Chapter 4 The Spider-Man Haters' Headquarters

Anton opened a document on his computer and typed in the movie title: Batman: begins.

His "golden finger" had not only given him access to the DC hero template but also granted him a photographic memory.This photographic memory wasn't just about having a good memory it was like the standard feature of a fictional entertainment story.

In other words, he could recall everything from his previous life in vivid detail.

Even his earliest memories, like a specific incident when he was three, were etched into his brain.

And any movie he had ever watched, he remembered every line, every piece of background music.

However, Anton had no experience writing a screenplay.

His plan was to take the story of the Batman movie in his mind, expand on the original Batman background a bit, and start with a novel of around 200,000 words.

After writing a few lines, Anton found himself struggling.

Suddenly, he realized he was a wealthy young man, so he didn't need to do this grunt work himself—he could hire someone to write it for him.

With that, he prepared a rough outline and decided to find a few screenwriters when he contacted film producers through his grandfather the next day.

"The happiness of the rich truly is unimaginable for the poor."

Anton lay back on his luxurious European-style bed, daydreaming about the future as he drifted off to sleep.

Things went surprisingly smoothly.

Since leaving the system space, he had a clear idea on how to boost his fan value (or popularity) by creating a fictional superstar and making Batman famous.

In his previous life, characters like those from One Piece, the Monkey King from Chinese mythology, Odin and the Norse gods, Zeus and the Greek gods, were all well-known around the world.

In terms of fan value, each character's influence would easily be worth billions.

Honestly, it was the simplest, fastest, and most effortless method.

Of course, it was a bit costly.

But if it succeeded, it would bring not only fan value but also money.

If it went well, it would create a positive cycle.

There was no better way!

As for whether Batman could generate the fan value needed, Anton was very confident.

Just look at his previous life—superhero culture had taken over the world.

Besides, in this world where real superheroes existed, it was an untapped market for superhero stories.

Time passed quickly like grains of sand, and soon, it was morning.

Swish!

Anton opened his eyes and lazily got out of bed.

As he went downstairs, he saw his grandfather, Jonah Jameson, sitting at the table having breakfast.

"The script?"

Jameson glanced at him with a cold expression.

But Anton wasn't in a hurry, smirking inwardly.

He had already guessed this old man's tsundere personality.

He'd talk tough, but if Anton ever wanted to join his astronaut father in space, the old man would be the first to build him a rocket to make it happen.

Anton replied, "The outline's ready."

He turned to the printer, loaded the document, and printed out a few pages filled with background details, character settings, and a brief plot outline.

"You call this a script?"

Jameson's mouth twitched, wondering if he'd lost his mind to have any expectations for this good-for-nothing grandson.

"Just read it."

Anton remained calm.

Although he hadn't written much, the basic story on those pages was compelling enough.

Jameson, having worked in the newspaper business for decades, was somewhat of a writer himself.

With his keen eye for newsworthy stories, he could quickly assess whether a story had a hook.

After a few minutes reading the Batman plot, Jameson's expression shifted noticeably in surprise.

"You came up with this story? You didn't copy it?"

He couldn't believe it.

As Anton's grandfather, he had never thought Anton had the creative ability to come up with something like this.

"Where would I copy it from?"

Anton crossed his arms and replied confidently, "Sitting at the Daily Bugle every day, do you think those busy reporters are just sitting around telling me stories? Do you still think I'm that kid who wouldn't go to bed without a story from you?"

"Well, there are only a few pages here, but you've made me see you in a new light."

Jameson pondered.

He decided to use his connections in the entertainment industry to help Anton set this up.

After all, it was no trouble for him.

Although he didn't know how Anton had convinced Tony Stark to invest, at least any potential losses wouldn't affect the family.

Using someone else's resources to get things done without spending a penny—Jameson could see the logic behind it.

"I can help you find people, but I won't give you a cent," Jameson said, looking at Anton. "Everything has to be negotiated on your own. If you impress me, I won't interfere in your life anymore."

"Don't worry, old man. I won't give you another chance to meddle in my life," Anton replied with a smile.

Jonah Jameson's response was exactly as he'd expected.

With Anton's inherited memories, he knew his place in Jameson's heart.

To outsiders, Jameson was a ruthless businessman who cared only for profit.

But to Anton, he was a tough-love grandfather.

As for the bet with Tony Stark, Anton needed to gather his other fifty million, but he could scrape that together with his private stash, and the worst-case scenario could be managed with some creative accounting.

"Oh, and don't resign from the Daily Bugle yet. I'll bring in a new editor-in-chief to take over your position." Jameson added, "As for you, take the title of deputy editor-in-chief; that way, you'll have a fallback if this fails."

"No problem."

Anton nodded, then asked curiously, "By the way, who's going to be the new editor? Betty…"

"Eddie Brock."

Jameson cut him off. "Eddie is a well-known reporter from The Globe, with nearly a decade of experience. Maybe you haven't heard of him, but…"

"No, I know him."

This time, Anton interrupted Jameson, his expression turning strange. "Eddie Brock—I'm familiar with him."

"Good."

Jameson wasn't surprised.

After all, Anton had been editor-in-chief at the Bugle for a while, so knowing Eddie Brock indicated he had done some real work.

"Why him?" Anton was even more curious.

"Recently, Eddie Brock was blacklisted by The Globe and is close to bankruptcy. Someone pulled some strings to ask if I'd give him a job," Jameson replied. "I was going to say no, but since you wanted a change, I thought of him."

"But why not Betty?"

"You're only editor-in-chief because you're the owner's grandson. Why should Betty get to run the Bugle?"

"Good point."

Anton was speechless.

However, he had to admit it was intriguing to have Venom working for the family.

Wait, if that's the case, wouldn't Spider-Man and Venom be colleagues now?

Add in Jonah Jameson, the ultimate Spider-Man hater…

The Daily Bugle was shaping up to be the biggest anti-Spider-Man hub ever!