Because teleportation is a fun power to get to play with.
Ok perhaps that is a slightly simplified answer but it’s the one that
instantly springs to mind.
Teleportation is a great storytelling device to play with (despite what
movies like Jumper may have taught us!) and I want us here at Thoughtballoons, and
any writers who want to join us at home to prove.
Nightcrawler or
has his friends know him Kurt (Wagner)
also possesses superhuman agility,
and adhesive hands and feet. However he is in fact for more than just a cool
set of powers.
As an X-Men fan for years I have always had a lot of love for
Nightcrawler. He was always a happy go lucky and fun character to read about, despite
being a mutant,
who like fellow X-Man Beast had to wear this fact on his sleeve due to the
physical manifestation of his mutant DNA. His skin has a purple hue to it, in
addition he has two-toed feet and three-fingered hands, yellow eyes, pointed
ears, and a prehensile tail, so quite a lot to deal with. In spite of this outward
mutation Kurt has used it to become a character who can’t hide from who truly he
is, this juxtaposed with his ability to teleport anywhere makes for a rather
complex character who in the face of mutant hatred must be happy in himself. This
makes for some compelling storytelling.
What's more as
practicing German Catholic,
Nightcrawler has even more layers to him that are such as his relationship with
religion and god in the face of being a mutation which are themes just ripe to
be explored.
When you add to
this melting pot of character traits his mother Mystique and father Azazel,
Nightcrawler makes for a character that draws vast portions of the Marvel X-Men
universe together.
So, where will
your story take the mutant who can go anywhere?
![]() |
I leave you with words from the man himself. |
PANEL ONE
ReplyDeleteClose up of a feminine pair of yellow eyes upon a blue face. The eyes appear sleepy.
CAPTION: People say there's a smell of brimstone when I 'port.
CAPTION: I can't say I smell it any more.
PANEL TWO
Mid-shot, from above, of Nocturne (Nightcrawler's daughter from Earth-2182) laying in bed, sheets up to her armpits. There are faint wisps of pink smoke creeping into the bottom of the panel.
CAPTION: But the sound...
CAPTION: The sound is unmistakable.
SFX/SMALL: BAMF
PANEL THREE
Wide view, revealing Nocturne's bedroom filled with pink smoke. She has risen up on her elbows, looking into the cloud.
NOCTURNE: Dad?
SFX/SMALL: BAMF
SFX/SMALL: BAMF
SFX/MEDIUM: BAMF
PANEL FOUR
Close up of Nocturne's face. She is in shock, covering her mouth. Her eyes are welling up a little.
NOCTURNE: What are you doing? It's 5a--
PANEL FIVE
Same angle as Panel Three, except the smoke has cleared (mostly). Nightcrawler is hanging upside-down from the ceiling fan by his tail, smiling. Around him, the room is filled with boxed gifts. There is a big sign across the back wall reading, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY".
That opening panel felt a little dark with the talk of brimstone then you build up so very nicely to the curve ball ending which is in and of itself a great image and wonderful beat to go out on.
ReplyDeleteFun page and lovely use of Nightcrawler's power and character to tell a sweet little story.
The end of that script was one big 'Awwwww...' ^__^
ReplyDeleteSweet story. I loved the multiple Bamf's (sounds dirty when I say it back to myself) and the reveal in the final panel.
ReplyDeleteThanks, guys. Glad you like it. It's been 63 weeks since I last posted a script here, but I've always loved Nightcrawler, so couldn't pass up the chance :)
ReplyDeleteDan! Glad to see you around these parts, especially when you bring such a heartwarming Nightcrawler script with you. Keep well.
ReplyDeleteNightcrawler: On The Bright Side
ReplyDeletePanel 1
At the top of a building, Kurt, who has his back on us, is silently observing the people in the sidewalks bellow him. It is night time and the street is lit up by street lamps and by the lights emanating from the various shops and whatnot in the area. Kurt is wearing a dark hood that is covering his head, and his tail is clearly sticking out of his back. A small cloud that is almost dissipated is in his vicinity.
SFX: BAMF!
CAPTION (Kurt): Maybe I'll never be like them.
CAPTION (Kurt): Get a haircut from a barber, eat at a fancy restaurant...
Panel 2
Basically the same view as Panel 1, but in a different building and in a different street. Also, in this panel, it is raining, so the people are either carrying various colors of umbrellas or putting a suitcase in their heads and running. The cloud of smoke in Kurt's vicinity is relatively bigger than in the previous pannel.
SFX: BAMF!
CAPTION (Kurt): Walking in the street or looking inside the windows of stores...
CAPTION (Kurt): Having five fingers on each hand...
Panel 3
Still in the same view but, again, a different building and a different street. It is around 5pm so the sun, seen on the left side of panel, is setting. The building is much higher than the previous panels, and covers a busier street, with busier people who are mostly wearing suits and other business attires. Also, the cloud of smoke is relatively bigger than Pannel 2.
SFX: BAMF!
CAPTION (Kurt): Not having a tail...
CAPTION (Kurt): Okay, I'm NEVER gonna be like them...
Panel 4
Close-up on the lower half of Kurt's face and he is smiling.
CAPTION (Kurt): But they'll never be like me also...
Panel 5
We are inside the TV area of the X-Men headquarters. Kurt had just tapped(annoyingly) Logan's shoulder and teleported. Logan is furious and is looking back at his shoulder.
SFX: BAMF!
LOGAN: ELF!
KURT (the speech bubble is connected to the puff of smoke): Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee!
CAPTION (Kurt): And being me is certainly fun!
I really dig this. You build up this tense and seemingly sad moment of self reflection for Nightcrawler looking down on 'normal' life. Then you pull a twist on the audience and end on this uplifting beat of Nightcrawler seeing that he can be happy as he is. Fine work here.
Delete