JackHammer: Under the spell of the Blue Moon

Page 1
Title page:

A shot of the city streets with a full moon hanging overhead, there are ninjas on top of the buildings peering down at JackHammer who is walking in the streets. He’s casting a long shadow.

The title “JackHammer: Under the Spell of the Blue Moon, part 1” can appear either in the sky near the moon to incorporate it into the words, or it can be in his shadow.


Page 2
Panel 1:
Jack is peering down alleyways with his hammer slung over his shoulder thinking to himself
"I wonder if I'll see any of those ninjas everyone's been talking about. I really should study for that test tomorrow… If they show up, I hope it'll be sooner than later.”

Panel 2:
Jack continues down the street still thinking to himself, he’s twirling his hammer as he walks.
(this panel can be cut for space, I’m just trying to give his actions momentum before they stop)

Panel 3
He stops with a hand to his chin still thinking "Though, wouldn't they all be hidden?"
Sfx: CRASH!
His thoughts are interrupted by the sound of fighting and he quickly changes direction.

Panel 4:
This would be a long panel.
Jack is concealed behind a corner looking between buildings where two groups are having a dispute. One side is led by a guy with a shaved head, a third eye painted on his forehead and beads draped around his neck to look like a wannabe monk, the other side is dressed in blue and look like dollar store ninjas.
Bald guy: "You damn cowards! This is what you get for turning traitor!"
Costume store ninja: "Screw you! I know a winning side when I see one!"
They are throwing punches, there's graffiti on the walls of a blue moon with a kunai across it painted over a radiant eye.
Jack sees this and thinks "Ah, gang war."


Page 3
Panel 1:
The two gangs are coming to blows, the monks have some long metal pipes they are clumsily trying to use like fighting staffs. The ninjas have makeshift kunais made from shivs. It would all look kind of sad if both sides weren't so adamant about committing violence against each other.

Panel 2:
A big steel dumpster lands in the middle of their ruckus. The all stop dead in their tracks in shock over almost getting flattened by it.

Panel 3:
JackHammer is standing at the opening of the alleyway holding his sledge hammer. Both gangs exchange glances as if to say 'Yeah, I don't want to tangle with this guy.' Or just a general feeling of apprehension.
JH: "Nice night, huh?"

Panel 4:
Maybe this is a floating panel of Jack with his hammer up across his shoulders
JH: "So, what's with all the ninjas lately?"

Panel 5:
The angle would be from the ground so the perspective is if we are looking up with the ninja gang.
The crap ninjas look up to the rooftops and see the not-crap ninjas spying down on them "We ain't gonna tell you shit."


Page 4
Panel 1:
Jack shrugs and turns to the monk "What about you guys?"
"Ain't none'a yer business, cape."
JH: "Guess the cops will have to get the answers then."
"The hell they will!"

Panel 2:
Both gangs are ready for a fight again, holding their sad weapons.
JH: "Or you can all get dumpstered."

Panel 3:
They all turn to look back to the big, full, at least two ton dumpster he threw earlier.

Panel 4:
Cut back to Jack
JH: "Your choice."

Panel 5:
Pan up so we see the streets from above and the ninjas on the roofs, the gangs are surrounding Jack, but it’s from afar so the details aren't very detailed.


Page 5
Panel 1:
It’s another overhead shot of the streets, but we’ve panned over to a different street where a bunch of ninjas are hiding in every shadow surrounding a group of people.

Panel 2:
There is a wall of ninjas, like they have been copy-pasted everywhere, like one solid mass of ninjas, like a giant ninja doughnut surrounding a gang in the center. The gang is panicking.

Panel 3:
The shadow ninjas have parted to clear a path for a less shadowy looking one with a helmet, spiked arm armor, and a supernaturally flowing long blue scarf. Arms folded of course. The perspective is from where the gang is standing.
He addresses the gang "Good evening gentlemen."
"Who the hell are you?! What do you want?"
"I am the Blue Moon, and I want my old turf back."

Panel 4:
The perspective is now from where Blue Moon is standing so we’re looking into the doughnut of ninjas, ninjas back up the entire backdrop behind the gang.
The gang hold up their weapons "Come and take it then!"
"I could, easily. But I'm feeling generous tonight."


Page 6
Panel 1:
Boss ninja reveals a can of blue spray paint.
"Join up with us instead."

Panel 2:
Blue Moon tosses the can over to the gang. There are motion lines to show the arch it took in the air and a *clink* sound effect for where it lands. They’re looking down at it with an 'are you shitting me' expression.

Panel 3:
Blue Moon shrugs "Or test your luck evading my men. The decision is yours."

Panel 4:
The gang look back at the stupid numbers they're up against. The literal wall of ninjas surrounding them. We’re seeing the backs of their heads as they’re reconsidering their odds.

Panel 5:
The gang has tagged the wall with the blue moon symbol over whatever gang sign was there. They give their answer "You're the boss."
Blue Moon: "You made the right choice."


Page 7
Panel 1:
Cut back to JackHammer in the other alleyway with both gangs down and out, sprawled across the ground with both leaders wedged into the dumpster.
Jack is dusting himself off/clapping his hands together like he's wrapping up "Wrong choice, guys."

Panel 2:
Jack stretches his back as he walks out of the alleyway, we’re seeing him from behind. "Maaaaan. I was hoping to meet a real ninja tonight. Oh well."
The crap ninja moans "Blue Moon... will avenge us." But Jack is already out of earshot.
He's thinking "Crap, I have a test tomorrow."

Panel 3:
Narration box: The next day...

Jack is face down on the table during lunch, hands in his hair while Kurt is eating.
Kurt: "You knew this would happen."
Jack: *muffled moans of unrest*
Kurt: "I told you those ninjas were fake."

Panel 4:
Jack rolls his head to one side "I don't care about the ninjas anymore... I need to study for a make up test."
Kurt continues eating "Can't help you there, buddy. I'm not even in that class. I'm studying architecture."
Jack: "Can you build a secret lair then? Because all cool supes have lairs."

Panel 5:
Kurt looks at him dumbfounded "Jack, do you have the slightest clue how much time, money and effort is put into a single lair? Neither of us are rich."
Jack: "Yeah..."
Kurt: "I could design one, but I'm no engineer. And aren't you getting distracted?"

Panel 6:
Jack slumps his head back down into his hands.
Kurt crumples up the empty wrapper/paper bag "Well, I might know of someone who could tutor you, but..."
Jack: "But?"
Kurt: "She's kinda... touchy I guess?"
Jack: "Huh?"
Kurt: "Head to the drama club and ask for Aoko Mochizuki."

Panel 7:
Kurt turns away from Jack as he tosses out his trash "She's kind of a mafia princess, but I think you'll be fine."
Kurt looks around and Jack is already gone. "... Yeah, he'll be fine."


Page 8
Panel 1:
Aoko is in the theater at rehearsal, she’s on stage looking at a script and she's doing an internal monologue “Once again, everyone is too scared to approach me. How Am I supposed to get my lines right at like this?”

Panel 2:
She looks into the audience seating and a big suited yakuza looking guy with sunglasses and tattoos is sitting there with a coffee looking at his phone.
Aoko is still thinking “If only he didn’t have to follow me everywhere, I honestly don’t know what father is thinking.”

Panel 3:
Back stage, Jack is talking to some people.
Jack: "Hey, you guys know Aoko? I'm looking for her."
And they all just sort of stand there nervously looking away, rubbing the backs of their necks being big cowards. One of them says
"Yeah, she's on stage, just... be mindful of her family's cleaner."

Panel 4:
Jack looks out on stage and sees Aoko under the spotlight.
Jack thinks "She needs her own janitor? She doesn't look messy."

Panel 5:
Aoko is on stage and Jack startles her, appearing from behind off-panel
Aoko (thinking): “It’s not like I’m going to get jumped at school.”
Jack: "Hi!"


Page 9
Panel 1:
Aoko nearly jumps off of the stage in shock, Jack is extending his hand for a handshake.
Aoko: "Holy bajeesus, where did you come from?"
Jack: "Backstage, I'm Jack!"

Panel 2:
Yakuza guy is looking up from his phone, but he hasn't moved.

Panel 3:
Aoko looks nervous, but shakes his hand.
Aoko: "Hi...? I'm Aoko. Can I help you?"
Jack: "Yeah! I need a tutor!"

Panel 4:
Aoko looks around on stage to all the eyes watching her and people whispering "Sure... let's go somewhere more private."


Page 10
Panel 1:
Smash cut to a room. It's just Jack, Aoko, and the big yakuza guy between them. They’re all sitting at a table.
Aoko: "So, uh, sorry about him. My family doesn't let me go to school on my own..."
Jack: "I don't mind. I don't plan to make any mess to clean up."
And that gets a sad laugh from Aoko. She thinks "This guy has a morbid sense of humor. Does he even know who my family is?"

Panel 2:
Jack is holding up a book and pointing to some math or word or whatever in it
Jack: “So here, on line blah blah blah…"

Panel 3:
Close up on Aoko who is thinking while analyzing Jack "No fear at all…"

Panel 4:
Jack looks happy/excited/all smiles as he finishes talking "So can you explain what that means?"

Panel 5:
Cut back to Aoko who snaps back to reality, a little startled "Sure, you do it like this..."


Page 11
Panel 1:
Do a close up of a clock with the hour and minute hands in one position

Panel 2:
Same close up as the clock, only the hands have moved a lot to show how much time passed.

Panel 3:
Jack is looking hyped, he's holding up the book "OK! I think I get this now!"
Aoko: "That's good because it's starting to get late." Aoko is stretching in her seat.

Panel 4:
Jack has put the book back down on the table and looks shocked since that took so long. Aoko has both her arms on the table, leaning forward, smiling to reassure him that it’s fine.
Jack: "Oh crap! Sorry, didn't mean to keep you this long!"
Aoko: "No, no. It's fine. This was fun. Let me know if you need help again."

Panel 5:
Close up on Aoko waving goodbye, smiling
Jack (off panel): "I might take you up on that. OK, thanks again!"
Aoko: "Bye."


Page 12
Panel 1:
Aoko walking away from the school towards a car, the door is being held open for her.

Panel 2:
The car is on the road as Aoko looks out of the window, discontented.

Panel 3:
The car is stopped at a gate, beyond the gate is a long driveway up a hill to a manor.

Panel 4:
Aoko closes a door behind her while holding a hand to her chest "Finally, some privacy!"
There's a light coming from her hand.

Panel 5:
Close up of an amulet she’s holding in her hand which is the source of the glowing.
Aoko (off panel): "Now, back to rebuilding the family name."

Panel 6:
There's a semi-transparent outline of Blue Moon around Aoko. Like the illusion isn't quite solid yet.

To be continued...


Page 1
Title page:
The amulet is hanging from its chain, as if it had just been dropped. An eerie glow emanates from it which could form the words:
JackHammer: Under the Spell of the Blue Moon, part 2


Page 2
Panel 1:
A shadowy person holds the amulet and many more people appear around them, connected to the amulet by a beam of light.
Narration box: "The amulet of the Blue Moon Clan, a mystical artifact which glows like the Moon."
Narration box: "With it, one has the powers to create illusions."
(I think it best to have two separate boxes on this page to let the image speak for itself a little before the text makes it obvious)

Panels 2, 3 and 4:
A bunch of ninjas are running around doing ninja stuff in old Japan, the American wild west, on a train in the 1940s. The three panels are connected without borders.
Narration box: "My family has wielded this power for generations."

Panel 5:
An old man is in a casket, it's a funeral, he is mourned by many.
Narration box: "However, when my grandfather passed, the light would not shine for my father and our family fell into decline."


Page 3
Panel 1:
A slightly younger Aoko is sitting on a couch watching TV and looks shocked as an old man is standing behind her.
Narration box: "After my 18th birthday, I saw a vision of my grandfather."

Panel 2:
Aoko is following the “ghost”, but it’s not in any boarders, I can’t really think to describe how the page would look like with this though. It should be kind of ethereal of that makes any sense? Like he’s halfway phasing through a door in it.
Narration box: "He beckoned me to follow him...”

Panel 3:
The old man is standing over a desk, an arm extended downwards indicating to a drawer.
Narration box: "...and led me into my father's study where I found it."

Panel 4:
Aoko is illuminated by the light of the Blue Moon amulet in her hands. She’s holding it with both hands up to her face. The light is dancing across her features, shimmering in her eyes and casting shadows in different directions.
Narration box: "The amulet of the Blue Moon shone for me, and with it I can restore my family's power."


Page 4
Panel 1:
Blue Moon is out at night flanked by his ninjas.
Narration box: “Present day”

Panel 2:
The same panel as before, but all the details of the ninjas are gone save for their outlines showing they are hollow illusions, with Aoko inside of the leader's outline to reveal it's all just an illusion.
Aoko: "And so it goes..."

Panel 3:
Blue Moon has another gang surrounded who are surrendering to the greater numbers.

Panel 4:
Another gang appears behind Blue Moon lead by a man who is wearing sunglasses at night, a white suit, and a gold chain. He looks like he'd fit right in at a disco party. And he's holding a gun. He’s smiling.


Page 5
Panel 1:
Boss is waving his gun around all casual like, shrugging, smiling "So you’re the new Blue Moon, right? Did the old one finally croak?"

Panel 2
(Panels 1 and 2 are face to face with the word bubbles overlapping each)
Aoko is just barely keeping her composure under the illusion "That information does not concern you."
Boss man shrugs (in panel 1) "Well it kinda does, friend. You see, if you're in charge, that means me and my boys can settle an old score with that Japanese prick... and vent our frustration on his wife and daughter." His gang laughs at this notion.
BM: "Bastard! Family members are supposed to be off limits!"
Boss: "Heh! We can’t touch the leader’s family. What, is the previous head your pops or something?"
BM: "...no."
Boss: "Then it's settled!"
BM: "You are aware if you do this, you'll be starting an all-out war."

Panel 3:
The boss is no longer smiling and he’s now pointing his gun at Blue Moon, he’s pointing it as if he’s pointing at the reader. His mouth is open wide because he’s shouting.
Boss: "You already did shit-for-brains! Boys! Light those ninja freaks up!"

Panel 4:
Aoko uses her illusions to create a distraction as she runs for it. A bunch of beams of light all shoot out from the amulet each forming a ninja illusion to obscure her movements.

Panel 5:
She turns the corner of a building just as the guns fire lighting up the street.
From around the corner she hears one of the gang members say "They ninja vanished, boss!"
"They can't have gotten far, find them!"

Page 6
Panel 1:
Aoko is in full blown panic mode now under the illusion thinking "Shit, shit shit! What do I do? Do I change back? No! They're going to be after me now as well! Shit!"

Panel 2:
She's not looking where she's going and runs right into JackHammer who is running towards the sounds of gunfire.

Panel 3:
As she falls Jack catches her, the illusion is still up.
JH: "Whoa! You're much lighter than I thought!"
Aoko isn't thinking straight at this point "Are you saying that I'm fat?"
JH: "No? And why would you care?"

Panel 4:
Aoko realizes her illusion is still up, notices who JackHammer, giving him an up-down look and tries to keep her cover
"Well, uh, it's because... I'm a ninja!"
She thinks "Is this guy the superhero I've been hearing about?"

Panel 5:
A gangster rounds the corner and shouts "Boss! I found their lead-!"

Panel 6:
And takes a sludge hammer to the chest for his efforts. His eyes pop, his cheeks deflate, he’s falling backwards.


Page 7
Panel 1:
The boss sees the goon falling down and rolls his head.
Boss: "Oh, it's the superhero. This is none of your business, kid."
JH (in the distance): "You're shooting up the city in the middle of the night, so it kind of is!"

Panel 2:
The boss is pointing at Jack with his men now aiming their guns at him.
Boss: "Fine! Shoot him too!"

Panel 3:
Two of the goons get clobbered by a steel bar trashcan thrown by JH (off panel). It’s the type of metal trashcan holder that you see on city streets a lot. The two goons are down and out.

Panel 4:
Jack is in a dynamic pose having just thrown the trashcan, Blue Moon is standing behind him.
JH: "You know, we could all just go home and go to bed instead of all this."
Blue Moon whispers to him "They won't go home and there are too many to take on by yourself."
JH: "OK? And?"
BM: "So take advantage of the distraction I'm about to give you."

Panel 5:
Ninjas descend from above and block the gang's line of sight, they begin shooting wildly, but their bullets just hit the sides of buildings.


Page 8:
Panel 1:
Seizing the opportunity, JackHammer weaves his way through and punches one guy in the nose then tosses him into another. It should be a continuous line of motion with Jack in different places in the panel in different poses.

Panel 2:
The goon is down on the ground and sees Jack raising his hammer, not like he’s going to swing it, but like a reverse Excalibur. Like he’s about to plunge the heavy mallet end down and crush him.

Panel 3:
The hammer smashes their guns into a lump of twisted metal on the ground in front of them. As in very close to their heads which are also on the ground. They’re sweating and panicked by this.

Panel 4:
The ninjas continue to block the gang's vision and JackHammer weaves through the panel again until he reaches where the thrown trashcan landed.

Panel 5:
Jack shoves the trashcan over the boss's head.

Panel 6:
Jack then smacks it with his hammer to dent it enough so it's not coming off easily. The rest of the gang scatters.


Page 9
Panel 1:
Aoko is rightly impressed and sees an opportunity, she's regained her composure and has her arms folded.
BM: "You're pretty capable. I could use a man like you around."
JH: "Eh... I'm not really cut out for being a ninja. Plus, I think you're a criminal? Maybe? I'm not sure. Are you?"

Panel 2:
Police sirens are heard in the distance getting both of their attentions. They both turn their heads away towards the direction the sounds are coming from.

Panel 3:
Blue Moon uses her illusions to block JH's line of sight on her with more ninjas saying "Think about it." as she runs off.

Panel 4:
Jack runs after Blue Moon

Panel 5:
Jack rounds the corner and there is a crowd of people forming with no sign of the ninjas.
Aoko used her illusion powers to look like someone else in the crowd to escape.
JH: "Right, ninjas."


Page 10
Panel 1:
The next day...
Jack is looking mighty pleased with himself as he looks at a piece of paper. Kurt is leaning on him to see it too.
Kurt asks him "Re-test go well, man?"
Jack: "Yep! Got a B+ on it! All thanks to Aoko's tutoring."

Panel 2:
Kurt looks over Jack's shoulder, pointing to Aoko in the distance
Kurt: "Speaking of…"

Panel 3:
Jack turns around, he's all smiles.


Panel 4:
Jack looks shocked/concerned over how tired Aoko looks

Panel 5:
Jack turns right back around to Kurt looking slightly distressed, huddling up closer to him for whisper talk
JH: "Dude, Aoko's looking really down, what can I do to cheer her up?"
Kurt: "I don't know dude. Why don’t you talk to her about something she likes?"
JH: "Can't do! I just met her yesterday! Come on man!"
Kurt: "Well... Why don't you invite her to the movies, or go to a restaurant?"
JH: "Bro, I want to cheer HER up…"

Panel 6:
Jack turns back around scratching his head "Besides I'm not hungry."
Kurt's body language says 'you dense MFer' while his mouth says "Wha-... what? No, no... never mind."


Page 11
Panel 1:
After a beat of Kurt facepalming and Jack deep in thought, Kurt comes up with something.

Panel 2:
Kurt is rubbing his forehead now.
Kurt: "Okay, why don't you say something Japanese to her? Heard her and her folks go to Japan every holiday."
JH: "Oh yeah that's nice! ... What should I say?"
Kurt: "I don't know man, anything from you will do really...”

Panel 3:
Kurt is pointing a finger up since he has and idea. Jack looks confused.
Kurt: “Oh, I got it! Why don’t you call her -Chan?"
JH: "Bro, even I know calling a girl by another girl's name is a bad move."
Kurt: "I mean add -Chan to her first name dummy! Call her Aoko-Chan!"
JH: "Oooooh, that's clever! Thanks dude!"

Panel 4:
As Jack leaves, Kurt folds his arms and smirks "This should be good."

Panel 5:
Aoko is sitting at a table holding her head. She's tired, she's been up all night, she's thinking "I didn't even go home last night, how do I explain this?"

Panel 6:
She picks her head up and Jack's right there giving her his best smile. Once again he’s scared the crap out of her.
JH: "Yo Aoko-Chan! How are you doing today?!"
Aoko: "Whaaat?"


Page 12
Panel 1
Close up of Jack is looking nervous now, he’s no longer sure this was a good idea and is forcing himself to continue smiling as he tries again. He as one hand up in that “hi” wave greeting, but his fingers are now bent down.
Jack: "Aoko-Chan! How you doing?!"

Panel 2:
Close up of Aoko who looks bit angry, she’s thinking "Is he... mocking me?"

Panel 3:
Another close up of Aoko, she’s more relaxed now and is trying to suppress a laugh with a hand to his mouth.
Aoko (thinking): "No, he's just... like this."
Aoko: "Hahaha, you know you don’t need to say that, right?"

Panel 4:
Jack is blushing with a hand behind his head.
JH: "Yeah... but it made you laugh, so I might as well keep doing it!"

Panel 5:
Aoko is standing up from the table, she has a gleeful smirk across her face, she’s picking up her stuff as she gets up. Jack is across the table from her.
Aoko: "You know, you're kind of dumb, but I like that about you... don't change. Also thank you, you made my day!"
Jack: "You're welcome Aoko-Chan! And thanks again for the tutoring!"


Page 13
Panel 1:
Narration box: Even more later...

Aoko has just closed the gates behind her on her way into the family yard. She's thinking "Maybe I'm out of my depth with all this. Maybe I should just focus on normal stuff like…"

Panel 2:
Jack's smiling face flashes through her mind, the boarders of the panel are all wavy and dreamy-like.

Panel 3:
Aoko is looking down and blushing as she continues up the driveway.
"Ah... maybe... maybe I should keep those thoughts to myself for a while."

Panel 4:
As she approaches her family home, she sees her bodyguard, arms folded, leaning up against the wall, looking stern as a stone.
"I have been awaiting your return."

Panel 5:
Aoko clenches her fists, thinking "First step to normalcy..."
She breathes in and out, "Look, I'm sorry I ditched you, but I cannot deal with constantly being..." She stops mid-sentence.

Panel 6:
The bodyguard has gotten down on his knees with his hands on the ground, head pointed down and speaks "I am once again yours to command, Blue Moon."

Panel 7:
Close up of Aoko clutching the amulet under her shirt which is glowing through the fabric, a look of shock and mild fear that she can't end things so easily.