PAGE 1:

(Panel) 1: Open on a heavy traffic jam.  Cars are lined up bumper to bumper, and the drivers (the ones we can make out, at least) are furious.  What we can see of the roadside shows a number of trees, behind which are stores.



2: Cut to the inside of one of the cars.  The DRIVER is a heavy-set man in a button-down shirt, with a receding hairline, who is pressing down on his horn as hard as he can.



3: Suddenly, the DRIVER relaxes his hand and peers out of his window.  His eyes are wide with shock as he watches this spectacle fly by him.



4: Outside, a pick-up truck flies over the traffic jam.  Other drivers are popping their heads out to see what's going on, and many are fleeing from their cars.



5: Cut back inside the car.  The DRIVER is fumbling with his seatbelt with one hand while his other hand is reaching for his briefcase in the other seat.  He tries to get the seatbelt out, but it's stuck.



6: The DRIVER turns to his windshield and sees a car flying right towards him.  As he gawks, a BLACK GLOVED HAND reaches through his door.



7: The GLOVED HAND glows white and claps down on the DRIVER's shoulder.

PAGE 2:

1: Splash panel.  A white aura surrounds the DRIVER as he is phased through his car in the nick of time.  His rescuer is PHANTASMIC, the star of our story.  He is a lanky teenager about 16 years old.  His costume is very civilian in appearance, like he could wear it out on the streets after he finishes here.  A white, short-sleeved hoodie with a zipper that ends at the middle of his chest; a sleeveless turtleneck with a reverse clerical collar (white with a black square in the center); white jogging pants with black seams running up the inside; white Converse high-tops; black gloves that end at the wrist; reverse domino mask (white mask with black lenses).



PAGE 3:

1: PHANTASMIC phases through the next car over, DRIVER in hand, as glass and metal fly out from the crash behind them.  On the way through, he grabs the OTHER DRIVER, a woman in exercise gear and her hair in a ponytail.



2. When they pass through the other side, PHANTASMIC and the DRIVERS touch down on the sidewalk.  The DRIVERS are discombobulated, but PHANTASMIC is amped with excitement.



3. PHANTASMIC turns back towards the action as more people run away.  The DRIVER is shaking his head, and the OTHER DRIVER focuses on the retreating hero.



4. PHANTASMIC turns around, flashes an old-school Superman wink and smile.



5: Pan up, and we see MARINEMAN rocketing through the sky, leaving a trail of mist behind him.  Combine the best elements of Superman and Aquaman, and then imagine he was played by Dean Cain.  He wears a blue suit of chain mail on top, with a large golden M on a black diamond in the middle of his chest; dark blue chain mail leggings; golden boots; a black belt with a golden trident buckle; a flowing black cape with yellow lining inside.  He has a determined look on his face, but he is not scowling like Batman--he wants to get the job done and put a stop to the trouble going down.

PHANTASMIC looks up in admiration, as do the civilians.  They know that the day is safe, now that MARINEMAN is here!



PAGE 4:

1. Cut to the scene of the crime, where we meet the culprit--LIGERTOOTH.  He looks like a hairier Sabretooth: a tan and black-striped one-piece, without sleeves; no boots or gloves.  He has fur-covered arms that end in clawed hands, and furry clawed feet.  He has a long, dirty mane of hair, and whiskers so thick, his face is hard to make out.  What can be seen best is his fang-filled mouth.

LIGERTOOTH is smashing anything within reach, which in this case, happens to be a number of superheroes.  SHIELD BEARER, a Captain America type who has two large, triangular, badge-shaped shields covering his forearms; RAINBOW RING, a young woman with Green Lantern like abilities, who has a ring emblem on her chest; BALLER, a super-athlete decked out in futuristic lacrosse gear; CAKE QUEEN, a stout woman in a chef's uniform and domino mask, who wields a staff topped with a Twinkie; RATMAN, a Batman type with a similar costume, minus the cape; PIGEON, RATMAN's sidekick, a Robin type in a gray tunic and purple leotard with a black cape.

SHIELD BEARER is protecting himself with his shields; RAINBOW RING is shooting black lasers at LIGERTOOTH; BALLER is catching rubble in his lacrosse stick; CAKE QUEEN is making it rain cupcakes; RATMAN is scurrying around LIGERTOOTH, while PIGEON throws white goo bombs from a telephone pole.



2. Pan up to the sky, where three more superheroes are flying high above.  KID PEGASUS, a teenage female winged centaur with a bow and magic arrows; THE CLOUD, a gaseous heroine whose lower body resembles a cloud; BEAT, a young man who resembles a DJ, who hovers in the air thanks to visible sound waves.



3. Back on the ground, SHIELDBEARER blocks a blow from Ligertooth while punching him in the gut.  He glances up at the air support with frustration.  THE CLOUD and BEAT reply by throwing water balls and concussive sound waves, respectively, at LIGERTOOTH



4. Suddenly, a giant sphere of water entraps LIGERTOOTH from the neck down.  BALLER, RAINBOW RING, and PIGEON cheer, while RATMAN sulks nearby.



5. Cut back to CLOUD, who is nothing short of confused.



6. MARINEMAN arrives on the scene, his hand glowing bright blue.  The gathered heroes are appreciative and happy to see him, except for RATMAN, who hates everyone.  The flying heroes lower towards the ground.



PAGE 5:

1. MARINEMAN walks by everyone, giving them a friendly smile as he goes.  He doesn't want to seem rude, even though there is a berserk LIGERTOOTH just outside the panel.



2. MARINEMAN comes face to face with LIGERTOOTH, who is struggling to get out of the bubble he is trapped in.



3. When MARINEMAN addresses LIGERTOOTH, the giant calms down some.



4. MARINEMAN gestures out to the damage in the road, and LIGERTOOTH looks surprised at how it got there.



5. Cut back to MARINEMAN and LIGERTOOTH, who now looks ashamed.



6. Cut back to PHANTASMIC and OTHER DRIVER, who are looking on in amazement as MARINEMAN handles the situation.



PAGE 6:

1. PHANTASMIC and OTHER DRIVER grin as they share anecdotes with each other, while the first DRIVER is talking on his phone.



2. As PHANTASMIC talks with OTHER DRIVER, he feels something vibrate in his pocket.



3. Close up on Phantasmic's hand as he pulls out his phone.  The screen lights up with a message from WILL.



4. PHANTASMIC tucks his phone back in his pocket as OTHER DRIVER looks on.



5: PHANTASMIC lifts up into the air while OTHER DRIVER watches.



PAGE 7:

1. He can fly!  PHANTASMIC shoots up into the air with a broad grin on his face.



2. OTHER DRIVER smiles as she watches the young hero fly away.



3. PHANTASMIC flies through the air, leaving behind a faint trail of white energy.  He flies with his arms streamlined above his head like a swimmer.  Behind him, we can see the silhouettes of other super-beings, some big and some small.

4. Cut to the exterior of ST. LUCIA HIGH SCHOOL, our hero's alma mater.  It is a relatively small campus, relying more on height than width and length.  The entire school is contained to one building--students do not need to go outside to get to their next class.  It is built on a slight slope, so that one section of the school has a lower floor while another has upper floors.  When viewed from the street, the left side of the school (one third of the building) has a first floor and a 'basement' for locker rooms, storage, and a pool; the right side of the school (two thirds) has three floors for the offices, cafeteria, library, and classrooms.  The only other building on campus is a one-story chapel, advertised by a cross adorning the side of the structure and stained glass windows.

PHANTASMIC is rocketing towards the top floor of the school, where his first class is waiting.

5. Profile shot of SLHS as PHANTASMIC phases through the walls and into a bathroom stall.  He strips off his coat when he touches down on the floor, and exits the stall a changed man.  Gone is the superhero--in his place is MICHAEL MENG, a Chinese-American boy of 16.  He has a mop of black hair and a lanky body.  He is wearing a school uniform consisting of a navy polo shirt and khaki pants, with white sneakers.

6. MICHAEL races among the various students trying to get to class.  He knows he's on the verge of being late, and like many of us, he counts down in his head how much time he's got left before the final bell rings.



7. MICHAEL dashes towards a classroom labeled 'Room 314: Mrs. Simpson', just on the verge of closing.



PAGE 8:

1. He makes it in the nick of time!  MICHAEL makes it in the classroom just before the bell rings and he pumps his fists in victory.  The teacher, MRS. SIMPSON, is standing on the other side of the door--she is none too pleased that MICHAEL almost missed the bell again.  MRS. SIMPSON is an older woman in her late 40s with a large build--she towers over MICHAEL.  Her black hair is done back in a fierce bun.  Her clothes are rather plain: black slacks and a red blouse.



2. MICHAEL flashes a grin at his teacher as he makes his way back to his seat.  Of the students we can see, some are entertained and others are bored out of their minds.  MRS. SIMPSON scowls as she shuts the door.



3. MRS. SIMPSON glowers as MICHAEL retreats to his seat.  The door is completely shut, and SIMPSON throws the lock.



4. There is a knock on the door and the door handle jiggles--someone is trying to get in.  MRS. SIMPSON notices this with disapproval.



5. MICHAEL takes his seat between WILL PRINCE, his best friend, and GEORGIA SPITERI, the secret identity of KID PEGASUS.  WILL looks like a young Christian Bale--handsome, gaunt face, with finely combed hair.  He's wearing a white polo shirt underneath a red hoodie and khaki pants.  GEORGIA, the human part of her, has olive skin and dark brown hair.  She is wearing glasses, a white, short-sleeved button-up blouse that reaches all the way to her horse body.  The horse part of her is milky white, but covered by a set of black pants that reach all over her save for her tail and the bottom half of her legs.

WILL hands MICHAEL his book bag while GEORGIA scribbles in her notebook.



6. MICHAEL fishes for his notebook while he glances at GEORGIA.  Somehow, no one recognizes the resident centaur is also KID PEGASUS.  When he compliments her, she gives him a slight grin.



PAGE 9

1. Cut to MRS. SIMPSON up front, as she berates a tardy student--FREDDY ROGERS.  He is a white boy the same age as MICHAEL and his classmates (16/17), has unkempt brown hair, and dressed very sloppily.  His uniform shirt is untucked, his pants have various stains, and both are ill-fitting.  When MRS. SIMPSON talks down to him, FREDDY rolls his eyes.



2. MRS. SIMPSON gestures to FREDDY's awful uniform, which he barely registers.



3. Close up on teacher and student.  SIMPSON is at her boiling point, and FREDDY has a smug look about him.



4. Staring contest!  SIMPSON glares, FREDDY has half-lid eyes.

5. SIMPSON points to a desk and snarls while FREDDY makes his way across the room.



6. Cut back to MICHAEL, WILL, and GEORGIA.  WILL is chuckling at the exchange, while MICHAEL and GEORGIA have nervous smiles on.



PAGE 10:

1. Class finally gets started.  SIMPSON hands out graded tests to every student, while MICHAEL keeps an eye on FREDDY.



2.  Split.  FREDDY gets his test back--100% correct.  MICHAEL gets his back--81%.



3. FREDDY smirks as he crumples up his test, while MICHAEL scowls and grips his in his fist.



4. Cut to later in the class, and the students have broken up into work groups.  MICHAEL is seated with WILL, DAISY, MONICA, and CLAY.  DAISY is a diminutive, heavy-set red-head; MONICA is an averagely tall black girl with glasses; CLAY is a stone-faced white boy with a buzzed head.  Their desks are bunched together, and they are working out math equations on a large empty sheet of paper.  Off-panel, PAUL, another student, is getting angry at FREDDY.



5. Cut to FREDDY'S group, consisting of PAUL, RACHEL, JENNY, and STEPHEN.  PAUL is a large, imposing blonde; RACHEL is a thin, stringy-haired dirty blonde; JENNY is a tiny brunette; STEPHEN is a gangly boy with glasses.  While the other four are clearly working together, FREDDY is scribbling in his notebook.  None of them are happy that he is not contributing.



PAGE 11:

1. Cut to later in the day, when FREDDY and MICHAEL are stuck in lunch detention with SIMPSON.  The two of them are eating school lunches, which consist of a chicken sandwich, a small salad, and a bottle of water.  MICHAEL is keeping his desk neat and tidy, while FREDDY has spread everything out over his desktop.  Nothing but uncomfortable silence between the two as they eat.



2. SIMPSON glowers at the two as she picks at her own meal, some spaghetti in a tupperware container.



3. The teacher looks over the two students, who could not be more different in their reply.  MICHAEL is giving an earnest answer, not wanting to anger SIMPSON any more, while FREDDY could care less what happens.



4. SIMPSON picks up her fork and points it at MICHAEL.



5. MICHAEL nods his head in understanding, and almost shame, as SIMPSON wraps up her lecture.  FREDDY scoffs at the sight.



PAGE 12:

1. SIMPSON points her fork at FREDDY, who slouches in his chair as he munches on his sandwich.



2. SIMPSON narrows into a glare as she tries to burn holes in FREDDY.



3. FREDDY leans over and brushes wrappers off his desktop so he can rest his elbow there.  He points his sandwich at SIMPSON.



4. MICHAEL is both uncomfortable and furious as FREDDY glances his way.



5. Cut to SIMPSON, who has the deepest scowl you can imagine as FREDDY talks off-panel.



6. FREDDY wipes his mouth, and from behind the napkin, we see the corner of his lips turned up in a smirk.



PAGE 13:

1. FREDDY gets up from his seat, balling up the wrapper for his chicken sandwich.



2. As he tosses his wrapper in the trash, FREDDY leaves out the classroom door.



3. SIMPSON and MICHAEL share a sideways glance with each other.



4. Teacher and student turn towards each other.



5. As MICHAEL goes back to picking at his lunch, he has a vivid daydream.  PHANTASMIC is imitating the cover of ACTION COMICS #1, lifting a car over his head and about to smash it down on FREDDY.



PAGE 14:

1. Cut to a SWIMMING POOL.  School has long since let out for the day, and it's time for practice at the school pool.  The pool is divided up into six lanes and a diving well.  There are two sets of bleachers five rows tall--the bleachers are covered with backpacks and towels.  COACH MARCUS stands at the poolside, shouting words of encouragement to the swimmers.  He is a tall, lanky man with a slick pompadour, a red polo shirt, and black track pants, and sneakers.



2. Cut to one of the lanes, where we see MICHAEL practicing the breaststroke.  He is wearing a black jammer, a black cap, and a pair of white goggles.  He is frustrated with how slow the swimmer is in front of him, and FREDDY'S lingering comments.



3. MICHAEL dives down underwater, swims underneath the person in front of him, and pops out ahead without missing a beat.



4. MICHAEL reaches the wall and grabs on with both hands.



5. MICHAEL pushes himself up and out of the water as another swimmer walks by.  This is CARRIE ELLIOT, a freshman on the swim team.  She has Polynesian looks, with curly brown hair on her head.  She has a trim, petite body with very few curves, and her swimsuit is a standard, navy-colored one piece.  When she greets MICHAEL, she greets him with a smile and a wave.



6. MICHAEL glances up and grins as he catches his breath.  CARRIE stops to chat.



PAGE 15:

1. MICHAEL and CARRIE walk over to their bags, along with other students finishing up their cool down laps.  MICHAEL has a sports drink with him, and he takes a healthy gulp as he walks.



2. CARRIE reaches her bag first, and fishes out a towel while MICHAEL stands by.



3. MICHAEL agrees as he reaches his own bag, and CARRIE's smile broadens while she ruffles her hair with her towel.



4: MICHAEL takes his bag up as he waves goodbye to CARRIE and heads off to the nearby locker rooms.



5. As he heads into the locker room, MICHAEL hangs his bag over his shoulder.



6. MICHAEL stops at a locker and pops it open as other swimmers filter in behind him.



PAGE 16:

1. MICHAEL looks inside his locker for a moment, realizes something, and sighs.  One of the other swimmers, a tanned redhead named ROBBIE, looks on as he throws on some sweatpants.



2. MICHAEL takes his swim bag and book bag, and heads toward one of the stalls.



3. When he gets inside the stall, MICHAEL reaches into his swim bag and pulls out a white hoodie--the same one he wears as PHANTASMIC.



4. MICHAEL throws the coat on and is enveloped by a white light.



5. When the light fades, MICHAEL has transformed into PHANTASMIC, costume and all.



6. PHANTASMIC picks up his bags and turns his head to the ceiling.  He starts to de-materialize into white wisps of light, which float off the panel and into the margins of the pages, up towards PANEL 1 of PAGE 17.

PAGE 17

1. Cut to a dark hallway filled with lockers and classrooms.  The wisps from PANEL 6, PAGE 16 reconvene here and reform into PHANTASMIC.  He drops off the two bags on the floor.



2. PHANTASMIC floats down the hallway, illuminating the way with a ball of white light in his hand.



3. When he reaches his locker, 3126, PHANTASMIC sets down on the ground.



4. Just before he can phase his hand through the locker, PHANTASMIC notices the shine of a flashlight in one of the classrooms further down the hall.



5. PHANTASMIC floats towards the classroom, lights out this time.



6. As he nears the door, PHANTASMIC edges closer to the wall so he can keep an ear out.  Someone is speaking inside, with a scratchy voice.  Though we cannot see him yet, this is ROACH.



PAGE 18

1. PHANTASMIC phases through the classroom wall, still invisible, and catches ROACH in the middle of drilling a hole in the wall with his index finger.  ROACH looks something like a mix between Kamen Rider and Spider-man.  Bronze-colored insect-like helmet with antennae and large lenses for the eyes; mouthpiece decorated with mandibles; bronze-colored body armor covering the front of the torso, shoulders, and top of the arms; black around the sides and under the arms; bronze-colored belt; bronze stripes running down the front of the leg and boots; black around sides and back; large wings adorn back.



2. PHANTASMIC solidifies and turns materializes, while gaining ROACH'S attention.  The criminal spins around in surprise.



3. ROACH points at PHANTASMIC, who shrugs it off with a smirk.



4. At that, ROACH rears back into a defensive stance.



5. Close-up on ROACH'S belt as he reaches a hand down to it.  PHANTASMIC spots this and his hand lights up with energy.



PAGE 19

1. Extreme close-up on ROACH'S belt as it opens up in the middle and dozens of tiny lights appear.

2. Wide shot as TONS OF ROBOT COCKROACHES fly out of ROACH'S belt.  PHANTASMIC recoils and his glowing hand leaves a light trail.



3. PHANTASMIC dances away from the intrusion of cockroaches, which fly and skitter around him.



4. ROACH stands back with his fists on his hips and gloats.



5. PHANTASMIC flies away from the bugs, keeping just ahead of the intrusion, while ROACH schemes off-panel.



6. Close-up on ROACH as he sticks his hand out.  The antennae on his helmet vibrate as he sends his command to the robo-roaches.



PAGE 20

1. PHANTASMIC flies a desk as he tries to avoid the roaches.  He can only maneuver so fast, and they are gaining on him.



2. Suddenly, realization dawns on PHANTASMIC.  Close-up as he remembers what his powers are.



3. PHANTASMIC pauses in the middle of the air, just before the intrusion gets to him.

4. When the insects reach PHANTASMIC, they pass right through his intangible body, Kitty Pryde-style.  He smirks triumphantly as they pass.

5. The robo-roaches crash into a nearby wall, giving PHANTASMIC the chance to gloat.



PAGE 21

1. PHANTASMIC turns back to ROACH, who has reeled back into a defensive stance.



2. ROACH whips his arm out, revealing a small nozzle at the top of his wrist.



3. A large stream of yellow gas shoots out of the nozzle, right at PHANTASMIC.  Our hero braves it though, thinking he can phase through it again.



4. Close-up on PHANTASMIC'S face as the gas envelops him and starts to choke him.



5. PHANTASMIC collapses to the floor, clutching his throat in desperation, while ROACH slinks over to him.



6. ROACH crouches down to eye-level with PHANTASMIC, who is going red in the face.



7. Close-up on the two as ROACH leans in close.



PAGE 22

1. Pan out as PHANTASMIC suddenly vanishes, leaving only wisps of white light.

2.  ROACH springs back up and glances frantically around the room.



3. Wide shot as PHANTASMIC, as wisps, floats through the wall before reappearing in a bathroom.  ROACH throws his arms up in the air in rage.



4. PHANTASMIC turns on the faucet and splashes water in his face.



5. After washing away the effects of the gas, PHANTASMIC glares in the mirror.



PAGE 23

1. ROACH scours the classroom, his cockroaches searching where he cannot.



2. Suddenly, PHANTASMIC phases through the board in the classroom.  He's fighting mad now, and he's flying fists-first.



3. The two collide with each other and they go flying into the nearby desks.



4. ROACH is lying on the ground, while PHANTASMIC lifts himself up.



5. PHANTASMIC reaches over and grabs at the underside of ROACH'S helmet.



PAGE 24

1. PHANTASMIC reveals the face underneath the helmet--it's FREDDY ROGERS!  His face is contorted in pain, but it is unmistakably him.



2. Our hero glances at the mask in his hand, then back down at his fallen foe.  Pure confusion crosses his face.

3. PHANTASMIC drops the mask and sits down.



4. PHANTASMIC lolls his head back.