The Matchman
Page 1
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE PAGE-WIDE PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE.
PANEL 1 - Silhouette shot of Manhattan skyline by night. Stars and lights twinkle; the buildings are a jagged line of black teeth against the deep blue of the night. A harvest moon lolls in the sky and reflects upon the water of the Hudson River.
CAPTION
Ah, the city of bad dreams...
2 - Slightly closer shot of the same skyline. More individual lights are
distinguishable in the various buildings.
CAPTION
The citizens of the city sleep quietly tonight. Fully half of them sleep alone.
3 - As we continue to close in on the city skyline, one tall residential
apartment building begins to occupy front and center.
Page 2
THIS PAGE HAS FIVE PANELS. TWO PANELS ARE IN THE TOP TIER, ONE LONG PANEL IS ACROSS THE CENTER OF THE PAGE, AND THEN THERE ARE TWO MORE PANELS ON THE BOTTOM TIER.
1 - Closer in to the city skyline, this panel has the apartment building in
front of a gigantic moon that seems to cover half the sky. Several windows are lit from within; we see curtains, lamps, human outlines etc. In silhouette shot against the moon, we see a small scrawny figure with bat wings and carrying a small bow and quiver, fluttering across the sky, chuckling to itself in unwholesome glee, heading for one of these windows. This is an ANTICUPID.
ANTICUPID
Hee hee hee!
CAPTION
Here's one of the many reasons behind that gruesome statistic... an ANTICUPID!
2 - The ANTICUPID flies up to one of the lit apartment windows and peers
inside.
3 - This is a wide-angle view of the interior of a room in the apartment
building. Frilly furnishings, bed with stuffed animals on it, vanity mirror, a chair or two. CUTE GIRL-next-door type, long blonde hair, blue eyes, exaggerated curves, bee-stung lips, skimpy nightgown, bunny slippers, sits brushing her hair, humming to herself, in foreground as the ANTICUPID enters the window in the background, bow at the ready. We now see the ANTICUPID is a wizened little old man, light blue, with bat-style wings, pointy ears, emaciated body, and a bow and arrows composed of lead, with blunt tips. He is spreading the curtains with his wings, stepping down into the room onto a small chair, aiming his bow at the CUTE GIRL. The CUTE GIRL has her eyes closed and is humming happily to herself.
CUTE GIRL
[sings]
I've got a crush on you, sweetie pie...
ANTICUPID
[thinks]
Another victim! My master DOCTOR DEJECTION will be most pleased!
4 - From just behind the ANTICUPID, we watch him aim his blunt lead arrow
at the CUTE GIRL.
CAPTION
The loathsome minion of depression takes careful aim...
5 - Close-up of the ANTICUPID's leering face as he aims.
ANTICUPID
[thinks]
Kiss your self-esteem goodbye, girlie!
Page 3
THREE PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE ON THIS PAGE.
1 - Close-up of the CUTE GIRL's face, with an expression of sudden surprise
as the blunt, lead-tipped arrow caroms off the back of her head with a solid "bonk" sound. Her brushing and singing stop abruptly. Her mouth is a pert "o" of terror and astonishment.
CUTE GIRL
Dum de dum -- eek!
SOUND F/X
Bonk!
CAPTION
...and strikes!
2 - The CUTE GIRL sits bolt upright in her chair, hand with brush dangling
hopelessly by her side, as she confronts her image in the vanity mirror. A look of despair fills her large and soulful eyes.
3 - Here we see the CUTE GIRL face down in her folded arms, weeping into
her vanity table as if her heart would break. Nice shot of her bottom perched on the chair she's sitting on. The ANTICUPID is hovering over her left shoulder and saying things in his cold voice.
CUTE GIRL
Waaaaaah! I'll never find Mr. Right! It's so hard to meet people in this cruel city! And besides who could ever love me? I'm too fat and too short and...
ANTICUPID
And your butt's too big, yeah that's a good one, and your feet stink, oh yeah, that's good, and you don't use the right anti-dandruff shampoo -- hee hee hee! -- and...
Page 4
THREE PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE ON THIS PAGE.
1 - High-angle shot of the CUTE GIRL still weeping and the ANTICUPID still
feeding her reasons for suicide.
CAPTION
Oh no! Another victim of dejection! Who can save her? Who?
2 - Distance exterior shot of the imposing facade of the fictional Columbia
University Genetic Research Center.
CAPTION
At that very moment, uptown at the ultra-secret Columbia University Genetic Research Center...
3 - Showing the interior of a hallway lined with office doors. Black and
white checkered tile floor. A scientist named SCOTT SUFFIX is strolling down the hallway carrying a manila file folder in his hand when he suddenly freezes in a listening attitude, ear cocked. He is wearing glasses, a tie, and a white lab coat. He has dark hair, cut short. He is tall, thin, agile and reasonably well muscled. His face wears an expression of deep concentration. He has a prominent chin and jaw line.
SCOTT SUFFIX
[thinks]
Holy guacamole! Matchspider radar -- tingling! This sounds like a job for...
Page 5
THE UPPER HALF OF THIS PAGE IS TAKEN UP BY A GIGANTIC SPLASH PANEL. THE LOWER HALF IS COMPOSED OF TWO QUARTER-LENGTH HEIGHT PAGE-WIDE PANELS.
1 - Giant splash panel. Close-up of mild-mannered scientist's chest as he
rips his lab coat open and his tie flies up and back. Beneath his lab coat, emblazoned on his chest, is the trademarked MATCHMAN logo. Naturally his chest is rippling with wiry muscle, but not to a ridiculous extent.
CAPTION
...MATCHMAN!
2 - Shows MATCHMAN leaping into flight against a background consisting of
the front facade of the Columbia University Genetic Research Center. He runs out the door and into the air, arms outstretched in the classic position.
CAPTION
MATCHMAN takes to the sky!
3 - Shows MATCHMAN in flight between the semi-lit towers of the sleeping
city as he heads downtown.
MATCHMAN
[thinks]
I only hope that I'm not too late to save that poor CUTE GIRL from a life of loneliness and low self-esteem!
Page 6
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE EQUAL-SIZED PANELS.
1 - Close-up of the ANTICUPID's face in the CUTE GIRL's room. He wears a
surprised expression as he is grabbed from behind by MATCHMAN's large gloved hand around his neck. His tongue lolls from a gaping mouth full of small sharp teeth like a cat's.
ANTICUPID
...And you don't use designer perfume -- ulk!
MATCHMAN
[from off-panel]
Ah-hah! An ANTICUPID! I suspected as much!
2 - Quick as a striking snake, the ANTICUPID slips free of MATCHMAN'S grasp
and goes fluttering up towards the ceiling of the room.
ANTICUPID
Arrrhh! MATCHMAN! How did you...?
MATCHMAN
I see your master is up to his old tricks again, eh, minion?
3 - The CUTE GIRL looks up from her crying. Her expression is one of total
surprise as she observes the supernatural duel going down in her bedroom.
CUTE GIRL
[thinks]
What the foosh?
Page 7
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE EQUAL-SIZED PANELS.
1 - MATCHMAN and the ANTICUPID are tangled in aerial battle here. Wings,
fists and arrows fly. They manage to break the overhead light fixture in their tussle.
ANTICUPID
Hissss! You will never overcome my master!
MATCHMAN
This is where the law stops and I start!
2 - MATCHMAN strikes a heroic pose as he punches the ANTICUPID bodily from
the room through the open window with a single sweeping movement of his muscular arm.
MATCHMAN
Cease and desist, you fiend!
SOUND F/X
Pow!
3 - The CUTE GIRL stands up from where she was sitting at her vanity table.
One hand is on the back of her chair; the other is at her mouth, in order to express her astonishment. MATCHMAN is standing statuesquely at parade rest in the center of the room, in front of the open window. His back is to the open window. His head is in profile as he poses.
CUTE GIRL
Thank you so much! But who...who are you?
MATCHMAN
I'm MATCHMAN, miss! And it appears as though I arrived here just in time!
Page 8
THIS PAGE HAS FIVE PANELS TOTAL. THREE PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE OCCUPY THE UPPER THIRD OF THE PAGE, AND ONE WIDE PANEL OCCUPIES THE MIDDLE THIRD AS WELL AS THE LOWER THIRD, RESPECTIVELY.
1 - MATCHMAN and the CUTE GIRL are talking face to face in her apartment.
CUTE GIRL
I don't understand. Are you some kind of a super hero or something?
MATCHMAN
Something like that indeed, Miss. Allow me to explain...
2 - The CUTE GIRL occupies herself in picking up a broken bedside lamp as
she listens to MATCHMAN explain.
MATCHMAN
You see, Miss, I represent a consortium of good guys called VALentine Complex -- the VAL part stands for Virtuous Altruists League -- and we police the city for the agents of dejection and neutralize them!
CUTE GIRL
Do tell. Aw, man, I liked this lamp!
3 - Close-up of two heads talking. MATCHMAN's head has its back turned to
us in silhouette at the left side of the panel. The CUTE GIRL's face looks at her rescuer in positive baffled wonderment from the right side of the panel. Her tears are gone. She's still in her nightgown.
MATCHMAN
So you see, Miss, one must not fall prey to the forces of despair! With my array of secret matchmaking powers, there's someone for everyone!
CUTE GIRL
Wow! Really, MATCHMAN? Even a girl like me?
4 - Wide panel in mid-page here. MATCHMAN steps towards the open window and
beckons to the CUTE GIRL.
MATCHMAN
Especially a girl like you! Now, if you'll just accompany me downtown...
5 - Page-wide panel across the lower third of the page. MATCHMAN flies from
the open window, the CUTE GIRL, still in her nightgown and bunny slippers, cradled in his arms. One bunny slipper dangles precariously. She has a look of disbelieving fear in her face at being carried across the city at such a high altitude. MATCHMAN is all chin, confidence and smile as usual. Behind them the window and the front facade of the apartment building (with all of its other windows) recede into the distance.
MATCHMAN
I'll give you a introduction to one of my colleagues at VALentine Complex and she'll show you how it's done!
CUTE GIRL
Whoop!
Page 9
THREE PANELS FILL THIS PAGE. THE TOP QUARTER OF THE PAGE IS ONE NARROW PAGE- WIDE PANEL, AS IS THE BOTTOM QUARTER. THE ENTIRE CENTER OF THE PAGE IS ONE HALF-PAGE SIZED SPLASH PANEL.
1 - Silhouette shot of MATCHMAN carrying the CUTE GIRL across the face of a
gigantic moon in the night sky. A few stars are out, too. The jagged cityscape looms below.
CUTE GIRL
You mean you're part of a whole group of super people?
MATCHMAN
Well, yes and no. I'm more like the brawn of VALCom...
2 - Giant center page splash panel. MATCHMAN, with the CUTE GIRL in his
arms, goes crashing through the roof of a large building to land in the middle of an office with framed pictures of zodiac signs, both Western and Chinese, on the walls. In the left foreground of the panel, facing the viewer, an attractive woman of about 40 years of age, tall, thin, with shoulder-length brunette hair done in a conservative style sits in a swivel chair (small back) typing away at a computer keyboard, at a desktop computer (which has its back to the viewer), at a desk. The older woman, whose name is SUZANNE GRACE, winces, grimaces, shuts her eyes, and jumps a bit in her chair at the sound of MATCHMAN's crashing entry. Her hands leave the keyboard. She is wearing slacks and a black blouse with symbols of the zodiac in white all over it like a modern-day magician.
SOUND F/X
Ka-thoom!
MATCHMAN
Ahoy! Suzanne! I've found another victim to rescue!
SUZANNE GRACE
Yaaaah! MATCHMAN, would it kill you to use the elevator once in a while?!?
CAPTION
"...Suzanne Grace is the brains."
3 - The CUTE GIRL stands babbling in front of SUZANNE GRACE, who is still
sitting in her swivel chair but has swung around to face her visitors. SUZANNE GRACE has a look of conspicuously false humility and is gesturing at MATCHMAN deprecatorily as the CUTE GIRL bombards her with autograph- hound-style praise. MATCHMAN is standing behind the CUTE GIRL, partly out- of-panel, and uncharacteristically silent.
CUTE GIRL
Wow! You're SUZANNE GRACE! I've read all of your astrology books! You're great!
SUZANNE GRACE
Yeah, kid, that's me. I see you've made the acquaintance of "Captain Valentine" here. Welcome to VALentine Complex. (Nice slippers, by the way.) Now let's skip the small talk and get down to brass tacks.
Page 10
THREE PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE OCCUPY THIS PAGE.
1 - The back of the computer terminal is in the low front of the panel as
the three faces line up in the center of the panel, facing the viewer (and the front of the computer screen). Their faces are spookily lit by the glow from the computer screen; the rest of the room behind them is dark. The faces are, from left to right, the CUTE GIRL, SUZANNE GRACE, and MATCHMAN. SUZANNE GRACE is sitting at the keyboard, typing, while the other two are peering over her shoulders. MATCHMAN and the CUTE GIRL have expressions of awe on their faces. SUZANNE GRACE has a look of pure professionalism.
SUZANNE GRACE
Between MATCHMAN's hypergenetic matchmaking powers and my doublesign mastery of ancient astrological knowledge both occidental and oriental, we should have no trouble pinpointing your ideal romantic match in no time, kid!
2 - Close-up of SUZANNE GRACE's face along as she stares intently into the
computer terminal. She cracks a joke to break the tension.
SUZANNE GRACE
First, the Chinese signs. Hey, did you guys ever hear the one about the Chinese man in Texas? It seems there's this Chinese guy in Texas, and he's lost, right? So he goes up to a local on the street and asks him where he is, right? So the Texan says, "Amarillo." So the Chinese guy says, "That's great, I'm a Ribra, but where the hell am I?" Ha ha ha, right? Right. Here we go...
3 - Close-up of SUZANNE GRACE's face alone. Tension furrows her brow, and
the odd drop of sweat trickles down from her temples. Her face bears a look of intense concentration. A slight indication of the upper rim of the CRT is in front of her in the foreground. She mutters more to herself than to her two watchers as she searches frenetically for the CUTE GIRL's ideal partner.
SUZANNE GRACE
Let's see now...Gemini...Monkey...Right...Mmm-hmm...four-thirty in the a.m....carry the two...gonna need a Rat for this...and a Libra...great...scan the pool...and presto! There he is! Got him!
Page 11
THREE PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE OCCUPY THIS PAGE.
1 - SUZANNE GRACE pushes away from the terminal and turns to MATCHMAN,
handing a small computer printout.
SUZANNE GRACE
Here's the location, MATCHMAN! You know what to do!
2 - Looking downwards through the hole in the roof of the office, into the
office. MATCHMAN tucks the CUTE GIRL gently under one arm and bounds through the hole in the roof of the office, up towards the viewer. SUZANNE GRACE stands beneath him and the hole, looking upwards and waving goodbye. Her right hand is waving in the air; her left hand is on her left hip.
MATCHMAN
We're on our way to happiness!
SUZANNE GRACE
So long, you two! Nice meeting you, kid! Good luck!
3 - SUZANNE GRACE surveys the wreckage in her office as she speaks on the
phone.
SUZANNE GRACE
Hello, Maintenance? This is GRACE up in Astrological Services. Could you send up another custodian? Mmm-hmm. How'd you guess?
Page 12
THIS PAGE IS DIVIDED INTO THREE PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE.
1 - MATCHMAN again zooms across the night sky in silhouette with the CUTE
GIRL in his arms. A large moon again looms behind them. They fly past the outlines of sleeping buildings.
MATCHMAN
Have no fear, Miss! You will soon be united with your perfect match!
CUTE GIRL
You sure cover a lot of ground this way, don't you?
2 - Cut to a gloomy shot of the Hudson River in the dead of night. A speck
in the night sky is the ANTICUPID that MATCHMAN vanquished previously. He flies towards the cliffs of the Palisades on the New Jersey side of the River. The rugged sheer surfaces are stark white in the moonlight.
CAPTION
Meanwhile, in New Jersey...
3 - A secret cave entrance opens up high in the cliff face of the
Palisades. The ANTICUPID enters it.
CAPTION
...Evil is, as usual, afoot!
Page 13
THIS PAGE IS DIVIDED INTO THREE PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE.
1 - Cut to the secret underground headquarters of DOCTOR DEJECTION, the
major super-villain of the comic. The ANTICUPID that MATCHMAN vanquished several panels ago is crouching on DOCTOR DEJECTION's shoulder, giving him a report on the happenings of the night. DOCTOR DEJECTION is tall with flowing robes of a dark indigo blue color, beneath which no details of his body can be seen. His hands are large metal gauntlets, and in this panel they rest on the arms of a large stone throne where he sits. His head is shrouded in a hood, the depths of which are pitch black, except for his eyes and mouth, which are visible as patches of white, in a jack-o-lantern sort of effect. The details of his throne room are difficult to make out in the gloom, but it consists entirely of stone and metal, with a few stray inexplicable pipes running here and there. Other ANTICUPIDS, similar in appearance to the one that has already made his appearance, perch here and there in the corners of the ceiling.
ANTICUPID
...And then I flew straight back here to report you, master!
DOCTOR DEJECTION
I see...
CAPTION
At the secret underground base of the arch-villain DOCTOR DEJECTION, the ANTICUPID makes his report!
2 - The ANTICUPID leaves DOCTOR DEJECTION's shoulder and flies off to perch
among its fellows in the shadows of the throne room. DOCTOR DEJECTIONS sits and muses on what he has just heard, in profile. One hand is where his chin would be if he had a visible chin.
DOCTOR DEJECTION
Most illuminating, my inutile one. You may go.
3 - Close-up of DOCTOR DEJECTION's face as he continues to muse.
DOCTOR DEJECTION
An interesting conceit. So MATCHMAN continues his hopeless crusade, eh?
Page 14
THIS PAGE IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR PANELS: ONE SMALL PANEL IN THE UPPER LEFT- HAND CORNER, ONE GIGANTIC SPLASH PANEL THAT COVERS TWO-THIRDS OF THE PAGE AND ENCAPSULATES THE FIRST PANEL COMPLETELY, AND TWO PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE THAT DIVIDE THE LAST LOWER THIRD OF THE PAGE BETWEEN THEMSELVES.
1 - Another close-up of DOCTOR DEJECTION as he continues to muse himself
into a towering rage.
DOCTOR DEJECTION
Those fools at VALentine Complex still seek to challenge me, even as the evidence of my victory is all around them? What insolence! What impudence! What unadulterated chutzpah! How dare they!
2 - This is the big splash panel. DOCTOR DEJECTION stands up from his
throne, fists flailing in the air. ANTICUPIDS scatter in frenzied aerobatics about him as he rants wildly.
DOCTOR DEJECTION
In a city that teems with loneliness, isolation and rejection, what can that band of delusional fools and that caped moron hope to achieve? The population of this city is mine by right of conquest! MATCHMAN has tampered with my domain for the last time!
VARIOUS ANTICUPIDS
Yikes! Here we go! You tell him, boss! Whoa! etc.
3 - Close-up of two ANTICUPIDS talking softly to each other.
ANTICUPID NO. 1
So, you think the Big Dog's finally lost it?
ANTICUPID NO. 2
I dunno, man...
4 - The two ANTICUPIDS are still talking softly as DOCTOR DEJECTION issues
orders to his miniature air force.
ANTICUPID No. 2
...You don't miss what you never had, know what I'm sayin'?
DOCTOR DEJECTION
[off-panel]
Come with me, my winged minions! We will crush them like pretzels at the bottom of the bag! Ha ha ha!
ANTICUPID No. 1
Yeah, I see your point. Whoops, that us -- let's lock and load and get ready to ride!
Page 15
ONE MAGNIFICENT PANEL COVERS THIS ENTIRE PAGE.
1 - Massive imposing long distance shot of DOCTOR DEJECTION standing on top
of the Palisades, silhouetted against the moon in the sky behind him, gesturing with his arms theatrically like a comic-opera Mussolini as streams of ANTICUPIDS issue from openings in the cliff face below him. The lights of the city twinkle in the background. All the landscape is solid rock, no plant life, but bits of graffiti here and there.
DOCTOR DEJECTION
Fly, my ANTICUPIDS, fly! We will find MATCHMAN wherever he may be, and when we do, we shall destroy him and his puny cronies once and for all!
CAPTION
The aerial armada sallies forth! But where is MATCHMAN?
Page 16
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE.
1 - MATCHMAN, with the CUTE GIRL in his arms, comes flying out of the sky
to land in front of a RANDOM GUY sitting on a park bench in Union Square who was moodily watching the first traces of dawn begin to lighten the sky in the East until our costumed hero descends directly in front of him, startling him. A nearby street lamp lights the scene. The RANDOM GUY has brown hair, brown eyes and glasses. He is in the act of jumping back from MATCHMAN and the CUTE GIRL in shock, while still remaining seated on the bench. His eyes are wide open and he wears an expression of total astonishment -- much like the CUTE GIRL's expression when she first saw
MATCHMAN.
MATCHMAN
Good morning, young sir! I bear here in my arms your ideal love partner! Once you two get to know each other, you can thank me later!
RANDOM GUY
What the --!
CAPTION
Meanwhile, we return you to our regularly scheduled superhero, already in progress...
2 - MATCHMAN and the CUTE GIRL sit down on either side of the suspicious-
looking RANDOM GUY on the park bench.
MATCHMAN
Yes, indeed! The miracle of modern science coupled with ancient astrological wisdom! It makes me giddy every time!
RANDOM GUY
[to CUTE GIRL]
Uh, is he with you?
CUTE GIRL
Yeah, he does take a little getting used to.
3 - The three are still on the park bench, but this time, it's a silhouette
shot from behind.
RANDOM GUY
Look, if this is some kind of promotion, I don't want any.
MATCHMAN
Don't want any? Who doesn't want love?
CUTE GIRL
Here, let me try to explain...
Page 17
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE.
1 - Wide angle shot from slightly above of the three of them on the park
bench. The CUTE GIRL is just wrapping up her explanation to the RANDOM GUY of the evening's events. He looks extremely skeptical. MATCHMAN is nodding to corroborate at the right places.
CUTE GIRL
...So then we ran it through the VALCom database, and you came up. So we found you. Neat, huh?
RANDOM GUY
Riiiiiiiiight.
2 - Close-up shot of the CUTE GIRL and the RANDOM GUY talking close and
looking into each other's eyes. The latent electricity is definitely there, all right.
CUTE GIRL
What's the matter? Don't you believe me?
RANDOM GUY
No....But that doesn't mean I don't want to.
3 - MATCHMAN stands and points up in the sky with a shout of warning at
something off-panel. The CUTE GIRL and RANDOM GUY look up as well, startled. Their features distend with fear and surprise.
MATCHMAN
Mother of pearl! Look! Up in the sky!
CUTE GIRL
Oh no! MATCHMAN! They're back!
RANDOM GUY
Now I know why no one hangs out in the park at night!
DOCTOR DEJECTION
[off-panel]
Ah-hah! There you are, my crimson nemesis!
Page 18
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE EQUALLY SIZED PANELS, WHICH EXTEND HORIZONTALLY ACROSS THE PAGE.
1 - MATCHMAN points up at and addresses DOCTOR DEJECTION, who is hovering
confidently in midair directly in front of and above MATCHMAN. Low angle view of DOCTOR DEJECTION, which makes him look even more imposing than usual. A thick cloud of ANTICUPIDS surrounds him. Behind them and across the street, mostly obscured by their blue mass, is a long facade of buildings. The light has increased somewhat as dawn is slowly progressing, but the street lamp's light is still discernable.
MATCHMAN
DOCTOR DEJECTION! You twisted goon! Back for some more "treatment," eh?
DOCTOR DEJECTION
Your formidable repartee can't save you or your friends this time, my old foe! This time...
2 - The cloud of ANTICUPIDS descends en masse upon MATCHMAN as he stands
there, engulfing him in a solid blue-gray ball of small winged bodies. The RANDOM GUY and the CUTE GIRL dive in opposite directions away from where MATCHMAN is standing; only their legs remain in panel as they hurtle in midair to safety.
CUTE GIRL
Eeeeeeek!
RANDOM GUY
Yeeeow!
MATCHMAN
[thinks]
?!?
SOUND F/X
Flumph!
DOCTOR DEJECTION
[off-panel]
...This time I brought a secret weapon!
3 - The ball of ANTICUPID bodies that contains MATCHMAN occupies center
panel as it hops, skips, jumps and writhes around in front of the park bench. Before it, DOCTOR DEJECTION chortles in triumph.
DOCTOR DEJECTION
Yes, that's it! Squirm, MATCHMAN! Squirm for me before I finish you off!
MATCHMAN
[thinks]
This is not good! Must tap the untapped depths of my mystical Matchpowers, and fast! It's my only chance!
Page 19
THIS PAGE IS ALSO COMPOSED OF THREE PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE.
1 - The ANTICUPIDS go flying in all directions while at the center of the
panel MATCHMAN strikes a heroic pose as his mysterious Matchpower flings them from him in a blast of glowing yellow light. DOCTOR DEJECTION's head and shoulders, laughing in the foreground, abruptly cease laughing, as he performs a double take and turns back to gaze at the resurgent MATCHMAN in frustrated malice.
MATCHMAN
It's not too late, DOC! I can still find you that special someone!
DOCTOR DEJECTION
Noooooo! My ANTICUPIDS! This cannot be!
SOUND F/X
Kazam!
CAPTION
Marvelous Matchpowers...activate!
2 - MATCHMAN and DOCTOR DEJECTION rush each other and lock arms in mortal
combat. Battered ANTICUPIDS litter the scenery around them.
DOCTOR DEJECTION
You may have overcome my secret weapon, MATCHMAN, but now you've got me to deal with!
MATCHMAN
You want to stand pat there, DOC? You don't? You want me to hit you? No problem!
AN ANTICUPID
[thinks]
Too much...clever banter...mustn't...black...out...
3 - The CUTE GIRL and the RANDOM GUY peek out from behind the bush where
they have taken refuge from the predawn violence. The sounds of combat come from off-panel.
SOUND F/X
Krak! Thud! Whap! Thunk! Bam! Crunch! Wham! Pow! Biff! Bap! Slam! etc.
RANDOM GUY
For a guy who's always talking about love, he's kind of violent, isn't he?
CUTE GIRL
Tell me about it!
Page 20
THIS PAGE IS ALSO COMPOSED OF THREE PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE.
1 - MATCHMAN leaps forward and decks DOCTOR DEJECTION with a single mighty
punch. DOCTOR DEJECTION's arms are flailing uselessly, his head is turned from the impact, and the white eyespots under his hood are cross-eyed, insofar as it is possible to depict them as such.
MATCHMAN
My fist and your face, DOC -- a perfect match!
DOCTOR DEJECTION
Urgh!
SOUND F/X
Kawham!
2 - MATCHMAN stands towering and triumphant as his decked rival DOCTOR
DEJECTION gets groggily to his knees. Behind MATCHMAN the sun is beginning to rise between the buildings; he is partially silhouetted against its bright morning rays.
DOCTOR DEJECTION
That's...unhh...enough of...urgh...this nonsense! After all, "He who fights and runs away..."
MATCHMAN
"...Is a big fat no-faced coward?"
3 - The sun rises between the buildings in the background of the square in
which the fight occurred, as we see DOCTOR DEJECTION flying up and away from the victorious MATCHMAN on the ground, which is scattered with the small blue bodies of unconscious ANTICUPIDS. DOCTOR DEJECTION is shouting and shaking his fist back at MATCHMAN in an attitude of defeat. To one side of MATCHMAN, at a safe distance, the CUTE GIRL and the RANDOM GUY look up and marvel silently at everything that has transpired. MATCHMAN himself stands, hands on hips, in a pose of triumph.
DOCTOR DEJECTION
Curse you, MATCHMAN! You may have beaten my army of ANTICUPIDS but you shall never vanquish me permanently! We shall meet again, and when we do, I shall prove the victor!
MATCHMAN
Any time you feel up for a rematch, DOC!
Page 21
THIS PAGE IS DIVIDED INTO THREE EQUAL SIZED PANELS.
1 - The RANDOM GUY and the CUTE GIRL come running up to MATCHMAN as he
stands there looking up into the sky and waving after his departing archenemy.
CUTE GIRL
Are you okay? We watched the whole fight!
RANDOM GUY
That punch was awesome! But why'd you let him get away?
MATCHMAN
It was the sporting thing to do!
2 - Under the bright sky of full morning light we see a large pile of
battered unconscious ANTICUPID bodies in the background. In front of it the CUTE GIRL and the RANDOM GUY hold each other at arms' length and gaze soulfully into each others' eyes, smiling bashfully, as MATCHMAN stands with a hand on either of their shoulders, smiling broadly, with teeth (they are in front of him, in the foreground of the panel).
MATCHMAN
And now, thanks to the wizardry of doublesign astrology and the cataclysmic effectiveness of my secret matchmaking powers, I believe introductions are in order!
CUTE GIRL
Um, hi!
RANDOM GUY
Uh, hello.
Caption: AMOR VINCIT OMNIA!
3 - The CUTE GIRL and the RANDOM GUY stand alone, holding each other's
hands and gazing into each other's eyes.
CUTE GIRL
Years from now, when we're all settled and have a house in the suburbs and a family and everything, what the heck are we going to tell our kids about how we first met?
RANDOM GUY
I have no idea. Hey, do you want to get breakfast somewhere?
CAPTION
Amor vincit omnia!
Page 22
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF ONE SINGLE GLORIOUS SPLASH PANEL.
1 - MATCHMAN, viewed from below, taking off into the sky. Tall buildings
loom around him, but there is still enough sky left clear to make it picturesque. It is full daylight now. The sky is blue, with a few clouds.
MATCHMAN
[thinks]
And another fine relationship is underway, thanks to the amazing powers of MATCHMAN!
CAPTION
The end? ...Or the beginning of something special?