Sequential Script Challenge #6: Buffy, the Vamp Slayer? -- tangent wins!

[mattbib]

Here's the concept:
Posters were asked to write a three page script utilizing some character, team, or plot device decided upon by the winner of the previous Sequential Art Challenge. Writers had approximately two weeks to submit their scripts.

The sixth theme, suggested by Aljira, winner of Sequential Art Challenge #5, was "Buffy, the Vamp Slayer?". Vamp (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showpost.php?p=6731256&postcount=7) is a character created by atoningunifex for Project CBRunway Challenge 7 (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=218527). Otherwise, how the rest of the teme is interpreted is entirely up to you.

Now that the submission period has concluded it's time to vote to decide which script will be used in the Sequential Art Challenge. Use the poll to vote but please leave constructive comments in a post.

Using the winning script, artists will submit their sequentials and, after a couple weeks, they'll be voted on as well.

There are no rules other than following the theme and meeting the deadline. There are no prizes, so those of you just wanting to have fun shouldn't be discouraged from participating, even if you are unsure of your talent.

For this third round, voting will end on Monday, August 4.

So without further ado let's take a look at our submissions...

[mattbib]

PAGE 1

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg305/sparta28090/vamp1.jpg

Panels 1-4 Takes up roughly a third of the page they are headshots of our characters like a roll-call

Panel 1: A headshot of Buffy styled "Laura Croft" style as she has chosen to dress like this for a Halloween costume party

Caption: In quotes as it is her addressing the reader "Sexy nookie slayer rookie!"

Panel 2: Farshot of Vamp's side profile applying lipstick while holding a compact mirror and because of the distance it is a distorted image of Starasia in the mirror

Mirror: Even dead I am still HOT!

Caption: "You died saving my life, only to make me puke to death Bee-otch?"

Panel 3: Headshot of a man with a half-mask (Think of Phantom of the Oprea...this is your design, so go nuts)

Caption: "*Sigh* even I, a rich European vampire named NIGHT-FALL has to...."

Panel 4: A headshot of a Mexican in a sombreo who has a lazy look and posture about him, he is even sportin a thin mustache

Mexican: Que?

Caption: "*Ahem* Nightfall here again, ...hire one-legged, mexican wrestling serial-killers for my dirty work from time to time"

Panel 5: Buffy is falling toward the reader after being cast from a large curvy staircase. The room is dimly lit with torches and has a medeviel dungeon interior look. The only bright light is from the open door where a tiny silohoetted Nightfall stands after shoving our teen hero. (suggestion) his hand is in his pocket and smoke is rising from a long cigertte holder

Nightfall: Let us see how you fare in your first foray against an amazon-sized vampire, Slayer!

Panel 6: The reader is looking over Vamp's shoulder (75% body shot) as she has her compact mirror open and if space allows we see a better rendition of Starasia, if not, distorted is fine. We need to be able see Vamp's toned shoulder and ass cheek in tight leather pants. We also see a recovered Buffy now in a crouched fighting position.


Vamp: You wanna throw-down little girl or work together to kick loco-pompus asses?

Starasia: Kick her ass Shaneequa for wearing cargo shorts!


PAGE 2


http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg305/sparta28090/vamp2.jpg

Panel 1: The reader is looking at a fireplace with a huge mantle and a roaring fire. We see an arm holding a goblet of wine as we see the back of an easy chair. Nightfall is sitting in it and addressing a full body profile shot of "Loco Asno"

Nightfall: In our lower quarters there are Two surprises for you

Panel 2: Headshot of Loco Asno and his lazy look has changed. He is starting to look demented. His eyes are wider and his tongue has just made an appearance in the corner of his mouth.

Caption: (Nighfall continuing his instructions) Surprise #1 a young tender girl who is dying for your attention.

Panel 3: Same shot but now he is enraged and he is locking and loading a shotgun fashioned from his dearly-departed leg.

Caption: (continued) "And surprise #2 Vamp is there awaiting your revenge for ending your wrestling career. At the door is a bayonet for your demented gun...I assure you, she will beg for death.

Panel 4: Side profile shot of The girls (girl?) ready to throw down!

Buffy has her weapons drawn and Vamp is still holding her compact mirror but it

has opened like the weapon from Krull (http://www.dama4.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/inverse/images/charpics/glaive.jpg) At the top of the long, windy staircase we see a silhoetted body of Loco Asno. Holding his Leg-gun with his new bayonet being held like a soldier....and of course he is still wearing his sombrero.

Buffy: Give one, just one reason why I shouldn't chop you down, Jack?

Vamp: 'Cause believe it or not brat-twat we are on the same team and I want
that Nightfall freak dead because he made me like this.

Starasia: (from center of weapon) Give her a smashion for her slutty fashion, Shaneequea!

Both girls: Shut-up!


PAGE 3

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg305/sparta28090/vamp3.jpg

Panel 1: (large panel) We see a front shot of a jubliant, grinning, eyes tightly closed Loco Asno realishing his good fortune as he is standing on the steps close to the floor we see a backshot of Buffy (still looking like Laura Croft) weapons in hand and ready to pounce. We see a profile shot of Vamp with her hands on her knees as she just hurled on the floor.

Loco Asno: You ruined my wrestling career by shooting my leg off, Vamp and for that you must pay like the Vampire whore you are.

Vamp: I was aiming for your little pee-pee for raping teen girls and killing bag ladies on my turf, you mexican turd!

Buffy: Even though I have been a slayer for less than 24 hours, I know who is gonna take a dirt-nap!

Panel 2: Shot of Starasia's face in the weapon.

Starasia: I have seen you like this before, honey. That Bayonet, is made of Platinum....we have been betrayed!

Panel 3: Side shot of Vamp's head. her makeup is smudged from her tear-tracked face.

Vamp: (in captions) "Buffy, honey, I know trust is at an all time low now, but you need to take that bayonet and finish what I started years ago on Loco Asno's peanut sized nads, then race upstairs for I assure you Nightfall will fear it.

Panel 4: Buffy's hand has just grasped the base of the Bayonet of Loco Asno's shotgun leg

Buffy: WAY!

Panel 5: Just like panel 1 but that ass licking grin has been erased from Loco Asno's face and replaced with a pucker-lipped, wide-eyed surprise look on his face as Buffy has just stabbed him in the bean-bag.

Buffy: AHEAD OF YOU VAMPAZON!

Loco Asno: Que?

Vamp: (weakly) Now go honey, and hopefully we'll meet again in a more fashionable place...

Starasia: That hoe is fierce!

And that's a wrap gang!


*kudos to Viktor for the co-creation of Loco Asno, the one legged, most vile serial killer in all of Mexico, well, I stand corrected WAS

[mattbib]

OK, so, I didn't know which one was "Vamp", so I made an educated guess. So, here is "Buffy, the Vamp Slayer?" as interpreted by BryanStatic.

Page 1

Panel 1: We are in a warehouse, large and empty. Starasia is seen being hurled through the air by a large unseen force.

Panel 2: Starasia begins to regain her balance in a large pile of rubble. She is visibly roughed up. She begins to think to herself.
STARASIA: [OK, let’s review.]

Panel 3: A large furry creature standing on both legs with the head of the bunny, body of a werewolf, and tail of a monkey is seen rushing towards where Starasia landed. Behind it, a large hole is seen in the metal wall, obviously how it entered this place. Starasia is seen running off panel.
STARASIA: [One: there is large half-bunny half-ape thing trying to kill me.]

Panel 4: Starasia jumps over a pile of wreckage, trying to distance herself from the beast chasing her.
STARASIA: [Two: I have led it into an enclosed building leaving me with nowhere to run.]

Panel 5: The beast is seen behind Starasia easily smashing the obstacles she was using to give her distance.
STARASIA: [Three: I’m missing the new episode of Grey’s Anatomy and I didn’t set it to record!]

Page 2

Panel 1: A voice shouts from behind the creature, however we do not see him. The beat becomes noticeably calmer. We see Starasia stop running in the distance.
MAN (Off panel): Buffy!

Panel 2: The beast, apparently named Buffy, begins to run towards the entrance once again. Our mysterious guest appears in silhouette holding his arms outwards to greet the creature. He stands by the large entrance hole.
MAN: Good job, girl! You found her really fast!

Panel 3: We finally see Starasia’s antagonist petting his now loving pet. He is visibly nerdy, however you wish to interpret that.
MAN: She didn’t hurt you did she?
STARASIA (Off panel): Who the hell are you?

Panel 4: We see a close-up of his face. He is visibly angry, staring at her intensely.
MAN: It figures. I go through all this trouble and you don’t even remember my name. I’ll give you a hint. Class of ’99.

Panel 5: A panel showing Starasia doing an “I’m thinking” pose.
STARASIA: Uh…
MAN: How about Ms. Hodgkin’s Biology class?
STARASIA: Hmm…
MAN: Junior year?
STARASIA: Err…
MAN: OH, COME ON!

Panel 6: Buffy is standing by her master. He strokes her behind the ear.
MAN: It was the day our science projects were due! I wrote a hypothesis on the splicing of rabbit, werewolf and monkey DNA. And you laughed! You were the first and then everyone else joined in!

Page 3

Panel 1: The man is still yelling and point at Starasia. From behind we see a small tranquilizer dart landing on Buffy and her eyes and body begin to droop.
MAN: Oh, but I showed you! My first step was to spend all my inheritance on funding research to prove werewolves exist! Then, I camped into the wilderness for years, becoming like nature, smelling like nature, tasting like nature!

Panel 2: Buffy falls forward onto her face as quietly as possible. The man does not notice.
MAN: Then, when I tracked down a werewolf, I traded him a steak for some of his hair! It was then I realized that werewolves don’t understand the idea of bartering! I digress, but my point is that Buffy here is the sum of all my research.

Panel 3: Another close-up of the man’s face. His anger is reaching a point where veins are beginning to pop out of his forehead and neck.
MAN: So, after so many years, I finally get my revenge! With the very idea that you mocked, no less! Buffy, sic!

Panel 4: The man, realizing Buffy isn’t responding to his commands, looks towards his fallen pet.
MAN: Buffy?

Panel 5: An unseen blunt object hits the man in the back of his head.
MAN: DGH!

Panel 6: Shaneequa is seen standing over the fallen body, holding a wooden plank, broken by the combined forces of her strength and the thickness of the man’s skull.
SHANEEQUA: It’s great when they love the sound of their own voice, no need to set up a distraction.

Panel 7: Starasia begins to run towards Shaneequa. Buffy is out of view
SHANEEQUA: We need to get out of here, that tranq will knock an basalisk out for an hour, but I’ve never tested it on a were-hybrid.
STARASIA: Do you have a guess?
SHANEEQUA: Um…

Panel 8: Buffy awakens and roars at the top of her lungs. Shaneequa grabs Starasia by the arm and they begin to run.
SHANEEQUA: Now?





You never said it had to be that Buffy. And even if you changed the title to be "Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vamp Slayer?" I would probably just name the man Joss Whedon.

[mattbib]

EXT/Night: in a cemetery somewhere in new york.

PAGE 1

frame 1: vamp flies towards us after buffy's foot connects with vamp's face. vamp's face is distorted from the hit. blood splattering is good...but no teeth flying.

BUFFY: you look familiar


frame 2: vamp slams into a large headstone. beside it, is another large headstone, but we could see the hands and feet of starasia who's obviously just sitting there. maybe watching.

BUFFY: (off panel) well

BUFFY: you looked familiar


frame 3: a closer look on vamp as she wipes the blood of her mouth and tries to get up. we could see starasia now as she bends a little to talk to vamp.

VAMP: i'm sooo gonna kick that blonde bitch's ass

STARASIA: she said you looked familiar.

VAMP: shut up.

STARASIA: survey says she'll ask you if you're RuPaul.

BUFFY: (off panel) are you RuPaul?


frame 4: close up on a very pissed off vamp.

STARASIA: (off panel) see?

VAMP: i said shut up.

VAMP: and you little missy--

VAMP: as ms. noxeema jackson would put it, are an affront to the very delicacy of my nature...


frame 5: close up on a slightly confused buffy.

BUFFY: like duh?!! how many times..

BUFFY: wait. who's noxeema?


frame 6: just like frame 1 but this time it's vamp's fist that hits buffy on the face.




PAGE 2

frame 1: we see starasia's back as she's still sitting on the headstone. watching buffy and vamp duke it out.

STARASIA: wesley snipes. to wong foo.

WILLOW: andrew made me watch that movie.


frame 2: a shot of starasia looking behind her shoulder. we could see willow in her tara-like dress standing in front of the bushes.

STARASIA: who?

WILLOW: hi. i'm willow.

STARASIA: what?

WILLOW: i think the "who?" question is..

STARASIA: no. i mean, what the fuck are you wearing?!


frame 3: a shot to the side. starasia still sitting on her headstone, facing the reader (but still actually looking behind her shoulder) following willow as she moves toward the foreground...beside starasia.

WILLOW: it's a dress.

STARASIA: no. it's a costume. a medieval costume. an ugly medieval costume.

WILLOW: hey! it's comfy. in a very world history way. also helps me remember someone-

WILLOW: someone very important.


frame 4: same shot. but this time willow's completely on the foreground. they're both looking at the fight that's happening off panel.

STARASIA: so why don't you just wear a pendant or a bracelet like the rest of us?

WILLOW: because i -

WILLOW: you know what, you just sounded like someone i knew.

STARASIA: knew? who?

WILLOW: anya. she died.

STARASIA: oh.


frame 5: buffy and vamp fighting.


frame 6: same with frame 4.

STARASIA: i'm starasia by the way.

WILLOW: nice to meet you starasia.

STARASIA: nice to meet you too, willow.

WILLOW: so, what are you guys doing here?

STARASIA: we're actually hunting this vampire bitch named scarlet--

WILLOW: scarlet?



PAGE 3

frame 1: starasia beside willow. willow, both hands near mouth. shouting.

WILLOW: buffy!!! they're the ones kennedy told us about!!!


frame 2: buffy surprised.

BUFFY: what?!!

frame 3: same with frame 2, but this time she gets hit on the face again.

BUFFY: urrgh!

frame 4: same shot with frame 1 - starasia's giggling. willow's eyes are rolling...hand now extending towards reader.

WILLOW: scindo!

frame 5: buffy and vamp separate and fly off in different directions


frame 6 & 7: shows buffy and vamp landin hard on the ground. maybe each hitting a tombstone or a tree, or something.


frame 8: close-up on a very determined willow.

WILLOW: guys, i'm sorry, but listen to me.

WILLOW: i got a plan.

[mattbib]

Premise: A celebrity personality goes missing. Buffy's unexpected reunion with a former classmate results in an alliance with an unlikely ally.

Page 1--Teaser:

Panels 1-4: Flashback, May 15, 2003.
The panel opens with readers peering at a Beverly Hills mansion through a closed gate. The mansion is a garish white affair, a nouveau riche blight among several classier estates.

In the 2nd panel, we see bars on the gate are bent wide enough to allow a slender body through.

The 3rd panel closes in and shows two hefty bodyguards in black "casual dress" running toward an off-panel target.

We hear noises in the 4th panel--loud "WHUMPS" and a "Oh my god, my leg, my leg!" A feral "SNARL" drowns out the last part.

Panels 5-7

Now, we're inside the mansion. Think a "pimped out" affair, what one might see on the tackiest MTV reality show. Like a flock of flamingos exploded all over the walls and carpet. Bright and expensive, but lacking taste. We see a harried young woman (played by Amanda Seyfried) in a skimpy club outfit apparently running for her life. She's attractive in that "Britney/Paris/Lindsay" kinda way. Stylishly coiffed hair is falling to disarray. Her bubble-gum pink bustier is ripped in places. Her black mini-skirt is nearly hiked up over her hips. She slips and slides on ridiculously stiletto-heeled black thigh highs.

Young Woman: "Oh God, someone please help me, won't someone HELP ME?!" She attempts to climb a flight of stairs, but slips half-way up.

Behind her, we see an over-the-shoulder view: more loud noises as the feral intruder effortlessly repels the security personnel, as evidenced by scream and groans.

Panels 7 & 8:

Now we see the young celebutante behind a heavy locked door. The door splinters inward as clawed, dark-skinned hands burst through. She screams, "NO, NO, PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE!!"

Panel 9:

Running underneath the previous two panels, a black background with blood-curdling "NOOOOO!" in blood red.


Page 8

July 17, 2003.

Panel 1. We find Buffy Summers in a dark club. Instead of black, there's faint red undertone to the club. Buffy is investigating L.A.'s Abattoir, the newest goth club. Buffy wears an asymmetrical black top that leaves her left shoulder and arm bar. In red stenciled letters: B I T C H. Her hair is loosely teased; it's "Stripper Hair". She's wearing the red leather jeans from BUFFY VS. DRACULA episode. High-heeled black boots and studded leather bands plus silver armlets complete the outfit. Buffy's apparently "undercover".

Panels 2 & 3. Buffy navigates her way through caged Go-Go Girls & Boys, brushing off unwanted come ons.

Panel 4. She looks out of place, but determined to get the job done. A mask of stoic disinterest cracks when she (and we) hear: "Buffy? Buffy Summers?"

Panel 5. Buffy turns toward a handsome "Boy next door", though his look has a slight edge. Lacuna Coil tee shirt under an electric blue vest over black jeans. His hair is cut short, just spiky enough, but not over-the-top. Black leather armbands and funky sneakers complete his look. We see both disbelief & gradual recognition in Buffy's eyes.

Panel 6: "Owen? Owen Thurman. Owen Thurman from Sunnydale High?!" Her face is clearly incredulous. "What in GOD'S name are you doing hanging out in the winner of the 2000 Dumpster Diving Olympics?"

Panels 7-9: We see flashbacks in grey, showing abbreviated events of the "NEVER KILL A BOY ON THE FIRST DATE" episode, ending with a brief version of Buffy's break up speech.

Panel 10: Grinning, Owen tells Buffy, "I'm here for work." Aghast, Buffy asks, "You work in a sex club?" Laughing, Owen tells her, "No, I'm a reporter for THE RED LETTER."

Panel 11: Confused, Buffy frowns, asking, "Again, what are YOU doing HERE? Not that I'm not glad to see you or anything...and not that I'm a regular patron here, although I like my kinky sex, YAY, kinky sex...but what are you doing here?" Over their shoulders, we see a fierce black "woman" (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor) watching them. Her hair is honey-blonde and flawlessly styled within an inch of its life. She wears a stunning black catsuit with shoulders adorned by red feathers.

Page 21

[I]Panels 1-3: Buffy & Vamp exchange a flurry of blows. The fight is furious, the stakes appear high. They seem on equal ground--until Buffy executes a killer foot sweep that breaks Vamp's boot heel and lands her flat on her ass.
"AHH! You BITCH! Do you know how HARD it is to find boots in this size?!"

Panels 4 & 5: A grin on her face, Buffy quips, "Your boots were made to order, not for fighting--and they WON'T be walking over me! Although this stake will start A'Dusting!" Arm raised, Buffy prepares to strike true with her stake. Then, she hears a plaintive "No, don't do it! Buffy, STOP!!" It's apparent from a second "tail" on the last speech balloon that someone else has joined in that plea.

Panel 6: A perplexed look on her face, Buffy stares at Owen and..."Starasia Toussaint? You're alive?" Vamp looks both peeved and relieved.

Panel 7: Buffy eases off, as Starasia "Vapid" Toussaint eagerly nods. "Uh--DUH! I'm, like, Vamp's Girl Sunday or whatever." Buffy and Vamp simultaneously roll their eyes.

Panel 8: Vamp corrects Buffy, even as Owen has now stepped closer. "Actually, that's Girl Friday, but I'd say you're more like Robin to my Catwoman." Eyebrows raised sky-high, Buffy says, "You mean Batman and Robin."

Panel 9: Vamp raises a sleek scarlet fingernail. "No, Slayer-Girl, I mean Catwoman and Robin. You think I'm gonna put a pointy-eared cap on all," pointing at her teased mane, "THIS? Besides, cats & birds go together so much better than bats & birds. Don'tcha think?" By now, Owen stands closer to Vamp...almost intimately so.

Panel 10: Sheepishly, hand behind head, Owen explains to Buffy: "Uh, that's what I was trying to tell you, Buffy. Vamp's my...source." Incredulously, Buffy asks, "You...help a vampire fight crime. A vampire who doesn't have a soul fights crime?"

Panel 11: Close up of Vamp smiling confidently. "Girl, I don't need a soul. I've got Fabulousness!"

[sparta28090]

Hey gang! I have been working like a dog the last few days and soon as I logged on I notice we are now in a voting thread, with 4 scripts.

It's really wild how we all approached it diffrently but that is probably Alijra's intention with incorporating an unscripted character that was created in CBRunway....so thanks for the challenge buddy.

I really enjoyed working on my script with a new, unknown character and also working with Buffy since I have never seen an episode or movie but I tried my best with "wikipedia". I just tried to work with the ideas that Alijra pitched like 'talking to dead people" and that is why I had Vamp talking to a dead Starissa in the mirror/weapon. And Loco Asno was born when I emailed my buddy Viktor and mentioned to him that I had never seen anything "Buffy" and he pointed out that Buffy could be anything since this was just an idea and not a concrete reference (which is the direction BryanStatic went....good job by the way)

I was hoping that we would have more scripts but hey with the summer months on us people are spending more time outdoors, vacationing, and passing out from par-tay-ing! So, has anyone noticed that we have a slew of voters from the Traitor Game XVIII: Reality Bites! message board? I am asking in case I am the only one that has noticed this one.

So, anyhoo, I am looking forward to our lead-masters to get their hands on the winning script on Tuesday, and working their mojo!

[tangentman]

I was hoping that we would have more scripts but hey with the summer months on us people are spending more time outdoors, vacationing, and passing out from par-tay-ing!

I also expected more scripts than showed up. Maybe a follow-up challenge or a thread devoted solely to Buffy scripts could generate more response?

So, has anyone noticed that we have a slew of voters from the Traitor Game XVIII: Reality Bites! message board? I am asking in case I am the only one that has noticed this one.

Why are you bringing that up?

[sparta28090]

I also expected more scripts than showed up. Maybe a follow-up challenge or a thread devoted solely to Buffy scripts could generate more response?

The challenge is totally up to the winning artist. See, after these scripts are voted on then artist submit the 3 pages of sequential art of the winning script and then we vote on the winner of that challenge. Alijra won the art challenge last time so the challenge was totally up to him make any subject of his own choosing. You can access my profile and my posts archive where you can see the challenges #2 through #5. In case you choose not to do that we have had challenges from Batman, Spiderman, Monsters, New Jersey 1984 and others.



Why are you bringing that up?
Just something I noticed.

[tangentman]

The challenge is totally up to the winning artist. See, after these scripts are voted on then artist submit the 3 pages of sequential art of the winning script and then we vote on the winner of that challenge. Alijra won the art challenge last time so the challenge was totally up to him make any subject of his own choosing. You can access my profile and my posts archive where you can see the challenges #2 through #5. In case you choose not to do that we have had challenges from Batman, Spiderman, Monsters, New Jersey 1984 and others.

I figured that out from reading the challenge thread, but thanks for elaborating and giving some back history..




Just something I noticed.

Just a little something about me: you can speak plainly with me. What you're really commenting on is that these people you pointed out all voted for me. I told friends on the board about the Buffy script I submitted and asked them for feedback. They know I'm a major Buffy fan. I've written Buffy stuff before that they've read. I wanted opinions on THIS piece.

Honestly, I'm surprised I even made the cut. I was pleasantly surprised to see my submission in there. I didn't tell all my friends to vote for me. I asked them for opinions on what I wrote. I wrote the script for love of Buffy. Soooo...if you're looking for some sinister conspiracy, I'm afraid there really ISN'T one. :smile:

With that out of the way, I enjoyed the other submissions. I thought yours was funny, and Bryan's twist gave me a good belly laugh. In the end, I voted for Aljira because that was the one that seemed to most capture the overall "Buffy voice" to me. :smile:

[The Adventurer]

I was hoping that we would have more scripts but hey with the summer months on us people are spending more time outdoors, vacationing, and passing out from par-tay-ing!


I'm going to be completely honest, I couldn't get into a script for this go around because of the "Vamp" part of the topic. The characters were just so not what I write, I simply couldn't put them into a story I felt good about. Now if it had just been Buffy? I probably could have done something, though even there I lack a lot of empathy with the character.

I really REALLY liked Challenge #5's topic because it was so wide open. This one simply had too many specific things as requirements forced into the topic IMO


If the topic had simply been "Vampire Slayer(s)", I'm sure it would have gone down like gang busters. I know all my stops would have been pulled out.

[sparta28090]

I'm going to be completely honest, I couldn't get into a script for this go around because of the "Vamp" part of the topic. The characters were just so not what I write, I simply couldn't put them into a story I felt good about. Now if it had just been Buffy? I probably could have done something, though even there I lack a lot of empathy with the character.

I really REALLY liked Challenge #5's topic because it was so wide open. This one simply had too many specific things as requirements forced into the topic IMO


If the topic had simply been "Vampire Slayer(s)", I'm sure it would have gone down like gang busters. I know all my stops would have been pulled out.

Something I just came across a few days ago that you may find of intrest. Marvel.com has a "fan fiction" contest every month. The contest lasts an entire month and it's not decided by voters but by a writer from marvel. Like I said I just came across it so if I am in error in anyway in regards to the process then I apologize in advance.

I do understand you not being able to get a "script-footing" on this challenge. I seem to be way in the minority in regards to Buffy. I know nothing of Buffy except that she slays vampires. But I researched somewhat and came up with something. Keep in mind that in any challenge your script is yours and intreperted in any way you see fit. Just know that the artists can get wacky in their challenge selection. The "New Jersey 1984" challenge was wide-ass open and there was so many diffrent kinds of scripts but there were also alot of submissions....so there is no way of knowing what them wacky lead-pushers are gonna come up with.

[Aljira]

....In the end, I voted for Aljira because that was the one that seemed to most capture the overall "Buffy voice" to me. :smile:

thanks tangentman! that's soo sweet! i like you already!!! i voted for me too. LOL


i understand that a lot of stuff came up with this round.


i understand The Adventurer. the characters doesn't speak to him - which would then translate that he has no voice for them...if this were an actual paying job, i'm sure he'll finde time to internalize and do research, but hey! this is just a friendly competition.


as for how i wrote the script - i've read pencillers complain before that the writer doesn't give them "go-crazy time"...i think Claremont is/was guilty with that. and as an artist, i understand what they're saying. the best comicbook runs are those where the artist and the writer worked like one.

...and i actually kinda followed how Lord Morrison wrote his scripts...


hey tangentman...if i felt like doin ur script, can i change the number of panels?

[tangentman]

Yeah, Aljira, feel free to restructure the panels! Combine them as needed. I can plot all day long, but planning panel layouts was a challenge for me. :redface:

As a heads up, my plot was set a few months after the events of "Chosen", the Season 7 finale. I saw the particular Episode as part of a subplot where Buffy prepared for the move overseas.

[Joe Acro]

I didn't enter this time, but it'd be silly of me not to support the competition anyway. It's not like I vote for myself in these things.

Not knowing anything about that characters involved, I'm not going to focus on dialogue. And really, I normally don't anyway. When the artists draw the scripts, they typically don't do the lettering, so it's really more that they're drawing the plot than the script anyway.

That said, I vote for Aljira. Of those provided, it's straightforward, seems like it'd be fun to draw, and just has a nice flow to it.

I didn't actually read all of sparta's because, to be honest, I just got a bit lost in the first page. BryanStatic puts a bit too much emphasis on Starasia, I think. And tangentman's doesn't go sequentially.

All in all, though, I think everyone did a good job.

[sparta28090]

WoW! What a very close vote total this close to deadline. Hey Matt, what happens if there is a tie after the deadline? Do they cancel each other out and then the next highest vote-getter win? Extend the deadline? Or let the artist choose the script like a free for all?

[Kid Icarus]

I usually don't attempt sequentials
because of the actual talent and time needed
but if I can clear up my sched a bit
I will probably attempt Aljira's script
since there wouldnt be a deadline or anything

[mattbib]

Good job, tangentman (and Aljira too). Art challenge will be posted shortly.

[sparta28090]

I usually don't attempt sequentials
because of the actual talent and time needed
but if I can clear up my sched a bit
I will probably attempt Aljira's script
since there wouldnt be a deadline or anything

When you do Kid Icarus if you would be kind enough to post them even if it is a panel or page at a time.

While I do enjoy the pinups and bios a great deal I like the seqential medium alittle better since I am such a comic book geek.

[sparta28090]

I usually don't attempt sequentials
because of the actual talent and time needed
but if I can clear up my sched a bit
I will probably attempt Aljira's script
since there wouldnt be a deadline or anything

Have you started any panels or breakdowns yet on Aljira's script yet? By all means I am not rushing you in the least but there seems to be no movement at all on the winning script and you are the only artist that indicated you may take a stab or two on a script so I was just curious if time was being a major drain on your attempt, or if you were still in a planning stage.

[tangentman]

Ah. So if writers didn't like the Vamp & Vapid characters, they could have just gone ahead and submitted their own stories, instead of following the rules? :wink:

[Kid Icarus]

Ah. So if writers didn't like the Vamp & Vapid characters, they could have just gone ahead and submitted their own stories, instead of following the rules? :wink:

eh?
I'm not sure what you are insinuating

[tangentman]

eh?
I'm not sure what you are insinuating

Well, my understanding was that artists worked with the winning script in the next leg of the challenge. Yet, I'm seeing people here openly talking about drawing up art for the runner-up instead. To me, that wouldn't be much different than someone writing a Buffy story with the runner-up character, instead of incorporating Vamp. I get that not everyone was happy with the outcome, but I'd think folks could at least try to be good sports about it.

[sparta28090]

Well, my understanding was that artists worked with the winning script in the next leg of the challenge. Yet, I'm seeing people here openly talking about drawing up art for the runner-up instead. To me, that wouldn't be much different than someone writing a Buffy story with the runner-up character, instead of incorporating Vamp. I get that not everyone was happy with the outcome, but I'd think folks could at least try to be good sports about it.

Your understanding is correct on how the challenge works. But the key word here is challenge. There are no prizes involved and therefore the only rule that seems to be enforced is the deadline.

I am afraid that I am guilty that I have encouraged Kid Icarus in sequential art and there are a number of reasons I have done so.

1) He is a kick-ass artist as I have seen in CBRunway and the current challenge "Make Me a Hero". He openly admits that he rarely does sequential art and I hope I am not in error when I say I have never seen him post any sequential art, so I was just encouraging him if he CHOOSES to try it, whatever it may be.

2) This thread at one time was getting some major love. By that I mean, there were alot more scripts submitted in previous challenges and there was more art submitted as well. And now it has taken a nose dive. It could be that the summer months are the reason or the artist and writers just aren't getting excited about the thread anymore. I don't know why but that is just a fact.

On CBR Message Boards I spend about 80-90 percent of my time on The Artist and Writers showcase as this is what I enjoy most and learn the most, because I have an intrest in the "behind the scenes" of the comic business, but still maintain the fact I am a comic book geek.

I have learned alot on these boards but the most astounding thing I have learned is this: The artist is the true work horse of the book. By that I mean, you can have the greatest script in the world but if the art is crap then the book is crap, if you have a lame-ass script but the art is kick-ass then sales are a sure hit. If an artist busts his ass everyday he can (in most cases) do one book a month and I stress if he busts his ass everyday, while a writer can crank out 5 scripts a month. But guess what? because the 5 on 1 spread the writer has more free time and gets paid more from the company. The artist can close the gap if he skips alittle more sleep so he can then activly pursue the sale of his original work (Thank God they get to keep it).

Take your script for instance (and it was a good one but much too long for 3 pages of sequential art). How long did it take you to crank that out? A couple of hours? (I mean, count the actual time on your keyboard or pencil, not the thought process) The artist will spend more than 3 days on his easel, and more when he inks it and letters it.

I know this is wordy as hell but it's the sequential art and scripting I enjoy most. Now, I do enjoy Lew's sculptures and Howy's paintings and art, the pin/ups and revamps the various challenges produce.

I apologize to you because I do realize now how you could see where I didn't respect your script (but that is not the case). I was just encouraging Kid Icarus in the sequential medium and I am quite sure if he did then if he chose to post a panel or 2 then he wouldn't post it on the challenge thread.

To make it up to you I will attempt to post something on your script. Just know that i am not an artist so don't be drinking anything when you see it or you will be have a sticky key board from spewing on it from the lack of talent i have...just be aware you warned.

[Kid Icarus]

This is the problem that I have with the situation and have seen going on throughout the last couple of rounds of this challenge.

The fundamental problem with these challenges is that voting is opened to everyone, which is fine and dandy because that way you should theoretically get the overall best written script to be the winner. However, this script will not necessarily be the script the caters most to an artists wants and needs.

Sure you can have the vast majority of the votes, but what does it matter when none of those voters have any intent of actually doing the work required to make art out of the script. And like Sparta said, this is a very informal competition. People stick their heads in and out and do what they please, because there is no consequence to their actions. But what I am trying to do here, is grow as an artist, and that means taking on tasks I want and trying to work on the things that I need to work on.

So I am sorry if I offended you by telling of my possible working on aljira's or even by not attempting yours, but that's how life goes. There werent people flocking to my script when it won and that was ok with me. I moved on.


and ps I was never in Project CBRunway...

pps it's make me a super hero. you should come join the party

[tangentman]

Again, Kid Icarus, I can see how--as the artist--you want to pick and choose. However, if/when you work for a comic book company, you might not always have that option. You might have to work with the script & characters you're given. THAT's how Life usually goes. Just like I wouldn't have chosen Vamp on my own--however, I loved the challenge of fitting an unfamiliar character into a story about characters I love. I could have easily attempted to justify minimizing or excluding Vamp.

I hear what you're saying, but on some level, I can't help but feel like part of that comes from frustration over an unexpected outcome. It seems like you expected a certain winner, and when that wasn't the case, you decided to just take your pencils and go somewhere else. You asked how much time i spent on the script--about 35 minutes. Really. I saw the challenge thread at nearly the last minute, but because it WAS Buffy, I couldn't just give up. I love writing Buffy stories and I threw my hat into the ring.