The new year 2005 didn't kick off with a toast for Harry Jackson.
Instead, it started under harsh fluorescent lights, surrounded by framed Superman artwork, and at a long glass table that reflected his face a bit too hazy.
He found himself in Paul Levitz's office at DC Comics, his jacket casually draped over the back of his chair, fingers mindlessly flipping through a pile of printed charts. Across from him sat Levitz—calm and reserved—while Dan DiDio lounged back with his arms crossed, and Gregory Noveck hovered near the whiteboard, laser pointer in hand like a teacher who had long since given up on his class.
Harry paused his page-flipping.
"So," he said, tapping the paper. "This is where DC stands."
Silence hung in the air.
Gregory cleared his throat. "To be frank—comic sales are flat. We're trailing behind Marvel in nearly every area except for our legacy characters. Batman is our lifeline. Superman sells when the stars align. Everything else is… hit or miss."
Dan let out a soft snort. "That's one way to say it."
Harry looked up. "What about animated?"
"That's our lifeline," Gregory jumped in right away. "Animated television. Those direct-to-video releases. That's where we still hold the upper hand. It keeps the brand alive for the kids. Without it, our balance sheet would look… pretty grim."
Harry nodded slowly. "What about movies?"
This time, Paul chimed in. "We don't have a significant presence there."
"Which is just ridiculous," Harry replied flatly.
Dan frowned. "Ridiculous or realistic? Live-action superhero films cost a fortune. They're risky. No one has done live-action before."
Harry leaned back in his chair. "Do you know what a cinematic universe is?"
The question hung in the air, feeling a bit odd.
Paul blinked. "A… what?"
Dan turned his head, puzzled. "Universe?"
Gregory perked up, clearly interested. "Go on."
Harry offered a slight smile. "Interconnected films. Shared storylines. Characters crossing paths. Narratives building up to bigger events. Films and television working together instead of being standalone."
Silence filled the room.
Dan let out a short laugh. "We're just trying to keep the lights on, and you're talking about interconnected movies?"
"Live-action movies," Harry clarified.
Paul folded his hands thoughtfully. "It's an intriguing idea. But we don't have the funds. And honestly, the risk—"
"You don't need to stress about funding," Harry interjected.
All three of them turned to look at him.
"My last film is going to rake in hundreds of millions," Harry continued, his tone steady. "I'll reinvest most of that here. To kickstart production. To bring in talent. To build the infrastructure we need."
Dan's jaw tightened. "You'd personally fund this?"
"I didn't spend a billion dollars acquiring DC to let it decay gracefully," Harry said. "What I need from you is simpler."
Paul raised an eyebrow. "Which is?"
"Cut the losses. Clean house. Streamline operations. Protect animation. Let me worry about growth."
Dan looked away, visibly conflicted. "You're talking about reshaping the entire company."
Harry met his gaze. "Yes."
Gregory exhaled slowly. "If this works…"
"If it works," Harry said, "you won't just be surviving anymore. You will be the leader. The pioneer of a new era of superheroes."
Paul was quiet for a long moment. Then he said, "Marvel won't stand still."
"They won't," Harry agreed. "Which is why you move first. Marvel will be split. Warner will grab X-Men. Disney the rest. While they fight over scraps, you build something new."
Paul studied him carefully. "Are you serious about this?"
Harry didn't hesitate. "If I wasn't, I wouldn't have bought DC."
------
Back in Los Angeles, Harry sank into the plush couch of his mansion while Lisa stood before him, tapping away on her tablet and flipping through schedules.
"Just two months until the Oscars," she said, her eyes focused on the screen. "There are dinners, screenings, panels. Fox is really pushing Blind Man's Gambit."
Harry let out a groan. "Ugh, I can't stand those fancy dinners."
"You love winning, though," Lisa shot back with a grin.
He sighed, conceding, "Fair point."
"And," she added, "they're taking cues from last year's Memento campaign."
Harry grimaced. "That's not exactly reassuring."
He leaned in closer. "Speaking of Memento—have we heard anything from Chris?"
Lisa glanced over at her husband.
James straightened up. "Greg called earlier. Warner Bros. is eager to collaborate with Nolan again after Insomnia. But they're a bit preoccupied with Marvel negotiations and budget issues."
Harry nodded thoughtfully. "What budget did Chris request?"
James flipped through the file. "Forty million."
Harry leaned back, a determined look on his face. "Let's fully fund it."
James paused, taken aback. "You mean… without Warner?"
"Warner can take a hike," Harry replied nonchalantly.
James cleared his throat, a bit unsure. "I'll let Greg know."
Once James left, Harry stared up at the ceiling. "Sometimes I feel bad for him."
"For Greg?" Lisa asked, raising an eyebrow.
"He's just buried in work."
"You should be the one taking care of this," Lisa said, her tone sharp.
Harry straightened up. "We need to expand."
Lisa raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical.
"Bigger office. More staff," he explained.
She didn't even flinch. "You're six hundred million dollars in debt."
Harry hesitated for a moment.
"Theater revenue is covering the interest," she went on. "Fox TV royalties help, but it's not nearly enough. You want to reinvest Gambit's profits into films and DC."
She tilted her head, curiosity piqued. "So, where's the money going to come from?"
Harry locked eyes with her.
Then, in a serious tone, he asked, "Have you ever thought about betting?"
Lisa's eyes widened in disbelief.
"I'm not kidding," Harry insisted. "Sports betting. I know the outcomes. Tournaments. Seasons."
Lisa's expression turned flat. "You've lost it. Spouting non sense."
"I was telling the truth. I do know the outcomes," Harry muttered.
The next day, he boarded a private jet to London.
Fifty million dollars wired and ready to go.
Lisa had put up a fight. Loudly.
He brushed her off.
As the plane took off, Harry gazed out the window, his mind racing ahead.
The Premier League was calling.
Arsenal's invincible season was on the horizon.
And Harry Jackson was determined to cash in on what was to come.