NEW BLOOD

Origins Issue
By Ashley Ann Quigley
Post-instructor feedback given 11/10/2017

PAGE 1:

Panel One
Large 2/3 panel of Sheriff Barnes, the sheriff of the town Steam, an old male, sitting down at
the table still in uniform as his wife sets a plate of dinner in front of him. The setting is in their
dining room as they’re getting ready to eat.

Panel Two
The Sheriff’s wife sits down with her plate across from him. She looks up at him as he stops
eating his plate and notices it is barely touched.

Mrs. Barnes: Are you okay, Jerry?

Panel Three
Sheriff Barnes waves his hand at her and his smiles appears tight looking.

Sheriff Barnes: You worry too much.

PAGE 2:

Panel One:
Sheriff Barnes looks into the bathroom mirror as his wife is heard through the bathroom door.

Mrs. Barnes: (Off panel) Jerry? Honey?

Panel Two:
Sheriff Barnes begins coughing harder. He clutches his chest.

Sound FX: ACK! ACK!

Panel Three:
Mrs. Barnes knocks on the other side of the door.

Sound FX: THUMP THUMP THUMP

Mrs. Barnes: Jerry? Jerry what’s wrong?

Panel Four:
Sheriff Barnes starts the water in the bathroom.

Panel Five:
He unbuttons his top uniform buttons.

Sound FX: THUMP THUMP THUMP

Sheriff Barnes: I’m fi--

Panel Six:
Wide panel of Sheriff Barnes laying on the ground dying as he clutches his neck. Mrs. Barnes
stands in the doorway in shock as her husband grasps his necks on the floor.

Mrs. Barnes: JERRY?! JERRY!?

PAGE 3:

Panel One:
McCoy walks towards the Steam Bar after nightfall. Lights wrap around the Steam Bar chasing
the darkness away.

Caption: One week later

Caption: Colt McCoy is the youngest police officer on the squad in Steam.

Caption: At age 21, he’s already a deputy in line to becoming the new Sheriff of Steam.

Panel Two:
McCoy pushes the door open and he walks in.

SFX: SWIIIIISH!

Panel Three:
McCoy walks up to Sallie at the bar. She has a rag in her hand as she wipes the bar down in
front of her. People crowd the tables in the distance but the bar stools are empty.

Sallie: How are you holding up, hon?

McCoy: I’m not here for a personal matter, Sallie.

Sallie: Then what can I help you with officer?

Panel Four:
McCoy takes his hat off and leans against the bar.

McCoy: I heard rumors that Sheriff Barnes was here right before he passed away. Who served
him?

Sallie: That would’ve been Tom.

Panel Five:
Sallie points over her shoulder at the bartender helping a patron.

Sallie: He’s my new hire. Good kid. Fast at making drinks.

Panel Six:
McCoy: See my theory right about now is alcohol poisoning. You don’t suppose he could have
anything to do with it?
Panel Seven:
McCoy points off Panel at where Tom is standing.

Panel Eight:
Panel shows Tom talking to the patron.

McCoy: I want a word with him.

Page 4:

Panel One:
Tom pours a drink for McCoy at the bar. McCoy looking suspicious as his drink is filled to the
brim.
Caption: Moments Later

Panel Two:
McCoy holds the drink up to his nose and smells it much to Tom’s confusion.

McCoy: I don’t drink alcohol.

Tom: And why’s that?

McCoy: Personal reasons.

Panel Three:
Tom stands back a little to polish a glass from the shelf.

McCoy: Look boy, where were you on September 16th?

Tom: Umm 16th?

McCoy: It was a Friday! You work here on them days, right?

Tom: Well sure I guess I was here.

Panel Four:
McCoy looks over his shoulder to see others talking behind his back.

McCoy: What are you looking at?

Panel Five:
No one replies to him. They look away from him to other places throughout the bar.
Page 5:

Panel One:

Tom: I’m not in any kind of trouble, am I? Only got to town a week ago.

McCoy inspects the untouched drink in front of him intently.

McCoy: That’s just before the old man died, something to do with his drinking problem people
“claim.”

Panel Two:
Tom plays with a matchbook case nervously as McCoy leans across the bar slightly to further his
questioning.

Panel Three:
McCoy: Some even say it was something added to the drink…

McCoy meets Tom’s eyes hoping to intimidate him.

McCoy: You wouldn’t know anything about that would you?

Panel Four:
Before Tom can answer Sallie interrupts, taking McCoy’s drink away.

Sallie: You not drinking tonight McCoy? Leave the boy alone.

Panel Five:
McCoy stops and turns away from Sallie.

Sallie: McCoy? You listening to me?

Panel Six:
McCoy grabs his hat placing it on his head. McCoy mutters to himself.

McCoy: This is gonna be harder than I thought.

Page 6:

Panel One:
Half-page panel shows McCoy’s silhouette is outside of the Steam County Building. Artwork
used to show him walking on the stairs into the building late at night after the building is shut
down.

Caption: Hours later.

Panel Two:
McCoy enters the evidence room and sees the back of the Coroner.

McCoy: Dr. Williams?

Panel Three:
The corner faces him and holds a hand over her heart.

Dr. Williams: Oh! Officer McCoy. You startled me. I didn’t expect anyone here so late.

McCoy: I could say the same. What are you doing here?

Panel Four:
Dr. Williams places the evidence bags back into the open box on the table in front of her. The
box is brown with big red letters spelling “EVIDENCE”.

Dr. Williams: I was just finishing up some tests that ran late. I have some results on Sheriff
Barnes you may not like.
Page 7:

Panel One:
McCoy grabs the clipboard from her and looks down at it.

McCoy: Drug Overdose? But that’s impossible. Barnes would never--

Dr. Williams: I’m afraid it’s true.

Panel Two:
McCoy sets the clipboard down and goes through the box of evidence.

Panel Three:
He takes out a bag that holds a matchbook from the Steam bar.

Panel Four:
He flips it and sees the logo for Sheriff Barnes’s favorite ale, Bushwitz, on the back.
Page 8:

Panel One:
Dr. Williams looks at the matchbook in his hands.

Dr. Williams: My guess is your scene of the crime is that Steam Bar. You find who poured his
drinks, you’ll find the man behind the murder.

Panel Two:
McCoy places the evidence bag back into the box and runs to the door.

SFX: SQUUUUEAK.

Panel Three:
McCoy goes through the residency files of the town on a computer screen and locates Tom’s
house address.

SFX: Clack clack clack claaack

Panel Four:
McCoy rushes to the car parked outside of Steam County Building.

Panel Five:
Silent Artwork showing the building and him fleeing to his car fill the second half of the page.
Page 9:

Panel One:
Artwork showing McCoy getting out of the car on the edge of town. The house in front of him is
dark as night.

Panel Two:
McCoy enters the house without knocking on the front door.

SFX: CRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAKKKK.

Panel Three:
He continues to walk further inside with his hand on his belt covering his gun.

Panel Four:
McCoy stops hearing noises from above him.

SFX: AAAAAAHHHHHHH!

Panel Five:
McCoy runs up the stairs to find Tom lying in bed with a horror movie playing. Tom screams
seeing McCoy

SFX: AAAAAHHHHHH!
Page 10:

Panel One:
Tom stands and holds his arms out in front of him.

Tom: Now, I know why you’re here, but that don’t give you the right to be breaking in, officer.

McCoy: Oh yeah? Why am I here?

Panel Two:
Tom sits on his bed and a hand runs through his short hair.

Tom: Well, it’s because the shipment got tampered with, off course.

McCoy: Did it?

Tom: Yeah! I tried to report it but I’m new so I don’t know what I’m saying.
McCoy: So, tell me. Down at the station tomorrow.

Panel Three:
Tom stares ate McCoy’s back as McCoy starts to leave the room.

Tom: I will. You leaving now?

McCoy: I may have been hasty. I…apologize for coming in. You’re a murder suspect. Don’t leave
town.

Panel Four:
McCoy crosses his arms and walks towards the door trying to leave.

Panel Five:
McCoy keeps walking out the door.

Tom: Murder suspect!

Page 11:

Panel One:
McCoy stands at his car taking one last look at the outside of Tom’s house. Rain falls on top of
him as the storm grows harsher.

Panel Two:
McCoy parked the car outside of his apartment building. The building is one of the older
buildings in Steam and has seen better days. It is clear that it is rundown.

McCoy: Home sweet home.

Panel Three:
Half page panel of a large thunder storm initiating the time hop between night and morning.
Page 12:

Panel One:
Panel shows McCoy entering the office of Dr. Williams. A large brown door with a glass window
has the letters exclaiming “MEDICAL EXAMINER” on the top.

SFX: SQUUUUEEEEAK!

Dr. Williams: Dr. McCoy?

Panel Two:
McCoy sits in the chair across from Dr. Williams. He folds his hands across his chest.

McCoy: What do you have for me?

Dr. Williams: You won’t be happy with the results. I completed a toxicology report on his
system.

Panel Three:
McCoy takes the paper from Dr. Williams and looks it over.

McCoy: What am I looking for here?

Dr. Williams: It’s obvious, McCoy.

Dr. Williams: Somebody poisoned Sheriff Barnes.

Panel Four:
McCoy looks up from the papers and eyes her.

McCoy: Can you be sure?

Dr. Williams: Absolutely.

Page 13:

Panel One:
McCoy throws the papers on the desk and stands.

McCoy: Good work, Dr. Williams.

Dr. Williams: Make sure you catch this bastard, McCoy.

McCoy: Don’t worry. I will.

Panel Two:
The door is thrown open and bangs against the wall behind it.

SFX: SWIIIIIISH!

Three officers walk in. Their uniforms all have Steam Sheriff’s Department logo on the right side
of their shoulders.

McCoy: Something I can help you with boys?

Deputy One: Word is you’re up for Sheriff.

McCoy: Am I?

Panel Three:
The deputy points to the deputy standing behind him.

Deputy One: But so is he.

Panel Four:
McCoy turns to look at the deputy hidden behind the other two.

McCoy: Good for him.

Deputy Three: I don’t like competition.

McCoy: May the better man win then.

Page 14:

Panel One:
McCoy walks to the upper floor where multiple desks are set up. He sees Tom standing at the
front desk.

McCoy: He’s here for me, Lydia.

Receptionist: Yes, of course, Deputy McCoy.

Panel Two:
They sit at his desk. It is clear Tom appears to be nervous.

McCoy: Tell me what happened then.

Tom: …I don’t know where to start.

Panel Three:
McCoy leans back in his seat. He folds his hands together over his stomach.

McCoy: Start with what happened last Friday.

Panel Four:
Panel artwork shows the back of Tom’s head. He has it tilted slightly as McCoy stares at him.

Panel Five:
McCoy slams his fist down hard on the wooden desk between the two of them.

SFX: SMAAAAASH!

McCoy: I won’t ask you again! Tell me what you know now!

Tom: It’s probably nothin’ but Sheriff Barnes was talking to a hooded fella that night.

McCoy: A hooded fella?

Panel Six:
Tom puts his hands in his pockets and leans back in his seat.

Tom: Hooded fella bought his last few drinks for him.

McCoy: You remember much about this fella?

Tom: Just remember the Sheriff sayin’ he can’t discuss some case out in the open until it was
closed.
Page 15:

Panel One:
Panel artwork of the Steam Bar at night. Rain pours from the dark sky onto the futuristic steam
punk themed bar.

Panel Two:
McCoy sits at the bar waiting for Sallie’s attention. His head is turned to the side as he watches
her from a distance.

Panel Three:
Sallie walks over to him and leans against the counter.

Sallie: For someone who doesn’t drink alcohol, you sure are spending an awful lotta time in my
bar.

McCoy: Just can’t seem to stay away.

Sallie: Hmm…

Sallie: What’s your non-alcoholic poison, deputy?

Panel Four:
McCoy smiles at her and leans forward against the bar.

McCoy: I was hoping you could actually help me, Sallie.

Sallie: With? I’m awfully busy here.

McCoy: How many patron’s cover their faces when they come in here?

Sallie: Beg your pardon?

Page 16:

Panel One:
McCoy grabs the glass full of pop Sallie sets down in front of him. He begins to sip it down
slowly. Sallie waits impatiently.

SFX: SLLLLLLLLURP!

Sallie: McCoy?

McCoy: I know it’s strange, but you hear a lot of conversations in here.

Sallie: I do.

Panel Two:
McCoy leans back ad places his hat on the counter.

McCoy: Did you hear what Barnes and his companion were discussing?

Sallie: …The woman and him? Seemed like he knew her at the very least.

McCoy: Woman?!

Panel Three:
Sallie crosses her arms staring at him. She sighs before she answers him.

SFX: Siiiiiiigh

Sallie: Yes, Woman. They were talking about that pharmacy break in, I believe.

McCoy: Thank you, Sallie!

Panel Four:
McCoy puts money on the counter to pay for his pop. Sallie places her hand on his.

Sallie: On the house, deputy.

Page 17:

Panel One:
Half page panel artwork of the broken in Pharmacy. The front window has shattered glass
everywhere. Only the last remaining few letters of the word “PHARMACY” are visible. Yellow
police tape is around the front of the store.

Panel Two:
McCoy walks on the sidewalk in front of the broken down Pharmacy. The glow from the sign
reflects on to his face.

Panel Three:
McCoy bends down and looks at the shattered glass for any clues that may have been missed.
In his hand is a taperecorder.

McCoy: Colt McCoy outside of Steam Pharmacy investigating fowl play with Sheriff Barnes’s
death.

McCoy: Suspects broke into the Pharmacy the day before the Sheriff’s death. I am proceeding
inside.

Panel Four:
McCoy turns the recorder off and stands.
Page 18:

Panel One:
McCoy enters the destroyed pharmacy. He enters underneath the police tape.

Panel Two:
He walks along the shelves and stops seeing an empty medication shelf.

McCoy: Suspects seemed to have taken only one medication, yet staged it as though many
were stolen.

Panel Three:
McCoy pulls his phone out and places it to his ear.

SFX: RINNNNNNNNG!

McCoy: Tell me you’re at your computer.

Girl: Always. Whatchya need?

McCoy: Tell me what Equine is used for.

Panel Four:
McCoy waits patiently. He can hear typing in the background.

SFX: CLICK CLICK CLICK!

Girl: It’s…It’s antivenin. For bites.

McCoy: Do me a favor and get a copy of the toxicology report on file for Sheriff Barnes.

Girl: Yes, sir.

Page 19:

Panel One:
A woman walks past McCoy as he climbs through the broken window. She clutches a black
umbrella that has a small whole in the back of it, and hunches over slightly.

Woman: They caught the man that did this.

McCoy: Oh, really?

Woman: Mhm. Such a shame. Now I actually have to drive all the way to Steam Boat Springs for
my medicine.

McCoy: Thank you, ma’am.

Panel Two:
Artwork of the panel shows a jail cell with a shadowy figure in the background.

Man: After I stole the antivenin, she paid me, then told the police how to find me.

McCoy: Who is she?

Panel Three:
The man appears at the bars. He is balding and has red eyes. He is dressed in an orange
jumpsuit.

Man: Dr. Vanessa Williams.

Page 20:

Panel One:
McCoy knocks on the Medical Examiner’s door. He watches the back of Dr. Williams as she
packs her bag up for the day.

Panel Two:
Dr. Williams turns as McCoy sits in the chair across from her desk.

Dr. Williams: Deputy McCoy. This is unexpected. I was just leaving for the day.

McCoy: I wanted to talk to you really fast before you left. I had a question for you.

Dr. Williams: What can I help you with?

Panel Three:
McCoy rests his hand on his gun ready.

McCoy: Did you hear about the pharmacy that had been broken into?

Dr. Williams: No. Why are you asking me about it?

McCoy: What would happen to the human body if some gotten bitten by a snake or spider?

Panel Four:
Dr. Williams shifts in her seat slightly and looks up at McCoy.

Dr. Williams: They would need medication right away or else they would die.

McCoy: And if a healthy person was given that Antivenin?

Page 21:

Panel One:
Dr. Williams jumps up from her seat with her bag in hand.

McCoy: Whoa! Where ya going, Dr. Williams? I’m not finished yet.

Panel Two:
He pushes her bag to the floor and handcuffs her wrists behind her back.

McCoy: I think you went to the bar. I think you placed the antivenin in his drink.

Dr. Williams: I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Panel Three:
McCoy places his hand inside the bag and pulls out an empty medicine vial. The name of the
drug is etched on the side of it.

McCoy: You sure about that?

McCoy: Or do you wanna change your story?

Panel Four:
McCoy pushes Dr. Williams out of the office.

McCoy: You’re under arrest for the death of Sheriff Barnes.

Page 22:

Panel One:
Sheriff McCoy shakes the hands of the mayor of Steam as he is given his new badge after being
promoted from deputy to sheriff.

Caption: One Week Later

Mayor: Great work McCoy. I expect excellent things from you.

McCoy: Thank you so much, sir. I won’t disappoint you.

Mayor: I expect you won’t.

Panel Two:
Deputy Three walks up to him as the Mayor leaves.

Deputy Three: Well…I guess the better man won after all.

McCoy: All I did was solve the case. I didn’t win anything.

McCoy: I earned it.

Panel Three:
The deputy looks at McCoy and folds his arms behind his back.

Deputy Three: Come on Sheriff, I’ll buy ya a drink to celebrate.

McCoy: I don’t drink.

McCoy: And now…neither does this department.

Caption: The End