NOODGE
Tick, I have come here on a matter of
cosmic import. Would you pleasestop
licking that drink?
The Tick looks up from his work.
NOODGE
As I was saying. I arrive only at moments
of cosmic import and then only to observe.
Neverto interfere.
Page 9
Panel 1
Favoring disingenuous Noodge.
NOODGE
Let me give you an example. If I were to
use my awesome power to, say, unfreeze
your partner—
On Arthur in a new pose, weird signature energy surrounds
him. He’s looking in confusion at an obviously still
frozen Carmelita.
OFF-PANEL NOODGE
–That would be wrong.
Arthur’s looking at a shrugging Tick. The energy has
dissipated.
ARTHUR
Tick, why’s everybody frozen? What’s
happeninghere?
Page 10
Panel 1
Noodge explains. Arthur is concerned, pleading.
NOODGE
But Iknow all. Still it is my cursethat
I am absolutely forbiddento tell you
about the threat to the very fabric of
timeitself!!
ARTHUR
Whoever you are, you’ve gotto tell us!
Favoring Noodge. Almost sadly.
NOODGE
Wouldthat I could tell you! But I am
forbidden!-
Flashback panel. Noodge’s head is in the upper left-hand
corner, leading to a caption box. In the panel, standing
in the clouds we see FATHER TIME, bearded, white-haired,
hunched over with age, carrying a scythe, wearing white
robes and a sash that reads, “This Year.” Perhaps he’s
standing in front of the PEARLY GATES. Sitting nearby,
smiling and shaking a tiny scythe like a rattle, is BABY
NEW YEAR. His sash reads, “Next Year.”
CAPTION
—“Forbidden to tell you that each New
Year’s Eve, mighty Father Time, passes
away, bequeathing his powers and
responsibilities to Baby New Year.“
SFX
(little scythe)
>rattlerattle<
Back to the present. Noodge is grave.
NOODGE
No. I would be derelict in my duties if I
were to tell you that, thisyear, someone
has stoppedthe natural orderof things.
NOODGE
Time itself has been frozen!
The panel shows the STORK, a baby bundle dangling from his
beak. Stork is in space, circling high above the Earth.
CAPTION
“And Baby New Year cannotcome to Earth to
restore the natural flow of time until his
predecessor has departedthis plane.”
Back in the present, Noodge has the back of his hand on
his forehead as he wails in turmoil.
NOODGE
Oh! If onlyI could tell someone about
Baby New Year’s Scythe.
On the Tick, reacting as the tiny scythe appears in his
upturned palm in a glow of energy identical to when Arthur
was unfrozen.
SFX
(appearing scythe)
TICK
Ah, you mean thisone?
On Noodge. He’s smiling, and speedlines indicate his is
rapidly nodding his head, “yes.”
NOODGE
I cannot answer your question, Tick.
Noodge continues as Tick examines the scythe, held
gingerly between his thumb and forefinger.
NOODGE
Norcan I tell you that the scythe gives
its holder the powerto cut the windsof
timeand track down the villain
responsible for this crisis.
SFX
(scythe)
>rattlerattle<
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