Tuesday, October 29, 2013

The Shadow - The Darkness in Apartment 3C – Simon McDonald

PANEL ONE
An establishing shot of a New York apartment building. It's 1933, midday. The sun is beaming down on the six police cruisers parked out front. Uniformed cops are mulling about outside. There's a media presence, kept at bay by police tape.
 
CAPTION
The daylight means something.
 
PANEL TWODetective Lemonski - new character, don't go Googling - is trudging up the narrow staircase. Dressed like a 1930s cop would be. There're beads of sweat on his brow, a grimace on his face.
 
CAPTION (1)
I was thinkin' this before I knew the victim.
 
CAPTION (2)Don't get many calls durin' the day.
The scum saves its worst for when the lights're out.
 
PANEL THREE
Lemonski has reached the third floor. A door marked 3C is open. There's a cop presence up here too, all ashen faced.
 
CAPTION (1)
Lot of blue, so I know this is a cut above my usual fare.
 
CAPTION (2)
I'm thinkin' it's a city official. Maybe the mayor.
 
PANEL FOUR
Tight on Lemonski's face. Despite the murder scene and the sweat on his face, there's a hint of a smile.
 
CAPTION (1)
I'm thinkin' that wouldn't be so bad.
 
CAPTION (2)
A case t'make my name.
 
PANEL FIVE
Inside the apartment there are four corpses tied to chairs. They are all wearing The Shadow's iconic garb. And each has suffered a double-tap to the chest.
 
LEMONSKI
Aw Christ.
 
CAPTION (1)
Yeah.
 
CAPTION (2)
The mayor would've been better.

3 comments:

  1. Really great set-up you've established. Real pulp mystery feel, and the pov character is well placed to walk us through it. Cool stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Amazing set-up, building to that powerful reveal, which just makes me want to know more.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Like the others have said - very clever set up. Nice page!

    ReplyDelete

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