Malekith the Accursed – Kill Count – Brian Manton

1.

Wide.

Lord of the Rings – the Battle of Helms Deep.

Malekith and Gimli stand amidst the carnage.

Gimli is burying his axe into the chest of a fallen Orc.

Malekith stands, arms folded, watching Gimli.

Malekith:  Let me show you how well I kill, Dwarf.

Gimli:  I’ll not have some pointy-ear outscoring me!

2-7

Row of panels bleeding to the edges of the page.

Each panel shows Gimli gleefully killing an orc in a different manner.

8-13

Repeated panels. Malekith stands still, with knowing smile.

14.

A bloodspattered Gimli returns to Malekith, weary but proud.

Malekith is drawing his sword.

Gimli: Forty-three! How did you fare, big ears?

15.

Malekith drives his sword through Gimli’s chest.

Gimli’s face shows as much shock as agony.

16.

Gimli’s lifeless body slumps to the ground before Malekith.

An Orc chuckles in the background.

Malekith:  Just the one.

Malekith (linked): You win.

Malekith - featuring Sammy Hagar Thor in: MaleKISS! - R.A. Wonsowski

Way back when, I was a TB newbie, leaving my scripts in the Why? comments every week - which is why you should too, all you hopefuls out there - and my favourite of the bunch of my tryout scripts was this little gem for Mjolnir:

THOR (and SAMMY HAGAR) in "Hammer of the Gods"

Panel 1: Interior - The Hard Rock Cafe in NYC, completely torn apart. Guitars hanging askew on the walls, gold and platinum records in shattered frames litter the floor. THOR lies bloody and broken on the stage, his head cradled in SAMMY HAGAR's arms. THOR is in his modern armour, SAMMY is wearing a Hawaiian shirt, bermuda khaki shorts, one sandal is missing.

SAMMY: (small text) But...wait...no...

THOR: Samuel Hagar...canst thou...read the inscription...on mine hammer?

Panel 2: from over Sammy's shoulder, we see Mjolnir on the stage floor, it's inscription readable to us.

SAMMY: "Worthy"...Dude, I like to think I'm an OK guy, but...

THOR: (off-panel) ...Sam...favourite song...

Panel 3: Thor's head in Sammy's arms, he's going unconscious.

THOR: (small lettering, weakly) ...Rock Candy...hhh...*

Panel 4: SAMMY's hand touches the handle.

Panel 5: Bright pale yellow. Sound FX says "BOOM"

Panel 6: SAMMY HAGAR holding MJOLNIR above his head in one hand. He is wearing Thor's classic costume, but all red. A Les Paul is clutched in his other hand like a battle axe. Classic rock god stance, like a metal album cover.

HAGAR-THOR: YEEAAAHHH!!!!

CAPTION: (like a scroll with runic writing) "For he had passed the trials of the demonic Edward Van Halen. Loki stands not a chance..."

To Be Continued...

Thus Sammy Hagar Thor was born.  

Layout:
123

456

788

Panel 1 - From a distance, we see the Hollywood Bowl at night, rock lighting and pyrotechnics happening.

CAPTION:  ...and so it was that Malekith, having found the Pick of Destiny, challenged Thor to a Rock-Off...

Panel 2 - MALEKITH, his hair tied in a samurai knot and sticking his tongue out, is singing into his mike while playing Gene Simmons's axe bass (he is wearing Simmons's platform Demon boots too).  His dark elves are on the instruments behind him.

MALEKITH:  (with musical notes) They call me - 

DARK ELF BAND:  (with musical notes) !

Panel 3 - SAMMY HAGAR THOR, foreground, backed by Chickenfoot, holds Mjolnir up high in one hand, head back, screaming into his headset mike.  Lightning plays off the hammer.  Joe SATRIANI and Michael ANTHONY sing into the same mike in a stand.

SATRIANI & ANTHONY:  (with musical notes) ...but I - can't drive - 

SAMMY HAGAR THOR:  (with musical notes)  

Panel 4 - Same as Panel 2, but MALEKITH is starting to sweat and overcompensate, he looks worried.

MALEKITH and DARK ELF BAND:  (with musical notes):

MALEKITH and DARK ELF BAND:  (with musical notes):  You were made for lovin' me-e-e...

Panel 5 - Same as Panel 3, except SATRIANI and ANTHONY are playing off each other.  Foreground, Mjolnir now hooked in his belt, SAMMY HAGAR THOR is playing power chords on a cherry red Les Paul and singing.

SAMMY HAGAR THOR:  (with musical notes) Here we go, ...

SAMMY HAGAR THOR:  (with musical notes) On a rainbow bridge, it don't seem so far...

Panel 6 - MALEKITH, now scared, is under a spotlight, sweating, singing with both hands cupping the mike, trying to be passionate and cool.  The Dark Elves are backing away worriedly from their instruments.

MALEKITH:  (with musical notes) , I hear you callin'...

CROWD:  (off-panel) BOOO!!!!

DRUNK DUDE:  (off-panel) ...you suck!!!

Panel 7 - Lightning strikes MALEKITH, shocking him all to hell.  Pyrotechnics go off on cue.

SoundFX:  ZKRASSH!

Panel 8 - SAMMY HAGAR THOR, one foot on the back of a defeated, supine, and very crispy MALEKITH, and CHICKENFOOT are rocking the crowd.  MALEKITH's expression is painfully dazed.

SAMMY HAGAR THOR, CHICKENFOOT, and CROWD:  

MALEKITH:  ......

END

Malekith The Accursed - Toy Thor-y - Niel Jacoby

Panel 1: Thor is wiping his brow after a tiring battle, and is beginning to shrink, but does not realize it.

Thor: WHEW! THAT WAS SURELY AN EXASPERATING BATTLE.

Panel 2: Thor has finished wiping his brow, and is startled to see that his arm has become like that of an action figure. He is still shrinking.

Thor: WHAT WITCHERY IS THIS? MY BODY IS BECOMING THAT OF A CHILD'S PLAYTHING! AND MY SIZE!

Panel 3: Thor is about the size of an action figure, and is startled to see a mysterious hand grabbing him.

Malekith: A-HAHAAHAHAHA!

Panel 4: We can see Malekith smirking at action-figure-ized Thor, as he speaks. Thor is desperately trying to escape Malekith's grasp, but failing.

Malekith: WHAT A HORRIBLE NIGHT TO HAVE A CURSE, WOULDN'T YOU SAY, O THUNDER GOD?

Malekith the Accursed - Nyctophobia - J.D. Coughlan

Panel 1: Thor stands in a dark cave. The only illumination comes from Mjolnir, casting a blue glow, held aloft by Thor. His eyes search the darkness; wary but determined.

MALEKITH (TAILLESS): What do gods fear?

THOR: Not you, vile monster.

Panel 2: Thor has seen a shape at the limits of the light. It seems to be a person sitting on the ground. He steels himself.

MALEKITH (TL): I beg to differ, Thunderer.

MALEKITH (TL): Gods need control.

Panel 3: POV from in front of the figure, still in shadow, just an outline. Behind him we see Thor approaching cautiously.

MALEKITH (TL): Whether by might or by wisdom, with truth or with lies, a swift sword or a protective shield... gods seek to control the world.

Panel 4: Thor turns the figure around, revealing a skeleton looking back at him. He is startled but restrains his shock.

MALEKITH (TL): And you cannot control what you cannot see.

Panel 5: Same POV as Panel 3, with the figure facing Thor. The light from Mjolnir has started to noticeably dim. Thor looks at it, worried. Behind him, just barely illuminated, is Malekith.

MALEKITH: Gods fear the dark.

Panel 6: Same POV. Thor has turned at the voice, hammer raised. Malekith is gone. There is now barely enough light.

MALEKITH (TL): And I am the dark.

END OF PAGE

Malekith the Accursed – Check and Mate - Shaun Richens.

PAGE ONE – 5 PANELS.

1.1

Page wide panel. Close up on the hand of MALEKITH, his fingernails are long and brittle. He holds the black knight chess piece between his thumb, index and middle finger. The knight is being placed onto the chessboard into a checkmate position against the white king.

MALEKITH:

Check mate Odinson.

1.2

Cut to. OLD KING THOR (as seen in the recent Thor God of Thunder series) He sits on the throne of Asgard. A huge tankard of ale rests on the arm of the throne, and barrels and caskets of ale are stacked and lie all around the throne area. 

THOR:

Not even all the ale of Asgard can make this damned game enjoyable.

1.3

An aged and wrinkled Malekith sits in a large carved seat, one leg resting over the side of the chairs arm. He toys with the white king chess piece in one hand.

MALEKITH:

Beating you so easily has even started to lose its charm on me.

1.4

Cut back to Thor. He stands up from his throne, his tankard spilling to the floor. MJOLNIR is now gripped tightly in his hands.

THOR:

Let us relive the good old days then you accused fool.

THOR:

To your feet coward, battle is upon you. 

1.5

Cut to Malekith, a slight grin creeping up the side of his mouth as he pushes himself up from his seat.  

MALEKITH:

We’re the last of our kind left alive and you still wish to battle.

MALEKITH:

Ha. Good show old man.

MALEKITH:

Now, lets see what fight you still have in you god of thunder.

Malekith the Accursed - Entrapment - Simon McDonald

Panel One
Volstagg of the Warriors Three stands in front of Malekith's cell in the Asgard prison. Volstsagg is speaking boisterously, as he is prone to do, while Malekith is slumped against the rear wall. Grey particles drift inside the cell; specks of iron to deny his use of magic. Beyond Volstsagg and the cell we can see Thor approaching, Mjolnir in his hand, but held unthreateningly.

 

VOLSTAGG

- - a mighty battle, Malekith, one of the best - -

 

THOR

Taunting the imprisoned, Volstsgg?

 

Panel Two

Volstagg is smiling broadly. There is not a hint of guilt on his face as he leans in closer to the cell, inspecting the prisoner.

VOLSTAGG (1)

Ach, Thor, when the battle has been won, a warrior requires some form of entertainment.

 

VOLSTAGG (2)

And surely Malekith, of anyone, deserves derision.

 

Panel Three

On Thor now, scowling. A very un-Thor like expression.

 

THOR

Indeed?

 

Panel Four

On Volstagg as his eyes bulge.

 

SFX

SNIKT!

 

Panel Five

Pull back. "Thor" is shapeshifting into Malekith's form. "Mjolnir" is in fact a blade, now implanted in Volstagg's back, spread-eagled in front of the cell - now empty, the illusion evaporated.

 

THOR / MALEKITH

Then it's only right that you are my first.

Malekith the Accursed - Cold Comfort - Grant McLaughlin

Malekith and Thor have been battling it out for a good while in the middle of a populated city, with both sides taking some serious lumps.  They're currently at what is normally one of the busier intersections, surrounded by abandoned vehicles and some curious onlookers who don't have the good sense to run.  Of course, this being comics, the two have also been bandying words back and forth about humanity and its worth.  Unfortunately, Thor has taken more damage, leaving Malekith with the upper hand.  He intends to take advantage of that both in their battle of force and of words.

1 - Thor swings Mjolnir hard at Malekith.  However, Malekith blocks the blow with one hand, resulting in the two being locked in close combat.  They both wear expressions of determination, their bodies battered and bruised from the fight.  A few onlookers are visible in the background.

MALEKITH: You coddle them, Asgardian.

2 - Malekith turns the tables, delivering a mighty blow to Thor that sends him flying through some of the abandoned cars and into the base of a building.

MALEKITH: Coming to their aid at the slightest of dangers.

3 - Malekith walks over calmly, while Thor attempts to rally.

MALEKITH: You believe this to be a kindness.

4 - Malekith has made his way over to Thor.  He has bent down and holds Thor by the front of his armour.  He raises his fist, ready to lower the boom on the prostrate god.

MALEKITH: But they have become reliant.  They refuse to help themselves, content to wait for their god to descend from the heavens to do it for them.

5 - Malekith throws a huge punch at Thor.  If he could knock teeth out, that's what he would be doing.  You could either really emphasize the violence here or leave it off-panel, implying the damage and leaving it to the reader's imagination.

MALEKITH (1): You have done them a great disservice.

MALEKITH (2): You have made them weak.  Soft.

6 - Malekith stands triumphant above Thor, the clear victor.  He reaches into his cloak / satchel for an unseen object.  He wears an expression of determination.  Thor reaches up weakly, vainly trying to stop him.

MALEKITH: This cannot stand.  And today, I will do what you never would.

THOR: ...no.

7 - Malekith is now holding the Cask of Ancient Winters.  He is in the process of opening it.  A great wind of snow and cold begins to fly out from the artifact.  Malekith grins maliciously.

MALEKITH: I will make them strong.

Malekith The Accursed - Steps - Ben Rosenthal

1.  In the background Malekith stands on top of a building in Manhattan. Raw power crackles out of him - he is stronger with it.  More threatening.  The foreground shows The Wild Ride attacks the city behind him, dark clouds reflecting the mood as citizens run from the spectre horsemen.

MALEKITH
MUDGUARD IS MINE!

2.  A close up of Malekith face, a broad smile on his face as he watches the destruction with his manic eyes.

MALEKITH
I am invincible.  INVINCIBLE!

VOICE (off panel)
Invincible?

3.  Iron Man* in his battle worn armour is facing Malekith.

IRON MAN
I'd like to test that theory.


*Malekith has a vulnerability to iron.

Malekith the Accursed - Interlude – MK Stangeland Jr.

(Consider this to be loosely based on the events of Thor: The Dark World.)

(4 Panels)

Panel 1: Space, exterior outside MALEKITH’s lone starship following the Dark Elves lone remaining ship. It orbits a star from a distance.

MALEKITH: (From inside the ship.) <A curse upon the Asgardians! If we can not restore darkness with the Aether, we shall go to Plan B!>

ALGRIM: (From inside the ship.) <What is Plan B, my lord?>

Panel 2: Match to PANEL 1.

MALEKITH: (Inside Ship.) <We shall blot out the starts one by one!>

ALGRIM (1): (Inside Ship.) <Excellent!>

ALGRIM (2): (Inside Ship.) <How do we plan to do that?>

Panel 3: Match to PANEL 1.

MALEKITH (1): (Inside Ship.) …

MALEKITH (2): (Inside Ship.) <I…I hadn’t really thought about that.>

MAKEKITH (3): (Inside Ship.) <They’re a lot bigger and hotter than I thought they’d be.>

Panel 4: Match to Panel 1.

MALEKITH: (Inside Ship) <I guess we skip to Plan C, then.>

ALGRIM: (Inside Ship) <Right. 5000 year nap till the next convergence it is, then.>

(END PAGE)

Why Malekith the Accursed?

In case you haven’t heard, the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe movie came out recently: Thor: The Dark World. Which features Malekith the Accursed as its headlining villain.

And, of course, in traditional Thought Balloons style, it means setting aside a week and letting a comic adaptation choose our theme for the week. And with Thor already having his week back when the first movie released, it was decided that Malekith should have the spotlight this time around. Complete with a vote and everything.

That said, Malekith is a character that odds are wouldn’t have been picked any time in the near future otherwise – which probably says far more about Marvel and their current movie philosophy than it does about Malekith himself. Between this and next years Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel is clearly not shy about digging into the less notable members of their catalogue. Sure, Guardians may have a fanbase and following from among the comic reading community (including yours truly), but they hardly have the same popular recognition as the likes of Thor, Iron Man, and Captain America.

Marvel’s on a hot streak right now with their movies, and that gives them freedom to play to what works for the story and who might have real potential rather than who’s popular and who are people going to know about already.

So let’s see if we can’t dig into Malekith and see what pages we can write about him ourselves, shall we?

And, of course, at always, guest scripts are not only welcome, but encouraged. If you want to get in on the fun, go ahead and travel into the comments section of this post below and post your own one-page Malekith-related script.