PAGE 1
Panel 1
Following immediately where we left off, Newman and Phil are stuck in the office while Carl heads out to find a paying gig for the day. Newman leans against his shelf of curiosities and hits Phil with a bit of small talk. There’s a coffee cup on the shelf.
NEWMAN
Ever think about reincarnating yourself, Phil?
Panel 2 (Small)
An ashtray on Newman’s desk rises.
Panel 3 (Small)
The ashtray falls back down.
SFX
TOK!
Panel 4
Newman lifts the coffee cup to his lips.
NEWMAN
Seriously? Is it the whole amnesia thing?
SFX (Off-panel)
TOK! TOK!
NEWMAN
Yeah, I guess you wouldn’t be as much fun if you didn’t remember who you were.
PAGE 2
Panel 1
Carl’s inside a shabby room. All we see of him is his silhouette. He appears to be wearing a hat. He’s standing in front of an open closet. There’s a small assortment of clothes hanging inside, along with a couple of boxes on the floor.
CAPTION
Well, there’s always remembering, isn’t there?
Panel 2
Carl is in the middle of putting on a shirt.
CAPTION
All you really need to do is achieve a remarkably high level of universal awareness, and you’re good.
Panel 3
Carl’s silhouette is putting on a pair of pants.
CAPTION
Don’t ask me how to do it, though. I’ve always just kind of known what I was. My eyes didn’t suddenly turn all white. The heavens didn’t open up before. There wasn’t some magical moment or anything.
CAPTION
I just… knew, you know?
Panel 4
Carl’s hands are rummaging through his pockets. From what’s seen, Carl appears to be wearing a pair of khaki pants.
CAPTION
You should ask Carl. He’s done it.
CARL (Softly)
Where the fuck are you, you little…
Panel 5
Carl produces a joint from his pocket. Focus is on the joint.
CAPTION
I’m sure he’s got a few ideas.
CARL
Hello, baby.
PAGE 3
Panel 1 (Splash)
Carl’s dressed like a stereotypical dirty old man from a cheesy 90s teenybopper soap opera. He’s wearing a horribly pink button-down shirt that stretches over his bulky upper body. His pants are an extremely loose pair of khaki pajama-style trousers that cover most of the talons on his feet. A hat barely covers the horns on his head. He’s happily smoking the joint as he walks out of what is apparently his apartment.
CAPTION (“Invisible”)
TOK!
CAPTION
I guess you’re right. It is Carl we’re talking about. We can’t really take him too seriously.
PAGE 4
Panel 1
Even from the outside, it’s easy to tell that the Nowhere Tavern is a dive. It’s barely even noon, and there are already a handful of folks drinking away their welfare checks. Through the window, we see a curiously large silhouette hunching over the bar.
Panel 2
Germ, the Nowhere Tavern’s proprietor and bartender, is wiping off a glass. She looks your average Latina MILF next door, only she’s working in a dingy old bar and has tattoo sleeves on both her arms. There’s got a look of disapproval on her face.
GERM
Jesus, Highmore. You gotta go out looking like that in broad daylight?
Panel 3
Carl’s got a genuinely confused expression on his face. He’s holding a highball glass filled with rum in one hand, and tugs at his shirt with the other.
CARL
You don’t like the shirt?
Panel 4
Germ facepalms.
GERM
Well, yeah. It’s criminal.
GERM
But I mean the whole “big red demon” bit. Why don’t you change back to your human body when you go out in public? So, you know, people don’t start charging at you with bibles or something?
Panel 5
Carl waves her off and goes back to drinking.
CARL
Screw that shit. I’m a fucking cosplayer.
Panel 6
Carl reaches out an empty glass. Germ pours in some more rum.
GERM
I told you to watch your language when I’m around.
CARL
Ah, Phuket.
GERM
Very funny.
CARL
Hit me.
GERM
I’d love to.
PAGE 5
Panel 1
Carl takes another swig of his drink.
CARL
I love you too.
GERM
Seriously, though. Why don’t you change back?
CARL
Why don’t you change out of that thing?
GERM
Because I’m trying not to scare my customers. See what I’m getting at?
Panel 2
Carl turns around and yells at the bar patrons. The few customers inside don’t even flinch.
CARL
I’M IN A FUCKING COSTUME!!!
Panel 3
Carl turns back to Germ, grinning. Germ has once again put her palm on her face.
CARL
Problem solved.
GERM
Just tell me why you’re here.
Panel 4
Carl puts his drink down and wears his “serious face”.
CARL
Got any gigs lying around?
PAGE 6
Panel 1
Germ leans towards Carl, slightly annoyed.
GERM
And what makes you think I have any?
Panel 2
Carl stirs his drink with one of his massive claws.
CARL
Well, you know the old saying…
GERM (Off-panel)
Enlighten me.
CARL
“If you’re a demon and need a job, talk to Germ”?
Panel 3
Germ looks away, cursing her reputation. Carl’s taking another swig.
GERM
Fucking hell.
CARL
Language.
GERM
Fuck you.
Panel 4
There’s a bit of concern on Carl’s face.
CARL
So… Are there any gigs or what?
Panel 5
Germ looks to the side, as if to check if anyone were listening in.
GERM
Fine. I’ve got something that’ll interest you.
PAGE 6
Panel 1
Newman’s lying on the floor of his office, waiting for Carl to come home with an assignment.
NEWMAN
You know, it’s still pretty early in the day. We could be out there helping Carl find us a job instead of wasting our time in here.
Panel 2
He looks to the direction of the shelf. There’s a dreamcatcher floating about as high as a person’s waist.
Panel 3
Newman rolls his eyes.
NEWMAN
Real mature, Phil. Put your pants back on.
NEWMAN (Softly)
You’re lucky that thing doesn’t work.
Panel 4
He sits up, still looking towards the shelf. The dreamcatcher is moving back towards it.
NEWMAN
I’m trying to be serious here.
NEWMAN
I mean, why should we sit easy here while our big, conspicuously demonic associate goes out there risking exposure trying to make us all a quick buck?
Panel 5
Newman stares towards the shelf.
Panel 6
He lies back down.
NEWMAN
Good point. Screw Carl.
PAGE 7
Panel 1
Newman lies on the floor, staring at the ceiling.
Panel 2
Same as Panel 1.
Panel 3
Same as Panel 1.
Panel 4
Same as Panel 1, except Newman’s mouth opens.
NEWMAN
Say, did I ever tell you how I met Carl?
PAGE 8
Flashback to two years ago. We’re inside a dark apartment, where the only light seems to be coming from another room – we can see a part of its frame, so we know it’s open. We can make out what looks to be ridiculously gaudy furniture, among them a small gold Buddha, an orange plastic chair in the shape of an open hand, a chandelier made of multi-colored glass, and a relatively large Baguio barrel man. Across our point of view is the front door. There’s smoke and music coming out from the lit room.
CAPTION
Two years ago
SFX (Floating from the lit room)
Music notes
Panel 2
Same as panel one, but someone’s singing along to the music.
SFX (Floating)
…You rock so, you rock so…
VOICE (From the room, woozy)
…You rock so, you rock so…
Panel 3
Same as panel two, but the door’s unlocked.
SFX (Floating)
…You dip so, you dip so…
VOICE (Woozy)
…You dip so, you dip so…
SFX (From the door)
*klick*
Panel 4
Same, but now someone steps in through the front door. It’s Prudence, and she’s carrying a hefty shopping bag.
SFX (Floating)
…(You skank so, you skank so)… And don’t be no draaag…
VOICE (Woozy)
…You skunk toe, you scum so…. And don’t be no draaag…
PRUDENCE
Carl?
Panel 5
Same view, but this time Prudence is storming her way towards the lit room. She is ANGRY.
SFX (Floating)
…(You come so, you come so)… For reggae is another baaag…
CARL (Woozy)
…You come so, you come so… For reggae is another baaag…
PRUDENCE
Oh, for Heaven’s sakes…
Panel 6
Same view, but Prudence is standing just outside the lit room. She stays in full view near the door frame, and she’s screaming.
SFX (Floating)
Get what you got in that bag!
CARL (Woozy)
Get what you got in that bag!
PRUDENCE
CARL!!!
PAGE 9
Panel 1
We’re standing right behind Prudence. Carl’s on an easy chair, a bong nestled on his lap. He’s in full human form, a balding, middle-aged man with a bristly mustache. There’s an MP3 player hooked up to a speaker system blasting the song. Carl’s head is bent back and turned towards Prudence. He’s pointing at her. He is very clearly blazed and trying to sing along. He’s trying to put on a “rock star” face, but failing.
SFX (Floating)
What have you got in the other bag hanging there!
CARL
Now what what… Other bag hanging there!
Panel 2
An extremely irate Prudence heads to the sound system and turns it off, cutting the song.
SFX (Floating)
What you say yo-*
PRUDENCE
That is enough!
Panel 3
Carl sits up, looking at Prudence like the buzzkill she is. She’s put her shopping bag on the floor, and has her hands on her hips.
CARL
You could’ve at least let the next song play…
PRUDENCE
I’m tired of this, Carl!!!
PAGE 10
Panel 1
View from behind Carl. Prudence has a hand stretched out in demonstrative disgust.
PRUDENCE
Look at you! Did you even go to work today???
Panel 2
View near the floor, behind Prudence. We see Carl across us. Focus on the shopping bag next to Prudence’s feet.
CARL
I see you went shopping.
PRUDENCE
And?
CARL
With my money!
Panel 3
Prudence is furious. Her body’s leaning towards Carl. Everything about her posture says she’s on full attack mode.
PRUDENCE
Oh is THIS how where we’re going??? Tell me how you earned that money, Carl! Tell me!
Panel 4
Carl leans back, folds his arms, and looks away.
CARL (Softly)
…With the job your dad gave me.
CARL
I’ll tell you what, though – I fucking worked hard for everything I earned.
Panel 5
Prudence is still in Carl’s face.
PRUDENCE
Yes you did, Carl. But are you working now?
Panel 6
Prudence backs off. She points in the direction of the bong, but looks away, refusing to acknowledge it. Focus is solely on Prudence.
PRUDENCE
Look, I understand your need to de-stress. I do. I can even look past this new… hobby of yours.
Panel 7
Same angle as the previous panel, but Prudence is looking towards Carl this time.
PRUDENCE
But you’ve been here the last two weeks, Carl. You’re worrying me. What are you doing with yourself?
PAGE 11
Panel 1 (Small)
Carl rests his head on his hands, his thumbs pressing against the inside corner of his eyes.
CARL
I’m… I’m taking care of myself, okay? I’m handling this.
Panel 2
Flash back to the present. Carl’s in full demon form and is standing in an alley. He’s staring at a fire escape on the wall beside him. There’s a dumpster and a couple of ratty boxes below the escape.
CAPTION
Today
Panel 3
He starts taking his shirt off.
Panel 4
He folds it in the air.
Panel 5
He takes his pants off, the shirt laid neatly on the street.
PAGE 12
Panel 1
Carl folds his pants.
Panel 2
View from behind one of the cardboard boxes. He carefully tucks his clothes underneath one.
Panel 3
View from behind Carl, close to the floor. He’s looking up at the fire escape. The ladder’s been pulled up.
Panel 4
Carl hops onto the wall, digging his fingers and foot-talons deep into the concrete.
Panel 5
He scales the wall until he’s higher than the lowest portion of the escape.
Panel 6
He leaps off the wall and onto the escape.
PAGE 13
Panel 1
Carl makes his way up the escape. He’s counting to himself.
CARL (Softly)
Three…
Panel 2
He’s climbing up another set of stairs on the escape.
CARL (Softly)
Four…
Panel 3
He stops at a window.
CARL (Softly)
Five.
Panel 4
Carl looks down below him. He’s pretty far up.
Panel 5
View from inside the apartment. It’s dark inside; all we can see is Carl’s silhouette from the window. He’s opening it.
SFX
*klick*
PAGE 14
Panel 1
Flashback two years ago. Carl and a friend are dressed in black, sneaking through a dark warehouse. Most of the light is coming from their flashlights and what little moonlight trickles in from windows near the ceiling.
CAPTION
Two years ago
FRIEND (Whisper)
This is stupid, Highmore. The boss don’t give a shit if you’re his son-in-law; if he finds out we’re stealing his stuff, he’s roasting both our balls.
Panel 2
Focus on Carl. He’s got a grimace on his face.
CARL (Whisper)
Don’t fucking talk to me about balls, man.
Panel 3
The two continue walking through the warehouse. They don’t seem to be searching for anything.
FRIEND (Whisper)
Oh shit. Right.
FRIEND (Whisper)
What’d the doctor say?
CARL (Whisper)
…It’s spreading.
Panel 4
There’s a moment of silence as the two walk through the darkness.
Panel 5
They continue walking.
PAGE 15
Panel 1
Carl points his flashlight towards the right.
CARL (Whisper)
Turn here.
Panel 2
They continue walking. Focus on his companion’s face, but both are still strongly in the frame.
FRIEND (Whisper)
Ever thought about, I dunno, chemo or something?
CARL (Whisper)
Chemo’s gonna put me in the fucking poorhouse, man. And like you said, Old Man Maroney doesn’t give a fucking shit about me. He’s not gonna lend a fucking dime for it.
CARL (Whisper)
Fuck, I think he’d want me to croke, asshole like me fucking around with his baby girl.
Panel 3 (Vertical Expansion)
They stop at a door.
CARL (Whisper)
Here.
Panel 4 (V.E.)
Carl goes on his knee and picks the lock..
CARL (Whisper)
Classy girl like Prudence is used to the high life, y’know? The kind fucks like me only dream about, man. Costs money to keep girls like that happy, pretty much everything I make.
Panel 5 (V.E.)
Carl’s friend is keeping an eye out while Carl does the dirty work. He successfully picks the lock.
FRIEND (Whisper)
So what’re you gonna do with the stuff we’re stealing?
CARL (Whisper)
I’m in fucking pain, man. Nothing at the dispensary’s strong enough anymore.
FRIEND (Whisper)
You gonna deal that shit?
SFX
*klick*
PAGE 16
Panel 1
Carl stands up and jams a finger in his friend’s chest. He’s got an annoyed look on his face.
CARL (Whisper)
Look man, I didn’t ask you here to fucking interview me, okay? You’re here for two reasons: to be my fucking lookout, and to take a cut of some serious shit. That’s it.
Panel 2
His friend, dejected, keeps an eye out while we see Carl in the background rummaging through the office behind the door.
FRIEND (Whisper)
Asshole.
Panel 3
Same point of view, but now he’s searching the desk.
Panel 4
Same point of view, but now he’s pushed aside a painting on the wall. There’s a safe hidden behind it. It’s got a double combination – an electronic keypad and a tumbler.
CARL (Whisper)
Bingo.
CARL (Whisper)
Fucking cliché, aren’t you, Pop?
PAGE 17
Panel 1
Carl takes a small switchblade knife from his pocket and carefully gouges out the keypad.
Panel 2
He fiddles around with the wiring, holding the knife in between his lips.
Panel 3
The keypad lights green.
Panel 4
Carl’s put the keypad back in place, and is now rotating the tumbler with an ear on the safe.
Panel 5
Outside, Carl’s companion looks bored as he checks his watch.
Panel 6
Carl cracks the code.
SFX
*klick*
PAGE 18
Panel 1 (Splash)
View from inside the safe. There are several kilos of dark red pills in plastic bags. The bags are labeled Z-TEX 309. A half-smile breaks on Carl’s face – he’s relieved to have come this far, but remains concerned about something.
PAGE 19
Panel 1
Flash back to the present. Demon Carl is standing in front of a door.
CAPTION
Today
Panel 2
Carl starts clawing at the door, leaving large gouges in the wood.
Panel 3
He stops to admire his work. Carl’s hulking body is blocking our view of the door.
Panel 4
He opens the door and heads inside. We see small bits of the claw marks.
Panel 5
The door closes behind him, the scratch marks prominent all over. They read “IN HERE”.
PAGE 20
Panel 1
Flashback to two years ago. Carl’s still in his sneaking clothes, making it clear that this is the same night as the heist. He’s leaning on a bathroom sink. On it, we can see a bag of the Z-TEX 309 cut open, Carl’s knife laying beside it, and a half empty glass of water nearby. Carl’s got a grimace on his face. His eyes are bloodshot.
CAPTION
Two years ago
Panel 2
Carl grimaces harder. He’s clearly hurting.
CARL
Come on, man, fucking work… Just fucking kill the pain…
Panel 3
Carl turns and runs to the toilet.
Panel 4
Carl vomits into the bowl.
CARL
Bleeeeeargh!!!
Panel 5
Carl sits on the bathroom floor, leaning on the toilet, wiping his mouth.
CARL
God-fucking-damn it.
Panel 6
He returns to the sink, reaching a hand into the bag of pills.
PAGE 21
Panel 1
We’re looking directly over Carl’s shoulder. There are 4 pills on his palm.
Panel 2
Carl looks at himself in the mirror. He’s got the pills in one hand and the glass of water in the other.
Panel 3
He dumps all the pills into his mouth.
Panel 4
He chugs the water.
Panel 5
He stares at his reflection.
Panel 6
He drops to the ground.
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