7 Comic Book Scripts
by
Robert T. Jeschonek
*****
SMASHWORDS EDITION
Copyright © 2011 by Robert T. Jeschonek
www.thefictioneer.com
Cover art copyright © 2011 by Ben Baldwin
www.benbaldwin.co.uk
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
Smashwords Edition License Notes
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*****
7 Comic Book Scripts
by
Robert T. Jeschonek
*****
More Superhero Tales by Robert T. Jeschonek
A Matter of Size (mature readers)
Forced Retirement
Heroes of Global Warming
The Masked Family – a novel
Coming Soon
7 More Comic Book Scripts
*****
Introduction
What's the one thing I love more than reading comic books and graphic novels? Writing them, of course. There is no other type of writing exactly like it. Screenplay writing comes close, but even so, isn't quite the same animal.
Comics are a truly unique art form, an amalgam of prose, film, still photography, visual poetry, and whatever other creative elements a writer and artist decide to toss into the pot. Mapping them out in a script, conveying the precise instructions needed to realize a specific vision (while leaving room for improvisation along the way) is a challenge…and a joy.
I've been writing comic scripts for many years. Sometimes, these scripts came to life on the printed page with finished artwork…and sometimes they didn't. But they were all part of the learning process that eventually led to the publication of my work at DC Comics. Every one of them was valuable for this reason, and also because of the sheer fun I had writing them.
Now, it's time to look back at some of the scripts I've written. Some were "spec" projects—attempts at getting a publisher to look at and perhaps publish my work. Others were commissioned by small press publishers but never saw the light of day for one reason or another. I wrote some just because I had a great idea and couldn't wait to see it on paper. Two ("The Mime" and "Johnstown Man") were part of a hometown comics project in the 1980s. And others, I wrote just for fun.
Whatever the reasons behind the writing, I hope you'll enjoy the scripts in this first volume of the series. If I've done my job, you should be able to visualize each story as it was meant to appear on the page. You might wish that some of them had become full-blown published comics; others, perhaps, might make you glad they never reached that stage. But all of them have something to offer, whether it's a cool central idea, a great line, a clever scene, a cool hero…
Or just plain fun.
*****
Super-Powered Poser Blues
by Robert T. Jeschonek
Introduction
This is one of my favorite scripts—a pilot for a series that never took flight. I still hope it might, because I can think of about a million great stories to tell with Doubleman and Understudy, Inc. If dictators can have body doubles, why shouldn't super-heroes who want to protect their secret identities? Or maybe they have other interests to protect that aren't quite so noble…
Super-Powered Poser Blues
Page 1 (5 panels)
Page 1, panel 1
Interior, the office of Understudy, Inc.—Doubleman's super-hero stand-in agency. The place looks like a private eye's office from a movie, but with modern furnishings and high-tech gadgets. Photos of super-hero clients line the walls. Mid-afternoon, medium two-shot. Action sits behind a desk, talking to Alpha Male—a muscular ultimate hero type, blond, in costume. Alpha Male, who stands on the opposite side of the desk from Doubleman, hands over a wad of cash as thick as a phone book.
Doubleman (caption): What do I love most about my job?
Doubleman (caption): Is it rubbing elbows with super-hero celebrities?
Alpha Male: The heat is on. Sure you can handle it?
Page 1 panel 2
Closeup of Doubleman taking the money. His expression is grim as he accepts the assignment.
Doubleman (caption): Is it the cash?
Doubleman: You can depend on me.
Doubleman: I'll take her out for you.
Page 1 panel 3
Medium shot of Alpha Male throwing a package on the desk. The package is the size of a shirt box.
Alpha Male: I want her blown away.
Alpha Male: You'll need this.
Page 1 panel 4
Medium shot. Doubleman opens the package and pulls out a costume identical to Alpha Male's.
Doubleman (caption): Is it the clothes?
Doubleman: Perfect. She'll never guess I'm not you.
Page 1 panel 5
Medium two-shot. Alpha Male grins. Doubleman is midway through a transformation—shifting his shape to match that of Alpha Male. The left half of the Captain's body is the same as before, and the right half is identical to Alpha Male's right half.
Doubleman: And then we'll solve this problem permanently.
Doubleman (caption): Or is it something else?
Page 2 (4 panels)
Page 2 panel 1
Big panel, wide shot. Interior of a lavish restaurant high atop a city skyscraper at night. The restaurant is surrounded by windows, so the patrons can enjoy the view. The guests all wear formal attire...except Alpha Male, who's in his super-hero costume. (He's Doubleman in disguise.) Doubleman/Alpha Male sits at a table drinking expensive wine with a beautiful redheaded woman—Candy Landis. (Candy's stunning, persistent, and snarky.) Doubleman/Alpha Male and Candy are the center of attention; all the other patrons watch them and whisper.
Doubleman (caption): Is it the four-star restaurants and gorgeous stalkers?
Candy: My head's still spinning, Alpha Male.
Candy: I never thought you'd agree to this interview.
Page 2 panel 2
Closeup on Doubleman/Alpha Male, who raises his wine glass and smiles in a charming way.
Doubleman (caption): Just a few of the perks that come my way when I'm doing my job.
Doubleman (caption): When I'm impersonating a hero like Alpha Male.
Doubleman: Now, Candy. Why on Earth would I avoid a beautiful reporter like you?
Page 2 panel 3
Closeup on Candy, giving him a wry and knowing smirk.
Candy: Gee, I don't know.
Candy: Could it be because I keep threatening to expose your secret identity?
Page 2 panel 4
Medium two-shot. Candy coyly pats a third chair set up at tableside. Doubleman/Alpha Male smiles pleasantly.
Candy: Or because I insisted that you and your secret identity attend this interview at the same time?
Page 3 (5 panels)
Page 3 panel 1
Medium two-shot. Doubleman/Alpha Male laughs while Candy pulls out a camera and sets it on the table.
Doubleman (caption): She thinks she has Alpha Male over a barrel.
Doubleman: You've got spunk, you know that?
Doubleman (caption): And that's where I come in.
Page 3 panel 2
Closeup two-shot. Doubleman/Alpha Male reaches across the table and takes Candy's hand.
Doubleman: Guess what? I love spunk!
Doubleman (caption): Doubleman. Master of disguise. Superhero stand-in.
Doubleman (caption): Because sometimes a superhero has to be in two places at once.
Page 3 panel 3
Wide two-shot. Candy yanks her hand away from Doubleman/Alpha Male. She has a tape recorder in her other hand at this point.
Doubleman (caption): Like tonight.
Doubleman (caption): Candy Landis has been trying to "out" Alpha Male's secret identity for years. He's finally had enough.
Candy: You and I both know Walt Bates won't be here.
Candy: You and Walt Bates are one and the same person.
Page 3 panel 4
Medium shot. A waiter arrives at tableside and interrupts the conversation. His face is out of the shot. (He's Alpha Male pretending to be a waiter...in his secret identity of Walt Bates.) Doubleman/Alpha Male and Candy look up at him.
Doubleman (caption): My job tonight is simple. Pose as Alpha Male.
Waiter/Walt: Pardonnez. Would madame and monsieur care for a cocktail?
Page 3 panel 5
Wide shot. The waiter's face is revealed: he's Walt Kane, Alpha Male's eyeglasses-wearing secret identity. He wears a tuxedo and grins with delight at the trick he's pulled. Candy gapes at him in shock, while Doubleman/Alpha Male laughs.
Waiter/Walt: Perhaps a double-martini?
Candy: W-Walt?!
Page 4 (5 panels)
Page 4 panel 1
Wide shot. Candy is mortified. Walt has an arm around Doubleman/Alpha Male's shoulder, and they both laugh it up.
Candy: B-b-but...
Doubleman: What's the matter, Candy? Supercat got your tongue?
Walt: You look like you're seeing double!
Page 4 panel 2
Medium three-shot. Doubleman/Alpha Male grins as Candy squirms and gapes at him and Walt. Walt enjoys the moment more than anyone, relishing Candy's discomfort a little too much, with an edge of cruelty; he waves a pair of breadsticks at her for fun.
Doubleman (caption): Mission accomplished.
Candy: Th-this is impossible.
Doubleman: Apparently not, Candy.
Walt: Would you like two breadsticks? Perhaps a twice-baked potato?
Doubleman (caption): This ought to throw Candy off the trail of Alpha Male's secret identity for good.
Page 4 panel 3
Medium three-shot. Candy breaks down in tears. Doubleman/Alpha Male's smile fades. Walt's still grinning as he comforts Candy by putting a hand on her shoulder.
Doubleman
(caption): Maybe this is what I love most about my job.
Doubleman (caption): The success stories.
Doubleman (caption): Helping the super-human community.
Walt: Now, now, Candy. Don't cry.
Page 4 panel 4
Medium two-shot. Candy suddenly looks up with an expression of stunned realization. Doubleman/Alpha Male frowns at her.
Candy: Oh my God. This changes everything.
Doubleman: Why? What do you mean?
Page 4 panel 5
Closeup on Candy. Her face is tear-streaked, and she looks like she's on the verge of a complete breakdown.
Candy: I thought you two were the same person.
Candy: But if you're not Walt, then that means Alpha Male...isn't the father of my baby!
Page 5 (5 panels)
Page 5 panel 1
Medium three-shot. Doubleman/Alpha Male glares at Walt, who grins back at him. Candy's on the brink of hysteria between them.
Doubleman (caption): Well well.
Doubleman (caption): Apparently, my client neglected to tell me something.
Candy: Oh, what'll I do?
Page 5 panel 2
Closeup two-shot. Walt shifts expressions and attitudes to a phony compassion and takes Candy's hand in his own.
Walt: We'll do the right thing, of course. For you and the...
Page 5 panel 3
Wide shot. Suddenly, Walt flies backward through the restaurant as if propelled by an unseen super-power. Doubleman/Alpha Male leaps to his feet. Candy is shocked as Walt is torn away from her. Other restaurant patrons dive out of the way.
Walt: Yaaah! Help!!
Candy: What is it? What's happening?
Doubleman (caption): This is something else I hate about my line of work.
Page 5 panel 4
Wide shot. Across the restaurant, Doubleman/Alpha Male walks toward Walt, who's squirming on the floor and pretending he's under attack.
Doubleman (caption): I make a living as a stand-in for super-heroes.
Doubleman (caption): But some people abuse my services for dishonorable reasons.
Walt: No more! Please don't hurt me, Alpha Male!
Walt: Yaarrrggh!!
Page 5 panel 5
Closeup on Walt, as he writhes on the floor, pretending to be attacked by "Alpha Male"—Doubleman in disguise.
Walt: He's...killing me...with his...telekinetic powers!
Walt: Goodbye, Candy! I wish...we could have...raised our child....together!
Doubleman (caption): And that's where I draw the line.
Page 6 (5 panels)
Page 6 panel 1
Wide shot. Walt flashes backward through a window at high speed, smashing it to bits, as if he were thrown through it by "Alpha Male." Doubleman/Alpha Male watches with a disgusted look from inside the restaurant.
Walt: Aaaarrrggh!
Doubleman (caption): Alpha Male wants to fake his secret identity's death to avoid taking responsibility for a pregnancy.
Doubleman (caption): He figured I wouldn't stop him.
Page 6 panel 2
Wide shot. Doubleman/Alpha Male flies out the window into the night sky, racing after Walt. Restaurant patrons gape at the scene from behind the windows.
Doubleman (caption): But I have powers, too.
Page 6 panel 3
Medium shot. Doubleman/Alpha Male and Walt battle it out in the night sky.
Doubleman (caption): And just because I work for super-heroes...
Doubleman (caption): That doesn't mean I always take their side.
Page 6 panel 4
Medium shot. Doubleman/Alpha Male has subdued Walt and flies him back into the restaurant. Candy waits with an uncertain expression. Other patrons stand around watching the scene, too.
Doubleman (caption): So I guess this is actually what I love most about my job.
Doubleman: Candy?
Doubleman: My powers temporarily went haywire, but Walt's going to be fine.
Page 6 panel 5
Medium shot. Candy cradles unconscious Walt in her arms and cries tears of joy. Doubleman/Alpha Male looks on with a smile of grim satisfaction.
Doubleman (caption): Making someone a better person...
Candy: Oh, thank you, Alpha Male! Thank you!
Doubleman: Just doing my job.
Doubleman (caption): ...at least until I change into somebody else.
Caption: The End
My Date With Godling
by Robert T. Jeschonek
Introduction
This one started life as a straight-up spec script set in an existing comics mythology. It led to a phone call from an editor that almost turned into an assignment…until the editor left the company. I could never quite get anyone else interested, but I had fun writing this lighthearted piece and never regretted spending time on it. What happens when a hard-driving cosmic god-hero launches a mission under false pretenses…a mission that quickly goes from intense to ridiculous?
My Date With Godling
Page 1 (4 panels)
Page 1 panel 1
Closeup: The eyes and features of Godling, a member of the Justice Alliance, an organization of elite super-heroes. Godling is a high-tech warrior hero from a race of extradimensional titans so advanced they might as well be gods to us. Godling’s golden helmet is off, and he is glaring with determined intensity. His face—with its craggy, battle-scarred features—has greenish highlights from a tabletop holographic projector, which is off-panel.
Caption: The Justice Alliance Watchtower
Godling: Our plan cannot fail!
Page 1 panel 2
Same closeup, also top tier, but longer panel opened at right to include the eyes and features of Spectaculady, also with greenish highlights. Spectaculady, also a member of the Justice Alliance, is a beautiful bombshell with extreme super-powers and fiery red hair. Like Godling, she is glaring with determination and intensity.
Godling: Bursting from the Everygate, we shall outflank and encircle the enemy’s forces.
Page 1 panel 3
Wide shot, splash panel, dominating page center. Godling and Spectaculady huddle around a table in Justice Alliance headquarters. Radiating green light, the table projects holographic icons above it, shaped like spheres, cones, and cubes. With great urgency, Godling and Spectaculady are planning strategy for a mission, and the icons represent opposing forces and targets. Hunched and grim, Godling pokes an index finger into the arrangement of icons, indicating a maneuver.
Godling: We shall drive them together here, corralling them with your velvet rope!
Page 1 panel 4
Smaller panel, inset at lower center of splash panel. Closeup of Godling’s hand, positioned so that a glowing spherical icon seems to balance on the tip of his index finger.
Godling: And then, while you restrain the enemy, I shall move to intercept the target!
Page 2 (5 panels)
Page 2 panel 1
Pull back to medium shot, tall panel. Godling glares at the spherical icon that appears to be balanced on his fingertip. Leaning on the tabletop, Spectaculady also gazes at the icon...but with an expression of concern, not ferocity. She is a little uncertain.
Godling: And so, again, we will defy Darkline! He will regret dispatching his minions to sacred Homehaven!
Spectaculady: Are you sure you don’t want other Justice Alliancers involved?
Page 2 panel 2
Medium shot of Godling, lifting his helmet from the table. He is looking off panel right, at Spectaculady. His expression has a trace of a sneer, just a little disdain.
Godling: We two have power enough for this mission...or do you doubt your fitness?
Page 2 panel 3
Medium shot of Spectaculady, looking off panel left at Godling. In response to his challenging remark, she also sneers a little, defiantly.
Spectaculady: I’ll pretend you didn’t ask that question.
Page 2 panel 4
Small panel, partially inset into upper corner of panel 5. Closeup of Godling’s eyes and features as he lowers the helmet onto his head with both hands. His stare is icy.
Godling: Then it is time.
Page 2 panel 5
Big splash panel, dramatic shot of Godling and Spectaculady zooming off into battle. He has donned his flying harness, and she stands on the skids behind him, with her arms wrapped around him. They both wear determined expressions. His mouth is wide as he barks out the orders and battle cry.
Godling: Summon the Everygate! We meet the enemy now! To victory!
Title: My Date With Godling!
And credits.
Page 3
(5 panels)
Page 3 panel 1
A tall panel, nearly two tiers high. The Everygate bursts open at its destination on the world of Homehaven. Godling and Spectaculady erupt from within, immediately exploding into action. A big, dynamic panel.
Godling: We’ve arrived in the battle zone! Now, as planned, flank the enemy force!
FX: BOOM! of the Everygate.
Page 3 panel 2
Smaller panel to right of panel 1, stacked in top tier above panel 3. No dialogue. Wide shot as Spectaculady drops to the floor in a battle-ready stance, velvet rope in hand. She lands in front of a crowd of harmless-looking Homehaven citizens. Dressed in typical Homehaven costumes, they are all handsome and beautiful, the picture of physical perfection. They are surprised and perplexed by Spectaculady’s arrival...and definitely not whom she expected. Instead of committing some evil act, they are milling around with drinks in hand. They are, in fact, attending what is for all intents and purposes the Homehaven equivalent of a high school class reunion.
FX: THAP! of Spectaculady’s feet hitting the floor.
Page 3 panel 3
Identical shot. Spectaculady twists around, looking off-panel for Godling. She is baffled by the docile group; she had expected a deadly enemy. Apparently, Godling left out some facts at the strategy session.
Spectaculady: Uh...battle zone? Enemy force?
Page 3 panel 4
Medium shot of Godling in motion, racing over the heads of the startled crowd. Unlike Spectaculady, he is still in full battle mode, snapping out orders.
Godling: No time for talk! Follow the plan! Herd them into the center of the battle zone!
FX: WHOOSH! of Godling’s flight.
Page 3 panel 5
Small panel, inset at lower right of panel 4. Closeup of Godling’s hand snatching the coiled velvet rope out of Spectaculady’s grasp.
Godling: And give me your velvet rope!
Page 4 (8 panels)
Page 4 panel 1
Medium shot of Godling zooming around the edge of the crowd, unreeling the velvet rope as he goes, winding it around the group. He is still fiercely determined to achieve his objective. The partygoers are irritated but don’t actively resist. Mostly, they seem to project a “here we go again” attitude.
Godling: I will bind them all together...
Page 4 panel 2
Longer panel in top tier. Wide shot from above, revealing the entire crowd, bound by loops of the velvet rope. Godling still zips around them, gripping the end of the cord.
Godling: And the battle is ours! Not one blow was struck against us!
Page 4 panel 3
Panels 3 through 8 will be of equal size, forming two equal tiers. Panel 3 is the only one with a different angle, a medium shot of Godling swooping toward us, to the right of Spectaculady, releasing the velvet rope’s free end over her outstretched hand. He is still snarling with intensity. She just looks annoyed. She isn’t sure what’s going on, but she’s unhappy that Godling misled her.
Godling: Now, to the target! Remain here and stand guard over Darkline’s servants!
Page 4 panel 4
The first of 5 panels of equal size, depicting variations on the same shot. Pan left as Spectaculady’s attention is attracted by a male and female partygoer on the edge of the crowd closest to her. They’re both immobilized, bound by magic velvet rope up to their chests. Despite their condition, they remain congenial throughout the exchange; she remains annoyed and distracted. As they speak up, Spectaculady turns, still holding the velvet rope’s free end in one hand.
Male partygoer: Ahem. Excuse me.
Spectaculady: Yes?
Male partygoer: We were wondering...
Page 4 panel 5
Same shot, same size panel in middle tier. At the man’s next remarks, Spectaculady looks off-panel, presumably in Godling’s direction. The male and female partygoers are still pretty calm, and Spectaculady is still pretty annoyed with the situation.
Male partygoer: You realize we’re not servants of Darkline, right?
Spectaculady: The thought had crossed my mind.
Page 4 panel 6
Same shot, equal panel, bottom tier. Spectaculady’s interest is piqued by the man’s next comment, and she turns her head to stare at him.
Male partygoer: And you know Godling wasn’t invited, right?
Spectaculady: Invited?
Page 4 panel 7
Same shot, bottom tier. Spectaculady listens with great interest and growing annoyance as the couple fills in the blanks.
Male partygoer: Invited here. The reunion.
Female partygoer: Highgod’s High Academy of Learning. We all completed our studies in the same cycle.
Page 4 panel 8
Same shot. Angry now, Spectaculady plants her hands on her hips and glares off-panel, looking for her teammate.
Spectaculady: This is a class reunion?
Male partygoer: You could call it that.
Spectaculady: Highgod...High?
Female partygoer: Academy. Highgod’s High Academy.
Page 5 (8 panels)
Page 5 panel 1
Smaller panel than the other two in top tier. Closeup of Godling’s mouth and the rim of his helmet above it. Excited by his impending success, he is whispering to himself, saying something that isn’t meant for anyone else to hear.
Godling (softly): Target acquired...
Page 5 panel 2
Unfortunately, Godling’s “target” has heard him…but he deftly revises his remark for her. A strikingly beautiful Homehaven goddess, Warbride looks over her shoulder as he sidles up behind her. She is clad in ornate armor that highlights her voluptuous and powerful figure; her blonde tresses billow from beneath a sleek helmet that frames her eyes and extends to the tip of her nose. In many ways, she is a female version of Godling. As he planned, she alone of the partygoers remains free of the velvet rope; she holds a drink and stands by a table with refreshments on it.
Warbride: What was that?
Godling: I said “Greetings, Warbride.”
Page 5 panel 3
Medium side shot of Godling and Warbride, face to face. She is pleasantly inquisitive; his expression shifts to passionate intensity as he again rants about Darkline.
Warbride: Hello, Godling. How have you been?
Godling: In never-ending conflict with my father, Darkline. I must triumph over his evil!
Page 5 panel 4
Another medium two-shot of Godling and Warbride, different angle. As she questions him, he whips his head around to glare off-panel, as if searching for a trace of his hidden enemy.
Warbride: So what’s with the assault on our reunion?
Godling: Demondreg strike force led by Devilbug. Darkline will stop at nothing.
Page 5 panel 5
Closeup on Warbride’s face as she buys his story and gets fired up, too. She even brandishes a stylized battle-axe, its double crescent blades gleaming at eye level.
Warbride: How can I help to defeat this menace, Godling? Tell me what to do!
Page 5 panel 6
As she gets worked up, Godling smiles victoriously. In this medium shot, he faces the reader, unaware that Spectaculady has appeared behind him, glaring over his shoulder.
Godling: Well, actually, there is something.
Spectaculady: Like what, Godling?
Page 5 panel 7
Identical shot, same size panel, bottom tier. Now aware of his unwanted company, Godling turns to look at Spectaculady. He is caught off-guard, struggling mightily to choose his next move.
Godling: Uh...
Page 5 panel 8
He chooses to flee, in mock pursuit of Devilbug and the Demondregs. In the foreground of this bigger panel, he erupts forward and upward, propelled by his flying harness. He howls his battle cry as Spectaculady and Warbride are left behind and below. Spectaculady is still cross; Warbride is grim and concerned.
Godling: I must go! The Demondregs are near!
Page 6 (5 panels)
Page 6 panel 1
Medium shot of Spectaculady and Warbride gazing up at the departing Godling, who is now off-panel.
Warbride: Such a warrior! He was always thus...
Page 6 panel 2
Wider panel, beginning a flashback to Godling’s “high school” days. As Warbride reminisces, we see Godling as a teenager, locked in fierce combat with his enemy, the brutish powerhouse Revile. A group of Godling’s classmates, maybe five or six of them, including a young Warbride, stand off to the side, at left, watching the fight. They look expectant and nervous.
Warbride (caption): Time and again, he turned back the threats of Gehenna!
Page 6 panel 3
This panel spans the entire middle tier and continues the flashback. In a big, dynamic shot, young Godling scores a goal in some kind of Homehaven sport. With one hand, he holds back a wall of wincing, struggling opponents, all wearing uniforms of the same color. Godling doesn’t even seem to be breaking a sweat as he extends his free hand to place a disk or game ball inside the goal, which looks flashy and futuristic and lights up as he scores.
Warbride (caption): He was unmatched as an athlete!
Page 6 panel 4
Medium shot, wider of the two bottom tier panels. More flashback, as young Godling and his adoptive dad, Highgod, are showered with the Homehaven equivalent of ticker tape and confetti. Colorful streamers swirl around them as Highgod holds his staff of power overhead and Godling raises a fist in the air. Highgod smiles serenely, but Godling just looks grim. Citizens of Homehaven stand around them, beaming and applauding.
Warbride (caption): Destined to slay Darkline, he was most famous of us all!
Page 6 panel 5
Smaller panel, lower tier. In the foreground, a Homehaven boy and girl walk in a park with their arms around each other and faces close together. They gaze romantically into each other’s eyes and smile beatifically. Young Godling stands behind them, shoulders slumped, head bowed, sadly watching them. The park lane is lined with trees and free-form sculptures.
Warbride (caption): Yet despite all this, he stood always apart.
Page 7 (7 panels)
Page 7 panel 1
The first of four panels of equal size, two per tier. As the flashbacks continue, we see young Godling at a school dance. In the background, other Homehaven youths slow dance in each other’s arms. In the foreground, Godling shakes a fist and shouts at a girl who has just asked him to dance with her. Clad in his helmet and uniform, he seems to be oblivious to the fact that she is wide-eyed and shaken, recoiling from his proclamation. Behind her, a girlfriend scowls and protectively grips her shoulder.
Warbride (caption): He had trouble fitting in...
Godling: Dance? The only dance I crave is a dance of death with deadly Darkline!
Page 7 panel 2
Top tier panel, same size. In another flashback scene, Darkline himself towers at panel left, arms folded, sneering coldly. In a frenzy of rage, young Godling screams his head off at his evil dad, cords popping in his neck, droplets flying from his mouth. In the background, a Homehaven teacher cowers, palms flattened against a giant viewscreen that is the equivalent of a chalkboard. A message is printed across the screen, reading “Welcome Parents.”
Warbride (caption): There was family trouble...
Godling: Darkline! You were not invited to this open house!
Page 7 panel 3
Wide shot, same panel size, middle tier. In front of a vast pile of smoking rubble – all that remains of the school building – young Godling dejectedly sits on a heap of debris. He is hunched over, elbows propped on his knees, face cupped in his hands. Highgod stands nearby, covering his own face with a hand, shaking his head. He can’t even be bothered to hold his staff of power erect; it hangs loosely at his side. A few students and adults mill around the wreckage, gaping in disbelief. The battered halves of a sign poke out of the rubble; one half reads “Highgod’s” and the other reads “High Academy.”
Warbride (caption): And discipline problems.
Godling: But I thought Darkline’s minions were attacking!
Highgod: I don’t know how long to suspend you for destroying the school!
Warbride (caption): When Godling was around, a commotion was never far...
Page 7 panel 4
Same size panel, middle tier. The flashbacks are over. Paralleling the “behind” line, we see Godling from behind, rear end prominent, hurtling toward Spectaculady and Warbride, who dive out of the way to either side. Godling shoots toward them as if some great force sent him careening head over heels...though he set himself in motion to keep pretending that he’s in battle with Devilbug.
Warbride: ...Behind!
Godling: Look out!
Page 7 panel 5
Godling crashes upside-down into a wall. A network of cracks rings his impact site and little chunks of wall material explode outward. He grits his teeth at the sudden collision.
FX: CRUMP as Godling blasts into the wall.
Page 7 panel 6
Medium shot. Still mostly upside-down, Godling works himself out of the Godling-shaped impact crater in the wall and howls with rage. Warbride stands at the ready beside him, angrily scanning off-panel for some sign of the villain. She grips her battle-axe with both hands.
Godling: Damn you, Devilbug!
Warbride: Godling! How can we win this battle?
Page 7 panel 7
Wide shot. Now free of the wall, Godling stands at the center of the panel and snaps out orders. He points an index finger toward panel left, and Warbride springs into action there, leaping in the direction he indicates. She carries her battle-axe and glowers with furious intensity. Godling also points toward panel right, where Spectaculady stands...but she doesn’t jump like Warbride. Spectaculady just stands there coolly, nonplussed. She has removed her velvet rope from the crowd and is winding it back into compact loops. A length of the velvet rope trails down to the floor and off-panel, suggesting that Spectaculady has just now unreeled it from the partygoers.
Godling: Warbride! Circle the enemy’s left flank! Spectaculady! Take the right flank! Show no mercy!
Page 8 (8 panels)
Page 8 panel 1
In the first of four panels in the top tier, a two-shot of Godling and Spectaculady extends from head to knees...but it will zoom closer in successive panels. Godling looks at Spectaculady with mild annoyance as she questions him. She remains cool and collected and continues to reel in the velvet rope.
Spectaculady: Well? Aren’t you going after Devilbug?
Godling: Of course I am!
Page 8 panel 2
Zoom in so the two-shot now extends to waist level. Spectaculady coolly spools her velvet rope. Godling glares off-panel, avoiding her gaze, growing increasingly annoyed.
Spectaculady: So why aren’t you gone yet?
Godling: I’m going! I’m going!
Page 8 panel 3
Zoom in to upper abdomen level. The velvet rope is no longer visible. Growing still more irritated, Godling returns his glare to Spectaculady and snaps out his reply to her questioning.
Spectaculady: Is something wrong?
Godling: Of course not! Nothing’s wrong!
Page 8 panel 4
Zoom in so the shot now includes only the head and shoulders of Godling. Fed up with the interrogation, he throws his head back and hollers, eyes squeezed shut in a furious grimace. (Off-panel, Spectaculady is wrapping her velvet rope around his chest.)
Spectaculady: What’s your problem?
Godling: I said nothing!
Page 8 panel 5
The first of four long, narrow panels extending the width of the page. We see the heads and shoulders of Spectaculady and Godling. She fixes a piercing stare on him, and he looks suddenly bewildered.
Spectaculady: Tell me.
Godling: Uh...
Page 8 panel 6
In another page-wide panel, pan down, framing Spectaculady and Godling from lower shoulders to chest level...revealing several loops of magic velvet rope wound around Godling’s chest. He can’t help but answer her questions, now. The velvet rope compels him to submit.