PANEL ONE MEDIUM SHOT of the narrator comic book readers shoulder, while other comic books are scattered below him. Maybe make him read Gospel Komiks? Also, hes a geek give him geek glasses. (Easter eggs: other Marvel and DC comics.) RALPH Hello! Im Ralph, and Im a comic book fan. RALPH Superheroes are awesome! PANEL TWO Awesome LONG SHOT of Jesus, with His disciple sidekicks (Peter, James and John).Traditional superhero poses (think Justice League). Dont give them costumes just keep them in their ordinary robes. Just add superhero labels below them (just their names in an awesome font). Also, give them determined expressions. In this panel, the chibi version of Ralph the narrator is sitting on the panel frame, hands on the frame, legs swinging below him. CAPTION However, all the heroes and heroines of the comic book world are nothing compared to my favorite superhero of all PANEL THREE MEDIUM SHOT of Jesus, whose head is back to back with chibi Ralph (think buddy cop movies); both are smiling. Characters beside Him are silhouettes. RALPH ... JESUS! RALPH Why is He the most awesome superhero, you ask? PANEL FOUR MEDIUM SHOT of the Annunciation scene. Chibi Ralph hanging from the edge of the panel, as if peering into the scene. CAPTION Hes got the most amazing origin story! ANGEL Hail Mary, full of grace! PANEL FIVE Awesome LONG SHOT of the prophets Moses, Elijah, Isaiah and others, with labels. Parallel this with PANEL TWO. Chibi Ralph photobombs. (Easter eggs: chibi superheroes photobombing them maybe Superman, Batman, etc.?) CAPTION (Even before He was born, the prophets have been waiting for His coming. The entire Old Testament is the story of waiting for the Messiah! How awesome is that?)
PAGE TWO SIX PANELS PANEL SIX + PANEL SEVEN INSET PANEL. Chibi Ralph, exaggerated fanboy amazement at PANEL SEVEN. CAPTION Hes also got the greatest powers! MONTAGE of Jesus powers. The scene is torn from a comic book (ripped edges of paper, seemingly taped to the page). Make it awesome. CAPTION (He can heal the sick, walk on water, exorcise demons even bring the dead back to life!) PANEL EIGHT MEDIUM SHOT of Jesus, awesome pose. (Easter eggs: (very small) chibi Goku and Frieza below him, pouting.) CAPTION However, that wasnt even His final form yet. PANEL NINE LONG SHOT. Side view of a mountain, with four LABELLED silhouetted figures (Jesus, Peter, James, John) climbing up. Ralph the chibi narrator tagging along at the back. RALPH Remember when Jesus and His companions went on a journey up a mountain PANEL TEN LARGE PANEL, should be the focal point of the page. Awesome LONG SHOT of Jesus transfigured with shining robes (think super saiyan); Moses and Elijah beside him; disciples (with Ralph) in awe below Him (emphasize Peter). CAPTION where He revealed His real identity? LABEL JESUS transfigured! LABEL ROBES whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them! LABEL MOSES and ELIJAH Old Testament heroes! LABEL PETER did not know what to say! LABEL VOICE OF GOD This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him! PANEL ELEVEN INSET PANEL. Chibi Ralph thumbs up. RALPH However, Jesus is no ordinary superhero. RALPH Do you remember...
PAGE THREE FIVE PANELS PANEL TWELVE Tragic scene LONG SHOT of the mountain where Jesus was crucified. The mountain, the crosses (three) and the people are silhouettes. CAPTION ...what happened after? PANEL THIRTEEN MEDIUM SHOT. Tragic scene continued Jesus at the cross. CAPTION If Jesus were a comic book hero, He would not have let this happen to Himself. PANEL FOURTEEN INSET of the placard above the cross (JESUS, KING OF THE JEWS). Roman soldiers at the foot of the cross, jeering and shaking their fists at Jesus. Make it as if the soldiers are the ones saying the narration (as in, If you are the Son of God, save yourself!). CAPTION I mean, He was the Son of God, wasnt He? PANEL FIFTEEN + PANEL SIXTEEN On the side of the Romans, Peter, Mary and the other disciples, crying. The POV of the shot emphasizes Peters expression of confusion. Make it as if he is the one saying the narration. Meanwhile, chibi Ralph was at the side, head down. CAPTION Why didnt He use His powers? CAPTION Why didnt He fight back?
PAGE FOUR FIVE PANELS PANEL SEVENTEEN + PANEL EIGHTEEN + PANEL NINETEEN INSET PANEL. Transfiguration scene, but the POV is on the disciples faces. They have shocked expressions, and their faces are suffused with light, as they are looking at Jesus. CAPTION Jesus is a superhero. CAPTION Peter and the other disciples saw that at the mountain. Panel Eighteen is parallel with Panel Nineteen. Here, Jesus transfigured, hands outstretched, head high. CAPTION However, Jesus knew that to save us from sin, we dont need the superhero Here, Jesus at the cross, mirror pose, head down. CAPTION we need the man. PANEL TWENTY High school kids being kind boy helping an old lady cross the street, girl giving a street beggar some food, a group of kids sweeping the yard. All of them have hidden logos identifying them as superheroes. For example, the boy has his polo shirt partly open, revealing a logo. The girl has an armband with a similar logo, and so on. PANEL TWENTY-ONE CAPTION We are all human. CAPTION At the same time, we are all sons of God. CAPTION Were all just waiting to be transfigured. PANEL TWENTY-TWO WIDE PANEL. Same scene as in PANEL TWO. Awesome shot with Jesus, but with the same high school kids beside Him instead of disciples. Chibi Ralph is His sidekick. CAPTION We are all heroes. CAPTION We dont have to wait for heaven for us to be transfigured. CAPTION We can all be heroes right here, right now if you believe.
Robert G. Weiner Marvel Graphic Novels and Related Publications - An Annotated Guide To Comics, Prose Novels, Children's Books, Articles, Criticism and Reference Works