Chapter 126: A New Origin
May 2, 2023 Author: Yue Shang Xintou
"Sir, this is the serialized content for 'Flameman'."
In the Main World, at the Messenger Newspaper.
Jacob handed the comic manuscript to Colin, speaking with a hint of nervousness.
Ever since he received Colin's approval to serialize a story about 'Flameman' in "Superman," Jacob had been in a state of emotional conflict. He was eager for his created character to appear in the comic, yet worried that if the story he designed wasn't exciting enough, it might be rejected by Mr. Colin or disliked by the readers.
Jacob hadn't slept well for several days due to this conflicted state of mind.
He spent his days coloring the comic and constantly pondering the plot for 'Flameman.'
Colin took the manuscript from Jacob and, under Jacob's anxious gaze, began to read.
"Interesting?"
When Colin saw Jacob's design for 'Flameman'—no, 'Human Torch'—in the comic, he couldn't help but curl his lips, a flicker of amusement in his eyes.
The background story of 'Human Torch' continued some of its previous settings from the "World Daily News," also being a product of an experiment.
However, Jacob's cleverness lay in connecting the scientist who created Human Torch with Luthor, the main villain in "Superman."
This was a pragmatic choice, using a character accepted by the readers to introduce a new story.
In the story created by Jacob, because his previous evil plans were frequently thwarted by Superman, Luthor conceived the idea of creating a being capable of confronting Superman. Through a secret, nefarious experiment, Luthor created a being that burst into flames upon contact with oxygen, naming it Human Torch.
Initially, when Human Torch was created in Luthor's giant test tube, it was completely under Luthor's control.
Luthor directed Human Torch to rampage through Metropolis, eliminating any targets that dared to obstruct his plan for domination, which naturally included Superman.
The plot then unfolded much like past comic serializations.
Superman engaged in a battle with Human Torch. While the flames from Human Torch couldn't harm Superman's body, they wreaked havoc on the surroundings of Metropolis. When desperation struck again, Superman found a solution: he grabbed Human Torch, flew high above the ocean, and threw the burning figure directly into the sea.
The boundless ocean swallowed Human Torch's body, and Luthor's evil scheme was once again foiled by Superman.
However, in the final panel of the manuscript, Jacob added a subtle touch.
Human Torch, which had been thrown into the sea, was washed ashore again, but it had lost its memory.
"A well-designed plot."
After reading the comic content created by Jacob, Colin nodded.
He didn't object to Jacob connecting 'Human Torch's' origin with Luthor. On the contrary, such an origin design gave him a novel feeling. Seeing a comic character designed by someone else interact with his own Superman brought a pleasant surprise, akin to fanfiction.
"After revising and coloring, hand it over to Old John."
"Sir, you mean?!"
Hearing Colin's arrangement, Jacob's anxious expression was instantly replaced by surprise, and he couldn't help but exclaim.
"How could I refuse such an excellent work?"
Colin did not deny this.
"However, before that..."
He then seemed to recall something and added, "Perhaps on the panel depicting Superman's battle with Human Torch, we could make a slight modification. We could add one of Superman's abilities here."
Freeze Breath, another classic ability of Superman.
It was the opposite of Human Torch's abilities in the comic, and it could add more conflict to the battle scene.
At the same time, it was also a small experiment for Colin.
That is, whether the creations of other comic artists could also help him unlock superpowers.
"No problem, sir, I'll revise the plot right away."
Jacob quickly nodded at Colin's suggestion.
For the chance to have his story serialized in The Messenger, revising the plot was no problem at all.
Moreover, Mr. Colin's suggestion was entirely from the perspective of making Human Torch a better character, giving him no reason to refuse.
Colin looked away from Jacob's excited figure, returning his attention to the newspaper in his hands.
After several days, he had taken a steam train from Los Angeles back to New York.
During his absence from New York, the overall situation seemed to have undergone some noticeable changes.
"...New York Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt announced his candidacy for President. However, within the Democratic Party, there is little optimism. Former Governor of New York and current Democratic presidential hopeful Al Smith stated in an interview that a weakling like Roosevelt could never become the nominee, and his participation in the race was just a farce."
Roosevelt has announced his candidacy for president.
Colin murmured to himself as he read the news on the newspaper's political page.
Historically, Roosevelt would become the longest-serving president in American history, serving four terms.
At this time, no one held much hope for Roosevelt's candidacy.
His primary competitors within the party paid him no mind, and even the media expressed a dismissive attitude towards him.
"The New Republic" stated in its weekly issue that Roosevelt possessed: "No superior intellect, nor extraordinary stamina."
And "The Nation" magazine mocked him, saying: "Hoover has changed his name, but he is still Hoover."
Everyone believed that Roosevelt would not become president.
Even during the party's primary race, "The Baltimore Sun" issued a mocking statement: "The Democratic Party has chosen its most cowardly candidate."
All these factors proved the public's lack of confidence in Roosevelt.
How could a man in a wheelchair, unable to move freely, become the president of a nation?
Yet, it was precisely under the condition of being universally doubted that Roosevelt successfully defeated Hoover.
Although, from Colin's perspective, it was not particularly difficult for anyone to defeat Hoover during this period.
The primary reason for Roosevelt's success was largely that the public had lost all hope. The Great Depression had completely shattered the confidence of the masses; they had lost faith in America's future, and therefore, they no longer expected things to get any worse.
Hoover on the stage was utterly discredited, but the 'new Hoover' in the wheelchair below seemed to offer some hope.
Thus, amidst the public's disgust with Hoover and their 'what's the worst that can happen' mentality, Roosevelt was elected.
It wasn't that Roosevelt was particularly great; it was simply that in the Great Depression, America needed a choice, and Roosevelt was their only, albeit reluctant, option.
Thanks to Yiguan Yiguan for the 500 Qidian Coin tip.
(end of chapter)