Fabian Rangel, Jr

Last year I had an artist ask me to write him a Star Wars comic so he could show his sequentials to an editor at Dark Horse. Never heard from him after he did pencils for this script. Anyway, he told me to write a story set in the Clone Wars. I did, but I totally wanted to write Darth Vader, so I found a way to do both. Hope you like it!

“WOUNDS”

BY FABIAN RANGEL JR

COPYRIGHT 2011

PAGE ONE (SEVEN PANELS)

PANEL ONE:

Wide panel: Space. The DEATH STAR is in the center of the panel, looking as ominous as ever. A few TIE fighters are cruising towards it.

1 CAP: A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.

PANEL TWO:

Small panel: Inside now. We are behind DARTH VADER. This is his personal quarters. Think of the scene in EMPIRE when he’s in that bubble and they show his scarred head. He’s in the bubble, but his helmet is on. A member of the Imperial Navy (I think. You know, the guys in gray that Vader was always force choking?), is at the entrance.

2 EMPIRE GUY: Lord Vader?

3 DARTH VADER: What is it?

PANEL THREE:

Small panel: Now VADER is standing and is directly in front of the man. The Imperial employee looks nervous with Vader so close.

4 EMPIRE GUY: We have a prisoner in custody. According to our sources he is in league with the Rebel Alliance.

5 EMPIRE GUY (2): He may have information regarding the location of their secret—

6 VADER (INTERRUPTING): Enough. Take me to him.

PANEL FOUR:

Small panel: Now we are in front of a prison cell door. Identical to where they were keeping Leia in A New Hope. A STORMTROOPER is standing guard. EMPIRE GUY is pushing a button to open the door. VADER has his back to us.

7 EMPIRE GUY: His name—

PANEL FIVE:

Small panel: In this panel we see the prisoner. His name is KALAI VOS. He is an older man (or alien, up to you) in his late 60’s. He has long white hair.

8 EMPIRE GUY: —is KALAI VOS.

PANEL SIX:

Small panel: Shot of VADER from the torso up. VADER is staring at us/Kalai. EMPIRE GUY is looking at VADER, awaiting his next command.

NO DIALOGUE

PANEL SEVEN:

Small panel: Pull in closer on VADER. We should be so close at to see into his left eye. Inside that black empty circle we can see faint impressions of a CLONE WARS space battle. Vader is remembering. Whatever you draw in here will be the first panel of the next page.

9 EMPIRE GUY (OFF PANEL) (FLOATING): Lord Vader?

PAGE TWO (FIVE PANELS)

PANEL ONE:

Wide panel: This panel is what was inside Vader’s eye in the last panel of page one. There is a huge space battle going on. Very similar to the opening battle in Episode III. Laser fire is going every which way. Ships are exploding. In the middle we see Anakin Skywalker’s Jedi Starfighter dodging red laser blasts.

1 CAP: The Clone Wars

2 OBI-WAN KENOBI (ELECTRIC): Anakin, come in. Do you read me?

PANEL TWO:

Small panel: We are inside Anakin’s ship seeing his next target through his eyes.

3 ANAKIN: One moment, Master.

PANEL THREE:

Small panel: Close up of his hands gripping the firing trigger on the controls.

4 ANAKIN: I have you now.

PANEL FOUR:

Wide panel: Pull out as the ship Anakin was targeting explodes. Anakin’s ship is turned dramatically on its side. He’s showing off.

5 ANAKIN: You were saying?

6 OBI-WAN KENOBI (ELECTRIC): I was reminding you to be watchful of your surroundings and to use the for—-

PANEL FIVE:

Wide panel: Same angle as before but Anakin’s ship has been hit. A small fiery explosion is visible on the wing. You could probably pull in closer so that we are able to see ARTOO DETOO.

7 ARTOO: WHEEEEOOOO

8 ANAKIN: Hold that thought.

9 ANAKIN (2): Artoo—

PAGE THREE (FIVE PANELS)

PANEL ONE:

Wide panel: The Starfighter is making a “rough landing” ;) inside a docking station.

1 ANAKIN CAP: “–prepare for a rough landing.”

2 SFX: KKRRAASSHHHH

PANEL TWO:

Small panel: ANAKIN has opened the cockpit and is climbing out.

3 ANAKIN: Not the WORST landing…

PANEL THREE:

Small panel: We are slightly behind ANAKIN. In front of him are a few Seperatist Battle Droids. They are pointing their blasters getting ready to fire. Up to you how many you want to draw. I’d say only a few because he has to destroy them all in the next page. Feel free to add some pages of just straight up action. Totally up to you. For now I’ll just write what I storyboarded.

4 OBI-WAN (ELECTRIC): Anakin? Are you alright?

5 ANAKIN: Um, let me get back to you on that.

PANEL FOUR:

Wide panel: Close on the droids aiming their blasters.

6 DROID: Freeze, Jedi.

PANEL FIVE:

Wide panel: Close up of ANAKIN’S LIGHTSABER igniting.

7 SFX: KKSSHHVMMM

8 ANAKIN: I don’t think so.

PAGE FOUR (SIX PANELS)

PANEL ONE:

Small panel: In this panel ANAKIN is doing a front flip from the Starfighter, while blocking blaster fire with his lightsaber.

1 OBI-WAN (ELECTRIC): Anakin?

2 ANAKIN: Sorry, master.

3 SFX: PTEW PTEW PTEW

PANEL TWO:

Small panel: ANAKIN has landed and is slicing through one of the droids. Sparks are flying from the robot.

4 ANAKIN: I’m just—

PANEL THREE:

Small panel: Now ANAKIN is using The Force to lift one of the droids into the air. His arm is extended. His hand is fixed in a force using position haha

5 ANAKIN: —having—

PANEL FOUR:

Small panel: Now he has thrown his lightsaber through the droid he was levitating, destroying it.

6 ANAKIN: —a little fun.

PANEL FIVE:

Small panel: ANAKIN is hunched over the droid retrieving his weapon. Behind him, a shadowy figure is about to bring a battle ax down over his head. The shadowy figure is a bounty hunter named BRUUT VOS. Anakin looks as if he is sensing the coming attack.

7 ANAKIN: Wait—

PANEL SIX:

(PAGE FOUR CONTINUED)

Small panel: Pull back to show BRUUT’s arms being cut off by a sword belonging to KALAI. KALAI is younger than when we see him on Page 1. His hair is black. ANAKIN has whirled around and is in defense position.

8 BRUUT: AAuugghh!

PAGE FIVE (FIVE PANELS)

PANEL ONE:

Wide panel: BRUUT has passed out from the pain. KALAI is standing over him. He looks miserable. ANAKIN is looking at KALAI in disbelief.

1 KALAI: Forgive me, brother.

2 ANAKIN: He’s your BROTHER?

PANEL TWO:

Wide panel: Close on KALAI. He is on the verge of tears.

3 KALAI: Yes, and wounding a family member is something I do not wish on any being.

4 KALAI (2): But we must fight evil no matter the cost.

PANEL THREE:

Wide panel: Pull back to show ANAKIN and KALAI side by side. ANAKIN is still holding his lightsaber, almost pointing it at KALAI. KALAI is looking at it.

5 KALAI: You can lower your lightsaber.

6 KALAI (2): I DID just save your life.

7 ANAKIN: So it seems. What is your name?

PANEL FOUR:

Small panel: Pull in close to show their hands shaking.

8 KALAI: I am called Kalai Vos—

9 KALAI (2): —and you owe me one, young Jedi.

PANEL FIVE:

Small panel: Close up of ANAKIN. This should mirror the last panel of page 1.

10 ANAKIN: I’m Anakin Skywalker—

PAGE SIX (SIX PANELS)

PANEL ONE:

Small panel: Back on the Death Star. Close up of DARTH VADER. He’s still looking at off panel at Kalai.

1 ANAKIN CAP: “—and I’ll be sure to remember that.”

PANEL TWO:

Small panel: Pull back slightly to show VADER still looking straight ahead. EMPIRE GUY is looking at Vader and looks stunned.

2 DARTH VADER: Release him.

3 EMPIRE GUY: What?

4 EMPIRE GUY (2): But Lord Vader—

PANEL THREE:

Small panel: VADER has now turned and is right in front of EMPIRE GUY. He is towering over him, intimidating him with his silence. EMPIRE GUY is now keeping his mouth shut.

NO DIALOGUE

PANEL FOUR:

Small panel: Same exact panel as before but EMPIRE GUY is opening his mouth slightly.

5 EMPIRE GUY (SMALL): As you wish.

PANEL FIVE:

Wide panel: EMPIRE GUY is unlocking whatever restraints are on KALAI. KALAI is looking at Vader with a confused face. VADER’s back is to us.

NO DIALOGUE

PANEL SIX:

Wide panel: VADER is now storming off. In the background we can see KALAI and EMPIRE GUY in the cell, both with looks of confusion and disbelief.

6 VADER: We’re even.

7 CAP: END.

Check it out!

“BREAKFAST”

BY FABIAN RANGEL JR

COPYRIGHT 2011

PAGE ONE (FIVE PANELS)

PANEL ONE:

Wide panel: Exterior shot of a rundown building downtown. Abandoned. Boarded up windows.

1 CAP: Sunnydale

2 CAP (2): 1998

3 XANDER (OFF PANEL): Have I mentioned that I’m STARVING?

PANEL TWO:

Wide panel: Inside now. BUFFY, XANDER and WILLOW are sitting on a long table. This is a vacant office space. It’s dark, dirty; there are cobwebs on the wall. The kind of place some homeless people might squat in. They seem bored; they’ve been here for a few hours. Giles has sent them here thinking it might be a vampire nest. Our three characters should look young, Season 3 young. BUFFY is looking at her nails, XANDER is looking down at his stomach and WILLOW is using a flashlight to read a book.

4 BUFFY: Yes, Xander. Repeatedly.

5 WILLOW: This is interesting. It says that Mokol Demons will turn to stone if fed cat tongue.

6 WILLOW (2): How’d they even figure THAT out?

PANEL THREE:

Small panel: Close on BUFFY. She’s rolling her eyes.

7 BUFFY: Color me baffled.

8 BUFFY (2): I think we can motor soon, kids. I’m starting to think Giles was wrong about this place being a vamp nest.

PANEL FOUR:

Small panel: Close up of XANDER. He’s smiling at the thought of leaving. He’s looking to the left at Buffy who is off panel.

9 XANDER: GOOD.

10 XANDER (2): Because let me tell ya, ladies.  If I don’t get sustenance soon, things are gonna get UGLY.

(PAGE ONE CONTINUED)

PANEL FIVE:

Wide panel: In this panel we see four vampires approaching the gang. Their design is up to you, just as long as they are already vamped out in the face.

11 XANDER (OFF PANEL): Aaaand SPEAKING of ugly—

PAGE TWO (EIGHT PANELS)

PANEL ONE:

Small panel: Side profile shot of a VAMP lunging at BUFFY, his arms outstretched.  She looks angry.

1 VAMP: Rawr!

PANEL TWO:

Small panel: Same shot as before but now BUFFY is plunging a stake into his chest and the vamp is now transformed midway between skeleton and dust.

2 BUFFY: “Rawr” yourself.

PANEL THREE:

Small panel: BUFFY is doing a sweet ninja kick and hitting another one in the face. He’s falling back stunned.

3 BUFFY: Head’s up, Will!

PANEL FOUR:

Small panel: Shot of WILLOW holding a stake with both hands. Her arms are over her head and she’s making a determined face. The VAMP that Buffy kicked is falling towards her.

4 WILLOW: ICANDOTHISICANDOTHIS

PANEL FIVE:

Small panel: WILLOW is now killing the vampire. It’s toast.

5 SFX: FFWWSSHHH

PANEL SIX:

Small panel: Close up of WILLOW. She looks ecstatic.

6 WILLOW: I got one!

7 WILLOW (2): Yay, me!

PANEL SEVEN:

Small panel: Pull back to show BUFFY and WILLOW side by side, both smiling.

(PAGE TWO CONTINUED)

8 BUFFY: Kinda cool, huh?

9 XANDER (OFF PANEL): A little help here?!

PANEL EIGHT:

Wide panel: In this panel we cut to XANDER surrounded by the last two vamps. He has picked up a chair and is trying to hold them at bay. He looks scared.

10 XANDER: Nowish?

PAGE THREE (FOUR PANELS)

PANEL ONE:

Wide panel: BUFFY is doing a front flip over the vamps. She is about to land between them and XANDER.

1 BUFFY: Hate to break it to you, guys.

PANEL TWO:

Wide panel: BUFFY is round housing both vamps simultaneously.

2 BUFFY: But Xander is NOT on the menu.

PANEL THREE:

Small panel: Now we are behind the two VAMPS as they are transforming between skeleton and dust.

3 SFX: FWOOSSHH

PANEL FOUR:

Small panel: Same as before but now we can see that BUFFY was holding a stake in each hand. XANDER is looking at her, slightly annoyed.

4 XANDER: Can you not say, “menu”?

5 XANDER (2): I’m starving, remember?

PANEL FIVE

Wide panel: All three in panel. The mood is light, the vamps are no more. BUFFY is on the left, putting her stakes away, XANDER is in the middle making a grumpy face, and WILLOW is on the right squeezing Xander’s cheek in a playful manner.

6 BUFFY: SOMEONE’S grumpy.

7 XANDER: You’d be grumpy too if you’re stomach was about to eat itself.

8 WILLOW: Aw, grumpy Xander is sooo cuuute.

PAGE FOUR (FOUR PANELS)

PANEL ONE:

Wide panel: Exterior of the building. All three are walking out.

1 BUFFY: Ok, Xander.

2 BUFFY (2): Dinner’s on me.

3 WILLOW: It’s five thirty in the morning…

4 BUFFY (3): Oh, breakfast then.

PANEL TWO:

Small panel: In this panel we see a diner across the street. It’s open, think Denny’s. A sign out front says,” ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKES” At the bottom of the panel we see the back of our hero’s heads.

5 XANDER: Oh, my. Would ya look at that?

6 XANDER (2) I vote pancakes!

PANEL THREE:

Small panel: Close on XANDER. He is smiling wide, ear to ear.

7 XANDER: And all you can eat no less.

8 XANDER: I’m fairly certain that’s the greatest phrase known to man.

PANEL FOUR:

Wide panel: XANDER is about to open the door, he has run a few feet in front of WILLOW and BUFFY. The girls are looking at each other and talking.

9 WILLOW: I like “extra credit”.

10 BUFFY: I’m a “buy one get one free” kinda gal.

11 XANDER: Less talk, more pancakes!

12 CAP: END

Anonymous asked: Has there been a delay in the release of the Extinct paperback? I pre-ordered it back in December and it hasn't yet arrived. I checked elsewhere online and the book doesn't look available anywhere else. Very much looking forward to it.

So in honor of Creator Owned Day I wanted to share the first 5 pages of one of my newest comics, “Storms”!

Storms is about a group of vikings who are shipwrecked on an island of monsters.

Influences range from Northlanders, to Hellboy, to Lost and even the Lord of the Rings.

I am reuniting with Jethro Morales, the artist on my werewolf graphic novel, EXTINCT. (in stores next week ;))

We are joined by K. Michael Russell, who also colored our TMNT fan fiction comic. He’s really outdone himself.

My dude Ed Brisson just lettered these pages and I just HAD to show them off.

Enjoy!

Fabian

So I wrote an 8 page TMNT story just for fun, and was lucky enough to have some of my friends work on it ALSO just for fun.

Call it fan fiction.

We’re not making any money on this because we can’t sell it for obvious reasons.

I just wanted to make a short mini-comic that you could read and MAYBE when you’re done you’ll say,”Fabian should totally write TMNT.”

Enjoy!

Fabian