The Comic Book Script Archive

I’m a pretty big Brian Michael Bendis fan– in fact, it was Powers that got me back into comics after I’d dropped everything in the late 90s. I picked up the first trade of “Who killed Retro Girl?” and was immediately hooked by the natural/conversational flow of the dialogue.

Shortly after that, I picked up a few Daredevil issues from a friend’s longbox- I’d heard that Kevin Smith did a run that I’d missed and figured I’d give it a shot– I picked up a few issues after that run as well. I enjoyed the Smith issues and led into the David Mack issues– and then this guy’s name pops back up: Bendis.

From there, I’m hooked.

It’s rare that you realize mid-way through a run that you’re reading a classic. But that’s really the only way to describe the Bendis/Maleev tour-de-force of Daredevil. Is it better than Miller/Janson? That’s a debate you can save to argue at your local comics store today– but if there is a definitive creator run on Daredevil, it’s one of the two– and not many would argue that statement.

So, today I present Daredevil #28 and Elektra #6!  What’s interesting about both these issues is that they’re dialogue free. Both silent issues ala Larry Hama’s legendary GI Joe #21…
Bendis’ dialogue is one of the defining characteristics of his writing– which is why I find these scripts to be so fascinating. Granted, anyone who has read Torso, Jinx, Goldfish or any of the other Bendis books where he acted as an artist can attest, the dude knows how to tell a story visually– Check out the double page spread on page 6 and 7 of the DD issue to see Bendis tell a compelling emotional scene, through images only.

I’ve blathered long enough, here’s the scripts– Quick note, if you want to read the scripts chronologically (they tie into one another): the read order is Elektra first, then DD.

REMOVED PER MARVEL REQUEST

Pick up the Bendis Daredevil Omnibus here (It’s worth it!)

After reading the script, get the comic! Elektra #6:

Elektra #6

I’ll have a mid-week post sometime this week! Keep an eye out for it!

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So, for our first REAL update, we’ve got 3 scripts from Mark Millar, courtesy of reader Shaun! Many thanks, Shaun!

The widescreen action of The Ultimates helped really kick start Marvel’s Ultimate line with a swift kick to the nads. Check out the opening of issue 1– that should hook you right away.
Millar’s always had a knack for getting excitement down on the page, and given this excerpt, I think you’ll agree:

From Page 18 (Issue 1):

Pull back for a spectacular image of Cap leaping off the edge of this precipice into the white heat of the rocket as it rising up before him. There’s a real look of desperation on his face as he carries out this suicidal jump, pulling his shield back and ready to plunged the pointed end into the hull of the rocket. We’ve snapped him here mid-jump and shouldn’t know yet if he’s been successful. From this angle, it just looks like he’s ATTACKING the missile, but we find out on the next page what’s really going on.

CAPT AMERICA : This ROCKET’S staying in it’s BED!!

So, here they are true believers:

REMOVED BY MARVEL REQUEST

If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend you pick up the Vol.1 hardcover here:

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Welcome to our new digs! This has been long overdue, but at long last, here we are: www.comicbookscriptarchive.com!

There were many reasons for moving off the Googlepage, but the largest factor was simply the URL. Let’s face it, a google page address is just not as easy to remember as a dot com.

In terms of functionality, the biggest change to the site is that we’re moving over to a blog format. Don’t worry, I’m not planning on posting pictures of cats saying “oh hai!”– The wordpress format was suggested to me by Caleb Monroe , who runs an excellent site featuring a comic “creator help” section. I highly recommend you bookmark it!

Along with our move to a blog format comes updates! I’ve backlogged a number of really (REALLY) cool things for you guys and will be releasing them weekly. Currently, I’m aiming for Fridays Wednesday (new comic day!) by 12pm PST. There will likely be minor updates throughout the week, but Friday Wednesday will be the drop-day for scripts.

The scripts are located on a page that you’ll find by clicking the “Scripts” tab at the top.

On a technical note, I’m a WordPress newbie. So, expect the site to be a bit wonky as I get my legs. I would like to thank DJ Coffman, whose excellent “Host your own Webcomic” article served as the template for this site.
My site building skills hover somewhere around “monkey with a hammer” levels, so please be patient as I figure all this stuff out. If you’ve got suggestions, or find anything broken, please let me know!

I also have some very cool ideas on expanding the scope of this site- Interviews, Q&A sessions, How-To’s, and a few running segments. I can’t wait for you guys to see some of this stuff.

Lastly, thanks to all of you. I started the original site on a whim while bored one day, to see it grow to what it has become is very unexpected. Thank you for the nice emails, thank you for uncovering scripts for me, thanks to the pros who have provided me with their own scripts, and thanks to all of you for being comic nerds with a passion for the process.

You guys rock!

Best.

Tim

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