Monday, April 30, 2012
The Avengers – Some Assembly Required, Page Nine - Ben Rosenthal
Sunday, April 29, 2012
The Avengers - I Never - Ryan K Lindsay
1. Avengers tower against a night sky. This is a tall and thin establishing panel and the rest of the page is a checkerboard of squares.
2. Black Widow proudly takes a drink.
3. Spider-Woman drinks, but she doesn't look as happy as the Widow about it.
4. Wolverine chuckles to himself.
5. Wolverine drinks. Natch.
6. Spider-Man drinks. Yes, his mask is half up for this. And yes, he's drinking milk.
7. Wolverine looks across at Spidey with disgust on his face.
8. Spidey looks all sad.
Why The Avengers?
If you really need an explanation for why they're showing up this week, either you're new around these parts or you haven't been paying any attention over the past 2 months. The Avengers, comic book icons, are finally seeing the culmination of years worth of build up that has all pointed to this. In some places, the movie is already out. For others, the wait is almost over. To repeat what I said when Thoughtballoons began this journey:
"So here we are, four years later. And with the summer of 2012 will come the debut of a film most of us no doubt thought would never see the light of day – The Avengers, on the big screen.
Naturally, there was certainly the expectation that Thoughtballoons Would do a week for The Avengers, following the tradition Ryan unwittingly started when he picked Iron Man for the very first week of ThoughtBalloons on at least partial account of the second movie having been released recently.
However, thinking about this brought an idea to my head – as a film, The Avengers ranks somewhere between the biggest movie of the summer and the biggest superhero movie of all time. So why not do something extra special for it? My answer: Instead of a single week dedicated to The Avengers, why not several weeks dedicated to The Avengers - one for each major character from the movie?
Since everyone else thought it was a great idea, that’s exactly what we’re doing. Starting today with Nick Fury, Thoughtballoons is launching it’s multiple-week ‘Avengersthon’ extravaganza, with each week dedicated to a different major character from the film, all leading up to the final The Avengers week when the movie actually comes out. Because a comic book movie this big deserves it."
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Iron Man's Armour- Pilgrimage -Dan Hill
Page 1 (6 panels)
1.1
We open on a tight shot of Tony looking dead ahead, straight at us.
TONY (CAPTION): One day every year--
1.2
Fixed panel. Tony brings the Mark 1 Helmet down over his face.
TONY (CAPTION): -- I simplify.
1.3
Wide panel. A worms eye view of Tony in the Mark 1 armour as he touches down somewhere in a desert, sand kicking up from his landing.
TONY (CAPTION): I go back to basics--
TONY (TO HIMSELF): Still works.
1.4
Wide panel. Tony, his back to us, stands before the mouth of the cave where Iron Man was born. He has the Mark 1 helmet tucked under his arm as he looks into the cave.
TONY (CAPTION): --back to the beginning.
1.5
Wide panel, fixed viewpoint. Tony enters the cave, promptly being swallowed up by the shadows.
TONY (CAPTION): I give thanks to the man who saved me--
1.6
Inset panel. Close up of the desert floor in front of the cave and one of the footprints left by the armour.
TONY (CAPTION): -- and the mark he made.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Iron Man: The Armor – Ultimate Comics: Nova Corps – MK Stangeland Jr.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Iron Man's Armour - Only A Matter of Time - Grant McLaughlin
Monday, April 23, 2012
Iron Man’s Armour – Some Assembly Required, Page Eight - Ben Rosenthal
PAGE EIGHT
1. Iron Man’s armour stands, arm raised and hand open next to Thor’s face. Thor is in sneering through pain.
2. Captain America’s shield has knocked the Iron Man armour’s hand away just as it fires. It singes some of Thor’s hair.
3. Thor has summoned the last of his strength, and has hit the Iron Man armour full force under its chin with Mjolnir. The force has separated the helmet from the rest of the armour.
4. A close up of the Iron Man helmet. It has come to rest on the ground, the background behind it blurry. However, the background is of a skin tone.
5. Same as Panel 4, however the background is no longer blurred. It is the upper torso and face of Tony Stark. His eyes open and looking at the helmet. He weakly mutters:
TONY STARK
Cellar door.
6. The Iron Man armour crumples to the ground, lifeless. Loki no longer has control of it.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Iron Man’s Armour – In The Hall Of The Mountain King – Shaun Richens
Iron Man's Armour - Level Up - Ryan K Lindsay
1. Luke Cage is holding up Iron Man's helmet and yelling at Ms Marvel. She is yelling back. They are in the rain within an intergalactic jungle in a strange planet.
2. Ms Marvel is looking off into the foliage.
3. Cage stands next to Ms. Marvel, they both look out at the dangerous world in front of them.
4. Big panel. Iron Fist stands in the rain with an Iron Man gauntlet on - the palm reactor is being powered by Rand's chi power.
Why Iron Man’s Armour?

Friday, April 20, 2012
Captain America’s Shield – In The Hall Of The Mountain King – Shaun Richens.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Captain America's Shield- Method In His Madness- Dan Hill
Page 1 (5 panels)
1.1
A tight shot of an open manila folder sitting on a metal desk. A H.A.M.M.E.R logo sits on the inside cover. One of the photos in the file depicts a grainy shot of the MOLECULE MAN in his costume. The photo looks like it was taken by a bystander. A stamp over the photo reads ‘DECEASED’ in red type.
The text of the report is unreadable to us. The whole panel is gloomy, bathed in a warm, orange light from off panel.
MARSHA (CAP): Madness got to him long before The Sentry did.
MARSHA (CAP): They said he had a troubled childhood. They said the power went to his head.
1.2
A tight shot of a FIGURE hunched over the file. It’s Marsha Rosenberg (aka Volcana).
She’s sat at the metal desk dressed in an overcoat, t-shirt boots and jeans. The only light source in the room is a small volcanic flame protruding from her finger.
MARSHA (CAP): They didn’t know him like I did.
1.4
Large panel. We zoom out a little to see the rest of the room. We’re in a large lockup. In the middle of the room is the desk that Marsha sits at. Strewn around it are various files, boxes and journals.
Marsha picks up one of the journals with her free (non flamey) hand.
MARSHA (CAP): He saw and did things normal men couldn’t begin to understand.
MARSHA (CAP): He touched the fabric of reality and legendary relics.
MARSHA (CAP): In the end it wasn’t the god’s hammer that drove him mad, nor the herald’s board--
1.4
A TIGHT SHOT from Marsha’s POV looking at the journal. Inside we see the spidery handwriting of Owen Reece (aka The Molecule Man). Accompanying the journal entry is a picture of Captain America’s shield.
MARSHA (CAP): --but the patriot’s shield.
MARSHA (CAP): “The weirdest of all” he called it.
1.5
Marsha touches the picture of Owen from the file.
MARSHA (CAP): Something that should not be.
MARSHA (CAP): One in a million.
MARSHA: I miss you, Owen. I wish they understood.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Captain America: The Shield – Shieldboarding – MK Stangeland Jr.
(4 Panels)
Panel 1: Long panel. AGENT TASKMASTER (see my Exiles-based script from Apocalypse week for more information) is wearing a winterized version of his normal costume. He is chasing after the fleeing enemies by using CAPTAIN AMERICA’s shield – which he picked up in a different universe – as an impromptu snowboard.
AGENT TASKMASTER’s speech bubble should carry from this panel to each of his other speech bubbles on the page to indicate that everything he’s saying on this page is part of a single phrase.
AGENT TASKMASTER: D@*%, -
Panel 2: Close-up on the fleeing enemies as they turn around to fire their guns on AGENT TASKMASTER.
Again, his speech bubble continues from the previous panel and continues on to the next one.
SFX: THU-THU-THU-THU-THU!
AGENT TASKMASTER: - do I –
Panel 3: Large Panel.
AGENT TASKMASTER jumps into the air as he continues to move, causing the shield to block the oncoming gunfire even as it remains near his feet. One of his arms reaches down to the edge of the shield to help pull this off. Whichever arm does this should be reaching across to the opposite side of his body, in order for him to seamlessly move from this panel to when he’s throwing it forwards in the next panel.
Behind AGENT TASKMASTER is a ‘ghosted’ image of a snowboarder performing the same move (but with a snowboard instead of a shield) in order to show what moves AGENT TASKMASTER is copying in order to pull the maneuver off, much in a similar style to what’s been used previously when he’s copied other peoples abilities – this could potentially be a lawyer-friendly version of a famous professional snowboarder like Shawn White in order to both help get the idea across better and make the move seem all that more impressive.
Again, his speech bubble continues from the previous panel and continues on to the next one.
SFX: tink! TINK! tink!
AGENT TASKMASTER: - ever love –
Panel 4: Large panel as AGENT TASKMASTER flies towards the panel. He is throwing the shield ahead of him as he does to try to smack the two fleeing enemies with it – the way he does this should flow naturally from the previous panel.
Behind AGENT TASKMASTER is a ‘ghosted’ image of CAPTAIN AMERICA as if he were throwing the shield, indicating just who AGENT TASKMASTER is copying the move from, if it wasn’t obvious by itself.
Again, the speech bubble from this panel should continue from the previous panel.
AGENT TASKMASTER: - this shield!
(END PAGE)
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Captain America's Shield - Lest We Forget - Ryan K Lindsay
Monday, April 16, 2012
Captain America’s Shield – Some Assembly Required, Page 7 - Ben Rosenthal
PAGE SEVEN
1. Captain America’s shield is flying through the air due to the impact of the explosion from the previous page.
2. A red gloved hand has grasped the shield in mid air.
3. A pull back of the previous panel – A barely conscious and badly beaten Captain America now holds his shield.
4. Loki floats in the air, shocked that Captain America is standing. He does not notice a dark shadow beginning to cover him.
LOKI
What?
5. Hulk is coming down from a leap, reaching out for Loki. Loki has noticed right at the last moment, and is midway through teleporting out of the Hulk’s way.
LOKI
No.
6. Captain America is throwing his shield as he yells.
CAPTAIN AMERICA
He’s distracted. NOW!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Captain America's Shield - Alternatives - Grant McLaughlin
Why Captain America's Shield?

Superheroes are iconic. And I don't know if there's any more recognizable part of comic book lore than Cap's trusty vibranium buckler. Some might argue that Batman's batarangs could fit the bill, but while those little guys are easily identifiable, they aren't nearly as unique or central to the Dark Knight as the shield is to America's premier Super Soldier. That thing has been on Cap's arm or back pretty much since he first burst onto the comic book scene, and it certainly won't be leaving any time soon.
Every character who has filled-in for Steve Rogers has used the shield. It's as much a part of who Captain America is as the man who wields it.
Every single adventure that he's gone on, the shield has been along for the ride. I imagine that that would add up to a good number of untold stories.
I think it's time we tell some of them.
I'd also like to point out that I'm pretty sure that there aren't any other comic book accessories currently hanging on Stephen Colbert's wall, which I think we all know counts for a lot.
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And that's The Word. |
Friday, April 13, 2012
Thor: Mjolnir – In The Hall Of The Mountain King – Shaun Richens.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Thor: Mjolnir - Equal and Opposite Reaction - Ryan K Lindsay
1. Mjolnir is struck from Thor's hand by a mighty hammer similar to Mjolnir but different slightly in colouring.
2. Thor looks incredulous. How, who?
3. The hammer arrives back in someone's hand. On it we read the inverse inscription; Whosoever holds this hammer, if she be worthy, shall possess the power to kill Thor.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Thor: Mjölnir – Old Man Barton: Last Great Hope – MK Stangeland Jr.
(Same continuity as the OLD MAN BARTON page from Hawkeye week, but taking place several years later in Hammer Falls.)
(5 Panels)
Panel 1: The rain from the storm starts to come down hard as HAWKEYE grabs the hilt of MJOLNIR and starts trying to lift it. While most of the crowd is well on it’s way to dispersing by this point, a few onlookers remain.
HAWKEYE (1): If you can hear me out there, Thor, I could really use your help right now.
HAWKEYE (2): We all could.
Panel 2: HAWKEYE begins his serious effort to try to lift MJOLNIR. Naturally, he’s not making any progress.
SFX: grrRRUGGHH!
Panel 3: HAWKEYE looks up into the heavens as he continues his futile effort to lift MJOLNIR. He shouts at whatever being of Asgard might possibly remain and be willing to hear him.
HAWKEYE: *#%^&%, THOR!
Panel 4: HAWKEYE’s grip slips off of MJOLNIR as a spectacular lightning bolt clashes in the background. HAWKEYE’s shouting something as he goes down, but the sound of thunder drowns out whatever’s coming out of his mouth.
SFX: KRA-KOO-KA-SHA-BOOOOM!
Panel 5: HAWKEYE lands on his back in the mud that the rain has created in the ground surrounding MJOLNIR. The Lightning SFX from Panel 4 should carry over into this panel as well.
(END PAGE)
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Mjolnir - Worth It? - Grant McLaughlin
Mjolnir - Hammer To Fall - Rol Hirst
Panel One.
Thor sits alone in a darkened room, huddled and slumped and drained. He is weak and thin, withered. His helmet is slipping down to one side, his gold locks desiccated, his chain mail armour hangs off him, baggy and oversized. He is a shadow of his former self. As he leans forward, he holds the strap of Mjolnir. The hammer itself stands upright (head on the floor) before him.
The only illumination in the room comes from a doorway to Thor's left. Shadows fall across him as three men enter (off-panel).
Strange (O/P): Thor…?
Panel Two.
Thor lifts his head wearily and stares at his comrades. Iron Man, Captain America, Dr. Strange. We can see a little more of the background now: we are in Stephen Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorum. Thor is putting on a brave smile; his friends look grim.
Thor: So, gentlemen. Your learned diagnosis…?
Captain America: There’s no easy way to say this, old friend.
Iron Man: It’s the hammer, Thor.
Strange: A grave enchantment is upon it. Dark magics even I can’t combat…
Panel Three.
Cap crouches before Thor and rests a hand on his old friend's shoulder.He holds tight onto his own shield as he does so.
Captain America: You need to relinquish your hammer, Thor. You need to send it far, far away...
Captain America: Before it kills you.
Panel Four.
Close on Thor, weak but determined.
Thor: Nay, Captain. If Mjolnir and I are destined for Valhalla, we shall journey there together.
Panel Five.
It’s a struggle for him to even lift Mjolnir now, but somehow he manages it. Holding it with both hands, the Thunder God staggers to his feet. Defiant.
Thor: Shortly... after... we have slain my damn'd brother...
Thor: Loki...
Monday, April 9, 2012
Mjolnir – Some Assembly Required, Page 6 - Ben Rosenthal
PAGE SIX
1. The Iron Man armour, with Captain America’s shield in opposite hand, reaches has a handle around Mjolnir’s handle.
CAPTION: Now.
CAPTION
Whosoever holds this hammer,
2. A close up of Loki’s face. He is eager to see if his spell has worked.
CAPTION
If he be worthy,
3. The Black Widow’s small explosive device is shown midflight.
4. The device has landed on Mjolnir, it’s LED timer reading 0:00:01.
5. The device explodes, sending the Iron Man armour flying back. It releases Cap’s shield due to the force.
6. A badly beaten Thor stands, holding Mjolnir limp at his side. He is angry.
CAPTION
Shall possess the power of Thor.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Mjolnir- The Spark - Dan Hill
Page One
Panel One
We open on a close up of THOR picking up MJOLNIR from a sandy desert floor. The focus of the panel here is Mjolnir. We can't see Thor’s face.
MJOLNIR (CAPTION): We always find each other.
Panel Two
Close up on Thor’s hand gripping Mjolnir’s handle.
MJOLNIR (CAPTION): I am his to hold.
Panel Three
Fixed panel.
MJOLNIR (CAPTION): He is mine to protect.
Panel Four
A flash of lightning cuts through a sky that's suddenly dark.
MJOLNIR (CAPTION): Tonight we will dance for the last time.
Panel Five
Large panel. We’re in the same vast desert as the Loki strip, this time looking towards Loki in the distance.
The sky over the desert is thick with storm clouds, thunder brewing inside them, casting an eerie light over the desert.
Thor walks away from us, towards Loki, Mjolnir at his side.
MJOLNIR (CAPTION): My last breaths will extinguish this world’s flame--
MJOLNIR (CAPTION): -- my rebirth will ignite the spark and set this cycle into motion once more--
MJOLNIR (CAPTION): --and then my voice will call out to him for the first time.