Krampus - Sweet Christmas - R.A. Wonsowski

Splash Page - Setting: the cave lair of the KRAMPUS. Foreground, the KRAMPUS is locked in combat with a powered-up SANTA CLAUS, who is wreathed in Christmas light-like Kirby crackle. In the background, LUKE CAGE is leading the captive CHILDREN to the cave mouth exit as IRON FIST smashes open another prison pen, next to a gigantic Simonson-esque bone-pulverizing, bread-making machine. 

IRON FIST: Hurry, Luke! Get the kids to the sleigh!

CAPTION: It's a Cruel Yule in the Mighty Marvel Manner! The Heroes for Hire in an epic battle between Naughty and Nice, In a Xmas tale we hadta call...

TITLE: LUKE CAGE'S SSSSSSSWEET CHRISTMAS SONG!

CAPTION: a Wonsowski-Aja joint.

Power Man and Iron Fist - Planes, Trains, and Automobiles - Danial Carroll

PAGE ONE (four panels)

PANEL 1. Headshot of the current Power Man and Iron Fist in front of a graffitied wall. They are just talking to each other.

POWER MAN:

Flight?

IRON FIST:

Web-slinging?

PANEL 2. Mid shot of both. You can tell from their posture that they are seated.

POWER MAN:

Quinjet?

POWER MAN:

Blackbird?

IRON FIST:

Luke was telling me that the Thunderbolts use Man-Thing to teleport them around.

PANEL 3. Wider shot. We now see that they are sitting on a bench against a concrete wall.

POWER MAN:

Even that would do.

IRON FIST:

You're right, we need something...

PANEL 4. Very wide shot, revealing them to be sitting in a subway train station. A large sign above their heads reads, "Central Station". People nearby are staring at them, one young child even pointing.

IRON FIST:

This is just embarrassing.

Power Man & Iron Fist - First Impressions - Matt Duarte

Power Man & Iron Fist on "First Impressions" by Matt Duarte

Panels one through four are all the same size, on a 2x2 grid. The fifth panel is a big one, roughly one third of the page.

Panel 1

Description: Luke Cage, in his original Power Man costume (yellow shirt and tiara, yes) is walking down a New York street at night. He is doing so decisively, as if looking for someone. He is putting his hands to his mouth, shouting.

POWER MAN: Yo, IRON FIST (logo), where are you?!

POWER MAN: Time to come out and play! I w’s paid to bring you in, and Luke Cage always delivers.

Panel 2

Description: Seen from above a building, with Power Man standing in the middle of a street. We can see a leg in trademark yellow booties and green pants reaching all the way down to the ankle.

IRON FIST: So you are the famous POWER MAN (logo)? I was expecting someone taller.

POWER MAN: And *you* are Iron Fist? But you’re... No one told me...

Panel 3

Description: Power Man is walking away now, with his back to the reader. There is no one else around him anymore.

POWER MAN: Forget it, I’m not gonna fight you...

POWER MAN: My momma taught me not to hit girls.

Panel 4

Description: A completely red panel

SFX: KA-POOOW!

Panel 5

Description: Luke Cage is knocked on the ground, above him stands tall Misty Knight in an Iron Fist green and yellow costume. Her afro hairstyle is magnificently big, and there’s a huge snarky expression on her face. She is flexing her robotic arm which is glowing with yellow energy, the chi of Shou-Lao the Undying.

IRON FIST: And my sensei taught me not to hit fools.

IRON FIST: Guess we both gonna break some rules tonight, huh?

NEXT: It’s on, sucka!

Power Man & Iron Fist - Justice - Sime McDonald

PAGE TWENTY-ONE

PANEL ONE
Wide panel. Samantha Lehane (new character, no reference), a fifty-something, frail, gaunt woman is standing in front of Luke Cage and Iron Fist, the latter of which is clad in his costume, Luke dressed in his standard street attire. She is prodding a finger into Cage’s chest, her stance very much antagonistic. In the background, the Avengers are cleaning up after their battle with Mole Man and his Moloids, their unconscious bodies strewn about the street.

SAMANTHA LEHANE (1)

You owe me, Cage.

SAMANTHA LEHANE (2)

You both do.

PANEL TWO
Cage remains stoic, his emotions masked. Iron Fist isn’t able to match Cage’s blasé expression; he’s remembering.

LUKE CAGE

Lady, we don’t owe you nothing.

Me and him, we did nothing wrong by you.

We did everything by the book.

PANEL THREE
Samantha waves away his words, rage-filled eyes focused on Iron Fist. She knows he’s the weaker link in this pairing.

SAMANTHA LEHANE

Such bullshit.

You did everything wrong.

You know it.

I know it.

Only you won’t say it out loud.

You won’t admit it to my face.

PANEL FOUR
Iron Fist has his hand placed gently on her shoulder; giving it a reassuring squeeze. Cage’s arms are crossed.

IRON FIST (1)
Samantha, you kidnapped your daughter.

You ran away with her. We were hired to find her.

To return her to her legal guardian, her father.

LUKE CAGE

Which we did.

IRON FIST (2)

I’m sorry you’re still bitter after so long, but - - -

PANEL FIVE
Samantha swipes away his arm.

SAMANTHA LEHANE

Bitter?

You think this is about me being fucking bitter?

You think, ten years later, I'm comin' to you 'cause I'm bitter?!

You’ve been playing superheroes with your Avengers for too long, the both of you.

Forgotten what it’s like on the street.

Forgotten what justice is.

PANEL SIX
Now Cage is pissed. He’s had enough of this woman shouting at him. He looms over her. But she’s not frightened. She doesn’t cower. She stands tall, looking up at Cage.

LUKE CAGE

Lady, all we do, every day, is justice.

SAMANTHA LEHANE

Oh yeah?

Do you even remember who my girl’s father is?

Do you know the man you gave a four year old baby too?

Do you know what he's become?

Which leads to the final page splash of - - - 

Power Man & Iron Fist - Brothers - Rol Hirst

Panel One.

Luke Cage is being burnt alive by white hot flames. Even with his invulnerable steel skin, he’s in agony.

CAP (Luke): Me an’ Danny, we’re closer than brothers. Certainly closer than I ever was to my own loser brother, this piece of $#!@ putting the beating on me right now.

Panel Two.

Elsewhere. Danny Rand (in traditional green costume) is sent flying by a blow from a fiery red fist – like some demonic version of his own Iron Fist.

CAP (Danny): Luke and I, we’re pretty powerful apart. But together… some say together we’re unstoppable.

CAP (Danny): They had to know that. They had to know the only way to defeat us…

Panel Three.

Luke is down, unable to take the heat and ferocity of this attack any longer. We can see his attacker now as a figure made out of flames, not letting up the assault on our fallen hero. It’s Luke’s brother James, aka Coldfire, but more powerful than we’ve ever seen him before.

CAP (Luke): …wuz divide an’ conquer.

CAP (Luke): Thing is, I know exactly who’s conquering Mama Cage’s only good son… though I sure as $#!@ don’t know how he powered up like this…

Panel Four.

A series of three small panels follows, detailing the continued assault on Danny Rand. Fist takes one blow after another, close and intense, from his flaming red attacker.

CAP (Luke): I just wish I knew who they sent after Fist…

Voice (off-panel): Daniel, Daniel, Daniel…

Panel Five.

Another blow sends Danny smashing into a wall.

Voice (off-panel): Ten years before your father took you on your first fateful journey to K’un Lun…

Panel Six.

Danny slumps to the floor as a shadow falls across him.

Voice (off-panel): Daddy dearest tried once before to access the nexus that would return him to his native land…

Voice (off-panel): He failed. He ended up somewhere much, much worse.

Panel Seven.

Final panel, bigger than the previous three, reveals Danny’s attacker. He is ten years older than Danny and looks like some twisted, demonic counterpart to Iron Fist. As well as the flaming red fists, the top half of his face is seared away to the skull – like some hellish mockery of Danny’s own mask, with additional “devil horns” sprouting from his forehead. He is naked from the waist up and instead of the dragon scar on Danny’s chest, he boasts a flaming serpent. The sash that hangs from Danny’s belt and from the back of his mask is also replicated here with writhing, burning, angry snakes.

This is Devil Fist… standing over the battered and defeated body of his long lost brother, Daniel Rand.

Devil Fist: Wendell Rand-K’ai lost his firstborn son to that savage and brutal place.

Devil Fist: It took me almost forty years to find my way back…

Power Man & Iron Fist-With Michael Jai White As Luke Cage - Max Barnard

The Premise:

--------------------------------

1.1
Danny Rand, The Iron Fist, is standing awkwardly at a counter-top in a homebrew laboratory (picture reference can be provided as needed), looking REALLY embarrassed.

DANNY RAND: Luke, do I HAVE to do this? It seems... Awkward.

LUKE CAGE(O/P): Aw c'mon man, I been wanting to do this $#!& for ages.

DANNY RAND: ... Well... Okay.


1.2
We're looking over Danny's shoulder, with Luke Cage now in the room, wearing his classic costume (sans the tiara) and sporting a big moustache, throwing some eyeballs on the counter.

LUKE CAGE: You told him to keep an eye out for me.


1.3
Danny is looking down at the eyes, bemused.

DANNY RAND: Are those... candy?

LUKE CAGE(O/P): C'mon man, be cool.


1.4
A window smashes as Luke's tiara flies through it.

SFX: KRISH!


1.5
Danny is hit in the arm by the tiara, knocking him over.

SFX: TIARA!

DANNY RAND: Ow!


1.6 Luke has run over to Danny and is crouched over him, smiling maniacally.

LUKE CAGE: HAHA! I THREW THAT $#!& BEFORE I WALKED IN THE ROOM!

DANNY RAND: So... Lame...

Power Man and Iron Fist – What’s in a Name? - Ben Rosenthal

The following takes place in the year 2104 – 5 years after 2099 (obviously). Previously, Miguel O’Hara aka Spider-Man 2099 has discovered that all of the corporations that rule the 2099 world fall under the control of just one man - Mr. Hikaru, CEO of Stark-Fujikawa. As such, Mr. Hikaru rules all of North America. He is not a kind dictator. The following scene is the first time Miguel and Mr. Hikaru meet each other. Miguel has crashed into Mr. Hikaru’s office via a window.


1. Miguel O’Hara crouches in his Spider-Man suit. His mask is off.

MIGUEL
You’re through ‘Power Man’. Or ‘Iron Fist’, or whatever name you’re going by now.

2. An elderly Japanese man stands in an expensive office. He looks both feeble yet threatening at the same time, dressed in traditional Japanese wear. Both of his hands are behind his back, with splinters of glass from Miguel’s entrance littering the floor surrounding him. This man is Mr. Hikaru CEO of Stark-Fujikawa, and as Miguel has only recently found out, the man his late father reported to when he ‘owned’ Alchemax.
Behind Mr. Hikaru is a desk. A large window stands behind the desk. Out that window we can see the world of 2104 – cars flying past, large skyscrapers, etc. There is a large hole in the window where Miguel has broken through.

MR. HIKARU
I prefer Master, young O’Hara. Something your father learned to call me. As will you, in time.

3. Miguel is coiled into a classic Spidey pose. Close to the floor, ready to pounce. He is angry.

MIGUEL
I am not my father, and you are anything but my Master!

4. Miguel is in mid-air, talons outstretched, ready to strike.

5. A fist which appears to be made completely of metal has punched Miguel across the jaw.

SFX: CLONK!


6. Miguel is crumpled on the ground, holding his broken jaw. The fist of iron is visible in the right hand side of the panel.

MR. HIKARU
The names ‘Power Man’ and ‘Iron Fist’ do not only refer to the way I rule this company, and this country, young O’Hara.

7. Mr Hikaru is standing, smirking with his fists clenched. Both of his arms are coated in metal, with a yellow surge of power, almost looking like electricity, covering him. It appears to be emitting from his eyes. He looks powerful.

MR. HIKARU
No, unfortunately for you the meaning is quite literal.

Power Man & Iron Fist – Run Interference – Ryan K Lindsay

  

1. Danny Rand’s fist knocks on a door.

Caption (Misty): I need you to run distraction.
Caption (Cage): Oh, no, not like last time.
Caption: A Hallowe’en not long enough ago.

2. Some mob goon opens the door.

Goon: Who’re you s’posed to be? Ain’t no candy here.

3. A large splash in the middle of the page cut into two panels. This panel shows Danny Rand dressed in Luke Cage’s gear: silk shirt opened to the waist, chain belt, tiara on the head. The clothes even look just a little too big for Rand. He stands with a mighty chi fist held aloft proudly.

Rand: I am the mighty Power Fist!
Goon (op): What that make you, tough guy?

4. Luke Cage stands, not so proud, in Rand’s yellow mask and massive yellow-collared outfit.

Cage: Uh…Iron…Man.
Cage (wh): No, wait, that ain’t right.

5. Rand laughs heartily in his costume, hands on his hips, head thrown back.

Rand: Nevermind. Our friend round back has already liberated your sweat shop dogs as you stood here.
Cage: Oh, yeah!

6. Cage launches a kick up into the mob goon but he’s no martial artist so his leg only reaches the goon’s low chest for a crushing blow forcing him out of the panel. Oh, and the pants are so tight and short they look like bike shorts.

Cage: Sweet Christmas…

7. Cage is doubled over with discomfort. Rand is popping his collar.

Cage: …these pants aren’t built for fighting.
Cage: And you left me with Iron Man?
Rand: You’d rather be Fist Man?

Why Power Man & Iron Fist?

This is an intriguing question, for me, because I could have simply chosen Iron Fist on his own. And perhaps one day I will. But for now I have selected the duo because they work so well together. Two exploitation characters from the 70s (blaxploitation and the kung fu explosion) aren’t going to last long so in a last ditch effort to keep them afloat we get them paired together. And like salt and chocolate or beer and netball, they actually worked pretty damn well as a pairing. You needed a specific taste set to truly appreciate them but I feel overall this duo were a success.

I’ve read a lot of the old PM&IF issues, as I slowly track them down on eBay. They’re fun – that’s the biggest thing you get from them. There are other emotions and plot points on offer but mostly they are just fun. You can only get so serious with a big guy in a tiara and chain belt and his little buddy with the massive collar and yellow booties. You’ve got to have some levity in every issue and the series did it well.

Today, we have two status quo changes. Luke Cage now runs an Avengers team (who would have bet on that ten years ago?) and Danny Rand had one of the greatest runs of a superhero comic in a long time. Genius. The two remain staunch friends but they aren’t the dynamic duo any longer. They’re just two blokes with long history.

We also have Iron Fist now acting master to a young, and new, Power Man. A miniseries for these two just dropped, and it is damn fine fun. It channels the energy of the old series and that’s a very cool thing to find. Comics don’t have to be gritty and heart wrenching all the time, sometimes they can simply entertain.

When writing this week’s script you have plenty of choices to make. Will it be old school PM&IF or the new incarnation? Will it be a team up or just two ships passing in the night. Will Cage wear his old ‘costume’ or is being black enough of a new ‘costume’? You can tie in the Avengers or Heroes For Hire or the Thunderbolts because they’ve all got ties to these men.

But, ultimately, will you have fun writing it? I hope so.