Page 2
Get ready for a big talky part. Panels should, of course, show Batman, but also the press reaction and the reaction of the people of Gotham so as to break up the repetition.
Batman:And I believe in Gotham City. I trust in Gotham to grow and flourish, despite the many obstacles before it. I trust in her strength and resilience in the face of adversity and her many tragedies, such as last night's.
New Panel
Batman: What I haven't trusted in is her people. I haven't trusted you.
New Panel
Batman: This is despite the fact that I know you. I know your joys and kindnesses. I know your pains and heartaches.
New Panel
Batman: I have those same joys, and I have tried to repay your kindnesses.
New Panel
Batman: I know you because those same pains and heartaches have driven me to become who and what I am.
New Panel
Batman: Yet, even though I know you, I have not trusted you. I have not even trusted you with who I am.
New Panel
Batman: If I had, last night might have been prevented, but I didn't, and last night happened,
New Panel
Batman: and I couldn't do enough to save you, for there is only one of me,
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Batman Vox Humana Issue #3 Page 1
Page 1
Location: Downtown Gotham
Scene: Downtown is in ruins after the floronic men and Superman's involvement. There is shattered glass, dead bodies of men and women, and pieces of floronic men everywhere. It is as if Gotham had been hit with a tornado. There is a stand with a podium on it. In front of it are members of the press corps. Behind the podium is Batman as Bruce Wayne.
Batman: I'm the God damn Batman!
The reporters go all kinds of crazy. Flashbulbs go off. The reporters yell questions into the air, waving microphones and voice recorders.
Batman (the very epitome of decorum): I'm not answering questions at this time. Just please, let me finish. I am the Batman.
Location: Downtown Gotham
Scene: Downtown is in ruins after the floronic men and Superman's involvement. There is shattered glass, dead bodies of men and women, and pieces of floronic men everywhere. It is as if Gotham had been hit with a tornado. There is a stand with a podium on it. In front of it are members of the press corps. Behind the podium is Batman as Bruce Wayne.
Batman: I'm the God damn Batman!
The reporters go all kinds of crazy. Flashbulbs go off. The reporters yell questions into the air, waving microphones and voice recorders.
Batman (the very epitome of decorum): I'm not answering questions at this time. Just please, let me finish. I am the Batman.
The Difficulty of Issue #2.5
What was really hard about this issue is that there is hardly any action. On top of that, almost all the action is at the end. The rest of the issue is all one long conversation. True, I could have condensed some of the dialogue that I stretch over pages, but I wanted the artist to have the room to really build up the tension, especially since there is no real payoff until the very end. The other hard part was trying not to fall into cliched superhero dialogue. True, it is easier and it works, but I wanted it to sound more like what people really sound like when they are hurt, and what people sound like when they are trying to console them. Usually those things happen and are over with so quickly in comics, but, let's be honest, it often takes a lot longer to put up that stiff upper lip when we feel wronged and alienated.
The Horror of Aquaman
Aquaman gets no love. He is made into a joke on Family Guy and his fellow members of the JLA keep humming the tune "Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid whenever he is around. Hell, I only know one guy who is really into him as a character.
Mind you, Aquaman is difficult. It takes some work to determine how he can really be used, and if the adventure is on land, well, why would an author even use him?
Yet the sea affects us all, so I think that Aquaman must be more powerful then we realize. If that were true, why would he hide it? On top of that, seeing all of he beautifully ugly things that come up from the deep sea, I began to wonder, "What if Aquaman wasn't a hero?" Oh, sure, he has done lots of heroic things, but what if he did them for terrible reasons? That's when I started to think that maybe Aquaman, as well as the rest of the Atlanteans, were further removed from humanity than we thought, and, if so, what it would be that they really want?
Friday, February 27, 2009
What the hell took so god damn long?
Hello gentle readers (both of you),
Here is why things took so long for the script for issue 2.5. First, my computer broke, a lot, several times, and I had to get it repaired. Then, when I got it back, I just couldn’t bring myself to write. I know, it sounds stupid, but I just couldn’t do it until today. As you can see, I wrote a lot. On top of that, I have also written issue #3 already. I will post it in its entirety later on today or tomorrow. I am working a double today, so I don’t know if I will even want to look at a computer screen when I get home. Also, I have to post a few more random stuff first, just because I want to. Issue 3.5 is going to be a tough one as well. But, I will tell you that it has to do with Alfred, because he has one of the greatest histories in comics and needs some of his stories told.
Till then, thank you, both of you, for continuing to read my attempt at writing DC.
James
Batman Vox Humana Issue #2.5 Page 20
Page 20
Superman (thinking to himself): My God! My eyes!
Superman reaches his hands up to his face.
Superman (thinking to himself): It hurts to look.
Superman pushes his thumbs into his eyes. Droplets of blood float away from his face.
Superman (thinking to himself): My God, it's full of stars!
Superman (thinking to himself): My God! My eyes!
Superman reaches his hands up to his face.
Superman (thinking to himself): It hurts to look.
Superman pushes his thumbs into his eyes. Droplets of blood float away from his face.
Superman (thinking to himself): My God, it's full of stars!
Batman Vox Humana Issue #2.5 Page 19
Page 19
Splash page. Superman is in the center of the page. All around him are strange stars and nebulous gasses, the shapes and angles of them are distorted in different ways, as if oddly shaped lenses and prisms had been placed on the page. There are hints of tentacles, horrid limbs, teeth, and eyes in the shapes.
Splash page. Superman is in the center of the page. All around him are strange stars and nebulous gasses, the shapes and angles of them are distorted in different ways, as if oddly shaped lenses and prisms had been placed on the page. There are hints of tentacles, horrid limbs, teeth, and eyes in the shapes.
Batman Vox Humana Issue #2.5 Page 18
Page 18
Superman is flying through space.
Superman (thinking to himself): This has to be a trick. This can't be happening. Something has to be controlling them.
The background of space is getting stranger and more distorted.
Superman (thinking to himself): I can tell the Lanterns.
More strange backgrounds and more distortion of shapes and lines. Red shift behind Superman, blue shift in front.
Superman (thinking to himself): Where am I going? I have never flown this fast before.
Superman (thinking to himself): Dear God!
Superman is flying through space.
Superman (thinking to himself): This has to be a trick. This can't be happening. Something has to be controlling them.
The background of space is getting stranger and more distorted.
Superman (thinking to himself): I can tell the Lanterns.
More strange backgrounds and more distortion of shapes and lines. Red shift behind Superman, blue shift in front.
Superman (thinking to himself): Where am I going? I have never flown this fast before.
Superman (thinking to himself): Dear God!
Batman Vox Humana Issue #2.5 Page 17
Page 17
Superman takes off. Aquaman and Martian Manunter look to each other.
Aquaman: So, will he stand in our way?
Martian Manhunter (telepathically): He knows there is nothing he can do. He wants to fight, but he knows it will not be enough.
Martian Manhunter (telepathically): More than that, he wants to go home, as we all do.
Superman takes off. Aquaman and Martian Manunter look to each other.
Aquaman: So, will he stand in our way?
Martian Manhunter (telepathically): He knows there is nothing he can do. He wants to fight, but he knows it will not be enough.
Martian Manhunter (telepathically): More than that, he wants to go home, as we all do.
Batman Vox Humana Issue #2.5 Page 16
Page 16
Aquaman kisses Superman, spiked tongue and all. Superman's eyes are wide and his pupils are dilated, he cannot believe what is happening and that he is helpless to stop it.
Aquaman ends the horrible kiss. Superman looks disgusted.
Aquaman: You can't stop it, Kal, and you can't fight me if I won't let you. Just turn away.
Aquaman: I will release you, but if you fight, back down you go.
Aquaman releases Superman. Superman staggers up, retching.
Superman looks a Martian Manhunter and then at Aquaman. Martian Manhunter presses a button, opening an airlock for Superman.
Aquaman kisses Superman, spiked tongue and all. Superman's eyes are wide and his pupils are dilated, he cannot believe what is happening and that he is helpless to stop it.
Aquaman ends the horrible kiss. Superman looks disgusted.
Aquaman: You can't stop it, Kal, and you can't fight me if I won't let you. Just turn away.
Aquaman: I will release you, but if you fight, back down you go.
Aquaman releases Superman. Superman staggers up, retching.
Superman looks a Martian Manhunter and then at Aquaman. Martian Manhunter presses a button, opening an airlock for Superman.
Batman Vox Humana Issue #2.5 Page 15
Page 15
Aquaman: I will let you speak.
Superman: Why do you save them? Why do you save people? Aren't you human?
Aquaman reaches up to his face and pulls off his skin, revealing a fishman underneath. I am thinking something along the anglerfish, and his tongue is covered is a double row of sharp, pointy, hooked teeth in a V pattern.
Aquaman: No, I'm not. And I save people because when the old gods return, they have to eat something.
Aquaman: I do not want to see you die, Kal. I am truly your friend, and unlike those pretenders you hold so dear, I love you.
Aquaman: I will let you speak.
Superman: Why do you save them? Why do you save people? Aren't you human?
Aquaman reaches up to his face and pulls off his skin, revealing a fishman underneath. I am thinking something along the anglerfish, and his tongue is covered is a double row of sharp, pointy, hooked teeth in a V pattern.
Aquaman: No, I'm not. And I save people because when the old gods return, they have to eat something.
Aquaman: I do not want to see you die, Kal. I am truly your friend, and unlike those pretenders you hold so dear, I love you.
Batman Vox Humana Issue #2.5 Page 14
Page 14
Martian Manhunter (speaking in Superman's mind): You wouldn't be doing it for nothing.
Aquaman: The gods of the first world can give you want you have always wanted. A home where you belong.
Aquaman: They can remake Krypton for you.
Martian Manhunter (still telepathically): They are giving me Mars.
Aquaman: All they want is to come home. All they want is what you want, a home of their own.
Martian Manhunter (speaking in Superman's mind): You wouldn't be doing it for nothing.
Aquaman: The gods of the first world can give you want you have always wanted. A home where you belong.
Aquaman: They can remake Krypton for you.
Martian Manhunter (still telepathically): They are giving me Mars.
Aquaman: All they want is to come home. All they want is what you want, a home of their own.
Batman Vox Humana Issue #2.5 Page 13
Page 13
Aquaman: This isn't your world. Never was and never will be. It's not even the human's world. It belongs to another people. Mine.
Aquaman: Did you ever wonder about what you would call the first world? With all your adventures, you probably never even gave it a thought.
Aquaman: It never ended. The gods simply left to explore the Bleed, and now they are returning.
Aquaman: My people were charged with taking care of this world for them and we do not need you to get in our way.
Aquaman: All I need from you is this. When they come, look away. There are an infinite number of people across the universe that will need saving.
Aquaman: Save them instead.
Aquaman: This isn't your world. Never was and never will be. It's not even the human's world. It belongs to another people. Mine.
Aquaman: Did you ever wonder about what you would call the first world? With all your adventures, you probably never even gave it a thought.
Aquaman: It never ended. The gods simply left to explore the Bleed, and now they are returning.
Aquaman: My people were charged with taking care of this world for them and we do not need you to get in our way.
Aquaman: All I need from you is this. When they come, look away. There are an infinite number of people across the universe that will need saving.
Aquaman: Save them instead.
Batman Vox Humana Issue #2.5 Page 12
Page 12
Aquaman: I don't talk to fish. I speak to the brain stem. I control it and willpower has nothing to do with it.
Aquaman: You know why you can't talk right now? Because I am preventing your brain from reaching your vocal cords and mouth.
Aquaman: You knw why you fell to the floor? Do you know what you just experienced? It was a heart attack.
Aquaman: You are weak as a kitten right now.
Aquaman: You should be glad, for without me, you would have never experienced it, Kryptonian.
Aquaman: I didn't want to have to do that, but I need you to listen.
Aquaman: I don't talk to fish. I speak to the brain stem. I control it and willpower has nothing to do with it.
Aquaman: You know why you can't talk right now? Because I am preventing your brain from reaching your vocal cords and mouth.
Aquaman: You knw why you fell to the floor? Do you know what you just experienced? It was a heart attack.
Aquaman: You are weak as a kitten right now.
Aquaman: You should be glad, for without me, you would have never experienced it, Kryptonian.
Aquaman: I didn't want to have to do that, but I need you to listen.
Batman Vox Humana Issue #2.5 Page 11
Page 11
Superman pimp slaps Aquaman. I would like this panel to mimic the one where Batman hits Superman.
Superman goes to beat the tar out of Aquaman, but finds he cannot move.
Aquaman: Having trouble, Kal?
Superman clutches his chest and falls to the floor.
Black Panel
Panel from Superman's perspective. He is on the ground, face up. Aquaman is leaning over him.
Aquaman: I don't think any of you ever really understood what I can do.
Superman pimp slaps Aquaman. I would like this panel to mimic the one where Batman hits Superman.
Superman goes to beat the tar out of Aquaman, but finds he cannot move.
Aquaman: Having trouble, Kal?
Superman clutches his chest and falls to the floor.
Black Panel
Panel from Superman's perspective. He is on the ground, face up. Aquaman is leaning over him.
Aquaman: I don't think any of you ever really understood what I can do.
Batman Vox Humana Issue #2.5 Page 10
Page 10
Aquaman: And when you tried to help him and his fellow humans, he lashed out and tried to kill you.
Superman (shaking his head and with his hand in his hair): Well, I had said-
Martian Manhunter (interrupting) (speaking in Superman's mind): It doesn't matter what you said. He tried to kill you, like Luthor has continually tried to kill you.
Superman (businesslike): What are you getting at?
Aquaman: Maybe it's time you hung up the cape.
Aquaman: And when you tried to help him and his fellow humans, he lashed out and tried to kill you.
Superman (shaking his head and with his hand in his hair): Well, I had said-
Martian Manhunter (interrupting) (speaking in Superman's mind): It doesn't matter what you said. He tried to kill you, like Luthor has continually tried to kill you.
Superman (businesslike): What are you getting at?
Aquaman: Maybe it's time you hung up the cape.
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