PAGE 1
PANEL 1
A quiet, star-filled void. REVERB stands before a glowing golden doorway. On the other side is his GRANDFATHER, appearing first as a golden constellation, then slowly reforming into the familiar musician Malik remembers.
GRANDDAD: “I miss you, Malik. But I’m not ready to return.”
PANEL 2
Close on Reverb’s face. His eyes shine with emotion, but he remains steady.
REVERB: “Then I won’t pull you away.”
PANEL 3
The golden waveform connecting them softens, its sharp pulses becoming gentle ripples.
PANEL 4
Reverb lowers his hands. The doorway begins to close.
PAGE 2
PANEL 1
The golden doorway seals with a quiet flash.
PANEL 2
Reverb stands in the dim room, surrounded by fading sparks of light.
DARIUS: “You can open the way. They choose whether to return.”
PANEL 3
DARIUS stands beside Reverb, one hand resting on his shoulder.
REVERB: “An invitation. Never a command.”
PANEL 4
Wide shot of the city at night. Far across the skyline, a golden waveform suddenly ignites inside DR. NULL’S laboratory.
PAGE 3
PANEL 1
Inside Dr. Null’s laboratory, machines flicker to life. A music box on the workbench begins to play.
PANEL 2
DR. NULL looks up sharply from his instruments.
DR. NULL: “He found the Encore.”
PANEL 3
GLITCH steps from the shadows, their expression guarded.
GLITCH: “Who are you trying to bring back?”
PANEL 4
Dr. Null turns toward the pulsing waveform. The golden light reflects across his mask.
PAGE 4
PANEL 1
Behind Dr. Null, a second silhouette appears in the laboratory window.
It is tall and unnaturally thin. Jagged cables crown one shoulder. One hand presses against the glass from the other side.
PANEL 2
The figure’s face is featureless except for three faint golden lines pulsing in time with the music box.
Dr. Null goes completely still.
PANEL 3
The silhouette tilts its head.
PANEL 4
It raises one finger and traces a single word through the condensation on the glass:
MALIK
PAGE 5
PANEL 1
Close on the music box.
The final note hangs in the air.
PANEL 2
The music box stops.
PANEL 3
Dr. Null, Glitch, and the silhouette remain frozen in the golden light.
PANEL 4
Black panel.
TO BE CONTINUED…