Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Lobster Johnson – Critical Dissonance – MK Stangeland Jr.

(9 Panels)

Panel 1: Panel shaped like a TV screen. On the screen is a title shot for a fictional children’s TV show, “THE NEW LOBSTER JOHNSON ADVENTURES!”. In addition to the name of the show, the title screen should also have a child-friendly version of LOBSTER JOHNSON in some kind of action-ready pose. Also present should be lobster-like sidekick character, LOBBER. Best reference would probably be the lobster character seen with LOBSTER JOHNSON in the ITTY BITTY HELLBOY miniseries.

HELLBOY: (Off-Panel) Bull$%*^! BULL$%*^!!!

Panel 2: TV screen panel. LOBSTER JOHNSON and LOBBER are in the CLAW CAVE (think ‘Batcave’, but for LOBSTER JOHNSON). LOBSTER JOHNSON is at a SCIENCE(!) table while LOBBER is next to him. On the table is generic SCIENCE(!) stuff.

HELLBOY: (Off-Panel: The words should be positioned as if his complaining is making it impossible to hear what’s on the TV.) Is this a joke? Because I’m not laughing.

Panel 3: The room where the TV is located, with HELLBOY and ABE SAPIAN sitting on a couch in front of the TV. LIZ SHERMAN is sitting in another chair nearby. HELLBOY looks particularly perturbed by what he’s seeing.

ABE: Hellboy, do you mind? I’m trying to watch.

HELLBOY: It’s not worth watching! I know Lobster Johnson, and this is not Lobster Johnson!

Panel 4: ABE and HELLBOY sit up and take notice as LOBSTER JOHNSON speaks up from off-panel.

LOBSTER JOHNSON: (Off-panel) I happen to think it’s hilarious.

TV LOBSTER JOHNSON: To the CLAWMOBILE!

Panel 5: ABE and HELLBOY look to where LOBSTER JOHNSON’s voice was coming from, where the GHOST of LOBSTER JOHNSON is just standing there, looking at them.

TV: (MUSIC NOTES)

Panel 6-9: Series of panels as LOBSTER JOHNSON backs up into and then through the wall, taking advantage of his Ghost form to leave the room as he pleases. The final panel should be just a blank wall, showing that JOHNSON has left the room entirely.

TV: (Off-Panel) LOOK OUT! It’s LOBSTER JOHNSON!


(END PAGE)

2 comments:

  1. I'm not sure on this script, MK. I like elements of the piece, including the odd-ball TV show, Lobster's weird appearance, and eerie disappearance, but it doesn't quite come together for me. I feel like these elements either need something more to connect them or should be split apart to better shine in their own scripts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agreed, and I don't really think Lobster Johnson leaving needs a full 3 panels.

      Delete

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