Screen 1
ONE:
New angle, DRAKE and DRUM facing the JUDGE, who is now rising from behind his desk, and getting annoyed. PAYNE is still at the window.
1. D’ARRABAS: Not much? Not much?
2. D’ARRABAS: What does that mean, not much?
3. PAYNE: It means Elmer Johns is dead…
TWO:
On PAYNE, turning his head to speak to the Judge, off. He’s calm, and mildly – very mildly – amused. This is the reveal of PAYNE, as far as it goes, and there’s something about this guy… as I said before, handsome, clearly smart… and very, very dangerous.
PAYNE is very well-dressed, waistcoat, vest; we can see what we assume is the chain to his pocket-watch leading to a vest pocket.
4. PAYNE: …isn’t that right, Marshal?
THREE:
DRAKE and PAYNE, looking at each other.
PAYNE is very easy-going, emanating a gentle bonhomie, smiling slightly. DRAKE is appraising him, poker-faced.
5. DRAKE: That’s what it means.
Screen 2
ONE:
New angle, DRAKE has turned his attention back to the JUDGE; PAYNE still watching him. DRUM is looking at PAYNE with naked curiosity.
The JUDGE is coming to his feet behind the desk, clearly agitated.
1. JUDGE: Dead? Dead?
2. JUDGE: You were supposed to apprehend him, not shoot him down!
3. DRAKE: Gunmen were awaiting us when we touched ground in
Tumbledown…
TWO:
DRAKE and PAYNE, again looking at each other.
The JUDGE, oblivious, still thinks he’s the center of attention.
4. DRAKE: …they beefed Johns first thing, came at us hard next.
5. DRAKE: Nothing for it but to fight.
THREE:
Stet. They’re taking each others’ measure.
6. PAYNE: No less than any man would.
I love this strip. I love that I can read it with coffee in the morning before work. It’s every bit as heartfelt as Funky Winkerbean, but with action too! I hope you guys know what a special strip you have here.
Great facial exprexions
Payne’s perpetual smirk just screams “evil bastard.”
Even though he’s only been in one episode so far, Payne already reminds me of Neal McDonough’s new character in “Justified.”
One thing that really stands out is how the characters have their own faces. Most artists copy and paste the same face on to every character, but here you can from Drake to Drum to Payne that each fellow is a different person not just in their clothing or hair style.
Payne doesn’t seem the least bit intimidated by Drake and Drum, which is a concern. I fear his powers are beyond that of rank and position, Payne gives the impression of a hidden physical threat too.
“beefed” – had not heard that one before.
I got it from a Western Slang dictionary *blush* – liked it immediately.
I love Payne already. First off, his name is PAIN…I mean, Payne. That hardly seems a coincidence.
Secondly, the menace that simmers beneath the surface with him is offset nicely by his almost boyish face. It becomes easy to see how someone like the judge could be taken in by Payne.
I’m curious to see how his eventual encounter with Lady Sabre.
I also like the color choices here. Payne’s warm brown suit contrasts nicely with Drake’s austere grey.
Payne reminds me of David Keith playing a Mob enforcer.
Just so long as he doesn’t remind you of David Keith playing Tennessee Buck.
What is it about that smarmy grin that makes you want to wipe it off with a 2×4??? This is why I would never make it in politics, too many people with dislocated shoulders and broken legs. And broken jaws. Not to mention the ones that would piss blood for a week…..
I share your rage.