Seraph Issue 1 Rescue and Retribution

Page 1

Panel 1: High above the north American continent.

Narration
Earth, Year 1 P.C.E (Post Common Era).

Panel 2: A massive explosion emanates from somewhere in the Midwestern United States.

Panel 3: Seraph is crouching on a ledge with his back to us, he is at the top of a skyscraper overlooking the ruined New York skyline in the distance.

Narration
Somewhere in New Jersey, 498 P.C.E…

Seraph Narration
…I hate my life.

Seraph Narration
I hate this unending desert and ruined skyline landscape, I hate the fact that I haven't had a decent lay in forever, I hate this ruined husk of a planet, and most of all, I hate the people on it.

Seraph Narration
Dear god do I hate people. Bunch of ignorant, greedy, trigger-happy, bigoted sociopaths.

Page 2

Panel 1: We have moved to Seraph's side and zoomed in on his face, his hair is draped across it rendering him unidentifiable.

Seraph Narration
I take comfort in the fact that there's not quite so many of them now.

Panel 2: We are looking down over Seraph's head, far below him a group of seven people have surrounded an eighth (Zoë).

Seraph Narration
The complete and utter destruction of all civilization has, in my opinion, done nothing but improve things…at least as far as I’m concerned.

Panel 3: Seraph sighs heavily.

Seraph Narration
“And who am I?” you ask? Who is this deeply cynical, hateful shell of a man?

Panel 4: We are again behind Seraph, only this time all we can see is the tail of his jacket as he disappears over the ledge

Seraph Narration
I’m a superhero.

Page 3

Panel 1: A bunch of thugs have Zoë backed up against a wall, Zoë is brandishing a knife at them and shaking with fear.

Thug 1
Come on you little bitch, give it up!

Thug 2
Yeah just give up; it'll hurt less if you don't struggle.

Zoë
Stay back! I’ll fucking cut you I swear!

Panel 2: Seraph is falling through the air face first.

Panel 3: Seraph flips around in mid air so he is now falling feet first

Panel 4: The thugs are closing in on Zoë, who is desperately trying to keep them at bay with her knife.

Thug 1
Don't worry girly, soon all your troubles will be over...

Panel 5: Seraph lands in-between Zoë and the thugs, leaving a small crater and creating a cloud of dust.

Page 4

Panel 1: The dust clears and Seraph is kneeling on the ground completely unharmed.

Panel 2: Seraph stands up.

Panel 3: Seraph holds up a palm in greeting.

Seraph
Greetings.

Panel 4: Everyone stares at Seraph in stunned silence. (Heh, alliteration ftw!)

Page 5

Panel 1: One of the thugs points his crossbow at Seraph.

Thug 1
Who the hell are you supposed to be?!

Panel 2: Seraph stands between the thugs and Zoë, unperturbed by the weaponry pointed at him. He is pointing over his shoulder at Zoë with his thumb.

Seraph
Doesn't matter, trust me. Just beat it right now, and leave that girl alone so I don’t have to get my favorite jacket dirty.

Thug 1
Is this some kind of joke? We’ve got you out-numbered.

Panel 3: Seraph grasps his forehead in annoyance

Seraph (muttering to himself)
I hate it when they do this.

Thug 1
Waste him!

Panels 4 & 5:
The rest of the thugs pull out their crossbows and fire a volley at Seraph

Page 6:

Panels 1 & 2:
Seraph disappears and the crossbow bolts imbed in the wall behind where he was standing, Zoë lets out a little squeak of terror and ducks

Panel 3: The thugs look around in confusion.

Thug 4
Where the fuck did he go?

Panel 4: Thug 4’s chest explodes outward in a shower of blood and gore.

Page 7

Panel 1: We move to show that Seraph is standing behind Thug 4 with his arm thrust through the thug’s chest.

Seraph
I really like this jacket, you know.

Panel 2: Seraph throws the dead thug off his arm and starts slowly advancing towards the others.

Seraph
So are you guys fucking blind or what?! Did you not see me survive jumping off a mile high building?  I thought that you would get the hint.

Panel 3: Seraph has stopped in front of Thug 1

Seraph
But no, you had to go and piss me off, and ruin my favorite jacket, and now I have to kill you all.

Thug 1
Can’t we talk about this?

Panel 4: Seraph punches Thug 1 in the head so hard that it liquefies (His head that is).

Panel 5: Seraph is still holding his arm in the place where the thugs head was, the thugs body slumps to the ground

Seraph
I’m sorry, but that’s not an option.

Page 8

Panel 1: Seraph is roundhouse kicking another thug in the side, separating his torso from his legs.

Seraph Narration
Okay maybe "Superhero" is too strong a word.

Panel 2: Seraph is decapitating a thug by karate chopping his neck.

Seraph Narration
Oh sure, I help people and all that shit...sometimes, not a lot but...you know...once in a while...although I guess I’m not really doing it because I want to, or I feel good about it.

Panel 3: Seraph rips a street sign out of the ground.

Seraph Narration
Really, I’m doing this because I felt like beating some people to death with my bare hands.

Panel 4: Seraph impales two thugs with the street sign.

Seraph Narration
And one of the only joys I have left in my life is killing people in extremely gory ways.

Page 9

Panels 1, 2 & 3: The last thug tries to run away but Seraph appears in front of him and shoves him to the ground.

Seraph Narration
But hey! I could be doing a lot worse; I could be that guy who talks to fish! Aqualung or whatever he's called, that guy's fuckin' useless.

Panel 4: The last thug is lying at Seraph’s feet. Seraph shrugs at him.

Thug
W-who are you? Why are you doing this?

Seraph
I was bored.

Panel 5: Seraph smashes the thug’s face into the pavement with his foot.

Page 10

Panel 1: Seraph is standing amidst the pile of corpses he just made. He sighs.

Panel 2:
Seraph examines his arm, which is covered in blood and gore.

Seraph
...It's times like this that I wish club soda had survived the apocalypse.

Zoë
Uh, excuse me? Mr. violent crazy person?

Panel 3: Seraph quickly turns to face Zoë.

Seraph
That's my name, don't wear it out!

Panel 4: Zoë takes a startled step back from Seraph who is smiling broadly.

Zoë
Whoa! Okay Smiley, I just wanted to make sure you aren't going to try and rape and/or kill me, that's all.

Panel 5:

Seraph
Rape? No Ma'am, not on a Tuesday.

Zoë
It's Thursday.

Seraph
That's what I said "Wednesday".

Page 11

Panel 1: Zoë eyes Seraph suspiciously. A small piece of...meat...falls off of Seraph's arm.

Panel 2:

Zoë
Right, I'm...just...gonna go now.

Seraph
What? Just like that? No "thank you for saving me, handsome stranger; allow me to service one of your more private organs"?

Panel 3: Zoë turns away from Seraph

Zoë
I didn't ask for your help.

Panel 4: Seraph is walking alongside Zoë who is determinedly not looking at him.

Seraph
You may not have asked for it, but you sure as hell needed it.

Zoë
I had the situation well in hand.

Seraph
Was this before they had you completely surrounded, or after they had you outnumbered seven to one?

Page 12

Panel 1: Zoë turns to face Seraph (And away from us) and throws open her coat.

Zoë
It was after I had these!

Panel 2: Seraph stares at whatever it is Zoë is showing him.

Seraph
...That was your backup plan?

Zoë
Yeah you got a problem with it?

Panel 3: Seraph reaches into Zoë's coat

Seraph
Well yeah, I mean, for one thing...

Panels 4: Seraph holds up a hand grenade.

Seraph
…do you know if these even still work? They've gotta be, what? Five hundred years old at the least?

Panel 5: Zoë snatches the grenade back from Seraph.

Zoë
Of course it still works! You think I'm dumb enough to walk around with dud grenades?!

Seraph
Well, you're apparently dumb enough to walk around with live ones.

Page 13

Panel 1: Zoë starts walking away.

Zoë
Well, as fun as it is being mocked by a guy in a suit covered with entrails, I really should get going before dark.

Panel 2: Seraph watches Zoë go.

Seraph
…Man, what happened to this world.

Panel 3: Seraph looks around at the ruined city.

Seraph
…oh right.

Panel 4: Seraph starts walking in the opposite direction as Zoë.

Seraph Narration
So yeah, that’s my life nowadays, I help people…sometimes…and then they disappoint me all over aga-

Panel 5: Zoë walks up beside Seraph.

Seraph Narration
Uh…or…not.


Page 14

Panel 1: Seraph looks at Zoë, slightly perplexed, Zoë ignores him.

Seraph
…So…

Zoë
No, I won’t suck you off.

Seraph
…Fair enough.

Panel 2: Seraph and Zoë walk in awkward silence.

Panel 3: Seraph extends a hand to Zoë.

Seraph
My names Seraph…

Panel 4: Zoë takes Seraph’s hand.

Zoë
...Zoë.

Seraph
Nice to make your acquaintance Zoë.

Panel 5: Seraph and Zoë walk into the distance.

Page 15

Panel 1: We pull back to the top of a nearby building; James is standing on top of it with his back to us and his hood up.

Panel 2:  James disappears into thin air.

Page 16

Panel 1: It is day; Seraph and Zoë are walking along a sidewalk in a ruined city.

Panel 2: Seraph stops and looks around.

Zoë
What’s wrong?

Seraph
Duck.

Zoë
Huh?

Panel 3: Seraph shoves Zoë to the ground just before a throwing knife imbeds itself in the wall where her head was.

Panel 4: Zoë stares at the knife in shock, Seraph seems unperturbed

Seraph
You’re going to have to do better then that, Alex.

Panel 5: Alex steps out from his hiding place across the street.

Alex
You’ll have to miss sometime, Monster.

Seraph
You’d think that, but you’d be wrong.

Page 17

Panel 1: Seraph and Alex face each other across the street

Seraph
Unless I'm very much mistaken, And I don't think I am, then that knife wasn’t intended for me, was it Alex?

Alex
No, it was not, and stop calling me that, my name is Azrael.

Seraph
That was your father’s name, Alex.

Alex
And you killed him, so now it is mine.

Panel 2: Zoë gets up and dusts herself off while Seraph talks to Alex

Seraph
Why did you try to kill...uh...

Zoë
...Zoë.

Seraph
Zoë! Why did you try to kill Zoë.

Panel 3:

Alex
She has associated with you, that is enough.

Zoë
Uh…If it helps, I don’t like him…at all really.

Alex
While it may be enough, it is not the only reason.

Zoë (Sarcastic)
Great.

Panel 4:

Alex
For years I have hunted you Monster, and despite my own skill, I have been hindered in my efforts by your supernatural abilities.

Seraph
Yeah, I'm cool like that.

Alex
But finally, in exchange for the death of this girl, I have a weapon that can even the odds.

Page 18

Panel 1: Alex draws a pair of gold katars that glow white

Alex
I shall savor your death, Monster.

Panel 2: Seraph calmly takes off his coat and hands it to Zoë.

Seraph: Hold this for a second.

Panel 3: Seraph springs forward at incredible speed and tackles Alex through the wall of the building he’s standing in front of.

Panel 4: inside the building dust and debris fill the air, there is no sign of Alex or Seraph.

Page 19

Panel 1: Seraph stands up and dusts himself off

Seraph
Well, that was fun.

Panel 2: Alex stands up unharmed.

Alex
It's the last fun you'll ever have monster.

Seraph
Well shit, I was hoping that would at least knock you out…

Panel 3: Seraph winds up a punch.

Seraph
…But it obviously didn’t, so I guess I’m just going to have to punch you through the head.

Alex
Just try it, Monster.

Seraph
If you insist.

Panel 4: Seraph throws his punch.

Page 20

Panel 1: Alex has blocked Seraph’s punch by crossing his katars in front of his face.

Panel 2: Seraph recoils from his blocked attack.

Seraph
Well that’s what I get for announcing my attacks through sarcasm.

Panel 3: Seraph and Alex face off.

Alex
Do not worry Monster; your death shall be quick and somewhat painless.

Seraph
Ok, could you cool it with the imperturbable cockiness? That’s my shtick.

Panel 4: Alex lunges at Seraph.

Alex: Shut. Up. And DIE!

Page 21

Panel 1: Alex slices Seraph across the chest, leaving a long but shallow gash.

Seraph
AH! Son of a bitch that stings!

Panel 2:
Seraph stares at his chest, white smoke begins to emit from the wound.

Seraph
Wait a minute...That does sting...

Panel 3: Seraph holds his chest wound and speaks to Alex.

Seraph
Alex, you need to tell me where you got those daggers.

Alex
Ah, so now that you're afraid you want to talk.

Panel 4: Seraph has grabbed Alex by the collar with one hand. Alex looks defiant regardless.

Seraph
Alex I'm not fucking kidding around here! You need to tell me where you got those.

Panel 5: Alex struggles against Seraph’s grip

Alex
Let go of me Monster!

Seraph
Not until you tell me who gave you those knives!

Page 22

Panel 1: Alex slices Seraph's hand with one of his katars, causing him to release his hold on Alex's collar

Seraph
GAH! You little cocksucker!

Panels 2 & 3: Alex slices Seraph two more times, on the shoulder and thigh.

Panel 4: Seraph is kneeling on the ground in front of Alex. There is a small cloud of white smoke around him from his wounds.

Alex
You are finished monster.

Seraph
Alex if you don't tell me who gave you those daggers then I'm afraid I'm going to have to get rough with you.

Panel 5: Alex chokes back a snicker

Page 23

Panel 1: Alex bursts into full on maniacal laughter.

Panel 2: Alex continues laughing.

Panel 3: Alex starts to wind down from his manic episode.

Alex
Heh heh, woo oh man, warn me when you're going to say something that funny.

Seraph
Well it wasn't really "Ha Ha" funny.

Panel 4: Alex draws back one of his katars in preparation to strike Seraph's head.

Alex
Goodbye monster.

Panel 5: Black panel, only a stabbing sound is heard.

Page 24

Panel 1: Seraph is standing having stopped Alex's blade by letting it lodge in his open palm. Alex looks...about as shocked as anyone would look at something like that.

Alex
...No.

Seraph
I tried to warn you Alex.

Panel 2: Seraph closes his fist around the blade in his palm.

Seraph
Warn you that whoever gave you these blades gave you the wrong kind.

Panel 3: Seraph advances on Alex, pulling him closer with the blade still lodged in his palm.

Seraph
Warn you that you were being set up, that you would never be able to kill me with these blades. Oh sure they don't exactly tickle, but they are hardly fatal.

Panel 4: Seraph gets right up in Alex's face, his head wreathed in white smoke.

Seraph
it’s a stalemate Alex, even with those damned things you'll never kill me, and I…I don’t want to kill you…can’t you just let go of your hate?

Alex
Never! I will destroy you and avenge my father if it takes a thousand years!

Page 25

Panel 1: Seraph and Alex stare at each other in silence.

Panel 2:

Seraph
…I respect you Alex, did you know that?

Panel 3: Alex spits in Seraphs face.

Panel 4:

Alex
Don’t insult me! You destroy my life and now you try to appease me with flattery?! Only your death will end my suffering!

Page 26

Panel 1: Seraph calmly wipes the spit off his face.

Seraph
...Very well.

Alex
What?

Panel 2: Seraph releases his hold on Alex

Seraph
If that's what you truly want then do it...

Panel 3: Seraph stands with open arms.

Seraph
...Kill me.

Panel 4: Alex looks at Seraph suspiciously.

Alex
But how?! The blades-

Seraph
Does it really surprise you that I would lie about something like that? All you have to do is get me in the heart, I promise.

Page 27

Panel 1: Alex moves into a fighting stance.

Alex
It's good of you to finally except the inevitable monster.

Seraph
Just promise me something Alex.

Panel 2:

Seraph
Don’t hurt the girl, she has nothing to do with me, I swear.

Alex
...I’m sorry, but she has been tainted by you, she must die. I will attempt to make it painless though.

Seraph
Fair enough.

Panel 3: Alex leans back preparing to strike.

Alex
...Goodbye Seraph.

Seraph
Goodbye Alex.

Panel 4: Alex lunges at Seraph a final time.

Panel 5: The panel goes black and a stabbing sound is heard.


Page 28

Panel 1: Seraph’s hand is protruding from Alex’s back. Alex has a surprised look on his face, Seraph’s face looks blank.

Panel 2: Alex coughs up some blood.

Panel 3:

Alex
So this is it…I failed him…

Seraph
Don’t talk like that, he would have been very proud of you Alex.

Panel 4: Alex slumps against Seraph.

Alex
…So…I guess you…win…Seraph.

Seraph
I'm so sorry Alex...for all of it.

Panel 5: Seraph removes his hand and Alex slumps to the ground dead.

Page 29

Panel 1: Zoë runs over.

Zoë
What happened? Who the hell was he?

Seraph
…He was the closest thing I had to a friend actually.

Panel 2:

Zoë
And you…killed him.

Seraph: Yeah, weird how that works sometimes.

Panel 3:

Zoë
Is that all you have to say for yourself?! A man is dead!

Seraph
He did try to kill you.

Zoë
BECAUSE YOU KILLED HIS FATHER!

Panel 4: Seraph suddenly becomes serious, and gets right in Zoë’s face.

Seraph
What makes you so sure that I didn't have a perfectly good reason for that?

Page 30

Panel 1: Zoë stands is a little taken aback by this, Seraph walks over to a pile of ruble and starts digging.

Panel 2:

Zoë
…What are you doing?

Seraph
I’m giving Alex a proper burial, you can either keep questioning things you do not understand, or you can help bring a little peace to the death of a brave young man.

Panel 3 & 4: Zoë thinks about this for a second, and then starts to help Seraph hollow out the pile of ruble.

Page 31

Panel 1: It is sunset; Seraph and Zoë are standing in front of a small mound of ruble that Alex is entombed in. Zoë is holding Seraph’s jacket.

Seraph: ...Well we’ve done all we can…rest in peace Alex.

Panel 2: Seraph grabs his coat from Zoë’s hands and starts walking away.

Panel 3: Zoë follows him.

Panel 4: Seraph and Zoë are a ways away from the grave, James is watching them go.

Panel 5: Once again James disappears into thin air.