The Rule of the Phantom

PAGE 1:

Panel 1: A wide-angle photograph of a pitch-black city skyline at night. While shadows lurk in the alleyways, neon lights flicker. Caption: This is the city of Abyssal Heights, where heroes can rise and fall in a split second.

Panel 2: A dark silhouette perched on a rooftop in close up. A shadowy figure dressed in black armor, a hood pulled up, and glowing eyes that pierce through the night.

Caption: Phantom is his name. a vigilante who rose from the ashes of a world that was destroyed. He fights for justice, but it comes at a cost.

Panel 3: A group of street thugs wearing leather jackets are harassing a civilian in an alley. One thug holds a crowbar while another threatens the person with a knife.

"Give us all your cash, and we might let you live," thugs 1 said. Thug 2: "Or else you're gone take a little nap... permanent-like."

Panel 4: A shadow stretches over the scene. The gang members look up, surprised.

"What the—?" says Thug 1. Panel 5: The Phantom drops down from above, landing with a swoosh of his cape, a glowing symbol on his chest.

"Leave him alone," said the Phantom.

PAGE 2:

Panel 1: The members of the gang rush back and reach for their weapons. The Phantom moves with fluidity, ready for a fight.

"Who is this creep?" asked Thug 2 Thug 1: "Doesn't matter, let's smash him."

Panel 2: The Phantom defends himself against one thug's attack and disarms the other. He knocks them both down with ease, moving quickly and precisely. Phantom (thinking): They don’t stand a chance.

Panel 3: A wide shot of the gang members lying on the ground in defeat in the alley. The civilian looks up, visibly relieved.

Civilian: "I'm grateful... If you hadn't shown up, I don’t know what would’ve happened."

Panel 4: The Phantom glances over his shoulder, not fully turning toward the civilian.

Phantom: "Stay safe. Keep your head down."

Panel 5: The Phantom vanishes into the shadows of the alley, his figure disappearing from view.

Caption: Phantom's reputation is that of a ghost — he saves, but never stays long enough for thanks.

PAGE 3:

Panel 1: Cut to a high-tech, sleek command room. A man in a tailored suit stands with his back to the monitor, watching the city below through a massive window. The screen shows surveillance footage of Phantom in action.

Man (thinking): There he is. The thorn in my side.

Panel 2: The man turns around. His face is sharp, his eyes cold — a figure of power. His name is Victor Corbin, the leader of the largest corporation in Abyssal Heights, Corbin Enterprises.

Victor Corbin: "Activate the River Project. It's time to deal with the Phantom."

Panel 3: A scientist in a lab coat and goggles watches from a control panel, nervously adjusting settings on the screen.

Scientist: "Mr. Corbin, are you sure?"

Victor Corbin (smirking): "I don't care. We’ve built it for this purpose. It will stop Phantom, once and for all."

PAGE 4:

Panel 1: Night falls over the city. The Phantom stands on another rooftop, overlooking the glowing metropolis, his expression unreadable.

Phantom (thinking): Another night, another battle. But the city's corruption is deeper than I thought. Every victory is temporary.

Panel 2: Suddenly, an explosion shakes the air, lighting up the skyline in the distance. The Phantom turns, his eyes narrowing in recognition.

Phantom (thinking): That wasn’t just another gang fight. Someone’s pulling the strings.

Panel 3: The Phantom runs across rooftops, moving toward the explosion. His cape billows behind him as he leaps from building to building.

Panel 4: He arrives at the source of the explosion — Corbin Enterprises. The building’s walls are cracked, debris scattered everywhere. A massive figure stands in the center of the destruction, its glowing red eyes scanning the area. It’s the River, a cybernetic monster built for war.

Phantom (thinking): What... the hell?

Panel 5: The River roars and lunges toward the Phantom, its massive metal claws reaching out.

River: "TARGET ACQUIRED."

Phantom (gritting his teeth): "This is going to hurt."

PAGE 5:

Panel 1: The Phantom and the River collide in a blur of motion. The Phantom dodges a swipe from the River, kicking it in the chest with a crack. Sparks fly from the River’s armor.

Phantom (thinking): This thing’s tough. But I’ve fought worse.

Panel 2: The Phantom uses the environment to his advantage, leaping off a nearby pillar and delivering a quick strike to the River’s head. The creature stumbles back, growling in pain.

Panel 3: Victor Corbin watches the fight from a nearby control room, grinning.

Victor Corbin: "Let’s see if your spirit can withstand true power."

Panel 4: The River charges up, its chest glowing bright red.

Victor Corbin (smirking): "Now, Phantom, meet the full force of the River."

PAGE 6:

Panel 1: The Phantom dodges a blast of energy from the River, narrowly avoiding the attack that obliterates part of the building.

Phantom (thinking): I need to end this fast, or the whole block will go up in flames.

Panel 2: The Phantom activates a hidden device on his wrist. It emits a pulse that disrupts the River’s targeting system.

Phantom: "Gotcha."

Panel 3: With precision, the Phantom disables the River’s power core, delivering a devastating blow to its chest. Sparks fly, and the River stumbles, finally shutting down.

Panel 4: The Phantom watches as the River falls to the ground, defeated.

Phantom (thinking): This isn’t over. Corbin’s just getting started.

PAGE 7:

Panel 1: The Phantom walks away from the wreckage, the city still glowing with distant chaos. The screen shows a shadowy figure in the distance, plotting its next move.

Caption: As long as corruption rules Abyssal Heights, the Phantom will fight. But for how long... even he does not know.

Panel 2: A final shot of the city skyline, dark and mysterious.

And the River... might not be the last of the city's nightmares.

TO BE CONTINUED...