One of the things I have wanted to do on one blog or another but never found the right place utilize the concept. Here I want to post a script of something I had in development years back that for one reason or another never came to fruition.. Followed by the finished pages to show a compare and contrast.

The script I am posting is from Nietzsche Falling #1 --- Which was sent into then Marvel/Epic editor Teresa Focarile as a writing sample to which she commented:

"I read through your sample last night, and wanted to get back to you about it as soon as I could.

You do have a lot of good elements in this story - ideas of life and death and old friendships and rivalries. These are all great ideas, and the kind of thing we look for when reviewing Epic submissions, and any writing sample for that matter." <snip> "With your experiance in the field, I am sure you will be able to put together a story that is fresh, interesting, and relevant - just the thing we are looking for here at Epic"

I did take her encouragement and sent in a story, unfortionately that imprint wasn't long for the world and it folded shortly after my submitting. Perhaps in a future blog entry I will reprint that script here.

Nietzsche Falling #1

"Beginning of the End"

Page 1 -

- three horizontal panels -

Panel 1:

Panoramic view of the Acropolis Cityscape, a good view of their utopia.

CAPTION: "It’s been 3 hours"

Panel 2:

Close up of the city streets - People are standing around looking to the sky in amazement

CAPTION: "So?"

Panel 3:

Int. of a lush business office. Penthouse style. Overlooking the city. An elderly man stands by the window talking into a walkie-talkie. It’s our Lex Luthor character. (I changed his name so the art better be able to hit it home for the stupid people) About in his late 80’s still dressed fine and as spry as anyone could be so late in their lives.

1. CAPTION: "People are starting to get alarmed"

2.ALEXANDER MYERS: Bring him in.

3. CAPTION: "Sir?"

4.ALEXANDER MYERS: I said BRING HIM IN!

Page 2 -

Panel 1 -

Splash page -

High above the city floats Captain Zenith. Strong jawed hero of the masses looks to be in his late 20’s early 30’s just like in the promo piece. He floats there contemplating with a faraway glance in his eyes.

CAPTION: I want to know what this is about.

Page 3 -

Panel 1:

Captain Zenith is approached by several black helicopters. Zenith floats there surprised. snapped out of his thoughts.

1. HELICOPTER SPEAKER: Sir, Mr. Lexington would like to see you in his office.

2. CAPTAIN ZENITH: I don’t take orders gentlemen. Kindly tell him that if I wish to see him it will be on my terms.

Panel 2:

Close-up of the Helicopter pilot nervously holding his thumb over the weapons button on his control stick.

HELICOPTER SPEAKER: I’m afraid we were asked not to take no for an answer.

Panel 3:

Close-up of Captain Zenith, with a wry smile on his face.

CAPTAIN ZENITH: Well, I’m afraid I don’t take threats either. So this can either go one of two ways, you can do something we’ll both regret or fly off and we’ll forget this little conversation happened.

Panel 4:

Close-up of the pilots hand as his thumb nervously hovers above the gunner button.

NO COPY:

Panel 5:

The pilot sits scared in his seat his eyes closed with his thumb over the button .

PILOT: I’m afraid we have our orders. comply or we open fire.. On my mark men...

Page 4 -

Panel 1:

The helicopters are surrounding an empty sky.

CAPTION: "Sir? We, uh.. lost him."

Panel 2:

Ext. of a large office building, where the penthouse is located. It’s a multi-national corporation Drawing similarities to Lex Corp..

CAPTION: "Of course you did."

Panel 3:

Int. of the penthouse, the old man sits at his desk staring at the walkie-talkie.

1. ALEXANDER: *sigh* I wish you’d just get a cell phone like everyone else..

2. OFF PANEL VOICE: What would be the fun in that?

Panel 4:

Lionel turns in surprise to see Captain Zenith floating outside his window.

LIONEL: You know I don’t mind indulging you every now and again, and I may still be the CEO of the company, but people really are starting to worry about the expenses of keeping the squad on..

Panel 5:

Captain Zenith enters and shakes the old mans hand.

1. CAPTAIN ZENITH: I apologize, I thought it would be fun to relive the old days.. I don’t get a lot of exercise much anymore.

2. ALEXANDER: Quite alright, m’boy.. It gives that anal retentive son of mine something to complain about.. And I thought I was wound tight back then.. What can I do for you Gabriel?

Page 5 -

Panel 1:

Captain Zenith stands facing the window solemnly, with his head down.

CAPTAIN ZENITH: I spent a lot of time trying to think of how to say this..

Panel 2:

Close-up of Captain Zenith’s face, looking sad and troubled trying to find the right words.

CAPTAIN ZENITH: Alex, I’m dying.

Panel 3:

Lionel stands in a state of shock mouth agape staring at the godlike alien that is in his office.

ALEXANDER: What? A-are you sure.. I mean you’ve been here for 60 years, and you barely look over 29. I’ve seen you survive nuclear attacks, alien invasions.. How are YOU dying?

Panel 4:

Captain Zenith turns to the old man to explain his diagnosis.

CAPTAIN ZENITH:

1. It’s ironic.. As you know, I came to your world decades ago, and the atmosphere here was like that of my home world, but just different enough to make my biology mutate and display incredible powers..

2... Last week they’ve begun failing me.... I spoke to the top scientists in the city, and it seems as if my biology never stopped mutating. In fact the cause of my powers was an early sign of my sickness.

3. I have a month left. Before my cells completely devour themselves.

Page 6 -

Panel 1:

Lionel braces himself against the desk as if he’d just been hit in the stomach.

ALEXANDER: All these years, I’ve been trying to kill you and I could have just waited you out? heh. heh. I don’t believe it... It’s...

Panel 2:

Lionel looks up at the stoic super-hero and his expression changes to one of sorrow.

1. ALEXANDER: Gabriel.. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. You know what they say, "You can take the man out of the super-villain, but you can’t take the super-villain out of the man." Or something like that.

2. CAPTAIN ZENITH: It’s alright Lionel.. I realize this is something of a shock..

Panel 3:

Alexander and "Gabriel" stand on the balcony looking out over the perfect city of Acropolis.

1. ALEXANDER: Son, I think "shock" isn’t even good enough to call an understatement. Does your friend know? That side-kick? His he dying as well?

2. CAPTAIN ZENITH: Darwin? You know he hates being referred to as my "side-kick" No, he isn’t dying, not yet anyway. He hasn’t spent as much time in this world as I have. Mostly due to his appearance. Of course he’s infected as well, but not to the degree I am. He’s decided to spend his time working on my memoirs.. I suppose it keeps him from feeling alone on this world.

Panel 4:

Lionel stands facing the readers and point out toward the horizon.

ALEXANDER: And what about them? The millions of citizens out there that have come to depend on you? What becomes of them?

Panel 5:

Gabriel looks off into the distance.

CAPTAIN ZENITH: I.. don’t know.

Page 7 -

Panel 1:

Alexander turns away and heads back into the office building.

ALEXANDER: The hell you don’t.

Panel 2:

Alexander walks over to a bookshelf and pulls a large scrapbook down.

1. ALEXANDER: Do you know why I stood against you for nearly 25 years?

2. CAPTAIN ZENITH: Allison.

Panel 3:

Alexander takes the book and sits at his desk flipping through it.

ALEXANDER: No. It has nothing to do with your late wife. We both loved her, you won. As if I could compete with a God anyway.. But no. It’s because you maybe a champion of the people but I AM the people.

Panel 4:

Close-up of the scrapbook. on the page is a newspaper clipping showcasing Captain Zenith’s first appearance. You can make it whatever strikes your fancy.. Action Comics #1 or something more original..

ALEXANDER:

1. I know the way of people. If there’s an easy way to achieve something the human nature gravitates to it. The Lottery, game shows, Get rich quick schemes, all ways off amassing wealth and power with minimal effort.

2. You come from the stars and dedicate your life to making our city safe.. For whatever reason, you chose to protect us from the dangers of the rest of the world instead of sharing your gifts with it as well.

3. They began to depend on you too much. At first it was just invasions, terrestrial or extra, super powered crazies, or *ahem* debonair, eccentric businessmen. Then you were doing all but changing babies diapers. Even our advances medically and technologically were because of your alien knowledge.

Page 8 -

All are pages of the scrap book and look like any front page story on a newspaper. With varying signs of age.

Panel 1:

another page of the scrapbook and another headline from the newspaper. This time Captain Zenith and his Ally, are fighting some Nazi menace. Just a classic scene where they’re fighting robots or monsters with some crazed costumed character watching the carnage.

ALEXANDER: You were there when our freedom was challenged. Your first few months on our planet and you witness the savagery of humanity.

Panel 2:

Standard super-hero handing over small time thugs to local authorities shot.

ALEXANDER: Big or small, you always took charge. This is when our world changed.

Panel 3:

A big city parade in Zenith’s honor. Ordinary citizens in costumes, floats the whole 9 yards

ALEXANDER: They loved you. You were their savior. You delivered them from crime and all the ills of modern society. Fed the hungry, housed the homeless. Did in months what we couldn’t in years. But at what cost? You gave them utopia on a platter but you also took their self reliance.. What happens when you’re gone?

Panel 4:

Front page of a gossip rag like the national enquirer showing a cult based on Captain Zenith

ALEXANDER:

1. And what happens to those that see you as more then a hero? What do you intend to do?

2. I didn’t oppose you because of petty jealousies, or my own machinations. I did it because I know what it’s like to be tempted to take the easy route to the top, and how hard it is to regain yourself once it’s taken away. I may never have been an honest man, but I knew what it was to struggle.

3.But in the end, I got old. You didn’t. I’m human and you are not. You’re a good person, a good friend. I just didn’t have the strength to stand up against the will of the masses.

Panel 5:

Captain Zenith stands stoic looking downward solemnly.

CAPTAIN ZENITH: I... have to end this.

Panel 6:

Zenith flies off, and Lionel stares on with wonder:

ALEXANDER: Good luck.

Page 9 -

-Splash page -

Ext. wooded area on the outskirts of town. A large palace like structure stands looming outside the city limits. Something large on a grand scale, worthy of Zenith's stature.

CAPTION(s):

1. Home.

2. Well, as close as Home gets here. During our "transitional" phase on Earth, we found even though our intentions here were peaceful. Not everyone was ready to open their arms to strangers from the other side of the Galaxy.

3. We built this here around the 50's. What was known as McCarthyism to the terans.. humans... Didn't escape those beyond their political spectrum. Even though we fought for their freedom the "not in my backyard" mentality extended to aliens as well as communists.

4. It was a logical decision. I can't fault them. We had only been here for a short time, no one could really know what our motives were.. Far enough away to avoid their untrusting eyes.. but close enough so "He" could be near them.

5.Their media gave it some outlandish name, the STRUCTURE OF SOLACE or some such if I remember correctly.. Him, myself, the building. They always seem to want to name things. I guess it better helps them to understand things beyond comprehension. Whatever they called it, it was home. Or as close as home gets here.

Page 10 -

Panel 1:

Zenith flies in an open skylight and gracefully descends to the ground. Inside the giant structure there are many treasures and trophies from various adventures. In the background, his "side-kick" Darwin types away at a large computer. He's silhouetted for the moment.

1. DARWIN: How did it go?

2. ZENITH: He was startled to say the least

3. DARWIN: I know I was.

Panel 2:

Darwin steps into the light and toward the now grounded Zenith. He has less then human features, but humanoid nonetheless. Sort of a reptilian crossed with one of those Grey alien types. The ones everyone is always abducted by. His outfit is less over the top than Zenith's. Having put his costumed adventurer days behind him. He wears more of a jumpsuit type outfit. Like a Military style or perhaps Star Trek-esque.

1. DARWIN: It's not everyday you go from being indestructible to, how would they put it? Worm food.

2. ZENITH: Still with the "they's". One of these days your going to surprise yourself and accept yourself as one of them.

Panel 3:

Darwin turns his back on Zenith and goes back to his computer.

1.DARWIN: I doubt that. You were the one fortunate enough to look like them. How long have we been here? I can't leave this place without getting stares.

2.ZENITH: That's your own doing. You decided to keep yourself holed up here for the past 20 years. Had you tried to integrate with them they would have accepted you in time.

3. DARWIN: I doubt that even more. Before we came along they could scarcely accept themselves.

Panel 3:

Zenith smiles wryly as he stares longingly at one of the objects in a glass case.

1. DARWIN: I take it you're still going through with this?

2. ZENITH: Unless you want to take my place as their protector..

3. DARWIN: That answers that. Shame it has to come down to this.

Panel 4:

Darwin faces the readers as he continues to type Zenith's life story. CZ stands behind him with his hand on his shoulder.

1. ZENITH: Me too. This maybe the only time I can say this, I want to thank you. Thank you for coming with me, escaping. For helping me with this fools errand of saving these people from themselves.

2. DARWIN: These people? I seem to have become a bad influence on you in your old age..

3. ZENITH: I'm serious. I couldn't have done this without you. I'm sorry you couldn't find the same peace here I did. Part of what made this home was sharing it with my friend. I thank you for that as well. You friendship meant a lot to me over the years. Take care of yourself.

Panel 5:

shot from behind. Zenith is gone, Darwin has his head in his hands solemnly.

DARWIN: (softly) Thank you.

Page 11 -

Panel 1:

The surface of another world. Darwin and Gabriel are running for their lives. Wearing tattered clothing, looking like refugees from a prison camp. There are blasts raining down on them In the air sinister black "aircraft" follows them. They run through a desolate area. Something akin to Death valley or somewhere in the deserted southwest. Mountainous terrain, but devoid of much life.

CAPTION(s):

1.Our other "home."

2. We came from a world, I doubt which still exists. it's name was Azra'il, it exists or existed, in a yet uncharted stretch of the universe. Once it was a peaceful planet.

3. Once.

Panel 2:

Darwin is hit in the leg with one of the blasts.

CAPTION(s):

1.Then they came.

2.DARWIN: Ahhhh!

3.The Locati. A contemptible nomadic warlike race. They plunder the stars, staying on a planet only as long as its inhabitants and resources hold out. When they've both expired, they seek a new planet to destroy.

4. I had a wife. A child. they're gone now. I don't know why I ran. Nothing was left for me out there now.

Panel 3:

Gabriel grabs John before he falls and tries to help him to a rock formation just ahead.

1. DARWIN: Leave me!

2. GABRIEL: No Chance.

3. CAPTION: I do know why. Because he ran. Our races have lived in peace for eons. He was my friend. The only one I knew still lived. I wouldn't see him die without fighting.

Panel 4:

Gabriel and Darwin hide behind the rock, as one of the "crafts" lowers to the ground and stops. Two soldiers dispatch and head toward where they fell. You can depict them anyway you choose. Only thing I want to see is that they look menacing.

CAPTION: He risked his life to save mine, as I did his. I thought on that day we were dead. In all likelihood we should have been. Maybe we all would have been better off.. I could never have foreseen what happened come about.

Page 12 -

Panel 1: Gabriel and Darwin stay huddled behind the rock, as the shadows of the troopers loom closer. They're scared. Darwin has his eyes closed either in pain or in fright. Gabriel is looking nervously at the shadows.

CAPTION(s):

1. The footsteps got louder and louder. I wished they would just get it over with kill us where we sat.

2. But that's all part of the "fun" seeing us squirm in fear as we wait for the inevitable..

Panel 2:

Gabriel makes a mad dash running right toward one of the soldiers. Darwin peeks around in fear seeing his friend on a suicide run.

CAPTION(s):

1. I thought he had finally lost his mind. Or his will to go back to being their slave, as the Earth saying goes, "better to die a free man than to live as a slave."

2. In retrospect. I don't know who was more surprised, myself or the soldiers. The planet just lied down and was such an easy conquest. some fought but not enough to pose a threat. By the time we decided to make a bid for freedom there was no fight left in anyone.

Panel 3:

Gabriel rams into one of the soldiers knocking him off balance and keeps running.

CAPTION: He was either the bravest sentient in the universe or the dumbest.

Panel 4.

The soldiers take aim and try to fire on Gabriel.

CAPTION: But he was my friend brave or dumb, and I would not see him die while I still drew breath.

Panel 5.

Darwin tosses rocks hitting them in their helmets or headgear.

CAPTION: About that time I realized my breathing days were about at an end.

Page 13:

Panel 1.

Darwin takes the opportunity to hop into the soldiers "parked" vehicle.

CAPTION: He operated like a man possessed. Dire situations have a way of changing a person. I see why he chose the life he did on this, his new world. Saving those he couldn't on his own world, when he was "normal".

Panel 2.

Gabriel speeds toward the soldiers slamming the vehicle into them and knocking them into the ground.

CAPTION: Even without "powers" he had the spark of a hero. We all do. We just never know it until we need to call on that part of us.

Panel 3.

Gabriel stops the car and lets Darwin in.

No Copy

Panel 4.

Shot of the fallen soldier lying motionless on the ground as the vehicle soars off into the stratosphere.

CAPTION: We were free - it seemed as if no one wanted to bother catching us. They had a whole planet, what consequence are two slave? I fear what became of the others. How they would be "discouraged" should anyone think of such a rebellion.

Panel 5.

Ext. Space. the craft floats harmlessly among the cosmos.

CAPTION: Another reason we weren't chased I've found.. Was that we managed to snag a scout ship.. not meant for long journeys. With no supplies, and no fuel, we were as good as dead as if we'd have stayed. Fortunately we stumbled onto a scavenger ship where we could trade it for something with a warp capability.

Panel 6.

Ext. Acropolis Cityscape. Night. circa 1939, before it was a utopian society. Something gritty like NY or Chicago of the era. Looks like a job for google.com for refs. A burning meteor streaks through the nights sky.

CAPTION: Unfortunately however, the warp drive didn't hold out through the whole trip. We ditched for the first planet with a habitable atmosphere.

Page 14 -

Panel 1.

An invisible streak cuts through a tall fortress like wall and it crashes to the ground.

CAPTION(s):

1. Now.

2. There's a silent hush that falls over the country as one of the two great walls come tumbling down.

Panel 2.

A ruined wall. Rubble lies on the ground as people come and stare in amazement.

CAPTION: The second one falls just as fast as the first. They were his idea. Inspired by the Chinese wall erected to keep the Mongols out. Earth history always fascinated him.

Panel 3:

close-up of a TV Anchor reporting the story of the fallen walls. His dismayed look says it all.

CAPTION: The walls were there, to protect the country from the countless invasions a "super-man's" lifestyle attracts, also it acted as a deterrent for more run of the mill would be conquers that also plagued this planet's history.

Panel 4:

Ext of an electronics store with people huddled around looking at the TV's in the window of the shocking news report.

CAPTION: Which brings to mind another Earth saying, "Just because you can do something, doesn't necessarily mean you should." Even though free trade and immigration were still made possible, the insular nature changed the nation, into something I can only hope isn't irreparable.

Page 15 -

Panel 1.

Back to the crash site. The craft sits steaming in a large crater in a field or maybe a ranch. A small collective of people in styles from the 30's, mostly farmers and police stand in awe of the craft. Much in the same way the modern day people were looking at the TV in the window on the last page.

CAPTION(s):

1. Then.

2. The year was 1939, and the place was America...

Panel 2.

The police hold back the growing crowd of awe-struck onlookers as Zenith climbs from the ship.

CAPTION: They didn't quite know what to make of it. Their primitive dialect was easy to deduce after a few moments. But words like Nazi's and Soviets, made little sense to me...

Panel 3.

Zenith stands smiling as an officer nervously approaches him.

DARWIN: (off panel) Uh, Hello?

Panel 4.

Darwin arises from the craft.. The onlookers go from awe to terror.

DARWIN: Don't be scared.. Listen, I'm still trying to pick up your language.. We don't mean any harm.

Panel 5.

The cop pulls his pistol and starts firing.

CAPTION: Around about this time, things got..

Panel 6.

Zenith stands in front of Darwin and the bullets bounce off his skin.

CAPTION: ..Strange...

Page 16 -

Panel 1.

Int. of a Military Compound. More of a living quarters than a prison. However gaurds stand watch and a Scientist "interviews" the creatures.

CAPTION: We were kept in quarantine for a good time. Even then I knew this was a logical step. We weren't held prisoner per se, just watched, studied, to prove we were honest when we said we posed no threat.

Panel 2.

Darwin sits in a chair reading a thick book.. In the background through the window you can see Zenith levitating slightly as the military officers look on.

CAPTION: While we were there, we were supplied with reading material to better understand the planet's culture. Newspapers, books, magazines..

Panel 3.

close up of a comic book of the time. Spy smasher or something. Classic Captain America 40's era hero comic.

CAPTION(s):

1. And "comic books". He liked these the best. Bold stories of people with incredible powers fighting against injustice. Morality stories for the Earth children.. good overcoming evil.

2. I suppose it was imagining living on a world with a gargantuan protector that made him decide to do what he did.. To make up for not being strong enough, brave enough to free our world. Here they call it "survivors guilt", but he couldn't have done anything there.. He wasn't..

Panel 4.

Outside. Zenith performs small feats to astound the Military men. Bending steel bars etc.

CAPTION: ..Like this.. Something about this world effected us, both of us. But coming from different races we weren't affected the same. He had limitless strength, the ability to soar high above the clouds, some sort of bio-organic power blast emitted from his eyes.. incredible.

Panel 5.

Darwin sits in a room. Akin to a police interrogation room. He sits at a long table across from him seats a military scientist who's holding a card with a shape in front of him. not letting Darwin see. A deck of similar cards lay next to the scientist.

1. CAPTION: My race had long prided our mental acumen. What you would call psychic abilities. Here, they were phenomenal. They had me perform what they described as "Remote Viewing" where I would be able to use my newly amplified powers to make out shapes revealed on the cards in front of me. As well as move things via telekinesis, read minds...

2. JOHN: Square.

3.SCIENTIST: Correct.

Panel 6.

The card begins to smoke and the tip catches fire.

CAPTION:.. Set fires.

Page 17 -

Panel 1.

Seen through the one way mirror. General's and what not overlook the experiments. The scientist puts out the card fire

DARWIN: I'm sorry..

SCIENTIST: It's okay.. We'll call it a day.

Panel 2.

Close-up of the General.

GENERAL: I don't know about this. They get more powerful everyday. What if they do have less than friendly intentions? How do we stop that?

Panel 3.

A young private runs into the room with a panicked look on his face.

1. PRIVATE: Sir! Sir!.. It's the Germans, we've been ordered into Europe.

2. GENERAL: When it rains it pours. Perhaps we can use this to ascertain a way to counter any threat they may pose and win the war at the same time. Two birds men, and there's our stone.

Panel 4.

Zenith And Darwin stand in their costumes, in heroic poses.

CAPTION(s):

1. We were granted asylum on this planet, but with the expressed condition that we use our "gifts" properly. And should the need arise come to the aid of our "hosts". We were given code names - so that if we did use our abilities for good that we wouldn't compromise ourselves should we choose to have "normal lives".

2. He was, Captain Zenith. I was The Ally...

Panel 5.

Ext. Acropolis City. Zenith in a suit & hat, the style of the time walks down the street normally. Paper under his arm not getting noticed by anyone.

CAPTION(s): We were allowed to choose our own identities to better integrate into the world. He chose GABRIEL KING. The Government set him up with a small job at the local radio station. A newscaster. Simple enough. Just read what's put in front of you, also a good way to keep up with the world at large. He fit in well

Panel 6.

Int. of the housing set up they were given. Darwin sits in front of a typewriter hard at work.

CAPTION: I, not exactly being able to blend into crowds chose a profession that allowed minimal contact with the outside world. I took the name Darwin Scott, seemed as good as any.

Page 18 -

Panel 1.

Similar look to the previous panel. But it's night. He sits by glow of a desk lamp still engrossed in his typing.

CAPTION(s):

1. I became a writer. Since coming to this world, I found an unbelievable amount of peace retiring into make believe worlds. Much like the adventures of "Gabriel's" heroes, the worlds created by people such as H.G. Wells, Arthur Conan Doyle, Ian Fleming, provided an escapism.

2. When I was asked what field I wanted enter I told them I wanted to tell stories. I've been mostly know for my "Science Fiction" works, ironically just slightly altered versions of my experiences at home. Things I've done, things I wished I'd have done. But all of it based around my experiences. No one was the wiser that the person that wrote about what lies beyond the stars was from there as well.

Panel 2.

Darwin stands at a large window overlooking the city. In the distance you can see Zenith flying about.

CAPTION: He loved this.. By day he could have a life like the one he knew.. By night he'd fly around protecting the city from Bank robbers or some such.

Panel 3.

Ext. Acropolis City - Night. In typical comic book fashion a gang of people run out of a jewelry store with sacks of loot.

CAPTION: It was all fun and games to him. No one ever got hurt. The guilty got punished, the world kept turning.

Panel 4.

Zenith Stands in the road in front of the speeding get-away car. The driver and passengers are shocked.

No Copy

Panel 5.

The cars front end is smashed and the would be burglars hang from a lamp post.

CAPTION: Fun and games.

Page 19 -

Panel 1.

Zenith and Ally stand before a US Military meeting.

CAPTION: We were asked to help the war effort. The war wasn't something new to me. I had read about what was going on in Europe. The awful things that were happening to those people, and how the Allied Forces were trying to save them.

Panel 2.

Upward shot of Zenith and Ally floating to the ground after jumping out of an airplane. It's in the daytime. They're still a ways up and under enemy fire.

CAPTION: This wasn't some cartoon adventure. This was real. People were dying.

Panel 3.

Large panel. Zenith and Ally land on the ground amidst a battlefield. Some east European farm land looking place. The Allied Forces are pinned back by fire. An enemy tank rolls toward the Allies with the two heroes stuck in the middle.

CAPTION: This wasn't a game. And he was about to find that out.

Page 20 -

Panel 1.

Zenith charges at the tank as Ally watches on.

ZENITH: Go make sure the everyone stays safe.

Panel 2.

Ally throws up a TK shield to protect some random civilians from raining debris.

CAPTION: I'll never forget his face during the debriefing. When he heard of the prison death camps, the Nazi rhetoric. He saw what our world became.

Panel 3.

Zenith punches the Tanks cannon bending it.

CAPTION: Amidst bombursts, I heard cheering from the Allies. To them he was everything they wanted to be. Even today I sometimes ponder if anyone saw the irony in sending a "superman" to defeat Hitler's plan. Did we stop him or just enforce his belief of a superior race of men?

Panel 4.

Zenith Lifts the tank up and flips it over.

CAPTION: There was a hush when that tank flew. Both sides watched in awe as he tossed around the greatest implements of destruction with ease. He was like a man possessed. Fighting an old war in a new place.

Panel 5.

Close-up of Zenith's face. His teeth are gritted, he's just pouring anger.

No copy.

Page 21 -

Panel 1.

The allies took that lull in the battle to spring into action. leaping over fences and charging into batle.

SOLDIER: Aces! The Cap's got those Ratzi's running like cockroaches!! Come on!

Panel 2.

Zenith and Ally stand on a hillside watching the war continue on into the sunset.

CAPTION: This world was just as broken as the one we left.

Panel 3.

Close-up on Zenith's face. His anger turned to sadness as he watches the fighting continue.

CAPTION: War changes people. To some it hardens them to the ills of the world, others it breaks, making them try to prevent bad things from happening. With all the power he was given, it wasn't enough to let him see this. Not now.

Panel 4.

Shot of an Acropolis Newspaper. Headlines read US Heroes Turn The War's Tide.. Big picture of Zenith fighting. Ally is in the background.

CAPTION: We had a heroes Homecoming. Military commendations.. I don't know if they were surprised or glad when "Captain Zenith" told them he never wanted to see another battlefield.

Page 22 -

Splash page - Captain Zenith floats high above the city looking down on the gritty city.

CAPTION(s):

1.Things had to change, he told me. He'd protect the place that took him in until his last breath. He'd never let his new home become like what he just saw, or what he'd left.

2.As one war ended, a mission began.

3."He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and
walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying."

- Friedrich Nietzsche

Artt by: James Ritchey, III, Mark Stegbauer, Letters by: Jim Keplinger, Colors by: Sara Heiney-Ramirez