Captain Marvel - Aware - Ray Wonsowski

...ok...bear with me, because I'm going for a kind of Starlin-ish vibe here...but this could get a little tricky for the artist; there's a LOT going on here.  But, pulled off, it could be really kickin'...

If this was a traditional page, I would say this would break down into 16 panels, 4x4 grid, but what it really is, is a 15-element splash with the 16th panel seperated by white space.  The 15 elements should bleed into one another, and the background should be a starfield.  The elements are:

1:  EON -  - the captions in the splash will be his (its?).

2:  MAR-VELL in his original Kree green-and-white uniform in a Colan-esque power-standing position, like on the cover of his first magazine.

3:  MAR-VELL in his 70's costume, flying (left to right).

4:  MAR-VELL's face, but his features, except for the hair and eyes, are in black shadow and replaced by a galactic cluster.

5:  CAROL DANVERS in her more familiar MS. MARVEL garb, flying upwards, but curving left.

6:  Two Skrull warriors, firing their laser pistols at...

7:  MAR-VELL, firing photonic blasts back at the scrulls, flanked by...

8:  Two Kree soldiers, their weapons drawn and at the ready, protecting the Supreme Intelligence -

9:  MAR-VELL on his death bed (we do not see the bedframe), tube in his nose.

10:  MONICA RAMBEAU, in her 80's costume, flying away from the bed, toward us, and behind...

11:  GENIS-VELL, in his Peter David-era costume, led by...

12:  PHYLA-VELL, in her Captain Marvel outfit, carrying her star-sword.

13 to 15:  Foreground, bottom of page, Earth people, all races and ages, looking up to the sky.  Background, almost transparent, Carol Danvers's head, naked shoulders and arms, looking slightly upward.  Her arms are outstretched, palms up, as if sheltering the people, an angelic repose on her face.  Her skin is bare, almost translucent.

Captions (EON):

 - KNOW that the charge to be bestowed upon you is not one for a mere footsoldier.

 - It requires COSMIC AWARENESS - unity with the Celestial Axis, the thread of life.

 - There will always be warriors to answer the cry for battle, willing to die for glory in the name of war unending.

 - But to be a PROTECTOR UNIVERSAL is a call to service, to be willing to live in humility for the sake of Life Itself.

 - Now, Carol Susan Jane Danvers - CHOOSE! - the clenched fist, or the sheltering hand?

Panel 16:  Separated from the rest.  Close-up, the serene, smiling face of CAROL DANVERS, with her new look.  Her eyes hold galaxies.

CAROL:  I choose - -

CAROL:   - - the open heart.

Captain Marvel - Don't Say It - Niel Jacoby

This takes place in the timeline from Avengers Forever where Genis-Vell is bonded to Rick Jones and is on the Avengers.

Panel 1: Carol and Genis-Vell are looking at something off-screen and are worried. They are in space.

Carol: WOW. THIS... THIS IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING.

Genis: YEAH.

Panel 2: same viewpoint as 1. Carol is determined, Genis is slightly flinching, like he knows something's about to happen, but he's still determined.

Carol: GOOD THING THIS IS...

Genis: YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SAY WHAT I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SAY, ARE YOU?

Panel 3: this one should take up most of the page, as we zoom out and see the threat: Galactus now has the powers of Captain Universe.

Carol: ...A MARVEL TWO-ON-ONE!

Genis: OOF. AND I THOUGHT RICK HAD GROANERS.

Captain Marvel - American Marvel - J.D. Coughlan

Three small panels across the top, one large panel taking up most of the page.

Panel 1: Close-up of Carol's chest (well covered, nothing fanservice-y) as she pulls on her new uniform - description below. Her face is unseen.

NICK FURY (CAP): There was always gonna be a return to status quo after a period of... respect. That's just how things go in our line of work, as you well know.

Panel 2: Close-up of Carol putting on one of her new boots. Face still unseen.

NICK FURY (CAP): And I won't B.S. ya -- you were a controversial choice among the older, "traditional" crowd.

Panel 3: Close-up of Carol picking up Captain America's shield. Face still unseen, although maybe more of it is in view this time.

NICK FURY (CAP): But I'm the oldest, most stubborn son of a b@%$# I know and I say -- with your military background, not to mention time in the Avengers...

Panel 4: Big. Carol stands proudly, but with responsibility heavy on her shoulders, in an amalgamation of her Ms. Marvel uniform and Captain America's. Hair cropped close, as it is now, and no mask. Perhaps the star symbol on her chest could taper off at two ends, suggestion the lightning bolt of her old costume? I'm no artist. It should definitely be sensible and not typical comic book cheesecake. She is carrying Cap's shield too. (I know she's invulnerable; it's symbolic!) Nick Fury stands behind her.

NICK FURY: ...you're gonna make one helluva CAPTAIN AMERICA!

END OF PAGE

Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers – She’s No Chef – Shaun Richens.

PAGE ONE

6 PANELS

1 & 2 are page wide panels.

3,4,5 run underneath as one row.

6 is a page wide panel.

1. Establishing shot. The USS Howard Stark aircraft carrier is pushing through the North Pacific Ocean at some speed.

It’s a clear but cold night, stars reflect off the almost black ocean below.

         CAPTION:

         The USS Howard Stark.

         CAPTION:

         23:58 Hours.

2. We pull into the deck of the ship. Two shot of two Hydra soldiers leaning on the balcony of the observation deck. They wear the normal green and yellow uniform of Hydra but both have large coats like this on. The coats are black with Hydra logos on the sleeves. One of the Hydra Soldiers is holding a pair of Thermal imaging goggles up to his eyes to look out to sea. The other is blowing into his hands to warm them, his hot breath rising as steam. Both of them have Hydra weapons slung across their backs.

         COLD HANDS:

         Anything?

         GOGGLES 1:

Not a damn thing.

GOGGLES 2:

We are in the middle of the ocean whose guna sneak up on us?

3. POV of GOGGLES looking through the thermal imaging goggles. We see the distant horizon, its nothing but ocean. The whole scene should be in dark blues, grays and blacks, to highlight the low temperature out at sea.

         NO COPY.

4. Same as 4 however now a bright red figure can be seen in the far distance flying just above the water. The figure is trimmed by accents of orange and yellow. This is something hot coming at them.

         GOGGLES: (O.P)

         What the…

5. Same as 3. Now the panel is nearly entirely taken up with a large red and orange fist.

         NO COPY.

6. The two Hydra soldiers lay knocked out on top off each other on the floor of the observation towers balcony. Their goggles and weapons have been bent and broken so they can no longer be used. We can see a pair of long legs floating at the top of the page, dark blue tights and a pair of red boots cover them.

         Captain Marvel: (coming from top of the page)

         Tony and Steve won’t be happy you boys stole this ship. 

Captain Marvel – Head Trip – MK Stangeland Jr.

(While fighting NITRO and stopping him from exploding in a populated area, CAPTAIN MARVEL (CAROL DANVERS) unintentionally absorbed NITROs body due to being in contact with him when he went boom and her energy absorption powers taking over.

His mind has since settled into a portion of DANVERS head, though DR. STRANGE and PROFESSOR X are currently trying to help her get rid of the unwanted guest.)

(8 Panels)

Panel 1: NITRO comes to a rest face-down on the ground after his opening smack-down from CAPTAIN MARVEL (CAROL DANVERS) on the previous page.

CAPTAIN MARVEL lands in the background. A large amount of dirt and dust coming up around her feet strongly suggest she made a sliding landing.

NITRO: (Small, as though barely hearable) ahhh…

Panel 2: NITRO gets on one foot as he picks himself up. One of his hands is doing a ‘blood wipe/blood check’ at his mouth.

CAPTAIN MARVEL: (Off-panel) Eviction time.

NITRO (1): I thought you’d come.

NITRO (2): Too late. Couldn’t leave now even if I wanted to.

NITRO (3): Nothing left to go back to.

Panel 3: CAPTAIN MARVEL springs forward and hits NITRO with a cross punch. A tooth or two can be seen flying from his mouth due to the impact.

NITRO: I’ve made a home here. I’m even…

SFX: WHACK!

Panel 4: NITRO is down on one knee again, leaning over sidewise as he uses a single arm to keep himself off the ground. A touch of blood might be visible dripping from his mouth, but nothing that would by any means be considered excessive.

CAPTAIN MARVEL towers over him – she looks PISSED OFF.

NITRO (1): ow…

NITRO (2): Stop hitting me.

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Then get out.

NITRO: No.

Panel 5: NITRO stands up, though he’s hunched over as he hasn’t yet gotten his footing. His arm is in front of his face as he wipes away whatever’s there.

NITRO (1): I’m planning on expanding. Taking over.

NITRO (2): I may not prefer blondes, but once I’m done I’m definitely going to have more…

Panel 6: CAPTAIN MARVEL zooms in and hits NITRO with an uppercut that sends him flying backwards.

SFX: Ka-RAKKkk!

Panel 7: NITRO lands in a heap.

NITRO: ugh!

Panel 8: Close up on NITRO as he tries to pick himself up again.

NITRO: You should stop that.

(END PAGE)

Captain Marvel- What's In A Name? -Dan Hill

Apologies about the lateness of this post. Never travel on a train where a potential crime may break out.

Anyway, without further ado:

PAGE TWO
The page consists of a top tier of two panels, a tier of five small vertical panels and a final tier of two panel.

2.1
We OPEN on a CLOSE UP of MYSTIQUE in her default form. She wipes a smear of blood from her teeth with the back of her hand.

MYSTIQUE:  You think you’re better than me? Above me?

2.2
CUT TO a CLOSE UP on CAPTAIN MARVEL. Smoke and grime cover her face. She has a fresh cut beneath her left eye.

MYSTIQUE (OFF):  We’re not so different.

2.3
CUT TO a small vertical panel of MYSTIQUE. She has her back to a wall of sophisticated looking computer equipment. We’re in a control room somewhere deep in the bowels of a military base.

MYSTIQUE:  Carol Danvers.

2.4
FIXED PANEL. MYSTIQUE has now morphed into CAROL DANVERS wearing the original MS. MARVEL costume.

MYSTIQUE:  Ms. Marvel.

2.5
FIXED PANEL. Another change, this time into CAROL wearing the more modern MS. MARVEL costume (the black one with the sash, etc).

MYSTIQUE:  Warbird.

2.6
FIXED PANEL. A change into Carol in the guise of BINARY.

MYSTIQUE: Binary.

2.7
FIXED PANEL. A final change into CAROL wearing her current CAPTAIN MARVEL costume.

MYSTIQUE:  And now Captain Marvel.

MYSTIQUE:  Why pick just one?

2.8
CUT TO a ¾ shot of CAPTAIN MARVEL (the real one this time!). She’s hovering several inches off the ground. Behind her we can see smoking computers and broken office furniture.

CAPTAIN MARVEL:  The names chose me.

CAPTAIN MARVEL:  I didn’t steal them.

2.9
FIXED PANEL. An extremely pissed off CAPTAIN MARVEL fires one of her photon blasts.

CAPTAIN MARVEL:  I earned them.

Captain Marvel - Changes - Grant McLaughlin

Okay, we've got a lot of panels here, but it's not as bad as you think (hopefully).  The first eight panels are all pretty small, laid out in two rows that take up maybe a third of the page (think pretty much any Avengers book by Brian Michael Bendis).  The remaining four panels take up the last two thirds of the page, two panels per row, divided however you'd like.

1 - Tony Stark sits at a table and looks towards the reader.

TONY: It's your choice, Carol, but...

2 - Captain America looks over towards the reader from his training.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: I'll support you either way, but...

3 - Luke Cage holds his young daughter and looks towards the reader.

LUKE CAGE: Why would you want to do that?

4 - Nick Fury sits behind his nice big SHIELD desk, looking a tad confused.

NICK FURY: I'm not really sure why you came to me with this, but...

5 - Wanda Maximoff drinks a coffee and looks towards the reader.

WANDA: Are you sure that's what you want?

6 - Peter Parker hangs upside-down in Spider-Man outfit, looking towards the reader.

PETER (1): Really?

PETER (quietly) (2): Please don't vaporize me.

7 - Jessica Jones is holding her young daughter and looks towards the reader.

JESSICA: Normally I'd say Luke doesn't know what he's talking about, but...

8 - Natasha Romanoff is doing some target practice.  She doesn't actually look back towards the reader.

NATASHA: What's wrong with what you have?

9 - Establishing shot.  Outside a hairstylist's.  The window simply says "Salon".  Daytime.

MOLLY (from within building): Isn't that a little dramatic?

10 - Carol sits in a hairdresser chair.  Her hair is still long.  She's out of uniform and Molly Fitzgerald, the former Shamrock, stands behind her.  Carol wears a sour expression.  Molly dismisses it, looking pleased and excited.  Have the shot from behind them, looking towards the mirror, so we see their faces only in their reflection.

CAROL: Don't tell me you also think it's a bad idea, Moll!

MOLLY: Oh, no.  I think it'll look amazing.  I just want to make sure you're ready for such a big change.

11 - Repeat shot - still seeing their faces in the mirror's reflection.  Carol looks pensive.  No dialogue.

12 - Switch angle.  We're now looking directly at Carol.  She wears a happy, confident expression.  Molly walks off to get her supplies.  She's smiling knowingly.

CAROL: Definitely.

Captain Marvel - What it Means - Ben Rosenthal

1.  A quiet shot of a grave yard at night.  Everything is peaceful.  There are gravestones visible, with one in the foreground more noticeable than the rest.  On it we can just make out the words ‘CAPTAIN MARVEL’.

2.  Carol Danvers in full Captain Marvel uniform is flying back, hitting Captain Marvels tombstone as she has been punched in the stomach.  Hard.  Her uniform is torn in some bits, with bleeding cuts and bruises visible.

3.  A tight shot of Carol looking up at her unknown attacker.  She is weak and beaten.  Blood pours from her obviously broken nose.  She struggles to see through a badly swollen eye.

4.  Same as Panel 3, with Carol’s head bowed.  She is broken and wanting to give up.

5.  A wide panel showing Carol noticing the tombstone of Mar-Vell.  It is broken in two and lying on the ground, facing up.

6.  Carol is now on one knee, struggling to stand but refusing to stay down.  Where she was about to give up before, she now cannot be stopped.  She is determined.

CAPTAIN MARVEL

No.

Why Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers)?

Because quite simply I dig her.  This is saying a lot.

For years Marvel have been attempting to make Carol Danvers aka the new Captain Marvel their No.1 female hero.  With this latest incarnation, they have succeeded.

Personally speaking, Carol Danvers has never hit the mark for me.  While she was trying to be a top class hero, I just wants made to care about her enough for me to see her as that...until now.  Kelly Sue DeConnick has in one issue done what other writers have attempted to do - made Carol Danvers a fully fleshed out character.

I LOVED Osborn by Kelly Sue (which is saying a lot considering the huge fan of Norman that I am) which originally perked my interest in the new Captain Marvel.  I also have a great like for strong female characters, and knew that Kelly Sue could pull this off better than anyone.  After picking up Captain Marvel #1 I can say that not only was I not disappointed, but was blown away.  I cannot recall any #1 issue that has focused solely on a characterisation.  Sure there is a battle, but that isn't important.  What is important is that it shows Carol as an individual with regular hangups.  She is not all powerful and infallible, or even trying to put on a hero façade - she is vulnerable, and thus is relate-able.

So this, my fine thought ballooners is why we are writing about the NEW Captain Marvel this week.  I can only hope we give her half of the justice to character that Kelly Sue has.


Want to write your own script?  Then post below and let the world see your writing prowess!

Captain Marvel – Deceptive Appearances - MK Stangeland Jr.

(5 Panels)

Panel 1: CAPTAIN MARVEL has just helped the JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL defeat a godzilla-like monster. GUY GARDNER has hand on CAPTAIN MARVEL’s shoulder.

GUY GARDNER: Not bad, Cap’n Marv. Not bad.

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Thank you, Mr. Gardner. I think.

Panel 2: GUY GARDNER is pointing with his thumb over his shoulder as CAPTAIN MARVEL is trying to hide that he’s concerned.

GUY GARDNER (1): No sweat.

GUY GARDNER (2): Anyway, the team was planning to go celebrate how kick-@$$ we all are, and some of them were wondering if you wanted to join us. I know a great bar in town and…

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Er…uh…

Panel 3: CAPTAIN MARVEL looks hesitant as he considers what answer to give, seeing how he’s technically underage, without giving away his secret identity.

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Perhaps such celebration should be saved for later. For now, there’s cleanup to attend to!

GUY GARDNER: Should take all of thirty minutes to take care of the body. Especially if you’re volunteering to pitch in.

Panel 4: CAPTAIN MARVEL continues to rebuff GUY GARDNER

CAPTIAN MARVEL: Even still, there must be a better means of celebrating than with alcohol! A heroes body should be a temple, after all!

GUY GARDNER: You serious? Tell me you’re kidding me, here.

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Of course not! Why would I jest about such things?

Panel 5: GUY GARDNER gives up, and begins to fly off. CAPTAIN MARVEL looks disappointed.

GUY GARDNER (1): Well, I’m sure that if you’re really so against it, you might be able to get a soda or water there, too. Feel free to join us if you change your mind.

GUY GARDNER (2): Otherwise, it’s your loss.

(END PAGE)

Captain Marvel - Painting the Town Red - Grant McLaughlin

Three rows of equal size. The first row is a single panel, taking up a third of the page. The second and third rows are made up of three panels each (all of equal size).

1 – Captain Marvel sits at a table in a fancy restaurant. It is well-peopled, with all of the other patrons dressed to the nines. Our hero is being attended by a prim and proper maitre d'. Some of the patrons are trying to steal glances at Captain Marvel, but they aren't doing much else. It strikes me as a pretty great image if Captain Marvel were in the process of stuffing his napkin down the front of his shirt to use as a bib with one hand, so he's definitely doing that. The other hand holds his menu. However, the matire d's arrival interrupts this action, and Captain Marvel looks up, flustered to be caught in the act. He clearly isn't used to this kind of place.

MAITRE D': Capitaine Merveille, let me thank you once again for attending the grand opening of La Grande Fromage Rouge.

CAPTAIN MARVEL (1): Uh, you're welcome?

CAPTAIN MARVEL (quietly) (2): ...I think?

MAITRE D': Have you decided which of our magnifique dishes you would like to have ce soir?

2 – The maitre d' has a pen and pad, ready to take Captain Marvel's order. Captain Marvel has recovered himself and now holds his menu with both hands, bib firmly in place.

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Yes, could --

MAITRE D' (interrupting): Would you care to try our savoury escargots?

3 – The matire d' continues to prattle on, calm and collected. Captain Marvel waves with both hands (one still holding the menu) to try to get his attention.

CAPTAIN MARVEL: No, that's alright --

MAITRE D' (interrupting): Or may I suggest the braised tofu with shiitake mushrooms?

4 – The maitre d' barely seems to recognize that Captain Marvel is talking. Captain Marvel is flustered again.  He tries to get the maitre d's attention with one hand.

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Really, I just --

MAITRE D' (interrupting): Or perhaps the pumpkin and squash soufflé would be of interest to you?

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Well, uh, those all sound interesting...

5 – Back in control of the conversation, Captain Marvel is looking more confident.  He wears a big smile. The matire d' is surprised by what he hears.

CAPTAIN MARVEL: But could I just get some ice cream?

6 – The maitre d' is incredulous. This is not at all what he was expecting. Captain Marvel smiles on.

MAITRE D': Ice cream?

7 – Captain Marvel is pleased. His smile grows a little wider. He knows he's making the choice he wanted all along.

CAPTAIN MARVEL (1): Yeah.

CAPTAIN MARVEL (2): Chocolate, if you have it.

Captain Marvel - Disassembled - Matt Duarte

Captain Marvel in “Disassembled” by Matt Duarte

Note from the author: I totally blew my deadline on this one, so I am backlogging it into the time it was supposed to be up. Sorry for the delay.

Panel 1

Description: Captain Marvel is grabbing Dr. Sivana by the neck, holding him above the ground. Sivana is defeated, almost unconscious, but the Captain is not looking at him. Instead, he is looking down at his navel.

CAPTION: It's funny, it didn't start with lighting and thunder, just with a small rumble, barely audible.

CAPTAIN MARVEL: I'm... hungry?

Panel 2

Description: Captain Marvel is facing a really big version of Mr. Mind. There is actually fear in the face of the big red cheese, it looks out of place and abnormal.

CAPTION: It spread far too soon, and the next thing to fall was my self-confidence.

CAPTAIN MARVEL: You will not win this time, Mr. Mind! I will not let you succeed!

CAPTAIN MARVEL (in smaller font): I hope...

Panel 3

Description: Captain Marvel is in the rock of eternity, talking to the Wizard Shazam. Both of them look worried as they walk side by side.

CAPTION: At first I thought this all-too sudden influx of very human emotions and feelings was related to my alter-ego as Billy.

SHAZAM: I think what happening is very clear. If you can't see it yourself, it means that not only has the stamina of Atlas and the courage of Achilles, but the Wisdom of Solomon has left you as well.

Panel 4

Description: A close up of Shazam, talking direly to Captain Marvel, who is shocked by the revelation.

CAPTION: It turned out to be much worse.

SHAZAM: The powers are abandoning you because these men of legend and gods are being reborn into Earth.

SHAZAM: We must find them before someone else does. Time is of the essence!

Next: Billy Batson: Agent of S.H.A.Z.A.M.

What would follow after this is a story where Billy Batson/Captain Marvel can only access one set of powers at once, and at a much lower level than his normal state. It would ideally be a spy-like tale with magic elements of him globe trotting finding these legendary beings being reborn into Earth rescuing them from organizations that are trying to use them for their own advantage. Completely different tone from the usual Captain Marvel story? Sure, but I think it would be fun to see regardless.

Captain Marvel - Horror of the Mind's Eye - Sime McDonald

PANEL ONE

Billy Batson is hunched in a foetal position in a dark, windowless room, furnished with only a mattress. His eyes are wide open, pupils dilated.

BILLY BATSON

[small]

Sha – Sha – Sha –

PANEL TWO

The memory haunting Billy Batison:

Brilliant, yellow light, crackling with the magical energy of Shazam.

Once upon a time, a radiance that encapsulated Captain Marvel’s greatness.

Now, it represents something else, something horrifying.

Within the yellow, crackling luminosity, are several skeletons, the skin grotesquely burned from their bodies.

PANEL THREE

On Billy’s wide, dilated eyes.

BILLY BATSON

Sha – sha – sha –

PANEL FOUR

Dr Thaddeus Sivana watches Billy from transparent shielding built into the door.

BILLY BATSON

[off-panel]

Sha – Sha – Sha

DR. SIVANA

Tsk tsk tsk.

There are some things children shouldn’t see.

 

PANEL FIVE

Dr. Sivana back's is to us as he walks down a hallway, towards the exit – towards whatever maniacal plot he’s got planned next.

DR. SIVANA

Hahahaha!

NEXT: Fractured Mind, Fractured Magic!

Captain Marvel - Running Interference - Rol Hirst

Panel One.

The shadowy lair of Dr. Sivana. The heinous villain sits in a high-backed chair, his fingers steepled before his face, staring at a bank of satellite monitors. His wicked son, Thaddeus Jr, stands behind him wearing a lab-coat and carrying a handheld computer.

Junior: The Interference Engine is ready, pa.

Panel Two.

Looking over Sivana’s shoulder we see the monitors he’s watching. Billy Batson is under surveillance, going about his everyday activities, unaware of any threat. He’s walking down a small town high street, looking in the shop windows.

Sivana: Heh heh heh.

Panel Three.

Cut to Billy, staring in wide-eyed horror.

CAP (Sivana): Then send in the clowns!

Billy: What the--!?

Panel Four.

An army of robot killer-clowns has descended on the small town high street, bringing chaos and mayhem – destroying cars with their oversized shoes, firing lasers from their buttonhole flowers, throwing acid-laced custard pies at the horrified civilians. A man selling donuts from a portable stand watches the oncoming onslaught, frozen in fear.

Billy Batson stands in the street before this insane clown posse and prepares himself for action. A lightning bolt shoots towards him as he cries out his magic word…

CAP (Sivana): And lets see how the good Captain copes with a few alternate abilities…

Billy: SHAZAM!

Panel Five.

Instead of being transformed into his usual square-jawed, muscle-bound alter ego… Billy has become something quite different. He's still wearing his distinctive red and gold costume but his body is old and frail and he’s supporting a huge rock on his shoulders that is grinding him down into the street. His left leg is buckling under the weight. The rock is so huge we can’t see the top of it. Worse still, our brave Captain finds himself surrounded by dozens of small, grasping children, each demanding his attention, wanting toys, food, etc. Despite all this, Marvel remains undaunted – shrieking out in defiance and determination.

CAP (Sivana): The elderliness of Solomon… The arrogance of Hercules…

Marvel: Killer clowns? Bring ‘em on!

CAP (Sivana): The burden of Atlas… The offspring of Zeus…

Kids: Dad! Dad! Over here! Look at me! Dad! I'm hungry! Need to go wee-wee! Dad!

CAP (Sivana): The heel of Achilles…

Panel Six (inset in bottom corner of #5).

Close of Marvel as he turns his head to look at the donut stand. He licks his lips.

CAP (Sivana): And the ADHD of Mercury…

Marvel: Ooh – donuts!

Captain Marvel – The Boy Inside Us All – Ryan K Lindsay

This is one of those old school ads in a comic, the ones where they mean something. Enjoy.

7 PANELS

1. Captain Marvel looks straight at the audience. You can smell the Ben-Day dots on him.

Captain Marvel: Hi, there. I’m Captain Marvel.

2. Captain Marvel walks past a street vendor selling hot dogs.

Captain Marvel: It’s true, I’m everything you want to be. I’m strong, handsome, powerful, and extremely broad in the shoulder area.

3. Captain Marvel grabs one of the hot dogs from the vendor. He does not pay. The vendor either doesn’t care or is afraid of him. Draw it how you like.

Captain Marvel: But what people forget is I have a 12 year old boy inside me.
Captain Marvel: And most importantly…

4. Captain Marvel throws the hot dog on the ground as he rounds a set of steps that lead down to the subway. His face should look a little cheeky here.

Captain Marvel: I am also inside that 12 year old boy.

5. Captain Marvel is at the bottom of the steps, people are waiting around for their trains.

Captain Marvel: Fear not, every other little boy out there could have a man like me inside him.

6. We look down the platform as Captain Marvel talks to us, while presumably walking backwards, and motions to the subway tunnel with his thumb over his shoulder.

Captain Marvel: All you have to do is follow strange men down subway tunnels.

7. Close up. Captain Marvel winks at the audience.

Captain Marvel: You’ll have a strange man inside you in no time.

Captain Marvel - Twenty Years From Now - Ben Rosenthal

Doc Sivana is dying. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, he refuses to become a shell of the scientific mastermind he believes himself to be. He wishes to die with dignity. To that end, he has constructed thousands of bombs, each planted throughout the city. These bombs are synched up to one timer – and the only way to stop this timer is to stop Doc Sivana’s heart.

On the previous page an older Billy Baston as confronted the doctor in an attempt to appear non-threatening. Doc Sivana has just finished pleading with Billy to end him, to allow him to die as the man the world remembers.

1. Wide panel. Doc Sivana’s back is to us. In front of him is Billy Baston in his 50’s. Billy has one arm outstretched, hand resting on Doc Sivana’s shoulder. His face is stern.

2. Same as above, however Billy is now looking at the ground. There is a bitter look on his face, mixed with sadness.

3. Same width as the panel above, however it is tighter as Billy has pulled the Doctor close, and is now giving him a hug. This is from the same angle as the previous two panels, with us seeing the back of the Doctor’s head, and Billy’s emotionless face.

4. Same as Panel 3, however Billy quietly whispers a single word.

BILLY

Shazam.

The next page is a splash, as lightening hits Billy and the Doctor, transforming Billy into Captain Marvel, and frying Doctor Sivana. The page after simply shows a greying Captain Marvel, head bowed, standing over the burnt out husk of his former enemy.

And just because I'm certain that the theme hasn't come across, this page is about Captain Marvel losing the last bit of innocence he had for the greater good.

Captain Marvel - Put Away The Childish Things - Maxy Barnard

Just a basic transformation script, framed against Corinthians 13:11. Enjoy.

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1.1
Young Billy Batson is sitting at a train station, playing cards with Talky Tawny (in his 'hobo' form) and laughing, red-faced and wide mouthed, clutching his sides.

Caption: When I was a child, I spake as a child.


1.2
A low shot, so we can see Billy and Tawny turning their heads sharply to look up at the sky, where Alligators with jetpacks are flying towards an aeroplane. Whilst Tawny looks suitably shocked by this, Billy is grinning.

Caption: I understood as a child, I thought as a child.


1.3
A lightning-bolt shaped panel wherein Billy transforms into Captain Marvel. At the forefront we have Billy shouting, and behind him we have Captain Marvel himself, looking stern and ready to fight. Behind HIM is the word SHAZAM!, to signify the transformation.

Caption: But when I became a man,


1.4
Captain Marvel rocketing upwards through the sky, teeth gritted, as the jetpacking alligators look back at him in surprise.

Caption: I put the childish things away.

Why Captain Marvel?

No, not that one. The other one. No not her, either. Or him. LOOK, IT'S THE DC ONE, OKAY?!

SHAZAM! With that one word our young Billy Batson swaps bodies with the magical superhuman himself, Captain Marvel! You've all heard of his adventures, from his fights against Dr. Sivana, Mr. Mind and the Monster Society of Evil, to crying in the arctic with Superman because his friend died, Captain Marvel has done it all.

But why have I chosen such a classic character for this week's Thought Balloons? Well... It's mostly because he's starred in the best all-ages comic EVER created; SHAZAM! The Monster Society of Evil, by Jeff Smith (of Bone fame). In that title we had this very fresh approach to superheroics thrown at the reader, that of it being a large responsibility, sure, and adventures having high stakes, but more than anything the adventures are FUN. Remember fun? I'm not talking about "oh haha Deadpool mentioned Miley Cyrus, that's hilarious" fun (because that's awful), but rather that sort of good-natured feeling that just makes something really exciting to read, regardless of subtext or author intent.

That and it's open to endless interpretation. Captain Marvel has had a tendency to be... reinvented, with certain aspects of him and his family altered drastically from relaunch to relaunch, in those varied attempts to make lightning (ha. ha.) strike twice. So you could tell a story where the Billy Batson persona is always present, or where they're seperate, or use Freddy Freeman as Captain Marvel instead. Or why not have Mr. Mind and his race of mind-worms from venus, or the more modern approach of him as a gross winged thingy from DC's 52 maxi-series? And of course you can play with the six gods that lend him his power (Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles and Mercury), or the ancient wizard Shazam, in both his crushed-by-a-rock and not crushed variants. Or his "made up of six kids and a tiger" Flashpoint version that's doing the rounds at the moment. JUST LET RIP.

If you want a good grip on the character, Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil is where I'd direct you, but you can't go wrong with Superman/Shazam: First Thunder, Trials of Shazam, or the Showcase Presents: SHAZAM volume.

Or just use wikipedia if you want the coward's way out ;)