My hope for this and next year is to get these series collected/recollected in some shape or form because that's where I've been slacking. Secrets & Shadows was never collected and I've been selling the old 2016 Alterna Clusterf@#ks because I still had so many copies. Want to fix that.
![[Page 1][4 Panels]
Panel 1: An establishing shot of Jon’s apartment at night. The building is comprised of two connected one-story flats with a rusted beige exterior and a dusty red tin roof. The flat on the left has two medium-sized windows as well as a front door close to the left of the house with a small window on the door, an overhead light, and a small cement step in front. Close to the center, there is a water pump and large blue gas tank. The flat on the right has a similar layout, but flipped to the reverse of the left flat. The light above the right door is on and the right door is open, but just a small bit. There is a small patch of grass growing around the gas tanks. In the foreground is a large gravel lot large enough to park four compact cars. There is a reference photo in the file.
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Panel 2: A side shot of the right door, now wide open, with Jon carrying his silver bike. He is wearing all black with a black backpack hanging off of his shoulder. In the background, we can see an open field of grass and the back of a small Japanese house with ceramic tiling on the roof. The light is shining down on Jon from above and behind so his face is shadowed.
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Panel 3: A medium shot of Jon standing with the bike on the gravel lot. He is checking the bike. In the background, we can see that the door is closed. He now has the backpack on correctly.
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Panel 4: A close-shot of Jon gripping the shoulder strap of his backpack, as if to make sure it doesn’t fall off, with a serious expression on his face.
NO TEXT](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jnrsyasx6a4den4m6idzzjy7/bafkreid7vaggfvm6ccuqw7b2ppkhtn7zqy2w6dcm3q2fxizlyty7qrysgy)
![[Page 2][6 Panels]
Panel 1: A full shot of Big John in his early 30s wearing a black gi, the judge wearing a white gi, and his opponent. The judge is in the center holding both men’s wrists and is raising Big John’s hand. Big John has a smirk on his face.
BIG JOHN (op): He sat in the tree and waited for days. Or so the story goes.
Panel 2: Pull back to show that the previous panel is a photograph hanging on a light gray concrete block wall. Next to it, there is a portrait of Big John. In the portrait, he is shown as much older with streaks of dark gray in his hair and thick glasses. Below the pictures are a row of first place trophies on a shelf. Some of them have medals hanging from them.
BIG JOHN (op): His opponents thought he was late and decided to rest, but once they did…
Panel 3: A side shot of Jon in his teens wearing a white gi while sitting cross legged and facing the right, looking up at Big John in awe. Big John is wearing a white gi and sitting on the light gray radiator. Big John is looking down at Jon and punching his hand as if to show something being smashed. In the background and to the left of them, is a large wall mirror.
BIG JOHN: WHAM! Musashi jumped out of the tree, killed them all, and ran away.
JON: That’s insane.
Panel 4: A shot of Big John from Jon’s POV. He has a smile on his face and his arms crossed. He is shrugging his shoulders.
BIG JOHN (op) 1: Those were different times. I doubt there are samurai jumping out of trees today.
JON: Have you ever been to Japan?
BIG JOHN (op) 2: No, life always seems to get in the way.
Panel 5: A medium shot of Big John leaning forward putting his hand on his son’s head.
BIG JOHN 1: But I’ve always wanted to go. Just once.
JON: Maybe we can go together.
BIG JOHN 2: I doubt your mother would agree to that.
Panel 6: A close-up of Big John with a smile on his face.
BIG JOHN: But maybe one day.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jnrsyasx6a4den4m6idzzjy7/bafkreie765j4vgul5cxotlcvkxzsrq2rgekdf4vsjxrrh52wby6wxydoyq)
![[Page 3][5 Panels]
Panel 1: A full shot of Kuji City Hall late at night. It is a large white, three-story building with a small moon tower on the left side. There is a photo in the reference file. In front of it is a small, empty parking lot and a sidewalk. In the foreground and on the left, Jon is riding his bike towards the right side of the panel.
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Panel 2: A medium shot of Jon riding with a serious look on his face.
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Panel 3: A side shot of Jon, now riding on a sidewalk in front Amber Hall. There is a photo in the reference file. Jon is riding off to the right.
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Panel 4: A side close shot of Jon wiping his brow.
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Panel 5: A bird’s eye view of Jon riding on the sidewalk of a long bridge going over a large stream. The stream is man-made and has large cement walls on either side (about 30 ft. high), though the water is quite low.
NO TEXT](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jnrsyasx6a4den4m6idzzjy7/bafkreifdvmy4xtg2whegrf5xwnc46jw3twum2ek3szlrvrfdkx4zig3ooy)
![[Page 4][5 Panels]
[Flashback/Black and white]
Panel 1: A medium shot of Jon standing in the room from Page 2. He’s slightly older and dressed in street clothes (t-shirt, jeans, and jacket) holding a cardboard box. He looks slightly saddened.
BIG JOHN (op): Well, this is the last of it.
Panel 2: Pull back to show Big John and Jon standing with cardboard boxes. They both look slightly saddened. The room is now empty. The trophy shelf and pictures are gone.
BIG JOHN 1: I guess kids aren’t that interested in real martial arts.
JON 1: Sorry, Dad. I’d give you the money, if I had any.
BIG JOHN 2: It’s all right, turkey.
Panel 3: A side shot of Big John and Jon walking toward the door with their boxes in hand.
BIG JOHN: Lever Bros. is putting me back on nights, so I would’ve had to stop, anyway.
JON: Well, maybe now you can plan for Japan.
Panel 4: A shot from the back wall of them standing in the open doorway.
BIG JOHN 1: Maybe, if you grandparents stay healthy.
BIG JOHN 2: But they’ve been… off lately.
JON: I’m sure they’ll be fine.
Panel 5: Angle on same. Big John has turned the lights out and now we can see him in the hallway holding the box. The light in the hallway is casting a long shadow across the floor.
BIG JOHN: Maybe you’re right.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jnrsyasx6a4den4m6idzzjy7/bafkreicjocwklflpzojtnixe7sn2jeqwvcgvqlerfwgys2c2plk67taeji)
![[Page 1][3 Panels]
Panel 1: A close-up shot of one of Venkor’s robots. The head has just been sliced in two and we can see the sword, slicing down, at the bottom of the panel.
SFX: SHRK!
Panel 2: A full shot of the robot falling in two pieces to the stone ground. We’re in a rock quarry similar to this.
SFX: CLUNK!
Panel 3: Full shot of the Megamech standing in a rock quarry with several downed enemy robots at its feet. The Megamech is missing an arm and a leg. Its remaining arm is clutching a large sword and has is impaled in the ground like a makeshift crutch. The sky is cloudy.
CAP (REGGIE): “Was that all of them?”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jnrsyasx6a4den4m6idzzjy7/bafkreiflm6nudemn56oilf3b5plt6qqtmrzjt3thdhdnurhudjyyp7xvmy)
![[Page 2][5 Panels]
Panel 1: A full shot of Reggie, Cassidy, and Thad sitting in the cockpit of the Megamech. Each of them have controls in front of them. Their uniforms are slightly damaged. Each person’s helmet is at their feet. The wall behind them is damaged and there are loose wires hanging down. Reggie is looking over at the others with a tired expression. Cassidy and Thad are looking at the screen with serious looks on their faces.
NOTE: Panels 2 – 4 are vertical panels of equal length and next to one another.
Panels 2: A medium shot of Reggie looking at his controls with a nervous look on his face.
REGGIE: Please tell me that was all of them.
CAP: Reggie. 17 years old. Reformed slacker. Ranked 2nd in his class.
Panel 3: A medium shot of Cassidy. It should be similar to the previous panel. She has a stern and serious look on her face.
CASSIDY: I certainly hope so. Thad, damage report.
CAP: Cassidy. 18 years old. Head Cheerleader. Valedictorian.
Panel 4: A medium shot of Thad typing on his controls. He has a serious look on his face as well.
THAD: We used up a lot of energy and are a few limbs short.
CAP: Thad a.k.a T-Styles. 18 years old. Star Running Back. Ranked 10th in the class.
Panel 5: A shot of Thad, now turned in his chair to face Cassidy (the chair is still facing the other way, he’s just looking over the side).
THAD: We don’t have that much fight left.
CASSIDY: Well, it doesn’t look like they do either.
VENKOR (ELEC)(op): Fools!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jnrsyasx6a4den4m6idzzjy7/bafkreibe7qz2bwtzofxkk3rypboe5xfnm7pq2ouz3ymbtgcjk5cmwcsdmi)
![[Page 3][6 Panels]
Panel 1: A side shot of Venkor’s flying fortress breaking through from above the clouds.
PRINCE VENKOR (elec): Did you really think it would be this simple?!
Panel 2: A wide shot of Venkor standing on the bridge/throne room of the ship. He is standing in front of a large metallic throne in the center of the room. There is a golden chalice on the arm of the throne. There are four minions operating floating controls around him.
PRINCE VENKOR 1: While you have been fighting, my weapon has been charging.
PRINCE VENKOR 2: Once fully charged, you will all be reduced to ash!
CAP: Prince Venkor. Age Unknown. Potential Conqueror of Earth.
Panel 3: A medium of Venkor with a smirk on his face.
PRINCE VENKOR: Your attempts to protect this planet have been entertaining, but it is over.
Panel 4: A full shot of Venkor, now sitting on the throne and holding the chalice.
PRINCE VENKOR: This planet will be mine. Submit.
Panel 5: A close-up of Venkor holding the chalice up to his lips.
PRINCE VENKOR: Perhaps you can make great toys for my pets.
Panel 6: A close-up of Cassidy looking at the reader in anger.
PRINCE VENKOR (elec): So heroes, what say you?
CASSIDY: No.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jnrsyasx6a4den4m6idzzjy7/bafkreiei5zs7bvwwpggfjy7744j2fdortc5yfor7snrpp7psk3o7opufm4)
![[Page 4][5 Panels]
Panel 1: A shot of Cassidy slamming her hand on a large red button at the center of her controls.
SFX: SLAM!
Megamech (elec.): Last Resort has been initiated.
Panel 2: A full shot of the MegaMech, it’s now glowing green.
NO TEXT
Panel 3: An upward shot of the blasting off toward the fortress.
SFX: FWOOSH!
Panel 4: A shot of one of Venkor’s minions shouting. Venkor is in the background sitting on his throne with a shocked look on his face.
MINION 1: Sir, our reading show the mech’s self-destruct protocol has been initiated.
VENKOR: Fire the weapon!
Panel 5: A shot of Venkor, now standing and pointing off panel.
MINION: We aren’t finished charging!
VENKOR: Then fire everything else!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jnrsyasx6a4den4m6idzzjy7/bafkreihyqe2uye33jnmclflzc6kx42t6wu3roeqeohm2sil24w4ds4i2ym)
![[Page 1][3 Panels]
Panel 1: An establishing shot of a desert during the day. Sand dunes and a mostly clear sky with a sandstorm in the distance.
CAP:
The Great Desert.
TIM (no tail):
FOOD!
Panel 2: A full shot of a fight near the bottom of a sand dune between Moon’s group (Moon, Hunter, and Ruka) and a gang of bandits. Moon, Hunter, and Ruka are in the center. They are surrounded by six bandits (Tim, Mort, Mike, Donnie, Hank, and Bob). The bandits dressed in rags wielding rusty metal clubs. Moon is wielding a katana, Hunter is wielding a naginata, and Ruka has a falling sun blade. It’s from a distance so it doesn’t have to be insanely detailed.
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Panel 3: A side shot of Moon blocking an attack from a Tim with his katana. Tim is wide eyed screaming in his face.
TIM:
Give us your food!
HUNTER (op from right):
How do they always know?!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jnrsyasx6a4den4m6idzzjy7/bafkreiajf4yntuel2bxlnfqx4fuuvdw2hjq3em3xmf6obndlxa4hiyi6fu)
