Rudolph the Red Lantern - R.A. Wonsowski

Splash page -

Foreground, RUDOLPH, surrounded by a red aura, spewing blood from his mouth and suited in black, a red domino mask about his eyes, and his glowing nose bearing the sigil of the Red Lanterns:
 
He is flying toward us, screaming his own version of the Red Lantern oath (below)

Background: On a snowy, starry night, high above the world, Green Lantern GUY GARDNER has used his ring to rescue SANTA CLAUS, and another energy beam has caught his sleigh and its giant, overflowing bag of toys sticking out the back.  SANTA is relieved, but worried, as his other reindeer are nowhere in sight.  GUY with a fiercely determined look on his face, has also manifested an emerald-energy cookbook titled "101 Holiday Recipes for Venison" and barbecue tools.

SANTA:  No, Guy!  Don't!  You just made the NICE list this year!

GUY:  Sorry, Mr. Claus, but there's no other way!

RUDOLPH:  Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen!
                      Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen!

            Together by my hellish hate,

            I'll burn you all--That is your fate!

CAPTION:  They laughed at him.  They called him names.  They wouldn't let him play any reindeer games...

CAPTION:  Now, they're going to pay...

TITLE:  Green Lantern in:  Rudolph's ChristMASSACRE!!!
SUBTITLE:  (or, Won't You Guide My SLAY Tonight?)

Santa Claus - Dressed For The Occasion - Danial Carroll

PAGE ONE (seven panels)

PANEL 1. Marc Spector and his close friends are sitting in the living room of his expensive penthouse apartment, all in high spirits. Jean-Paul and Rob are snuggling up on one sofa, Crawley is laying back on a recliner, and Marlene is on the adjacent sofa from which Marc has just risen. In the background is a large Christmas tree.

MARC:

I'll be right back. This egg nog is going right through me.

PANEL 2. Side view of Marc washing his hands in the bathroom sink.

KHONSHU (OP):

It's a nice setup you've got out there, Killer.

MARC:

I'm pretty sure you weren't invited.

KHONSHU (OP):

Don't be like that...

PANEL 3. Marc is looking in the mirror at Khonshu standing behind him, looking like Santa.

KHONSHU:

... I even dressed for the occasion.

MARC:

Can't you just leave me alone for this one day?

PANEL 4. Marc has turned around and is facing Santa-Khonshu.

KHONSHU:

Why do you even care? You don't believe in that stuff.

MARC:

But they do.

MARC:

Have you seen how happy they all are out there?

MARC:

I do it for them.

PANEL 5. Marc is walking past Santa-Khonshu towards the door.

MARC:

Now if you don't mind, I'd like to get back to them.

KHONSHU:

But I haven't given you your present yet.

PANEL 6. Close up of Marc's hand, reaching for the door-knob.

MARC (OP):

Whatever it is, I doubt I'd want it.

PANEL 7. Marc is standing alone in the bathroom. He is in shock, having just pulled the door off its hinges.

SFX:

KRAK

KHONSHU (OP):

Oh, I think you will.

[NOTE: For those who don't know, Marc Spector (aka Moon Knight) once had powers, but they were taken from him for not doing Khonshu's bidding... so I thought I'd give them back! :P]

Santa Claus - Frank Miller's Santa - Matt Duarte

Santa Claus in “Frank Miller’s Santa” by Matt Duarte

Six panels, all in black and white, with one exception at the end. The first three on the same row, followed by the next two, and the final one being the largest panel of the whole page. This works better if you imagine it being drawn by Frank Miller in his Sin City style (as if the title wasn't enough of a hint).

Panel 1

Description: Detective Grynch (new character) is looking at the readers, holding a gun with both hands near his head. His face is grizzled and weary, a cop that is on his twilight years in the force. He has bushy eyebrows and a wide mouth. His hairlines is receding, though a peak of wet hair falls on his forehead. Heavy snow is falling all around him.

GRYNCH: I thought I’d seen everything working all these years in the Sin City police force. I’ve seen my share of crazy murdering perverted bastards, but this...

Panel 2

Description: Grynch is walking along a snowed field, with trees around him. He is following two sets of steps in the snowy path before him.

GRYNCH: I’ve never seen such determination and bat-sh*t insanity. Not a good mix. All these years, none of us though someone would be capable of this...

Panel 3

Description: Grynch is looking closer at the set of steps, one of them which is wide and deep and the other is small, like that of a kid. Fresh snowflakes fall on top of it, threatening to erase the path.

GRYNCH: Every year, on Christmas Eve, he lures a small child away from his family. On a normal city, someone might have noticed the trend. But a lost kid in Basin City? Just one small drop in an ocean...

Panel 4

Description: Grynch has now come up to a house in the middle of nowhere, only surrounded by trees. He stands some distance away, defiant and determined. The snow storm blows as hard as ever.

GRYNCH: Until I made it my business. Even if have to work an extra shift on Christmas Eve while my family carves the turkey back home. Even if I have to hunt this crazy psycho myself...

Panel 5

Description: Seeing it from the outside, Grynch is moving closer to the house, sneaking and half crouching, gun in his hand as he makes it closer to a window.

GRYNCH: He lured little Kevin Geisel with promises of gingerbread cookies and lots of presents. But he’s getting sloppy. Or overconfident. I found the trail and followed him here...

Panel 6

Description: Grynch is looking through the window. Inside, a little kid (probably around seven or eight years old at most) is laying down on his stomach playing with a set of toy soldiers. In the room, there’s also many other gift wrapped boxes and a rather big Christmas tree. More importantly, there’s a big fat man with a big white beard. He is dressed in striking red bath robes with a white fur outline, with his hands in his pockets. He is grinning ominously as he watches the boy Kevin on the floor.

GRYNCH: And now...

GRYNCH: Now I’m going to kill that red fat bastard.

Next: A Holiday to Kill For.

Santa Claus - The Christmas Joke - Sime McDonald

Written by James (aged 7)

[without whom there would be no script]

with a tip 'o the hat to Sime McDonald (aged 23)

[any mistakes are his, and his alone]

1. Inside the Justice League Watchtower. Inside the ‘boardroom.’ You know; the one with the circular table with ‘JLA’ inscribed atop it, with the insignia’s of each member inscribed on the seats. Batman is speaking in front of the JLAers on Christmas Day duty; Plastic Man, Booster Gold, STEEL ... and we’ll throw Matter Eater Lad in there too, because we can, because this is out of continuity, and that guy could use some spotlight, y’know? These are ‘reserve’ Leaguers; called in because it’s the holiday season and everyone else is taking time off. Booster Gold is admiring his reflection, STEEL is polishing his helmet, and Plastic Man has twisted his body into the shape of a chair; Man Eater Lad is sitting on him, seemingly oblivious.

CAPTION

Christmas Day.

BATMAN

- - need to find these explosive toys before they detonate.

Thankfully I ... persuaded ... the Joker to talk and he produced a map of their locations.

2. A map of Metropolis lights a screen, dots placed in sporadic locations. The JLAers stare at it wide-eyed. Matter Eater Lad appears particularly distressed.

BATMAN

The toys are disguised as Christmas presents.

We're got three hours to search these homes and deactivate the devices.

MATTER EATER LAD

We can't just storm into these people's homes and ruin their Christmases!

3. Tight on Batman. Smiling.

BATMAN

Matter Eater Lad.

C'mon.

I'm the Goddamn Batman.

I plan for all contingencies.

We'll blend right into Christmas.

4. Cut to a shot of the JLAers walking purposefully towards us. Their outfits have been amended - - to mimic Santa's outfit. They look quite ridiculous - fake beards, red and white suits, etc - but their expressions are deadpan, serious, focused on the job at hand... apart from Plastic Man, who is beaming.

PLASTIC MAN

Why are these not standard Justice League attire?

I love the colours!

Let's take a vote!

5. Cut to a prison cell, where the Joker is bunking with Two-Face. They're watching television, although the panel is angled so that we can't see the screen.

TWO-FACE (1)

So there were no bombs?

JOKER

Nope.

TWO-FACE

Then why - - ?!

6. And now we see the screen; the JLAers, still dressed in their Santa Suits, walking away dedjectly as people point and laugh.

JOKER

There's never anything good on television at Christmas!

Ahahahahahaha-!

Santa Claus - The Terrible Truth About Father Christmas - Rol Hirst

Panel One.

The Punisher stands at the edge of a building, taking aim with a high powered rifle at some unseen victim round the corner, down a snow-covered, Christmas light bedecked city street.

CAP: Punisher War Journal 12/24/10…

CAP: It was inevitable this would happen one day.

CAP: After all those years delivering presents to ungrateful brats the world over, most of whom don’t have the decency to even believe in him anymore…

Panel Two.

Through the viewfinder of Punisher’s rifle we see his intended victim. Father Christmas. He stands in the middle of the street, holding a screaming child high above his head and laughing while demonic, red-eyed reindeer look on and grin fiendishly. Shocked, frightened and horrified members of the public watch helplessly. Other bodies (children and parents) lie scattered across the street. The snow is turning red.

CAP: …Santa Claus has snapped.

Panel Three.

The Punisher fires at his target, but the bullets just bounce off Santa.

CAP: I’d give anything not to have to take this guy down…

CAP: But what choice do I have?

SFX: Putt! Putt! Putt!

Panel Four.

Close on Santa, holding one of the squashed bullets the Punisher just fired at him in his big red mitten. He laughs as he drops the screaming child.

SANTA: Ho ho ho!

Panel Five.

Suddenly, Santa is standing in front of the Punisher, crushing Frank’s weapon like it’s a cheap Christmas cracker. The Punisher looks scared.

SANTA: Who do we have here? Frank Castle? You’ve been a naughty boy again, haven’t you, Frank?

Panel Six.

The Punisher gasps as a sharp object thrusts out through his chest, blood everywhere. He’s been stabbed from behind. Santa shakes his head, mock disappointed.

SANTA: And really, Frank, do you honestly expect to stop me with bullets? Haven't you heard...

PUNISHER: Errrrk!

Panel Seven.

Frank’s body is impaled on reindeer antlers. Santa looks on, chortling again now.

SANTA: …I don't actually exist! Ho ho ho!

Panel Eight.

Close on the Punisher's face: a single tear creeps from the corner of his eye as an awful truth is revealed to him.

CAP: Punisher War Journal 12/24/10…

CAP: The night I learned the terrible truth about Father Christmas.

Santa Claus - A True Tale of Christmas - Max Barnard

A Pre-amble: Um... Merry Christmas? This is a tale that TOTALLY happened and if you tell me I'm wrong I'll totally... Do... Nothing about it.

(Oh and this is the first time I've specifically changed the model of my scripts, using a bastardised version of Kieron Gillen's scripting style shown HERE. Let me know whether this is better or worse (or even close to the model followed!) in the comments!)

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

Page 1 - X Panels

1.1
We open in a dimly lit bedroom, containing a king-sized mattress in a corner (with a television propped at the end of it), a sound system in another and a bedside table with a laptop atop it against one of the walls. Seated in front of it is Max Barnard, our portly protagonist, with his glasses crooked and his hands tugging at his hair in frustration as he fails to type anything on his computer. I'll leave angle and shot placement to your discretion, and will happily provide photo-reference for the elements in the room if needed. Oh and photo-reference of myself, because EVERYONE needs a bit of my face in their lives. ;)

CAPTION: It was the night before Max's script and all through his room

CAPTION: There was nothing of interest but a feeling of DOOM

MAX: OH MY, whatever am I to do?


1.2
Perhaps a two-shot for this panel would be best. Next to Max, to his surprise, pops up Santa Claus, clad in his iconic costume, save for one important difference. Instead of the standard BIG BUSHY BEARD normally associated with the man, Santa has the memorable facial hair of Ambrose Burnside.

CAPTION: With a veritable silence, a man had appeared!

SANTA: HO HO HO, LAD!

CAPTION: Why, it was Santa Claus, with a wholly different beard!

MAX: S-S-SANTA?!


1.3
Santa Claus is pointing at Max, smiling widely as Max leans away from him, slightly perturbed.

CAPTION: In a booming voice, Santa did say:

SANTA: I hear you're struggling with your Thought Balloons day!


1.4
Max is pleading, tears in his eyes and pulling at Santa's jacket.

MAX: Why, Santa, of course, I am but a hack!
Can you help me before I have a panic attack?


1.5
Santa punches me in the face, whilst he still smiles madly.

CAPTION: With a swing of his fist, Santa did strike!

SANTA: NO! Frankly your style's a pile of old SH**E!


1.6
Santa has disappeared as mysteriously as he appeared, as Max rubs the huge bruise on his face.

CAPTION: So Santa was gone and Max was out of time...

MAX: What the bloody F**K?! That didn't even rhyme!

CAPTION: Merry Christmas, one and all. The end.

Santa Claus - Twas the Night Before X-Mas - Ben Rosenthal

I have changed the format of this week's script purely for you, the reader. Here's hoping it doesn't make your brain melt. Much.

1.

CAPTION

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

A non-descript man sits in bed reading by the light of his bedside lamp.


2.

CAPTION

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

I ran down the stairs, to see the cause of the sound;

As down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

To the right of panel we see the back of the man, stopped just before the staircase ends. He is looking into his lounge room, where a large Christmas Tree is set up. Underneath are many wrapped presents. In front of an old style chimney is the recognisable fat bearded man known as Santa Claus.

3.

CAPTION

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;


CAPTION

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

He looked like a junkie, addicted to crack.

His eyes – they were small! His mask how merry!

Twas Deadpool Santa, drunk on sherry!

A close up of Santa. He is actually Deadpool dressed as Santa. And he’s drunk.



4.

CAPTION

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, he’d let himself go,

And I laughed when I saw him, he called me a ‘Mo’;

A full shot of Santa-Pool standing in the lounge room. He is giving our narrator the thumbs up.


5.

CAPTION

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had something to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

But tripped over the tree, like some jerk.

Santa-Pool tripping over some electrical cords, which we can see will result in him falling into the brightly lit Christmas tree.

6.

CAPTION

The cords that were laid, to power the lights,

All of the sudden they caught alight.

The fire did spread, to the curtains and floor,

So jolly St Deadpool, ran out of the door.

The entire lounge room is on fire, with Santa-Pool running through the open door to outside.


7. Santa-Pool’s sleigh is in the air, getting smaller in the distance.

CAPTION

He slumped to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good OH CRAP MY PANTS ARE ON FIRE!”

Santa Claus – Be Vigilant – Ryan K Lindsay

1. Thomas Halloway, The Angel, stands at his bar inside his mansion in the den; he is pouring two short scotches. A fire is crackling softly in the background.

Halloway: You cannot be serious. I’m sure you are aware how preposterous this all sounds.

2. Halloway is turning with his two drinks. We can see part of a figure in a chair but we only see their arm. The arm is in a nice suit sleeve, the hand dangles over the arm rest. This is Jólnir.

Jólnir: It might seem strange to you, but as someone who has lived for eons I can assure you much stranger has taken place over time.
Jólnir: My tale is peculiar but not unusual.

3. Halloway is handing his drink across, Jólnir is still obscured.

Halloway: Peculiar or unusual, I still doubt it is true.
Jólnir: You will see soon enough, just remember...

4. We finally see Jólnir in the seat. He looks rather refined, his beard is large but neat, his eyes wise. His suit is respectable.

Jólnir: I have been many names in my existence, Síðgrani, Síðskeggr, Langbarðr, but the one you need know for now is Jólnir.
Jólnir: My power is split and someone else is using it.
Jólnir: There are safeguards to such abuse but they have not been placed into effect yet.

5. Closer up on Halloway’s face.

Halloway: What would you have me do?

6. Namor comes crashing through the window, snow drifting down behind him. This is an iconic villain Namor moment, he looks ripped, angry, powerful. We can see in his hand a very familiar hammer, but with no inscription on the side. Jólnir is in panel as well.

Jólnir: Be vigilant.
Namor: Old friend, I would have words with thee.

Why Santa Claus?

Because it is Christmas time.

As a kid, I always loved when Santa was included in a comic or TV show. It’s goofy and dumb but nearly always enjoyable. I thought in this week-long build up to Xmas it wouldn’t hurt to have a bit of goofy, dumb fun around here.

I think you can just about do anything with Santa because he’s not an entity so clearly defined. He’s different from country to country, and can be from household to household within the one neighbourhood. You make of Santa what you will, so long as you believe. He can be powerful, sweet, misguided, terrible, whatever you like can be projected onto the jolly red fat man.

Hell, if you want to put someone else in the suit that’s just as cool. A Venom Santa, or Wilson Fisk in the suit, the possibilities are truly endless. But hopefully, they’re all fun.

I am extremely excited to see how my fellow tenures handle this character and ring in the new year. A Santa for every genre.

So, Merry Xmas to all, and to all a good script.