Dwayne McDuffie
Full Script for 8 Pages
Marvel Comics Presents
Damage Control
"Overture"
First Draft, 5-16-88
Revised, 7-23-88

Ernie,
This whole story has the kind of "film noir" look you
used on the last page of Damage Control #1. We're going for
the feel of the Frank Miller Daredevils (see reference). I
think it'll be funnier if we capture that kind of thing.
Have fun!

PAG E

1

P a n e l

1

Int. Josie's Bar -Night. Close on JOSIE the Bartender and JOHN PORTER. they
shake hands over the bar.

JOHN:

Josie? I'm John Porter. I've come to talk to you
about some of the special repair services I offer.

JOSIE:

Oh, You're the guy selling super-hero insurance. I
told you on the phone, I already got plenty.

P a n e l

2

Similar to previous. The camera has pulled back to reveal more of the bar. We
are looking into the bar from outside, through a large picture window, between
the "S" and the "I" of "Josie's". The effect is subtle at this point, the letters
should not call attention to themselves. Josie dries a beer mug. John reaches for
peanuts.

JOHN:

I don't sell insurance. I broker clean-up and repair
services that don't mind taking on super-hero jobs.

JOSIE:

I've been using Damage Controlto handle my
repairs. They do a good job.

P a n e l

3

McDuffie •Damage Control•"Overture"

2

The camera has pulled back even further. The window's frame is roughly
equivalent to the panel border. "JOSIE'S" is clearly written across the pane.
Enough of the bar is visible for us to see TURK sitting at the bar, closer to us than
John.

JOHN:

I can do better.

JOSIE:

Yeah, sure. Anyway, even though I used to have
problems, it's been monthssince anything's
happened here--

Pa n e l

4

We've pulled back to an establishing shot of the bar. We still see the scene inside
the window. Turk looks out the window in shock. DAREDEVIL stands outside
the window poised to leap.

JOSIE:

--I think I had a run of bad luck and now it's over...

PA

GE

2

Pa n e l

1

Reverse angle. Foreground John and Josie react to Background (but dominating
shot) Daredevil leaping through the plate glass window. Turk, middleground,
leaps to his feet.

DAREDEVIL
(BURST):

Turk! I want to talk to you!

AFX (BREAKING
GLASS):

KRASSH!

TURK (BURST):

Daredevil!

JOSIE:

On the other hand...

LOGO:

DAMAGE CONTROL

TITLE:

"Overture"

Pa n e l

2

McDuffie •Damage Control•"Overture"

3

John and Josie at bar in background left. Turk panel center, frightened and
backing into a table. The table's occupants are getting up and running off panel.
Panel right, Daredevil advances confidently on Turk.

JOSIE:

...What have you got in mind?

TURK:

I don't know anything, Daredevil!

DAREDEVIL:

I don't have time to play, Turk.

Livesare at stake.

PAGE

3

Pa n el

1

All 4 panels on this page are identical in terms of background and camera angle.
Think of it as four frames from a movie take. Panel right, background, John and
Josie are at the bar, John's back to the action. He's looking at Josie. Turk is
foreground center, throwing the table at Daredevil. Daredevil ducks under it
easily.

JOHN:

I want to hero-proof your place. Let's start with
some shatter-proof glass in that window.

JOSIE:

Sounds good!

TURK:

-Umph!-

DAREDEVIL:

C'mon, Turk. You know better.

Pa n e l

2

John is looking over at the fight. Daredevil has closed the gap between him and
Turk and is punching Turk in the jaw. The table Turk threw last panel hits the
floor.

JOHN:

Wrought-iron chairs...maybe bolt the tables to the
floor...

AFX (DD'S
PUNCH):

Fap!

AFX (TABLE
HITTING FLOOR):

Thudd!

Pa n e l

3