The Matchman
Page 1
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE PANELS. THE FIRST OCCUPIES THE UPPER THIRD OF THE PAGE, WHILE THE LATTER TWO DIVIDE THE REMAINDER OF THE PAGE BETWEEN THEM.
1 - Wide panel distant view of the Manhattan skyline on a
sunny September morning.
CAPTION
A pristine late summer's day! The city rises, for the most part unaware of the new horror to be visited upon its inhabitants...
2 - High-angle shot of the cute eight-year-old children
CLEMENTINE and CORBIN shrugging on backpacks and looking upwards at the viewer. Their eyes demand an explanation for such an injustice as being forced to attend public school, especially on so fine a day as this. CLEMENTINE has a fair complexion, with long blonde hair and a few freckles. She wears a red T-shirt and overalls with red sneakers. CORBIN is thinner and slight of build, bald and black like his uncle LANCE CORPOREAL, but there the similarity ends. He wears a white short-sleeved collared shirt with a pen or two in the breast pocket, plaid slacks and a matching clip- on bow tie of the same pattern. He also wears thick-rimmed old-fashioned glasses reminiscent of those once worn by noted black activist Malcolm X.
CLEMENTINE
But why do we have to go to school? 2
CORBIN
We already know more than anyone our age just by being here at VALentine Complex all the time!
CAPTION
...The dreaded first day of school!
3 - LANCE CORPOREAL and DOCTOR RHODA DENDRITE as viewed
from below, standing with hands on hips and beaming happily down at their niece and nephew, respectively, who stand below them, the back of their heads to the viewer, in silhouette.
LANCE CORPOREAL
There we are. All set, kiddies!
DOCTOR DENDRITE
It's important that you enjoy the socialization process with children of a comparable age group,
CORBIN.
Page 2
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE HORIZONTAL PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE.
1 - A medium-length group shot of CLEMENTINE, CORBIN, LANCE
CORPOREAL, and DOCTOR DENDRITE walking together along a New York City sidewalk, somewhere in the Upper West Side. The adults are cut off at chest level by the top of the panel. CORBIN looks up as he addresses the adults. CLEMENTINE simply pouts.
CORBIN
But AUNT RHODA, you know as well as I do that Fishbein's theories on the dynamics of child interaction are outmoded... 3
LANCE CORPOREAL
Nice try, CORBIN, but you're still attending school this year.
CLEMENTINE
It's just not fair! We learn more and have more fun with you guys anyway!
2 - Outdoor long shot. The four stand on the sidewalk at
the foot of the short steps leading into the brick arched doorway of P.S. 555, sandwiched in between other anonymous buildings on a New York City street on the Upper West Side. LANCE CORPOREAL and DOCTOR DENDRITE are each kneeling down saying goodbye to the kids. LANCE CORPOREAL is straightening CORBIN's bow tie, while DOCTOR DENDRITE has her hands on CLEMENTINE's shoulders and is kissing her on the cheek. Random kids stream past them up the steps and into the doorway, as it is almost time for class to begin.
DOCTOR DENDRITE
Have an educationally rewarding day, honey! We'll pick you up right here at two-thirty!
CLEMENTINE
O.K., AUNTIE RHODA!
LANCE CORPOREAL
There we are! All squared away! Now, CORBIN, I hope you make some friends this year...
CORBIN
(Sigh.) I'll try, UNCLE LANCE.
3 - Interior shot of the schoolroom as seen from the
vantage point of the teacher's desk. Anonymous children sit in evenly ranked files of desks. There are roughly thirty of them. CLEMENTINE and CORBIN are sitting together in one of the middle rows. Everyone is wide-eyed with surprise and shock, as their as yet unseen teacher addresses them from off-panel. 4
TEACHER'S VOICE
[off-panel]
Welcome to school, boys and girls!
CAPTION
Little did these innocent children expect that their new homeroom teacher...
Page 3
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE HORIZONTAL PANELS. THE FIRST OCCUPIES THE UPPER HALF OF THE PAGE, WHILE THE LATTER TWO SPLIT THE REMAINDER OF THE PAGE BETWEEN THEM.
1 - Shot of the front of the schoolroom. DISCORDIA lounges
draped across the top of the teacher's desk. Instead of her usual outfit (or lack thereof), she wears a prim, high- collared teacher-type dress, her hair in a bun, and spectacles. Her pupil-less eyes glow with a sardonic golden light. She is lying on her left side, facing the viewer, left leg flat on the desk top, right leg knee up, upon which her right arm rests. In her right hand she dangles her golden apple from its stem. Her left arm supports her from below. She does wear, however, her usual black boots. Behind her on the blackboard is chalked in big letters "MISS DISCORDIA." She has a big evil grin on her face as she address her frozen students.
DISCORDIA
So...any of you little tykes got, like, an apple for the teacher?
CAPTION
...Would turn out to be the substitute from Hell!
2 - DISCORDIA stands and addresses the class, apple in one
hand and pointer in the other, with which she gestures at the name written on the chalkboard behind her. She still wears her crocodilian grin. 5
DISCORDIA
My name is MISS DISCORDIA -- that's D-I-S-C-O-R- D-I-A, by the way -- and, like, I'll be yer new zookeeper today, so all you little couch goblins better listen up!
3 - DISCORDIA's head and shoulders are in silhouette as the
viewer observes from a vantage point behind and above her the expressions on the faces of the stunned children in her captive audience. She is still in her teacher outfit, with hair in a bun. She holds her apple up high on the palm of her right hand, also in silhouette. The children gape, oblivious.
DISCORDIA
I'm, like, tough but fair. In fact, I'm the fairest one of them all. Lemme show ya. First lesson...
Page 4
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE HORIZONTAL PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE.
1 - Close-up of the golden apple as it begins to give off
multicolored rays of beautiful yet mysterious mind- controlling radiation. It sits in the palm of DISCORDIA's right hand as before.
SOUND F/X
WOOOOEEEERRRROOOOOEEEEERRRROOOOO
DISCORDIA
[off-panel]
...All that glitters is not gold! Ha ha ha!
2 - As the waves of multicolored radiation sweep over the
children in the classroom, their eyes turn into white disks with golden spirals swirling in their midst. Their mouths go slack and begin to drool. They begin to make beastly 6
moaning and growling noises as the children turn into kill- crazed zombies, slaves of DISCORDIA. Her laughter echoes through the schoolroom. CLEMENTINE and CORBIN are conspicuously absent from the view of the children in their seats pictured here, having hidden beneath their desks before the apple went off, but this is a casual detail for more astute readers to pick up on later.
SOUND F/X
WEEEEOOOORRRREEEEEEOOOOOOEEEEERRRROOOO
DISCORDIA
[off-panel]
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
CHILDREN
[en masse]
WUUUUHHHHHRRRRRGGGGHHHHRRRR...
3 - Long outside shot of the front doors of P.S. 555, as a
horde of zombie children, spirals for eyes, drooling and groaning, pour out and down the steps and into the street. They swell around the feet of DISCORDIA, in all the glory of her regular costume, as she stands at the head of the stairs, arms and apple raised high in triumph. She emits a glow of pleased power. The children have already begun to attack and disassemble nearby buildings and pedestrians.
SOUND F/X
[pedestrians screaming, windows being smashed, etc.]
Aaaaiieee!!! Arrgh!! Noooo!! KKkkkkkkssshhhh!! Crash! et al.
DISCORDIA
Like, go forth my mindless servants! Bring the city to its knees, like, metaphorically speaking, 'cause cities don't have knees! 7
ZOMBIE CHILDREN
[en masse]
ROOOOAAARRRRGGHHAAAARRRRGGGHHH!
Page 5
A SINGLE GIGANTIC SPLASH PANEL TAKES UP THE UPPER TWO- THIRDS OF THIS PAGE. THE LATTER THIRD IS DIVIDED EQUALLY BETWEEN TWO SMALLER PANELS.
1 - This is a wide-angle outdoor panel of mass destruction,
as the horde of zombie children engulfs and begins to demolish a four-block area of the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Buildings are demolished, cars are overturned and set on fire, and pedestrians and dogs are battered and devoured. The super-powered juvenile delinquent zombie children are seemingly invulnerable and unstoppable. In the middle of this high-altitude shot the golden form of DISCORDIA can be discerned twinkling like a star of ill omen.
SOUND F/X
Screeeeech! Kerunch! AAaaaiiiieeee! Aaaaargh! Kasmash! Kaboom! etc., etc., etc.
CAPTION
Within minutes, the neighborhood disintegrates into chaos as the zombie children begin their rampage of destruction!
2 - Close-up of DISCORDIA's head, golden hair flying, blank
eyes flashing as she surveys the damage her mindless minions are causing all around her. She is thinking.
DISCORDIA
[thinks]
If this doesn't do it, nothing will! Sooner or later, MATCHMAN will, like, have to show his cleft little chin around here to stop my kindergarten army, and then I can, like, spring my trap! 8
SOUND F/X
[continuing around her]
Aaaiiieeee! Kerash! Kaboom! etc.
3 - Medium distance shot. DISCORDIA strikes an heroic pose
atop an overturned car, legs apart for balance, left arm akimbo with the hand at her waist holding her apple, the other hand hurled to the sky as she delivers her ringing little speech. Her head is thrown back as she addresses the empty sky. Her golden hair flashes and waves in the sunshine. Her blank eyes glitter with malice aforethought.
DISCORDIA
Come to me, MATCHMAN! I'm, like, waiting for you! Come to me!
CAPTION
Oh, no! A ringing challenge! Is our hero up to the task? We shall see!
Page 6
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE HORIZONTAL PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE.
1 - Cut to DOCTOR DEJECTION's sheet-metal command bunker.
He is alone, in his big command swivel chair, watching his main overhead large viewscreen, which at the moment is showing a picture of DISCORDIA issuing her challenge from the previous panel. He seems pensive. One huge metal gauntleted hand strokes his phantom chin.
DOCTOR DEJECTION
Oh, ho ho! Well played, my dear DISCORDIA! Well played! He will have to respond to such a crisis, won't he? 9
DISCORDIA
[voice issuing from viewscreen speakers]
...Come to me!
CAPTION
But meanwhile, in a certain secret underground command center...
2 - Close-up of DOCTOR DEJECTION's upper body as he sits
and continues to brood in his favorite command chair. One hand supports his hooded head, the other taps upon an arm of his chair. His eyes are narrowed in concentration as he ponders the ramifications of DISCORDIA's latest gambit.
DOCTOR DEJECTION
[thinks]
It will serve as an interesting test case. Either she will prove herself so powerful as to be a dangerous rival for control of B.L.A.H., in which case she will have to be dealt with, or she will be defeated by MATCHMAN and removed from play entirely, at least for a time. Could she be capable of such might? There are secret powers at work within that golden apple that have yet to reveal themselves...
3 - DOCTOR DEJECTION gets up from his chair and begins to
pace, one arm behind his back, the other again at his chin, or at least where his chin should be.
DOCTOR DEJECTION
[thinks]
Should her bold gambit prove a failure, there is my reserve scheme to fall back upon. Perhaps two sequential catastrophes, coming hard on the heels of each other, would overtax the resources of those fools at VALentine Complex and leave me with mastery of the city...Hmmm....
CAPTION
But VALentine Complex isn't standing still in the face of adversity... 10
Page 7
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE HORIZONTAL PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE.
1 - Cut to a plush interview room somewhere in the as yet
unmapped bowels of VALentine Complex. To the right, our hero MATCHMAN, in full costume, sits with his legs crossed and his fingers steepled in a professional manner behind a desk, as he leans back in his standard office swivel chair. In front of his desk, in the left-hand side of the panel, are two comfy chairs. In them sit SUZANNE GRACE (further away from the observer) and her niece AZUSA ZEITZLER. AZUSA ZEITZLER is approximately nineteen years of age, short and athletic in stature and build, with short blonde hair, large blue eyes, and pleasantly perky but not overlarge breasts. She is wearing black jeans, a hooded sweatshirt to match, and white thick-soled sneakers. She sits on the edge of her chair in an eager and expectant manner. SUZANNE GRACE sits back in her own chair, arms folded, a scowl of disapproval on her face.
MATCHMAN
...So, SUZANNE, your niece wants to be a part of the VALentine Complex Team, eh?
SUZANNE GRACE
Unfortunately, yes. I've tried to talk AZUSA out of it, but she refuses to listen to reason.
AZUSA ZEITZLER
What does reason have to do with anything? What about my powers? Are they reasonable? Huh?
CAPTION
...In fact, they're interviewing a new team member as we speak! 11
2 - Close-up shot of MATCHMAN's upper body as he leans in
over his desk. His elbows are resting upon the top of the desk as he steeples his fingers in front of his face. His index fingers point upward directly in front of his nose. His keen eyes probe the viewer.
MATCHMAN
I see. And what powers would these be, MISS
ZEITZLER?
AZUSA ZEITZLER
[off-panel]
Oh, all sorts of things! Astrological telepathy, super-strength, the ability to fly...and I've been sparring with LANCE every day to hone my combat skills to their sharpest edge! I'd be great as your official sidekick!
3 - MATCHMAN sits upright, palms on desk, at the right of
the panel, looking nonplussed as AZUSA zooms out of the room to the left of the panel. "Speed lines" and a small cloud are the visual conventions left to indicate that AZUSA has left her chair and run out of the room at top speed. There is the sound of a door closing off-panel. SUZANNE GRACE sits forward in her chair, head turned to watch her niece's movement. Her expression is still a bit sour.
SOUND F/X
Zoooosh! Slam!
MATCHMAN
Well, that's very...
AZUSA ZEITZLER
[off-panel]
In fact, I've already got a costume! Wait here! I'll be right back!
SUZANNE GRACE
Super speed, too, apparently... 12
Page 8
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE PANELS. THE FIRST PANEL IS QUITE LARGE AND COVERS THE ENTIRE UPPER HALF OF THE PAGE. THE LATTER TWO PANELS DIVIDE THE REMAINING LOWER HALF OF THE PAGE BETWEEN THEM.
1 - AZUSA ZEITZLER occupies the center of the panel alone,
but her everyday identity is no more. Instead, she has become Z-GIRL. She wears a black unitard spangled with white multi-pointed stars of various sizes, black gloves and black low boots. Her skin-tight sleeves and legs are white. She also wears a black mask. From her radiate outlines of alternating black and white, for effect.
AZUSA ZEITZLER/Z-GIRL
Tah-daah! Z-GIRL! Whaddaya think?
CAPTION
A star is born!
2 - Medium shot of the desk where MATCHMAN is sitting. He
is leaning forward over the desk, his face suffused with an expression of joyous rapture. His palms are flat on the desk as he half-rises from his seat. SUZANNE GRACE leans back in her chair to the left, and slightly beyond, him. One arm is still crossed across her chest, the other reaches up to hide her face in an expression of frustrated disgust. She is obviously still annoyed with both her niece's desire and MATCHMAN's decision.
MATCHMAN
Magnificent! MISS ZEITZLER, welcome to the VALentine Complex Team!
SUZANNE GRACE
Oh for crying out loud... 13
3 - Cut to corridor within the bowels of VALentine Complex.
It is lined with closed office doors. Checkered tile comprises the floor. In a medium shot, we see MATCHMAN walking towards the viewer down the center of corridor, flanked by Z-GIRL on his right and SUZANNE GRACE on his left and slightly behind. Z-GIRL is looking up at him admiringly as he pontificates (while counting off the items he relates on the finger of one hand with the other hand), while SUZANNE GRACE is speaking loudly at them both in an attempt to change their minds. They seem to ignore her.
MATCHMAN
Let's see, now...there's faith, hope, charity, kindness -- that's especially important in this line of work -- tolerance, compassion, empathy, patience...
Z-GIRL
Uh huh. You got it, Big Red. When do we get to kick some evil butt?
SUZANNE GRACE
...Why won't you two listen to me? I'm the Chief Astrologer! When I have a bad premonition, it means something! It isn't just hot flashes, you know!
Page 9
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE VERTICAL PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE.
1 - The silhouette of an oversized match-head intrudes from
the left of the panel. MATCHMAN, Z-GIRL and SUZANNE GRACE are brought up short, and slightly startled, as it growls in a steely tone. SERGEANT STRIKER makes his appearance!
SERGEANT STRIKER
There you are!!
2 - SERGEANT STRIKER stands in all his matchstick glory in
the middle of the corridor. MATCHMAN, Z-GIRL and SUZANNE 14
GRACE have their backs to the viewer in silhouette form as he harangues them. He has one matchstick hand pointed at them while the other waves in the air overhead to illustrate his alarm. Exclamation points appear over the heads of his three listeners to indicate their reciprocal alarm at the news he has to impart.
SERGEANT STRIKER
I've been looking all over for you! This morning a mob of crazed mutant zombie freak children began devastating a quiet Upper West Side neighborhood! Something must be done to stop the carnage, and quickly man! Quickly!
3 - Close-up shot of MATCHMAN's chest. This would be where
he would have his usual transformation scene, and his hands are already reaching for the nonexistent lapels of the lab coat he isn't wearing, when he realizes he's already in his working costume.
MATCHMAN
This looks like a job for -- oh, wait, I'm already in my superhero identity -- ah, never fear, MATCHMAN is here!
Z-Girl [off-panel]
And don't forget his talented young sidekick Z-
GIRL!
Page 10
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE PANELS. THE FIRST TWO PANELS DIVIDE THE PAGE BETWEEN THEM -- UPPER HALF AND LOWER HALF. THE THIRD PANEL IS INSET IN THE LOWER RIGHT HAND CORNER OF THE PAGE, ECLIPSING PART OF THE LOWER PANEL.
1 - Cut to outdoor aerial shot of MATCHMAN and Z-GIRL
flying through the sky in characteristic poses. The view is slightly from below, such that only a thin rim of building tops is visible above the bottom edge of the panel. 15
MATCHMAN
It's a good thing you already know how to fly! How did you learn the secret?
Z-GIRL
It wasn't easy...
CAPTION
The Devastating Duo takes to the skies!
2 - MATCHMAN and Z-GIRL still flying through the air. This
time the vantage point of the viewer is slightly behind them, so as to indicate their progress to the scene of the action. Their heads are turned towards each other as they converse.
Z-GIRL
...I spent a lot of time in the hospital as a child.
MATCHMAN
Yes, you'll have that when you're learning to be a superhero. Comes with the territory.
3 - Cut to a medium interior shot of DOCTOR DEJECTION's
sheet-metal underground headquarters again. DOCTOR DEJECTION is back in his favorite command chair, watching his large viewscreen overhead on the wall in front of him. His arms rest upon the arms of his chair as he leans back. On the viewscreen is a picture of MATCHMAN and Z-GIRL flying through the air.
DOCTOR DEJECTION
Oh...a sidekick. I didn't know heroes still did that sort of thing anymore. At least it's a girl this time. Yes...this should definitely be interesting. 16
CAPTION
Meanwhile, DOCTOR DEJECTION watches and waits for events to unfold...
Page 11
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE PANELS. IT IS DIVIDED BY THREE LINES EMANATING FROM A CENTRAL POINT, SO AS TO CREATE THREE POLYGONS OF APPROXIMATELY EQUAL AREA -- LEFT, RIGHT AND BOTTOM.
1 - Cut to medium outdoor shot of the devastated area. The
mind-controlled zombie children are still busily engaged in setting buildings on fire, smashing cars with sledgehammers, and terrorizing innocent civilians and hastily summoned policemen with baling hooks and two-by- fours with nails in them. In the left of the panel we see a heavily armed S.W.A.T. team overwhelmed and soundly brutalized by the apparently bulletproof little monsters. The carnage is immense, and noisy, as the kids howl and moan, their victims scream, buildings collapse and explode, etc. No sign of DISCORDIA in this panel.
SOUND F/X
Aaaaargh! Aaaaiiieeee! Crash! Bang! Smash! Kapow kapow! Kkkkksshhhh! Kaboom! Nooooo! Grrooooaaaaarrooooaaarrrgh! Etc., etc., etc.
2 - DISCORDIA stands, arms akimbo, hands on hips (with
golden apple in her right hand), upon an overturned car, grandly surveying the disaster area around her that her mindless minions have created. She throws her head back and laughs mightily, finding the scene vastly amusing.
DISCORDIA
Ha ha ha! This is, like, more fun than frog baseball! That's what I love about children -- they'll believe anything you tell them! 17
MATCHMAN
[off-panel]
Not so fast, goldenrod!
3 - We see the back of DISCORDIA's head and upper torso as
she turns at the waist, atop her car, apple in hand as ever, in surprise at the sound of MATCHMAN's voice. Being behind her the viewer sees what she sees: MATCHMAN and Z- GIRL coming in for a landing across the street from her.
MATCHMAN
I had a feeling I'd find you here! Cease and desist at once, DISCORDIA!
DISCORDIA
MATCHMAN! I've been expecting you! Who's that, yer masseuse?
Z-GIRL
Holy cow -- it's the Emmy statue come to life, without the wings!
Page 12
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE HORIZONTAL PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE.
1 - Cut to medium interior shot of the schoolroom where
last we saw CLEMENTINE and CORBIN. It is now a wreck, with the blackboard shattered, windows broke, posters ripped down, desks broken, trashed and piled. CLEMENTINE and CORBIN, unhurt but smudged with dirt, crawl from beneath their overturned desks.
CLEMENTINE
I think it's safe to come out. They're all gone. Don't be such a wuss, CORBIN. 18
CORBIN
M-maybe they l-left a s-sentry behind to s-secure the area. Th-that's textbook m-m-military procedure...
CAPTION
Meanwhile...back inside the gutted elementary school...
2 - CLEMENTINE and CORBIN stand, brushing bits of rubble
from dust-smeared clothing. Their backpacks are nowhere to be seen. The schoolroom in which they stand is a complete wreck.
CLEMENTINE
We gotta warn MATCHMAN about this evil gold lady, and fast!
CORBIN
Yeah! Before she hurts someone...especially us!
3 - Outside long shot of the front of P.S. 555. It is a
disaster -- doors shattered and wrenched off of their hinges, windows broken, steps chipped, and a burned-out car nearby. CLEMENTINE and CORBIN run willy-nilly down the steps in an obvious and understandable hurry.
CORBIN
Oh my gosh! Look at all of this... this... devastation!
CLEMENTINE
Don't worry! MATCHMAN will stop her and her horde of brainwashed freaks in no time flat!
Page 13
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE HORIZONTAL PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE. 19
1 - Medium outdoors shot of CLEMENTINE and CORBIN running
at top speed down a ruined sidewalk past a brick wall that bears scars of the morning's fighting.
CLEMENTINE
C'mon, slowpoke! We gotta hurry or it'll be too late!
CORBIN
(Cough.) It's not my fault I have (wheeze) stress-induced asthma!
2 - The running kids turn a corner and stop dead in their
tracks as they behold at some distance MATCHMAN and Z-GIRL yelling at DISCORDIA, who stands atop an overturned car.
CLEMENTINE
Wow! He's already taking care of business! There he is!
CORBIN
(Pant.) SERGEANT (wheeze) STRIKER (hack) must have (cough) alerted him (wheeze) like always. But (gasp) who's the blonde girl? Is that (cough) AZUSA?
3 - Shift back to a medium close shot of MATCHMAN and Z-
GIRL engaged in a shouting match with DISCORDIA, who stands on an overturned car to the left of the panel. MATCHMAN and Z-GIRL are to the right of the panel, and far beyond where all three stand, CLEMENTINE and CORBIN's faces can be seen peeping around the corner of a ruined brick building as they watch from a safe distance. MATCHMAN and Z-GIRL are in aggressive fighting stance, while DISCORDIA points an accusing finger and brandishes her apple.
MATCHMAN
DISCORDIA, I urge you now to throw down your vicious fruit and surrender before more blood is shed! This is your last chance! 20
Z-GIRL
What's the big deal? C'mon, MATCHMAN, we could take this gold bug no problem! I mean it's not like she's packing a banana or anything serious like that!
DISCORDIA
Banana!?! Why you little...
Page 14
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE PANELS. THE FIRST OCCUPIES THE ENTIRE UPPER TWO-THIRDS OF THE PAGE, WHILE THE LATTER TWO DIVIDE THE REMAINING SPACE BETWEEN THEM.
1 - The same scene, only viewed once again from a closer
perspective. MATCHMAN and Z-GIRL are large in the foreground, as DISCORDIA looms before them atop the overturned car, shouting down at them. She looks angry, as though the banana comment had got to her.
Z-GIRL
[sings]
"Yes, we have no bananas, we have no bananas todaaaayy..."
DISCORDIA
That does it! Like, prepare yer butt for instant dissolution, you...you star spangled bimbo!
MATCHMAN
No, Z-GIRL! Don't provoke her!
2 - Extreme close-up of MATCHMAN's face. He wears a scowl
of deep concentration. Sweat pours from his brow. He is thinking. His steely eyes stare straight ahead. 21
MATCHMAN
[thinks]
What can I do? I am so in love with her, and yet her heart is given over to the service of evil! If only I can persuade her to renounce her dissipated ways and turn over a new leaf! But can she be redeemed like the green stamps of yesteryear? I do not know -- but I must make the attempt!
3 - Extreme close-up of Z-GIRL's face. She wears a scowl of
deep concentration. Sweat beads her brow as well. She is thinking. Her eyes look sideways, trying to anticipate MATCHMAN's command.
Z-GIRL
[thinks]
I can't believe this -- the big lug is sweet on Miss Glitter Domes here! He can't give this witch an inch of slack or she'll mow us down faster than you can say "Fruit Stripe gum means fruit stripe fun!" What is he waiting for? An engraved invitation? Let's rush her, now!
Page 15
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE HORIZONTAL PANELS. THE UPPERMOST IS NARROWER THAN THE OTHER TWO, WHICH SPLIT THE REMAINING SPACE BETWEEN THEM.
1 - Extreme close-up of DISCORDIA's face. Her eyes are
narrowed in concentration as well, but she is not scowling, and not sweating, either. The beginning of a self-satisfied smirk plays around the edges of her full lips. Her blank golden eyes watch MATCHMAN with the intensity of a jungle cat stalking her inevitable prey. She, too, is thinking.
DISCORDIA
[thinks]
I see...the oversized slab of beefcake already, like, has some sort of like crush on me! This is too, too funny! This plays, like, right into my hands! The 22
big yutz won't know what hit him! Time for the fun to begin!
2 - MATCHMAN and Z-GIRL break their stasis and leap upward
towards DISCORDIA on top of the overturned car. MATCHMAN goes high, Z-GIRL goes low. DISCORDIA has her hands raised in a defensive posture, apple and all.
MATCHMAN
Now, Z-GIRL! Subdue her quickly and this'll all be over before it began!
Z-GIRL
I'm with ya, big guy! It's zodiac time!
CAPTION
As if on cue...
3 - Medium distance action panel as DISCORDIA
contemptuously dodges MATCHMAN's assault. She simultaneously bats Z-GIRL down into the overturned car she is standing on. She skips aside nimbly, while holding her apple high with her other hand. MATCHMAN goes flying past her, empty hands extended, with a puzzled expression on his face. Z-GIRL cries out as she bounces back down to the ground below.
SOUND F/X
Bap! Krunk!
Z-GIRL
Owww!
MATCHMAN
[thinks]
???
DISCORDIA
Easy there, Army of Lovers! This little brouhaha will be over before it began, all right... 23
Page 16
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE HORIZONTAL PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE.
1 - Close-up of DISCORDIA's hand holding her golden apple
aloft. It begins to emanate waves of multicolored radiation like the rays that turned the children into an army of zombies. The entire panel is covered with concentric outlines surrounding the apple.
SOUND F/X
WOOOEEEERRRROOOOEEEEERRRRROOOOOO
CAPTION
"...But, like, not in the way you were expecting!"
2 - Close-up shot of MATCHMAN's head and torso stiffening
and reeling sideways behind a wave of that translucent multicolored radiation emanation from the golden apple. His eyes have become golden spirals, as he falls under DISCORDIA's mind control effect. He is thinking as his mind flickers out like a watch lamp in a storm.
SOUND F/X
WEEEEEERRROOOOOEEEEERRRROOOO
MATCHMAN
[thinks]
Mother of mayonnaise! The radiation from her apple is taking over my brain! Must... erect... tower... of... indomitable... will... before... before... bbbbbbbbbbbbyes Ma'am I hear and obey yes Ma'am yes Ma'am yes yes yesyesyes... 24
CAPTION
Oh, no! Our hero has fallen under the enchantress's evil spell!
3 - DISCORDIA stands in triumph surveying the form of
MATCHMAN as he stands at attention next to her on top of the overturned car, golden spirals where his eyes should be. He is completely in her power.
DISCORDIA
Well, well! What a fine specimen! And you shall be my consort when it is time to begin my eternal reign over this, like, undeserving burg!
MATCHMAN
Yes Ma'am...whatever you say Ma'am... consort... very good Ma'am...
Page 17
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE PANELS. THE FIRST TWO DIVIDE THE UPPER TWO-THIRDS OF THE PAGE BETWEEN THEM, WHILE THE LATTER OCCUPIES THE LOWER THIRD OF THE PAGE.
1 - Medium distance shot of Z-GIRL as she leaps from the
ground to attempt a last all-out physical assault upon DISCORDIA and the golden apple, in a desperate attempt to free MATCHMAN from his psychic bondage. Her mouth is open as she screams her defiance. She is thinking, too.
Z-GIRL
[shouts]
No! You fourteen-carat slag! I can't let you do this! The city needs MATCHMAN!
Z-GIRL
[thinks]
Must knock the apple away from her grasp! It's my only chance! 25
2 - DISCORDIA stands, unmoving, her arms embracing MATCHMAN
from behind around his neck and shoulders as he absent- mindedly bats Z-GIRL aside without even turning his spiraling eyes in her direction. DISCORDIA is simpering and whispering in MATCHMAN's ear. Z-GIRL's cry of pain fails to move either of her adversaries.
SOUND F/X
Baf!
Z-GIRL
Urk!
DISCORDIA
Why thank you darling! How, like, awfully sweet of you! Now let's go on the rampage, shall we?
MATCHMAN
Yes Ma'am yesyesyes Ma'am anything you say Ma'am yesyes Ma'am you got it Ma'am...
3 - Z-GIRL lies fallen amid the rubble of the street. She
is thinking as she loses consciousness from the blow she has just taken from the hands of her bewitched ally. Her tightly clad body is draped alluringly over the rubble.
Z-GIRL
[thinks]
Uuuh... hit too hard... he's been taken over... mind control... uuhh... losing consciousness... mustn't... black... out...
CAPTION
Good gravy! Z-GIRL down and MATCHMAN in the arms of the enemy! Someone has to get word to VALentine Complex! But who? Who? 26
Page 18
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE HORIZONTAL PANELS. THE FIRST OCCUPIES THE UPPER QUARTER OF THE PAGE, THE LAST OCCUPIES THE LOWER QUARTER OF THE PAGE. THE CENTER IS OCCUPIED BY THE SECOND, WHICH IS A NICE BIG SPLASH PANEL.
1 - Some distance away from the scene of the abortive
combat, CLEMENTINE and CORBIN are taking to their heels in the opposite direction near the corner of a ruined building -- behind which they've been eyewitnesses to the entire debacle. Their eyes are wide with alarm, and the comic sweat of anxiety flies from their heads as they make tracks.
CLEMENTINE
That's it! I'm outta here! We gotta warn AUNTIE RHODA before it's too late!
CORBIN
Yeah, a-and UNCLE LANCE, t-too! Let's get moving!
2 - This is a big splash panel of the entire devastated
area. CLEMENTINE and CORBIN are seen running down a street, as all around them the mutant zombie freak children continue their work of demolition.
3 - Outside shot of the middle of the street in the
devastated area. CLEMENTINE and CORBIN are running at full speed down the middle of the street, which is littered with smashed and burning cars and rubble. Behind them the zombie children continue their carnage. Buildings burn. The viewpoint is ahead and a little below the two running children, so that they appear to run up on the reader.
CORBIN
Y-you think th-they eat brains?
CLEMENTINE
Don't be such a wuss, CORBIN! 27
Page 19
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE HORIZONTAL PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE.
1 - Cut to medium shot of a room deep in the uncharted
bowels of VALentine Complex. DOCTOR RHODA DENDRITE kneels to hug both children, who hug her in return, while behind them LANCE CORPOREAL towers and glowers in grave concern, one arm across his chest, one hand at his chin. DOCTOR DENDRITE is tearfully thankful.
DOCTOR DENDRITE
Oh thank heaven you two are both safe! We were so worried about you! When we heard the reports...!
CLEMENTINE
No time for that, AUNTIE RHODA! The evil golden lady has MATCHMAN under some kind of mind control!
CORBIN
It appeared to emanate from her principal weapon, that is, her golden apple! Hurry, UNCLE LANCE! We have to do something!
LANCE CORPOREAL
Hmmm...
2 - Close-up of LANCE CORPOREAL and DOCTOR DENDRITE from
the waist up standing next to each other. They speak to each other, with DOCTOR DENDRITE looking up at her taller, beefier partner. Their expressions are ones of grave concern at the seriousness of the situation.
DOCTOR DENDRITE
We find ourselves in a very critical situation here, LANCE. MATCHMAN is our strongest weapon in our never-ending struggle against avarice, cynicism and hatred. With him in DISCORDIA's grasp, we may be in grave danger. VALentine Complex itself is threatened! 28
LANCE CORPOREAL
We cannot allow ourselves to lose that which we worked so hard to build! It's time for decisive action! We must rescue MATCHMAN from the clutches of that evil siren! To arms, then!
3 - LANCE CORPOREAL and DOCTOR DENDRITE appear in a medium
shot against a background of large glass-fronted cabinets full of assorted ordinance. They are preparing themselves for combat: selecting assault rifles, pistols, and rocket launchers. Both wear belts and bandoliers of ammunition. LANCE CORPOREAL is also sporting a machete. They are dressed in camouflage fatigues and wear black berets. DOCTOR DENDRITE looks slightly ridiculous in her uniform as she hoists a flamethrower.
DOCTOR DENDRITE
Perhaps I should stay behind and mind the store,
LANCE...
LANCE CORPOREAL
Don't be daft, old shoe -- we need every able- bodied combatant in the field at this crucial juncture! Besides, SUZANNE is staying behind to be our tactical coordinator!
CAPTION
Preparations are swiftly made...
Page 20
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE PANELS. THE FIRST TWO DIVIDE THE UPPER HALF OF THE PAGE BETWEEN THEM, ONE ON EACH SIDE. THE THIRD PANEL OCCUPIES THE ENTIRE LOWER HALF OF THE PAGE.
1 - Close-up shot of SERGEANT STRIKER in full panoply of
war. His matchstick head is streaked with camouflage paint, his beret sits rakishly askew, and in his matchstick arms he carries an M-60 heavy machine gun. Belts of ammo 29
crisscross his nonexistent chest. He strikes a Rambo-esque pose, filling the center of the panel. The background is the nondescript interior of his office, complete with desk. He manages to look unduly fierce despite his obvious physical peculiarities.
SERGEANT STRIKER
Just like back in the 'Nam! Don't ya worry, MATCHY my boy -- I'm comin' ta bust yer costumed behind out of that electroplated Hanoi Hannah's clutches or my name ain't MASTER SERGEANT CORNELIUS T. STRIKER, United States Special Forces (retired)!
CAPTION
...As the entire VALentine Complex Team...
2 - In a darkened room, SUZANNE GRACE sits hunched grimly
in front of her desktop computer, anxiously researching the astrological complexities attendant upon the rescue mission. The glow from the CRT lights her face with a ghastly pale emphasis. She sits hunched forward in her chair, her tongue extended with the effort, beads of sweat dripping from her brow.
SUZANNE GRACE
[thinks]
This is either the best conjunction of planets that I've ever seen, or we're all going to be dead by tomorrow morning... I can only hope that my idiot niece hasn't gotten herself in over her head... If she ever comes out of this alive I'm going to kill her!
CAPTION
...Prepares for the daring rescue of their lost leader!
3 - Cut to a large room, filled to capacity with a large
round table, hollow in the center. Chairs are place around its circumference. The room is vast and airy and spacious, and is lit by a high domed skylight. Some, but not all, of the chairs are filled by the current members of the VALentine Complex Team -- LANCE CORPOREAL, DOCTOR RHODA DENDRITE, SERGEANT STRIKER, and SUZANNE GRACE are present, 30
and even CLEMENTINE and CORBIN have managed to sneak in and attend the meeting. Everyone is in full combat regalia, except the kids. LANCE CORPOREAL is standing up at his place at the table and is addressing the gathering.
LANCE CORPOREAL
Right, so that's that then! You've all heard the plan, and you know precisely what parts to play in the precise execution of this rescue mission! As your duly elected temporary leader, I want this to go off like clockwork, so there is no room for the slightest error! Let's go bring MATCHMAN back!
EVERYONE IN UNISON
Hurrah!
CAPTION
All is in readiness at VALentine Complex...
Page 21
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE HORIZONTAL PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE.
1 - Z-GIRL lies chained about her wrists and ankles on the
floor of a pitch-dark room with a flagstone floor. Water drips somewhere. A door opens, spilling a beam of daylight across her prostrate form. In the midst of that beam of daylight their looms a familiar feminine silhouette. She stirs and regains consciousness.
Z-GIRL
Uuuh...what happened? Where am I?
DISCORDIA
[off-panel]
Like, rise and shine, tootsie pop! I got a deal for ya! 31
CAPTION
...But what of Z-GIRL?
2 - Z-GIRL sits up, hunched over, still in chains (her
hands are behind her). Her head hangs wearily low, and her hair is mussed. Her face is smudged with dirt. DISCORDIA stands over her and behind her, in a stance of wanton authority, holding, as always, her apple. The beam of daylight casts itself across the both of them from an open door behind DISCORDIA. The play of light and shadow within the room are very dramatic.
Z-GIRL
Good to see you've been taking elocution lessons while I've been away, DISCO. Where'd you learn your English, working in a nail salon?
DISCORDIA
Zip it, cheesecake. Here's the deal: like, either join my army of brainwashed zombie slaves, or, like, die -- slowly and in like maximum agony. What's it gonna be?
3 - Close up of their two faces glaring directly at each
other, Z-GIRL up from bottom left of the panel, DISCORDIA down from upper right of the panel. Z-GIRL is battered but unbowed, while DISCORDIA is quite furious and impatient. Both grimace with anger at each other.
Z-GIRL
Like, why don't you, like, just, like, brainwash me with, like, that apple of yours, like? Huh?
DISCORDIA
It always did work better on men than on women, but it won't, like -- I mean it won't work on you at all. Something in you is blocking the effect of my apple. Yer like totally immune. So you have to join me of yer own free will. Or die. So what's it gonna be, tough girl? 32
Page 22
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF TWO PANELS. THE FIRST IS INSET IN THE UPPER LEFT-HAND CORNER OF THE PAGE, WHILE THE SECOND OCCUPIES THE ENTIRE REST OF THE PAGE IN A GLORIOUS SPLASH PANEL CLIFFHANGER FINALE.
1 - Cut back to DOCTOR DEJECTION watching his giant
viewscreen in his favorite chair in his underground headquarters again. On the viewscreen is a video image of DISCORDIA exiting a dark door that leads to an underground chamber of some sort. She is alone on the screen. DOCTOR DEJECTION muses out loud, but his thoughts remain private.
DOCTOR DEJECTION
Hmmm... Yes, a very interesting turn of events indeed. Soon it will be time for my plan to come to its fruition. Naught is left to do but wait. Heheheheheh!
2 - We close with a massive vibrant splash panel which has
DISCORDIA at center stage, hair flying, arms flung outward, golden apple prominently displayed, with MATCHMAN, eyes a- spiral, at her side, raging forth and punching out a chunk of a nearby building in a blind fury of destruction, while around them hordes of brainwashed zombie mutant freak children pour through the city spreading mass chaos, destruction, and panic.
CAPTION
MATCHMAN ensorcelled! DISCORDIA triumphant! The city overrun! Civic carnage escalating! VALentine Complex threatened! And Z-GIRL's fate unknown! What shall become of our dauntless heroes? Find out in the next spine-tingling issue of MATCHMAN COMICS!