I Believe In Heroes

By Caleb Gillen
PAGE ONE.
PANEL 1. Close-up on a young boys hand, grasping a plastic superhero toy. The toy
looks similar to tokusatsu heroes like Kamen Rider and Ultraman.
CAPTION: I believe in heroes. Call it immature, call it nave, call it whatever
you want. Its the truth.
PANEL 2. The panels angle is from the back of the boys head. A young child around
the age of eight, ELIJAH SHORMAN, watches a superhero show called SUPER FORCE
FIVE, a Power Rangers-style team show.
CAPTION: When I was a kid, I wanted more than anything for superheroes to
be real. I wanted to fight evil and always save the day at the end of the
episode.
PANEL 3. Elijah Shorman, around the same age as the last panel, plays with action
figures and a playset of the Super Force Five.
CAPTION: I didnt think for a moment that a world with superheroes could be
a bad thing.
PANEL 4. Elijah, a few years older than in the last couple panels, sits and watches
TV, on a similar angle as PANEL 2. On the TV, a young DR. CRYSALIS is on a talk
show.
CAPTION: Lo and behold, my wish came true. Superpowers, through a serum
developed by a man named Dr. Crysalis, became a reality for a steep price.
PANEL 5. Close-up on an arm being injected with the Serum. The Serum is a lime
green-colored liquid thats injected via syringe.
CAPTION: For those with the money for powers, reality became a
playground. There was no way to reverse the powers and so the police
became intimidated by those with abilities. Dr. Crysalis disappeared
overnight. While the Serum went out of production, there were soon plenty
of black market reproductions.

PAGE TWO.
PANEL 1. A small expository panel, showing the outside of an alley in the middle of
the city.
PANEL 2. Jonah, present day, is pinned against a wall by a large man, his face
bruised and bleeding and the rest of his body is not in the finest shape, either. There
isnt a clear shot in this panel of the man pinning him down, MEAT, as we see him
from the back and the focus is on Jonahs mangled state. However, we can clearly see
that hes white and bald.
MEAT: Smooth move, Punching Bag. Youve screwed me over again.
CAPTION: The dude looking like hes taken a few rounds with Mike Tyson is
me. Real names Elijah Shorman, not Punching Bag.
PANEL 3. We get a look at Meat through Elijahs viewpoint. Hes a ridiculously built
weight-lifter with a not-too-pretty face. His clothing is a little ripped up.
MEAT: .You goddamn moron. I just cant stand folks like you, Punching Bag.
Whenever I see you I just have an irresistible itch
CAPTION: I call this guy Meat. Powers: Super Strength, Roid Rage.
PANEL 4. The panel is taken up by a full shot of Jonahs head, from his chin to the
top of his head. Jonah is punched in the face by Meat in this panel, making a small
spurt of blood erupt from his mouth.
MEAT (Off-Panel): to put you in your place.
PANEL 5. The panels angle comes in from the side, to the left of the panel Jonah is
leaning against the alleyway walls. Meat is in the center of the panel, showing his
back to the reader as he walks away.
MEAT: If I see you again, youre dead.
PAGE THREE.
PANEL 1. The panel gets a full head-to-toe look at Jonah, as he attempts to move
from the wall. He first tries to move his arm and leg forward.
SFX: CRACK!
ELIJAH: Ow-!
PANEL 2. The panels viewpoint is from the side of Elijah as we see him fall down
onto the cement floor, face forward. Its very clearly early evening, as theres an
orange glow coming from the sky, indicating sundown.
ELIJAH: Urgh- Cant move.
PANEL 3. Using the same angle as Panel 2, we see Elijah face-down and asleep, as
its very clearly night. A shadowy figure is in the background, looking over Elijah.
PANEL 4. Close-up on the face of the shadowy figure, MARTA. The bottom half of
her face is obscured by shadow while the top half is clearly visible.
MARTA: Idiot.
PAGE FOUR.
PANEL 1. A small, wide panel only showing Elijahs closed pair of eyes.
PANEL 2. The same eyes open, and as if zooming out of a shot on a film, the panel
opens up to see more of Elijah. Elijah is lying on a hospital bed, his arm connected to
an IV and in hospital garments. His face is covered in bandages and bruises, and the
rest of his body is covered by blanket. In bed with him is the same action figure from
Page 1.
MARTA (Off-Panel): Rise and shine, moron.
PANEL 3. Elijah sits up, as angle turns, with him looking toward Marta in the
foreground. Marta is the focus of the panel, as she sits in a seat close to his bed.
MARTA: I cant keep on doing this, you know. Your mistakes are yours: I
shouldnt have to clean up after your messes.
CAPTION: Marta Lorne. Best Friend, Rescuer when I get my ass kicked, and
occasionally a pain in the ass.
MARTA: I understand what youre trying to do, but youre going to kill
yourself one of these days and then I wont be bringing you to the hospital, Ill
be bringing you to the morgue.
PANEL 4. Small, in-set square panel of Elijahs head. Elijah laughs.
ELIJAH: Well, youd still be bringing me to the hospital. Thats not how things
work-
PAGE FIVE.
PANEL 1. The panel is of Marta from the waist-up, as she stands up and crosses her
arms. Marta is clearly frustrated with Elijah, but simply sighs.
MARTA: Dont be a smart-ass, Elijah. You know that doesnt gel with me.
PANEL 2. We only see Elijahs face, as he sweats under Martas pressure, a nervous
smile creeping on his face.
ELIJAH: Sorry. Thanks, Marta.
PANEL 3. Marta sits down in a plastic and sips a can of generic cola from a straw,
crossing her legs as she does so. In the panel we see her full figure, showing off an
annoyed body language.
MARTA: I cant keep on doing this, Elijah. You come out worse and worse
from these fights and one of these days Im not gonna come back for you.
PANEL 4. Elijah sits up, cupping his face in his left hand, his elbow on a bedside
table, a bored expression coming on to his face.
ELIJAH: We go through this every time you grab me, man. Im sick of this
conversation- I have to do this.
PANEL 5. Marta screams out, the panel focusing on her face. Shes gone from
annoyed to angry.
MARTA: Why?! So you can fulfill some childhood fantasy? Are you sure you
want to risk your damn life on that? Youre too wea-
PANEL 6. A small-in-set panel to Panel 7. Elijahs fist pounds onto the table.
SFX: BAM!
PANEL 7. Elijah is furious as well, his fist still on the table. He, from the waist-up, is
in the center of the panel.
ELIJAH: I know Im weak, but its what I have to do. Its the only way I can
close my eyes at night-


PAGE SIX.
PANEL 1. A small panel, close-up on the left side of
Martas face. Her eye quivers and tears up, but she fights
it back.
PANEL 2. Marta is at the door, looking back at Elijah.
The panel is seen from Martas back, as she grabs the
knob of the door.
MARTA: Fine. But the next time youre in the
gutter, I wont be there to save you.
Have a nice life.
PANEL 3. A small, inset panel. The door slams as it
closes.
SFX: SLAM!


1

3
2

PAGE SEVEN.
PANEL 1. Elijah, bandaged and carrying a wooden bat, walks the city streets,
passing by brick building after brick building. The panel is from the side, resting the
bat on his shoulder as he walks.
CAPTION: The next day
CAPTION: Marta is right, Im weak. Ive known that for a long time, but at the
same time
PANEL 2. Close-up on Elijahs pocket, where the action figure peeks out.
CAPTION: I cant help feeling like its my responsibility to do this. I cant help
the need to want to change things, even a little at a time
PANEL 3. The panel focuses on Eljahs head, as his expression clearly shows him
deep in though.
CAPTION: I also cant help that I dont have the strength to change things the
way I wish I could
PANEL 4. Elijahs head darts back as the panel widens up, as Elijah looks ready to
act. The panels angle sees Elijah facing forward as he turns to face his challenge.
DR. CRYSALIS (Off-Panel): HELP!
CAPTION: Yet, stubborn as I am, I cant help but to keep on trying.


PAGE EIGHT.

PANEL 1. The angle is from above, but not directly. We see five copies of the same
man, RABBIT, a greasy-looking white guy in a gray hoodie and a five oclock shadow,
surround DR. CRYSALIS with mean looks on everyones faces. All of them stand in a
near-empty parking lot.
PANEL 2. The panel seems to close up on one of the copies of RABBIT, as a wooden
bat connects with the back of his skull. The copy of RABBIT looks surprised as a bit
of blood comes out of his gaping mouth.
SFX: CRACK!
PANEL 3. Elijah stands victorious with a bat in hand, standing over a cloud of
strange purple smoke and sparks of light. We get a full body view of him as the clone
evaporates, grinning.
ELIJAH: If I were you, sir, I would get the hell out of here.
PANEL 4. Several clones jump forward in the foreground, seemingly towards the
reader, but in Elijahs first person perspective. Dr. Crysalis, in the background, runs
away in the confusion.


PAGE NINE.

PANEL 1. The bat connects to a single clone in the face, ass we see from the side of
the clone.
ELIJAH: I call this guy Rabbit, because he multiplies. Youd think hed have
some kind of super speed, but my nicknames are disappointing.
PANEL 2. Elijahs bat connects with several clones at once into a single swing. We
see this in a wider shot than the first, seeing Elijah in motion through after-images.
PANEL 3. Elijahs back is to the panels angle, as in the background he sees the
strange purple smoke billow from the clones hes destroyed. However, at his back
several hands grab his arms
PANEL 4. Multiple clones of Rabbit grab a stunned Elijah, stopping any motion from
possibly happening. We get a wider angle in order to get a full look at all the clones
on Elijah.
PANEL 5. We get a look at Rabbit from the waist-up, cracking his knuckles as he
grins wildly.
RABBIT: Too easy, Punching Bag.


PAGE TEN.
PANEL 1. Several fists collide with Elijahs chest at the
same time, the panel focusing on the collision between
the two, centering in on the chest.
SFX: OOF!
PANEL 2. The panel is on Elijahs face. Elijahs eyes
are unclear, as he spits out a large amount of saliva.
PANEL 3. Three fists hit Elijahs face at the same time,
the panel widening out to illustrate the impact.
SFX: CRACK!
PANEL 4. We get an over-head view of Elijah, hitting
the floor. He looks completely exhausted as around
him, the clones look over. Elijah is clearly dazed.
PANEL 5. The panel only shows Elijahs eyes, closed.
1
2 3
4
5

PAGE ELEVEN.
PANEL 1. Elijahs eyes open. The panel is a wider shot, showing the same hospital
room as before, but bandaged even more than last time. Elijah lays in a hospital bed,
looking absolutely destroyed. The same action figure is next to him on the bed.
DR. CRYSALIS (Off-Panel): Not many would do what you did.
PANEL 2. The panels angle is from Elijahs right side. Elijah sits up and turns his
body to the left, to see Dr. Crysalis in the hospital room chair. Dr. Crysalis smiles, a
cane in hand as he sits down.
ELIJAH: Wait, I know you
PANEL 3. The panel closes in on Dr. Crysalis as we get a full-body view of him,
getting up from his chair. His gaze is lost behind the reflection in his glasses.
ELIJAH: Youre the one who created the serum, you-
DR. CRYSALIS: Not so loud, boy. I come here in peace...
PANEL 4. We get a waist-up look of Dr. Crysalis as he reaches into his ragged lab
coat. We get a mostly obscured look at the anti-super weapon: an insanely high-tech
wristwatch with a black and red design and a large yellow button.
DR. CRYSALIS: and also with a gift.


PAGE TWELVE.
PANEL 1. The shot widens out to give a better look at the situation and for this
panel to be the main focus of the page. Dr. Crysalis puts the watch onto Elijahs
wrist, grabbing his left arm with the other hand. Elijah looks absolutely dumbstruck.
Dr. Crysalis giving Elijah a watch is the last thing hed expected today.
DR. CRYSALIS: A gift of power, to finally have the ability to change this world.
The Adaptive Anti-Power Weapon.
PANEL 2. We get an angle from Elijahs left side as he looks down at the watch, still
completely surprised and dumb-struck at whats happening.
ELIJAH: Wh-what the hell is this?!
DR. CRYSALIS: Something Ive designed to fight those with special abilities.
Its a weapon that adapts to your will.
ELIJAH: Why are you giving it to me, then?
PANEL 3. The panels view of Dr. Crysalis is from the waist-up, as he has his back to
the reader. Dr. Crysalis grins for the first time, ready to walk out the door.
DR. CRYSALIS: Why, indeed? Come to your own conclusions, or seek them
out. It hardly matters to me. All that matters
PANEL 4. Close-up on the action figure.
DR. CRYSALIS: (Off-panel): Is that justice is served.


PAGE THIRTEEN.

PANEL 1. On an unknown coffee table, a phone vibrates. A hand reaches forward to
grasp it.
CAPTION: Elsewhere.
SFX: Vrrr!
PANEL 2. Close-up on Martas face as she looks at her phone, the light of the phone
being the only thing that illuminates the room. Marta looks at the phones screen
groggily, the panels angle from the back of the phone.
PANEL 3. Text Message screen. Elijahs face is seen as an avatar, next to each of his
text messages.
ELIJAH (Text): Hey, I need to show you something. Something big.
PANEL 4. Text message screen. The previous text is also seen.
ELIJAH (Text): Its really important. It could change everything
PANEL 5. Text message screen. Close-up on a single text.
ELIJAH (Text): I wont have to be Punching Bag anymore.


PAGE FOURTEEN.
PANEL 1. We see Elijahs fingers text at his cell phone, as we see the phone from the
front. Elijah sends another text, with a picture of a map attached to it.
ELIJAH (Text): Meet me here.
MEAT (Off-panel): Hey, Punching Bag
PANEL 2. The panels view is angled behind Elijahs back, as we can clearly see the
size difference between both him and Meat. Meat towers over Elijah, covering him in
shadow. He grins maniacally, as if happy to see him. Meat and Elijah are in a tight
alley between two red brick walls, a set of fire escapes starting just above Meats
head.
MEAT: I thought I told you that if I saw ya again, Id kill ya. Looks like its your
day to die.
ELIJAH: Yeah, you might think so
PANEL 3: Close-up on Elijahs wrist, as he presses the yellow button the watch. The
yellow button lights up as he does so.
ELIJAH: but I think todays my lucky day.

PAGE FIFTEEN.
PANEL 1: We get a full-body look at Elijah, as a bright light envelops his entire body.
In the foreground, Meat winces, the bright light too much for his eyes.
PANEL 2: Elijah is in a over-the-top, tokusatsu-style pose, we get a full look at
Elijahs new costume. The wrist watch still stays on his left arms wrist.
PANEL 3: In-set panel in Panel 2, focusing on Elijahs helmet.
PANEL 4: In-set panel in Panel 2, focusing on Elijahs hand.
PANEL 5: In-set panel in Panel 2, focusing on the wrist watch.


PAGE SIXTEEN.
PANEL 1: The panel is from the front of Meat,
as he uses his large, meaty arms to punch
forward, at Elijah.
CAPTION: The first thing any half-rate
superhero should do
PANEL 2: The panels view comes from Meats
back this time. Meat only finds himself hitting
the air, with Elijah dodging to the side.
CAPTION: is relocate this fight to
somewhere where theres a little wiggle room.
PANEL 3: Side view, the main focus being the
side of the building. Elijah is a blur, climbing up
the fire escapes along the building at incredible
speed, reaching the top.
At the bottom of the panel, we see Meats head below the bottom of the fire escape,
with an angry expression on it and a throbbing vein.
CAPTION: WOOSH!
PANEL 4: The panels view is angled more from the top. Meat is absolutely angry,
his face red and covered in pulsating veins. Still, Meat is in a stance as if readying
himself for a jump, kneeling and putting his arms up into the air.
1 3
2
4
PAGE SEVENTEEN.
PANEL 1: The panels angle is similar to the last panel. Meat jumps up, his entire
massive body rocketing upward. Meats strength leaves a large impression into the
concrete ground. Its important that Meat is in the air in this panel in order to show
the motion from the last panel to the next.
PANEL 2: BIG panel. Meat lands onto the edge of the roof, leaving large cracks onto
the brick building. Meat is in a landing position, steadying his feet onto the roof,
though his stance isnt too different from when he was in the ground. His face is still
red and full of frustration, grimacing as he lands. In the foreground, the panels view
is to Elijahs back, being placed at the left section of the panel. His body language
clearly shows him to be off-guard. Elijah wasnt not expecting for Meat to get here so
quickly and in such a manner.
SFX: THOOM!
ELIJAH: What the-
PANEL 3: Small, in-set panel within Panel 2, in the lower right corner. The panel
only shows Meats face, turning from a grimace to manic grin.
PANEL 4: The panels view is from the side of the action. To the right of the panel is
Meat, landing a devastating blow to Elijah on the left, the force of the blow is
devestating. Elijah takes the hit, his armor breaking where the fist collides, in his
chest. Elijahs pose indicates the wind being knocked out of him.
SFX: BAM!
PAGE EIGHTEEN.
PANEL 1: We see from the front Elijah, kneeling down and trying to keep steady
with both his legs and his left arm. Elijah is clearly weakened, the chest piece of his
armor having large cracks from the previous attack with some blood oozing out of
the broken armor. Elijah shakes from the attack.
SFX: Huff. Huff.
PANEL 2. The panel is from Meats front, from his neck up. Meat laughs, opening his
mouth jovially.
SFX: HAHAHA
MEAT: Oh? Not quite the big hero you thought youd be, Punching Bag?
PANEL 3. Panels 3-4 should be wide, horizontal panels of similar size.Focus on
Elijahs head, the panel viewing him from the front.
ELIJAH: I cant- I wont let you go. You have to answer- answer for what
youve done.
PANEL 4. The panels view is the same as panel 2, with Meats expression changed
from laughing to now bored of what Elijah is saying.
MEAT: Oh, you people talk about answering for this and laws that. If we have
the power to do something, we do it, and theres nothin that you can do to
stop us.
PAGE NINETEEN.
PANEL 1: We get a full panel frontal look at Elijah, as he begins to steady himself
and recover. He stops shaking, and begins to completely stand up, but does so
slowly. His right hand glows faintly with a unique red energy, an aura of sorts. It
should be noted that it this point the right hand is open.
ELIJAH: Youll answer for every single injustice. Just because you have power,
doesnt give you the right to abuse it. The police are afraid of you
PANEL 2: Finally, Elijah completely stands up, looking ready to finally finish this
fight. The panels view is similar to Panel 1.
ELIJAH: But that doesnt mean youre above the law. That doesnt mean you
can treat normal people like toys
PANEL 3: Close-up on Elijahs right hand. The red energy is even stronger,
enveloping Elijahs now-clenched fist.
ELIJAH: and that doesnt mean you wont have to answer to me.
PANEL 4: Big panel. Elijah, standing up, faces Meat. The panel gets a good look at the
two of them, standing in front of each other, bracing for a final showdown. Theres
not a smile on either of their faces as they ready themselves to throw down.
PAGE TWENTY.
Large splash page. Elijah finally beats Meat, his right fist connecting to with Meats
stomach. The red energy of his right fist explodes, dealing an insane punch to
Elijahs opponent. Meats expression looks absolutely defeated, in complete shock as
he spits out blood. The angle is from behind Elijahs left shoulder, giving a good view
of whats happening.
PAGE TWENTY-ONE.
PANEL 1: BIG Panel. Elijah stands over Meats unconscious body. We get a look of
this from above whats happening, though not directly above.
CAPTION: I believe in Heroes.
PANEL 2: Close-up on Elijahs left wrist. Elijah presses the button on the watch, as
the rest of his body turns into the strange bright light as before.
CAPTION: Call it nave, call it immature
PANEL 3: Elijah stands on top of the roof, smiling lightly. Elijahs look isnt absolute
happiness or glee: its something different. Elijah looks content. The panel mainly
focuses on him from the front, at waist-up.
CAPTION: Its the truth.
MARTA (Off-Panel): Elijah...
PANEL 4: BIG panel. The panel looks at Marta from the front, as she stands over the
unconscious body of MEAT. Theres a look on her face: its a combination of fear and
absolute wonder which is what we leave the comic on.
MARTA: Did you do this?
END.