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 a failed drug deal, he encountered the Shadowmancer, a sorcerer capable of manipulating the essence of shadows and drawing knowledge from the darkness. 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.
Dimitri has pursued the militia all the way to their compound. Now he plans his assault on their headquarters, while also pursuing a romantic dalliance with the daughter of his enemies’ leader…
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. THE MERCHANT: A strange shopkeeper. He seems to have access to some secret knowledge. However, his origin and motivations remain a mystery for the time being.
4. MEGAN PAX: Megan is the daughter of a fascist militia commander. She maintains a cheerful and trusting disposition. While she loves her father, she rejects his extremist’s views and tries to avoid his soldiers whenever possible.
5. 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.
6. 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 (four panels)
Panel 1. A close up of Dimitri sleeping peacefully.
Panel 2. A close up of an old clock radio on the nightstand which reads 5:59 AM.
Panel 3. The clock switches over to 6:00 AM.
1. RADIO: Click.
Panel 4. A wide shot of the room. Dimitri wakes up and rubs his eyes but doesn’t get out of bed. The title appears.
2. RADIO: I rode a tank, held a general’s rank. When the blitzkrieg raged, and the bodies stank.
3. DIMITRI: Goddamn.
4. RADIO: Pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name. Ah, what’s puzzling you, is the nature of my game.
PAGE TWO (six panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI sits up in bed and extends a hand which MUNINN lands on.
1. DIMITRI: I hate getting up early.
2. MUNINN: Caw.
Panel 2. DIMITRI gently embraces MUNINN and holds her close to him. MUNINN nuzzles him back affectionately.
3. DIMITRI: Good morning to you too sweetheart.
4. MUNINN: Caw caw!
Panel 3. HUGINN and MUNINN fly around the room while DIMITRI pulls on his clothes.
5. DIMITRI: Alright. Time to get to work.
Panel 4. DIMITRI leaves his apartment. He sees the door to MEGAN’s room is open.
6. DIMITRI: Something smells good.
Panel 5. DIMITRI enters MEGAN’s room. It looks very similar to his own room but it has been decorated and personalized with a lot of hippy/new age items. MEGAN is dressed in a nightgown and cooking eggs and sausages on a hot plate.
7. MEGAN: Finally up, sleepyhead? It was your idea to leave at this ungodly hour.
8. DIMITRI: Sorry. I had to get dressed.
9. MEGAN: Why? I didn’t.
Panel 6. MEGAN presses herself close against DIMITRI who puts his arms around her in response.
10. DIMITRI: I can see that.
11. MEGAN: And what do you think?
12. DIMITRI: I like it.
13. MEGAN: See?
PAGE THREE (five panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI helps MEGAN plate their breakfast.
1. MEGAN: It’s a ten-mile hike out to the canyon. I packed everything last night so I’m ready to leave as soon as we’ve finished eating.
2. DIMITRI: You might want to, at least consider, putting on some hiking boots then.
Panel 2. DIMITRI and MEGAN sit down at the table to eat.
3. MEGAN: I’ll consider it.
Panel 3. A close up of DIMITRI, he’s eating and looking casual.
4. DIMITRI: I also want to check out that weird gun shop across the street before we leave. It won’t take more than a few minutes.
Panel 4. A close up of MEGAN looking bemused.
5. MEGAN: Okay… You want to buy a gun or something?
Panel 5. HUGINN and MUNINN stand on the counter pecking at a slice of white bread and watching the humans eat.
6. DIMITRI: Sure. In case we run into a mountain lion.
PAGE FOUR (four panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI leaves the store but speaks backwards to MEGAN who is still inside.
1. DIMITRI: I’ll meet you in the parking lot.
Panel 2. DIMITRI walks across the street towards the gun shop. He speaks to MUNINN who flies nearby.
2. DIMITRI: I don’t know what this guy’s deal is… but keep a keen eye out up there, okay. I don’t want anyone sneaking in after me.
Panel 3. The crows fly overhead and look down at DIMITRI who is entering the gun shop.
Panel 4. A wide view of the entire store which is filled with various antique firearms and other curios. DIMITRI looks around curiously but he seems to be alone.
3. DIMITRI: Hello…?
PAGE FIVE (five panels)
Panel 1. A close up of LUCIFER as he steps out from a back room and gives a grandfatherly smile.
1. LUCIFER: Ah, hello my friend. You are the young man staying across the street, yes?
Panel 2. DIMITRI and LUCIFER speak to each other over the glass counter top.
2. DIMITRI: That’s right.
3. LUCIFER: Do you know what it is you want?
4. DIMITRI: No idea.
Panel 3. LUCIFER takes DIMITRI by the arm and leads him over to a rack of rifles.
5. LUCIFER: A modern ailment to be certain. Regardless, I have something special I think you will like.
Panel 4. DIMITRI examines one of the rifles which LUCIFER points out to him.
6. DIMITRI: A Mosin-Nagant. Good condition for its age I guess, looks old.
Panel 5. DIMITRI holds the rifle and looks through the scope. LUCIFER stands nearby, smiling gleefully.
7. LUCIFER: Very old. This very weapon spilled blood in both Stalingrad and Berlin.
8. DIMITRI: Yeah? How’d you get ahold of it?
PAGE SIX (montage)
Panel 1. A montage of images shows the battle of Stalingrad and tells the story of the man who found it next to the body of a dead female sniper and used it to fight all the way across the eastern front to Berlin before being killed. LUCIFER appears and takes the rifle from his body before looking around in satisfaction at the destruction around him.
1. LUCIFER (CAPTION: I acquired it from a man who received it directly from the original owner.
2. LUCIFER (CAPTION): It’s in good condition, well cared for, only dropped twice. Heh.
3. LUCIFER (CAPTION): Reminds me of a simpler time. When men knew what they wanted and took it, no matter what obstacles stood in their way.
4. DIMITRI (CAPTION): How much you want for it?
5. LUCIFER (CAPTION): That depends. I have a question for you first.
PAGE SEVEN (four panels)
Panel 1. A close up of LUCIFER. He’s still smiling, but is staring intently at DIMITRI.
1. LUCIFER: If I provide you this weapon, will you using to kill someone?
Panel 2. A close up of DIMITRI. He is unsettled by LUCIFER’s question, but refuses to back down.
2. DIMITRI: Yes.
Panel 3. They are suddenly standing in the same position on either side of the glass counter again. LUCIFER pushes the rifle, which is sitting on the counter, towards DIMITRI.
3. LUCIFER: Take it. No charge.
4. DIMITRI: Doesn’t seem like a profitable way to run your business to me.
5. LUCIFER: Well, my business is just that, my business.
Panel 4. DIMITRI begins to gather boxes of ammo from the shelves nearby. LUCIFER watches him.
6. DIMITRI: I answered your question, so now I want you to answer one of mine.
7. LUCIFER: That does only sound fair.
8. DIMITRI: What is it about you that makes my imaginary friend vanish?
PAGE EIGHT (six panels)
Panel 1. A close up of LUCIFER chuckling in surprise.
1. LUCIFER: That’s certainly an interesting way to phrase it. I’m sorry you asked a question I can’t answer, but I can tell you that your so-called imaginary friend isn’t real, so he hasn’t really vanished anywhere.
Panel 2. DIMITRI and LUCIFER face off against one another. LUCIFER has his hands held out apologetically.
2. DIMITRI: What the hell does that mean?
3. LUCIFER: I’m sorry Dimitri. I can say no more at this time, and I believe your lady friend is already waiting for you outside.
Panel 3. A close up of DIMITRI looking uneasy and suspicious.
4. DIMITRI: I never told you my name.
Panel 4. A close up of LUCIFER who is meeting DIMITRI’s gaze.
5. LUCIFER: I guessed. I trust you’ve done the same by now.
Panel 5. DIMITRI turns and leaves the store.
6. DIMITRI: I guess I have. Thanks for the gun. Now stay out of my way.
7. LUCIFER (OFF): Farewell…
Panel 6. From inside the store LUCIFER watches as DIMITRI walks towards MEGAN.
8. LUCIFER: Until we meet again.
PAGE NINE (six panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI and MEGAN reunite in the empty parking lot. She is dressed, is wearing a backpack, and holding her guitar. Another pack for DIMITRI is sitting by her feet.
1. MEGAN: Satisfied?
2. DIMITRI: As much as I could expect, I suppose.
3. MEGAN: You’re laying on the ‘man of mystery’ routine a bit thick now, don’t you think?
Panel 2. DIMITRI shoulders his own pack while MEGAN motions towards his new rifle.
4. MEGAN: Do you actually know how to use that thing?
Panel 3. DIMITRI and MEGAN begin walking out of town together.
5. DIMITRI: Sure. Uncle Vlad used to take me out hunting all the time. Deer mostly, shot a bear once.
Panel 4. A wider shot of DIMITRI and MEGAN who are hiking out into the wilderness. The town is fading in the distance. HUGINN and MUNINN are both flying overhead
6. MEGAN: I’m never sure if you’re bullshitting or telling the truth.
7. DIMITRI: Can you keep a secret?
8. MEGAN: Sure.
Panel 5. A close up of DIMITRI whispering into MEGAN’s ear.
9. DIMITRI: I always tell the truth.
Panel 6. A very wide shot of the entire area from a satellite image angle. DIMITRI and MEGAN are dots now located well out of town. Meanwhile a militia vehicle is driving into town from the opposite direction.
10. DIMITRI: Don’t tell anyone now.
11. MEGAN: Don’t worry. I won’t.
PAGE TEN (five panels)
Panel 1. JARED and his men get out of their vehicle in front of the store. A closed sign is in the window. The soldiers are wearing heavy gear and look like elite troops.
Panel 2. JARED looks into the store through the window.
1. JARED: I don’t see anyone.
Panel 3. JARED opens the door with a key.
2. JARED: I’m going to open it up. Clear the area, and use your flashlights, this guy can vanish in the dark.
3. HONOR GUARD: Yes sir.
Panel 4. The soldiers enter the store and secure the area thoroughly, but disturb nothing.
4. HONOR GUARD: Clear so far LT. Moving to the second floor.
Panel 5. JARED enters the store and looks around; he looks frustrated and is talking to himself. The HONOR GUARD is on the stairs and calls to him.
5. JARED: Goddamnit, where is she?
6. HONOR GUARD: Room upstairs is locked; we need the spare key.
PAGE ELEVEN (six panels)
Panel 1. A wide view of the empty apartment.
Panel 2. The same view as the previous panel but the door has burst open and a team of militia men storm inside.
1. HONOR GUARD: Hands up! On the ground! NOW!
Panel 3. JARED is waiting outside the door for his men to finish inside.
2. HONOR GUARD (OFF): Clear! There’s no one in here.
Panel 4. The militia have started to ransack the room. JARED oversees their actions and prepares to make a call on his cellphone.
3. JARED: I want this place searched, top to bottom! When you’re finished everything goes back in its place! if he’s not here I don’t want to leave any sign to alert him.
4. HONOR GUARD: Yes sir!
Panel 5. A close up of JARED speaking on his cellphone.
5. JARED: I’m at the store now captain, neither of them is here. But-
6. HONOR GUARD (OFF): Sir, we found something.
Panel 6. HUGINN is watching the milita from the window sill. The HONOR GUARD is holding the empty bird cage up so JARED can see it.
7. JARED: Identity confirmed. It’s him.
PAGE TWELVE (six panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI and MEGAN are having a picknick on a blanket laid on a hill overlooking a winding river canyon.
1. MEGAN: So, enough man of mystery. Who is Barry? Where does he come from?
Panel 2. A close up of DIMITRI who is eating a sandwich.
2. DIMITRI: Well, I grew up in New York, on Long Island. My dad and I never got on, and as soon as I got my driver’s license, I left to live with my uncle Vlad in the city.
3. MEGAN: What about your mom?
4. DIMITRI: Dead. I, uh… I never met her. I have a step-mother but she is… I know this is going to sound rude- but she’s a real bitch. Perfect match for my dad actually.
Panel 3. A close up of MEGAN. She is pouring each of them glasses of whiskey.
5. MEGAN: No other real family? Just you and your uncle?
6. DIMITRI (OFF): I also have a younger sister, half-sister, I guess. I should call her; we haven’t really spoken since I left the east coast.
Panel 4. MEGAN hands a glass to DIMITRI and drinks from another herself.
7. MEGAN: Why did you leave the east coast?
8. DIMITRI: After I graduated from college, I wanted a change so I moved out to Denver to train for MMA. I won New York golden gloves, and wrestled in the NCAA, so it made sense at the time.
Panel 5. MEGAN looks through a lacquer box while DIMITRI leans back and looks up at the sky.
9. MEGAN: Wow.
10. DIMITRI: I can’t take complete credit. Uncle Vlad was an Olympic bronze medalist in boxing so I had access to a lot of knowledge that most guys didn’t.
Panel 6. MEGAN rolls a joint on top of the box while DIMITRI finishes his drink behind her.
11. MEGAN: Did you ever fight in MMA?
12 DIMITRI: Not professionally, no. I learned a lot of Brazilian Jujitsu and Muay Thai. But I was too nervous to ever have a real fight. Eventually I got accepted to a graduate program at Portland State and I moved here.
13. MEGAN: An ended up doing magic shows?
14. DIMITRI: That’s right.
PAGE THIRTEEN (five panels)
Panel 1. MEGAN lights the joint while it’s in her mouth. DIMITRI watches her.
1. DIMITRI: What about you? What’s your story?
Panel 2. MEGAN blows a puff of smoke and hands the joint to DIMITRI.
2. MEGAN: I don’t have a story.
3. DIMITRI: Everyone has a story. Tell me about your family.
Panel 3. DIMITRI smokes while MEGAN watches the river.
4. MEGAN: My mother is gone too, leukemia. My dad is also… difficult. He was serving in the middle east for almost my entire childhood, until mom died.
Panel 4. DIMITRI hands the joint back to MEGAN.
5. MEGAN: He got involved in the militia movement when it started to take off during the recession, not this recession, the other recession.
Panel 5. A close up of MEGAN smoking.
6. MEGAN: I hate all of it, but he’s still my only family.
7. DIMITRI (OFF): I think I understand.
PAGE FOURTEEN (five panels)
Panel 1. MEGAN laughs and passes the guitar over to DIMITRI.
1. MEGAN: Let’s not get maudlin now. I lugged this damn thing all the way out here, play me one of those Oasis songs you’re so proud of.
2. DIMITRI: Alright…
Panel 2. A close up of DIMITRI playing. Out of focus behind him MEGAN is taking out her earrings.
3. DIMITRI: Take me to the place where you go. Where nobody knows, if it’s night or day.
4. DIMITRI: But please don’t put your life in the hands, of a rock and roll band, who’ll throw it all away.
Panel 3. A close up of MEGAN as she pulls off her top.
5. DIMITRI (CAPTION): I’m gonna start a revolution from my bed, cause you said the brains I had went to my head. Step outside cause summertime’s in bloom.
6. DIMITRI (CAPTION): Stand up beside the fireplace, take that look from off your face, cause you ain’t ever gonna burn my heart out.
Panel 4. DIMITRI continues to play while MEGAN begins taking off her belt.
7. DIMITRI: So Sally can wait, she knows it’s too late. As she’s walking on by, her soul slides away. But don’t look back in anger, I heard you say.
Panel 5. DIMITRI finishes his song while MEGAN is behind him with her arms around his chest and kissing his neck.
8. DIMITRI: My soul slides away. But don’t look back in anger. Don’t look back in anger, I heard you say. At least not today.
PAGE FIFTEEN (montage)
Dimitri and Megan have sex in montage.
PAGE SIXTEEN (five panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI and MEGAN walk back into town. Clouds have begun to form on the horizon, but everything seems quiet for the time being.
1. DIMITRI: Well, that was alright.
2. MEGAN: I just got about a thousand texts from my dad, so I guess we’re back in signal range.
Panel 2. DIMITRI and MEGAN stop in front of her store and kiss.
3. MEGAN: I better see what he wants.
4. DIMITRI: Alright, I think I’ll go up to my room and meditate.
Panel 3. DIMITRI holds MEGAN and they both look at the storm clouds on the horizon.
5. FX: KA-BOOM!
6. DIMITRI: Sounds like a thunderstorm is coming through.
7. MEGAN: We can cuddle later if you get scared.
Panel 4. DIMITRI goes inside while MEGAN checks her phone.
8. DIMITRI: I’ll hold you to that.
Panel 5. MEGAN paces back and forth in front of the store while talking on her phone.
9. MEGAN: Yeah, dad it’s me-
PAGE SEVENTEEN (six panels)
Panel 1. MEGAN is looking upset. We are viewing her from below and above her DIMITRI is taking HUGINN in from his window perch.
1. MEGAN: I was out- a date- What’s wrong I-
Panel 2. LUCIFER watches MEGAN from the window of his own store.
2. MEGAN: No, I’m not going to- No! I’m not leaving!
Panel 3. MEGAN hangs up on her call.
3. MEGAN: I don’t care who you send! I’m not going anywhere!
Panel 4. MEGAN heads inside the store.
Panel 5. MEGAN pours herself a glass of whiskey.
Panel 6. MEGAN drinks and looks nervously out the window at the storm outside.
4. FX: KA-BOOM!
PAGE EIGHTEEN (montage)
In montage the militia pulls up in vehicles with heavy lighting rigs. Meanwhile in his apartment DIMITRI is readying his weapons while his crows keep watch. The wind is now blowing heavily.
PAGE NINETEEN (four panels)
Panel 1. MEGAN leaves the store and charges towards her FATHER and JARED who are directing the militia as they unload equipment.
1. MEGAN: What are you doing here?
2. FATHER: Get lights on those windows up there, I don’t want him getting away.
Panel 2. MEGAN approaches her father and begins shouting at him.
3. MEGAN: What the hell are you doing here!?
4. FATHER: I told you. I’m here to see the man who rented a room here, and take you back with me.
Panel 3. MEGAN tries to rush her FATHER but JARED steps forwards to restrain her.
5. MEGAN: I told you I’m not leaving my home!
6. FATHER: Restrain her lieutenant.
7. JARED: Easy there, Meg.
Panel 4. JARED holds MEGAN, who is struggling against him. The militia continue setting up their equipment. FATHER begins headings towards the main door.
8. MEGAN: Let go of me!
9. FATHER: Let’s go inside.
10. MEGAN: No! You’re trespassing! Get out!
11. FATHER: We’re going inside.
PAGE TWENTY (six panels)
Panel 1. FATHER walks into the store and JARED drags MEGAN in behind him. The militia spread out to keep them covered.
1. MEGAN: What are you going to do to Barry?
2. FATHER: His name isn’t Barry, it’s Dimitri. And I intend to kill him.
Panel 2. A close up of MEGAN screaming while JARED keeps her restrained.
3. MEGAN: Are you fucking crazy!? You can’t just kill people for no fucking reason! You aren’t just evil, you’re out of your mind. You think the ATF isn’t just waiting for an excuse to come here and wipe you psychos out!
4. JARED: This guy took out a bunch of our men already Meg. I mean killed them dead.
Panel 3. MEGAN is too exhausted to fight anymore and slumps against JARED while the HONOR GUARD waves them up from the staircase to the second floor.
5. MEGAN: Jesus Christ. You’ve both had a complete break from reality.
6. HONOR GUARD: We’re ready.
7. JARED: You’ll see Meg, I promise.
Panel 4. JARED pulls MEGAN along limply while her FATHER leads them up the stairs. The HONOR GUARD is checking the room with a mirror wand slid under the door. Other militia men are preparing to breach the door like a SWAT team.
8. HONOR GUARD: Room is dark. No sign of anyone inside.
9. FATHER: Doesn’t mean anything, he can hide himself. We’ll breach it and toss in a flashbang.
10. MEGAN: Oh God. Don’t bust up my house, just let me open it.
Panel 5. Everyone groups up on the landing in front of the door to the apartment.
11. JARED: You’re not seriously considering this?
12. MEGAN: He won’t hurt me. I swear. He’s not who you think he is.
13. FATHER: Goddamnit.
Panel 6. A close up of a key being inserted into a lock.
14. FATHER (OFF): Open the door and flip on the light, then stand to the side. Everyone else get ready to go in.
PAGE TWENTY ONE (six panels)
Panel 1. A wide shot of the entire room. The BROTHER looks inside, but it’s empty. MEGAN stands next to him looking annoyed.
1. MEGAN: Satisfied?
Panel 2. Back out in the hall the BROTHER her motions for his men to enter and search the room. MEGAN throws up her arms in exasperation.
Panel 3. The soldiers ransack the room. The BROTHER stands in the center of the room and lets his men work while MEGAN argues with him.
2. MEGAN: This is too much. You can’t just go through this guy’s things while he’s not here!
3. BROTHER: I can and I am.
Panel 4. A soldier reports to the BROTHER who looks lost in thought. MEGAN is nearby but they ignore her.
4. HONOR GUARD: He’s not here.
5. BROTHER: He is.
Panel 5. The BROTHER barks orders at the soldier who salutes back.
6. BROTHER: He’s hiding here somewhere! If he’s not inside then he must be somewhere nearby! Tell the men to spread out and search for him. And for god’s sake keep your flashlights on!
7. HONOR GUARD: Yes sir!
8. MEGAN: What are you going to do?
Panel 6. The BROTHER wanders towards the window while the soldiers file out to begin their search. MEGAN follows him, completely outraged.
10. MEGAN: You’re crazy. Completely crazy. He’s long gone by now if he’s seen all of this.
11. BROTHER: He’s still here.
12. MEGAN: How do you know?
PAGE TWENTY-TWO (one panel)
Panel 1. A splash page of the FATHER looking out the window. DIMITRI is perched under a roof overhang above the window, and hidden out of sight by shadows in full shadow armor with both his crows. Several of the militia men are on patrol with flashlights down below.
1. BROTHER: I know.