Art Nuggets

Week #54 of the OzComics Drawing Challenge saw the introduction of a new challenge running in parallel, that of the Sequential Challenge. Entrants were given a script written by Lucas Testro and had to create one page of panels to depict it. The story revolves around a DC Comics characters Captain Marvel, aka Shazam, and the villain Parasite. For the uninitiated, Captain Marvel is the alter ego of Billy Batson who can morph between the two with the uttering of the word ‘Shazam’, while Parasite sucks the powers of his foes upon touching them.

Having entered a few of the Drawing Challenges, I was ready for a more ambitious challenge and can say that I really enjoyed it. There are a couple of areas on this page that I’d probably like to improve, but I’m fairly satisfied with the way all the work and exploration I did in my Drawing Challenge entries has come to bear. Definitely the furthest I have gone with a comic. Having a deadline definitely helps and I must thank Darren Close at OzComics.com for supporting the local comics scene and giving us this opportunity to grow and learn.

Comics is a medium that offers a something that other mediums cannot. It’s not just the words and images jelling correctly in the panels, but also the way in which those panels are laid out and relate to each other. Being relatively new to the medium, I find these dynamics fascinating. Below is the script, for those interested in comparing. Click on the image for the hi-res version.

Panel 1

Wide shot of Captain Marvel and Parasite smashing through a billboard advertising Fawcett City, which is on top of a city building. Parasite is clutching on to Cap, kind of riding him. He’s hulked up to a monstrous size, clearly having already sucked a lot of Cap’s Energy.

1. CAPTION: Can’t shake him.

2. CAPTION: Powers fading.

3. PARASITE: A few more seconds and all your powers will be mine, Captain Marvel. And there’s nothing you can do to stop it.

Panel 2

Tightish two-shot of Parasite and Cap. Parasite has one arm wrapped around Cap’s neck, choking him – and he’s clearly enjoying seeing Cap suffer. Cap’s trying to wrench Parasite’s arm free but he’s too exhausted to manage it. He looks on the point of unconsciousness. All seems lost.

1. PARASITE: Any last words?

2. CAPTAIN MARVEL: Just… one….

Panel 3

Close-up of Parasite, looking dismayed at what he’s hearing. He’s just realised he’s screwed.

1. CAPTAIN MARVEL: Shazam.

(nb make Cap’s dialogue here small and understated – he’s weakly sputtering it out, not shouting it.)

Panel 4

Big wide shot looking up at the sky from a city street, skyscrapers towering either side. A HUGE LIGHTING BOLT strikes two tiny figures far above.

1. SFX: KABOOOM!

Panel 5

High angle mid shot of 12 year old Billy Batson falling towards the city, his body slack, unconscious. In the background Parasite tumbles beneath him.

1. CAPTION: His conduit to Cap’s powers severed, Parasite plummets towards Earth.

2. CAPTION: But so does unconscious Billy Batson!