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 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 baring the mantle of the Shadowmancer.
Dimitri has continued his studies of the mystic arts, but his scholarly work was interrupted by the arrival of his old girlfriend Nikki. She asked him to come with her to Seattle to help her father and save him from a mysterious blackmailer.
Things didn’t go the way anyone had intended. Dimitri made all the blackmail material public and killed the extortionist to save Nikki’s life. Now he returns to Portland where his allies have been investigating a string of paranormal murders which have plagued the city since the eclipse…
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. NIKKI BARNES:Â Nikki was an undergraduate at PSU. Originally from Seattle, she came to Oregon to attend college. Soon after arriving she met Dimitri, and the two have had a close relationship until their recent breakup. She is currently recovering from a painkiller addiction.
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. 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.
5. PIERRE JEAN-PAUL:Â Â Â Â Â Pierre holds a Doctorate of Pharmacy from Xavier University of Louisiana, and is an expert practitioner traditional African mysticism as well as New Orleans Voodoo. He takes his responsibility for the physical and spiritual wellbeing of his patients very seriously.
6. JAMES STALLWORTH:Â 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.
7. ROSA MENDOZA:          Rosa is an ambitious young detective on the Portland police force, and James’ new partner. A recent transplant from Los Angeles, she’s anxious to keep her career on the fast track, and is aiming to eventually work her way into city hall.
8. ALEXIUS KOMNENOS: Alexius is Dimitri’s ancestor. He was a prince in medieval Constantinople before being disinherited as a result of a political feud. He became a thief and then later a Shadowmancer. Since his death, his soul has been trapped in the Dark Place.
PAGE ONE (one panel)
Panel 1. Intro page. A plane touches down PDX in bright and sunny weather.
PAGE TWO (MONTAGE)
DIMITRI meets DAVID and JUSTIN at the airport. He looks very tired after his trip. DAVID greets him with a hug, JUSTIN carries the bags. DIMITRI keeps the bird cage containing the crows. They go out to JUSTIN’s car and leave together.
PAGE THREE (six panels)
Panel 1. JUSTIN drives, DAVID is in the passenger seat, and DIMITRI lays down on the back seat with his head resting against the bird cage.
1. DAVID: Thank God you’re back. Things have been going crazy since you left.
Panel 2. The trio park the car on the street and begin removing the bags.
2. DAVID: The deaths Justin has been tracking? They’re happening all the time now!
Panel 3. They carry the bags up the stairs in their apartment building.
3. DAVID: We’ve been working with James to try and figure out what’s going on. And he nearly got himself killed!
Panel 4. DIMITRI opens the door and the others follow him into his apartment.
4. DAVID: And then! We all nearly got killed trying to get him out!
Panel 5. DIMITRI opens the cage to let HUGINN and MUNINN out. DAVID and JUSTIN put down the bags.
5. DAVID: I was shaking like a leaf for hours afterwards. I’m not made for this stuff.
Panel 6. DIMITRI collapses into bed, completely exhausted.
6. DAVID: That’s why I’m so glad you’re back to handle the-
7. DAVID: -heroics.
PAGE FOUR (four panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI wakes up in the Dark Place at the same point he entered in issue 4.
1. ANONYMOUS: The effeminate one’s prattling is tiresome.
Panel 2. DIMITRI stands up and stretches. He no longer appears fatigued.
2. ANONYMOUS: He desires you. You could take your pleasure from him.
Panel 3. DIMITRI leaves the room and begins to look around.
3. ANONYMOUS: He is close to the other one. But if you he will not resist you.
Panel 4. DIMITRI continues to ignore ANONYMOUS. He looks down shadowy hallways and calls out.
4. DIMITRI: Alexius! Where are you?!
PAGE FIVE (five panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI walks through the ornate, but dark, corridors of the Dark Place. He follows the sound of ALEXIUS’ voice.
1. ALEXIUS (OFF): In the library, blood of my blood…
2. ALEXIUS (OFF): …Where I always am.
3. DIMITRI: Yes, but where is the library?
Panel 2. DIMITRI approaches a doorway through which ALEXIUS’ voice emerges.
4. ALEXIUS (OFF): This way, blood of my blood.
5. ALEXIUS (OFF): You’re nearly there now.
Panel 3. DIMITRI enters into an enormous Napoleonic era library where ALEXIUS sits reading beside a fireplace.
6. DIMITRI: If I’m in control of this place-
7. DIMITRI: -Then why do the rooms and walls shift every night without my knowing about it?
Panel 4. DIMITRI sits down in a chair beside ALEXIUS who continues to read.
8. ALEXIUS: They change, because you change them…
9. ALEXIUS: Even without your knowing about it.
10. DIMITRI: Spooky.
Panel 5. ALEXIUS closes his book to look at DIMITRI.
11. ALEXIUS: Did the Jessica woman attempt to kill you, as I believed she would?
12. DIMITRI: Well…
PAGE SIX (five panels)
Panel 1. A close up of ALEXIUS smirking.
1. DIMITRI (OFF): -Yes.
2. ALEXIUS: You should have killed her at once. It would have saved you the trouble later.
3. ALEXIUS: She is dead now, yes?
Panel 2. A close up of DIMITRI shaking his head.
4. DIMITRI: She is dead now, no.
5. DIMITRI: You know that’s not how I prefer to handle things.
Panel 3. ALEXIUS waves his hand dismissively at DIMITRI.
6. ALEXIUS: A mode of thinking you should seek to change. You’ve allowed the death of the Megan woman to make you timid.
7. ALEXIUS: How did you deal with Nichole?
8. DIMITRI: I didn’t know you cared.
Panel 4. ALEXIUS returns his book to the shelf.
9. ALEXIUS: You are my only connection to the world beyond the Dark Place. Your survival is my paramount concern. To that end, I spend most of my time here considering your wellbeing.
10. DIMITRI: Well, isn’t that nice.
11. DIMITRI: I told her we would never see each other again.
Panel 5. An establishing shot of JAMES pulling up outside the apartment building in his car.
PAGE SEVEN (six panels)
Panel 1. ALEXIUS sits back down.
1. ALEXIUS: That’s good.
2. ALEXIUS: She’s nothing but a distraction to you. And it’s important that you focus on your studies.
Panel 2. DAVID opens the door to DIMITRI’s apartment for JAMES. JAMES hand is in a cast. JUSTIN lounges on the couch.
3. DAVID: Oh, hey. There you are.
4. JAMES: Let’s just get this over with as quickly as possible.
Panel 3. ALEXIUS and DIMITRI continue to discuss matters in the Dark Place.
5. DIMITRI: I spend my waking hours studying with Pierre, and I spend my time asleep studying here with you. I have to do something else sometime.
6. ALEXIUS: I used prostitutes as a sexual release. Simple transactions are preferable to relationships for sorcerers.
7. DIMITRI: Uh, thanks. I’ll consider that.
Panel 4. DAVID takes JAMES into the apartment and tries to speak to him diplomatically. JUSTIN eats from a bag of chips.
8. JAMES: Where is he?
9. DAVID: I think he was really tired after his trip…
10. JUSTIN:                           He’s sleeping in the bedroom right now.
Panel 5. A close up of ALEXIUS with a hard expression.
11. ALEXIUS: I’m serious about your need to not become bogged down in the mundane matters of the material world.
12. ALEXIUS: You have higher concerns now.
13. DIMITRI (OFF): I know…
Panel 6. JAMES brushes past DAVID and heads towards the bedroom.
14. JAMES: He’s sleeping, you say?
15. DAVID: Where are you going?
16. JAMES: To wake him up.
PAGE EIGHT (six panels)
Panel 1. JAMES throws open the door to DIMITRI’s bedroom. DIMITRI is asleep on the bed, but HUGINN and MUNINN are on guard.
1. DAVID: He’s just gotten back; don’t you think we should give him at least a little time for a nap?
2. JAMES: Every minute we waste, things get worse. We don’t have any time to spare.
Panel 2. ALEXIUS begins to lead DIMITRI out of the Dark Place library.
3. ALEXIUS: I won’t lecture you any longer. Let us leave the classroom behind for the moment, and explore the Dark Place for a time. Direct action will clear you mind.
4. DIMITRI: Now you’re talking sense.
Panel 3. JAMES moves to wake up DIMITRI, but is stopped by MUNINN who stares him down.
Panel 4. DIMITRI and ALEXIUS are in a Dark Place hallway, but DIMITRI reacts to an unseen disturbance.
5. DIMITRI: Someone has disturbed Muninn. She’s calling to me.
6. ALEXIUS: Ah, perhaps your direct action shall be found elsewhere.
7. ALEXIUS: I will await your return. Perhaps the Persian will keep me amused until then.
Panel 5. JAMES waves HUGINN and MUNINN out of his way.
8. JAMES: Buzz off, bird.
Panel 6. JAMES reaches out to touch DIMITRI, but DIMITRI grabs his hand.
9. DIMITRI: Are you finished abusing my friends?
PAGE NINE (five panels)
Panel 1. JAMES and DIMITRI return to the main room together. HUGINN and MUNINN are riding on DIMITRI’s shoulders.
1. JAMES: The birds will be fine.
2. JAMES: We have serious business to discuss.
Panel 2. Everyone sits down for a meeting in the living room.
3. DIMITRI: Alright, bring me up to date.
Panel 3. A close up of JUSTIN.
4. JUSTIN: Those mysterious deaths I’ve been investigating, the ones that first led me to you, have been spreading.
5. JUSTIN: We used James’ pre-cognitive abilities to trace those responsible.
Panel 4. Group shot.
6. DIMITRI: Neat trick, that psychic stuff.
7. JAMES: Don’t start.
Panel 5. A close up of JAMES looking serious.
8. JAMES: We followed a lead to a nightclub downtown.
9. JAMES: From there things got… complicated.
PAGE TEN (one panel)
Panel 1. A full page spread of a follow up to the cliffhanger of the previous issue. TORO is roaring and trying to reach JAMES who has backed up against the wall and drawn his gun and badge.
1. TORO: When I get my hands on you, I’ll tear you apart!
PAGE ELEVEN (five panels)
Panel 1. TORO smashes down shelving while JAMES opens fire directly into his chest.
1. JAMES: Holy shit!
Panel 2. JAMES continues to fire, but it’s completely ineffectual. TORO knocks him aside with his fist.
2. TORO: You are dead! DEAD!
Panel 3. JAMES is stunned by the blow on the ground. He reaches for his weapon.
Panel 4. TORO smashes JAMES’ hand with his foot.
3. JAMES: AUGH!
Panel 5. TORO reaches down menacingly towards JAMES, but stops short.
4. TORO: I am going to rip you into PIECES!
5. JUDITH (OFF): Not so hasty.
PAGE TWELVE (six panels)
Panel 1. An extremely beautiful woman, JUDITH, and handsome man, NARCISSUS, stand by the entrance to the storeroom. NARCISSUS is holding JAMES’ police ID.
1. JUDITH: Let’s not do something we’ll all regret later.
2. NARCISSUS: I’m sure the lieutenant feels the same way.
Panel 2. TORO kneels over JAMES with a knee in his back. JAMES is only half conscious.
3. TORO: Police or military?
Panel 3. NARCISSUS leans down in front of JAMES face. He holds up JAMES’ chin to look at him.
4. NARCISSUS: Portland police.
5. NARCISSUS: We’ll take him somewhere private to wipe his mind and install our own programing.
Panel 4. TORO pulls JAMES to his feet and holds him up in front of the other two demons.
6. TORO: It would be easier just to kill him.
7. JUDITH: Easier, yes. But this will be more profitable in the long run.
Panel 5. JUDITH pushes herself close to JAMES while he is held up by TORO. She whispers into his ear.
8. JUDITH: Now just stay quiet for me darling while we take you out of here, okay?
9. JAMES:                             Fuck… you… lady…
Panel 6. The demons pull JAMES out of the room, but they are ambushed by fire extinguisher spray as they do so.
10. JUDITH: Such a rude boy. Once I get you in my workshop-
11. JUDITH: AUGH!
PAGE THIRTEEN (six panels)
Panel 1. JUSTIN grabs JAMES away from the demons while DAVID blasts them with a fire extinguisher.
1. NARCISSUS: I can’t see!
2. TORO: I told you we should have killed him!
Panel 2. JAMES, JUSTIN, and DAVID flee, followed by TORO.
3. JUDITH: After them! Kill them all if you have to, but don’t let them get away!
4. TORO: That’s what I was waiting to hear.
Panel 3. JAMES, JUSTIN, and DAVID burst through a service door into the alley behind the club.
5. TORO: We need an escape route.
6. JUSTIN: On the way.
Panel 4. PIERRE handbrake slides into the alley as TORO also leaves the club.
7. PIERRE: Get in!
8. DAVID: You don’t have to tell me twice.
Panel 5. JAMES, JUSTIN, and DAVID jump into the car as it peels out. TORO smashes the back end with his fists.
9. JUSTIN: Go, go! Drive!
Panel 6. TORO watches the car drive away into the distance. The back end has a massive dent in it after his strike.
10. JAMES: Easy recon mission. Fuck me.
PAGE FOURTEEN (five panels)
Panel 1. Back in DIMITRI’s apartment, JAMES finishes his story. DIMITRI is feeding his birds.
1. JAMES: That was last night.
2. DAVID: We barely got out of there alive.
Panel 2. DIMITRI sits back and looks over at JUSTIN.
3. DIMITRI: Sounds like it. What did Pierre have to say?
4. JUSTIN: He said they were demon-like creatures out of hell, or whatever metaphysical realm Christian theology recognizes as hell.
Panel 3. A close up of JAMES.
4. JAMES: Well, I know they won’t stick around that club long now that they know they’ve attracted attention. We have to go after them. Now!
Panel 4. DIMITRI moves the bowl HUGINN and MUNNIN are eating from up to his ear so he can hear them whisper to him.
5. DIMITRI: And what do you two think?
6. HUGINN: Caw!
7. MUNINN: Caw, caw…
Panel 5. DIMITRI thinks and nods while the others watch him like he’s crazy.
8. DIMITRI: I tend to agree with Muninn. Can you handle it?
9. MUNINN: Caw. Caw, caw.
10. DIMITRI: Good. Be careful, both of you.
11. HUGINN: Caw, caw!
PAGE FIFTEEN (six panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI stands up and walks back towards the bedroom.
1. JAMES: Where are you going?
2. DIMITRI: It’s a nightclub, right? I’m going back to sleep until nightfall.
Panel 2. JAMES bring DIMITRI up short by grabbing his arm.
3. JAMES: They aren’t going to just sit around and wait for us.
4. DIMITRI: On the contrary, I think they will.
5. DIMITRI: Regardless, I’m sending Huginn and Muninn to keep an eye on the situation until I arrive.
Panel 3. JAMES watches frustrated as DIMITRI flops back down on his bed.
6. JAMES: People are dying, and you’re just going to sleep?
7. DIMITRI: Maybe I’ll dream up a way to deal with these… things.
Panel 4. JAMES stands sternly over DIMITRI with his arms crossed.
8. JAMES: That’s not good enough.
9. DIMITRI: Listen…
Panel 5. DIMITRI sits up and gives JAMES a dressing down.
10. DIMITRI: If you have a better plan- then implement it.
11. DIMITRI: But you don’t, do you?
12. DIMITRI:                        Instead, you sit here and bitch at me. You try and disguise the fact that you’re completely impotent by throwing up a constant smoke screen of whining and complaining. And I’m sick of it.
Panel 6. DIMITRI lies back down and JAMES stalks off in a huff.
13. DIMITRI: If you want to help me, then wait until the club opens and help. Otherwise stand back and wait for me to handle everything on my own, because I will. Fine?
14. JAMES: Fine.
PAGE SIXTEEN (six panels)
Panel 1. In the Dark Place dungeons, ALEXIUS is examining the PYROMANCER, who is strapped to slab with an autopsy Y incision in his chest, yet he remains alive. DIMITRI enters the room.
1. ALEXIUS: Ah, my descendant has returned to us. And so soon.
2. PYROMANCER: Mhmnn.
Panel 2. DIMITRI looks disgusted at the PYROMANCER who is only semi-aware of what is happening to him.
3. ALEXIUS: I was just examining our fire worshiping friend to see how he is adapting to the Dark Place.
4. DIMITRI: How much do you know about demons?
Panel 3. A close up of ALEXIUS smirking.
5. ALEXIUS: Demons? I know something of them, of course.
6. ALEXIUS: They are native to this realm, although they do not exist here.
7. DIMITRI (OFF): Well, that clears things up.
8. ALEXIUS: I will try my best to explain.
Panel 4. ALEXIUS has lost interest in the PYROMANCER and begins to pace back and forth.
9. ALEXIUS: Demons are the essence of the Dark Place which has entered into the material realm. They do not exist here, because they are the Dark Place.
10. ALEXIUS:                      However, by chance or by design, elements of the Dark Place may become separated from the greater whole. They emerge into the ‘real’ world as individual creatures. Humans have traditionally referred to these creatures as demons.
Panel 5. ALEXIUS stops his pacing beside DIMITRI.
11. ALEXIUS: Because of their strong ties to the Dark Place, they often model themselves on the sins they see in the world around them. Thus, you often hear them called ‘pride demons’ or ‘lust demons’ or some such.
12. ALEXIUS: They also tend to develop supernatural abilities which allow them to more effectively pursue their preferred form of vice. Many shadowmancers summon them as familiars, they use them as you have chosen to use your birds.
13. DIMITRI: How do I stop them?
Panel 6. ALEXIUS leads DIMITRI away from the dungeons. The PYROMANCER continues to moan and writhe behind them.
14. ALEXIUS: Their bodies are only physical manifestations; their true forms are ethereal and cannot be destroyed by normal means.
15. ALEXIUS: I preferred to control them rather than destroy them, so I do not know a means of exorcism. I will teach you what I know of summoning them, and perhaps you and Dr. Jean-Paul can reverse engineer a means to send them back to the Dark Place.
16. PYROMANCER: Mnnn.
17. DIMITRI: Sounds good. What about him?
18. ALEXIUS: Oh, the Zoroastrian will still be here when we’re finished. Don’t worry about him.
PAGE SEVENTEEN (five panels)
Panel 1. Establishing shot. DIMITRI sits on a rooftop overlooking the club, which seems as busy as ever. HUGINN and MUNINN are both perched beside him. Night has fallen.
1. DIMITRI: Nothing out of the ordinary so far?
2. MUNINN: Caw.
Panel 2. DIMITRI jumps down to the ground; his fall is slowed by shadows. The birds glide down after him.
3. DIMITRI: Let’s go take a closer look then.
Panel 3. DIMITRI walks through the club with HUGINN and MUNINN on his shoulders. Many people are looking at him askance.
Panel 4. DIMITRI sits down at a table in the back corner. SANDY approaches him.
4. SANDY: Can I get you something… sir?
Panel 5. DIMITRI smirks at her and SANDY smiles back.
5. SANDY: How did you get those birds past the bouncer?
6. DIMITRI: I transformed into a shadow and slipped in under the door.
PAGE EIGHTEEN (five panels)
Panel 1. SANDY stands by the table and looks intrigued. DIMITRI continues to flirt with her.
1. SANDY: Ooooh. A magician. Who are you tall-dark-and-handsome?
2. DIMITRI: I’m the one you’ve been waiting for.
Panel 2. SANDY sits down at the table with DIMITRI.
3. SANDY: You’ve certainly kept me waiting long enough.
4. DIMITRI: Oh? I thought it was just since last night.
Panel 3. A close up of SANDY’s hand on DIMITRI’s leg.
5. SANDY: I think I’ve been waiting for you my whole life.
6. DIMITRI: But that only constitutes a few months, right?
Panel 4. SANDY sidles up close to DIMITRI and whispers in his ear.
7. SANDY: Is that not a very long time? This world is very strange. Without you beside me it felt like an eternity.
8. DIMITRI: Now you’re just trying to flatter me.
Panel 5. SANDY stands up and leads DIMITRI away from the table by the hand.
9. SANDY: I plan on doing a hell of a lot more for you than just flattery. Follow me.
10. DIMITRI: With an offer like that, how can I refuse?
PAGE NINETEEN (five panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI and SANDY walk through the club arm in arm.
1. DIMITRI: How long have you been running this place?
2. SANDY: I just work here. The others make all the decisions, I just get told what to do.
Panel 2. DIMITRI pats SANDY’s ass and she titters with laughter.
3. DIMITRI: We’ll have to fix that, won’t we?
4. SANDY: Frisky boy, aren’t you? That’s okay, I prefer a man who isn’t afraid to get fresh.
Panel 3. SANDY takes DIMITRI past the employee’s only door into the back areas of the club.
5. SANDY: This way, it’s nice and quiet back here.
6. DIMITRI: If you don’t run this place, then how long has it been since the others took over?
Panel 4. SANDY guides DIMITRI to press her into a dark corner
7. SANDY: Trying to pump me for information? Oh well. So long as you pump me, I’ll give you all the information you like.
8. SANDY: We took over this place weeks ago. It’s really shocking how essential money is to operating in this world. We had a few ad-hoc ideas to get it at first- then Judith took over this place.
Panel 5. DIMITRI holds SANDY and kisses her neck while she seems to be enraptured.
9. DIMITRI: Who’s Judith?
10. SANDY: She’ll be positively green when she sees I found you first. Oh, promise that you won’t let her steal you away from me. I couldn’t bear it- I really couldn’t…
PAGE TWENTY (six panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI and SANDY kiss.
1. DIMITRI: I promise.
Panel 2. A close up. SANDY’s eyes go wide as she realizes something is wrong.
2. SANDY: Mmm?
Panel 3. SANDY slides down DIMITRI as she collapses to the floor. DIMITRI watches her without emotion.
3. SANDY: Oh… I suddenly feel… faint…
Panel 4. DIMITRI kneels down and checks on SANDY. The crows peck at her.
4. DIMITRI: Tried to taste my soul didn’t you, little succubus. Too bad it’s not currently in residence. I wonder what it is you touched instead?
Panel 5. DIMITRI looks over at TORO who has just come around the corner. He is still calm but starts opening the cuffs on his shirt.
5. TORO: What did you do to her?
6. DIMITRI: Excuse me?
7. TORO: I asked-
Panel 6. TORO charges at DIMITRI in full rage demon form. DIMITRI barely leaps out of the way in time, his shadow armor starts to form around him.
8. TORO: WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO TO HER!
PAGE TWENTY-ONE (six panels)
Panel 1. TORO begins thrashing around as he’s surrounded by shadow tentacles. DIMITRI is completely covered in shadow armor and has drawn his gun.
1. DIMITRI: Calm down.
2. TORO: I WILL FUCKING KILL YOU!
Panel 2. TORO is completely wrapped in a cocoon of shadows except for his face. DIMITRI presses his gun against TORO’s forehead.
3. DIMITRI: I told you- to calm down.
4. TORO: NO!
Panel 3. A close up of a grim looking DIMITRI. Parts of his face are revealed by the muzzle flash of the gun.
5. DIMITRI: Fine.
6. FX: BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
Panel 4. A close up of TORO’s face breathing heavily. Six bullets are visibly pressed into his forehead.
Panel 5. DIMITRI casually reloads while TORO shouts at him impotently from the web of shadows.
7. TORO: That. Fucking. HURT! LET ME OUT OF HERE! GODDAMNIT!
8. JUDITH (OFF):Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â What is going on here?
Panel 6. JUDITH and NARCISSUS walk in, accompanied by a grossly obese FAT BOY, and a thin but slovenly looking LAZY BOY. DIMITRI and TORO look over at them, but SANDY has started to recover and tries to interpose herself between them.
9. TORO: This piece of shit hurt Sandy!
10. SANDY: No! He doesn’t understand…
11. SANDY: …It’s so much more wonderful than that…
PAGE TWENTY-TWO (one panel)
Panel 1. SANDY clings to DIMITRI’s leg with a look of absolute euphoria on her face. DIMITRI looks around in faint surprise as all the demons kneel to him. TORO is released from the shadows and slightly bows as well, but he shares suspicious looks with both NARCISSUS, and JUDITH.
1. SANDY: …Our master has found us at last!