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!