Shadowmancer Issue #1: Fell on Black Days

PAGE ONE (three panels)

Panel 1. Establishing shot. A city park, modeled after the Riverfront Park on Naito Parkway in Portland, at night from high above. Two figures stand on a broad well maintained path near a bench. They are both illuminated by near-by light fixtures. On the horizon a storm can be seen gathering but the nearer sky remains clear.

1. NARRATION:                   I make bad decisions.

Panel 2. A similar shot to the first but closer so that the details of the men become visible. The first man, MILES, is short-ish but stout with short blond hair and blue eyes as well as the start of a beard growing. He dresses like a 1940s detective, ironically. He’s wearing a suit and vest with suspenders and no tie, and to top it off, a fedora. The second man, DIMITRI, is tall but with an athletic build and with long black hair and emerald eyes. He’s wearing a dark aviator jacket with cargo pants, and he sits on the bench with one knee raised. He also has a fanny pack held on the bench next to him. The title ‘Fell On Black Days’ and the credits and worked in.

2. NARRATION:                   A storm was coming. I grew up loving storms. There was that electric charge in the air you feel on your skin just as the thunder and lightning start, it used to drive me wild as a kid.

3. NARRATION:                   My uncle Vlad never conducted business while a storm was brewing. You’ve never met a gangster as superstitious as uncle Vlad.

4. NARRATION:                   But I love storms so when my pill-head drug dealing buddy asked if I was ready to watch his back while he received ‘goods’ from new suppliers I said-

Panel 3. An inset panel with a close up of DIMITRI’s face. His eyes are closed and he’s lost in thought.

4. NARRATION:                   Sure.

5. NOAH (OFF):                    You the guys?

PAGE TWO (four panels)

Panel 1. Another shot similar to the second panel of the first page but now two more men, JEFF and NOAH, have arrived and are facing down MILES and DIMITRI. JEFF is a man of average height but extremely well built with a stoic look about him. NOAH is above average height and of slight build. JEFF wears military style fatigues and coat while NOAH is in biker leathers. NOAH is also carrying a briefcase.

1. MILES:                               Yeah- uh- I’m Miles this is Dimitri.

2. NOAH:                               I don’t care about your name fuckhead. In fact, I hope for your sakes those are aliases or you’re even dumber than I think you are.

3. NARRATION:                   They’re not. I make bad decisions but this guy is right, Miles is just straight up stupid.

4. MILES:                               Right, sorry.

Panel 2. Another close up of DIMITRI’s face but now his eyes are opened and his expression has turned to disgust.

5. DIMITRI:                           You got the stuff?

Panel 3. Back to a wider shot from above where all four men are visible again. Dimitri is now casually holding up the fanny pack in the air.

6. NOAH:                               Depends. You got the money?

7. DIMITRI:                           Right here.

Panel 4. A shot from the perspective of the ground under the bench where DIMITRI is sitting; looking up at NOAH and JEFF. NOAH is patting the briefcase he holds and looking smug while JEFF has a sour expression on right behind him.

8. NOAH:                               Then absolutely we have the stuff.

PAGE THREE (four panels)

Panel 1. A shot from behind NOAH and JEFF as they face the other two. MILES is still in the same position he’s been in but DIMITRI is in the process of hopping off the bench

1. DIMITRI:                           You brought it in a briefcase? You know this isn’t a video game right?

Panel 2. An overhead shot of a park picnic table a small distance away from the path. DIMITRI, MILES, NOAH and JEFF are all walking up to it. NOAH and JEFF are preparing to sit on one side and the other two prepare to sit on the other side.

2. NOAH:                               Let’s set up here.

3. MILES:                               Sounds good.

4. NOAH:                               Then we’ll do a little you show me yours I show you mine.

Panel 3. A view from the head of the table. Now all four men are seated. DIMITRI has opened the fanny pack revealing cash inside which he holds forward for the other men to see. The briefcase has been laid on the table. MILES and NOAH both look excited, JEFF remains unimpressed and DIMITRI still seems disgusted by his own presence at the meeting.

5. DIMITRI:                           Big enough for you?

Panel 4. A close up shot of NOAH opening the briefcase which is filled with pills in several plastic wrapped packages. He has a wide shit eating grin on his face.

6. NOAH:                               Very nice. And here’s what you’re buying.

PAGE FOUR (five panels)

Panel 1. A far shot of DIMITRI lying on a grass lawn under a large tree on a bright, colorful and sunny day. Numerous indistinct people are all walking around going about their own business. There are buildings in the background which show this is a university campus. The scene takes place at Portland State University.

1. NARRATION:                   Three days earlier.

Panel 2. A close up of DIMITRI’s face, he seems to be in resting comfortably with his eyes closed.

2. NIKKI (OFF):                    Dimitri?

Panel 3. The same shot as panel 2 but now a shadow is cast over DIMITRI’s face and his eyes are still closed but now his expression shows that he’s been disturbed.

3. NIKKI (OFF):                    I know you’re awake.

Panel 4. The same shot again but now DIMITRI is being hit upside the head with a bag.

4. NIKKI (OFF):                     Get up!

5. NARRATION:                   Meet Nikki Barnes…

Panel 5. A wider shot of the lawn. DIMITRI has propped himself up and is rubbing his head where he was hit. A beautiful dark haired woman dressed in in a bizarre and fashionably unfashionable mixture of leather, flannel and denim, NIKKI, stands over him holding the book bag used to hit him and showing indignation.

6. NARRATION:                   One of the only two gooddecisions I ever made.

PAGE FIVE (five panels)

Panel 1. A close up of NIKKI’s face, she’s wearing heavy make-up and eyeshadow, but her eyes still show a clear ocean blue. She’s feigning frustration.

1. NIKKI:                               I don’t know why I put up with your lazy ass.

Panel 2. A mirrored close up of DIMITRI’s face. He’s wearing a smirk.

2. DIMITRI:                           Cause I’m a Goddamnsexual tyrannosaur.

Panel 3. A wide shot of NIKKI and DIMITRI looking at one another with a great deal of distance between them. Both of them have blank expressions on their face. A wind seems to be blowing through the tree above them.

3. DIMITRI:                           ….

4. NIKKI:                               ….

Panel 4. Another close up of NIKKI’s face but now she’s smirking.

5. NIKKI:                               I think we both know that’s not the case.

Panel 5. Another shot of NIKKI and DIMITRI under the tree this time from above. Dimitri is rising to his feet with a hand from NIKKI.

6. DIMITRI:                           Damn. Ruthless.

7. NIKKI:                               Don’t fuck with me Dimitri Sokolov. I will end you.

PAGE SIX (five panels)

Panel 1. A top down view of NIKKI and DIMITRI who are now walking together on the sidewalk through campus.

1. NIKKI:                               Miles wants to talk to you.

2. DIMITRI:                           And why should I care?

Panel 2. The duo continues walking through campus.

3. NIKKI:                               I don’t know. He just asked me to tell you to call him.

4. DIMITRI:                           And this is why you came to wake me up?

Panel 3. A view of NIKKI she’s smiling beatifically towards DIMITRI who is just cut off by the end of the panel.

5. NIKKI:                               No, I just noticed it had been a while since you properly paid tribute to me for being willing to be seen with you.

Panel 4. The pair are still walking down the street but DIMITRI is angling his body to step around a student carrying books who moves between the couple.

6. DIMITRI:                           Ah, and just what kind of tribute were you hoping for?

7. NIKKI:                               I’m sure you’ll think of something.               

Panel 5. A close shot of the two of them. DIMITRI embraces NIKKI and they kiss.

8. DIMITRI:                           How’s this?

PAGE SEVEN (six panels)

Panel 1. A close shot of NIKKI walking away smiling. DIMITRI is left behind in the background scratching his head.

1. NIKKI:                               I would have preferred jewelry.

2. DIMITRI:                           Utterly ruthless.

Panel 2. NIKKI and DIMITRI resume their walk through campus. DIMITRI is slightly behind and jogging to catch up.

3. DIMITRI:                           I’m going to develop self-esteem issues.

Panel 3. NIKKI throws her arms around DIMITRI and they embrace once again.

4. NIKKI:                               Oh my poor little pumpkin. Am I being too mean to you?

Panel 4. NIKKI and DIMITRI continue walking now with NIKKI hanging off DIMITRI’s arm. He keeps his hands casually in his pockets like a man trying to look cool.

5. DIMITRI:                           I’m a man.

6. NIKKI:                               I know you are.

7. DIMITRI:                           A real man.

8. NIKKI:                               Of course.

9. DIMITRI:                           But you know I have a sensitive side too. I’m in touch with my feelings.

10. NIKKI:                             Some would say it’s your most attractive feature.

Panel 5. A close up of Nikki’s smiling face.

11. NIKKI:                             Not me mind you, I prefer men who aren’t crybabies.

12. DIMITRI (OFF):              Ruthless…

Panel 6. A close shot of the pair at about waist height from DIMITRI’s side, his head is cut off by the top of the panel.

13. NIKKI:                             By the way, why does Miles want you to call him?

14. DIMITRI (OFF):              I’m not sure but-

PAGE EIGHT (six panels)

Panel 1. DIMITRI, MILES, NOAH and JEFF are all visible still sitting at their picnic table but their image is a distorted reflection in the lens of a set of binoculars.

1. NARRATION:                   …He probably wants to involve me in another damn fool scheme of his.

2. MAX (OFF):                       How do these guesses you make about where and when these deals will go down always end up right? Do you have an informant you haven’t told me about?

3. JAMES (OFF):                   I had a hunch.

4. JAMES (OFF):                   I looked out the window, saw the storm brewing and I just figured something with those mystery dealers we’ve been tracking had to be going down. Call it cop’s instinct.

5. MAX (OFF):                       What fucking storm?

Panel 2. A view from the dashboard of a car, a police cruiser is visible through the rear window. There are two clean cut men in cheap suits; one white, MAX, and one African-American, JAMES. They are sitting in the front two seats of the car. JAMES is younger and in better shape, MAX is overweight but not fat. JAMES is holding the binoculars which were watching the drug deal. MAX is in the process of wolfing down a hamburger.

6. JAMES:                              They’re making the hand-off.

Panel 3. A close up of MAX’s jacket where he’s spilled ketchup.

7. MAX (OFF):                       Jesus Christ, always when I’m eating.

Panel 4. A shot of JAMES as he puts down his binoculars from the perspective of the spilled ketchup on the jacket.

8. JAMES:                              You’re always eating Max.

9. MAX (OFF):                       Hey, I’m on a diet.

Panel 5. A shot of JAMES’ foot kicking a fast food bag.

10. JAMES (OFF):                 Good job.

Panel 6. A close shot of MAX stuffing the rest of his hamburger into his mouth with one hand and pulling out a gun with the other.

11. MAX:                                Alright, hit the lights.

PAGE NINE (four panels)

Panel 1. A shot looking down the park picnic table with DIMITRI and MILES on one side and JEFF and NOAH on the other. NOAH and MILES are smiling but DIMITRI and JEFF seem to be regarding one another.

1. MILES:                               It’s been a pleasure working with you gentlemen.

2. NOAH:                               Of course, try not to take all of those yourselves; leave a little to sell right?

3. NARRATION:                   Deals done, money handed off, oxy received. All that’s left…

Panel 2. A shot of NOAH’s face turned suddenly grim.

4. NARRATION:                   …is the crying.

5. NOAH:                               The fuck are those lights?

Panel 3. A shot from behind. JAMES and MAX as well as a small number of uniformed police officers approach the picnic table where the other four are sitting however they are still at quite a distance.

6. JAMES:                              Freeze! Police!

7. MAX:                                  Put your hands up shitbirds!

Panel 4. A shot of JEFF and MILES from the middle of the table. JEFF has pulled out a large revolver and is pointing it a MILES’ head. JEFF is maintaining his look of grim determination but MILES is staring at the barrel of the gun terrified.

8. JEFF:                                   You set us up!

9. MILES:                               No! We-

10. NARRATION:                 Miles never did have much in his head.

PAGE TEN (seven panels)

Panel 1. A shot from behind MILES and visible in front of him is JEFF. Off to the side of the frame is DIMITRI’s silhouette.  MILES is falling backwards as a blast from JEFF’s gun strikes him in the forehead, blowing blood and gore out the back of back of his head.

1. NARRATION:                   But I had a front row seat to see what little there was.

2. FX:                                      BANG!

Panel 2. A close up of JEFF’s face as he’s growling in anger.

3. JEFF:                                   And now you, kid.

Panel 3. A shot of DIMITRI and JEFF. DIMITRI has tossed the briefcase of pills at JEFF and it’s striking him in the head. Thrown off course JEFF’s gun discharges into the ground at DIMITRI’s feet. MILES’ body can be seen on the ground in a pool of blood from the gunshot wound in his forehead, a look of fear can still be seen on his face.

4. JEFF:                                   Oomph!

5. FX:                                      BANG!

Panel 4. Another shot of DIMITRI and JEFF, this time from behind JEFF. DIMITRI is running off further into the park. Meanwhile JEFF is lining up a shot on him with his revolver.

6. JEFF:                                               I hate it when they run.

7. NARRATION:                               Looking back I’m not sure where I intended to go, but at the time I felt that anywhere would be better than where I was.

Panel 4. Another shot from behind MAX and JAMES as they take cover behind some trees now much closer to the deal. They have opened fire on the group at the picnic table. DIMITRI has sprinted well away from the table and the police further into the park.  JEFF is still standing in the same spot and seems to be about to fire on DIMITRI again but he is hit by a shot from JAMES in the hand, making him drop his gun. NOAH has pulled out a mac-10 and has opened fire on the cops.

8. JEFF:                                   Son of a bitch!

9. NOAH:                               Fuck you, pig cocksuckers!

Panel 5. A close-up of JEFF. He has slumped down into a sitting position holding his hand which is spurting blood and he is grimacing in pain.

10. NOAH (OFF):                  Jeff, you okay? Not sure how we’re going to get out of-

11. FX (OFF):                         BANG!

Panel 6. The same shot as before but pulled slightly farther out to show NOAH lying on the ground with a bullet wound in the side of his head and staring vacantly up at the sky. JEFF has returned to his characteristic expression of resolve.

12. JEFF:                                 Goddamnit.

PAGE ELEVEN (six panels)

Panel 1. Another shot from behind MAX and JAMES as they approach the table with their guns pointed at JEFF who is still ducked down beneath the picnic table and can barely be seen. Both MILES and NOAH’s bodies are visible and now their pools of blood have joined together.

1. JEFF (OFF):                        Relax officers.

Panel 2. A shot of JEFF with his hands raised, one of them still bleeding. He’s sitting in the large pool of blood that’s formed. He has a grim smile on his face.

2. JEFF:                                   You got me.

Panel 3. A similar shot to the first panel but closer with JEFF now clearly visible. MAX is behind JEFF and pulling out his handcuffs.

3. MAX:                                  Check the other guy.

Panel 4. A wider shot that shows JAMES kneeling next to NOAH’s body. MAX is still behind JEFF and now he is handcuffing him.

4. JAMES:                              He’s dead, from the looks of things so’s the guy they shot.

5. MAX:                                  Damn, that’s going to be another load of paper work. It’s a shame he’s not black those go through admin immediately.

Panel 5. The same view as before but now JAMES is shooting MAX a withering glare as MAX shrugs.

6. MAX:                                  What?

Panel 6. A close up as JAMES’ face with a look of determination.

7. JAMES:                              Uniforms can handle this guy; we better get after the last perp.

PAGE TWELVE (six panels)

Panel 1. A long establishing shot from above a busy sidewalk in downtown Portland. Indistinct in the center of the crowd DIMITRI and MILES walk next to each other. The sun is shining brightly overhead.

1. NARATION:                      Two days earlier.

2. MILES:                               It’s a guaranteed thing. I’ll sell it; all I need from you is the other half of the cash. You get half the profits without doing nothing.

Panel 2. A closer version of the previous panel which the identity of the two becomes visible.

3. DIMITRI:                           You’re gonna get yourself killed. Stick to selling weed.

4. MILES:                               Can’t make a living that way now that they legalized it.

Panel 3. A shot from behind of DIMITRI and MILES still walking down the sidewalk.

6. DIMITRI:                           Sorry the end of prohibition was so inconvenient for you.

7. MILES:                               What can I say? The war on drugs was good for business.

Panel 4. A shot from in front of DIMITRI and MILES as they continue walking.

8. DIMITRI:                           Apply to a dispensary.

9. MILES:                               They don’t usually hire ex-cons. Besides I like being my own man and setting my own hours. Come on dude help me out here.

Panel 5. A shot from across the street. DIMITRI and MILES have stopped in front of a store front for a combination video arcade and pub.

10. DIMITRI:                         I’m sorry brother I can’t help you.

Panel 6. DIMITRI has opened the door to the establishment and is stepping inside while MILES remains outside. DIMITRI is looking back at Miles as he speaks to him.

11. MILES:                             I’m sorry to hear that. If you change your mind-

12. DIMITRI:                         I got your number. Come inside for a beer?

13. MILES:                             Nah man, I gotta bounce. See you around.

PAGE THIRTEEN (four panels)

Panel 1. DIMITRI enters the bar which is a hipster nerd affair with comic book and sci-fi memorabilia as decorations. Inside NIKKI runs up and kisses him, she’s now dressed as a waitress.

1. NIKKI:                               Hey baby, how you doing?

2. DIMITRI:                           Better now, how’s work?

Panel 2. DIMITRI and NIKKI walk through together looking for a seat. The place seems mostly empty.

3. NIKKI:                               Same as always.

4. NIKKI:                               Shitty tips.

5. DIMITRI:                           Sorry to hear that.

Panel 3. DIMITRI has sat down at an empty table and NIKKI is getting him a beer.

6. NIKKI:                               I saw Miles outside, he coming in?

Panel 4. A close up of Dimitri’s face, he seems withdrawn and largely emotionless, perhaps bored.

7. DIMITRI:                           No.

PAGE FOURTEEN (four panels)

Panel 1. DIMITRI is running through the park. Numerous bullets impact around him fired from off screen but they all miss him.

1. NARRATION:                   Good cardio.

Panel 2. A view from below as DIMITRI vaults over a wrought iron barred fence separating the park from the street.

2. NARRATION:                   In case you were wondering back when I said I only ever made two gooddecisions; that was the other one, working on my cardio.

Panel 3. DIMITRI crosses the street. He’s illuminated by the headlights of an off-screen car he’s run in front of. The car is just behind the reader.

3. NARRATION:                   I do amateur MMA and my uncle, uncle Vlad the one I told you about already, was a boxer who trained me all the time I was growing up back home.

4. NARRATION:                   It’s really something to see how good cardio training can make the difference in a fight. Just stay out of the way for the first few minutes and then let ‘em have it.

5. FX (OFF):                           HONK HONK

Panel 4. DIMITRI stops for a moment at the entrance to an alley, resting with his hand on one of the walls propping himself up. The view is from further in the alley and he seems to be evaluating something behind the reader.

6. NARRATION:                   Helps when you’re trying to duck the cops too.

7. DIMITRI:                           Oh-

PAGE FIFTEEN (four panels)

Panel 1. A shot from behind of DIMITRI looking forward to see the building at the end of the alley seems to be surrounded by a dark storm of evil energy. It is the storm that was visible on the horizon previously. It’s spread out but this point is clearly its locus.

1. DIMITRI:                           That can’t be good.

Panel 2. A close shot of DIMITRI’s face as he flinches. Part of the masonry of the wall is knocked loose by a pair of gunshots.

2. FX (OFF):                           BANG! BANG!

3. NARRATION:                   I should have just stopped there and turned myself in, but hindsight is always 20/20.

Panel 3. A shot of JAMES and MAX running across the street viewed roughly from DIMITRI’s former position. They have their weapons drawn.

4. JAMES:                              Jesus Max! He doesn’t even have a weapon out, stop shooting before you get us both fired!

5. JAMES:                              Oh shit!

Panel 4. A shot from behind, now MAX and JAMES are at the mouth of the alley way and the dark storm is once again visible over the building at the end of it. MAX is charging forward but JAMES has stopped to gaze at the storm. In the distance DIMITRI is smashing down the door into the storm building.

6. JAMES:                              Do you see that?

7. MAX:                                  What? Our perp fleeing into the building? Yeah! Get your ass moving!

PAGE SIXTEEN (four panels)

Panel 1. At night DIMITRI stands in front of the door to an apartment building and is in the process of using a key to enter.

1. NARRATION:                   One day earlier.

Panel 2. The interior of the apartment building is run-down and cheap looking with peeling paint and yellowed light fixtures. DIMITRI climbs a set of bare wooden stairs to his floor the building.

2. NARRATION:                   I don’t like remembering this part.

Panel 3. DIMITRI stands in front of an apartment door, number 13, which he is in the process of opening. Towards the edges of the panel shadows seem to be surrounding him.

3. NARRATION:                   It still hurts to think about.

4. DIMITRI:                           Nikki? You home yet?

Panel 4. A shot of the empty apartment hallway with the door DIMITRI entered still ajar. The shadows have loomed closer towards the center of the panel.

5. DIMITRI (OFF):                Nikki?

6. NARRATION:                   I’m not the only one who can make bad decisions.

PAGE SEVENTEEN (five panels)

Panel 1. A large panel from just behind DIMITRI as he enters the living room and finds NIKKI unconscious on the couch with a needle in her arm and her heroin kit on the ground around her.

1. DIMITRI:                           Jesus.

Panel 2. A far shot from behind of DIMITRI sitting in front of NIKKI, blocking her from mostly from view. The shadows are back around the edges of the panel.

2. DIMITRI:                           Nikki? Talk to me.

Panel 3. The same shot as panel 2. The shadows get closer.

3. DIMITRI:                           Wake up baby.

Panel 4. The same shot as panel 2. The shadows get closer.

4. DIMITRI:                           Please Nikki-

Panel 5. The same shot as panel 2. Now the shadows cover nearly all the panel leaving on the area immediately around the two characters center of mass.

5. DIMITRI:                           Don’t die.

6. NIKKI:                               …Dimitri?

PAGE EIGHTEEN (six panels)

Panel 1. A shot from inside the abandoned building. DIMITRI has just kicked down the door. Behind him down the alley MAX and JAMES are just barely visible pursuing him.

1. NARRATION:                   I don’t want to remember how I ended up here.

2. MAX:                                  We’re the police! Fucking stop right there!

Panel 2. A shot of DIMITRI and NIKKI sitting together on the couch from a position next to DIMITRI. The two timelines of the story are now being told in parallel so the panels must be sequenced so that each pair is directly next to one another.

3. DIMITRI:                           Jesus Nikki, you nearly killed yourself. Next time you’re not going to be this lucky. What the fuck are you doing shooting up with this shit!

Panel 3. In the present the building is a disused and crumbling warehouse filled with decrepit and rotten looking wooden boxes. DIMITRI is in the process of climbing them. The shadows seem to crowd around on the edges of the panel and there is an upper level where a dark silhouette is visible.

4. NARRATION:                   Why do I keep remembering?

Panel 4. A shot of DIMITRI and NIKKI sitting together on the couch from a position sitting next to NIKKI.

5. NIKKI:                               The doctor said I wasn’t really in pain. Said I was just hooked on the pills and that he wouldn’t support my habit anymore. But I need it. Don’t you understand Dimitri? I need it.

Panel 5. In the present DIMITRI has reached the upper platform and is following after the silhouette, visible again down a long hallway that stretches off further into the building.

6. DIMITRI:                           I know you’re in here.

7. NARRATION:                   Why can’t I stop remembering?

Panel 6. A close up of DIMITRI talking on the phone in his and NIKKI’s apartment.

8. DIMITRI:                           Yeah Miles, I thought about what you said before. I’ll do it, but I’ll need access to the product.

PAGE NINETEEN (five panels)

Panel 1. A view from a ceiling corner. DIMITRI enters a large room which seems to be used as a ritual chamber. Various occult items litter the floors and walls and in the center of the room is a circle of candles with numerous occult marking etched around it. In the center of the room is an elderly man dressed in dark robes like an ancient high priest, he’s the SHADOWMANCER. Wisps of shadows seem to be animated and dancing around him and he wears a cruel smile on his face. In his hands the SHADOWMANCER toys with an evil looking ritual blade that seems to be made of obsidian, but elegantly carved.

1. SHADOWMANCER:        Ah, Mr. Sokolov, I’m so pleased you’ve managed to find you way here.

2. DIMITRI:                           Who the fuck are you?

3. SHADOWMANCER:        Who Iam is unimportant. The question I find so much more interesting is who youare,Mr. Sokolov.

Panel 2. A shot from behind the SHADOWMANCER. The various strands of shadows continue to dance around him and also seem to be considering DIMITRI curiously. Thin wisps of a black almost smoky substance emerge from the shadows. DIMITRI eyes the sorcerer wearily and seems prepared to challenge him.

4. DIMITRI:                           How do you know who I am?

5. SHADOWMANCER:        I don’t know who you are Mr. Sokolov, that’s precisely why I find you so fascinating.

6. SHADOEMANCER:         If you’re referring to my knowledge of your name however, it is simply one of the answers I have plucked from your mind.

Panel 3. DIMITRI has moved forwards and now he and the SHADOWMANCER square off against each other. The dark forms have formed a ring around the two of them.

7. DIMITRI:                           You’re the one responsible for the storm outside, aren’t you?

8. SHADOWMANCER:        You mean the dark energy I presume? Ah yes, your supposition is most astute; I am responsible for the ‘storm’. It is an unfortunate side effect for a ritual of the gravitas which I require.

9. SHADOWMANCER:        I was prepared for the possibility that it would act as a magnet for those capable of sensing it. Unfortunately, I had little choice.

Panel 4. A close up of DIMITRI looking confused.

10. DIMITRI:                         Those able… Not everyone can see the storm?

11. SHADOWMANCER (OFF):       Very quick Mr. Sokolov.

12. DIMITRI:                         Then why can I see it?

Panel 5. A small panel inset in the in the previous panel with a close shot of the SHADOWMANCER’s face his eyes are closed and he seems to be considering something.

Panel 5. The same as panel 5 but now his eyes are open.

13. SHADOWMANCER:      I don’t know.

PAGE TWENTY (six panels)

Panel 1. A return to DIMITRI and the SHADOWMANCER squaring off against one another.

1. DIMITRI:                           Rather anticlimactic that.

2. SHADOWMANCER:        This is precisely why I find you so fascinating. Another magus might be capable of detecting the resonance caused by my ritual but you have no such magical knowledge.

3. SHADOWMANCER:        A number of different creatures could sense the spell I work, but I can tell standing in your presence that you are quite human.

4. SHADOWMANCER:        A man with latent psychic abilities could find me- in fact…

Panel 2. Another smaller panel in set in the previous image. It’s showing a shot from outside of the ritual chamber where MAX and JAMES approaching the ritual room which has a slightly ajar door emanating light.

5. SHADOWMANCER (OFF):         I believe just such a person has just found us.

Panel 3. A shot from the entrance to the room. MAX and JAMES have entered the ritual chamber with their weapons drawn. DIMITRI holds up his hands but the SHADOWMANCER shrinks up against the back wall. The wisps of darkness have all retreated to surround the SHADOWMANCER. MAX seems solely focused on DIMITRI however JAMES is surveying the whole room.

6. DIMITRI:                           Keeps getting better.

7. JAMES:                              Neither of you move.

8. MAX:                                  Thank God. Now do me a favor and stop making me run.

9. SHADOWMANCER:        Ah, Sargent James Stallworth, I’ve been waiting for you as well. Now allow me to rid myself of your troublesome partner.

Panel 4. MAX is approaching DIMITRI while pulling out his handcuffs. Directly behind him a tendril of shadow is following him.

10. MAX:                                Now you have the right to remain silent-

11. JAMES (OFF):                 Max! Watch the other guy!

12. MAX:                                What other guy-

Panel 5. A close shot of MAX as he is attacked by a noose made of darkness which descends from the ceiling and begins to strangle him. He grabs at his neck in an attempt to free himself.

13. MAX:                                Hurk!

Panel 6. The SHADOWMANCER strides into the center of the room and DIMITRI has backed off towards the wall. JAMES is holding his ground with a look of fear and defiance on his face. He aims his weapon at the SHADOWMANCER who maintains his smug confidence.

14. JAMES:                            What the fuck did you just do!? Put him down! Now!

15. SHADOWMANCER:      Detective please. You are clearly dealing with powers beyond your rather limited comprehension. Put down the gun and we can-

PAGE TWENTY-ONE (five panels)

Panel 1. JAMES opens fire on the SHADOWMANCER who is thrown back by several bullet strikes with a look of pain on his face. As he stumbles backwards the wizard loses his grasp on the blade which falls to the ground.

1. JAMES:                              Fuck you.

Panel 2. A shot of JAMES’ face, he looks shocked and frightened.

2. FX:                                      Click. Click.

3. SHADOWMANCER (OFF):         Now detective…

Panel 3. A shot of the SHADOWMANCER’s smiling face.

4. SHADOWMANCER:        That was wholly unnecessary.

Panel 4. A close-up of the SHADOWMANCER’s torso, his clothes are riddled with bullet holes but he has no wounds.

5. SHADOWMANCER (OFF):         And you’ve ruined a perfectly fine robe. You wouldn’t believe what they say to me when I take these clothes to the tailor.

Panel 5. A wide shot of the entire ritual chamber. The SHADOWMANCER is in the center of the room with the wisps of darkness dancing around him. He is facing JAMES who has backed towards the exit to the room. Beside JAMES is the still hanging body of MAX. DIMITRI has slunk off to the side of the proceedings.

6. JAMES:                              What the fuck are you?

7. SHADOWMANCER:        I was just asking our friend Mr. Sokolov the very same question, though perhaps not phrased quite as eloquently.

PAGE TWENTY-TWO (five panels)

Panel 1. A shot of DIMITRI surreptitiously bending down and picking up the blade the SHADOWMANCER dropped when he was shot. In the background the SHADOWMANCER and JAMES can still be seen conversing.

1. SHADOWMANCER:        To answer your question I am a shadowmancer. A sorcerer capable of manipulating the very essenceof darkness, as I demonstrated with your late partner; as well as all things hidden, as evidenced by my knowledge of your thoughts.

Panel 2. A close shot of only the SHADOWMANCER he is gesturing almost as though he was giving a sermon.

2. SHADOWMANCER:        As you may have supposed by now, I am not a being accustomed to being faced with an unknown factor, which returns me to my original question. What are you Dimitri Sokolov?

Panel 3. A shot from the POV of the SHADOWMANCER, he is pointing at DIMITRI who stands in the center of the panel. The knife is behind DIMITRI and out of sight. Only the SHADOWMANCER’s arm is visible.

3. DIMITRI:                           I not anybody. In fact, I was just thinking that I ought to get out of here before I strain your hospitality.

Panel 4. Another image of the entire ritual chamber, from behind DIMITRI in such a way that the audience can see the knife. DIMITRI has strafed around behind the SHADOWMANCER who is approaching JAMES. JAMES has backed up against the exit but it is closed. He is fumbling behind him for the door knob but not turning away from the SHADOWMANCER who he regards with terror.

4. SHADOWMANCER:        Nonsense Mr. Sokolov, you are no strain to me at all. Too many minds cloud my view. I will remove our last unfortunate guest and then you and I will have a very long examination of all your innerworkings.

5. SHADOWMANCER:        Detective, please remain very still and this won’t hurt a bit.

6. JAMES:                              Stay back.

7. SHADOWMANCER:        Now where did I put that damn blade?

Panel 5. A close shot of the SHADOWMANCER, over his shoulder DIMITRI is visible holding jamming the knife into his back. Tendrils of shadow wrap around and engulf him.

8. DIMITRI:                           Here.

9. SHADOWMANCER:        AAAAAUGH!

10. NARRATION:                 A wiser man might not have used a ritualistic implement he had no understanding of, to try and kill a creature with powers he couldn’t possibly comprehend.

11. NARRATION:                 As I felt the icy grip of those shadows take hold something occurred to me.

12. NARRATION                  But maybe you remember what I told you about myself when I first began this story…

PAGE TWENTY-THREE (one panel)

Panel 1. A full page spread of DIMITRI standing over the dead and bleeding form of the previous SHADOWMANCER. DIMITRI is still holding the darkblade, but now he is cloaked in shadow armor just like the previous SHADOWMANCER, his face is hidden behind the shadows. JAMES is lying on the ground leaning against the wall next to MAX whose body has collapsed to the floor. JAMES looks on in fear at DIMITRI.

1. NARRATION:                   …I make bad decisions.

1. NARRATION:                   …I make bad decisions.