BACKSTORY PAGE
Previously On. Runs along the left side of the page interspersed with downsized panels from the previous issue where/if space permits.
Dimitri Sokolov makes bad decisions. Fleeing from the police, he encountered the Shadowmancer, a sorcerer capable of manipulating the essence of darkness and drawing knowledge from the shadows. In a fit of desperation, Dimitri grabbed a mysterious ritual knife and buried it into the old warlock’s heart. The blow let off an explosion of magical energy and left Dimitri bearing the mantle of the Shadowmancer.
Since gaining his powers, Dimitri has been hunted by skinheads and members of a neo-Nazi militia group. It began as a feud over a drug deal gone bad, but as the bodies have continued to pile up, the battle has become personal on both sides.
After their attempt to seize control of the organized crime in Portland was thwarted by Dimitri, the militia retreated back to their compound in the eastern end of the state. However, they little suspect that their foe is not content to wait for them to attack him again….
Character Bios. Runs along the right side of the page and each section is matched with a close up of the character’s face.
1. DIMITRI SOKOLOV: Dimitri has worn many hats amateur martial artist, gangster, graduate student, and sorcerer. He’s the child of a family of Russian immigrants originally from the east coast. After his mother died in childbirth, his father let Dimitri be raised by his Uncle Vlad, who installed the boy with a strong Mafiosi sense of honor.
2. ANONYMOUS: Since becoming the next Shadowmancer, Dimitri has been haunted by a mysterious voice which taunts him and offers him cryptic advice. What this creature is and what it truly wants are currently unknown.
3. DAVID HUGHES: David is a graphic artist who lives next door to Dimitri and Nikki. They were only generally acquainted until recently, when Dimitri confided in him that he had begun to hear voices. He has a soft-heart for charity cases.
4. JAMES STALLWORTH: James is a detective in the Portland Police Bureau. A lifelong resident of the city, he joined the force out of a genuine (some might say naive) desire to protect his community. He frequently has hunches which help him close cases, the result of latent psychic abilities.
5. MR. FOX & MS. KIDD: This odd duo are government agents. Their pasts are clouded in a bureaucratic nightmare and inquiries are blocked by red tape at every turn. What is clear is that they have authority delegated by the highest level of the federal government.
6. JUSTIN AVERY: Justin is a reporter for the Oregonian. He keeps an open mind and pursues his story no matter where it leads him, and never lets his assumptions get in the way of the truth. He has recently begun a romantic relationship with David.
7. THE BROTHER: The Brother is the captain of a company sized paramilitary organization. He’s come to Portland seeking revenge on Dimitri for murdering his sibling. As a commander he is both ruthless and cunning, and more than willing to accept extraordinary casualties as long as the mission is accomplished.
8. JARED JONES: Jared came from a strict military family and was sent to West Point as a matter of course. However, in his senior year he was expelled for cheating and instead joined a far-right paramilitary organization. The Brother has come to rely on his second-in-command to carry out his increasingly erratic orders.
PAGE ONE (five panels)
Panel 1. A shot from way up in the sky downwards through some sparse clouds to the high desert in the middle of the day.
1. NARRATION: I see a red door and I want it painted black.
Panel 2. Another shot from above but closer to earth. It’s still the high desert but now a few birds can be seen flying and a solitary road can be seen running through.
Panel 3. A shot of the road as a white first-generation Dodge Challenger races by. It’s extremely dusty and banged up. The extra space inside is packed up with boxes and things.
Panel 4. A close up shot of a crow in a gold-colored bird cage.
2. MUNINN: Caw.
3. DIMITRI (OFF): Yeah, I know sweetheart. We’ll be there soon.
Panel 5. A slightly wider shot. HUGINN and MUNINN sit in a large bird cage and look out of the window at the desert landscape and the birds flying overhead.
4. NARRATION: No colors anymore I want them to turn black.
PAGE TWO (two panels)
Panel 1. A pretty young woman, MEGAN, is working at her convenience store/post office and listening the radio. She is speaking with JARED who there with some other members of the militia. A sign on the counter advertises a room for rent.
1. JARED: I wish you’d reconsider staying here.
2. MEGAN: I stayed at the compound for a month hiding from your monster man who never showed up.
3. JARED: You don’t understand, this guy is dangerous.
Panel 2. A wide shot of a cross roads in the middle of the desert. A tiny little town with the store is built around it. Most of the buildings are dull but across from the store is an antique/gun shop named ‘Lightbringer Guns & Ammo’. A car raises a trail of dust in the distance. The title and credits appear here.
4. MEGAN: I hope you realize the irony in you complaining about someone protesting at being kept under quarantine.
PAGE THREE (six panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI has driven up to the store where he stops and hops out of the car.
Panel 2. From inside the store MEGAN watches DIMITRI approach. The milia also watch him wearily.
1. MEGAN: Relax Jared, he doesn’t look like a demon monster to me.
Panel 3. DIMITRI enters the store and has a brief stare down with the militia.
Panel 4. DIMITRI dismisses the men and walks past them.
Panel 5. MEGAN tries to restrain her laughter while she and JARED watch DIMITRI. He is picking out snacks off the shelves.
2. MEGAN: Well, we’re not all dead so I guess he’s not the one.
3. JARED: You don’t think it’s weird that some stranger just shows up here out of the blue?
4. MEGAN: Uh, he’s doing something called ‘buying things’. People do that in stores so they don’t go out of business. You should try it sometime.
5. JARED: We are on high alert-
PAGE FOUR (five panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI approaches them and MEGAN dismisses JARED to talk to him.
1. MEGAN: So, go back to the compound and be on high alert.
2. MEGAN: Hi, there. My name’s Megan, how can I help you?
Panel 2. DIMITRI indicated a guitar resting next to the radio while he places his snacks on the counter. MEGAN totally ignores JARED and the others who are looking irate.
3. DIMITRI: Is that for sale?
4. MEGAN: You know how to play?
Panel 3. DIMITRI picks up the guitar.
5. DIMITRI: I know every single released by Oasis.
Panel 4. MEGAN and DIMITRI are both standing off in the corner chatting merrily. JARED and his men walk away disgusted.
6. MEGAN: Oasis? Ew.
7. DIMITRI: No good?
8. MEGAN: I prefer something more classic, Led Zeppelin, Grateful Dead…
Panel 5. A wide shot of the outside of the store, DIMITRI’s voice comes from inside. The militia walk down the street towards a bar.
9. DIMITRI (OFF): I think maybe I can come up with something.
10. JARED: Let’s get some fucking beers and then head back.
PAGE FIVE (five panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI plays while MEGAN closes her eyes and listens carefully.
1. DIMITRI: See if you recognize this one.
Panel 2. DIMITRI continues to play while MEGAN begins to sing.
2. MEGAN: War, children. It’s just a shot away. It’s just a shot away. War, children. It’s just a shot away. It’s just a shot away.
Panel 3. JARED is brooding at the bar while the rest of the militia are drinking and enjoying themselves.
3. MEGAN (CAPTION): Rape, murder. It’s just a shot away. It’s just a shot away. Rape, murder. It’s just a shot away. It’s just a shot away.
Panel 4. Across the street an emaciated old man, LUCIFER, watches the store from his own gun-shop across the road.
4. NARRATION: Love, sister. It’s just a kiss away. It’s just a kiss away.
Panel 5. DIMITRI puts down the guitar and both are becoming flirty with each other.
5. DIMITRI: And then it just goes on like that. And on. And on, like every song from the era.
PAGE SIX (five panels)
Panel 1. DIMTIRI and MEGAN return to the counter.
1. MEGAN: What’s your name stranger, and what brings you way out this way?
2. DIMITRI: Name’s Barry. I thought I might rent a room here.
Panel 2. MEGAN smiles provocatively.
3. MEGAN: Really? That thing’s been open for more months.
4. MEGAN: This also doesn’t seem like your kind of scene.
Panel 3. DIMITRI and MEGAN each lean towards each other on the counter while they speak to each other.
5. DIMITRI: Well, everyone’s going crazy in the city now that meteors are falling from the sky. I thought the desert would be a nice quiet change of pace.
6. DIMITRI: I also like the look of the neighbors.
Panel 4. MEGAN takes down the apartment for rent sign on the counter.
7. MEGAN: Rent is two hundred dollars a month. There’s water and electricity but not much else. There’s no phone but you can use the landline in the shop if you can’t find a signal.
8. MEGAN: Will you pay with a check or…?
Panel 5. DIMITRI hands over a fistful of cash.
9. DIMITRI: I prefer cash.
PAGE SEVEN (five panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI walks back out of the shop to get his things from his car.
1. ANONYMOUS: A disgustinglittle thing
Panel 2. DIMITRI pulls his things out of the car. The crows are riled up in their cage.
2. ANONYMOUS: It’s pathetic the way you grovelfor it’s affection now that your junkie slut has abandoned you.
3. CROWS: Caw! Caw!
4. DIMITRI: I know guys, I’ll have you out of there in just a second.
Panel 3. DIMTRI has all of his luggage out of the car and shuts the door.
5. ANONYMOUS: Parasite! You are using her. You are-
Panel 4. DIMITRI and LUCIFER may eye contact from across the street with one another.
Panel 5. DIMITRI shudders and takes his things inside of the store.
6. DIMITRI: Creepy guy.
PAGE EIGHT (four panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI brings in his things and leaves them in a pile by the door. MEGAN approaches to help.
1. DIMITRI: Who’s the guy who owns the gun store across the street?
Panel 2. DIMITRI and MEGAN pick up the luggage together.
2. MEGAN: You know, I don’t know really. It’s strange what with it being a such a small town and everything. But that store’s been there for as long as I can remember, I think.
Panel 3. DIMITRI and MEGAN carry the luggage behind the store counter.
3. MEGAN: Honestly, I think he’s kind of creepy.
4. DIMITRI: Yeah, he was staring at me as I carried in my bags.
Panel 4. The two ascend the backstairs up towards the living quarters on the second floor of the shop.
5. MEGAN: You’re not having second thoughts, are you?
6. DIMITRI: Oh no. I’m sure I can find someone prettier to look at around here if I really try.
PAGE NINE (four panels)
Panel 1. A shot from inside of MEGAN opening the door into a small one room apartment. Behind her is DIMITRI.
1. MEGAN: Well, here it is.
Panel 2. They pile up DIMITRI’s luggage in the center of the room.
2. MEGAN: There’s no stove but I have a hot plate you can borrow if you want to cook something. We also share a bathroom down the hall so you’d better not use all the hot water in the morning.
3. DIMITRI: Don’t worry. I’m thinking I’ll be taking a lot of cold showers while I’m here.
Panel 3. MEGAN leans over to examine HUGINN and MUNINN in their bird cage, which is resting on top of the pile of luggage.
4. MEGAN: You know, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of someone keeping crows as pets.
Panel 4. DIMITRI opens the door to the cage and both birds hop out.
5. DIMITRI: They’re more like friends then pets.
6. MEGAN: What are their names?
7. DIMITRI: Huginn and Muninn.
PAGE TEN (four panels)
Panel 1. Both birds sit on DIMITRI’s outstretched hands while MEGAN watches.
1. MEGAN: That’s from Norse mythology, right? Thought and Memory, they sat on Odin’s shoulders if I recall.
2. DIMITRI: Don’t tell me I’ve found another arts major.
Panel 2. DIMITRI and MEGAN extend their hands towards each other and HUGINN hops from one to the other.
3. MEGAN: Not really. My dad’s really into that weird Aryan heritage stuff.
4. MEGAN: It’s crazy how friendly this little guy is, I’ve never seen a bird act this way.
5. DIMITRI: That’s Huginn, he’s a trusting one. His sister Muninn is more suspicious of strangers but she’s very loyal and affectionate once she gets to know you.
Panel 3. A close up of MEGAN. She holds up HUGINN in front of her.
6. MEGAN: Hello Huginn. My name is Megan.
7. HUGINN: Caw.
Panel 4. A wider shot of the enter room. Both of the birds have taken off and are circling both MEGAN and DIMITRI.
8. MEGAN: What exactly do you do for a living Barry?
9. DIMITRI: I’m a magician.
10. MEGAN: So, the birds are a part of your act?
11. DIMITRI: Yeah- I suppose that’s it, yes.
PAGE ELEVEN (five panels)
Panel 1. MEGAN heads out the door but she gives DIMITRI a suggestive smile as she goes.
1. MEGAN: Well, I’ll leave you alone to unpack. See you soon.
2. DIMITRI: I’m looking forward to it.
Panel 2. DIMITRI watches the door close.
3. ANONYMOUS: That mewling thing should be put to death with the others.
Panel 3. DIMITRI crosses the room towards the window while the birds follow him.
4. DIMITRI: There you are. I was wondering where the voice in my head had gone.
Panel 4. DIMITRI opens the window for the birds to fly out.
5. ANONYMOUS: Your digression is pointless. You should start the killing and force them to witness us.
Panel 5. A view of DIMITRI looking out the window from outside and above. The birds are flying up towards the viewer.
6. DIMITRI: No. I’m the one calling the shots. And there’s nothing you can do about that.
PAGE TWELVE (five panels)
Panel 1. A wide shot of the gun store across the street.
1. ANONYMOUS: You mouth these empty words for-
Panel 2. A closer version of the first panel but now LUCIFER is clearly visible and is directly looking at the viewer.
Panel 3. A close up of DIMITRI sitting on the window sill. He flips off LUCIFER who is behind the viewer.
Panel 4. A reversed close up of LUCIFER who smiles in response.
Panel 5. Back inside the apartment, DIMITRI closes the window and walks away.
2. DIMITRI: If it turns out that dude isn’t some kind of supernatural whatever then I have no idea how he stays in business.
PAGE THIRTEEN (six panels)
Panel 1. DAVID is sitting in his apartment and working at his computer with his cell phone on the desk.
1. CELLPHONE: Ring! Ring!
Panel 2. A close up of DAVID as he answers the phone. DIMITRI’s voice emerges from it.
2. DAVID: Hello?
3. DIMITRI (OFF): Thank God.
Panel 3. DIMITRI is sitting on a counter in the apartment and talking on his cellphone.
4. DIMITRI: I’m pretty sure this corner of the building is the only place I can get a signal.
5. DAVID (OFF): I take it that you made it out there in one piece.
6. DIMITRI: Yeah, no problems so far.
Panel 4. DAVID looks worried.
7. DAVID: Listen Dimitri, are you sure about this?
8. DIMITRI (OFF): These people aren’t going to stop. Anyone could be in danger until someone takes care of them and I’m the only one who can do it.
Panel 5. DIMITRI watches from his seat as the shadows begin to move and coalesce in the corners of the room.
9. DAVID (OFF): Dimitri-
Panel 6. DIMITRI flicks on a light switch and the shadows vanish.
10. DAVID (OFF): I’m just worried about you.
11. DIMITRI: And I appreciate it. What’s happening with the G-men?
PAGE FOURTEEN (four panels)
Panel 1. DAVID is smiling again.
1. DAVID: Oh, James and Justin have been causing a real mess for them. They’re investigations probably won’t be allowed to really get anywhere but there’s no love lost between this city and the feds so who knows.
2. DIMITRI (OFF): They need anonymity to operate, as long as we keep a spotlight on them that’s enough to disrupt their plans.
Panel 2. DAVID has stood up and has begun to pace around his apartment.
3. DAVID: Our thoughts exactly. In fact, Mulder and Scully themselves seem to have vanished. It was right after the meteor impact so our theory is that they might have been called away from the city to deal with that.
4. DIMITRI (OFF): Well, their welcome to stay in Texas as long as they like.
Panel 3. Another close up of DAVID looking worried again.
5. DAVID: Listen Dimitri, nothing really bad is going to happen, is it?
6. DIMITRI (OFF): ….
Panel 4. A close up of DIMITRI looking serious.
7. DIMITRI: I’m going to do my best to keep this as clean as possible. That’s all I can say.
PAGE FIFTEEN (six panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI unpacks his bags.
1. DAVID (CAPTION): I hope that’s enough Dimitri. For your sake.
Panel 2. DIMITRI moves one bag onto the bed and opens it.
Panel 3. Inside the bag is his revolver and ammo.
Panel 4. DIMITRI checks the weapon and makes sure it’s clean.
Panel 5. DIMITRI aims down the sights.
Panel 6. DIMITRI begins to load the weapon.
PAGE SIXTEEN (five panels)
Panel 1. HUGINN and MUNINN are flying over a dirt road where the jeep filled with JARED and the militia members is driving.
Panel 2. The jeep pulls up to the front gate of a large fenced compound where the militia camp is located.
Panel 3. The guards open the gate and wave the vehicle into the compound.
1. GATE GUARD: Welcome back lieutenant.
Panel 4. Everyone gets out of the car. JARED walks away while the others remain behind.
Panel 5. JARED passes by a group of recruits who all salute him as he goes inside a large ranch house they are using as a company headquarters.
PAGE SEVENTEEN (six panels)
Panel 1. HUGIN and MUNINN land on a windowsill and voices come from within.
1. JARED: Captain.
2. BROTHER: How is she Jared?
Panel 2. The BROTHER is inside his office and sitting at his desk. The window is behind him and he is holding a glass of whisky with the open bottle in front of him. JARED is standing in front of the desk.
3. JARED: Still mouthy as hell, sir.
4. BROTHER: That’s my daughter alright.
5. BROTHER: Where the hell did I go wrong with that girl?
Panel 3. The BROTHER takes a swig from the glass while JARED watches.
6. JARED: She’s not so bad sir.
7. BROTHER: You tried to talk her into coming back here, didn’t you?
Panel 4. JARED pull out a seat for himself while the BROTHER refills his glass.
8. JARED: I did.
9. BROTHER: You must not have been very convincing.
Panel 5. JARED sits down while the BROTHER has paused midway towards taking another drink.
10. JARED: We were interrupted by some guy there to rent the spare room.
11. BROTHER: What guy?
Panel 6. A close up of JARED’s face, blissfully unaware.
12. JARED: I don’t know. Some city yahoo. He didn’t look like much of a threat.
13. BROTHER: Excuse me?
PAGE EIGHTEEN (six panels)
Panel 1. The BROTHER has risen to his feet and is screaming at the top of his lungs at JARED who is cringing at the tongue lashing.
1. BROTHER: YOU FUCKING MORON! You left her with a stranger?! NOW!?
Panel 2. JARED shoot to his feet and is earnestly pleading his case. The BROTHER is breathing heavily and still upset.
2. JARED: It wasn’t the guy! I’ve seen his picture and I swear it didn’t look like him!
3. BROTHER: Then what did this guy you left my daughter with look like.
Panel 3. A close up of JARED, he is beginning to look panicked.
4. JARED: I- I-
5. BROTHER (OFF): What color was his hair? How tall was he? How much did he weigh?
6. JARED: I don’t remember.
Panel 4. JARED slumps back down in his chair looking completely defeated. The BROTHER looms over him.
7. JARED: I looked right at him. I swear I did. If it was the guy, I would have recognized him.
8. BROTHER: He’s a master of illusions you fucking retard. I told you that already! WHAT PART OF ‘MASTER OF ILLUSIONS’ DO YOU NOT FUCKING UNDERSTAND!?
Panel 5. A close up of JARED looking up desperately.
9. JARED: I’ll gather some men and go back immediately.
10. BROTHER (OFF): No!
Panel 6. A shot of the room reflected in a crow’s eye. The BROTHER has one hand on JARED’s shoulder and is finishing his drink with the other.
11. BROTHER: It’s too dangerous to move at night. You’ll go back tomorrow, once the sun is well up. Confirm his identity, take a picture, without revealing that we are aware of his presence. Once you do, we’ll decide our next move.
PAGE NINETEEN (four panels)
Panel 1. A close up of a human eye.
1. MEGAN (OFF): Barry?
Panel 2. A view of DIMITRI’s apartment. He is sitting cross legged on the bed with his shirt off. MEGAN is standing tentatively at the door.
2. MEGAN: I’m sorry am I interrupting something?
Panel 3. DIMITRI gets off the bed and goes to retrieve his shirt.
3. DIMITRI: I was meditating.
4. MEGAN: I can come back.
5. DIMITRI: It’s fine. I think I already discovered what I needed to know.
Panel 4. DIMITRI gets redressed while MEGAN ogles him.
6. MEGAN: Don’t go to any trouble on my account.
PAGE TWENTY (five panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI and MEGAN each sit down to talk.
1. DIMITRI: What did you want to talk to me about.
2. MEGAN: Well, since you’re new to the area, I thought I’d offer to show you around tomorrow.
3. MEGAN: We could go out to the canyon, pack some food and have lunch.
Panel 2. A close up of DIMITRI looking intrigued.
4. DIMITRI: Are you asking me on a date?
5. MEGAN (OFF): Maybe.
6. DIMITRI: I could get used to this.
Panel 3. A close up of MEGAN looking sultry.
7. MEGAN: Is that a yes?
8. DIMITRI (OFF): Most definitely.
Panel 4. DIMITRI and MEGAN stand up.
9. DIMITRI: I’d like to get an early start in the morning if that’s okay with you.
10. MEGAN: Hinting at an early bed time, disappointing.
11. DIMITRI: I’ll make it up to you with extra stamina tomorrow.
Panel 5. MEGAN winks as she leaves the apartment.
12. MEGAN: You’d better, see you tomorrow magic man.
PAGE TWENTY ONE (six panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI goes over to the window and opens it.
Panel 2. DIMITRI spreads some torn up pieces of bread on the sill for the birds when they return.
Panel 3. DIMITRI watches as LUCIFER emerges from his store.
Panel 4. LUCIFER turns the open sign on his door over to closed
Panel 5. LUCIFER looks right over at DIMITRI and indicates his business hours on the sign.
Panel 6. A wide shot of the street. DIMITRI leans out the window and points a finger gun at LUCIFER.
PAGE TWENTY TWO (four panels)
Panel 1. A close up of LUCIFER smiling.
Panel 2. LUCIFER turns to reenter his store.
Panel 3. A view of the dark store front.
1. DIMITRI (OFF): Creepy motherfucker.
Panel 4. DIMITRI turns away from the window and walks back towards his bed.
2. DIMITRI: Gonna be a busy day tomorrow.