Narrative Illustration

Professor Woolley | COMD3513 | HE75 SPRING22

WEEK 13

Class Info

  • Date: Thursday, May 5th
  • Meeting InfoP125

To-Do Before Class

  • Assignment 4 : Mini Comic –
  • Bring Penciled Pages
  • Bring page/panel breakdowns
  • Bring Edited Script

Topic

All about Covers

Objectives

  • To Learn about Comics Cover Design
  • To Plan Final Project Execution

Activities

LECTURE:

Cover Design

https://www.buzzfeed.com/anthonyorlando52/the-15-best-comic-book-covers-of-all-time

DEMO:

Ink Wash and Digital Color

CRITIQUE:

GROUP CRIT

LAB TIME:

Work on FINAL PROJECT IN CLASS

*ONE ON ONE CRIT WITH PROF*

Review Assignments and Expectations for Next Week’s Class

ï»ż

Due Next Week

 

  1. Assignment 4 : Mini Comic:

HW – Finish Pencils, start cover design. Work on inking comic. Begin color.

5/12 – INKS FINISHED. Color should be in progress. Bring all work In Progress. Test printing and folding and stapling. Begin to letter comic.

*HW – FINISH EVERYTHING. print, fold, staple *

5/19 FINAL CRIT and comic exchange.

WEEK 12

Class Info

  • Date: Thursday, April 28th
  • Meeting Info: P125

To-Do Before Class

  • Assignment 4 : Mini Comic –
  • Bring page/panel breakdowns
  • Bring Edited Script

Topic

Further Story Development

Objectives

  • To Learn about mini-comics
  • To Learn the Parts of a Story
  • To Understand story pacing
  • To learn how to plan a sequential narrative.

Activities

DISCUSS:

MoCCA & The INK CLUB sign up for club virtual info session (After Finals WEEK on ZOOM)

CRITIQUE:

GROUP CRIT

LAB TIME

Work on FINAL PROJECT IN CLASS

*ONE ON ONE CRIT WITH PROF*

Review Assignments and Expectations for Next Week’s Class

ï»ż

Due Next Week

 

  1. Assignment 4 : Mini Comic:

 DUE:

5/5 – Bring final breakdowns and beginning pencils.

HW – Finish pencils, start cover design, begin inks.

5/12 – Bring Work In Progress. Test printing and folding and stapling.

*HW – FINISH EVERYTHING. print, fold, staple *

5/19 FINAL CRIT and comic exchange.

  1. Sketchbook Week 12

WEEK 10

Class Info

  • Date: Thursday, April 7th
  • Meeting InfoP125

To-Do Before Class

  • Assignment 4 : Mini Comic – Write a draft OUTLINE of your story- POST to open Lab and PRINT 3 COPIES for the CLASS. (categorize as FINAL PROJECT)

Topic

Further Story Development & COMICS FORMATS

Objectives

  • To Learn about mini comics
  • To Learn the Parts of a Story
  • To Understand story pacing
  • To learn how to plan a sequential narrative.

Activities

DISCUSS:

MoCCA & The INK CLUB

DEMO:

MINI comics come in a variety of formats. Accordion books, 1 sheet no staple minis expanding pages… The sky is the limit!

HALF LETTER MINI-COMIC & LAYOUT Techniques

Making Mini-Comics:

Acordion Mini Comic:

https://www.quirkbooks.com/post/how-make-mini-comic-part-1

Expanding Pages Mini Comic

8-page Expanding Page comic – 1 Sheet of Letter Paper
8-page mini-comic using 1 sheet of LETTER paper
1 page NO staple Mini Comic

CRITIQUE:

Short Story Round Robin

LECTURE:

Story Arc and Pacing: how to plan a sequential narrative.

LAB:

Workshop Mini Comic Story Outlines & Work in class on the project.

  • REMEMBER A successful short story should feel like it comes to a satisfying conclusion within the 8 pages.
  • Create a Narrative Arc visualizing the action in your story. Does it have A beginning, a climax?, or a conclusion?
  • Using that Narrative Arc ass a guide, Pace your story to unfold over 8 pages.
  • Begin by drawing a Graph showing the plot of your comic. Where is the climax? Are there other important moments? Mark on the graph the important points of your story.
  • Next, try looking at your graph as you decide on the pacing for your story.
  • Mark the graph with page numbers.
  • Flesh out your story Rough Outline into a Comics Script for an 8-page comic.

Examples: From SCRIPT TO PANELS

Review Assignments and Expectations for Next Week’s Class

ï»ż

Due Next Week

 Reminder: April 7th class is IN PERSON!

  1. Assignment 4 : Mini Comic:

BRING 3 PRINTED COPIES of the following to next week’s class:

Outline and your Draft Comics Script.

METHOD:

 DUE 4/14:

  • Bring draft script to class to discuss. (3 copies. ) Edits will be suggested.
  • Decide on your overall format, and begin page/panel breakdowns.
  • The script must be typed and formatted as a professional comics script. SEE SAMPLE
  • Continue sketching visuals and characters in your sketchbook – you’ll present these with your script
  • Create a Pinterest page of reference materials
  1. WATCH all Mini-comics videos prior to class
  2. Sketchbook Week 10

WEEK 9

Class Info

  • Date: Thursday, March 31st
  • Meeting Info: ZOOM CLASS info below

To-Do Before Class

Topic

Further Story Development

Objectives

  • To Practice Story and Character Generation Techniques
  • To Practice Character Generation Techniques
  • To Learn the Parts of a Story
  • To continue to explore the ways words and images interact in comics.

Activities

PRESENTATIONS: Graphic Novel Review – 5 minutes each with Q&A

Remember to consider our CRITIQUE GUIDE:

  • Clarity
  • Story Structure
  • Reading Order
  • Rhythm
  • Writing
  • Uniqueness
  • Craft

DISCUSS:

  • Jake Parker on The Anatomy of a Hellboy Story
  • LECTURE:

    Story Arc and Pacing: how to plan a sequential narrative.

    LAB:

    CRITIQUE and Workshop Mini Comic Story Ideas & Work in class on the project.

    • Out of your SIX ideas, Choose only 1 to fully develop into your final project. Save the others for later!
    • A successful short story should feel like it comes to a satisfying conclusion within the 8 pages.
    • Flesh out your story idea into a Rough Outline. This can be in paragraph form or in bullets, or loose sketches with words. All methods of writing are acceptable at this early stage.
    • Consider the 5 W’s. Does your story have all 5?
    • Next, create a Narrative Arc visualizing the action in your story. Does it have A beginning, a climax?, a conclusion?
    • Using that Narrative Arc ass a guide, Pace your story to unfold over 8 pages.

    Examples: From SCRIPT TO PANELS

    Review Assignments and Expectations for Next Week’s Class

    ï»ż

    Due Next Week

     Reminder: April 7th class is IN PERSON!

    1. Assignment 4 : Mini Comic:

    BRING 3 PRINTED COPIES of the following to next week’s class:

    Outline and your Draft Comics Script.

    METHOD:

    • 4/7 Out of your SIX ideas choose 1 to develop into your final comic.
    • Write a Draft of your Script.
    • Highlight the important BEATS of the story.
    • (no need for thumbnails yet.)
    • Script must be typed and formatted as a professional comics script. SEE SAMPLE
    • Continue sketching visuals and characters in your sketchbook.
    • Begin to look for references.
    1. Sketchbook Week 9
    2. Reading: Scott McCloud Understanding Comics: Chapter 8

    Here is the Zoom link:


    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87528487896?pwd=M3RPR1lSbFpYeDFiUjQxdU9rMkF3Zz09

    Week 8

    Class Info

    • Date: Thursday, March 24th
    • Meeting InfoZOOM CLASS

    To-Do Before Class

    Topic

    The Parts of a Story!

    Objectives

    • To Practice Story and Character Generation Techniques
    • To Practice Character Generation Techniques
    • To Learn the Parts of a Story
    • To continue to explore the ways words and images interact in comics.

    Activities

    Reading Presentations – 5 minutes with Q&A

    CRITIQUE: Assignment 3: The AutoBio Comic, DUE March 17th Week 7

    DON’T FORGET… Comics are an art form that is meant to be READ!

    CRITIQUE GUIDE:

    • Clarity
    • Story Structure
    • Reading Order
    • Rhythm
    • Writing
    • Uniqueness
    • Craft

    LECTURE:

    Story Pyramid and Story Generation Techniques

    Introduce FINAL PROJECT

    LAB: Story Generation Games!

    CLUE!

    Animal Occupation Emotion

    & Work in class on ideas for the Final Project.

    WATCH: Jake Parker on The Anatomy of a Hellboy Story

    Review Assignments and Expectations for Next Week’s Class

    ï»ż

    Due Next Week

    1. Assignment 4 : Mini Comic – Post 6 different story ideas to the Open Lab
    2. Sketchbook Week 8
    3. Reading : Scott McCloud Understanding Comics : Chaper 7

    Sara Woolley is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.


    Topic: Narrative Illustration Zoom MeetingTime: Mar 24, 2022 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
    Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/89568801487?pwd=dUhybEgySTRtQ1p1ZDRrbVVmWFIwQT09
    Meeting ID: 895 6880 1487Passcode: COMIXOne tap mobile+16465588656,,89568801487#,,,,*582227# US (New York)+13126266799,,89568801487#,,,,*582227# US (Chicago)
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    Week 6

    Class Info

    • Date: Thursday, March 10th
    • Meeting Info: IN PERSON CLASS P125

    To-Do Before Class

    • Homework 3 DUE for critique. 

    Topic

    Storytelling through Point of View

    Objectives

    • To Practice Page Building Techniques.
    • To learn finishing techniques.
    • Introduce Point of View.
    • To continue to explore the ways words and images interact in comics.

    Activities

    Work in Progress CRITIQUE:

    Assignment 3: The AutoBio Comic, DUE March 17th Week 7

    PART 2  due –  Penciled Pages, with finalized Script

    DON’T FORGET… Comics are an art form that is meant to be READ!

    CRITIQUE GUIDE:

    • Clarity
    • Story Structure
    • Reading Order
    • Rhythm
    • Writing
    • Uniqueness
    • Craft

    DISCUSSION: MOCCAFEST!

    LECTURE:

    Point of View and Comics Finishing Techniques

    Introduce Midterm Comics Reading Assignment

    BOOK REVIEWS: Discuss format: comicsworthreading.com

    Camera Angle Workshop! Pair off and take reference pics!

    LAB: Work in Class on Assignment 3, The AutoBio Comic.

    Review Assignments and Expectations for Next Week’s Class

    ï»ż

    Due Next Week

    1. Assignment 3: The AutoBio Comic, DUE March 17th Week 7
    2. Sketchbook Week 6
    3. Reading: Begin your Midterm Comics Reading Assignment! DUE week 8

    MOCCAFEST

    The MoCCA (Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art) Arts Festival is a 2-day multimedia event, Manhattan’s largest independent comics, cartoon and animation festival, drawing over 7,000 attendees each year.

    The CityTech Inkclub will have a table at this years’ MOCCAFEST! Citytech COMD was one of only a few art schools awarded a table at this year’s event, which will take place on April 2 and 3rd.

    This is a HUGE opportunity to have fun, gain exposure, and learn about the comics and cartooning industry – maybe even make a little money off of your artwork! This will not cost students any fee to table!

    Pics from Past MOCCA fests

    Pics from Past MOCCA fests

    How can YOU participate?

    TABLE:

    Current students and recent alumni (FA19/SP20 and after) may table the event and sell their own: books, comics, zines, limited edition prints and more!

    Those tabling the event will be able to set their price points and will be able to sell their work. You are paying your own costs to print your work. You keep what you make.

    To sign up to table please add your contact information to the Google DOC. We will reach out soon for an organizing meeting! Date TBD

    ANTHOLOGY:

    Current students and recent alumni (FA19/SP20 and after) may submit their work to the ANTHOLOGY! This anthology will be curated by faculty. It will be printed by COMD Citytech with the proceeds to go to the Citytech Inkclub.

    This is a GREAT opportunity for FREE exposure!

    Submissions may include but are not limited to:

    • Mini-Comics, illustrations, OG Characters and Concept Art, drawings and more!
    • The anthology is 5.5 x 8.5 vertical – work submitted must fit specs.
    • Work may be full color or black and white
    • Any medium is acceptable.

    To submit your work:

    PLEASE UPLOAD your work to the MOCCA FEST DROPBOX by 3/17/22

    • Please submit print-ready, 300 DPI files and follow the following naming protocol: FIRST, LAST_Title.jpg
    • Please be selective and submit only your best work!
    • You may sell prints/stickers etc of the same work you have in the anthology.
    • Please comment with your @instagram and/or portfolio site information when you upload.

    Students whose work is chosen for the anthology will be notified by the illustration faculty.

    Week 5

    Class Info

    • Date: Thursday, March 3rd
    • Meeting Info: IN PERSON CLASS P125

    To-Do Before Class

    • Homework 3 DUE for critique. 
    • READ DISCUSSION:

    Topic

    How to Read Comics

    TODAYS LECTURE & ASSIGNMENT :

    Objectives

    • To Practice Page Building Techniques
    • Understand the terminology and concepts in writing for comics
    • To Practice Script writing techniques.
    • Introduce Point of View
    • To continue to explore the ways words and images interact in comics.

    Activities

    Work in Progress CRITIQUE:

    Assignment 3: The AutoBio Comic, DUE March 17th Week 7

    PART 1  due 3/3  Outline paragraphs for your story, Write rough  draft  of script, Character designs, thumbnails (roughs) 

    DON’T FORGET… Comics are an art form that is meant to be READ!

    CRITIQUE GUIDE:

    • Clarity
    • Story Structure
    • Reading Order
    • Rhythm
    • Writing
    • Uniqueness
    • Craft

    DISCUSSION: Drawing Words and Writing Pictures by Robyn Chapman

    DISCUSSION: MOCCAFEST!

    LECTURE: Review Pages and Panel Layouts. Point of View

    Key Terminology:

    • Closure
    • Panel
    • Gutter
    • Tier
    • Reading Order
    • Z Formation
    • Script
    • Thumbnail
    • Page Layout
    • Caption
    • Dialouge
    • FX
    • POINT of VIEW
    • Camera Angle

    THE AUTO BIO COMIC: Art Spiegelman’s MAUS

    Introduce Midterm Comics Reading Assignment

    BOOK REVIEWS: Discuss format: comicsworthreading.com

    Camera Angle Workshop! Pair off and take reference pics!

    LAB: Work in Class on Assignment 3, The AutoBio Comic.

    Review Assignments and Expectations for Next Week’s Class

    ï»ż

    Due Next Week

    1. Assignment 3: The AutoBio Comic, DUE March 17th Week 7
    2. Sketchbook Week 5
    3. Reading: Begin your Midterm Comics Reading Assignment!

    Week 4

    Class Info

    • Date: Thursday, February 24th
    • Meeting InfoIN PERSON CLASS P125

    To-Do Before Class

    • Homework 2 DUE for critique. 
    • READ Chapters 3 & 4 of Understanding Comics

    Topic

    How to Read Comics

    TODAYS LECTURE & ASSIGNMENT :

    Objectives

    • To Introduce Page Building Techniques
    • Understand the terminology and concepts in writing for comics
    • To introduce the genre of the Autobio comic.
    • To Inctoduce the basics of story generation and script writing.
    • To continue to explore the ways words and images interact in comics.

    Activities

    FINAL CRITIQUE: Assignment 2 – Comic Strip

    UPLOAD YOUR WORK

    CRITIQUE GUIDE:

    • Clarity
    • Story Structure
    • Reading Order
    • Rhythm
    • Writing
    • Uniqueness
    • Craft

    DISCUSSION: Chapters 3 & 4 of Understanding Comics

    LECTURE:

    Key Terminology:

    • Closure
    • Panel
    • Gutter
    • Tier
    • Reading Order
    • Z Formation
    • Script
    • Thumbnail
    • Page Layout
    • Caption
    • Dialouge
    • FX

    BOOK REVIEWS: Discuss format: comicsworthreading.com

    INTRODUCTION TO THE AUTO BIO COMIC:

    Art Spiegelman’s MAUS

    GAME: Two Truths and a Lie

    Assignment 3, The AutoBio Comic.

    Review Assignments and Expectations for Next Week’s Class

    ï»ż

    Due Next Week

    1. Assignment 3: The AutoBio Comic, DUE March 17th Week 7
    2. Sketchbook Week 4
    3. Reading: Drawing Words and Writing Pictures by Robyn Chapman , UNIT 2 Page Building
    4. Reading: What is a Graphic Novel, by Jessica Abel

    Week 3

    Class Info

    • Date: Thursday, February 17th
    • Meeting InfoIN PERSON CLASS P125

    To-Do Before Class

    • Bring in progress Homework 2 for critique. 
    • READ chapters 3 & 4 of Understanding Comics

    Topic

    The Comic Strip: Multi-Panel Storytelling 

    TODAYS LECTURE & ASSIGNMENT :

    Objectives

    • To understand the concept of mutli-panel storytelling.
    • To consider the concepts of time and action in sequential art.
    • To consider the ways words and images interact in comics.
    • To familiarize studnets with a cureent working professional comicbook artist.
    • To practice ink techniquyes and consider applications of the medium.

    Activities

    CRITIQUE: Assignment 2 – Comic Strip

    UPLOAD YOUR WORK

    CRITIQUE GUIDE:

    • Clarity
    • Story Structure
    • Reading Order
    • Rhythm
    • Writing
    • Uniqueness
    • Craft

    DISCUSSION: Chapters 3 & 4 of Understanding Comics

    BOOK REVIEWS: Discuss format: comicsworthreading.com

    INKING DEMO & LECTURE

    DRAWING ACTIVITY: INKING WARM-UPS

    Meet the PROS: Guest Artist, Kenny Wong

    Review Assignments and Expectations for Next Week’s Class

    ï»ż

    Due Next Week

    • Assignment 2: The Comic Strip Finished Art
    • Sketchbook Week 3
    • Reading Week 3 : Chapter 5 Understanding Comics 

    WEEK 2

    Class Info

    • Date: Thursday, February 10th
    • Meeting InfoIN PERSON CLASS P125

    To-Do Before Class

    • Bring finished Homework 1 (HW1) for critique. 
    • Join this Openlab Site
    • READ chapters 1 & 2 on Understanding Comics

    Topic

    The Comic Strip: Multi-Panel Storytelling 

    TODAYS LECTURE & ASSIGNMENT :

    Objectives

    • To understand the basic unit of comics, the panel.
    • To consider the concepts of time and action in sequential art.
    • To consider the ways words and images interact in comics.
    • To familiarize studnets with the standard American comics workflow.

    Activities

    CRITIQUE: Assignment 1 – 1 Panel Comic

    CRITIQUE GUIDE:

    • Clarity
    • Story Structure
    • Reading Order
    • Rhythm
    • Writing
    • Uniqueness
    • Craft

    DISCUSSION: Chapters 1 & 2 on Understanding Comics

    BOOK REVIEWS: Discuss format: comicsworthreading.com

    LECTURE: The Comic Strip: Multi-Panel Storytelling 

    DRAWING ACTIVITY: PLAYING WITH TIME USING PANELS

    DRAWING ACTIVITY The Wrong Planet – J. Abel

    DEMO & DISCUSSION: Traditional Comics Work Flow:

    • Writing
    • Thumbnails & Layout
    • Penciling
    • Inking
    • Scanning
    • Coloring
    • Lettering

    INKING DEMO & LECTURE

    Review Assignments and Expectations for Next Week’s Class

    ï»ż

    Due Next Week

    • Assignment 2: The Comic Strip (3 panels – Due Week 4)
    • Sketchbook Week 2
    • Reading Week 2 : Chapters 3 & 4 Understanding Comics 
    • Purchase Supplies – For use in Class Week 3

    ï»ż

    Hello & Welcome!

    Welcome to COMD 3513 Narrative Illustration!

    On this site, you will have access to all course materials, your weekly assignments, and additional helpful resources.  Here you will also participate in class discussions, and post images of work in progress to share with your classmates.

    To get a quick start, please check out HOW TO NAVIGATE THIS SITE.

    Carefully read the directions below to get started. Also please check out the UPLOADING INSTRUCTIONS POST on how to post to this site and to your ePortfolio.

    If you’d like to learn a little more about your professor, please feel free to check out my website!

    Happy Drawing!

    – Professor Woolley

    Getting Started:

    Login to your OpenLab account to join this course. Follow these instructions if you need help joining this course.

    If you’re new to the OpenLab, follow these instructions to create an account and then join the course.

    Remember that your username and display name can be pseudonyms, rather than your real name. Your avatar does not need to be a picture of your face–just something that identifies you on the OpenLab.

    Questions

    If you have any questions, please reach out via email or in Office Hours.

    If you need help using the OpenLab, you can consult OpenLab Help or contact the OpenLab Community Team.

    Week 1

    Class Info

    • Date: Thursday, February 3rd
    • Meeting InfoZOOM CLASS INFO BELOW
    • Course Goals: In this course students learn strategies for creating finished, professional-quality sequential illustrations combining words and pictures based on topical themes, autobiographical stories, and self-guided narratives.  Topics and strategies include: storytelling focusing on single-panel, multi-panel, and multiple-page sequential illustrated stories. Projects will be completed using an array of digital and traditional media.  This class will focus on sequential art: sequential art can be comic books, graphic novels, children’s books, comic strips, and more.  Topics and strategies include: storytelling focusing on single-panel, multi-panel, and multiple-page sequential illustrated stories. Projects will be completed using an array of digital and traditional media.

    To-Do Before Class

    • Join this Openlab Site
    • Print and Review the Syllabus
    • Purchase Required Books and Supplies

    Topic

    WELCOME TO NARRATIVE ILLUSTRATION

    Objectives

    • To familiarize students with the objectives of the course.
    • To establish working practices and clarify expected outcomes.
    • To familiarize studnets with Sequential Art.
    • To introduce the concept of Time a it realtes to storytelling using images.

    Activities

    Online Course structure and Expectations

    • LECTURE: What is Narrative Illustration? What is Sequential Art? What is a Comic?
    • DISCUSSION : Genres and Styles: Comics, Graphic Novels, Manga, Zines, Web Comics / IG COMICS
    • DISCUSSION : Comics are an Artform meant to be READ.
    • READING DISCUSSION: MAUS by Art Spiegelman banned in Tennessee.

    • LECTURE: TIME as it relates to comics.
    • DRAWING ACTIVITY : DRAWING TIME
    • DRAWING ACTIVITY : DRAWING ACTIONS WITHIN A PANEL
    • DISCUSSION: What are some of the ways words and images interact in comics? How might the meaning of a drawing change when combined with different words?
    • LECTURE: The 1 Panel COMIC
    • ACTIVITY: New Yorker Magazine CARTOON CAPTION CONTEST

    Review Assignments and Expectations for Next Week’s Class

    Due Next Week

    _________________________________________________________________________

    Sara Woolley is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

    Topic: COMD 3513 Narrative Illustration
    Time: Feb 3, 2022 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

    Join Zoom Meeting
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    Anansi

    Scene #1 (Rows 1-8) Page 1

    Intro narration:

    As the sun sets in the west, Ny’ame, the sky god (Character 1) peers through the clouds to observe the people of earth. Flashback panels, as Ny’ame reflects to an ancient time when gods ruled the earth. Close up shot to Anansi, the spider god. Callback shot to Ny’ame, standing in front of a spider-like statue; Ny’ame is standing on the celestial clouds, looking down on earth.

    Scene #2 (Rows 4-9) Page 2

    Turning his sights to Africa, Ny’ame notices a young orphan in Ghana stealing food from the marketplace. Local police spot the young thief and begin to pursue. As the boy runs off with the food, he manages to elude the police and retreats to an underground passageway where he gives the food to other orphan children, who are either too sick or too weak to fend for themselves. The police soon pick up the boy’s trail and are closing in. Realizing that he may soon be caught, the boy heads in the opposite direction to lead police away from the other children. Intrigued by this, Ny’ame, the sky god continues to observe the scene, as he is impressed by the boy’s natural athletic, acrobatic abilities.

    Scene #3 (Rows 1-8) Page 3

    Still in pursuit of the boy, the police are closing in, as they chase him through the underground passageway. The boy trips while running and freefalls down through a shaft where he blacks out. Long shot of the boy falling.

    When he comes to, he is standing face to face with Ny’ame, the sky god. Initially terrified by the sky god’s imposing figure and unsure of where he is, the boy is terrified and in shock. Ny’ame smiles and welcomes the boy into the Celestial Kingdom.

    “Am I Dead? Where am I? Who are you? What do you want?”

    Smiling he replies: “You are not dead. This is my kingdom and I am Ny’ame, the all seeing god of the skies
what do I want? To offer you a gift.”

    “What do you mean?”

    “What if I told you, I could give you a gift and you would never have to steal again, would never go hungry again, and I could give you abilities far beyond your wildest dreams? Would you accept this gift?”

    The boy smirks in disbelief.

    Scene #4 (Rows 1-8) Page 4

    Ny’ame looks sternly at the boy. The boy contemplates.

    “Why would you offer this “gift” to me?”

    “Because I have seen your worth”

    The boy looks away, then looks up.

    “Yes”
 “I accept your gift!”

    The boy’s eyes start glowing. Ny’ame’s eyes glow. He starts chanting:

    “Power of Ashanti
 Power of Anansi
 these powers I grant thee”

    The boy becomes encased in a spider’s web. Ny’ame continues his chant

    “The powers of the spider god


    peak human physical stamina,

    enhanced reflexes

    enhanced agility

    superior vision

    Long jumping

    Strong silk to build webs

    Heightened senses

    Superior intellect

    Sticktoitiveness
”

    The boy interrupts, “Doesn’t someone already have all these?”

    Ny’ame smiles, “Not like this!”

    Still encased, the boy begins to transform, becoming the new Anansi.

    The boy emerges from the web like cocoon as Ny’ame gives him the mask

    of Ashanti.

    “With this gift may come a curse, as enemies of the ancient spider god may be a challenge. But remember, your mind is your greatest weapon.”

    Scene 5 (5 panels) Page 5

    Anansi is transported back to earth where he finds himself in New York City. Surprised and confused, he soon realizes he has superhuman abilities and very little memory of the boy he once was. He tests his spiderlike capabilities and spends the day using his new abilities to help less fortunate people. People soon start to capture pictures and videos of the new man spider making his way around the city. This comes to the attention of business mogul Ty Garfield.

    Scene 6 Page 6

    Ty Garfield invites Anansi to his office to offer him a proposition. Anansi refuses insisting he only wants to help the little guys. This infuriates the businessman and he lunges at him. He begins to transform (into a tiger), and Anansi realizes he is one the enemies he was warned about.

    Scene 7 Page 7

    Being physically smaller than the tiger, Anansi realizes that he has to outsmart the tiger to win. He lures him to the roof of the building and spins a web to the top of the tower. As the tiger tries to follow, he becomes entangled in the sticky web. This infuriates the tiger even more, but the more he struggles, the more entagled he becomes. Anansi eventually spins a final web around the tiger, trapping him for good.

    “This isn’t over spider”

    “No. It’s only begun tiger”

    Scene 8 Page 8

    Anansi leaves the tiger trapped on the roof as he swings away.

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