In 1999, Dean Lee asked me to write up a couple five-page sample plots featuring Legion of Super-Heroes characters which he could use to practice his storytelling skills.  I had him provide me with a very basic scenario — characters and setting — so that I could create something that he would enjoy drawing.  (Always tailor your story to the artist if you can!) Click here to see Dean’s art for the sample SCENARIO Ultra Boy, Umbra, and Element Lad vs. Bandarkat on a jungle planetoid. TITLE “Jungle Cats” BASIC PLOT Small teams of Legionnaires are tracking down a number of escaped villains — probably from the Legion of Super-Villains.  The current target for Ultra Boy, Umbra, and Element Lad is Bandarkat (from the “Planet Hell” story), who has fled to a jungle planetoid.  Ultra Boy has first shot at him, but is the one who succeeds.  The real surprise, though, is what else the Legionnaires find on the planetoid. NOTE TO THE ARTIST The important part here is the general description of each page.   The panel-by-panel breakdown is just a suggestion — how I pictured it.  Use the breakdown as a guide for content needed on the page, but change it completely as you see fit. PAGE 1 Set the scene — a jungle planetoid — and start the battle with Ultra Boy and Bandarkat fighting. Wide panel: The jungle planetoid is quiet. Wide panel: There is a disturbance in the distance; aliens birds fly up and the trees rustle. Wide panel: There is an explosion of some sort, closer than the disturbance was before. Big panel: Ultra Boy flies out of the jungle, clutching Bandarkat, trailing jungle leaves behind him. PAGE 2 Bandarkat fights and escapes from Ultra Boy, but Umbra traps him in darkness.  Ah, but Bandarkat can see in the dark! 1/4 page panel: Bandarkat turns into a mess of fur, claws, and teeth (like in the old cartoons of a cat and dog fighting). 1/4 page panel: Ultra Boy puts up his arms to ward off the claws, and Bandarkat leaps away from him, to a tall tree, to a shorter one, and then to the ground. Sequence of four panels across the bottom of the page: As Bandarkat looks around, tendrils of darkness creep in, making everything grow darker (last panel is all black) PAGE 3 But only Umbra can see in this darkness!  While Element Lad and Ultra Boy land in the clearing, Umbra whomps on Bandarkat in the darkness. Sequence of three panels: Bandarkat’s eyes light up.  Then Umbra’s do, and Bandarkat’s look surprised.  And then his eyes go out, but hers stay on. Large panel: Element Lad lands the Legion cruiser in the clearing near Umbra’s darkness, and Jo lands nearby, too.  (Include an inset panel of Element Lad in the cruiser?) Panel: As Element Lad exits the cruiser, Bandarkat gets launched out of the sphere, head first (unconscious). Panel: Umbra drops the sphere of darkness, none the worse for wear. PAGE 4 Element Lad trusses up Bandarkat.  Umbra calls in the mission status.  And Ultra Boy makes a dramatic discovery. Wide panel: Element Lad creates metal cuffs for Bandarkat (and mittens for his claws?), while Umbra calls in a report to Saturn Girl. Panel: Ultra Boy’s attention is attracted by a glint of metal behind a covering of vines and plants. Panel: He pulls the plant matter away and calls the other two Legionnaires. Panel: All three of them stare in amazement at whatever Jo uncovered (unrevealed here). PAGE 5 This page was intentionally left unplotted.  I wanted to see what Dean would put in for the Legionnaires to have found.  (And he exceeded by expectations!) Click here to see Dean’s art for the sample Click here to return to the main Comics page Click here to return to the main Missing Lynx page
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