In a world where Superman has gone mad can the heroes of the DC universe rally to stop the Man of Steel?
Australian writer Tom Taylor has had complete creative freedom with Injustice, not something that many creators in the Big Two have the luxury of. The series acts as a prequel, taking place during the five years before the main events of the game's story mode. The original online series was released weekly, while Year Two is now released on every other Tuesday of every month.
What will the writers of Thought Balloons cook up given the same creative freedom in this alternate DC Universe? Join us this week as we tackle Injustice!
If you would like to play as well be sure to post your script below.
INJUSTICE: WORLD
ReplyDeleteA one-shot comic that features the Injustice situation as it's felt throughout the world.
This is how the Filipino heroes react.
(yey, local comics!)
DOUBLE PAGE SPLASH!
Background is the Philippine Flag, but with the red on top and blue on the bottom (aka Wartime flag). Foreground consists of 12 inset panels on a grid.
Inset Panel 1
A homeless Filipina kneels and begs before a snobby Spanish priest.
CAP/SUPREMO
"For 333 years, we were enslaved by the Spanish..."
CAP/SUPREMO
"..and their religion."
Inset Panel 2
Jose Rizal, the Philippine National Hero, writes with a quill, while behid him a Filipino soldier carrying a sundang (bolo knife) charges against a Gun-carrying Spaniard.
CAP/SUPREMO
"Until our heroes, with the great aid of the USA, liberated us.
Inset Panel 3
Filipino civilians dying at the hands of a Japanese soldier.
CAP/SUPREMO
"We were caught in the crossfires of the Second World War..."
CAP/SUPREMO
"...and we fought against the terrors of Japan.
Inset Panel 4
General Douglas McArthur landing in the shores of Leyte.
CAP/SUPREMO
"Until our heroes, with the great aid of the USA, liberated us."
Inset Panel 5
We are in a room, made up fully of wood, including the furniture. A very long table is at the center of the room, along with two similarly long benches where our heroes sit. At the head of the table, standing, is Supremo, leader of the Sanduguan (translates to "Blood Pact"). On his left side sits the members of the Filipino Heroes League -- Flashlight, followed by Invisiboy, and then Kidlat Kid ("Lightning Kid") -- and members of the Bayan Knights -- Kalayaan ("Freedom"), then Bathala, and at the end of the table sits Sarhento Sagrado ("Sgt. Sagrado"). On the right side of Supremo sits co-members of the Sanduguan -- Sandata ("Weapon"), and Diwata ("Fairy") -- followed by Alexandra Trese and her two bodyguards, the Kambal ("Twins"), and, finally, Juan dela Cruz.
SUPREMO
Now, in our war against crime, the Justice League offer their help--
FLASHLIGHT
Offer their help? No. They are commanding our obedience!
SANDATA
The seek to enslave us, Supremo.
Inset Panel 6
Bring focus on the FHL team, and on Supremo.
SUPREMO
I know.
SUPREMO
So, we gather here now to form a resistane --
FLASHLIGHT
Yeah, plain and simple. They come here, we fight. Can we go now?
INVISIBOY
I don't think it's that simple, sir. I mean, look at us. Who do we even have to go against Superman?
Inset Panel 7
Close-up on Kalayaan, his eyes red with rage (for visual effect). Kidlat Kid photobombs the panel.
KALAYAAN
You have me.
KIDLAT KID
And hey, I'm as fast as that Flash guy.
FLASHLIGHT (OP)
No, you're not, Kid.
KIDLAT KID
C'mon, sir!
Inset Panel 8
Focus goes to Sandata and Diwata.
SANDATA
No offense to you, Kalayaan, but the only way you can handle Superman is if you're super angry. And even then, it's only a slim chance.
DIWATA
Plus, you lose control when you let your rage take over.
(My script is super-long apparently. Won't fit!)
Inset Panel 9
DeleteFocus goes to Juan dela Cruz and Sarhento Sagrado, the dudes sitting at the end of the table, opposite Supremo.
JUAN
Really, guys? So what if we're weaker than Superman? We've always been the weaker force in any fight. Since when did we let that factor into anything?
SARHENTO SAGRADO
He's right. Point is, somebody's coming to violate our freedoms. We can't allow that. We have to fight. But we fight smart.
Inset Panel 10
Focus on Alexandra Trese and the Kambal.
ALEXANDRA
And we need to be united in this. FHL, Bayan Knights, Sanduguan. We will need everybody. And no one can screw up.
HAPPY FACE
You got that right, boss!
SAD FACE (Whisper)
Everybody, huh? Does this mean you're gonna call your father?
ALEXANDRA (Whisper)
Sigh. Yeah. I guess.
Inset Panel 11
Focus goes back to the entire party.
SANDATA
Agreed.
FLASHLIGHT
Then it's settled!
KALAYAAN
We will go to war with the Justice League.
JUAN
God help us all.
Inset Panel 12
Focus goes back to the Trese group.
ALEXANDRA
Alright then. First order of business.
ALEXANDRA
'Wag na natin gamitin ang kanilang wika.
HAPPY FACE
Ayos!
REFERENCES:
Supremo: http://nerp.deviantart.com/art/Sanduguan-Profile-Supremo-62519827
Sandata: http://nerp.deviantart.com/art/SANDUGUAN-PROFILE-SANDATA-63042429
Diwata: http://nerp.deviantart.com/art/Sanduguan-Profile-Diwata-62519950
FHL (left to right: Kidlat Kid, Flashlight, Invisiboy): http://spidey0318.deviantart.com/art/Filipino-Heroes-League-colored-131703237
Kalayaan: http://gioparedes.deviantart.com/art/The-New-Pinoy-Super-Heroes-61023950
Bathala: http://tababongchi.deviantart.com/art/Bathala-173642605
Sarhento Sagrado: http://gammaknight.deviantart.com/art/SARHENTO-SAGRADO-95121241
Trese: http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs51/f/2009/257/2/d/TRESE_and_THE_KAMBAL_2009_by_Budjette.jpg
Juan dela Cruz:https: //pbs.twimg.com/media/A_8zRHeCIAAlFlM.jpg
Philippine Wartime Flag: http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/Everyone%20Else/images-7/Philippines-flag-upside-down.jpg
General McArthur landing on Leyte: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Douglas_MacArthur_lands_Leyte1.jpg
I'm inclined to wonder how well all of that would actually fit onto a single page.
DeleteHehe. I know. That's why I cheated with a Double Page Splash. But even then, it does feel cramped and busy.
DeleteGranted, but the love, the research, the history, and the work at world building is astounding. The dialogue is a bit clunky in places, but the level of thinking here is tremendous, particularly the cultural touchstones. A little trimming is all...Well done, Darby.
DeleteArby...razzlefrassing autocorrect...
DeleteHehe. Thanks! I've been meaning to write my local superheroes here on Thoughtballoons. This felt like the perfect moment to do it. :)
Delete