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 baring the mantle of the Shadowmancer.
Still reeling from the implications, Dimitri was taken by his neighbor to Dr. Jean-Paul, a voodoo expert, who explained that his powers came from a Dark Place and that he must rid himself of them as soon as possible.
On the run from the gangsters on the other side of his failed drug deal, Dimitri has sought sanctuary with Dr. Jean-Paul. However, he has just discovered that his girlfriend Nikki has left the magician’s abode in search of painkillers to end her withdrawals. Now he prepares to go out after her….
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 is a graduate student of English literature at Portland State University. He’s the child of a family of Russian immigrants and gangsters 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: Nikki is 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 ever since. She is currently going cold turkey off her painkiller addiction.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. PIERRE JEAN-PAUL: 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. THE BOSS: The Boss was the black sheep of a family with strong white nationalist paramilitary roots. He never fit into the militia lifestyle, but he used his family’s contacts with the skinhead gangs of Portland to build a powerful drug empire.
7. THE PYROMANCER: The Pyro is a magical mercenary with power over fire who offers his services to the highest bidder. A middle eastern man with a French passport and a slight Parisian accent; his origin and mystical training are cloaked in mystery. He has come to Portland after being hired by the Boss to slay the Shadowmancer.
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 (six panels)
Panel 1. NIKKI approaches a large and very rundown building. There is a man standing on the sidewalk as a doorman but he is dressed like a skinhead.
1. ANONYMOUS: She’s weak.
Panel 2. NIIKKI is entering the building while the SKINHEAD looks at his smart phone. He is subtly glancing over his shoulder at her
2. ANONYMOUS: She knows it is a sickness inside her.
3. ANONYMOUS: She chooses to feed it.
Panel 3. A view of the smartphone screen. It shows a picture of NIKKI, the image is forced and awkward like an ID photo. Cut off just above is the very bottom of a similar picture of DIMITRI. The pictures are paired with a message which reads ‘girl known associate. if spot either txt 4 $$$’ from someone called ‘Boss’.
4. ANONYMOUS: You cannot help her.
Panel 4. A shot from a man’s wrists, about the position of cufflinks if the man wore any. He is holding a small bag of powder heroine. Beyond the drugs is NIKKI looking desperate.
5. ANONYMOUS: She will tell you anything so that she can use you.
6. ANONYMOUS: And then she will go back.
Panel 5. A shot from behind of the DRUG DEALER, another skinhead, sitting on a couch still holding the drugs. From where she is positioned it is evident that NIKKI is giving him a blowjob.
7. ANONYMOUS: She wants this.
Panel 6. The DRUG DEALER and the SKINHEAD are standing over NIKKI who is lying unconscious on a dirty mattress lying on the floor. There are track marks on her arm and her hypodermic and other kit is on the bare floor next to her.
8. ANONYMOUS: Leave her.
PAGE TWO (five panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI, DAVID and PIERRE are all in PIERRE’s sitting room. PIERRE is sitting in his chair with his cane in front of him and looking calm but the other two are clearly worried. PIERRE’s arm has also healed though he holds his gris-gris hangs over near where it was broken.
1. ANONYMOUS: Let her die.
2. DIMITRI: Nikki is in danger.
3. PIERRE: We must get her back safely as soon as possible but we mustn’t panic. We have no way of knowing if she is in direct peril or not.
Panel 2. A close up of DIMITRI’s face. He is frustrated.
4. DIMITRI: I know.
Panel 3. A close up of PIERRE’s face looking intense while still remaining calm. He has his fingers folded in front of him over the end of his cane.
5. PIERRE: Let me be clear Dimitri. Shadow magic does not grant you the power of divination, but it will make you hear you own darkest thoughts echoed back at you.
6. PIERRE: Echoed back at you again and again until you think it’s real.
7. ANONYMOUS: He tells you the same lies he tells himself. He fears the power you wield.
8. DIMITRI (OFF): Whatever you say old man.
Panel 4. Another wider shot of the entire sitting room. DIMITRI is now sitting on the couch and he and PIERRE are frowning at one another. DAVID stands between them.
9. DAVID: Okay, so let’s focus on what we are able to do. She won’t answer our calls so how do we find Nikki?
Panel 5. A closer view in the sitting room where DAVID and PIERRE are visible but DIMITRI is not.
10. PIERRE: You’re quite right, we must stay focused.
11. PIERRE: Dimitri this may be painful for you but I must be blunt. Your young woman most likely sought out her vice immediately after leaving here. Do you know where she purchases her narcotics?
PAGE THREE (seven panels)
Panel 1. A close up of DIMITRI’s hands. He is wringing them together.
1. DIMITRI: No. Until a couple days ago I didn’t even know…
Panel 2. DIMITRI slams his hands down on the coffee table in front of him in rage. DAVID looks panicked and PIERRE has begun to rise from his seat looking stern. The shadows are crawling at the edges of the room and the lights have dimmed.
2. DIMITRI: Goddamnit!
3. PIERRE: Dimitri! Control yourself!
Panel 3. DIMITRI stands in front of the window looking out trying to calm down.
4. DIMITRI: I’m sorry
5. DAVID: We’ll find her somehow.
Panel 4. PIERRE has walked behind DIMITRI and put a hand on his shoulder.
6. PIERRE: Young David is correct. I confess that at this time I don’t know how but I assure you every puzzle has a solution.
Panel 5. A close up of DIMITRI as he looks over his shoulder at PIERRE. He has suddenly had an idea.
7. DIMITRI: Wait, what was that you said before about divination?
Panel 6. A close up of PIERRE. He is looking up at the sky, thinking.
8. PIERRE: Divination? It’s the ability to see distant times and locations. It’s not part of the profile of shadowmancy however.
Panel 7. DIMITRI is moving towards the door turning back to speak with PIERRE who is following him out.
9. DIMITRI: But it is a part of another type of profile.
10. PIERRE: I take it you have someone already in mind.
PAGE FOUR (five panels)
Panel 1. JAMES is in the entrance to the police station. He is passing by the DESK OFFICER who is an older and somewhat obese man with a mustache. It’s the same man that the BOSS bribed in issue three.
1. JAMES: Alright, I’m checking out.
2. DESK OFFICER: Christ sergeant you were still here when I checked in yesterday, go home and get some sleep.
3. JAMES: I can do the first, not sure about the second.
4. DESK OFFICER: Max was a damn good guy but he wouldn’t want you to kill yourself too over him, you hear?
Panel 2. JAMES leans over the front desk to speak with the DESK OFFICER. JAMES looks exhausted and has dark bags under his eyes
5. DESK OFFICER: You got the day off tomorrow?
6. JAMES: Yeah, I requested it months ago before everyone else realized they wanted to watch the eclipse and the department cut off vacation time for that day.
7. DESK OFFICER: Benefits of the late shift is I get every morning off. Try and get some rest alright?
Panel 3. JAMES is leaving through the front door and waving back at the DESK OFFICER as he goes.
8. JAMES: Just like you say.
Panel 4. JAMES is in the parking lot of the police station. He’s pulling his keys out of his pocket.
9. DIMITRI (OFF): James?
10. JAMES: Oh Goddamnit.
Panel 5. A shot from behind JAMES as he looks over at DIMITRI, DAVID, and PIERRE who were waiting for him.
11. JAMES: You are the last person I wanted to see.
12. DIMITRI: I’m sorry, but I need a favor.
PAGE FIVE (six panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI has left his two companions and is approaching JAMES.
1. JAMES: I spent over twenty-four hours hiding in my office before Max’s widow found out where I was. I just spent the last forty minutes lying to her about how her husband died.
Panel 2. A closer shot of just JAMES and DIMITRI.
2. DIMITRI: I’m sorry about that but we need your help and you’re the only one we can come to.
3. JAMES: And who is this ‘we’ exactly?
Panel 3. A close shot of DAVID and PIERRE. DAVID is trying to be friendly but PIERRE is stoic.
4. DAVID: My name is David and this is Dr. Jean-Paul.
5. DIMITRI (OFF): We need you to help us with the organization that was selling the drugs at the deal where your partner was killed.
Panel 4. A shot of JAMES, he is holding his head in his hands.
6. JAMES: You’re going after those people? You’re out of your damn mind.
7. JAMES: Shouldn’t you guys be telling him he’s nuts. What are you a doctor of anyway?
Panel 5. A close up of PIERRE looking totally implacable.
8. PIERRE: Occult science.
Panel 6. JAMES is shaking his head while DIMITRI reaches out and grabs his shoulder.
9. JAMES: Jesus freaking Christ.
10. DIMITRI: James, they found out where I live. They have Nikki, my girlfriend, an innocent woman and you know they won’t hesitate to kill her.
Panel 7. A close up of JAMES’ face. He looks determined.
11. JAMES: What do you need me to do?
PAGE SIX (five panels)
Panel 1. A close up of NIKKI’s face. Her eyes are closed and she is in the process of waking up.
1. NIKKI: Dimitri…?
Panel 2. A wider shot that reveals she is still in the room she shot up in but now the BOSS and the PYROMANCER are both present. The BOSS is sitting on the couch looking very casual holding a lit cigar in his hand and next to him sits the DRUG DEALER. The PYROMANCER is holding a gas can in one hand and playing with his zippo in the other, he is looking around the room.
2. BOSS: Not yet my dear but we’re hoping he’ll be along any time now.
3. NIKKI: Who are you?
Panel 3. A close up of the BOSS’ face. He looks very smug and quite pleased with himself.
4. BOSS: Why I am the owner of this fine establishment. As I’ve just been told it seems you have been one of my most frequent customers this whole time. A happy coincidence.
Panel 4. A shot of the BOSS looking up at the PYROMANCER who stands next to the couch.
5. PYROMANCER: This building should serve our purpose. I need an hour to prepare, and then have this girl make the call.
Panel 5. NIKKI sits up on the mattress and looks frightened.
6. NIKKI: You’re the one who sent those men to kill Dimitri.
7. BOSS: You have a shocking grasp of the obvious my dear.
8. JESSICA (OFF): Oh don’t be so harsh to her darling.
PAGE SEVEN (six panels)
Panel 1. JESSICA sits next to NIKKI. She holds NIKKI’s chin in her hand.
1. JESSICA: I find her naiveté adorable.
Panel 2. JESSICA pulls NIKKI closer to her breast and gently strokes her hair. NIKKI looks uncomfortable but doesn’t physically resist.
2. NIKKI: What do you want from me?
Panel 3. A shot from behind NIKKI and JESSICA facing the BOSS who is still smiling. The PYROMANCER has left the room.
3. BOSS: When my newest employee finishes readying this place you will send a message to your boyfriend telling him to come here to pick you up.
Panel 4. A close up of NIKKI’s face. She’s pulled away from JESSICA and is trying to look defiant but is mostly just frightened.
4. NIKKI: There’s no way I’ll help you. You’re going to kill him and then you’ll just kill me too.
Panel 5. A shot of the BOSS. He has spread out and lies down on the couch. He’s relaxed and looking up at the ceiling.
5. BOSS: You’re basically correct. Oh well, we’ll have to settle for just telling him to come here or we’ll kill you immediately.
6. BOSS: From what I’ve heard of him hoping to catch your fellow unawares is too much to hope for anyway.
Panel 6. A close shot of JESSICA’s mouth as she bites NIKKI’s ear.
7. JESSICA: Don’t let him worry you sweetheart. I’ll make sure I’m the one to handle you after this unpleasantness is finished.
PAGE EIGHT (seven panels)
Panel 1. A close up of JAMES’ face. He looks annoyed.
1. JAMES: I can’t believe I have to explain this…
2. JAMES: …but I don’t have psychic powers.
Panel 2. The group is all in JAMES’ car. DAVID is in the driver’s seat, PIERRE is in the passenger seat and both DIMITRI and JAMES are in the back. DAVID has taken his arm out of the cast and is gingerly testing it.
2. DIMITRI: Then why were you able to see that bastard who gave me these powers and your partner wasn’t? He said you had the ability to perceive what others couldn’t.
Panel 3. A view of everyone in the car through the windshield.
3. JAMES: Sometimes I get hunches, but so does ever good detective. Sometimes your mind works when you’re not thinking about it. That doesn’t make me Madame Cleo.
Panel 4. A view of PIERRE and DAVID in the front of the car. They are looking back at the DIMITRI and JAMES who are behind the viewer.
4. PIERRE: In that case, then tell us what your hunches tell you about Miss Nichole.
5. JAMES (OFF): It doesn’t work like that.
Panel 5. A close up of PIERRE.
6. PIERRE: I assure you it can. If you do exactly as I tell you.
Panel 6. A view of JAMES and DIMITRI in the back seat. JAMES is looking conflicted but DIMITRI is angry and shouting.
7. JAMES: This is all a load of bullshit.
8. DIMITRI: Your agent Scully routine is wearing pretty fucking thin. A girl’s life is at stake so at least try Goddamnit!
Panel 7. An exterior shot of the car in the parking lot from above.
9. JAMES: Alright. Let’s give it a try.
PAGE NINE (eight panels)
Panel 1. A close up of JAMES with his eyes closed focusing.
1. PIERRE (OFF): Close your eyes and concentrate. You’ve seen her picture and heard her name, keep these in your mind.
2. JAMES: Done.
Panel 2. A view of the group looking into the car through the windshield.
3. PIERRE: David will drive. Tell us if we are moving closer or further away.
4. JAMES: But how will I know-
Panel 3. A close up of PIERRE looking fierce.
5. PIERRE: You do not need to know and you do not need to think. You need to feel, to stretch out with your senses and perceive.
Panel 4. A montage of driving through Portland starting downtown.
6. DAVID: This way?
7. JAMES: I- I don’t know. Maybe?
8. PIERRE: Yes or no? Don’t think choose.
9. JAMES: Yes.
Panel 5. A montage of driving through Portland.
10. DAVID: Keep going?
11. JAMES: Don’t stop.
Panel 6. A montage of driving through Portland moving into the slums.
12. JAMES: No this is wrong. Go back the way we came.
Panel 7. An overhead view of the car passing through a lower class and dangerous looking neighborhood.
6. JAMES: Something is strange.
7. DAVID: Should I turn? Which way?
Panel 8. A close up of JAMES shouting and lurching forwards.
8. JAMES: Stop!
PAGE TEN (six panels)
Panel 1. A exterior view of the car. It is parked down the block from a small but abandoned looking apartment building. The windows are boarded up but there are lights on inside. The SKINHEAD is still standing on guard in front of the building. All around the building are vacant lots used for parking and the car is in one of these at a discrete distance. A limo is parked out front of the building and the CHAUFER is opening the door to let the BOSS and JESSICA inside.
1. JAMES: This is it.
Panel 2. The interior of the car. JAMES is leaning forward and pointing through the windshield at the limo on the street in front of them. The BOSS and JESSICA are both inside and the CHAUFER is getting into the driver’s seat.
2. DIMITRI: Are you sure?
3. PIERRE: He’s sure.
4. JAMES: Get the license number of that limo. The department might be interested to know who parks a limo outside a crack house
Panel 3. DAVID is writing down something on a notepad held against the car dashboard. JAMES and DIMITRI are both leaning forward from the backseat.
4. DAVID: Got it. So what now?
5. JAMES: Now we call in an anonymous tip and let the police handle this.
Panel 4. A view of DIMITRI and JAMES in the backseat of the car.
6. DIMITRI: If these guys see the police outside they’ll kill Nikki.
7. JAMES: Dimitri I understand you mistrust of the department but we’re trained for hostage situations. If you go in there like a lone wolf vigilante you’re more likely to get her killed then a professional SWAT team and hostage negotiator.
8. PIERRE (OFF): The police cannot become involved in this.
Panel 5. A shot of JAMES looking up at PIERRE who is pointing through the windshield.
9. JAMES: I was kind of hoping you would at least be sensible enough to call in the proper authorities.
10. PIERRE: Look.
Panel 6. A shot of the PYROMANCER walking around the building. He is still holding a gas can in one hand and some chalk in the other. He seems to be examining the exterior of the building.
11. PIERRE (OFF): I know that man. He is one of the enlightened. He is a practitioner of fire magic but he is known to sell his services to the highest bidder. He uses his powers as a hired terrorist and paid assassin.
12 ANONYMOUS: He carries a flame of self-righteousness within him. He seeks to dispel the dark. He is your enemy.
12. JAMES (OFF): Another fucking wizard. If we call in police backup-
13. DIMITRI (OFF): They’ll be slaughtered, just like your partner was.
PAGE ELEVEN (five panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI and JAMES in the backseat. JAMES is determined and is taking charge, DIMITRI looks confident.
1. JAMES: You think your spooky shadow powers can get you inside without being seen?
2. ANONYMOUS: Those inside shall be lambs to your slaughter.
3. DIMITRI: No question about it.
Panel 2. A view of everyone in the car.
4. JAMES: Then do it. David, stay here and keep the car running. The second the girl is out of the building pull up and get her out of here.
5. DIMITRI: If there’s shit going down when she gets in then don’t bother to wait for the rest of us. Make sure Nikki is safe and we’ll find our own way.
Panel 3. A shot of PIERRE tapping the side of his head.
6. PIERRE: And what will we be doing?
Panel 4. A shot of JAMES as he pulls out his gun.
7. JAMES: This magic guy is one bad dude right?
8. PIERRE (OFF): Indeed.
Panel 5. JAMES, PIERRE and DIMITRI all get out of the car looking badass. The shadow armor has begun to form around DIMITRI who has pulled out his own gun, the revolver he took from JEFF. The ruby on PIERRE’s staff is glowing.
9. JAMES: I’m a cop. I’m going to arrest him and if it turns out he really is a wizard you’re going to make sure he doesn’t light my ass on fire.
PAGE TWELVE (seven panels)
Panel 1. The SKINHEAD is still standing outside the building on guard. He’s standing under a porchlight and is looking around in confusion.
1. FX: Tap tap.
2. SKINHEAD: What the fuck is that?
Panel 2. The SKINHEAD has left the glow of the light and is walking into the shadows around the side of the building looking for the source of the sound. DIMITRI’s outline can be seen hiding in the shadows.
3. SKINHEAD: Whoever it is better come out before I shoot them. I don’t like jokes mother fucker.
Panel 3. A close up of the SKINHEAD getting pistol whipped on the back of the head and knocked unconscious.
Panel 4. DIMITRI is standing underneath the porchlight and part of his armor has melted away. He is reaching up and unscrewing the light.
4. JAMES (OFF): Excuse me sir, Portland police department. I’d like to speak with you a moment.
Panel 5. A similar shot as before but now the light is out and DIMITRI has already gone into the building only part of his back can be seen.
5. JAMES (OFF): I’d like to see your ID sir.
Panel 6. DIMITRI is in a hallway and ducks off to the side into the shadows as a pair of henchmen who also look like skinheads pass by him and fail to notice.
Panel 7. A close up of DIMITRI flinching.
FX (OFF): BOOM!
PAGE THIRTEEN (six panels)
Panel 1. Both of the henchmen are running down the hallway. DIMITRI has stepped out of the shadows behind them.
1. DIMITRI: Well I suppose that qualifies as resisting arrest whatever that was.
Panel 2. DIMITRI ducks off the side of an open doorway, lying in ambush. Another henchman is running towards the doorway from the other side.
2. DIMITRI: I hope those two know what they’re doing.
3. ANONYMOUS: The enemy they face is beyond them.
Panel 3. The henchman has passed through the doorway. DIMITRI has grabbed a hold of him and is in the process of slamming him to the ground.
Panel 4. A close up of the henchman. He’s terrified and DIMITRI’s gun is pressed up against the side of his head.
4. DIMITRI (OFF): Where are you holding the girl!
Panel 5. DIMITRI is passing through apartments but the interior walls are all decayed and busted through. A few junkies are lying around watching him fearfully as he passes by and ignores them.
5. ANONYMOUS: The misery and desperation in this place is as sweet ambrosia to us.
Panel 6. A close up of DIMITRI’s face, he’s looking up in surprise.
6. FX: BOOM!
7. DIMITRI: Goddamn, I hope the old man and that cop are okay.
8. ANONYMOUS: They shall die in your service.
PAGE FOURTEEN (seven panels)
Panel 1. The apartment where NIKKI is being held again. NIKKI is still on the mattress crying, the DRUG DEALER is sitting on the couch.
1. DRUG DEALER: Why don’t you stop that bawling and come over here and give me some company.
Panel 2. A shot from in front of the drug dealer who is leering and smiling. Behind him is DIMITRI is his shadow armor with his weapon raised.
2. DRUG DEALER: I liked you a lot better before all this shit when you were just some bitch sucking me off for smack.
3. DIMITRI: You’re lucky I don’t shoot people who aren’t pointing a gun back at me.
Panel 3. The DRUG DEALER tries to turn around to face the person who snuck up on him but DIMITRI smacks him upside the head.
4. DRUG DEALER: What the fu-
Panel 4. NIKKI looks up at DIMITRI still with tears in her eyes.
5. NIKKI: Dimitri…?
6. DIMITRI: We’ll talk about all this later. Let’s get the hell out of here.
Panel 5. NIKKI gets up gingerly and DIMITRI wraps an arm around her to help her.
7. NIKKI: O… Okay.
Panel 6. DIMITRI and NIKKI stand in doorway of the apartment building. DIMITRI is pointing across the street, NIKKI still looks shaken.
8. DIMITRI: David’s parked right across the street. Just get in and he’ll get you out of here.
9. NIKKI: What about you?
Panel 7. A shot of DIMITRI checking his gun.
10. DIMITRI: I have some unfinished business. I’ll catch up with you later.
PAGE FIFTEEN (six panels)
Panel 1. A shot of DIMITRI walking from the apartment building to the parking lot. Behind him NIKKI can be seen running across the street to the car where DAVID is waiting.
1. DIMITRI: Hey motherfucker!
Panel 2. A shot of the parking lot. The PYROMANCER stands with his gas can in one hand and his lighter in the other. His zippo is lit. DIMITRI is approaching him and between them are the disabled forms of both PIERRE and JAMES. Both are badly burned and injured.
2. PYROMANCER: Ah, my target. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you Mr. Sokolov.
Panel 3. DIMITRI fires at the PYROMANCER with his revolver but the PYROMANCER summons a wall of fire originating from his lighter which blocks the bullets.
3. DIMITRI: Yeah, me too.
4. FX: Bang! Bang! Bang!
Panel 4. The PYROMANCER is laughing uproariously and sends a small bolt of flame to the ground in front of him while DIMITRI looks a bit sheepish holding his gun.
5. PYROMANCER: AHHAHAHA!
6. DIMITRI: Well… shit.
Panel 5. An overhead shot. A line of gasoline has been drawn arounds PIERRE and JAMES and set aflame. The fire burns in the sign of the Faravahar. DIMITRI’s shadow armor melts away near the fire.
Panel 6. A close up of the PYROMANCER looking manic
7. PYROMANCER: You see your shadows cannot stand exposure to the Atar, the holy flames!
PAGE SIXTEEN (seven panels)
Panel 1. A close up of DIMITRI shaking his head.
1. DIMITRI: I’ve met some strange people in the past few days but you’re a Goddamn fruit cake.
Panel 2. A close up of PIERRE.
2. PIERRE: Don’t fight him in the open by his flames.
Panel 3. The PYROMANCER approaches the pair within the flames. He holds a ball of fire in his hand with origins from his lighter. DIMITRI is not visible. The PYROMANCER is enraged.
3. PYROMANCER: Soon you shall spread your vile Druj no more old man!
Panel 4. DIMITRI is running back into the apartment complex. It’s a wide shot and the PYROMANCER can be seen looking up and taking notice of DIMITRI’s escape.
4. DIMITRI: If you’re not too busy jerking off grandpa maybe you’ll come after me before I get bored and decide to just leave.
5. PYROMANCER: I shall return for you old snake. Your burning shall be slow.
Panel 5. DIMITRI is in the lobby of the skinhead’s building. He is looking around for some way to defend himself.
6. DIMITRI: Alright I’m out of the open. Now what?
7. ANONYMOUS: The answers are in the shadows. Let them guide you.
Panel 6. A close up of DIMITRI looking over his shoulder.
7. DIMITRI: Damnit!
Panel 7. The PYROMANCER kicks down the door of the apartment. He’s still holding his gas can and lighter. However DIMITRI is nowhere to be seen.
8. PYROMANCER: I have come for you Ahriman!
PAGE SEVENTEEN (seven panels)
Panel 1. The PYROMANCER has put down the gas can sideways so that gas spills out. He walks away from it and sends a bolt of fire back to set it aflame, thus blocking the door out. As he does this he is reaching into his pockets with his left hand.
1. PYROMANCER: You cannot escape from a true servant of Ahura Mazda!
Panel 2. The PYROMANCER stalks through the abandoned apartments, he is sprinkling a reddish powder from his left hand as he walks. The junkies have cleared out but DIMITRI remains elusive.
2. DIMITRI (OFF): Alright that’s it. There is no way I’m going to let myself get killed by a guy who worships a compact car.
3. PYROMANCER: You mock Ahriman but still you scurry into your shadows to hide.
Panel 3. A fire blast hits the powder and it begins emitting thick smoke.
4. DIMITRI (OFF): Uh, scurrying into the shadows is kind of my brand.
Panel 4. A shot of the PYROMANCER swinging around to see DIMITRI wracked over with coughing. The PYROMANCER fires a blast of flame at him.
5. DIMITRI: *Cough* My lungs are burning. *cought*
6. PYROMANCER: Ah ha!
Panel 5. DIMITRI dive rolls into a nearby room still partially on fire. Inside the room is filled with all sorts of different types of accelerants used by the PYROMANCER.
7. ANONYMOUS: The shadows have brought you to your destination.
8. DIMITRI: What destination?
9. DIMITRI: Oh.
Panel 6. The PYROMANCER walks confidently into the room smiling. DIMITRI has put himself out and points his revolver as the PYROMANCER.
10. PYROMANCER: You arrived early and I was not able to prepare all my accelerants. Fortunately you are so weak as to make it unnecessary.
11. PYROMANCER: Are you going to try to shoot me again Ahriman?
12. DIMITRI: No, and your wrong.
Panel 7. DIMITRI fires his last shot at the pile of high explosives. The PYROMANCER forms a shield of fire between his hands and dives to stop the bullet but cannot. DIMITRI has placed a hand inside of a patch of shadow cast by a piece of furniture and begun to teleport.
13. DIMITRI: I think you set up these explosives nicely.
PAGE EIGHTEEN (six panels)
Panel 1. A wide shot of the apartment building. A massive blast emerges out of an upper floor room.
1. FX: BOOM!
Panel 2. PIERRE and JAMES are in the parking lot looking up at the explosion. DIMITRI emerges out of the shadows near them; his allies haven’t noticed him yet.
2. JAMES: Holy shit!
3. PIERRE: Indeed.
Panel 3. PIERRE and JAMES turn to find DIMITRI and they rush over to help him.
4. JAMES: Dimitri!
Panel 4. PIERRE and JAMES are helping to pull DIMITRI to his feet.
5. PIERRE: I take it that explosion was your doing.
6. DIMITRI: Guy liked fire. Thought he’d appreciate it.
Panel 5. A close up of PIERRE looking exasperated.
7. PIERRE: You are perhaps the least disciplined and most dangerous practitioner of the enlightened arts I have ever met.
8. DIMITRI (OFF): I take that as a compliment.
Panel 6. A close up of JAMES looking weary.
9. JAMES: Well you’re certainly undisciplined enough to have probably gotten me fired.
PAGE NINETEEN (six panels)
Panel 1. The group stops and sits down in the parking lot a safe distance from the apartment building which is still burning. They are near the shot up car NIKKI drove to the crack house.
1. DIMITRI: Control the story. You were passing by while some idiot skin heads’ meth lab blew up and you pitched in to help in the rescue efforts. They’ll give you a medal.
Panel 2. A view of JAMES and DIMITRI. JAMES is lighting a cigarette.
2. JAMES: Lie to my superiors?
3. DIMITRI: After everything that’s happened so far you should be used to it by now.
Panel 3. JAMES holds out a pack of cigarettes and both DIMITRI and PIERRE take one.
4. JAMES: I’m Jack Nicholson now. “They can’t handle the truth.”
5. PIERRE: They don’t want the truth. Few people do.
Panel 4. All three of them sit leaning against the car smoking their cigarettes. PIERRE is coughing.
6. JAMES: Maybe you’re right.
7. PIERRE: *Cough, cough* Filthy habit, glad I never took it up.
Panel 5. JAMES has stood up and is standing a small distance away from the other two. Past him a police cruiser is about to pull up.
8. DIMITRI: James I need to know who was in that limo.
9. JAMES: I knew you’d ask me that.
10. JAMES: Let’s worry about this later; you need to get away before the rest of the cavalry arrives.
Panel 6. DIMITRI and PIERRE limp away from the apartment building which is now engulfed in flames. Behind them JAMES can be seen speaking with the arriving police officers.
11. PIERRE: You intend to use your powers to pursue the men responsible for this?
12. DIMITRI: I’m sick of being on the run. It’s time to end this.
13. JAMES: Just a couple of pedestrians. Let’s make sure this street is clear so the fire engines can get in here.
PAGE TWENTY (five panels)
Panel 1. JESSICA and the BOSS are passing underneath the ‘DO NOT CROSS’ police tape and walking onto the rubble of the destroyed building. Behind them their CHAUFER is peeling off a number of bills from a large roll to give to a pair of expectant police officers. Besides them the crime scene has been mostly deserted and the fires have all been put out.
1. NARRATION: Sometime later.
2. JESSICA: Well this could have gone better.
Panel 2. JESSICA and the BOSS and walking gingerly across the debris. JESSICA in particular is walking very carefully as she is in high heels.
3. BOSS: Really Jess? I wasn’t aware. I thought this was the best possible fucking outcome.
Panel 3. A close up of JESSICA’s face.
4. JESSICA: Don’t you get pissy with me.
Panel 4. The BOSS has whirled around to shout at JESSICA. For the first time he looks like he’s lost control.
5. BOSS: I’m not pissy!
6. BOSS: I have half a dozen men fucking dead, my best employee is laying in the hospital a fucking cripple, hundreds of thousands of dollars of my fucking heroine just burned up and a building I own just fucking exploded!
Panel 5. JESSICA walks away shrugging while the BOSS continues to shout.
7. JESSICA: So collect the insurance policy and move on.
8. BOSS: I’m not pissy. I’m fucking livid! I want this cocksucker dead!
PAGE TWENTY ONE (six panels)
Panel 1. A close up of JESSICA looking fierce.
1. JESSICA: So why don’t you do something about it instead of bitching at me?
Panel 2. The BOSS is kicking through some of the rubble. He’s looking for something but he doesn’t want to actually lift anything. JESSICA watches him with her arms crossed.
2. BOSS: I am. I’m looking for the magic specialist you found for me.
3. JESSICA: You really think he survived?
Panel 3. The BOSS is bending over at the waist to check under an overhanging piece of rubble.
4. BOSS: Well when you told me to hire him you told me that he was a practitioner of fire magic right?
5. JESSICA: Yes I did. So?
Panel 4. A close up of the BOSS. He has regained his composure.
6. BOSS: So… If your specialist was so hot with fire magic it stands to reason that it will take more than an explosion to kill him.
Panel 5. The BOSS has knelt down at last to pick through some of the rubble but he still isn’t interested in lifting anything heavy. JESSICA still watches impassively.
7. JESSICA: You think so?
8. BOSS: I do.
9. BOSS: I’ve spent enough money it had better take more then than one fire ball to kill him.
Panel 6. The BOSS and JESSICA are whirling around to see the voice that came from behind them.
8. PYROMANCER (OFF): You are correct.
PAGE TWENTY TWO (one panel)
Panel 1. A full page spread of the PYROMANCER reaching a hand out of the rubble. JESSICA seems surprised but the BOSS seems pleased.
1. PYROMANCER: …It takes a great deal more than that to kill me.