BLACK SHUCK // SINS OF THE FATHER (part seven)
Scandinavia, 815 AD. When the Anglo-Saxon warrior known as BLACK SHUCK washed up at the court of King Ivar, it was discovered he was the monarch’s bastard son, sired during a Viking raid on the town of Dunwich. Shuck successfully aided Ivar in his fight against the monstrous Jötunn, and became king himself. But his bestial curse has been passed on to his unborn sons, and his family will perish unless he seeks help…
Written by us, with pencils and inks by Steve Yeowell, colours by Chris Blythe, and letters by letters by Ellie De Ville.
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Track 7 on the Black Shuck 2 soundtrack: Flashback by Tomahawk
Mega fast, short and sweet post this Prog, sorry.
Script for Pages one and two:
#7 “The Hunt”
Page One
This is a five panel page.
EXTERNAL NIGHT throughout.
Panel One
This is a shot of Shuck in his were-beast form galloping along through woodland, heading up a small hill, at an incredible pace. His fur is still smoking from his daring rescue in the previous issue. There are two captions, internal monologue from Shuck.
Cap: The bolt came from this direction.
Cap: The bowman’s eye must be keen indeed.
Panel Two
Here we are at the top of the little hill, not far into Dunwich forest. We can see what looks like a figure wearing a long black hooded cloak (the same cloak we saw the man in black wearing last time) standing among the trees in the right foreground. Shuck is leaping over the crest of the hill towards the figure. He has one balloon.
Shuck: GRAAAW
Panel Three
Here we see that the cloak is empty, merely hanging from a branch. On the ground beneath where the cloak flaps in the wind, we see a large crossbow and a quiver of spilt arrows/bolts. Shuck is on all fours and sniffing at the items like an animal, trying to get the scent of the bowman. He has two internal monologue captions and one FX from his sniffing.
FX: snuff snuff
Cap: The scent is not human.
Cap: The creature plays games.
Panel Four
Here we see Shuck standing up like a man. He has the quiver of bolts on his back and the leather carry strap of the large crossbow slung across his shoulder. He is loading a bolt, pulling back the string. We are looking down on the scene slightly here so that through the trees behind Shuck we can see Dunwich in the distance still burning. Shuck has two internal monologue captions, there is one FX from the bolt.
FX: klik
Cap: It thinks to mock me.
Cap: I am challenged to try to hunt it.
Panel Five
Here we are looking out past the tops of the trees down at Dunwich in flames in the near distance. There is one caption from Shuck.
Cap: I accept the challenge.
Page Two
This is a six panel page.
EXTERNAL NIGHT, FIRELIGHT for 1 &5, INTERNAL CANDLELIGHT for the rest.
Panel One
This is a shallow tier-wide panel showing Dunwich burning still but people winning the battle against the flames at last. Water is being poured, flames beaten out, children wrapped in blankets are being hurried away, and so on. There are two captions.
Cap: “What is going on out there?”
Cap: “Where is my husband?”
Panel Two
This is a shot of Queen Freydis inside the chapel at Dunwich Abbey. She is pointing angrily at us, her other hand resting on her swollen belly. Her nursemaid is behind her looking concerned. Freydis has two balloons.
Freydis: We heard screams! Are we under attack?
Freydis: Why will you not explain?
Panel Three
This is a shot of brother Cedric with his back against the inner doors of the chapel, his arms out to block them and hold them shut. The queen’s pointing finger is right in his face the rest of her off panel) and he is leaning back away from it. Despite his efforts the doors are opening behind him, pushing inwards. He is looking towards the widening gap with horror. He has two balloons and there is one from the bishop outside (he’s the one opening the doors).
Cedric: Y-your highness, the bishop told me I must not allow you to leave the chapel.
Cedric: He said to say nothing more until–
Thefridus (outside): I am here, Brother Cedric!
Panel Four
Here we’re behind the bishop who is pushing the doors open before him/us so that we can see the other three characters looking toward him/us. He is looking at the singed paw mark on the outside of the door-frame which we saw last issue but which the others cannot see. He has three balloons.
Thefridus: There is a fire in Dunwich. It is bad but it will soon be under-control.
Thefridus: Your husband has gone in search of those who set it.
Thefridus: But you, your majesty, must not set a foot over the threshold of this chapel.
Panel Five
This is a shot of the Abbey from the outside. Vikings are guarding the place, standing in lines wit weapons and shields and looking round as if daring another attack. There are two captions from Thefridus.
Cap: “The warriors of your land guard the Abbey now.”
Cap: “They, and I, do all that we can to keep you from harm.”
Steve’s inks:
And the finished pages:
I’ll do better next week, I promise.