Investments and Reviews

After the success of The Blair Witch Project, I decided it was time to get serious about investing my money. So, I asked Lucy to hire someone to help me with that, and she hired a man called Carter Lane as my financial advisor and he has been a crucial advisor ever since.

Now, I sat under the patio umbrella, reviewing the file Carter had prepared for me. I flipped through the pages detailing various investment opportunities and my current portfolio allocations. Carter had recommended diversifying into a mix of stocks, bonds, and some real estate, but I had insisted on adding several technology stocks to the mix.

"As you can see, sir," Carter began, breaking the silence as he leaned forward slightly, "your investments in Apple and Amazon have performed beyond our expectations, and your push to include Netflix, despite some initial volatility, is beginning to show promise as well."

I nodded, taking a sip of my iced tea. "Well, Carter, I told you Netflix would work out."

"I'm still not sold on it, sir," he said, taking a sip from his drink as well.

"Carter, nobody is going to go out and rent a movie from Blockbuster in a couple of years; streaming is the future," I replied confidently.

"I'll adjust our strategy to continue supporting Netflix, and perhaps look into other emerging tech companies that are capitalizing on similar shifts," he conceded, making notes on his pad.

I glanced at the other sections of my portfolio detailed in the file. I was not planning to make any risky investments, just the ones I was sure would have the greatest returns.

"Now, there's another thing I want you to be on the lookout for," I said, standing up.

"What is it, sir?" Carter asked.

"I want you to be on the lookout for an automobile company called Tesla. It's not public yet, but I believe it will be soon," I said, walking over to the pool.

"The electric car company?" Carter asked.

"Yes, that's the one," I said, turning to him.

"The automotive industry is always a risky investment, and this one only makes electric cars. Are you sure about this?" he asked cautiously.

"Think of it like a long-term investment. All of them are if you think about it. Google, Amazon, and of course, Netflix—they will all be bigger than you could ever imagine in a decade," I said, sitting down once again.

"I've actually started scouting a few potential candidates. Startups that are showing strong foundational promise and innovative business models. It could be riskier, but the returns could be substantial," Carter said, taking the file from me.

"We can explore those options later, but now I have another thing I need you to look into."

"Oh, what is it?" he asked.

"Justin.tv. It's a streaming platform, very new. I want you to keep an eye on it," I said, laying down on the chair.

"Justin.tv," Carter muttered as he wrote it down.

"Well, Carter, I believe that's it. Give me a call after you look into Justin.tv," I said, dismissing him.

Carter nodded and left, leaving me alone by the pool. Justin.tv was the predecessor to Twitch, a streaming service that would become the biggest in the world. 

The company would eventually be sold to Amazon in a few years for almost a billion dollars. He planned to cash out during the sale. Although it would become one of the best and biggest streaming platforms in the world, it was not profitable, so if I am able to buy a stake in the company, I am going to wait till the Amazon deal and cash out for a big payday.

I settled deeper into the chair, enjoying the rare moment of peace I had in these hectic times. Just as I was about to doze off, I heard the doorbell ring. My first instinct was to think Mom would get it, but she and Nathan weren't home, which meant I had to leave the comfort of the chair to see who it was. I almost didn't, thinking it was a salesperson or something, but the doorbell kept ringing. With a resigned sigh, I stood up and walked to the door.

Opening it, I was surprised to see Haley standing there. She looked a bit angry and frustrated. "Haley, what are you doing here?" I asked, stepping aside to let her in.

She didn't respond immediately, just brushed past me into the house. Then I remembered she had her driver's test today—her second one, as she failed her first.

"So, how did it go?" I asked cautiously, following her. The question only seemed to darken her mood further. Without a word, she headed straight to the backyard by the pool, with me following right behind her. I watched her shrug off her clothes to reveal a bikini underneath, then she proceeded to lay on the sun lounger. 'Must have come to get some sun at Jay's pool. Wonder why she came here,' I thought.

I took the chair next to her. "So, giving me the silent treatment?" I ventured.

Haley remained silent, her eyes closed against the sun.

"You lost this test, but you'll nail the next one," I tried to reassure her.

Her expression softened slightly, but she still didn't speak.

"I assume you were at Jay's house with your family," I continued, piecing together her probable day. "Let me guess—you had a fight with your mom or your sister and decided to come here?"

Haley let out an exasperated sigh. "Yes, can I just get some sun? I've had a really bad day."

"Sure, whatever you want," I responded, trying to be supportive.

"Oh, and can you get me some sunscreen?" she asked. "I forgot the one I bought at Grandpa's," she added.

"Only if I can put it on you," I teased.

She laughed and nudged me away playfully. "That was the plan all along," she said, finally showing a hint of her usual spirit.

"Your mother's not here, right?" she asked.

"No, didn't I tell you... wait, do Claire and Phil think my parents are here?" I asked.

"Of course they do… now get me the sunscreen," she said.

"Yes ma'am, right away," I said with a mock salute.

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A Bold Entry in the Superhero Genre 

As a longtime fan of both superhero comics I approached Invincible with a mix of excitement and skepticism. Could a renowned teen novelist and a rookie comic artist bring something genuinely fresh to a somewhat stagnant genre? After devouring the first issue, I'm thrilled to say that the answer is a resounding yes!

First things first, the art in Invincible is phenomenal. Matt Gates's illustrations are not just visually stunning; they're dynamic. Each panel bursts with energy, capturing the intensity and emotion of the story. The color palette is vibrant, adding depth and texture that pull you deeper into the world Adler and Gates have crafted.

Without delving into spoilers, Invincible introduces us to a universe where superheroes are integrated into daily life, not as rare phenomena but as a recognized and regulated entity. The protagonist, a young hero grappling with the legacy of a world-famous superhero parent, is written with a complexity that's both relatable and inspiring. The story weaves through themes of responsibility, legacy, and the moral ambiguities of using superhuman powers, all while setting up a larger, intriguing narrative arc that promises to explore the darker corners of heroism.

I prepared to read the comic by delving into Adler's previous works and found myself being impressed by his storytelling prowess.Each character is meticulously crafted with clear motivations and compelling backstories, which are teased out through dialogues and interactions that feel authentic and meaningful. The pacing is tight, with a perfect balance between action sequences and character development.

What's truly impressive is how Invincible manages to respect comic book traditions while pushing the boundaries. It's both a homage and a challenge to the genre, asking deep, sometimes uncomfortable questions about power and its consequences.

I'm genuinely excited for what's next. Adler and Gates have set the stage for what could be a groundbreaking series in the comic book industry. If they continue on this trajectory, Invincible might just be the catalyst the comic book industry needs to invigorate its creative landscape.

To Daniel and Matt, thank you for this breath of fresh air. Keep pushing the limits, and keep us guessing.

My Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"That's a good review," I said, looking up from my laptop. Matt was lying next to me, reading another review from a forum.

"Not this one," he said, handing me his laptop.

I took it and began reading.

Utter Disappointment

Just when you think the comic book industry might have scraped the bottom of the barrel, Daniel Adler and Matt Gates deliver Invincible to lower the bar even further. Touted as the next big thing by its creators, this comic fails miserably on all fronts.

Let's start with the art—what was Gates thinking? The characters are stiff, the action sequences are a chaotic mess, and the color palette is so garish it's as if he just discovered neon and decided to splash it everywhere. It's amateur hour with glossy cover art to lure in unsuspecting fans.

Now, onto the disaster that is the plot. The storyline could have been churned out by a cliché generator. A young superhero grappling with identity? Groundbreaking... if it were still 1960. Every twist is predictable, and every dialogue bubble is crammed with trite, expository nonsense that treats the reader like they're utterly brainless.

Reading Invincible is akin to watching a train wreck in slow motion—you know it's bad, but you just can't look away. It's a slapdash attempt at storytelling that underestimates its audience's intelligence and shows a blatant disregard for the craft of comic writing.

Daniel Adler should stick to novels because his foray into comics is an unequivocal flop. And Gates? Maybe a career change wouldn't hurt because this comic isn't doing any favors for his artistic reputation. Here's to hoping they don't inflict a second issue on us, but if they do, for the love of comics, let someone else take the wheel!

My Rating ⭐

"Fuck this asshole," I said, throwing the laptop to the side. I looked at Matt, who seemed a bit saddened by the review. Matt was the kind of person who took negative reviews to heart.

"Matt, that guy is a troll. Look, he's being cooked in the comments," I said, showing how the user who wrote the review was being pummeled by comments from other users.

"Look, the overall response has been positive and it's selling well. We're good, Matt. Don't let these fuckers get in your head," I reassured him.

Matt smiled. "Thanks, Danny. I just focus on the negativity a lot."

I returned my attention to the review. People were defending us; we had a fanbase now.

'Wait...what the hell?' I thought as I looked at the title of another review.

Invincible: A Neo-Nazi Comic?

"Well, that's enough internet for me," I said, shutting the laptop. "What? What is it?" Matt asked.

"I think it's best if you don't use this forum," I said to a very confused Matt.