The Matchman
Page 1
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF FIVE PANELS. IN THE CENTER IS A LARGE OVAL PANEL, WHILE THE PERIPHERY IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR SEPARATE SECTIONS OF APPROXIMATELY EQUAL SIZE.
1 - This is the large center splash panel. It features a
brainwashed MATCHMAN, still under DISCORDIA's spell with golden spirals in his eyes, destroying the city surrounded by waves of mutant zombie freak children doing the same.
CAPTION
When we last left our hero MATCHMAN...he was under DISCORDIA's evil spell...and he and her army of mutant zombie freak children were destroying the city!
2 - In the upper left corner, a battered Z-GIRL and a
triumphant DISCORDIA glare at each other in a basement dungeon.
CAPTION
Z-GIRL captured by DISCORDIA!
3 - In the upper right corner, DOCTOR DEJECTION ponders
developments.
CAPTION
DOCTOR DEJECTION muses on events!
4 - In the lower left corner, the VALCom Team speeds uptown
in the Matchvan. LANCE CORPOREAL, SERGEANT STRIKER and 2
DOCTOR RHODA DENDRITE are in full battle gear and look grim and determined.
CAPTION
The VALCom Team hurtles toward destiny uptown!
5 - In the lower right corner, SUZANNE GRACE, CLEMENTINE
and CORBIN huddle around a glowing monitor back at VALentine Complex and look tense.
CAPTION
While SUZANNE GRACE and the kids CLEMENTINE and CORBIN mind the store downtown!
Page 2
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF SIX PANELS. THE UPPER HALF IS COMPOSED OF FOUR PANELS IN QUAD FORMATION; THE LOWER HALF IS COMPOSED OF TWO HORIZONTAL PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE.
1 - DISCORDIA glares at a bound Z-GIRL on the floor of a
dank basement dungeon and repeats her threat from last issue.
DISCORDIA
So what's it gonna be, tough girl? Are ya gonna, like, join my army of destruction, or are ya gonna wind up being one of its first victims?
2 - Close-up of Z-GIRL's face.
Z-GIRL
Your threats don't scare me, DISCORDIA...
3 - Z-GIRL talks as DISCORDIA stands above her.
Z-GIRL
If you were going to kill me, you would have done it while I was out cold. You're saving me for something special, aren't you? 3
4 - Z-GIRL's speech wafts up from below, as we look at
DISCORDIA's haughty yet pouty visage, shiny and cold.
Z-GIRL
[off-panel]
...Aren't you?
5 - DISCORDIA abruptly turns and walks out of the basement
dungeon without saying a word. Z-GIRL lies on the floor in bondage and watches her go.
6 - DISCORDIA rejoins her hypnotized MATCHMAN at the
forefront of the destruction of the city. The zombie children surround them. All are engaged in a terrifying orgy of destruction: buildings, pedestrians, cars, etc. Total urban renewal.
DISCORDIA
There's my big strong guy! How's the, like, demolition going there, hunk muffin?
MATCHMAN
Yes ma'am yes ma'am just fine ma'am totally devastating ma'am yes ma'am wipeout ma'am...
Page 3
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF EIGHT PANELS. TWO HORIZONTAL PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE, THEN A NARROWER MIDDLE HORIZONTAL STRIP DIVIDED INTO FOUR SEQUENTIAL FRAMES, AND THEN TWO MORE HORIZONTAL PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE AT THE BOTTOM.
1 - DISCORDIA, MATCHMAN, and the zombie kids continue their
cross-town rampage. Long distance panoramic view. She twinkles in the distance like a star.
MATCHMAN
...Absolutely ma'am yes ma'am can do ma'am yes ma'am destruction yes ma'am anything you say ma'am... 4
DISCORDIA
That's my sweet woogums!
2 - Closer in again, MATCHMAN straightens up in alarm.
DISCORDIA is concerned.
DISCORDIA
Oh no! Like, MATCHYKINS, what is it?
MATCHMAN
Yes ma'am yes ma'am MatchSpider radar tingling ma'am they're here ma'am they're here yes ma'am they're here...
3 - And the Matchvan screeches up to a halt nearby at the
edge of the devastated area, scattering zombie children like ninepins.
SOUND F/X
Screeeeeeech!
4 - The doors open and LANCE CORPOREAL, SERGEANT STRIKER
and DOCTOR RHODA DENDRITE pile out in full battle array.
5 - They get into formation...
6 - ...and advance cautiously upon MATCHMAN and DISCORDIA,
weapons at the ready.
7 - The VALCom team and MATCHMAN and DISCORDIA regard each
other in a standoff. Zombie children accumulate from nowhere and stand around slavering.
SERGEANT STRIKER
Good gravy! My poor boy, what has that glittering golden refugee from a beach movie done to you!
LANCE CORPOREAL
Don't worry, MATCHMAN old shoe, we're here to rescue you! DISCORDIA, throw down your apple and surrender or prepare to meet your maker! 5
DOCTOR DENDRITE
I've got the apple covered, LANCE!
DISCORDIA
Why, if it isn't the VALCom Team! I was, like wondering when you guys were gonna show up! I wouldn't talk so big if were you...
8 - MATCHMAN goes berserk. He fills the panel as he leaps
out at his erstwhile teammates.
MATCHMAN
...Yes ma'am arrrrrrrrggh kill yes ma'am kill rraaaarrhh!
DISCORDIA
[off-panel]
...Because this time you've met your match!
LANCE CORPOREAL
[off-panel]
Look out! He's gone berserk!
Page 4
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF FIVE PANELS. ONE GIANT SPLASH PANEL OCCUPIES MOST OF THE PAGE, AND TWO SMALL PANELS ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE AND THE TOP OF THE PAGE.
1 - In the upper left corner, we see DOCTOR DEJECTION
watching his viewscreen in his underground bunker hideout. He appears pensive.
DOCTOR DEJECTION
[thinks]
So it begins. Either DISCORDIA will triumph and I will be faced with a new and dangerous rival for power in the city, or it will be time to spring my own gambit. We shall see. 6
2 - Back at VALentine Complex, SUZANNE GRACE, CLEMENTINE
and CORBIN huddle around a glowing computer monitor to watch the action. They all look very worried at what they are seeing.
SUZANNE GRACE
Uh-oh. This doesn't bode well, kids. Not well at all.
CLEMENTINE
I think I know what you mean, AUNT SUZANNE.
CORBIN
Y-yeah, I don't think I ever saw MATCHMAN that mad before. His veins are standing out on his neck.
3 - This is the large splash panel with the big battle
scene, as DISCORDIA, MATCHMAN, LANCE CORPOREAL, DOCTOR DENDRITE and SERGEANT STRIKER mix it up, along with an assortment of zombie children.
4 - The battle goes badly for the VALCom Team. Zombie
children attach themselves to their legs, and their weapons have no effect against MATCHMAN and DISCORDIA. LANCE manages to block a punch from the former, while the latter sneers in the background as she deflects a shot from
SERGEANT STRIKER.
DOCTOR DENDRITE
[off-panel]
LANCE! Try not to hurt him!
LANCE CORPOREAL
I'll try, RHODA, but I don't think he's going to observe the same courtesy with regard to --
5 - MATCHMAN lays LANCE CORPOREAL out cold with a left to
the jaw. LANCE goes flying backwards through the air. 7
LANCE CORPOREAL
Me - urrgh!
MATCHMAN
Yes ma'am yes ma'am kill rargh yes ma'am...
Page 5
AN ARRAY OF EIGHT SMALL PANELS OCCUPIES THE UPPER HALF OF THIS PAGE, WHILE THE LOWER HALF OF THE PAGE IS ONE LARGE PANEL.
1 - Z-GIRL lies bound on the floor of the basement dungeon.
2 - Close-up of Z-GIRL's face. She is concentrating.
Z-GIRL
[thinks]
I can hear them fighting out there!
3 - Close-up of her bound wrists. She is straining against
her bonds with all her might.
Z-GIRL
[thinks off-panel]
My friends need my help!
4 - Z-GIRL rolls over on the floor in her efforts to break
free.
Z-GIRL
[thinks]
MATCHMAN will be too strong for them!
5 - Close-up of Z-GIRL's face again.
Z-GIRL
[thinks]
I'm the only other person with true super powers on the VALCom Team! They need me! 8
6 - Close-up of her bound wrists again. The bonds seem to
be weakening.
Z-GIRL
[thinks off-panel]
I've got to get that apple away from DISCORDIA!
7 - Close-up of her wrists as her bonds finally break.
SOUND F/X
Ka-chink!
Z-GIRL
[thinks]
Ah! There! Now -- no time to lose!
8 - Divested of her bonds, Z-GIRL springs to her feet and
rushes out of her prison.
Z-GIRL
[thinks]
I've got a score to settle with that minx!
9 - Big panel showing the battle scene. MATCHMAN looms
threateningly over a frightened DOCTOR DENDRITE as she attempts to aid an unconscious LANCE CORPOREAL. SERGEANT STRIKER is attempting to fend off DISCORDIA's attacks when Z-GIRL appears out of nowhere and jumps on DISCORDIA's back. DISCORDIA and SEREGANT STRIKER look surprised at Z- GIRL's sudden intervention.
Z-GIRL
Surprise, Goldilocks! Remember me? You should have killed me when you had the chance, DISCORDIA!
DISCORDIA
Whaaaaa? Like, no way! How'd you escape? 9
SERGEANT STRIKER
Z-GIRL! Glad you could make it to the party!
Page 6
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF EIGHT PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE.
1 - Z-GIRL and DISCORDIA grapple hand-to-hand, each trying
to gain control of the golden apple.
Z-GIRL
Drop the fruit, you treacherous siren!
DISCORDIA
Never gonna happen, girl!
2 - As they struggle, the golden apple gets knocked free
from DISCORDIA's grasp and goes flying.
Z-GIRL
Oops!
DISCORDIA
Eeeeeeek! My apple!
3 - As MATCHMAN stands menacingly over the prostrate LANCE
CORPOREAL and the kneeling DOCTOR DENDRITE, his eyes revert to their normal appearance as DISCORDIA's spell leaves him. He wavers for a moment, and then topples over in a faint.
MATCHMAN
Yes ma'am yes ma'am...unnhhh...what? Where am I? Unnhhh...
DOCTOR DENDRITE
Goodness gracious! 10
4 - DISCORDIA, deprived of her apple, can already be seen
to be visibly weakening. Her color dulls as she reels back from Z-GIRL, obviously not feeling very well.
DISCORDIA
Unnnhhhh... feel... weak. Must... have... golden... apple... Power... fading...
5 - Z-GIRL wallops DISCORDIA with a sock on the jaw.
Z-GIRL
[thinks]
Now's my chance while her powers are low!
DISCORDIA
Urrrmmfff!
SOUND F/X
Pow!
6 - DISCORDIA collects herself, unleashes a vicious high
drop kick to Z-GIRL's face, and flings herself towards her golden apple, which is lying on the pavement not far away. Z-GIRL reels back in pain.
DISCORDIA
Not... yet! Gotta... get... my... apple!
Z-GIRL
And now, DISCORDIA, I -- Owww!
SOUND F/X
Krak!
7 - While Z-GIRL and DISCORDIA are duking it out, the rest
of the VALCom Team is taking advantage of the lull in battle. While directionless zombie children wander about and begin to shake off their trance, SERGEANT STRIKER helps DOCTOR DENDRITE drag the unconscious MATCHMAN away from the 11
battle area, while the unconscious LANCE CORPOREAL slowly wakes up and gets on his feet.
DOCTOR DENDRITE
Hurry, SERGEANT! We have to get MATCHMAN to a safe place so that I can administer first aid!
SERGEANT STRIKER
Any time you want to get up from your beauty nap and help us out here, LANCE!
LANCE CORPOREAL
Whoa... Anybody get the number of that lorry that just ran me over?
8 - DISCORDIA, sprawled on the pavement, reaches out in
desperation for her golden apple, which remains mere millimeters just out of her reach. Z-GIRL sprawls behind her, tugging on one of legs, to prevent her from regaining it.
DISCORDIA
Almost... there...
Z-GIRL
No!
Page 7
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF SEVEN PANELS. IT IS DIVIDED INTO HORIZONTAL THIRDS. THE UPPER THIRD IS ONE PANEL. THE MIDDLE THIRD IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PANELS. THE LOWER THIRD IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR PANELS.
1 - DOCTOR DEJECTION continues to follow the progress of
the battle on the giant viewscreen in his subterranean headquarters. At present the image of Z-GIRL tugging on DISCORDIA's leg fills the screen. DOCTOR DEJECTION looks both excited and pensive, if that is possible. 12
DOCTOR DEJECTION
[thinks]
So close, my evil beauty! So close! Which way shall the pendulum swing? Is it time for me to set my plans into motion?
2 - At VALentine Complex, SUZANNE GRACE has had enough.
Alarmed at the desperate condition of her comrades in battle, she reacts to what she sees on the screen by picking up a special black cell phone sitting nearby and dialing a number.
SUZANNE GRACE
That does it! I refuse to sit idly by and watch as the good guys get their collective butt kicked by that overgrown Goldfinger extra! Time to call in the cavalry!
CLEMENTINE
Who are you calling, AUNT SUZANNE?
CORBIN
Not literal cavalry, surely?
3 - SUZANNE GRACE holds the phone to her head as she turns
in her seat to answer the kids.
SUZANNE GRACE
No, CORBIN, for Pete's sake not literal cavalry. These guys are super secret. Only in the most dire straits are we permitted to call upon them for help. They are members of a most esoteric order of warriors...
4 - A pitch black gloved hand attached to an impossibly
long and thin arm grabs the handset of a ringing telephone.
CAPTION
"...The SUPERSIGNS!" 13
5 - A black hand holds the phone up to a silhouette of a
pitch-black head. It is impossible to see the division between the hand and the head; they merge together as a black shadow.
MYSTERIOUS SUPERSIGNS VOICE
Yes? Of course. Yes, I see. We're on our way.
6 - The door of a sleek pitch-black van sitting at the curb
in a nondescript urban location slams with authority. it is impossible to tell who or what is inside it.
SOUND F/X
Slam!
7 - The pitch-black van heads uptown dodging smoothly
through traffic that parts for it as though in a dream.
Page 8
THE UPPER HALF OF THE PAGE IS DIVIDED INTO SIX PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE. THE LOWER HALF OF THE PAGE IS ONE LARGE PANEL.
1 - Close-up of DISCORDIA's shining hand grasping her
golden apple once again on the ground.
DISCORDIA
Yes! I got it!
2 - Still lying on the ground, a glowing golden DISCORDIA,
good as new, delivers a ringing side kick to Z-GIRL's upper torso, sending her flying through the air.
DISCORDIA
First we gotta, like, administer the payback!
Z-GIRL
Urk! 14
SOUND F/X
Kerak!
3 - Z-GIRL's limp and battered body flies through the air
and crashes into SERGEANT STRIKER just as he is running up to offer her some support in combat. He is knocked back in pain as well.
SERGEANT STRIKER
Don't worry, Z-GIRL! I'm coming to -- oooff!
Z-GIRL
Double urk!
SOUND F/X
Karumph!
4 - All the kids turn into zombies again, as DOCTOR
DENDRITE turns around in fear and LANCE CORPOREAL slowly gets to his feet. MATCHMAN lies unconscious on the ground before them.
DOCTOR DENDRITE
Ohmigosh! She's got a hold of that damnable golden apple again!
LANCE CORPOREAL
Better get ready, RHODA my dear...
5 - A triumphant DISCORDIA, evil grin firmly in place on
her face, looms over a scared DOCTOR DENDRITE and a determined yet groggy LANCE CORPOREAL in a threatening manner. Between them are the unconscious bodies of MATCHMAN, Z-GIRL and SERGEANT STRIKER. A host of mutant zombie freak children flanks DISCORDIA.
LANCE CORPOREAL
...This could be our final battle! 15
DISCORDIA
More trouble than, like, it had to be, but now it ends. O.K., like, where do you not want to be, like, fatally injured?
DOCTOR DENDRITE
Um, Manhattan?
6 - Close-up of DISCORDIA's face. She is concentrating on
doing something hideous to those at her mercy when a shout rings out from behind her.
DISCORDIA
Cute, DOC. Just for that, I'm gonna do you first -- Whaaat?
MYSTERIOUS SUPERSIGNS VOICE
[off-panel]
Hold it right there, sexy miscreant!
7 - DISCORDIA turns around and is confronted with a sight
of the SUPERSIGNS ranked in front of her. The members of the SUPERSIGNS team are all unnaturally tall and thin, and appear as pitch-black shadow outlines with glowing white eyes (much like DOCTOR DEJECTION, actually), white mouths, and white zodiac symbols on their chests, one for each Sign of the Western Zodiac (Aries, Taurus, Gemini and so on). There are twelve of them in all. One of them, ARIES SUPERSIGN, the leader, points an accusatory finger at DISCORDIA. We see only the back of her head as she faces them.
ARIES SUPERSIGN
We are the SUPERSIGNS, guardians of the city! We cannot allow you to harm the members of VALentine Complex! We have been summoned to protect them from all danger! Prepare to do battle, inauspicious vixen of doom! 16
DISCORDIA
I am not believing this! All right, you pack of glorified sock monkeys! You, like, want battle...
Page 9
THIS PAGE IS ONE GIGANTIC SPLASH PANEL COMBAT SCENE.
1 - This page depicts a massive combat scene that includes
DISCORDIA, all twelve SUPERSIGNS, LANCE CORPOREAL, DOCTOR DENDRITE, and a bunch of mutant zombie freak children. Even SERGEANT STRIKER and Z-GIRL are starting to wake up on the ground, and are shaking off some kids that have attacked them. MATCHMAN is still unconscious. The SUPERSIGNS fight like martial arts masters as they mob DISCORDIA. She herself is punching, kicking, and blasting away with her apple, and giving a good account of herself in her excess of fury. (She manages to take down six of the twelve SUPERSIGNS in the process of her eventual defeat.)
DISCORDIA
...YOU GOT IT!
Page 10
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF NINE PANELS. THE PAGE IS DIVIDED INTO HORIZONTAL THIRDS. THE UPPER THIRD IS COMPOSED OF FOUR PANELS IN SEQUENCE, THE MIDDLE THIRD IS ONE PANORAMIC PANEL, AND THE LOWER THIRD IS COMPOSED OF FOUR PANELS IN SEQUENCE.
1 - DISCORDIA fights hand-to-hand with a crowd of
SUPERSIGNS, knocking several into unconsciousness.
DISCORDIA
Come on, you ninja ghosts! Bring it! Bring it! Like, take that! And that!
2 - DISCORDIA continues to fight on, but their numbers are
beginning to tell. 17
DISCORDIA
Oh, you, like, want some too? No problem! Yes, have some!
3 - Finally, the golden apple is knocked from DISCORDIA's
hands once again.
DISCORDIA
I'll, like, take you all down with me! You'll never take me aliiiiiiive! My apple!
4 - The remaining six SUPERSIGNS still on their feet mob
DISCORDIA and immobilize her in their combined grasp.
DISCORDIA
Not... my apple...
VARIOUS SUPERSIGNS
Grab her! Hold her! That's got her! Immobilize her! The restraints! Quickly!
5 - Across a wide panoramic view, all of the hypnotized
children begin to return to normal and wonder where they are. Some pass out; others merely look confused.
6 - Four of the remaining six SUPERSIGNS left upright
swiftly lock the unconscious and dull-colored DISCORDIA into a high-tech metal straitjacket. She is held up vertically between two of them while the other two SUPERSIGNS high-five each other.
CAPRICORN AND TAURUS SUPERSIGNS
That's got her! Locked up tight as a drum!
LEO AND SAGITTARIUS SUPERSIGNS
Yesss! We rule!
7 - The last two SUPERSIGNS, including ARIES, the leader,
are talking to DOCTOR DENDRITE, who is picking up the nefarious golden apple gingerly, by its stem, at arm's length, wearing thick lab gloves. 18
ARIES AND VIRGO SUPERSIGNS
Perhaps it would be best if you took charge of this evil artifact, DOCTOR DENDRITE...
DOCTOR DENDRITE
Most assuredly, gentlemen...
8 - DOCTOR DENDRITE's gloved hand deposits the golden apple
into a small, high-tech, lead-lined safe-deposit-type box that she brought along for the purpose.
DOCTOR DENDRITE
I brought along this special containment device especially for the purpose. I'm going to take it back to the lab and see what makes this strange little item function the way it does!
9 - SUZANNE GRACE and CLEMENTINE and CORBIN have watched
the entire victory on their monitor back at VALentine Complex. All three of them indulge in a simultaneous high- five in triumph.
ALL THREE
Hooray! We did it! We did it!
Page 11
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF EIGHT PANELS. IT IS DIVIDED INTO THIRDS VERTICALLY. THE FIRST THIRD IS COMPOSED OF TWO PANELS, THE MIDDLE THIRD IS COMPOSED OF FIVE PANELS (ARRANGED TOP TO BOTTOM), AND THE LAST THIRD IS ONE LARGE VERTICAL PANEL, SLIGHTLY WIDER THAN THE FIRST TWO VERTICAL SECTIONS.
1 - DOCTOR DEJECTION has also seen the end of the battle on
his viewscreen. He is now ready to put his own hideous plan into effect. 19
DOCTOR DEJECTION
Aha! And so it ends! Farewell, my golden concubine -- you have served your purpose all too well!
2 - This panel is a close-up of one of DOCTOR DEJECTION's
iron hands pushing a button on the arm of his command chair.
DOCTOR DEJECTION
[off-panel]
You were but a diversion, DISCORDIA! Now the true conquest of the city begins! Ha ha ha ha ha!
3 - Exterior shot of the so-called Lipstick Building on the
Upper East Side of Manhattan (there are photos of this distinctive structure available on various websites). It is a distance shot. It's a beautiful sunny day out.
CAPTION
Meanwhile, across town at the Lipstick Building...
4 - The Lipstick Building begins to split down its center
and open slowly. Imagine a big cylinder cut in half from top to bottom and being opened slowly like a clamshell on end.
CAPTION
...Something very strange is happening!
5 - The Lipstick Building opens wider. All is impenetrable
inky blackness within as yet.
CAPTION
This famed New York City landmark is slowly opening!
6 - The Lipstick building opens wider. Still complete
darkness inside. 20
CAPTION
Crowds gather to stare at the awesome spectacle!
7 - Suddenly, from the darkness within the split Lipstick
Building, a giant pink hand emerges. It is gargantuan, and rough in texture.
CAPTION
Until, from the darkness within...
8 - FORBIN THE TONGUE COLOSSUS emerges from the split-open
cylinder of the Lipstick Building and begins to terrorize the city. The crowd scatters.
FORBIN
RRoooooaaaaaaooooooaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuurrgggh!
CAPTION
...Emerges the mighty FORBIN THE TONGUE COLOSSUS!
Page 12
THIS PAGE IS DIVIDED IN HALF VERTICALLY. THERE ARE FIVE PANELS TOTAL. THE FIRST HALF IS ONE LARGE PANEL, WHILE THE SECOND HALF IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR PANELS, STACKED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.
1 - This is a wide-angle distance view of FORBIN beginning
to terrorize the city and demolish buildings in approved giant monster style.
2 - Back at VALentine Complex, SUZANNE GRACE catches sight
of the horrendous emergence of FORBIN on the monitor out of the corner of her eye as she is about to leave the room with CLEMENTINE and CORBIN.
SUZANNE GRACE
C'mon, kids, I could do with an ice cream cone after all that's -- now what on earth? Hold on -- I thought I saw something... 21
3 - SUZANNE GRACE sits down in front of the monitor, sees
what's going on, and, not to put too fine a point on it, freaks.
SUZANNE GRACE
What could -- WOW! What the heck is that thing?!?
CLEMENTINE
She said "heck"! She said "heck"!
CORBIN
"Heck" isn't a real dirty word, CLEM. What you're thinking of is --
4 - SUZANNE opens up the communications channel on the
computer console in order to warn the VALCom away team of the new emergency, silencing CORBIN in the process by the simple expedient of putting her hand over his mouth.
CORBIN
Mmmmmf.
SUZANNE GRACE
Don't even think it, CORBIN. Come in, VALCom Team, come in, VALCom Team, we have another situation here, over...
5 - The VALCom Team stares down at a hand radio held by
DOCTOR DENDRITE, out of which SUZANNE GRACE's voice comes crackling. Z-GIRL, SERGEANT STRIKER, and LANCE CORPOREAL are battered but unbowed. The six standing SUPERSIGNS are also present and accounted for. MATCHMAN and the other six SUPERSIGNS are still unconscious. DISCORDIA is unconscious as well as trussed up. There are facial expressions of alarm and incredulity all around.
SUZANNE GRACE
[from hand radio]
...There appears to be a giant pink monster, repeat, a giant pink monster terrorizing the Upper 22
East Side at this very moment. All effectives must report to stop it!
VIRGO SUPERSIGN
Not again!
DOCTOR DENDRITE
You heard the lady, boys! Let's go! We're the city's first, last, and only line of defense against something like this!
Page 13
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF TEN PANELS. IT IS DIVIDED INTO QUARTERS HORIZONTALLY. THE UPPER QUARTER IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR PANELS. THE NEXT QUARTER IS ONE PANORAMIC PANEL. THE THIRD QUARTER IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PANELS. THE FINAL BOTTOM QUARTER IS DIVIDED INTO THREE PANELS.
1 - MATCHMAN sits up befuddled. DOCTOR DENDRITE is helping
him up. A flurry of activity is going on behind them as every else gets ready to depart to face the new terror.
DOCTOR DENDRITE
Are you sure you're going to be all right, MATCHMAN? You were under DISCORDIA's influence for a long while there.
MATCHMAN
Sure, DOC! I'll be fine...
2 - MATCHMAN and Z-GIRL take to the sky. Z-GIRL carries a
grim and armed SERGEANT STRIKER under one arm.
MATCHMAN
...I just have to take it easy for a little while!
Z-GIRL
Whoa, big guy! Slow down! I've got a passenger! 23
SERGEANT STRIKER
Nonstop to death or glory, here I come!
3 - The SUPERSIGNS pile into their sleek black van and head
off towards the new threat with a screech of burning tires.
ARIES SUPERSIGN
All right, gentlemen, you know the drill! Giant monster rampage plan R-42! Let's do this one by the numbers! Make me proud!
SOUND F/X
Screeeeech!
4 - LANCE CORPOREAL and DOCTOR DENDRITE (as well as a
trussed-up unconscious DISCORDIA and a safely contained golden apple) pilot the Matchvan towards the Upper East Side as well.
LANCE CORPOREAL
My mother told me there'd be days like this!
DOCTOR DENDRITE
If your mother could foresee days like this, she must have taken a lot of drugs back in the 'Sixties!
5 - Meanwhile, back on the Upper East Side, FORBIN
continues his rampage, roaring, stepping on cars and people, and knocking down buildings. The police and National Guard are impotent in the face of his might.
FORBIN
Grooooaaaarrrrrroooooaaaaarrrrrrgggghhhh!
SOUND F/X
Crunch! Blam! Kersmash! Kathoom! Rrrrummble! etc. 24
6 - Meanwhile, back in his secret underground bunker in
northern New Jersey, DOCTOR DEJECTION watches the carnage unfold on his viewscreen and gloats.
DOCTOR DEJECTION
Yes, yes, yes! Go forth, my conquering engine of destruction! Bring me the city! B.L.A.H. time is now upon the earth! Everyone knows that the tongue is proportionally the most powerful muscle in the human body, but it took a visionary like myself to craft a mighty colossus from millions of carefully harvested tongues! Genius, I say! Genius! GENIUS! Ha ha ha ha ha!
7 - Meanwhile, SUZANNE GRACE, CLEMENTINE and CORBIN fret in
front of the monitor back at VALentine Complex.
SUZANNE GRACE
Well, kiddos, let's hope that the SUPERSIGNS help us pull the fat out of the fire again today with this new emergency!
CLEMENTINE
Those SUPERSIGNS commandos are really neat!
CORBIN
Yeah, good guys wear black!
8 - MATCHMAN and Z-GIRL, with SERGEANT STRIKER in tow, fly
in above and behind FORBIN as he keeps on terrorizing. He doesn't see them yet, but they see him, all right.
MATCHMAN
Hmmm...giant pink monster...giant pink monster... Well, the only giant pink thing I see is -- Great Scott! There it is! It's huge! Ugh -- it looks like a giant tongue with arms and legs!
Z-GIRL
And it's laying waste to the city! We gotta do something, and fast! 25
SERGEANT STRIKER
Just drop me any place that's convenient, Z.G.! I'll give that giant tongue beast a licking he'll never forget!
9 - The Matchvan and the SUPERSIGNS van screech up to the
same stretch of curb near FORBIN's rampage. They arrive from opposite directions, and park head-on to each other.
SOUND F/X
Screeeeeeeeech!
AMAZED VOICES FROM BOTH VANS
Look at the size of that thing!
10 - LANCE CORPOREAL and DOCTOR DENDRITE get out of the
Matchvan, while the six ambulatory SUPERSIGNS get out of their own sleek black ride. All gaze upward at FORBIN in disgusted awe.
DOCTOR DENDRITE
In all my years of biochemical study I have never seen a creature even remotely like this. I strongly suspect DOCTOR DEJECTION had a hand in its creation.
LANCE CORPOREAL
I'm just as shocked and appalled as you are, old shoe!
ARIES SUPERSIGN
Mothah pus bucket!
THE OTHER SUPERSIGNS IN UNISON
Eeeew, it looks like a giant tongue with arms and legs! 26
Page 14
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF NINE PANELS. FOUR SMALL PANELS ACROSS THE TOP OF THE PAGE, ONE BIG COMBAT SPLASH PANEL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PAGE, AND FOUR SMALL PANELS ACROSS THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.
1 - Shot of giant FORBIN in the middle of the avenue. At
his feet are the miniscule figures of his attackers, seen from a distance. From these militant dots arises a single shout. FORBIN is looking down, puzzled at the interruption.
EVERYONE IN UNISON
Attack!
FORBIN
?
2 - LANCE CORPOREAL and DOCTOR DENDRITE open up on FORBIN
with heavy machine guns.
3 - SERGEANT STRIKER throws a grenade at FORBIN from a
nearby rooftop.
4 - MATCHMAN flies up to FORBIN's huge face and punches
FORBIN where his nose should be.
5 - This is the big splash panel combat scene where
everyone fights against FORBIN according to their described actions. It looks bad for the forces of good at this point, as nothing seems to affect the TONGUE COLOSSUS!
6 - One of FORBIN's giant arms swings up in a prelude to
clobbering. TAURUS SUPERSIGN hangs doggedly from the arm with both hands.
7 - LANCE CORPOREAL dodges aside as FORBIN tries to stomp
him with a giant foot.
8 - MATCHMAN attempts to throttle FORBIN's gigantic head
from behind, while Z-GIRL dodges an attempted swat in midair.
9 - One of FORBIN's arms flies back as poor SAGITTARIUS
SUPERSIGN is thrown over a nearby building. 27
SAGITTARIUS SUPERSIGN
Whoooaaaaahhh!
Page 15
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF EIGHT PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE IN GRID FORMATION.
1 - SUZANNE GRACE is glued to her monitor, registering the
VALCom Team's every failed attempt to stop FORBIN. She is very tense.
SUZANNE GRACE
So that's what the charts were trying to tell me! What a disaster! Defeating a golden apple tart just in time to be lambasted by a giant pink monster! What a way to go!
2 - Meanwhile, behind her, CLEMENTINE and CORBIN converse
in whispers.
CLEMENTIEN
Psst! CORBIN! What about that invention you were working on the other day? You know -- that thing that looked like a colander?
CORBIN
What? Oh, you must mean my telepathy transmission helmet. What about it?
3 - The kids continue to talk in whispers behind SUZANNE
GRACE's back.
CLEMENTINE
Let's get it and take it to where they're fighting that big pink whatsit! He doesn't have a mouth, so he can't actually speak, but maybe you can communicate with him via telepathy and talk him out of his rampage! 28
CORBIN
Yeah, or talk him into smearing me over the pavement like a ketchup packet! No way! Uh-uh! Forget it, CLEM! No way!
4 - CLEMENTINE drags CORBIN bodily out of the monitor room.
SUZANNE GRACE doesn't even notice, so fixated is she on the battle's progress.
CLEMENTINE
Come on, you chicken! You always complain that no one takes your inventions seriously! Now's your chance to save the day! Let's go!
CORBIN
Nope. Uh-uh. No way. I'm not going, CLEM. You can't make me go, and I'm not going. Nope. Uh-uh...
5 - In another room, CORBIN reaches for the telepathy
helmet on a shelf as CLEMENTINE looks on impatiently, tapping her foot.
CLEMENTINE
Come on, CORBIN! At this rate it'll all be over before we get there! Hurry up!
CORBIN
It's important to be careful with delicate instruments, CLEM! Besides...
6 - CLEMENTINE and CORBIN run down the front steps of the
VALentine Complex. CORBIN holds the telepathy helmet cradled in his arms. He lags perceptibly.
CORBIN
...I'm sure there'll be more than enough senseless violence to go around!
CLEMENTINE
No such thing! 29
7 - SUZANNE GRACE still sits in front of her monitor,
watching the battle unfold.
SUZANNE GRACE
Hey kids, could one of you go and get me a cup of tea? I'm watching the battle and I don't want to...
8 - SUZANNE GRACE turns around in her chair and realizes
that she's talking to an empty room.
SUZANNE GRACE
...Miss anything? CLEMENTINE? CORBIN? Kids? Uh-oh.
Page 16
THERE ARE NINE PANELS TOTAL ON THIS PAGE. THE PAGE IS DIVIDED IN HALF VERTICALLY. THE LEFT HAND HALF IS ONE LARGE PANEL. THE RIGHT HAND HALF IS DIVIDED INTO EIGHT PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE IN GRID FORMATION.
1 - This is a large panel devoted to the battle with
FORBIN. Everything is still going badly for the good guys, but they persist doggedly.
2 - A couple of SUPERSIGNS are thrown aside as FORBIN's
giant fist slams into the ground in their midst.
3 - A near miss from FORBIN's punch knocks SERGEANT STRIKER
from the rooftop. He screams as he falls.
SERGEANT STRIKER
Aaaaaaaiiiiiiieeeeeeee!
4 - SERGEANT STRIKER sits up groggily on the ground. One of
his arms is broken and splintered. DOCTOR DENDRITE is at his side, hastily assembling a splint.
DOCTOR DENDRITE
Just lie still, SERGEANT. Lie still. I've got to get a splint on this arm of yours! 30
SERGEANT STRIKER
No... problem, DOC. Just don't...cauterize the wound... O.K.?
5 - FORBIN's giant fist smashes MATCHMAN bodily into the
side of a building, but he emerges undaunted.
6 - LANCE CORPOREAL blazes away with his machine gun and
accomplishes nothing.
7 - It looks bad for our heroes, when all of a sudden,
CLEMENTINE and CORBIN emerge from a nearby subway tunnel. CORBIN is still carrying his telepathy helmet in both hands. CLEMENTINE is pushing him up the exit stairs.
CLEMENTINE
Here we are, CORBIN! Now's your chance to save the day! Go to it!
CORBIN
Uh, I-I d-don't know, CLEM. Th-that m-m-monster l-looks d-dangerous up c-close like th-this!
8 - CLEMENTINE places the telepathy helmet on CORBIN's
head.
CLEMENTINE
Well, what did you invent this stupid thing for if it doesn't work?
CORBIN
It does too work! Here --
9 - CORBIN concentrates with the telepathy helmet on his
head. Waves of thought radiate from his uncharacteristically determined expression.
CORBIN
[thinks]
I'll show you! 31
Page 17
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE HORIZONTAL PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE.
1 - FORBIN stands, frozen and puzzled, as waves of thought
wash over him.
CORBIN
[thinks off-panel]
Hello? Hello? Can you hear me, big pink monster? Hello? My name is CORBIN. What's your name?
2 - Close-up of FORBIN's face as he answers.
FORBIN
[thinks]
Hello, CORBIN. My name's FORBIN. Wow! Our names are almost exactly alike!
3 - Distance shot of the battlefield. Nobody moves, as the
giant FORBIN and the miniscule CORBIN think at each other. The waves of communication flow.
FORBIN
[thinks]
We should be friends 'cause of our names. But why did you call me a monster?
CORBIN
[thinks]
Because you're destroying a lot of buildings and terrorizing people and stuff, 'cause only monsters do that!
Page 18
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF SIX PANELS. IT IS DIVIDED INTO THIRDS VERTICALLY. THE FIRST THIRD IS ALL ONE PANEL, THE 32
MIDDLE THIRD IS FOUR PANELS STACKED TOP TO BOTTOM, AND THE LAST THIRD IS ALL ONE PANEL.
1 - The members of the VALCom Team -- LANCE CORPOREAL,
DOCTOR DENDRITE, Z-GIRL, MATCHMAN, and SERGEANT STRIKER -- stand on the ground and stare upward at the immobile COLOSSUS, amazed at what is happening. The six SUPERSIGNS stand with them and do the same.
2 - Close-up of CORBIN's face under the helmet as he
concentrates.
FORBIN
[thinks off-panel]
But I don't wanna be a monster!
CORBIN
[thinks]
Well, then, you're going to have to stop acting like one!
3 - Close-up of FORBIN giant face. It looks puzzled.
FORBIN
[thinks]
But I thought I was being good! My papa told me to do this 'cause he said it was what he wanted! He said that it would be fun and that people would be my friends if I did it like he said!
4 - FORBIN turns away and leans on the side of a building's
roof, with his head in his hands.
CORBIN
[thinks off-panel]
And have you made many friends lately?
FORBIN
[thinks]
No. They keep screaming and running away. I though I wasn't doing it right, or something. 33
5 - FORBIN leans and looks sad.
FORBIN
[thinks]
You mean people don't like me running around screaming and knocking down the buildings?
CORBIN
[thinks off-panel]
That's about the size of it, FORBIN.
6 - Close-up of CORBIN's face.
CORBIN
[thinks]
Say, who is your papa, anyway?
FORBIN
[thinks off-panel]
DOCTOR DEJECTION. Why?
Page 19
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF SIX PANELS. IT IS DIVIDED INTO THIRDS HORIZONTALLY. THE UPPER THIRD IS ALL ONE PANEL, THE MIDDLE THIRD IS FOUR PANELS IN SEQUENCE, AND THE LOWER THIRD IS ALL ONE PANEL.
1 - In his secret underground headquarters, DOCTOR
DEJECTION gapes in disbelief at the events unfolding on his viewscreen.
DOCTOR DEJECTION
Ha ha ha. Silly me. For a second there, I thought an eight-year-old boy with a colander on his head had completely paralyzed my massive TONGUE COLOSSUS and stopped him dead in his tracks. No, no, no. Certainly not. Can't be happening.
2 - CORBIN and FORBIN continue their mental conversation.
34
CORBIN
[thinks]
I hate to break it to you like this, FORBIN, but your papa is a bad man. He told you to destroy the city because he wants you to be bad, like him.
FORBIN
[thinks]
But I don't wanna be bad! I wanna be good, and have friends to play with, and not have little red flying guys punching me!
3 - Close-up of CORBIN's face.
CORBIN
[thinks]
Then you have to be good, so that people can like you. Then you'll have friends. I'll be your friend, to start with.
4 - Close-up of FORBIN's face.
FORBIN
[thinks]
You'll be my friend, CORBIN? Gee, that's swell of you. O.K. You're right. It's time...
5 - Closer close-up of FORBIN's eyes.
FORBIN
[thinks]
...Time for FORBIN to be good!
6 - DOCTOR DEJECTION glares at his viewscreen and starts
screaming out his rage and frustration.
DOCTOR DEJECTION
What is this? Come on, you great pink lummox! Smash that punk into chowder and get on with the rampage! The city lies at your feet! Go forth and 35
conquer it, FORBIN! Conquer it! Conquer it for me! Me! ME! Aaaaaaarrrrrgh! Come ON!
Page 20
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF EIGHT PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE IN GRID FORMATION.
1 - MATCHMAN kneels between CLEMENTINE and CORBIN, arms
over their shoulders.
MATCHMAN
Well, kids, I see we have you to thank for saving the day!
CORBIN
Nothing a little telepathy helmet couldn't take care of, UNCLE MATCHMAN!
CLEMENTINE
Hey, I helped out, too!
2 - FORBIN bends down and extends a massive hand, which
MATCHMAN shakes gravely, even though he is dwarfed by it in comparison.
MATCHMAN
So, FORBIN, you want to be good, eh? Well, you've come to the right place! We're certified experts in goodness! We'll have you on the right track in no time at all!
3 - The SUPERSIGNS line up and address DOCTOR DENDRITE and
the wounded SERGEANT STRIKER, whose splinted arm is in a sling.
ARIES SUPERSIGN
Since everything seems to be under control here and disaster narrowly averted, we had better be on our way, DOCTOR. We have some wounded to attend to as well. 36
DOCTOR DENDRITE
Of course, of course. By all means. Thank you for your invaluable assistance this dark day.
SERGEANT STRIKER
Yeah, you guys showed heart today. Molto obbligato. See you in the funny papers!
4 - The sleek black SUPERSIGNS van peels away from the
devastated area with all aboard.
ARIES SUPERSIGN
[from inside van]
I think that went well, don't you?
VIRGO SUPERSIGN
[from inside van]
I don't know -- I lack a sense of closure.
LEO SUPERSIGN
[from inside van]
Shut up!
5 - CLEMENTINE goes up to DOCTOR DENDRITE.
CLEMENTINE
Who are the SUPERSIGNS, AUNTIE RHODA? Where do they come from?
DOCTOR DENDRITE
I am sworn to secrecy on the subject, dear. Someday, when you're older, I'll explain all about them.
6 - DOCTOR DENDRITE begins gathering equipment from the
battle zone, as, behind her, LANCE CORPOREAL lifts SERGEANT STRIKER bodily into the back of the Matchvan 37
DOCTOR DENDRITE
For now, though, you can help me collect our belongings before the police get here and we have to answer a great many more questions.
SERGEANT STRIKER
Hey! Put me down! Walking wounded here, walking wounded!
LANCE CORPOREAL
Too bad you didn't land on your mouth, old bean!
7 - CORBIN and MATCHMAN "converse" with FORBIN.
CORBIN
He says he wants to help right the wrongs he inflicted in his rampage, UNCLE MATCHMAN!
MATCHMAN
Oh he does, does he? That's great! It shows his heart is in the right place! In fact...
8 - Close-up of MATCHMAN's smiling face as he raises a
finger in a can-do attitude and expression of industry.
MATCHMAN
...I know the perfect way to start!
Page 21
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF FOUR HORIZONTAL PANELS OF EQUAL SIZE.
1 - Panoramic view of a rehabilitated FORBIN helping
MATCHMAN to reconstruct some of the buildings that were destroyed during the recent troubles. MATCHMAN lifts entire buildings on his back and flies through the air to put them where they belong, while FORBIN carefully lifts and places them where they belong, with both hands, as though he were handling a Ming vase. 38
CAPTION
...And so, life in the big city returns to its normal routine as repairs are begun...
2 - In a shadowy chamber full of old oak paneling and
woodwork, the twelve SUPERSIGNS sit in white ceremonial regalia (over their usual black appearance) in big chairs each marked with their corresponding zodiac Sign around a large round table. They look like they're having a séance, but they're not.
CAPTION
...And the secret guardians wait to be called upon again for yet another desperate emergency...
3 - DISCORDIA, even duller in color and as yet still
unconscious, floats in a large transparent vitrium full of clear fluid (think Luke in the bacta tank, all hooked up to various wires and tubes and life support apparatus) somewhere in the depths of the VALentine Complex labs, while DOCTOR DENDRITE takes notes on a hand-held computer notebook.
CAPTION
...And a young woman's tragic condition is examined with an eye towards a cure...
4 - The golden apple sits and glows separately in a sturdy
transparent chamber in some sort of scientific machine designed to probe its secrets.
CAPTION
...While the mysterious artifact responsible is sequestered for further study.
Page 22
THIS PAGE IS COMPOSED OF THREE PANELS. IT IS DIVIDED IN HALF HORIZONTALLY. THE UPPER HALF IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PANELS, WHILE THE LOWER HALF IS ONE LARGE PANEL. 39
1 - DOCTOR DEJECTION gets up from his command chair and
begins to pace back and forth in his secret underground command bunker. His viewscreen is off. He looks depressed.
DOCTOR DEJECTION
[thinks]
Of all the possible outcomes! If someone had told me a week ago that this was how it was going to turn out, I would have laughed out loud and then boiled them in oil. What were the odds?
2 - DOCTOR DEJECTION continues to pace and mope.
DOCTOR DEJECTION
[thinks]
It wasn't meant to be like this. I could have been a good guy. It didn't appeal to me. All the action, all the perks, all the laughs seemed like they were on the other side of the fence. And they should be! I know it just isn't fair, but all I can do is throw up my arms and admit that sometimes...
3 - In this last panoramic panel, the sun sets over the
peaceful isle of Manhattan, with one last DOCTOR DEJECTION thought balloon rising from beyond it over in New Jersey.
DOCTOR DEJECTION
[thinks off-panel]
...Sometimes it just isn't any fun being evil.
CAPTION
And so it ends -- for now! Don't miss the next senses-shattering issue of MATCHMAN, when our hero must travel to Merry Olde England to face the awesome fury of -- THE BEEFEATER!