores.
"Hey, Mark," one student asked. "Got any new comics?"
Mark handed him a copy of Captain America with a smile. "This just came in."
The cover featured a muscular man holding a shield, catching the student's eye. Still, he hesitated.
"Captain America again? I see enough of him in textbooks," he grumbled.
Mark shrugged. "I get it, but this one's different."
Curious, the student flipped through the pages, muttering to himself as he read. "Steve Rogers? But this doesn't look like the Captain America I know."
He kept reading, captivated by Steve's struggles—rejection, setbacks, and frailty.
"I thought Steve was perfect," the student murmured. "But he's just... human."
For students facing academic pressures, Steve's vulnerability resonated. The perfect, untouchable image of Captain America had been replaced with someone relatable. When Steve finally underwent the transformation into a super-soldier, the student couldn't help but marvel.
"Wow..." he whispered. "If only life worked like that."
As he finished the comic, a mix of admiration and longing lingered. He turned back to Mark. "What do you think?"
Mark chuckled, caught off guard. "It's... good," he replied, laughing nervously.
The student paid and left, prompting Mark to call out, "Take care!"
Meanwhile, the bookstore owner picked up a copy for himself. As a veteran in the industry, he'd seen countless hero stories and wasn't easily impressed. Still, curiosity got the better of him.
"What makes this one so special?" he wondered aloud.
As he read, his skepticism faded. This wasn't the typical Captain America—it was something more. Steve's story struck a chord, blending nostalgia with a fresh perspective.
Closing the comic, the owner shook his head with a bemused smile. "Is this comic making me nostalgic? Why am I suddenly considering an injection?"
Later, he pulled out his laptop to research the new Marvel version of Captain America. To his surprise, online discussions were already buzzing with excitement.