MILESTONE-SON OF XOMBI-DAVID PRESS.

PAGE ONE.

            1.1: TWO KIDS on bicycles ride down a lonely single street framed by trees on all sides. The road can be a little craggy with potholes and warps in the road, the suggestion here is that it’s abandoned.

NO DIALOGUE.

            1.2: The kid on the left—let’s call him KID 1—KICKS the kid on the right (KID 2) off his bike and nearly off-panel.

NO DIALOGUE.

            1.3: Kid 2 is on the ground, just off the road, holding onto his leg—some BONE is sticking out of his shin. This wouldn’t be XOMBI if there wasn’t some magical healing scene of course.

1. KID 1 [O.P.]:                      I’m sorry, but I can’t allow you to continue…

            1.4: A small inset panel of the BONE in Kid 2’s leg healing up. The bone has gone back into his leg, but there’s still blood coming through his fingertips.

NO DIALOGUE.

            1.5: Kid 1 is pointing a PISTOL at Kid 2. I’m seeing this as a kind of Michael Bay shot: from the perspective of KID 2 on the ground looking up at his friend, pointing the gun at him.

2. KID 1:                                 Son.

            1.6: KID 2’s hand materializes a staff out of the dirt on the ground off the road…

NO DIALOGUE.

--END--

Milestone - An Opinionated Mob - Perry Kent

Panel 1

Exterior, afternoon. A highly agitated mob surrounds two men that have chained themselves to the doors of an official looking building. The mob is ugly looking and ready to fight. The two men are wearing shirts that say "LOVE".

1. MOB PERSON 1: You damn sickos!

2. MOB PERSON 2: Get your crap out of here!

Panel 2

One of the men winces as a small rock smacks his shoulder. The other one looks on resolutely. The mob seethes with anger.

3. MOB PERSON 1: How about you love that rock too!

Panel 3

Close-up of a person's hand as they chuck a rock.

4. MOB PERSON (OP): And this one!

Panel 4

Rocket zooms between the two men and the mob. The rock falls to the ground as Rocket robs it of it's kinetic energy.

5. ROCKET: STOP THIS!

Panel 5

Rocket stands between the mob and the two men, lecturing the mob. The mob looks deflated as though robbed of their will to be angry. The two men look relieved. The large rock lays on the ground uselessly.

6. ROCKET: Your opinion is your own, but I will not tolerate violence against another.

7. ROCKET: Keep acting like children and you will be handled like children.

- END -

Milestone – Against, If Not With – MK Stangeland, Jr.

(5 Panels)

Panel 1: TV screen image, a newscast. On the screen is a BLM-style protest of the worst kind.

TV NARRATION: …the protests grew more violent last night, with little sign of letting up.

Panel 2: TV image, same newscast. Rioters attacking a store.

TV NARRATION: Property damage has grown unchecked as the worst of the protestors run rampant and criminals seek to take advantage of the unrest.

Panel 3: Two-part panel, one with a TV newscast of ICON trying to subdue the looters who are destroying and stealing property, the second showing ROCKET trying to do the same thing.

TV NARRATION: While local heroes Icon and Rocket have attempted to minimize the damage, both have been overwhelmed by the sheer number of looters and rioters, especially as they both appear to be trying to avoid attacking those who aren’t committing any criminal acts.

Panel 4: TV image of a reporter trying to get an interview or soundbite from ICON, but with ICON trying to push on and ignore them in the interests of helping control the situation.

TV NARRATION: While Icon was unwilling to agree to an interview, he did offer this comment:

ICON: I’m not here to stand with or against the protestors. I merely seek to uphold the law and protect the innocent.

Panel 5: A protest leader, who is more than happy to give his time to the camera. He doesn’t look happy.

TV NARRATION: Not all were happy with this Icon’s refusal to take a stance on the issue, however.

PROTESTOR (1): Icon and Rocket are nothing more than SELLOUTS!

PROTESTOR (2):  If they really cared, they’d be out here with us and taking a stand against the crimes and oppression that are perpetrated against the innocent every day!

PROTESTOR (3): Mark my words, they’re both slaves of a system that wants nothing more than to keep us down!

(END PAGE)

Milestone - Untitled - Grant McLaughlin

1 - An adult Virgil is playing with his young daughter (younger than five, let's say).  She is having a grand old time, while Virgil looks off in concern towards Frieda calling him from off-panel.

CAPTION (VIRGIL): I thought I'd have hung up the tights by now.

FRIEDA (off-panel): V?

2 - In the living room, Frieda sits on the couch watching TV, a look of dread and fear in her eyes (the TV's screen is not visible).  She is the focus of the panel.  Virgil stands in the doorway, holding their daughter in his arms, a look of knowing concern on his face.

CAPTION (VIRGIL): But things are bad out there.

FRIEDA: You should see this.

CAPTION (VIRGIL): And they don't seem to be getting better

3 - Close on Frieda and Virgil as he passes their daughter to her.  They're both worried, but they're trying to hide it, both from each other and from their little girl.  Perhaps leave it unclear whether or not the daughter picks up on the vibe.

CAPTION (VIRGIL): In times like these, everyone has to do their part.

VIRGIL: I'll be back soon.

FRIEDA: You better.

4 - Outside.  Night time.  Virgil flies out of the apartment, fully dressed as Static, a serious expression on his face.  His costume could be updated for his age, but it could just as easily be about the same as when he first started out.

CAPTION (VIRGIL): And this is mine.

Milestone - Freedom - P. A. Nolte

1/ On the steps of Dakota's City Hall, Commando X has returned, and he might just be even crazier than before.  His chest is strapped with an explosive vest and he waves the detonator in his hand around as he speaks.

Commando X: Now is the time we confront the forces resisting change!

Commando X: Now is the time we let justice roll down like waters of righteousness!

Commando X: Like a mighty river!

2/ He turns to point angrily at the passersby.  Condemning them for their inaction.  Some of them scatter, most just look on incredulously.  Life in a town with superheroes, right?

Commando X: I come here today to affirm that we will no longer sit idly by in agonizing deprivation and wait on others to provide our freedom!

Commando X: A freedom never voluntarily granted by the oppressor!

Commando X: A freedom that must be demanded by the oppressed!

3/ As he raises his hand above him, the detonator is hit with a bolt of electricity that travels down Commando X's arm and into his vest.

Commando X: And furthermore--

SFX: ZAKT!!

Commando X: Huh?!

4/ Virgil Hawkins, aka Static, floating on his makeshift trashcan lid airfoil.  His baseball cap hides his eyes, but not his smirk.  His jacket billows.  Energy arcs off of him, his clothes, and his ride.

Static: "I understand your legitimate discontent.  I understand your nagging frustrations.  You are the victim of a crisis of disappointment.  But I must reaffirm that I do not see the answer to your problems in violence."

5/ Closer on Static, his smirk has gone full-on grin. 

Static: Yeah.  I read that speech, too.

6/ Static salutes Commando X mockingly as he flies away on his airfoil.  Armed security have begun to come out of City Hall with their weapons drawn.  Several police vehicles have also pulled up.

Static: All yours, officers!  Keep an eye on that one.  He's a rascal!

Static: And don't worry about that vest.  It's a dud.  Now...

Why Milestone?

In 1993, DC Comics partnered with a young company founded by Dwayne McDuffie, Denys Cowan, Michael Davis, and Derek Dingle called Milestone Media that sought to produce stories that openly and honestly addressed issues of race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, socioeconomics, and more.  They offered a diverse line-up of protagonists set in and around the fictional midwestern city of Dakota.  Hardware, Icon, Static, and the Blood Syndicate debuted first, with more titles like Xombi and Shadow Cabinet introduced later.

Until recently, I was most familiar with Virgil Ovid Hawkins, aka Static, as the star of Static Shock and from his appearances on Justice League Unlimited and Young Justice, along with Icon and Rocket.  But reading through Static's early comic run, I've come to really appreciate what I've seen of the Dakotaverse thus far.  Unfortunately, since Milestone Forever in 2010 and Static's quickly-cancelled New 52 title, rumblings from Earth-M have been intermittent at best.  It seems like a solitary Teen Titans membership is all we're going to see of any of these characters for a while, and that's a real shame.

So.  This week, do some research on Holocaust, Third Rail, or Donner and Blitzen, and put a little more social awareness into your spandex punchfests than you normally would.  And, if you're so inclined, play along at home.