Neil Gaiman, perhaps one of the greatest comics writers of all times, wrote this piece. It's one of my favorites, and though I interpreted the script as it appears below, I make no presumptions about my ability. I am no Neil Gaiman...maybe someday, but certainly not now. Dream (The Sandman) is in hell, trying to find one of his tools, a gas mask...
PAGE FOURTEEN, 7 Panels
Panel 1, medium close-up of Sandman (face-forward) with a stoic look on his face.
1. NARR. (Sand): I LOOK AT THE DEMONS. SOME I RECOGNIZE FROM. OTHERS HAVE PASSED THROUGH THE DREAMWORLD IN THE PAST. BUT THERE ARE SO MANY...
Panel 2, A horde of demons gathered in a crowd, as seen from Sandman’s point of view.
1. NARR (Sand): ONE OF YOU HAS MY HELM; MY MASK OF PURE DREAM. I CRAFTED IT MYSELF FROM THE BONES OF A DEAD GOD. IT IS ONE OF MY TOOLS...
2. NARR (sand): AH.
Panel 3, Sandman’s silhouette (left profile) stands against a gray background as he pours sand from his left hand into his right hand below.
Panel 4, Sandman’s right hand (left) waves, fingers spread. From it, a swirling mass of sand makes it’s way through the mass of demons before him.
Panel 5, Sandman, Lucifer, Beelzebub, and Azezel stand on a small plateau (background) above the demon horde, which (it becomes clear) surround the plateau. The sand swirls above the demon horde. In the foreground a demon (Choronzon, who has two fang-filled mouths, punk-rock sunglasses, and spiky protrusions instead of hair) turns his head in surprise.
Panel 6, The horde of demons back away from Choronzon, who stands alone....surrounded, confused and startled as the sand passes by his head, singling him out for Sandman and the three rulers of hell, who stand on the plateau in the background.
Panel 7, From behind the three rulers and Sandman, Choronzon can be seen in the middle of the horde, which has made a wide circle around him. Sandman points at Choronzon.
1. SANDMAN: THAT ONE.
PAGE FIFTEEN, 7 panels
Panel 1, Lucifer (medium close-up) faces forward, his face fading in the unholy yellow glow of his skin.
1. LUCIFER: CHORONZON. A DUKE OF HELL. ONE OF BEELZEBUB’S.
2. LUCIFER: WELL, CHORONZON. DOES DREAM SPEAK TRULY? DO YOU INDEED HAVE HIS MASK OF OFFICE?
Panel 2, Close-up of Choronzon, facing forward, his two mouths grinning hideously, defiantly...
1. CHORONZON: SSSS. WHAT IF I HAVE IT?
Panel 3, Extreme Close-up of Lucifer’s face (left), Medium shot of Sandman (middle) and far-shot of Azezel (Right). All are in Left-profile. Choronzon speaks from off-panel (right).
1. LUCIFER: YOU MAY NOT TALK THAT WAY TO US, CHORONZON.
2. LUCIFER: HAVE YOU THE HELMET?
3. CHORONZON: YES, LORD.
Panel 4, Close-up of Sandman. He is extremely angry as he glares at Choronzon (O.P.)
1. SANDMAN: RETURN IT TO ME. NOW.
Panel 5, Extreme Close-up of Choronzon, his mouths fixed in a knowingly mischievous grin.
1. CHORONZON: SSSS. I TRADED IT FROM A MORTAL FOR A PALTRY THING, BUT IT WAS A FAIR TRADE.
2. CHORONZON: I HAVE BROKEN NONE OF THE LAWS OF HELL. IF YOU WANT YOUR PRECIOUS BACK THEN YOU MUST FIGHT ME FOR IT. SSSS.
Panel 6, Choronzon stands in the circle of demons, facing away from the viewer, his hands held on his stockinged hips triumphantly. In the background, Sandman and the three kings of Hell remain atop the plateau.
1. NARR (Sand): A CHALLENGE? I DO NOT KNOW IF I AM STRONG ENOUGH. I TRULY DO NOT KNOW.
2. SANDMAN: VERY WELL. YES, I CHALLENGE YOU CHORONZON.
Panel 7, Choronzon bows gratuitously for Sandman (O.P.) as a spotlight lights him up. His right arm waves in front of him as he bows and his left is raised in the air flamboyantly. His mouths flash a smile of false charm.
1. CHORONZON: SSS. SSO. AS THE CHALENGED, I CHOOSE THE BATTLEFIELD.
2. CHORONZON: I ASSERT REALITY.
PAGE SIXTEEN, 3 panels...Panels 1 and 3 overlay panel 2 which is essentially a splash page. Panel 1 is a round panel in the top left corner and panel 3 is a rectangular panel in the bottom right corner.
Panel 1, Close-up of Choronzon who is holding a 20’s-era microphone in his right hand and wearing a suit. the suit consists of a white shirt, buttoned up his neck, a blue jacket and bright red pants (O.P.). His left hand is pushing his punk-rock sunglasses down on his nose to reveal his beady eyes.
1. CHORONZON: SSS. WELCOME, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, TO ANOTHER THRILL-PACKED EVENING OF FUNFUNFUN HERE AT THE HELLFIRE CLUB.
2. CHORONZON: I AM YOUR HOST, CHORONZON, HIGH DUKE OF THE EIGHTH CIRCLE, CAPTAIN OF THE HORDE OF LORD BEELZEBUB.
3. CHORONZON: TONIGHT FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT AND -- SSS -- DELECTATION...
4. CHORONZON: A FORMAL CHALLENGE.
Panel 2, Choronzon stands on a wooden stage (right background) holding the microphone. Also on the stage (left background) is an old piano and another microphone. behind the stage, the words “Hellfire Club” are on the wall in red. In the foreground, a number of tables are arrayed and their occupants are a motley assortment of hellish creatures...demons. The head table consists of the three kings of hell and Sandman (backs to viewer, facing the stage). Sandman’s attire has also been transformed into a suit. His suit is a light blue shirt under a dark blue jacket with brown slacks. He also wears a blue fedora and a bow-tie.
1. CHORONZON: AS THE CHALLENGED, I SET THE METER AND TAKE THE FIRST MOVE.
2. CHORONZON: AND THE CHALLENGER IS DREAM, ONCE THE MASTER OF THE REALM OF SLEEP...
3. CHORONZON: SSSO LET’S HAVE A BIG HAND FOR -- MISTER SANDMAN!
4. NARR (Sand): IT HAS BEEN LONG SINCE I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO PLAY SUCH GAMES WITH DEMONS.
5. NARR (Sand): I RISE SLOWLY, APPROACH THE STAGE.
6. NARR (Sand): AROUND ME A SOFT SUSURRUS OF SOUND, AND A LANGOUROUS, IRONIC APPLAUSE
Panel 3, The head table, where Beelzebub, Lucifer, and Azezel watch Sandman rise from his chair, leaning forward on the table in an awkward, humble fashion as he does.
1. NARR (Sand): “THE HELLFIRE CLUB,” IT FEELS LIKE A BAD JOKE.
2. NARR (Sand): AND LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE IN HELL, IT IS DEADLY SERIOUS.
PAGE SEVENTEEN, 9 PANELS -- The primary panels (1, 3, 5, 7, and 9) are spaced by reflective panels which view the crowd of demons sitting in the Hellfire Club who are watching the duel. The secondary panels continue through to the borders. The primary panels include (except panel 1, which is a standard panel) either or both of the contestants, drawn normally, and their “visions,” which are mere outlines of color. Choronzon’s visions are drawn in pink-red ink and Sandman’s are drawn in blue ink. As the duel continues, the “visions” take up more space in the panel and the contestants take up less.
Panel 1, Choronzon (foreground) looks smugly at Sandman (background) who has stepped up to his microphone and stands there, expressionless.
1. CHORONZON: SSS0...
2. CHORONZON: YOU KNOW THE RULES, DREAMLORD? IF YOU WIN, I WILL RETURN THE HELMET.
3. CHORONZON: IF I WIN, YOU WILL SSSERVE AS A PLAYTHING OF HELL, FOR ETERNITY AS OUR SSSLAVE.
4. SANDMAN: I UNDERSTAND.
Panel 2, A view of the demons in the crowd.
1. NARR (Chor): “VERY WELL. I HAVE THE FIRST MOVE...”
Panel 3, Choronzon (in profile at right/bottom) makes a gnashing grimace as his hands lurch forward toward the microphone. From behind/above him, his “vision” of a wolf, it’s teeth gnashing as well, lurches toward Sandman (left/bottom) who is calm and composed.
1. CHORONZON: I AM A DIRE WOLF, PREY-STALKING, LETHAL PROWLER.
Panel 4, another view of the demons in the crowd.
1. NARR (Sand): MY MOVE.
Panel 5, Sandman (left/bottom) has turned to face forward. Pinpricks of light (his eyes) can be seen from under the shadow of the fedora. Choronzon (right/bottom)rubs his chin as he considers Sandman’s move briefly. Sandman’s “vision” is of a savage hunter on horse-back, stabbing Choronzon’s dire wolf with a spear.
1. SANDMAN: I AM A HUNTER, HORSE-MOUNTED, WOLF-STABBING.
Panel 6, A demoness sitting in the crowd. She has the snout of a horse, but the body of a striking (if slutty) woman.
1. NARR (Sand): I SMELL SPILT ALCOHOL, STALE SMOKE AND CHEAP SEX, PERFUME AND MOLD.
2. NARR (Sand): AND I FEEL THE GRASS BENEATH MY HOOVES, THE FLANKS BETWEEN MY LEGS.
3. NARR (Sand): ALL IS REAL. NOTHING IS REAL. CHORONZON’S MOVE.
Panel 7, Sandman (bottom/left corner) looks up to see Choronzon’s “vision” of a horsefly stinging the horse, throwing the rider. Choronzon speaks smugly and proudly from the bottom right corner.
1. CHORONZON: I AM A HORSEFLY, HORSE-STINGING, HUNTER THROWING.
Panel 8, A table of demons watching the course of events intently...
1. NARR (Sand): THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO LOSE THE OLDEST GAME. FAILURE OF NERVE, HESITATION...
2. NARR (Sand): BEING UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO A DEFENSIVE SHAPE. LACK OF IMAGINATION.
Panel 9, Sandman and Chorozon are now just small silhouettes in their respective corners, the panel is filled with a blue spider-web. At the center of the web is the horse-fly, trapped. A large Spider moves in on it for the kill.
1. SANDMAN: I AM A SPIDER, FLY-CONSUMING, EIGHT-LEGGED.
PAGE EIGHTEEN, 8 PANELS
Panel 1, Close-up of Choronzon in profile, at far left...his “vision” is of a coiled snake
1. CHORONZON: I AM A SNAKE, SPIDER-DEVOURING, POISON-TOOTHED.
Panel 2, Close-up of Sandman in profile, at far right...his “vision” is of a giant ox, crushing the snake.
1. SANDMAN: I AM AN OX, SNAKE-CRUSHING, HEAVY-FOOTED.
Panel 3, Silhouettes of Choronzon and Sandman on the stage under the spotlights are in the far background. In the foreground, demons are mulling about, uncaring of the duel before them.
1. NARR(Sand): I FEEL THE SNAKE WRITHE BETWEEN MY HOOF, ITS SPINE CRUSHED.
Panel 4, Choronzon’s face, which is basically just a narrator, is pasted on the scene of his “vision,” which is of the bones of the ox, decaying and rotten.
1. CHORONZON: I AM AN ANTHRAX, BUTCHER BACTERIUM, WARM-LIFE DESTROYING.
Panel 5, same as panel 4, but the view is from the left (behind Sandman) and has closed in to a mid-range shot.
1. NARR (Sand): A CHANGE IN DIRECTION, BUT STILL AN OLD GAMBIT.
2. NARR (Sand): I THINK...
3. NARR (Sand): I THINK I UNDERSTAND HOW CHORONZON PLAYS. HOW I CAN TURN IT AGAINST HIM.
Panel 6, Close-up of Sandman, the brim of his fedora hanging over his forehead, shading his eyes. One eye sparkles brilliantly like a star. He calmly speaks into the microphone and his “vision” of a blue planet sits behind him in the top-right corner of the panel.
1. NARR (Sand): I THINK I WILL ABANDON THE OFFENSIVE.
2. SANDMAN: I AM A WORLD, SPACE-FLOATING, LIFE-NURTURING.
Panel 7, Close-up of Lucifer holding a drink before him, watching the duel intently. Sandman and Choronzon can be seen faintly, reflected in his goblet.
Panel 8, Choronzon (left) speaks into his microphone as his “vision” of a ball of white light explodes toward the planet.
1. CHORONZON: I AM A NOVA, ALL-EXPLODING...
PAGE NINETEEN, 8 PANELS
Panel 1, Close-up on Choronzon’s face, half (right) of which has taken the form of an explosion of yellow light, the other half (left) blurred by the brilliance of that light.
1. CHOROZON: ...PLANET-CREMATING.
Panel 2, A narrow panel in which Beelzebub calmly sips at his drink through a straw.
Panel 3, The explosion of light continues flowing from the direction of Chorozon (O.P. left) toward Sandman (right), who turns away from the gale of light, shielding his face with his fedora.
1. SANDMAN: I AM THE UNIVERSE--ALL THINGS ENCOMPASSING, ALL LIFE EMBRACING.
Panel 4, Another narrow panel in which Azezel (Close-up) has his many eyes looking on and his many mouths grinning in anticipation.
Panel 5, A vague outline of Choronzon’s facial features, as an orange color emanates, as if from his being.
1. CHORONZON: I AM ANTI-LIFE, THE BEAST OF JUDGEMENT. I AM THE DARK AT THE END OF EVERYTHING. THE END OF UNIVERSES, GODS, WORLDS...
2. CHORONZON: ...OF EVERYTHING
Panel 6, Another narrow panel, this time displaying the crowd of demons who, without saying anything, appear to be cheering Choronzon on.
Panel 7, Extreme Close-up of Choronzon, his eye narrowed and speaking with a triumphant grin.
1. CHORONZON: SSS. AND WHAT WILL YOU BE THEN, DREAMLORD?
Panel 8, Sandman (foreground, left) stands facing the shocked, dismayed crowd of demons. He wears a blank facial expression. Choronzon (background, left) on the other hand, has a dumbfounded look on his face...his mouths open wide in confusion.
1. SANDMAN: I AM HOPE.
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