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.
Since gaining his powers, Dimitri has been hunted by gangsters who blamed him for the police interrupting their drug deal. After seeing his abilities, they hired a fire mage to kill him, but even that was not enough. Their final battle occurred during a complete eclipse of the sun and was a slaughter.
Since then, Dimitri has escaped with a bag filled with stolen cash. He’s laid low, but it seems as though the skinheads who had been harassing him have finally back off. However, outside the city someone has been planning their revenge, and they’ve just arrived….
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. DAVID HUGHES:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. JUSTIN AVERY: Justin is a reporter for the Oregonian who can be described either as an experienced veteran, or a washed-up old timer, depending on who one talks to. 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.
7. JEFF KLINE:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Jeff is a disgraced soldier with a dishonorable discharge. After leaving the military, he became an enforcer for a drug dealing business run by his childhood friend. His previous battles with Dimitri have left him crippled, but still alive.
8. 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.
PAGE ONE (seven panels)
Panel 1. BROTHER is meeting with the SKINHEAD at a large abandoned building with a gutted interior. Several militia members are milling around watching for intruders. The SKINHEAD looks nervous but the BROTHER is calmly reading a file.
1. BROTHER: So, you never actually saw him.
2. SKINHEAD: No, but that’s what I’m saying. This guy is spooky. Even the boss was scared of him.
Panel 2. A closer shot of the BROTHER which reveals that he is reading the police file on DIMITRI that the BOSS acquired several issues ago.
3. BROTHER: I see nothing here which indicates that he’s anything more than the leader of a particularly proficient hit squad for the Russian mafia.
Panel 3. The BROTHER looks out the window casually while the SKINHEAD tries to hide behind him.
4. SKINHEAD: The boss hired this guy with a fucking flamethrower or something to kill him and it wasn’t enough; and there’s no hit squad it’s just this one fucking guy.
Panel 4. The BROTHER turns and addresses the SKINHEAD who looks downwards, doubting himself.
5. BROTHER: You didn’t see him. How do you know if he had any men with him?
6. SKINHEAD: I guess I don’t.
Panel 5. The BROTHER hands a cellphone to the SKINHEAD.
7. BROTHER: This is the number we have for him. Make the call.
Panel 6. A close shot of just the SKINHEAD holds the phone and looks at it terrified.
8. SKINHEAD: Why do I have the make the call?
Panel 7. A close shot of just the BROTHER, he is staring daggers at the viewer.
9. BROTHER: He’s already familiar with the Portland chapter so it is the Portland chapter which will reach out to him.
10. BROTHER: You want me to leave you in charge when we depart don’t you?
PAGE TWO (six panels)
Panel 1. The SKINHEAD gives a blank look in reply.
1. SKINHEAD: Not really, no.
2. SKINHEAD: The last two guys who had that job are fucking dead. I just want to be forgotten.
Panel 2. The BROTHER regards the SKINHEAD with a smirk on his face.
3. BROTHER: You’re smarter than I took you for. A coward as well, but I already knew that.
4. BROTHER: Regardless, in this case I will kill you if you don’t make the call so your choices are limited.
Panel 3. The SKINHEAD begins to call DIMITRI on the phone while sweating profusely. DIMITRI’s mugshot is the image in the contacts list. He looks mostly the same but his hair is longer, like a metal head’s, and he has a thousand-yard stare.
5. SKINHEAD: Aw fuck me.
Panel 4. DIMITRI is sitting at his computer watching pornography. He looks over disinterestedly at his phone which is ringing. Music notes indicate that the ring tone is music
6. CELLPHONE: People are strange when you’re a stranger; faces look ugly when you’re alone. Women seem wicked when you’re unwanted…
Panel 5. A close up of DIMITRI’s phone showing that the call is coming from an unknown number. He is pressing the ‘ignore’ button.
7. CELLPHONE: Streets are uneven, oh, when you’re down.
8. DIMITRI (OFF): Yeah right.
Panel 6. The SKINHEAD is looking over miserably at the BROTHER while holding the phone up to his ear.
9. SKINHEAD: He’s not picking up.
10. BROTHER: Why should he? Leave a message.
PAGE THREE (eight panels)
Panel 1. The SKINHEAD is trying to project confidence as he talks on the phone but he’s still sweating.
1. CELLPHONE: If you must leave a message then do it.
2. SKINHEAD: Hey, man, it’s-
3. SKINHEAD: You know what? You fucked with the wrong people man- but we want to sort this shit out- and get back to business man-
Panel 2. DIMITRI is listening to his message later while sitting on the fire escape and smoking a joint. He is smiling and shaking his head dismissively.
4. CELLPHONE: I’m texting you a spot. Get down here 2 AM right after last call. No crew and no weapons man, let’s keep this real peaceful.
Panel 3. SKINHEAD slams the end call button still trying hard to show confidence.
5. SKINHEAD: And don’t you try and fuck us pal cause this is your last fucking chance or you’re a dead man!
Panel 4. SKINHEAD slumps down to the ground and folds up into the fetal position.
6. SKINHEAD: I’m dead. I’m so fucking dead. Russians are like the House Goddamn Bolton of the real world, gonna skin me alive…
Panel 5. BROTHER looks out the window and rubs his forehead.
7. BROTHER: If you must cringe in terror do so silently. I have preparations to make.
Panel 6. A close up of DIMITRI’s face illuminated by his smoking.
8. DIMITRI: I’m going to skin that motherfucker alive.
Panel 7. DIMITRI stands up on the fire escape and stretches.
9. ANONYMOUS: His voice was sickly sweet, dripping with beautiful fear.
10. DIMITRI: He doesn’t know what happened but he knows that a hell of a lot of his friends are suddenly dead.
11. DIMITRI: I had hoped that once their boss was dead that would be it, but they’re obviously still organized enough to try and put together some kind of a trap for me.
Panel 8. DIMITRI climbs back in through the window into his bedroom.
12. ANONYMOUS: Bring them low. Expose their impotence and make them bleed.
13. DIMITRI: A whole lot of meth heads are gonna die tonight.
PAGE FOUR (five panels)
Panel 1. An exterior shot of a building under construction, it is on a lot directly adjacent to a biker bar. A pair of militiamen are standing guard in front of the site. The BROTHER and SKINHEAD are watching from an upper level as DIMITRI approaches on the street. The title and credits are worked into the image.
Panel 2. One of the GUARDs moves in front of DIMITRI to stop him from going past.
1. GUARD: I need to search you for weapons sir.
Panel 3. A close up on DIMITRI looking pissed off and lecturing the guard.
2. DIMITRI: Fuck you. I brought a Goddamn gun and I’m taking it in with me. Do you want this meeting to happen or not?
Panel 4. The GUARD looks up towards the upper level window where only the SKINHEAD is visible and looking very anxious. He gives a nod.
Panel 5. A wider shot from above. DIMITRI is walking past the guards who are waving him in. On the upper level the SKINHEAD is waiting by the window and behind him in the shadows is the BROTHER. Around the area there are more gangsters on patrol.
3. GUARD: Alright you can head on in.
4. DIMITRI: Thanks genius.
5. DIMITRI: Master fucking race. Jesus Christ.
PAGE FIVE (six panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI strides up some stairs into a wide-open area where the interior walls have not been put up yet. The SKINHEAD is there waiting for him wide eyed with fear. Behind where DIMITRI comes out the BROTHER with a pair of militia members on either side of him armed with AR-15s. The area is lit only by the surrounding city lights and is very dark.
1. DIMITRI: So, you’re the bitch I have to kill to make convince these guys to leave me alone?
2. SKINHEAD: No, I-
Panel 2. DIMITRI turns around casually to face the BROTHER who steps forward in front of his militiamen. The men have raised their rifles to point at DIMITRI.
3. BROTHER: In fact, that would be me.
4. DIMITRI: You look like a less doughy version of the last boss I killed.
Panel 3. A close up of the BROTHER whose face is a mask of cool rage.
5. BROTHER: He was my younger brother.
Panel 4. A close up of DIMITRI who is shrugging.
6. DIMITRI: I say ‘last boss I killed’ but actually it was his own goon who set him on fire.
7. DIMITRI: It was kind of funny actually.
Panel 5. A wider shot of the building from the side where there are no exterior walls. Several bikers who were down below are climbing up the stairs DIMITRI took; they are armed with cheap pistols and revolvers as well as bats, knives, etc. Leading them are the first two militia members. On the upper levels the SKINHEAD is inching away from the confrontation.
8. BROTHER: You will not find it so amusing very soon. Place your weapon down on the ground or we’ll shoot you right here.
9. DIMITRI: No.
10. DIMITRI: Listen, I’m going to give you one chance to give up now and I’ll let you live. Otherwise we do this the hard way- That’s the way where I kill you, your friends, family, pets, etc…
Panel 6. A close up of the BROTHER wearing a wide smile.
11. BROTHER: I had hoped to interrogate you as to the whereabouts of the rest of your men but I will settle for simple revenge.
12. BROTHER: Kill him.
PAGE SIX (five panels)
Panel 1. A shot from behind of DIMITRI raising a barrier of darkness in front of him with his left hand to block the gunfire of the militiamen. He has pulled his revolver with his right hand and shoots the first of the militiamen who has poked his head up the stairs.
1. DIMITRI Good effort.
Panel 2. DIMITRI dives out from behind his cover and tosses a spear of darkness which impales one of the militia men next to the BROTHER. He has cloaked himself in the darkness. More guards are coming up on the stairs.
2. DIMITRI: Flawed execution.
Panel 3. The BROTHER looks over in shellshock at the man who just died next to him. Meanwhile the militiaman on his other side is being hoisted up in the air by a noose of darkness around his neck and is kicking desperately.
3. DIMITRI (OFF): Execution. Get it?
Panel 4. A wider shot of the whole floor. DIMITRI has vanished from sight. A small mob of bikers has spilled up the stairs led by the GUARD and looks over in terror at the speared militiaman and the hanging militiaman who has gone limp. The BROTHER is still standing completely still in shock. The SKINHEAD has curled up in a far corner of the room.
Panel 5. A small cut away panel of DIMITRI’s hand grabbing an assault rifle up off the floor.
PAGE SEVEN (four panels)
Panel 1. The gang runs over to the BROTHER and the GUARD who waved DIMITRI into the building is trying to shake him out of his shock.
1. GUARD: What happened? Where is he?
Panel 2. A shot of DIMITRI. He is in full shadow armor and he has taken cover behind a pillar and is taking aim with the rifle he picked up.
2. GUARD: Captain!? What happened?!
Panel 3. A close up of the BROTHER’s face as it is splattered with blood which is bringing him out of his catatonic state.
3. GUARD (OFF): AUGH!
Panel 4. The BROTHER puts his head down and runs through a storm of bullets as DIMITRI unleashes a burst of fully automatic fire on the room bringing down most of the gangsters. The BROTHER however remains almost miraculously unhurt.
PAGE EIGHT (six panels)
Panel 1. The BROTHER sprints in full flight down the stairs while screams and gunshots resound from an unseen massacre on the floor above him.
Panel 2. The BROTHER athletically climbs and leaps over the fence around the site. The gunfire continues behind him.
Panel 3. The BROTHER dives into a black luxury car with the backdoor open and the engine running which is in the alley.
1. BROTHER: Drive! Drive!
Panel 4. The STAFF SARGEANT driving the car looks back at the BROTHER in the backseat who is back in control but breathing heavily from his exertion. The BROTHER is digging through the drinks cabinet frantically mixing himself a drink.
2. STAFF SARGEANT: What is the situation captain?
3. BROTHER: Shut up!
Panel 5. JARED is sitting in the commander’s office in the compound speaking on his phone. The BROTHER’s voice comes from his phone.
4. BROTHER: Lieutenant?
5. JARED: Ready for orders captain.
Panel 5. A close up of the BROTHER on his phone. He is looks determined but is taking a large swig of whisky as he speaks.
6. BROTHER: My brother’s paranoia was completely founded. The Russian is…
Panel 6. JARED has begun taking notes on a pad.
7. BROTHER: The Russian is… unnatural. Repeat his research, find out everything my brother knew. And find that whore Jessica she’ll know more than anyone about this.
8. BROTHER: Also pull in all our men. Cancel all leave and put the compound on lockdown. No one leaves, that includes my daughter.
9. JARED: It will be done at once captain.
PAGE NINE (five panels)
Panel 1. An exterior shot of the car rocketing down the street.
1. STAFF SARGEANT: Is there no one else from the fire team for us to recover from the area of operations sir?
2. BROTHER: No one else will be leaving there alive.
Panel 2. Back at the scene of the battle the guards and militiamen all lie dead on the ground. The shadow weaponry has disappeared. DIMITRI walks out into the carnage and casually tosses aside his rifle. The SKINHEAD is still rolling around on the ground in terror where he has pissed himself in fright.
3. SKINHEAD: No. No. No.
Panel 3. DIMITRI walks up to the skinhead while taking his revolver out of his belt. He looks disdainful.
4. DIMITRI: Nasty dude.
5. DIMITRI: Are you the motherfucker who called me?
6. SKINHEAD: Stay away! Stay away!
Panel 4. The SKINHEAD leaps off the side of the building in terror where DIMITRI watches him in mild surprise.
7. SKINHEAD: Stay awaaaaaaaaay!
Panel 5. An exterior shot of the building. The SKINHEAD lands on his feet and instantly snaps both his shin bones.
8. SKINHEAD: AUGH!
PAGE TEN (seven panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI calmly walks out of the building and up to where the crippled SKINHEAD is wailing on the ground.
1. DIMITRI: Well that wasn’t very smart, was it?
2. SKINHEAD: Please don’t kill me! I’m sorry! I swear to God, I’m sorry!
Panel 2. DIMITRI kneels down and makes a face at the SKINHEAD’s mangled legs. He keeps his revolver trained on the goon.
3. DIMITRI: Take it easy there, tough guy. I’m not going to kill you.
4. DIMITRI: As long as you do me a couple of favors.
5. SKINHEAD: Anything. I’ll do anything I swear to Christ.
Panel 3. DIMITRI holds out a hand to the SKINHEAD while keeping him held at gunpoint. The SKINHEAD is digging through his pockets.
6. DIMITRI: First, hand over your fucking wallet.
7. SKINHEAD: Absolutely. Anything else?
Panel 4. DIMITRI looks through the wallet.
8. DIMITRI: You’re going to deliver a message to all your friends for me.
9. SKINHEAD: Those guys are from some fucking compound out by Pendleton man I don’t even know who they are.
Panel 5. DIMITRI throws a card from the wallet back to the SKINHEAD.
10. DIMITRI: Don’t worry; I know you’re not with them. It the Portland skinheads I need you to deliver a message to.
11. SKINHEAD: What’s this?
Panel 6. DIMITRI smirks at the SKINHEAD.
12. DIMITRI: You’re insurance card.
13. DIMITRI: When you get to the hospital, I’m going to need you to put the word out to all your little friends that they’re going to go straight for the rest of the month.
Panel 7. DIMITRI stands up and starts to walk away from the crippled SKINHEAD who is left lying on the ground.
14. DIMITRI: I don’t care if they’re working for the militia or dealing for themselves. If I see any neo-nazi types out representing in the next two weeks I’m going to put them in the hospital right next to you. Got it?
15. SKINHEAD: I got it man; I swear. You won’t regret giving me this chance man, I’m serious.
16. DIMITRI: I’d better not.
PAGE ELEVEN (eight panels)
Panel 1. An exterior shot of the building in the morning daylight. The entire area has been taped off and there are several police and flashing lights on the street. ROSA approaches the crime scene accompanied by JULIA.
Panel 2. ROSA comes up the stairs to the floor where the battle took place. CSI is in the process of examining the bodies along with JAMES.
1. ROSA: Jesus Christ!
Panel 3. A shot of JAMES with ROSA in the background. JAMES is looking down at the body while ROSA has begun to genuflect.
2. JAMES: Orders were to be here bright and early sergeant.
Panel 4. A shot from the exact same angle but JAMES is looking back and ROSA who finishes making the sign of the cross.
3. JAMES: Have a late-night Rosa?
Panel 5. ROSA leans over the bodies JAMES was examining. They were the militiamen.
4. ROSA: Julia and I went out for margaritas at ladies’ night.
5. ROSA: What happened here?
Panel 6. A close up of the neck of one of the militiamen. JAMES hand is gesturing to strangulation marks on it.
6. JAMES (OFF): Same two groups we found at the mansion. Most of them caught bullets but someone strangled this one.
Panel 7. A wider shot where JAMES is gesturing to the other militia member.
7. JAMES: That guy was impaled by something, something big. But we have no idea what as of yet.
Panel 8. JAMES and ROSA are walking over together towards the empty wall the SKINHEAD jumped through.
8. ROSA: I saw a blood splatter on the ground downstairs.
9. JAMES: Our only witness. He jumped off the side to escape the gunfight. His snapped shin bones were sticking out of his legs when the first responders got here.
PAGE TWELVE (six panels)
Panel 1. JAMES and ROSA sit on the edge the SKINHEAD threw himself over and JAMES pulls a cigarette out of a pack.
1. JAMES: They’ve got him down at Legacy Emanuel right now.
2. ROSA: Has he said anything yet?
Panel 2. JAMES holds out the pack to ROSA who waves it away.
3. JAMES: Nothing to us. He’s been screaming about how he wanted to make his phone call since we picked him up though.
Panel 3. JAMES lights his cigarette while he looks askance at ROSA.
4. ROSA: I’ve never seen anything like these past two crime scenes. You have any idea what could have done this?
Panel 4. JAMES leans back and blows a puff of smoke.
5. JAMES: No. No idea.
Panel 5. JAMES walks back towards the audience and behind him ROSA is watching him leave.
6. JAMES: Familiarize yourself with the scene up here and I’ll meet you downstairs.
Panel 6. A small close panel of ROSA’s face. She looks curious.
7. ROSA: Sure thing.
PAGE THIRTEEN (seven panels)
Panel 1. JAMES has slunk off into a dark corner of the site where he is making a call on his cellphone.
1. JAMES: Dimitri?
2. JAMES: Yeah, I’m at a building site in Powelhurst.
Panel 2. DIMITRI is sitting on a park bench downtown where he is eating a sub sandwich and talking on the phone.
3. DIMITRI: I got a call asking me to go down there and a bunch of guys tried to jump me. That’s all I know.
Panel 3. JAMES is angrily smoking a cigarette. DIMITRI’s voice comes from the phone.
4. JAMES: And these guys jumping you wouldn’t have anything to do you going back to that mansion in the hills to kill a bunch more skinheads would it?
5. DIMITRI: What?
Panel 4. JAMES looks out the window at a black Cadillac and a man and woman in dark very crisp suits who get out. Although they are still at a distance they look like G-men. This is MR. FOX and MS. KIDD.
6. JAMES: Don’t bullshit me.
7. DIMITRI: James I’m serious. I had nothing to do with these guys. There’s someone new in town asserting his authority and he came after me because he thinks I killed the old boss, which I didn’t in fact.
8. JAMES: If you’re lying…
Panel 5. A close up of DIMITRI on the phone.
9. DIMITRI: Why the hell would I lie to you? Do you think I enjoy being shot at? I just want to be left the fuck alone.
Panel 6. JAMES looks frustrated and rubs his forehead.
10. JAMES: Fine. Then from now on stay away from them and let the police handle this.
11. DIMITRI: If these guys are hunting me, I can’t just stand around and wait for them to attack me.
Panel 7. JAMES finishes the call tersely.
12. JAMES: You can if you don’t want me to arrest you. Stay out of this Dimitri.
PAGE FOURTEEN (six panels)
Panel 1. JAMES is putting his phone away while ROSA approaches with the G-men.
1. ROSA: There he is. This is my partner. James these are-
Panel 2. The G-men step in front of ROSA who they ignore. They show their FBI badges.
2. MS. KIDD: This is special agent Fox and I’m special agent Kidd.
3. JAMES: I see. Can I help you? I’m the lead detective on this case.
Panel 3. MS. KIDD and MR. FOX pass by JAMES and starting going up the stairs into the crime scene. JAMES follows after them with ROSA.
4. MS. KIDD: Not anymore.
5. JAMES: Excuse me?
6. MS. KIDD: This case is now a federal matter. You’ll find all the relevant paperwork back at your office. I assure you it’s all in order.
Panel 4. Up at the crime scene MR. FOX moves over to look at the bodies while MS. KIDD waits at the top of the stairs blocking ROSA and JAMES.
7. JAMES: Are you kidding me?
8. MS. KIDD: Despite what my name may imply, I assure you that I never ‘kid’ lieutenant.
Panel 5. A closer shot of JAMES speaking with MS. KIDD.
9. JAMES: Listen Ms. Kidd. I’m not saying I wouldn’t be thrilled to have the FBI’s help here but I see nothing here that would give you jurisdiction. So why don’t we work together.
10. MS. KIDD: And yet we do have jurisdiction. And we don’t need the help.
Panel 6. A wider shot of the crime scene. MR. FOX is examining the militia bodies and shouting over to his partner. MS. KIDD is directing ROSA and JAMES to go back the way they came.
11. MR. FOX: This one matches the others we’ve seen. Get the locals out of here.
12. MS. KIDD: You heard my colleague. Please show yourselves out detectives, otherwise I’ll be forced to have you escorted out by uniformed officers.
PAGE FIFTEEN (six panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI sits on the park bench and continues to eat his sandwich.
1. ANONYMOUS: The clairvoyant is a fool.
2. DIMITRI: He does seem rather slow on the uptake. But on the other hand, I guess he is being surprisingly lenient given how many people have turned up dead. I guess his senses are saying I told him the truth.
Panel 2. DIMITRI smiles at a young woman who is out for a jog and she smiles back at him.
3. ANONYMOUS: He is irrelevant.
Panel 3. DIMITRI drinks soda through a straw.
4. ANONYMOUS: The way you play with these females is demeaning. You should concern yourself with your enemies.
5. DIMITRI: And just how do you suggest that I do that?
Panel 4. DIMITRI looks down at a crow which has landed on the bench next to him.
6. ANONYMOUS: Seek allies.
7. DIMITRI: Hello there.
Panel 5. The crow, MUNINN, jumps up onto DIMITRI’s outstretched finger.
8. DIMITRI: Well, you’re a friendly little one, aren’t you?
9. DIMITRI: I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bird come right up to someone like this.
Panel 6. DIMITRI holds MUNINN up to his ear as though he is listening very closely to her whispering something to him.
10. NARRATION: Her brother is sick.
11. NARRATION: He needs food and she has left him to find some.
12. NARRATION: She’s scared that he’ll die.
PAGE SIXTEEN (four panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI gently pets MUNINN.
1. NARRATION: She was drawn to me.
2. DIMITRI: It’s okay sweetheart.
Panel 2. DIMITRI puts MUNINN down on the bench next to the remainder of his sandwich which is mostly crust.
3. DIMITRI: Take as much as you like.
4. MUNINN: Caw.
5. DIMITRI: You’re welcome.
Panel 3. DIMITRI watches while MUNINN picks through the sandwich.
6. MUNINN: Caw caw.
7. DIMITRI: My name is Dimitri.
Panel 4. A wide shot of the small park from above as MUNINN flies away with a large portion of crust in her beak. DIMITRI waves good-bye to her as she leaves and as the jogger returns the way she came she looks at him like he’s nuts.
8. DIMITRI: I hope he feels better soon.
PAGE SEVENTEEN (six panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI awakes in a massive four poster bed. Through an extravagant window the full moon is shining in. He is in his dream fortress within the Dark Place. ALEXIUS stands nearby returning a book to a shelf.
1. ALEXIUS: Ah, you’ve returned. That is fortunate timing.
Panel 2. ALEXIUS extends a hand to help DIMITRI to his feet.
2. DIMITRI: Is there any way I can fall asleep and not show up here?
3. ALEXIUS: No. But we have more important matters to discuss.
Panel 3. DIMITRI follows ALEXIUS out into a dark hallway.
4. DIMITRI: What’s up?
5. ALEXIUS: We have had an unexpected visitor. He was quite abusive and I was forced to restrain him.
6. DIMITRI: This place doesn’t even really exist. Who would be-
Panel 3. DIMITRI and ALEXIUS emerge into a large dungeon with stone walls. There is a sunken area in front of him which can be reaches through a set of stairs. In the pit is a medieval cross between a torture chamber and dissection room. Chained to a stone alter there is the PYROMANCER.
7. DIMITRI: Pyro!
8. ALEXIUS: It seems you are already acquainted.
9. PYROMANCER: Mmmmnnnn!
10. ALEXIUS: He hurled the most atrocious abuse at me so I took the liberty of removing his tongue. I can reattach it if you wish.
Panel 4. DIMITRI and ALEXIUS speak to one another. DIMITRI is shaking his head.
9. DIMITRI: No, that’s fine for now. But what’s this guy doing here? I killed him. He shouldn’t be anywhere anymore, at least not alive.
10. ALEXIUS: I see. Did you by any chance bring him death with the Darkblade?
Panel 5. DIMITRI gestures towards the PYROMANCER who is out of focus in the background struggling to escape from his bonds.
11. DIMITRI: Yeah, I did. Are you saying that sent him here?
12. ALEXIUS: The Darkblade is a very special weapon. Souls it carves out are trapped and dragged down into the Dark Place.
13. DIMITRI: Jesus.
PAGE EIGHTEEN (seven panels)
Panel 1. A close up of DIMITRI. He seems staggered by what he’s heard.
1. DIMITRI: I mean I’ve killed people before…
2. DIMITRI: …and this guy was definitely an asshole…
3. DIMITRI: …but sending someone on a direct route to hell is a little too intense even for me.
Panel 2. ALEXIUS places a reassuring hand on DIMITRI’s shoulder.
4. ALEXIUS: The weapon has many strange risks and properties of which even I know only a fraction. You would be wise not to use it lightly, but it does bring certain benefits as well.
Panel 3. ALEXIUS leads DIMITRI from the room.
5. ALEXIUS: But let us discus this somewhere more comfortable.
6. DIMITRI: This guy can’t cause any trouble in here can he?
7. ALEXIUS: No. The Source of his power is far away from here. Very far away indeed.
8. ALEXIUS: Although his arrival did cause quite a commotion when his inner flame came into contact with the darkness. Before it was doused, he disrupted a very delicate ritual I was performing.
Panel 4. DIMITRI and ALEXIUS are sitting in a cozy study together. DIMITRI is smoking from a hookah while ALEXIUS sips from a glass of wine.
8. DIMITRI: Now, I shanked the old Shadowmancer with this Darkblade. And dead Shadowmancers are always supposed to come here anyway. So, where is he? I’d like to ask him a few questions.
9. ALEXIUS: He is here surely, but unlike the light worshiper he would not have washed up disoriented and adrift.
Panel 5. DIMITRI leans back in his chair and blows smoke while ALEXIUS continues to sit bolt upright and drink his wine.
10. DIMITRI: Shouldn’t we be looking for him then?
11. ALEXIUS: By what means and to what end? The Dark Place is infinite but also empty. Unlike you he has no body left in the material world and can never leave here again.
12. DIMITRI: He was a tricky customer. I just want to make sure he couldn’t get up to any mischief.
13. ALEXIUS: Nothing here is real and those of us trapped herein are quite impotent I assure you.
Panel 6. DIMITRI sits up in his chair.
14. DIMITRI: Hey I just wanted to thank-you for your advice. I know you’re my great- great- etc.- grandfather or whatever, but still.
15. ALEXIUS: There is no need to thank me. This place may seem dull one who still lives but it is a paradise compared to the endless black vistas I have looked upon for centuries.
16. ALEXIUS: It is in my best interest to do everything I can to keep you alive.
Panel 7. DIMITRI and ALEXIUS stand up.
17. MUNINN (OFF): Caw. Caw.
18. ALEXIUS: It seems someone is seeking you.
PAGE NINETEEN (seven panels)
Panel 1. DIMITRI and ALEXIUS step out into the hall where MUNINN is standing waiting for them.
1. DIMITRI: It’s that crow who spoke to me this afternoon
2. ALEXIUS: It spoke to you?
Panel 2. MUNINN hops along the ground in front of the pair leading them along as they walk behind her.
3. DIMITRI: Yeah, I thought I had started cracking up.
4. ALEXIUS: No. Shadowmancers can communicate with and command creatures of darkness. Usually they create their own demonic creatures of pure blackness, but theoretically certain natural animals may also have the correct profile.
Panel 3. ALEXIUS stops and motions for DIMITRI to continue on without him.
5. DIMITRI: Really?
6. ALEXIUS: I’ve read of Shadowmancers using wolves or birds of prey as familiars, granting them unusual cunning for their species in the process, but I confess I have never spoken to an animal myself.
7. ALEXIUS: Never the less I believe for now you should follow her. She seems anxious to speak to you.
8. MUNINN: Caw. Caw.
Panel 4. DIMITRI wakes up in his bedroom with MUNINN on his chest cawing in his face.
9. MUNINN: Caw!
10. DIMITRI: Alright. Alright, I’m awake.
Panel 5. DIMITRI gets out of bed with MUNINN perched on his finger.
11. DIMITRI: How is your brother feeling?
12. MUNINN: Caw. Caw.
13. DIMITRI: I’m glad to hear that.
14. DIMITRI: What are you doing here?
Panel 6. DIMITRI has set MUNIN down on the open window sill and is rolling a joint on his nightstand. It’s dark outside.
15. NARRATION: She doesn’t understand the question. She thinks that it’s the most natural thing in the world that she would return to me.
16. NARRATION: She’s waiting for instructions.
Panel 7. DIMITRI lights his joint.
17. DIMITRI: Say, you’re friends with a lot of other crows in this city right?
18. MUNINN: Caw. Caw.
19. DIMITRI: I want you to pass the word around…
PAGE TWENTY (seven panels)
Panel 1. A wide shot. DIMITRI has donned his shadow armor. MUNINN is flying off while DIMITRI grapples to the roof of the next building with a line of darkness. Beneath them JUSTIN is walking to the front door of the building but he doesn’t notice anything above him.
Panel 2. JUSTIN knocks on the door to DAVID’s apartment.
Panel 3. DAVID opens the door although he still has the chain on.
1. DAVID: Hello, what is it?
2. JUSTIN: My name is Justin. I’m with the Oregonian. I wonder if I could ask you a few questions about the shootout in the alley a few weeks ago. You back window looks right over it.
Panel 4. A shot from inside the apartment of JUSTIN through the crack in the door.
3. DAVID: I didn’t see anything.
4. JUSTIN: How about your neighbor? I knocked on his door but he didn’t answer.
Panel 5. DAVID has shut the door in JUSTIN’s face.
5. DAVID: He works nights. I’m sorry I have to go.
Panel 6. JUSTIN walks across the street in front of the apartment building.
6. JUSTIN: Well that’s the easy way ruled out. Goddamnit.
Panel 7. JUSTIN sits in the driver’s seat of his car and leans back like he’s settling in for a long stakeout. He’s grabbing a book lying on the passenger’s seat.
7. JUSTIN: I hate waiting.
PAGE TWENTY ONE (six panels)
Panel 1. A close up of a sign which reads Oregon State Penitentiary sign.
1. C.O. (CAPTION): You’re Mr. Popularity all of a sudden.
Panel 2. JEFF is doing pullups in his cell with his shirt off while the C.O. stands outside.
2. C.O.: Got another couple of people who want to talk to you.
3. JEFF: Tell them to fuck off.
Panel 3. JEFF gingerly lets himself down off the pull up bar due to his crippled leg which is still in a brace.
4. C.O.: You haven’t seen these characters yet. These are not the kind of guys you say fuck off to.
5. JEFF: Alright, give me a second.
Panel 4. JEFF pulls on his shirt. He is sweating profusely from the work out.
6. JEFF: Who are these guys anyway?
7. C.O.: Look like the federales to me. One’s a man the other’s a woman.
Panel 5. The C.O. leads JEFF through the hallways of the prison. JEFF looks confused.
8. JEFF: Feds? What do they want with me?
9. C.O.: I don’t know Jeff. Have you been a naughty boy?
Panel 6. The CO has opened a door into an interrogation room. A voice emanates from inside.
10. JEFF: Fuck you.
11. C.O.: Well go inside and ask them then.
12. MS. KIDD (OFF): Corporal Kline?
PAGE TWENTY TWO (one panel)
Panel 1. A full page spread of JEFF looking in shock at MR. FOX and MS. KIDD who are sitting in the interrogation room waiting for him.
1. MS. KIDD: We’re bringing you back into active service.
2. MS. KIDD: Your country needs you.