Molecule Man - Head Games - James McNeill

This is the end of an issue that takes place in the nebulous near future. Earlier in, vehicles have been disappearing off of roads somewhere in rural middle America, and someone (Avengers-associated, probably, though possibly also X-Factor) has gone looking into it. In the end they found a few survivors who described their vehicles simply disintegrating around them. Back at SHIELD, Steve Rogers had his people look into what known beings possessed that power, and Owen Reese the Molecule Man was first on that list.

Victoria Hand, on the page previous, said "But with powers like his..."


MOLECULE MAN in "HEAD GAMES"
James McNeill

1. A residential road, lined with trees, in autumn. Red and yellow leaves line the pavement, and the trees are looking pretty bar. A man walks down the sidewalk, in a brown coat and purple scarf, looking subdued. His back is to us.

Victoria Hand (O.S.)
...I'd be halfway across the galaxy by now.

2. The man waves as two women walking their dogs pass him, they wave back, still deep in conversation.

3. Back in the SHIELD conference room. MARIA HILL, STEVE ROGERS, and CAROL DANVERS sit around the table; Victoria Hand faces them, silhouetted.

MARIA HILL
He's still a threat.

CAROL DANVERS
A threat that might not even exist.

4. They all stand up, gathering papers, other effects.

STEVE ROGERS
If he shows up, we'll take him down.

5. The man turns around and smiles, showing lightning markings on his face that reveal him to be OWEN REESE.

CAPTION: (Steve continuing speaking) "But for now there's no sign of him."

6. Owen waves a hand, and the two women walking their dogs begin to disintegrate -- still smiling and talking, not even noticing.

7. The road is mostly gone now, leaving only the trees behind, and there are almost no leaves at all. Owen walks through the empty land, the remains of the town fading away around him. He's still smiling.

OWEN REESE
Welcome home.

Molecule Man - Molecule Fan - Max Barnard

Molecule Man - Molecule Fan - Max Barnard

The Premise: This comic doesn't star Molecule Man. It isn't set in the 616 universe. It's set on Earth 1218. Our Earth. It does however star a comic fan, his wife, and Brian Michael Bendis.

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Page One - 12 Panels

1-- A black bolt on a flesh background, á la one of the Molecule Man's face bolts.

TEXT BOX - I am matter, therefore I MATTER.

2-- We've pulled back to reveal an ordinary man in a Molecule Man costume, drawing the trademark bolts on his face in the mirror. In the reflection we can see his Volcana-looking wife (in that she's tall with black hair, not that she's also in cosplay) somewhere behind him, looking entirely fed up with her husband's stupidity.

TEXT BOX - I may only be Owen Teanett, on the paltry Earth 1218*, but I WILL be heard!

EDITOR'S NOTE - That's OUR Earth, true believers! - Multiverse-Muddling Max

3-- Owen raising his crappy wand (it's a twig!) in a dramatic pose, with a dramatic effect around him.

TEXT BOX - And I know just what to do.

4-- Owen and his wife are now in a car, driving towards the reader. The wife is the one driving, and is clearly incredibly annoyed to have to be lugging this ridiculous looking fool to whatever their location may be. A speech bubble with scribbles in it (as is typical of annoyed characters) may be a good idea to wedge into this panel.

TEXT BOX - More importantly, I know just where to go, and who to see when I get there.

5-- We see a comics convention from the outside, a dolled-up convention hall with CONVENTION in big letters on the front of it. There's a car park in front of it, where you can just about see Owen and his wife's car pulling up into a parking space.

TEXT BOX - I'm going to see the man who has corrupted what matters to me, and I will make him see what he has wrought.

6 & 7-- Both are seperate panels, but interconnect. the first is Owen yelling, pointing his twig directly out of the panel and into panel 7, where it is connecting quite painfully with Brian Michael Bendis' eye.

TEXT BOX/PANEL 6 - YOUUUUUUUUUUUUU

TEXT BOX/PANEL 7 - (cont.) UUUUUUUUUUUUUU

SFX/BENDIS' EYE - SQUIRLCH

8-- Owen is being dragged away from Bendis by security, continuing to struggle and yell. If it can fit perhaps show the horror and embarrassment on Owen's Wife's face.

TEXT BOX - HOW COULD YOU RUIN MOLECULE MAN?! HIS LIFE WAS SO GOOD! HE HAD A WIFE AND HAPPINESS! YOU KILLED IT ALL!

9-- Bendis, cradling his eye.

TEXT BOX - What are you talking about? Molecule Man's life and marriage fell apart years ago! Have you even READ anything with him in other than the Secret Wars books, you !#£%ing PSYCHO?!

10-- Owen looks shocked, and has stopped struggling against security.

TEXT BOX - N-N-No, I haven't... A... Are you serious?

11-- Bendis again, bandaging his eye now.

TEXT BOX - YES! !#£% off and do research! !#£%ing fanboys!

12-- Owen, alone now, in a dramatic spotlight, arms raised in that cliché NOOOOOOO pose thing. You know the one, where people die in films and the protagonist screams at the sky.

TEXT BOX - NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

TEXT - fin

Molecule Man - Limitless - Rol Hirst

Panel One.

A bowl of fruit. But not just any fruit... these are the Uncanny X-Fruit! A banana in a Wolverine costume (yellow and black version, obviously), a metal-ribbed pineapple (Colossus), a pair of cherries in scanty Emma Frost underwear, a ruby grapefruit with Cyclops lenses, a furry Beast of a peach... etc.

CAP (MM): I can turn the X-Men into a bowl of fruit...

Panel Two.

A bright green cushioned footstool, with raggedy purple trimming around the lower half and a shaggy, darker green cushion on top.

CAP (MM): The Hulk into an ottoman...

Panel Three.

A table lamp with a burning skull face. A switch cord hangs down to one side. A small human hand reaches for the cord.

CAP (MM): Ghost Rider into a lampshade...

Panel Four.

Main panel. Pull out to show the wider scene. We are in an average suburban living room... with some less average, superhumanly-themed decorations. All the items described so far are present, along with a fireplace made from orange rocks (The Thing) with a Human Torch-striped fire burning in the hearth and a blue rubber Mr. Fantastic poker set. There are blue and red webbed curtains hanging at the windows (Spidey), an Iron Man-style TV set, a ship-in-a-bottle Silver Surfer ornament, an Edvard Munch 'Scream' painting on the wall, with Thor in the place of the screamer. Etc, etc.

There are two people in the room. One is Owen Reece, the Molecule Man. He's switching off the Ghost Rider lampshade as he speaks. Very matter of fact. Not at all menacing, boastful or superior. He's just stating the obvious. If anything, he's a little bit sad.

The other person is Captain America (Steve Rogers). Or what's left of him. His costume is in tatters and his shield flops over his arm like it's made of blancmange. As always, he's the last to concede defeat, but even he realises this battle is unwinnable. Unless... unless he can appeal to Owen Reece's decent, human side.

MM: I don't understand how any of you think you can stop me.

CAP A: Owen... please... you're better than this. I know you are.

MM: And that's the worst thing of all, isn't it?

MM: I want to be. I really do...

Panel Five.

Close on Molecule Man. Now we see his sadness. He can do anything he wants, recreate the world in his own image if he so wishes... but what's the point?

MM: Which is why I'll put everything back the way you want. I'll even rearrange the molecules in your brains and wipe the trauma from your memory. Just like I always do.

MM: And even though you won't remember this, I'll have made my point. Every now and then, Captain, we all just need to be shown...

Panel Six.

Molecule Man is sitting now, on his Galactus-coloured sofa, head in his hands, full of remorse... and self-pity.

MM: Exactly what I'm capable of.

Why Molecule Man?

Who the hell is The Molecule Man? A question I asked myself when I first read the character in the pages of Dark Avengers. Once a villain, then a saviour, and now a mass of particles, Owen Reece appealed to me purely by his confused state of mind. He has limitless power, second only to the Celestials, but has no idea what to do with it. He has battled the Beyonder, fought the Fantastic Four, saved Earth from a giant earthquake, and stripped down Victoria Hand with but a thought.

Owen Reece was your typical "Mummy's Boy" who, like a majority of comic characters, gained the ability to control molecules in an experiment gone wrong. His backstory includes stints as a villian, a saviour, a partner and his own son. No wonder he looks so confused.

One of the things that appealed to me when I was first asked to join this writing venture was the opportunity to write characters I would not normally consider. The Molecule Man, I feel, is one of those C-Grade characters who could really be bought to prominence - which is what I am hoping for with this week's posts.

So what will our team of writers come up with for Owen Reece? Will they focus on his confused state on mind? Will they delve into his relationship with the villainess Volcana? Could they explore his 'son' and rebirth, or his need for a wand?


There are only two ways to find out, and one of those ways requires a DeLorean. The other? Visit back this week as we tackle Owen Reece, The Molecule Man.

We hope you enjoy Molecule Man and we wish to thank Stan Lee and Jack Kirby because without them Molecule Man would not be around.
Molecule Man is a character owned by Marvel Entertainment.

Molecule Man - House of Molecule - Matt Duarte

Molecule Man in "House of Molecule" by Matt Duarte

This page is to be laid out in seven panels, divided in three sections. The top part of the page has two panels, the middle has one very large panel with an inset panel in it, and the bottom has three panels. This story is not set in any particular time frame, and works better if you imagine someone like Sergio Aragones or Colleen Coover is providing the art. The tone is light hearted, as the script should make clear.

Panel 1

Description: Molecule Man is wearing his standard purple and green outfit, although with no helmet. He's walking on a green hill, the sun is out and there is not a single cloud in the blue sky. He's walking happily, having a good time, and singing as he enjoys his day.

MOLECULE MAN (singing, with music symbols): Molecule Man, Molecule Man, does whatever a molecule can! Bonds atoms, any size, catches electrons just like flies! Look out, here comes the...

(interrupting) OFF-PANEL CHARACTER: Particle Man!

MOLECULE MAN (speaking): ...what the?

Panel 2

Description: Still in the same hill, with Molecule Man in the background, angry at the interruption. In the foreground, there's two characters wearing brightly colored jumpsuits, fighting as they stumble across the hill. One of them is wearing a yellow jump suit, with a big atom logo in it's chest, and the other one is wearing a red jumpsuit, with a big triangle in his chest.

CAPTION (on the first stranger): Particle Man. Does whatever a Particle can.

CAPTION (on the second stranger): Triangle Man. Does whatever a Triangle can.

MOLECULE MAN (shouting): What are you doing?! Get out! This is my story! You shouldn't be here!

Panel 3

Description: Big wide screen panel as Molecule Man turns around, standing in the hill, only to see a huge group of costumed characters, all battling across the blue sky. From left to right, Spider-Man swinging battling Sandman, Iron Man flying battling Titanium Man, a man in a blue jumpsuit with two M's in his chest battling a younger man in a black jumpsuit with the initials KM, and a man in a black bat jumpsuit battling a man in a blue jumpsuit that has a big red and yellow S logo in his chest.

CAPTION (first couple of characters): Spider-Man & Sandman. Does whatever a spider/sand can.

CAPTION (second couple of characters): Iron Man & Titanium Man. Does more than whatever iron/titanium can.

CAPTION (third couple of characters): M(CENSORED) Man & Kid M(CENSORED) Man. Does whatever miracles can.

CAPTION (fourth couple of characters): (CENSORED)man & (CENSORED)man. Does whatever the lawyers let us.

MOLECULE MAN (shouting): Oh no... no, no no! Go away all of you!

Panel 4

Description: This is a smaller inset on the previous panel, vertical across the bottom, underneath the Molecule Man from the previous panel. In it, we can only see Molecule Man's lips and the area around them.

MOLECULE MAN (whispering): No more (NOUN) Men.

Panel 5

Description: Molecule Man is at the center of the hill, and a big white explosion is forming and washing over the rest of the participants. We can't see any of the other characters any more, just black silhouettes, as they are being dematerialized by the explosion.

Panel 6

Description: Molecule Man is now standing at the center of the hill, completely by himself. He is looking around, relieved.

Panel 7

Description: Molecule Man is walking away from the reader, and much like in the first panel, he is once again happy. He is going down the hill, and singing again.

MOLECULE MAN (singing, with music symbols): Molecule Man, Molecule Man, does whatever a molecule can...

The End

Molecule Man - Potentiality - Simon McDonald

1. We're looking at LUKE CAGE, his index finger extended, pointing at us, the reader. His expression his intense.

LUKE CAGE

It's a cycle.

You escape. You rampage. We find you. We defeat you.

2. Cage is pointing at OWEN REECE - THE MOLECULE MAN - locked behind the transparent, specially designed walls of his cell. This is THE RAFT - the prison for super-powered criminals - and Reece is secured in a straightjacket; he looks jaded, hair unkempt, but he's sitting calmly, propped up against the far wall, no obvious sign of hostility, seemingly content to hear Cage's spiel.

LUKE CAGE

Here we are again. You, behind bars. Powerless. Helpless.

All that power. All that potential.

Wasted.

But you can change that.

With my help, you can be somebody.

3. On Cage, arms folded.

LUKE CAGE

You've been assigned to the Thunderbolts. 

Help me help you help others.

4. On Reece, no reaction. Absorbing Cage's words.

5. On Reece; a hint of a smile.

OWEN REECE

An intriguing offer, Mr. Cage.

There is, however, one faulty element to your proposal.

6. On Cage, eyebrows raised, incredulous.

LUKE CAGE

Oh yeah?

What's that?

And then you'd turn the page...

... to reveal a double-page spread of The Raft in a state of decay - literally melting - with guards fleeing, in a state of panic as the world around them morphs...

... and the Narration Caption: "I'm not as helpless as you might think."

Molecule Man – Trial and Errors – Ryan K Lindsay

1. We see a house, not unlike any other house, it’s just one in a suburb. The suburb looks neat, but empty.  The houses are shells, there’s no life here. Clean, crisp, cookie cutter. This is a tall, rectangle establishing panel on the left with two thin panels sitting on the right of it, should take up half a page. We should be able to see a woman standing in the window in silhouette.

Owen Reece: You wouldn’t think it would be so hard. An infinite power should present infinite possibilities.

2. Reece is sitting in a lounge chair, he looks pretty relaxed, he’s slightly younger, this is taking place in his time in exile.

Reece: But that also means an infinite amount of possible errors.

3. Reece is talking and pointing all around him at items in the room. Fill the room with whatever you like.

Reece: Can you imagine what it takes to make absolutely everything around you? It takes the powers of a god but the patience of something much stronger.

4. A wide panel of Reece walking to a table. There is a hat on it.

Reece: Everything, everything, is constructed by me. Maybe even from me.
Reece: I can’t guarantee exactly where those before you came from, but as you look around you can see where they are now.

5. We see the female in the room with Reece. We don’t see all of her, but she seems nice enough. She’s wearing a deep blue sweater and has a nice swirly orange scarf on. If orange doesn’t match with blue then take it up with Reece, he’s the idiot who created all this. The chair he was sitting on before is in the background.

Reece: The very first man I made became that chair I love so much.
Reece: The last girl I tried is now in the kitchen, pretty funny when you think about it.

6. Reece is walking towards the girl with the hat in his hand, he’s sort of reaching it out towards her.

Reece: All I want is a perfect creation to hang my hat on, metaphorically.
Reece: So, until then, I’ll hang my hat on you.

7. Reece is walking away and his hat now sits on a coat rack that stands where the woman had been. The coat rack is a deep blue and there is an orange sweater on one of the hooks.

Reece: Literally.
Reece: …
Reece: Que sera.

This scene takes place in the other-dimensional world that Uatu, the Watcher, confines the Molecule Man to after his defeat at the hands of the Fantastic Four.

We know that while there he created a person who he somehow imbued with consciousness, and that this person eventually went on to believe he was the son of the Molecule Man. I figure he probably had a few cracks at making a person to live with before that one, and let’s be honest, why wouldn’t you make a few women to live with.

And if it doesn’t work out then just hat rack them.

I bet he probably made a dog too but eventually turned it into a tv or a beer fridge, man’s true best friends.

Molecule Man - The MoleCool Man - Ben Rosenthal

The following takes place after Dark Avengers 12. Owen Reece, aka The Molecule Man has been disintegrated by The Sentry in a small town in Colorado.

1. Inside your typical Texan diner. Two figures sit at a booth, the dry environment outside visible from a large window. We see Owen Reece, aka The Molecule Man in a booth. We are looking at Owen over the shoulder of a man’s silhouette. A mug holding some tea is placed just in front of the stranger on the table. Owen is clasping a mug of his own with two hands. He is staring at the table, but at the same time looking at nothing at all. A blank expression covers his face.

OWEN
How is your tea?

STRANGER
Nice. Gone a little cold though.

2. Owen’s gaze shifts from the table to the cup of tea in front of the stranger.

3. Steam begins to emit from the cup of tea, as it has been heated.

STRANGER
How did you do that?

OWEN
I shook the water molecules in the cup so they would heat.

STRANGER
You can shake molecules?

4. Owen returns his gaze to the same spot on the table.

OWEN
Shake, reform, manipulate. You may see a wooden table in front of us. I see millions of molecules, made up of six carbon, ten hydrogen and five oxygen atoms all held together with hydrogen bonds. Take away some atoms, and this table that you’re resting your tea on is water. Even looking at you, all I can see is a complex molecular structure.

5.Owen looks up at the stranger.

OWEN
Your thoughts and emotions are all controlled by the hormones coursing through your body. Hormones made up of molecules.

(a break in the speech bubbles here).

OWEN
I can do anything with them. People, cities, “super heroes” – they’re all just molecules. And I can control it all.

STRANGER
Awesome.

6. Owen returns to his thoughts, his gaze once again finding the spot of nothing on the table.

OWEN
God I’m bored.

STRANGER
So that’s why I found you naked in the desert?

OWEN
I’d just finished reforming myself at a sub-molecular level.

7. The panel now switches, so we are now looking over Owen’s shoulder, and can see the stranger with whom he has been talking. It is Deadpool.

DEADPOOL
Well, how about next time you reform yourself some pants?

8. We are back to looking over Deadpool’s shoulder, at Owen. He looks up at Deadpool, this time with a half smirk on his face.


The rest of the story is a “Buddy Road Trip” type of story, as the two travel through America. I just really like the idea of a person with God-like power being bored out of his brain because of them, and an invulnerable out of his mind assassin on a road trip.