All characters are obviously copyright Marvel Comics.
I wrote this years ago because I was so in love with the Marvel Adventures line. All ages, self-contained superhero stories featuring the Fantastic Four, the Avengers (with one of the greatest line-ups of all time), and Spider-man.
Marvel Adventures Spider-man
“Bear Necessities”
By Kyle Garret
PAGE ONE
Big splash page of Spider-man fighting the Gibbon. Grizzly is in the background looking ominous – we’re shouldn’t be able to tell exactly whose side he’s on, but the reader will most likely assume he’s a bad guy. He should be towards the upper left corner while in the lower right we have the astral form of Dr. Strange.
Caption #1: Who are these ferocious new characters?
Caption #2: Will Spidey be able to save the day alone?
Caption #3: Will he be able to tell the good guy from the bad?
Caption #4 (maybe an arrow caption pointing at Dr. Strange): And what’s Dr. Strange doing here?
Caption #5: More importantly, just how quickly can we start making bad puns?
Caption #6: All this and more in a story we HAD to call
TITLE: “Bear Necessities”
CREDITS
PAGE TWO
Page Two, Panel One
Shot of a rather innocuous looking building in the middle of New York. It should look fairly old, like a residential building or maybe one of those old college buildings. It should not look like a modern business.
Caption: Mid-town Manhattan, midnight
Page Two, Panel Two
We open up with this shot. It’s a man dressed as an animal – something like a wolf or a badger – sitting on the floor, a bowl in front of him. It should be gold and held up off the floor by a metal frame of the same color. There’s smoke coming out of the bowl.
Unknown magician: Yes! YES!! Fill me with your power!!
Page Two, Panel Three
Close up shot of the man’s face, as he’s overjoyed with the fact that his spell appears to be working.
Unknown magician: Give me your power!!
Off panel (behind him): Excuse me…
Page Two, Panel Four
Enter: Dr. Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts, Sorcerer Supreme! He should be floating right on through the wall, but make sure to distinguish this from his astral form. Going through the wall should be the result of a spell he cast on said wall, so go for magical energies there, linking back to one of his hands. The other should be readying an attack.
Dr. Strange: I don’t think I approved any such magical incantations in the city tonight.
PAGE THREE
Page Three, Panel One
Wide battle shot here, as Strange blasts our guy, who has foolishly tried to raise mystical shields. Strange’s blasts should be breaking them like their glass or hard plastic.
Dr. Strange: Maybe we should talk.
Unknown magician: No!
Page Three, Panel Two
Shot of the unknown magicians being tied up in the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak. Make sure that bands are going around his mouth.
Unknown magician: Guhmmmfmm!
Page Three, Panel Three
Shot of Dr. Strange looking around the room, trying to suss out what this guy was up to. Keep unknown magician in the shot, floating behind Strange, still bound, but struggling to get free – specifically, to get his mouth free.
Dr. Strange: What, exactly, were you up to in here?
Page Three, Panel Four
Shot of unknown magician, his head looking up as he has managed to get his mouth above the bands. It should look like he’s trying to get his head above water.
Unknown magician: Go!
Page Three, Panel Five
Pull back as we see a fireball launch out of the bowl from earlier. Dr. Strange should be falling backwards, startled, although he manages to maintain his hold on the unknown magician.
Page Three, Panel Six
Small shot of the fireball flying out the window, into the night.
Page Three, Panel Seven
Close-up shot of Dr. Strange (perhaps with unknown magician still floating in the background to establish that he’s still captured, but it’s up to you on how much space you have). He looks concerned.
Dr. Strange: That can’t be good…
PAGE FOUR
Page Four, Panel One
Establishing shot. It’s the next day, which needs to be very clear in this shot (the fact that it’s no longer dark should be enough, I think). We’re outside of a convention center and a large banner is telling us that today is a special event: “Superhero For A Day!!”
Page Four, Panel Two
We’re inside now and on our boy, Peter Parker. There are people walking past him going both directions. More important, he’s walking past a row of people in bright costumes, all standing and posing, trying to look their best as potential superheroes. None of them look that impressive, as these are all the second stringers. Peter is lost in thought, reading a book as he walks.
Caption: Now that’s interesting. How would have —
Page Four, Panel Three
Shot of Peter looking directly at us, but clearly looking at something ahead of him that has finally gotten him to pay attention to his surroundings.
Peter: –that??
Page Four, Panel Four
There’s a large group of people in front of Peter, all looking towards the would-be superheroes, all very excited for some reason. In the group is Flash Thomas and some of his friends.
High School Kid: Max! You’re the best Max!
Flash: Max, you rule!
Caption: Flash?
PAGE FIVE
Page Five, Panel One
This should be a fairly big reveal shot. We see four people standing and posing, all of whom appear to be finalists for the contest. Each one has their superhero name across their chest. From left to right it goes White Rabbit (a woman), Gibbon (big guy), Grizzly (Max Markham, professional wrestler), and Cobra (a smaller man). The crowd is focused on Grizzly, who is clearly well known for his wrestling career. There should be one small kid – maybe 10 — standing in front of Gibbon.
Caption: It’s Max Markham! He’s a big time wrestler – even I know who he is!
Grizzly: Thank you, thank you, everyone! I can only hope that being a superhero won’t be as hard as taking on King Diamond every Sunday night on channel 14!
Page Five, Panel Two
Side view of Peter looking at Grizzly and the crowd, although his eyes are looking over at the kid in front of Gibbon.
Caption: Looks like everyone’s here for Max…
Caption: …or almost everyone.
Page Five, Panel Three
The kid is looking up and Gibbon who does NOT look happy about the attention that Grizzly is getting.
Kid: What’s a Gibbon?
Gibbon: It’s an ape.
Page Five, Panel Four
Close-up shot of the kid, looking unimpressed.
Kid: So why don’t you call yourself “Ape?”
Page Five, Panel Five
Close-up shot of Gibbon looking particularly angry with that remark, glaring at the kid.
PAGE SIX
Page Six, Panel One
Peter steps in to get the kid out of the way. It’s not that he thinks Gibbon will attack the kid, he’s just not entirely sure one way or the other.
Parker: Heeeeyyy, there, buddy, maybe it’s time you go find your parents, I’m sure they’re worried sick about you, and you shouldn’t be talking to strangers, anyway.
Page Six, Panel Two
The kid storms off.
Kid: Whatever.
Page Six, Panel Three
Peter looks at Gibbon, who is glaring right back at him.
Page Six, Panel Four
Peter turns away, preparing to head off.
Caption: Oooookay, then. Someone doesn’t play well with others. I don’t know what the criteria to win “Superhero For A Day,” but I don’t think the Gibbon matches it.
Page Six, Panel Five
Peter is walking away from the rest of the crowd and at this point we can’t really see anyone else walking near him. We should be looking at him as if we’re on the side with the would-be superheroes, so we can see that there’s a wall on the other side of Peter (his right side).
Caption: Funny how everyone seems to be an animal of some sort. I wonder if that’s because of me –
Page Six, Panel Six
Suddenly, the upper body of Dr. Strange pops out of the wall – this is his astral projection form, so he’s all white like a ghost. Peter is clearly surprised by this (but, as Dr. Strange is a good guy, his spider sense remains quiet).
Peter: Meeyah!
Dr. Strange: Spider-man, I need your assistance!
PAGE SEVEN
Page Seven, Panel One
We should reverse the angle here so that we’re on the other side of them, this time with Dr. Strange on the left and Peter on the right. Dr. Strange is still half in the wall, half out.
Caption: Doctor Strange, magician most magnificent and generally creepy guy.
Peter: Geez, Doc, tell everyone why don’t you!
Page Seven, Panel Two
Similar as the last panel, but now Peter is frantically looking around to see if anyone was within earshot as Dr. Strange looks on.
Caption: Please please please let no one have heard that!
Dr. Strange: Relax, Peter, my astral form is in tune to your aura alone. You are the only one who can see or hear me.
Page Seven, Panel Three
Shot of the two of them talking, although Peter still looks confused.
Peter: So I’m the only one who can hear you? And see you? Thank god. Wait, does that mean I look like I’m talking to myself right now?
Dr. Strange: I would imagine it looks like you’re talking to the wall.
Page Seven, Panel Four
Shot of Peter looking back the way he came and seeing a woman pulling her small daughter away. The woman has a concerned look on her face as she looks at Peter like he’s crazy.
Page Seven, Panel Five
Full body shot of Peter, his face in his hand. He looks exasperated.
Peter: Ohhhh, yeah, should have seen that coming.
Page Seven, Panel Six
Return to something similar to the first panel on this page.
Peter: How do you know who I am, anyway?
Dr. Strange: I’m the Master of the Mystic Arts, Peter. It’s my job to know these things.
PAGE EIGHT
Page Eight, Panel One
Straight shot of Peter, now looking somewhat flabbergasted by the situation.
Peter: So are you here for a reason other than making my life that much more miserable?
Page Eight, Panel Two
Our POV switches to Peter, so we see Dr. Strange head on, as if he’s speaking to us. He’s still half in the wall, half out.
Dr. Strange: Last night I apprehended a minor wizard – a man of little consequence, really – but I was unable to reach him before his spell went awry. I traced it to this building.
Caption: Of course.
Dr. Strange: In fact, I believe he placed the spell on one of the costumes they are using.
Page Eight, Panel Three
Shot of the two of them, Dr. Strange on the left, Peter on the right. Peter is looking concerned, clearly ready for the worst.
Peter: What does the spell do?
Dr. Strange: It will give the user the innate strengths of the costume they’re wearing. Not unlike, I might add, someone wearing a spider costume.
Page Eight, Panel Four
Full shot of Peter, throwing his hands in the air and clearly beside himself.
Peter: Of course! Of course that’s what’s happening! Because I’m me and it’s today and this is my life!
Page Eight, Panel Five
Peter and Dr. Strange both look back the way Peter came, a look of concern on their faces.
Off panel: AAAHHHHH!!
Off panel: Help!!
Note: Feel free to add any additional sound effects describing mass chaos and destruction.
Page Eight, Panel Six
Peter runs around the corner as Dr. Strange looks on.
Dr. Strange: Shouldn’t we be headed towards the commotion?
Peter (around the corner): My costume might not be magical, doc, but it’s still necessary!
PAGE NINE
Page Nine, Panel One
We cut to Spidey in all his costumed glory, swinging into battle, the astral form of Dr. Strange by his side. This panel should be inset in the upper left hand corner, as the next shot will be full page and the third panel will be inset bottom right.
Caption: Please not the cobra, please not the cobra, anything but the cobra…
Spider-man: You’re not going to be much help like that, are you?
Dr. Strange: I can advise.
Page Nine, Panel Two
Big shot of the Gibbon causing havoc, knocking over tables and chairs and what have. People are running in terror, including the guy in the cobra costume.
Gibbon: Grraaaaaahhhh!!!
Page Nine, Panel Three
Shot of Spidey and Dr. Strange looking at us, although clearly in their world they’re looking at the Gibbon. Spidey should look concerned (as concerned as he can look with his famous moving giant eyes). Dr. Strange looks relatively calm.
Spider-man: Then perhaps you could advise me on how you stop a gibbon?
Page Nine, Panel Four
We should be close on Gibbon now. We need to see his face and probably his upper body as well. He’s clearly off his rocker with rage.
Gibbon: Gaaaaaahhhh!!
PAGE TEN
Page Ten, Panel One
Shot of Spider-man and Dr. Strange getting read to launch an attack.
Spider-man: What’s wrong with him?
Dr. Strange: The spell has likely driven him insane.
Spider-man: Greeeeaaaat.
Page Ten, Panel Two
Spidey swings in feet first, hitting Gibbon in the face.
Spider-man: It’s time for you to back off, monkey man!
Page Ten, Panel Three
Close-up shot of Gibbon’s hand closing around one of Spider-man’s legs.
Page Ten, Panel Four
Shot of Gibbon throwing Spider-man away from him.
Page Ten, Panel Five
Shot of Spider-man crashing into a table and chairs.
Caption: Ouchouchouchouchouch.
Page Ten, Panel Six
Shot of Spider-man looking up from the floor. He’s got one hand behind his head, indicating that he’s sore all over.
Dr. Strange is also here, hovering above him.
Dr. Strange: A gibbon is an ape, actually, not a monkey.
Spider-man: That’s really helpful, doc.
PAGE ELEVEN
Page Eleven, Panel One
Spider-man is running back into the fight. We see webs coming from his wrists as he runs.
Spider-man: Let’s see how he likes the ol’ webbing in the face move!
Page Eleven, Panel Two
Shot of the webbing splatting in Gibbons face
Page Eleven, Panel Three
Shot of Gibbon yanking the webbing off. He looks even angrier than before. His face should probably be red here, both from the webbing and because he’s so mad.
Page Eleven, Panel Four
Spider-man, still in his web shooting position, stunned by what Gibbon just did. Dr. Strange is in the picture now. If we’re seeing Spidey from the side, Dr. Strange should be on the other side of him, facing him so that we see him head on.
Dr. Strange: That only seemed to make him angry.
Spider-man: Are you Master of the Mystic Arts or Master of the Obvious?
Page Eleven, Panel Five
The Gibbon has raised his arms over his head, ready to pummel Spider-man, who is calmly looking up at him.
Page Eleven, Panel Six
Pull back so we get at least their upper bodies in frame as Gibbon smacks Spider-man to the side, sending him flying. This should be similar to Page Nine, Panel One. This whole page should be similar to Page Nine, in fact.
Page Eleven, Panel Seven
Shot of Spider-man yet again lying on the ground after being tossed aside by the Gibbon. Dr. Strange is hovering over him.
Spider-man: Déjà vu.
PAGE TWELVE
Page Twelve, Panel One
Shot of Dr. Strange. He’s addressing Spider-man, but we should be close on him so it almost seems like he’s addressing the reader.
Dr. Strange: Spider-man, we need to contain this threat. The longer he rampages, the less likely there’s to be anything left of the man he once was. If we don’t stop him soon, he could be a mindless beast for the rest of his life.
Page Twelve, Panel Two
Spidey’s up now, although he’s squatting in a typical Spider-man pose. He’s ready for action. He’s also pleading his case to Dr. Strange.
Spider-man: It’s not like I’m not trying here, Doc! I just don’t know if brute force is going to do the job this time around.
Off panel: Back off, man!
Caption: Oh, no…
Page Twelve, Panel Three
There’s Max, in full Grizzly suit, standing in front of the rampaging Gibbon. He has his hand up in front of him, as if that will stop him.
Caption: Max! What is he doing??
Grizzly: Just relax before this gets out of hand!
Page Twelve, Panel Four
The Gibbon pulls his arms over his head, ready to bring them down on Grizzly.
Gibbon: Grraaaaahhhh!!
Page Twelve, Panel Five
Spider-man swings in and rescues Grizzly just as Gibbon takes a swing at him.
Spider-man: Bad monkey! No banana for you!
Page Twelve, Panel Six
Close in on Spider-man swinging away with Grizzly. We should be able to see both of their faces (as they were) clearly. Grizzly is surprised by what has happened.
Grizzly: That did not go like I planned.
PAGE THIRTEEN
Page Thirteen, Panel One
Spider-man and Grizzly land away from Gibbon.
Page Thirteen, Panel Two
Shot of Spider-man and Grizzly standing face to face. Grizzly is much bigger than our hero, so he should be looking down as Spidey is looking up.
Spider-man: Are you crazy? Forget that he can smash you with a pinky finger, I just tried that!
Page Thirteen, Panel Three
Grizzly responds in kind, not used to being yelled at by someone smaller than him.
Grizzly: Well I had to do something! He’s already hurt the other contestants and if someone doesn’t stop him soon he’ll kill someone!
Page Thirteen, Panel Four
Spider-man returns the same. We should be able to see most of his body in this shot. He’s got his thumbs out and he’s pointing back at himself.
Spider-man: Hello, card carrying member of the superhero community here! What do you think I’m trying to do?
Page Thirteen, Panel Five
Grizzly and Spider-man should be face to face here, both looking very serious.
Grizzly: Trying and doing are two different things.
Spider-man: Gee, thanks, Obi-wan.
Off panel: *Ahem*
PAGE FOURTEEN
Page Fourteen, Panel One
Spider-man turns to face the astral form of Dr. Strange. There should be a wall behind him. This is key for later and should stick throughout the next few pages.
Spider-man: What??
Dr. Strange: We need to remove the suit. I think that will stop him.
Page Fourteen, Panel Two
Spider-man has his arms crossed and he’s tapping his foot while looking at Dr. Stange.
Spider-man: Oh, NOW you tell me, after I’ve been thrown across the room not once, but TWICE! I’m going to start calling you Dr. Strangely-Willing-To-Withhold-Information.
Page Fourteen, Panel Three
Full body shot of Dr. Strange. This is exposition mode, so his floating form should telegraph as much.
Dr. Strange: The spell is on the suit, not the man inside it. The suit is the source of his power. All we need to do is contain him and get the suit off him. Once we do that he should return to normal, assuming we freed him in time.
Page Fourteen, Panel Four
Shot of Spider-man and Dr. Strange face to face, in full on plan mode.
Spider-man: Containing him is easier said then done.
Dr. Strange: I’m afraid that trying to get the suit off while he’s rampaging throughout the convention center would be far more difficult.
Off panel: Excuse me?
Page Fourteen, Panel Five
Spider-man turns to face Grizzly, who’s looking very confused.
Grizzly: Are you talking to the wall?
PAGE FIFTEEN
Page Fifteen, Panel One
This shot is from Grizzly’s perspective. He’s looking at Spider-man, who has turned to face him and is gesturing the where Dr. Strange would be standing were he visible.
Spider-man: “No—it’s—he’s invisible!
Page Fifteen, Panel Two
Close-up of Grizzly, kind of averting his eyes from Spider-man with that “let the crazy man believe what he wants” look on his face.
Grizzly: Oooookay
Page Fifteen, Panel Three
Spider-man throws his hands up in the air, clearly fed up with how things have gone for the last, oh, twelve pages or so.
Spider-man: Fine, yes, I’m talking to the wall and it’s talking back! Not only am I unable to stop a man in a monkey suit, but I am also off my rocker!
Page Fifteen, Panel Four
We’re back to an omniscient POV now and we see Dr. Strange interjecting into Spider-man’s ranting.
Dr. Strange: Spider-man, please, we need to get that suit off of him and we need to do it quickly.
Page Fifteen, Panel Five
Spider-man addresses Dr. Strange.
Spider-man: Well, Doc, can you ghost on over to the Baxter Building and get the Fantastic Four? Because I don’t think I’m going to be able to contain Gibbon AND get his suit off. And aside from your peppy dialog, you’re not much help.
PAGE SIXTEEN
Page Sixteen, Panel One
Grizzly interjects.
Grizzly: I can help.
Page Sixteen, Panel Two
Spider-man spins to face Grizzly.
Spider-man: Oh no, no, way, man.
Grizzly: Why not? You told the wall you need help!
Page Sixteen, Panel Three
Shot of Spider-man facing us. His hand is outstretched and he’s counting off points on his fingers. He has three fingers up.
Spider-man: First of all, you might be a famous wrestler, but the Gibbon is way stronger than you. Second of all, I was talking to Dr. Strange, you just can’t see him. And third, I barely saved you the last time!
Page Sixteen, Panel Four
Shot of the three of them standing (and hovering) there, blank looks on all their faces.
Page Sixteen, Panel Five
Same shot as the last panel.
Grizzly: Was that a pun?
Spider-man: I pun when I’m about to throw myself into danger.
Dr. Strange: We really could use his help.
Spider-man: Fine, but if he gets smooshed it’s your fault.
Grizzly: Why would the wall care if I get smooshed?
PAGE SEVENTEEN
Page Seventeen, Panel One
Close shot of Spider-man’s face.
Spider-man: Let’s do this.
Page Seventeen, Panel Two
This is a shot of the three of them, Spider-man in the center, astral form Dr. Strange to his right, and Grizzly to his left, charging into battle.
Spider-man (yelling): Time to quit monkeyin’ around!
Page Seventeen, Panel Three
We’re back to the convention floor. It’s completely empty, save the remnants of the destruction that occurred.
Grizzly: Uhhh…
Page Seventeen, Panel Four
The guys turn as a roar comes from off panel.
Gibbon: Raaaaarrrr!
Dr. Strange and Grizzly at the same time: He’s outside!
Spider-man (whispering): You two should take your act on the road.
PAGE EIGHTEEN
Page Eighteen, Panel One
Shot of the Gibbon, holding a car over his head, mass destruction all around. I mean, we should see walls destroyed, piles of rubble, street signs, cars, parts of buildings, you name it. He’s been busy while they’ve been yakking.
Gibbon: Grrrraaaahhhh!!
Page Eighteen, Panel Two
Shot of the three of them, standing united together, Spider-man in the middle.
Spider-man (whispering): Max, I’ll distract him, then you grab his feet.
Grizzly (whispering): Grab his feet?
Spider-man (whispering): Grab his feet.
Spider-man (yelling): Hey, you big ape!
Page Eighteen, Panel Three
The Gibbon spots them and throws the table at them.
Page Eighteen, Panel Four
Similar shot as panel two, but this time Grizzly is jumping off panel to the side and Spider-man is jumping off panel up as the car that the Gibbon was holding comes flying at them. It passes harmless through Dr. Strange.
PAGE NINETEEN
Page Nineteen, Panel One
Spider-man is swinging above the Gibbon, taunting him.
Spider-man: You missed me, missing link! Is that the best you can do?
Page Nineteen, Panel Two
We should be looking up with the Gibbon now (we should still see him in the shot) as he shakes his fists in the air at Spider-man.
Gibbon: Grrraaahhh!!
Page Nineteen, Panel Three
Spider-man is now standing right in front of Gibbon, tempting him to attack. We can see Grizzly sneaking up behind Gibbon.
Spider-man: Man, you are a broken record! Your dialog is worse than mine!
Page Nineteen, Panel Four
Grizzly jumps out at Gibbon, lunging at his feet.
Grizzly: I’ve got him, Spidey!!
Page Nineteen, Panel Five
Shot of Spider-man spraying massive amounts of webbing all over the Gibbon as he leaps into the air.
Spider-man: It’s time to get you out of that —
PAGE TWENTY
Page Twenty, Panel One
Big shot of Spidey in the air, yanking up with all his might on his web line and pulling the gibbon costume clean off of Gibbon.
Spider-man: — monkey suit!!
Page Twenty, Panel Two
The Gibbon, now only in boxers and socks, collapses to the ground, Grizzly still holding on to his feet.
PAGE TWENTY-ONE
Page Twenty-One, Panel One
Shot of Dr. Strange and Spider-man. Dr. Strange’s astral form is starting to dissipate.
Dr. Strange: Thank you, Spider-man. Now that the Gibbon has been stopped, I can finally rest in peace…
Spider-man: What?
Page Twenty-One, Panel Two
Similar shot as the first one, but now Dr. Strange has disappeared.
Spider-man: Doc! Doc!!
Page Twenty-One, Panel Three
Again, similar panel as the one before, but now Dr. Strange, still in astral form, has blinked back, fully formed (as his astral form, that is).
Dr. Strange: Just kidding.
Spider-man: You’re a bucket of yuks, Doc.
Page Twenty-One, Panel Four
Spider-man and Dr. Strange head over to Grizzly, who is now on his knees and looking down at the fallen Gibbon.
Dr. Strange: I should be getting back to my body soon, though. It’s not always safe to be away this long.
Spider-man: Tell me about it. I can feel a monumental grounding coming on.
Page Twenty-One, Panel Five
Dr. Strange and Spider-man join Grizzly, now standing, all looking down on the fallen Gibbon, who seems to be fine, aside from knocked out.
Dr. Strange: It would appear that we got to him in time.
Grizzly: Man, people shouldn’t have animal powers.
Spider-man *ahem*
Grizzly: Except you, of course.
PAGE TWENTY-TWO
Page Twenty-two, Panel One
Upper torso shot of the three of them, left to right Dr. Strange, Spider-man, and Grizzly. Spider-man is looking at Grizzly.
Spider-man: You know, Max, you made a pretty good superhero. I could barely contain my excitement.
Dr. Strange and Grizzly: *groan*
Page Twenty-two, Panel Two
Similar shot as before, but both Dr. Strange and Grizzly are turning around to leave.
Spider-man: Then again, I don’t know if I could bare the competition.
Page Twenty-two, Panel Three
Close-up shot of Spider-man, enthusiastic about his puns. He could have a finger in the air, as if he was excited about something.
Spider-man: And that costume of yours is bear-y cool!
Page Twenty-two, Panel Four
Shot of Grizzly looking back at Spider-man.
Grizzly: Can I be invisible now, too?
THE END
KyleGarret.com 