Story JL Bell; Script Carlos Salazar
Page 1
The background bleed of this page is an overhead view two large armies facing each other on a Mediterranean beach. There are 3 pairs of two panels. Panel 1 and 2 are the smallest. Panels 3 and 4. Panels 5 and 6 are larger still, having assumed the proportions of panels in a typical 2X6 grid.
Panel 1: A perspective similar to the one of the bleed. A close up of Hadrade. The narration associated with this panel explains that Harald Hardrade is an exiled Danish noble fighting as a mercenary.
Panel 2: A perspective similar to the bleed. Three tiny figures stand next to the sea. The narration explains that for the past several years Harald’s employer has been the Byzantine empire, an unbroken continuation of the Roman Empire.
Panel 3: A panel of the Norse Varangian guard, of which Harald is a member. This panel portrays the the Norse mercenaries, whose dress and weapons should come through. The narration states that one day Harald will conquer Norway and claim its throne.
Panel 4: A zoom of the same perspective as panel 2. This narration explains that for now, however, he fights as a paid sword in an empire thousands of miles from home.
Panel 5: A panel of the traditional Byzantine soldiers, whose dress and weapons should also come through and contrast with the Norse Men. The narration states that lately Harald has come into conflict with his Byzantine fellow general, Gyrger, about their campaign to expand the empire.
Panel 6: A zoom of the same perspective as panel 4. The characters should now be clearly visible as a Norse soldier, a Byzantine soldier, and a bearded older advisor holding a box. The narration states that instead of risk a civil war, the two men were advised by the wise men to draw lots for who would have the final say over battlefield decisions.
Page 2
Panel 1: Gyger inscribes his mark on a stone to draw it for lots.
Panel 2: Gyger moves to put his stone in the box.
Panel 3: The same perspective as panel 2. Gyger still has his hand in the box, and is looking over at Harald. Off panel, Harald asks to see the mark.
Panel 4: A view of Harald. He explains that it is so they do not make the same mark.
Panel 5: Gyger shows the mark to Harald, and it is visible to the viewer.
Panel 6: Harald puts his own lot in the box.
Panel 7: The wise man puts his hand in the box. He states that he will now draw the winning lot.
Panel 8: The wise man pulls out the lot and holds it aloft.
Panel 9: Harald grabs it.
Page 3
Panel 1: Harald heaves the lot into the sea.
Panel 2: Similar perspective as above. The lot splashes into the sea.
Panel 3: Gyger is incensed and shouts at Harald, asking why he did not let the people see it. Harald says he already saw the lot, and it was his own. He told Gyger to confirm by looking into the box.
Panel 4: Gyger pulls out the remainging lot.
Panel 5: Gyger shows that it is his own lot. He accuses Harald of cheating.
Panel 6: Harald shrugs. He tells Gyger that they can still fight a war over it.
Panel 7: A close up of a lot stuck in sand in the ocean. The narration states that from that day forward Harald got the final say whenever they quarrelled, and he would go onto fight well for the Byzantine Empire.
Panel 8: Similar to panel 7, but the close up on the lot zooms out. The narration states that in doing so, and afterward Harald would earn his title, Hadrade, meaning ruthless.
Panel 9: Similar to panel 8, but the close up zooms out again, closing on a tiny lot, stuck in sand, as sea life swirls around it.