Aside from him being one of the best characters of all time, an effective modern Spider-Man style character, part of the best comics line of the 90s (Milestone!!), a favourite of mine from his old TV show (a show that at one point had as many viewers as Pokémon) and being part of DC Comics' New 52 relaunch?
No reason.
For real though, this is a chance to take a young teen character who thinks he's hip and cool and with proper geek credentials. Kid's smart and proving it everyday as a hero in New York. There's stuff to play with here.
You can read about Static here
(IT'S NOT A COP-OUT I SWEAR)
And buy a trade of his early adventures and Rebirth of the Cool miniseries HERE
[yeah sorry this isn't a substantial why post, real life takes priority. Script should follow soon, if not back-posted shortly]
Just for fun, I'm going to try this. I'm not that familiar with Static, but I know the basics of who Virgil is.
ReplyDeleteThis is page 1 of a typical comic book story. It's a splash page.
SCENE: Virgil is in costume. His back is to a brick wall. He is surrounded by metallic objects of all kinds. Several knives are suspended just inches from his forehead. Sweat's pouring from his face and he's grimacing, like he's under strain.
THOUGHT BALLOON: It was funny when it was a Looney Tunes cartoon, but it's not so funny when Dr. Polaris is in town.
Mark, welcome aboard, man. That's a cool little splash page. I was thinking more Carrie than Looney Tunes, though, ha.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ryan. Now Carrie... there's an idea, too...
ReplyDeleteThe Looney Tunes reference hearkens back to a cartoon where Wile E. Coyote has somehow managed to magnetize himself and tons of metal objects are being drawn to him... at least I think it was Wile E....
Nice introduction, Mark, welcome to the gang. I'm sure I remember that Wile E. Coyote cartoon... though in my head, that was the sort of thing tht happened to Wile E. every week. I love that dude.
ReplyDelete@Mark Nice visual for a first page. Welcome!
ReplyDeleteI'm not really familiar with the character at all but wanted to give this week a shot:
PAGE 1
Six panels divided into three tiers of two panels each.
PANEL 1
MEDIUM CLOSE UP on VIRGIL deep in thought as he sits on the bottom step of a flight of stairs somewhere inside Hemingway High. He wears a pair of baggy jeans, Converse trainers and a zip up hoody.
School has finished for the day and other pupils push and shove past each other, eager to get home.
Coming down the stairs dressed in a pair of brown corduroy trousers and loafers are a pair of legs belonging to a teacher.
TEACHER: Virgil? You okay there?
PANEL 2
ZOOM IN slightly on Virgil as he remains sitting continuing to look down at the floor.
The teacher has sat down next to him with the top of the panel cutting off the upper part of his body. We can see that he's also wearing a shirt and a brown suede jacket with leather patches on the elbows.
Rested on the teacher's lap is a small plastic tray containing some of his belongings, desk ornaments, family pictures, etc.
VIRGIL: I heard that you're leaving.
TEACHER: Word travels fast.
(link)
What's bothering you?
PANEL 3
FIXED PANEL. Virgil, still looking down, starts picking at a piece of thread on his jeans.
VIRGIL: Failing. Tired of trying to be something I'm not.
(link)
But mostly just failing.
PANEL 4
FIXED PANEL. Virgil raises his chin slightly, looking up for the first time.
TEACHER: Persevere and preserve yourselves for better circumstances.
PANEL 5
FIXED PANEL. The teacher has got to their feet, ready to leave. Virgil smiles, looking up at him.
VIRGIL: Who said that?
TEACHER: Research Mr Hawkins. Research.
(link)
And don't worry...
PANEL 6
CLOSE UP on Virgil, smiling as he watches the teacher leave.
TEACHER (CAPTION): You'll find your place.
@Mark great first page and welcome to thoughtballoons. Really liked the over l visual of the page, it has a lot of action and tension to it. Good stuff.
ReplyDelete@Dan A nice gentle page, a real character moment capturing the feeling of being lost in youth. I love to see these more quite, but just as important moments in heroes lives.
@Mark - I'm echoing, but it's a fun visual you have there. I'm always impressed when people on the site go for the splash page, and your idea is a really fun one.
ReplyDelete@Dan - I can't profess to be much of a Static Shock expert (last month's opening issue is the only Static Shock comic I've ever read), but as Shaun said, it's a nice character piece. The quote is almost too much, but it definitely succeeded in bringing a smile to my face, so well done.
@Dan - I like your page, too!
ReplyDeleteEven a perfect rubber balloon eventually loses gas to the outside Balloons
ReplyDelete