Entertainment: Starting as a Succubus, Taking Hollywood by Storm

"A spectacular popcorn movie that uses wildly exaggerated characters and storylines to leap from one extreme to another, making the impossible seem possible and capturing everyone's attention." – The New York Times.

"The charm of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man lies in its ability to remind everyday viewers that they, too, have the right to dream. Who knows? Maybe one day we'll also shoot webs and climb walls like Spider-Man." – The Washington Post.

"Spider-Man's success lies in his enemies. The evil scientist Green Goblin embodies the nightmares and disasters of the city, making Spider-Man a symbol of angelic protection for the citizens. This could explain why post-9/11 Americans are so captivated by this silver-screen hero." – The Chicago Tribune.

"Martin Meyers has once again created an iconic character. In 2002, Martin Meyers' works dominated the screen: from Legolas in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, to Neo, the savior in The Matrix, and now the web-slinging Spider-Man. Each character is unforgettable. Audiences swoon over Legolas' elegance, marvel at Neo's strength, and cheer for Spider-Man's transformation. Perhaps we should call 2002 the Year of Martin..."

Martin put down the copy of The Los Angeles Times and smiled at Ivanka, seated across from him.

"Not bad. Let's ramp up the online campaigns too."

Ivanka blinked playfully and replied, "That's because your performance this year, Boss, has truly astonished everyone. We wouldn't have the confidence to do this otherwise!"

Martin chuckled. "Your flattery is on point. Keep it up."

Ivanka shot him a flirtatious glare before resuming a serious tone.

"The online marketing teams are ready to go. I've spent the past few days reviewing all of Meyers Studios' past digital campaigns. I heard you came up with most of these ideas yourself—brilliant work."

Then she quickly added, "And no, that's not flattery!"

"Fine, fine, not flattery," Martin said with a shrug, his carefree demeanor making Ivanka want to playfully bite him out of frustration.

"The Lord of the Rings" is a box office smash. The Matrix is a box office smash. Kung Fu Panda is a box office smash. The Bourne Identity is a box office smash. Now Spider-Man is a critical darling and will clearly be another hit. Without a doubt, 2002 is the Year of Martin."

"Seriously, The Lord of the Rings broke $100 million in its opening weekend—a terrifying record that may take years to surpass. Meanwhile, The Matrix and The Bourne Identity had incredible opening weekends of $90 million and $80 million respectively, both just shy of breaking $100 million. Although neither film had the staying power of The Lord of the Rings, their box office performances were still extraordinary. 2002: Martin's Year!"

"Unbelievable. The top four movies in the 2002 North American box office rankings all belong to Martin. First place: The Lord of the Rings (technically a 2001 film, but fans get the context). Second place: The Matrix. Third place: The Bourne Identity. Fourth place: Kung Fu Panda. And now, Spider-Man is likely to crack the top five. Let's not forget that Harry Potter is about to release as well. 2002: Martin's Year!"

With an overwhelming online marketing campaign, the phrase "2002: Martin's Year" quickly gained traction, even prompting mainstream media outlets to pick up on it. The name "Martin" rapidly became the hottest keyword of 2002.

But people still underestimated the power of Spider-Man!

On Friday, Spider-Man premiered in 3,572 theaters across North America, breaking the record for highest single-day box office earnings.

Its first-day gross of $40.4 million stunned everyone.

By the end of its opening weekend, Spider-Man became the fastest film in history to surpass $100 million, earning an astounding $134.8 million and shattering the previous record of $112.4 million set by The Lord of the Rings.

The Marvel hero, one of the most beloved characters in comic book history, was proving to be an unparalleled box office juggernaut.

Columbia Pictures was overjoyed.

Marvel Studios was equally ecstatic.

Before Spider-Man, Marvel films had always lagged behind DC adaptations.

Even Marvel's best-performing film, X-Men, had a global gross of just under $300 million, with $150 million from North America—decent, but far from groundbreaking compared to its $84 million budget.

DC, on the other hand, had consistently dominated with adaptations of icons like Superman, Batman, and The Flash.

At one point, Marvel had fallen into such dire straits that it was on the brink of bankruptcy, forced to sell character rights just to stay afloat.

But now, Marvel Studios finally had its moment of triumph.

The sheer momentum of Spider-Man was beyond anyone's imagination.

After grossing over $100 million in its opening weekend, it crossed $200 million in its second weekend, setting yet another North American box office record.

When Spider-Man launched globally, its performance defied expectations. Unlike most comic book adaptations, which tend to falter outside North America, Spider-Man was universally adored.

In England, Germany, Spain, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand, Spider-Man topped the box office in its opening week. Only in France did it fall short, finishing third, but it still performed respectably.

"Martin Meyers: He's a phenomenon!!!"

This week's Time Magazine featured Martin on its cover, dressed in a sleek black suit, with the bold headline emblazoned across the page.

"At the end of 2001, Martin Meyers opened with The Lord of the Rings, revitalizing a North American market that had been in a post-9/11 slump. In 2002, he followed up with a string of sensational hits: Kung Fu Panda, The Matrix, The Bourne Identity, and Spider-Man.

"Since his debut with A Match Made in Heaven in 1997, this American prodigy has been an unstoppable force—not just in film but also in literature, music, and even investments.

"In early 2002, Martin ranked 10th on the North American Billionaires List. Though born into wealth, he differs from other heirs; every penny of his fortune was earned by his own efforts.

"Many now regard him as the epitome of success. At just 15 years old, he has already reached the pinnacle of achievements that others spend a lifetime chasing. But for Martin, this is only the beginning.

"And so, 2002: Martin's Year!"*

With Time Magazine's definitive endorsement, the declaration of "2002: Martin's Year" was sealed.

(GodOfReader: Is it me or you guys notice something different from the translation?)