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“1066”
Issue #1:
Prologue

This issue is the big introduction, setting up the entire series.  It opens with a laying out of the scene at Hastings where the battle is about to begin.  We meet our two main characters, HAROLD and WILLIAM, and get a feel for the tense situation as each them awaits battle, full of adrenaline.  The issue ends with the two armies coming together, about to clash.

The layout for this page is four panels on the left half of the page, two above and two below.  The right half of the page is PANEL 5.  Below the soldier in PANEL 5 is the title and credits.

PANEL 1:       We open to a very tightly focused shot of a perfectly round black eye with a reflection of a soldier on a horse with some trees behind him.  Obviously there’s only so much detail you can put in this, but I’m looking more for something like a shadow or outline of this; no color just the black.

Narration:      IT IS THE YEAR 1066.

PANEL 2:      We pull back a little from the eye opening up the image to that of the head of a dragon.  It is a single color, different from the black eye where the reflection is no longer visible.  The dragon’s head is ornate with horns, a sharp pointed mouth wide open and snarling with a curly tongue.

PANEL 3:      We pull back further to a shot of the ornate dragon.  It is clear now that this is merely a painting of a dragon mounted on shield.

Narration:      SEPTEMBER 28TH.

PANEL 4:      We pull back to further now to see that this is a long shield, rounded on the top and tapering to a point at the bottom.  The ornate dragon stretches on the shield snarling and angry.  At the top we can see a chain mailed shoulder and part of an upper arm.   The bottom of the shield extends out of the bottom of the panel.  On either side of the shield, as it tapers down, we can see the leg of the soldier and it is obvious he is on a horse as we see part of the brown flank.   In the background are a few soldiers around him.  It is noticeable that they are wearing drabber armor because they are not as important as the main soldier.

PANEL 5:      This is a full body  shot of the soldier with the shield centered in the image.  The soldier is fully dressed in armor with chain mail and helmet.  On his other side which is blocked from our view is a long spear extending above him.  We can see a few feet reaching above his head to the point of the spear.  Behind the soldier we can see  part of the soldiers beside him that were seen in the previous panel.  In the far background there is a strong blinding sun rising over the hills.  Below the soldier is the title and credits.

Narration:      DAWN.

This is a double splash page of the full landscape of the countryside depicting two armies about to engage in a mighty battle.  They still stand on their lines, none making the move yet that will start everything.  There are hills, but all are covered with soldiers ready for battle.  The Normans are on the right page, Saxons on the left.  In the center of the page it is obvious that two of the horsed soldiers are more important than everyone else with their own entourage.  On the left is HAROLD and on the right is WILLIAM.  They each have their own standards held by a man by their sides.  The triangular flags are distinct and clearly different from the other.  It is clear that while there are many thousands of men, they are arranged into different groups of horsemen, bowmen, and infantry.   While both sides have shields, the Normans main weapon is the spear, while the Saxons have large double-handed battle axes.

Narration:      HASTINGS.

PAGE 4

This page is a scene between two characters, one on horseback, the other – a dwarf – standing adjusting the stirrup.  There is a tree nearby.  The layout is your ordinary nine panel display with three panels per line.

PANEL 1:       The tree is in the foreground, while the two characters are in the background, giving the image of the reader peaking beside this tree at the two men.  Then man on the ground, a dwarf named TUROLD, is adjusting the stirrup, making sure it is snug around the rider’s foot and not hanging down too far, nor to tight and high up.  The rider, who is garbed in cavalry armor, is looking down at the dwarf with a smile on his face.  Clearly they are talking with each other.

PANEL 2:      We have zoomed in now beyond the tree and are looking at the two characters talking.  TUROLD is now adjusting the strap beneath the horse attached to the saddle, making sure it is tight and secure.

Rider:             Once we’ve beaten these British, what’ll you do?

Turold:           Duke William has promised us land and work here.

PANEL 3:      The scene is essentially the same, except TUROLD is now looking up at the rider while he continues to pull tight on the strap.

Turold:           I expect I’ll settle down here.  It’s pretty, and once it’s ours, I think we’ll find a lot more to like.

PANEL 4:      This is a close-up of the rider, the upper half of his body and his face where that wide smile is plastered.

Rider:             What?  Other than cows, pigs and rain?

PANEL 5:      We now have a close-up of TUROLD, much like the last panel of the Rider, we see his upper body and head.  He is very ugly and there is a sickly grin on his face.

Turold:           And the girls.

PANEL 6:      We pull back to the view of both of them again.  Now we see TUROLD has his foot levered on the horse, pulling the strap as tight as he can.

Rider:             You sick bastard, Turold!  That’s all you dwarves ever think about.  Fucking.  On the mind all the time.

Turold:           And I suppose you’re a pious Norman who’s only here to educate these people and make them loyal to the Duke.

PANEL 7:       We have panned back to the Rider’s face where there is now a smirk.

Rider:             I’ll admit I don’t mind a bit of British flesh.  ‘Specially the female kind.

                        But we’re here because Duke William is the sworn heir to the British throne.  That’s what King Edward proclaimed.  He’s dead now, so the Duke is rightfully king.

PANEL 8:      The angle has changed and we’ve pulled back a little, but the rider is still the focus of the panel.  There is more of his body and the horse in this picture, but nothing of the dwarf (a normal person’s head would be visible, but the dwarf is obviously too short).  The image bespeaks of a mighty and powerful man, like Alexander the Great.  The rider has a far off look in his eye.

Rider:             This is the land sworn to him.  His by right. 

PANEL 9:      We have now moved back to TUROLD.  He is just standing beside the horse now, his hands at his sides, his job done.  He wears a deep scowl upon his face.

Turold:           This isn’t something I need to be told.

                        Your saddle is ready.

PAGE 5

This is a one-page scene between WILLIAM and the rider beside him, his squire.  The layout is one large panel across the top, three regular-sized panels, and then another large panel at the bottom, five total.

PANEL 1:       Here we see WILLIAM on his horse and beside him is a younger man, aged about seventeen, who is WILLIAM’S squire.  He is on a smaller horse and is smaller in stature than WILLIAM and so is looking up at WILLIAM as he talks with him.  WILLIAM has a far away look in his eyes, as he stares straight ahead at the enemy.  There are some other riders in the scene off to the distance all looking straight ahead, determined, ready for battle.

Squire:           All the men are ready, my liege.

PANEL 2:      Now we have a close-up of WILLIAM sitting on his horse.  We can see clearly now the headstrong look in his eyes, his mouth is tight-lipped.

William:          Even the Flemish?

Squire:           Aye, sir.

PANEL 3:      We pull back to a view of WILLIAM and his squire so that we can see both of them and parts of the horses, but nothing really around them.  WILLIAM has now turned his head and is looking down at the squire.

William:          Good, because I need every man armored and ready.  I’m not happy using those damned untrustworthy subjects of mine.

PANEL 4:      We pull back a little further to see the two sitting on their horses.  WILLIAM has now turned his head back and is looking straight forward again.

Squire:           They support you fully.  French and Flemish alike.  They all want you to succeed, my liege.

William:          Hmmm.  Very well, bring me Turold.

PANEL 5:      Here we have pulled back to the same distance as the first panel of this page.  WILLIAM is still sitting up straight and looking ahead.  The squire and his horse have turned completely and are riding off to the right.

William:          I require his services.

PAGE 6

This page shows the scene of TUROLD arriving at the small tent where WILLIAM and his squire are.  The layout is three regular size panels and the rest of the page is taken up with a large fourth panel.

PANEL 1:       This is an aerial view, possibly from a tree, looking down at a small tent.  TUROLD is walking towards the opening of the tent with a determined step.  There is no one else in the panel.

PANEL 2:      We now see inside the tent where WILLIAM is standing with his squire.  There is a table in front of them with a map on it.  The view is slightly elevated, looking down on everyone.  TUROLD is kneeling before WILLIAM.

Turold:           My liege.

William:          Rise.  We have much to discuss, my good friend.

PANEL 3:      We are now looking directly on top of them.  TUROLD is standing beside WILLIAM; they are both looking down at the map on the table.  WILLIAM’S squire is a step away from them, on the other side of WILLIAM, but can still clearly see the map.

William:          I want you to carry out some reconnaissance work.

PANEL 4:      This is a detailed picture of the map, clearly stating where WILLIAM’S men and HAROLD’S men are positioned, as well as key aspects of the lands, from hills to trees.  This is so that the reader gets a clear idea of how everything looks.

PAGE 7

On this page WILLIAM will go over his plan for his squire and EUSTACE, the COUNT OF BOULOGNE meeting with some of HAROLD’S men to discuss the oncoming battle.  At the same time TUROLD will be sneaking to the top of a hill amongst some trees where he will study HAROLD’S army and its formation, what it’s composed of.  WILLIAM knows TUROLD has the best eyesight he’s even seen (hah!) in a person.  This will be the first page with an unusual layout.  It will feature an enlarged version of the map from PANEL 4 of PAGE 6, stretched across the entire PAGE 7, most likely in black and white as a background.  There will be four panels specifically placed at positions on the map.

PANEL 1:       This panel is positioned at the top of the page, in the center, essentially on top of where WILLIAM and his army are positioned.  The view is again from above of all three characters looking down at the map.  RALF is the name of WILLIAM’S squire.

William:          Ralf, I will need you to accompany the Count of Boulogne to meet with Harold’s men.

PANEL 2:      This panel is positioned near a hill and some trees, with a strategic position for a view of all HAROLD’S army.  We have a side view of WILLIAM looking at TUROLD.  WILLIAM’S arm is extended, his finger touching the point on the map.

William:          Turold.  Using your stealthy skills, you shall move to this position.  There are some trees on this hill.  Climb to the highest point.

PANEL 3:      This panel is placed in the position where RALF and EUSTACE will meet with HAROLD’S men.  It is about in the middle of the map, between the two armies.  This is a different side view now of WILLIAM and RALF.  WILLIAM has his hand on RALF’S shoulder, indicating his affection for his squire.

William:          I will explain to Eustace what he need tell Harold’s men.  Be sure he does this and nothing more.  If he digresses, stop him.  This is pivotal.  We cannot give Harold any extra information.

PANEL 4:      This panel is at the bottom of the map in the center, similarly placed to PANEL 1 only at the bottom of the page.  Again there is the overhead view, except now WILLIAM has his finger placed on the map where HAROLD’S army is located.

William:          I want to know everything there is to know about Harold’s army.  I want to know how many whores he has sleeping with his men.  Don’t only use your eyes, Turold, use all your senses to their full capacity.

PAGE 8

PAGES 8 and 9 will have exactly the same layout, featuring six large panels on each page in two columns.  The pages will detail the carrying out of the plan discussed on the previous page.  In the left column of the two pages will be EUSTACE’S and RALF’S scene, while in the right column will be TUROLD’S scene.

PANEL 1:       We have a face-on view of EUSTACE and RALF coming towards us on their horses.  EUSTACE’S horse is a mighty warhorse, while its rider is fully decked out in armor and regalia.  While he will wear the armor while fighting, he is also wearing colorful accoutrements which will not be worn in battle, but are simply to impress upon HAROLD’S men the man’s importance and stature in WILLIAM’S army.  RALF’S horse is noticeably smaller and RALF is wearing similar clothes to what he was before, no armor, but they are colorful and clean.  At his side he also holds WILLIAM’S mighty standard.  EUSTACE’S face is stalwart and proud, he is very honored to be given this opportunity.  He and WILLIAM were enemies until recently, so if he can impress WILLIAM in any way, he will.  He is a little unhappy in having to say what WILLIAM told him verbatim, but this does not show in his proud demeanor.  RALF wears a slight smile on his face; it is a mixture of excitement at doing something this important, at seeing how EUSTACE is behaving, and at knowing the entire story going on here.

PANEL 2:      We have a similar head-on picture here, this time of TUROLD.  The left and right panels are meant to be mirror images in a way, only with different characters.  TUROLD is dressed in drab, dark-colored clothes.  He is also wearing a comical hat which is dark colored to further camouflage his head.  He wears a scowl on his face.  This will be a tiring mission and he’s not too happy to be doing it, but at the same time he is liege to WILLIAM and will carry out his orders.  He is in a sort of crouch, knees bent, so that he is low down and hidden amongst the tall grass.  He is running in short quick steps and at this point in the panel is actually in midair.

PANEL 3:      This is an aerial shot about twenty or thirty feet off the ground.  We are looking down at the plain of Hastings.  In the distance we can see HAROLD’S amassed army.  In the foreground, looking quite small, we see two men on horses heading towards the large army.  They are obviously EUSTACE and RALF.

PANEL 4:      This is another aerial, though higher than the last.  At the bottom we can see part of WILLIAM’S army, and again in the distance is HAROLD’S army, and the two men on horses now somewhat closer to HAROLD’S army.  To the bottom left of the panel we can also see another small brown shape which is TUROLD making his way along the left flank.

PANEL 5:      This is a slightly elevated shot so that we are behind EUSTACE and RALF but also looking down on them diagonally.  The shot is quite similar to PANEL 3 except that now in the distance we can see three men on horseback breaking away from HAROLD’S army and coming towards them.

PANEL 6:      We have a similar elevated shot of TUROLD from behind.  He continues to travel swiftly through the grasses in his crouched form.  Ahead we can see a noticeable hill with two trees on it.  One is small, seemingly stunted, and this is due to the other tree which is twice its size, whose root structure has taken over most of the hill.  In two years the small tree will be dead.  The large tree is a mighty oak, stretching out in all directions and reaching high to the heavens.  It is covered with a dark green foliage.

Turold:           The things I do for my Duke.  I spend my life traveling through shit and muck.

PAGE 9

As I said, PAGE 9 is much like PAGE 8 with six panels in two columns.  The scene continues as before with EUSTACE and RALF in the left column and TUROLD in the right.

PANEL 1:       This is frontal shot of EUSTACE and RALF riding side by side.  They are both looking straight ahead.  RALF continues to wear his bemused look while EUSTACE now has an angry scowl on his face.  The panel points out how important RALF truly is as WILLIAM’S squire and naturally EUSTACE is most unhappy about this arrangement.

Ralf:                You remember what you are to tell them?

Eustace:         Of course I bloody do.  I obey my Duke without question.

PANEL 2:      Like the last panel, we have a face-on view of TUROLD as he travels through the grasses.  His face now looks tired and sweaty.  He has covered a considerable distance and being a dwarf, it has taken most of his energy.  But he has never been one to be belittled because of his stature.

Turold:           Obey without question. [ITALICS]  Sometimes I wished I had a little less spine.  I’d probably be dead, but I wouldn’t have to grovel as much.

PANEL 3:      We have a landscape view featuring EUSTACE and RALF on the right on their horses approaching the three men from HAROLD’S army.  While we cannot see every detail of HAROLD’S men, we can tell that they are carrying their own standard and they are dressed in the armor of a Saxon from Britain as befits the period.

PANEL 4:      TUROLD has made it to the top of the hill and is standing beside the trunk of the large oak, well hidden.  To the left, which we cannot really see, is HAROLD’S army.  TUROLD is looking away from the reader and staring at the plane before him where in the distance can be seen EUSTACE and RALF stopped, staring at the three horsemen from HAROLD’S army who have also stopped.  The two standard bearers  are now resting the long poles of the standards on the ground, the flags flapping the wind.

Turold:           I hope that Frenchie doesn’t fuck this up.

PANEL 5:      We now have a side view of the horsemen, EUSTACE and RALF on the right and HAROLD’S horsemen on the left.  They are all staring at each other.  It is now possible to see HAROLD’S men dressed in all their splendor and reveal the difference between the Saxon attire and the Norman, as well as certain cultural distinctions such as the Norman’s preference for moustaches and close-cut hair at the back, and the Saxon’s clean-shaven face and longer hair.  The man from HAROLD’S army who speaks is the standard bearer.

Ralf:                Greetings from William, Duke of Normandy.

Harold’s        
Man #1:         Greetings from Harold Godwinson, King of Britain.

PANEL 6:      This is an aerial shot with the great oak in the foreground.  Amidst the branches we can see TUROLD making his way up higher with quite a ways to go.  In the background we can see HAROLD’S army splayed out across the distant hills.

PAGE 10

This page features one long horizontal panel, followed by two panels, one a regular square, the other a rectangle taking up the rest of the space, followed by two other long horizontal panels.  This page will concern the meeting between WILLIAM’S and HAROLD’S men, as they discuss the terms of the battle that will begin in a short while.

PANEL 1:       We have a stretched landscape showing HAROLD’S three men and WILLIAM’S two with their standards.  They are facing each other, the men starring at the other men, the horses staring at the other horses.  They are about ten feet apart.

Harold’s        
Man #1:         Why is your Duke amassing an army on King Harold’s shore?
                       
Eustace:         Let me educate you on a little history . . .

PANEL 2:      This is a zoomed in shot of EUSTACE as he tells what he’s been told to tell, face hard and determined.

Eustace:         Some years ago, your King Harold paid a visit to Duke William, where he informed him of some very pertinent and prescient information.

PANEL 3:      This is a pulled back shot showing EUSTACE and RALF sitting on their horses next to each other.  RALF’S facial expression remains the same, while EUSTACE now wears a slight smile.

Eustace:         This was after, mind you, Duke William had helped Harold escape from captivity and where your supposed King had sworn allegiance and service to my Duke.

PANEL 4:      This is another panorama shot like PANEL 1, showing the characters involved here.  While little can be seen in their facial expressions, the panel is very much like PANEL 1 except now the standard that HAROLD is holding, instead of being ramrod straight like WILLIAM’S, is leaning towards the right in a slight diagonal, as if it is in a dejected state.

Eustace:         Harold informed my Duke that he had crossed the channel under orders from King Edward to let him know that he had chosen Duke William as his successor.

PANEL 5:      Here is another panorama, much like the last, only now HAROLD’S standard stands erect once more.

Eustace:         Have you anything to say to this?

Harold’s        
Man #1 :            Your blood will be spilled here today, as will the blood of your  
country men.

PAGE 11

And now we have TUROLD’S story, as he sits high up in the tree.  The misdirection has worked well and HAROLD’S entire army stands enraptured with the events taking place on the field between their and WILLIAM’S men, granting TUROLD the necessary time to conduct his clandestine operation.  Ideally PAGES 10 & 11 would be on opposite facing pages, since PAGE 11 will begin in the same timeframe as PAGE 10.  This page has six panels on it, two rows of large-sized panels side by side, with PANELS 5 & 6 being long horizontal panels.  The talk bubbles in PANELS 3-6 will be small and in the corner not to detract from what is happening.

PANEL 1:       This is a shot from the ground looking up the trunk of the giant oak, through the branches, near the top in a high branch we see TUROLD the dwarf laid out on the branch looking down at HAROLD’S army.

PANEL 2:      This is a shot of looking at the tree from the other side, where we clearly see TUROLD on his branch looking out and down at the army.  His hands have formed semi-circular cones around the sides of his eyes to cut out any light or distraction, so he can focus on what he is surveying below.

Turold:           What’ve we got here . . .

PANEL 3:      This is a shot of a large number of archers, standing in a relaxed stance in ranks, wearing almost no armor, no helmets at all, with their bows (unstrung) held in their hands at their sides.  They look tired.

Turold:           Considerable number of archers with little to no armor.

PANEL 4:      This is a shot of the cavalrymen, not many in number, which is noticeable in comparison to the archers in the previous panel.  They are wearing better armor than the archers, but still considerably less than the infantrymen in the next panel.  They look tired.

Turold:           Some light cavalry.

PANEL 5:      This is a horizontal panel showing the large number of infantrymen who, while not as well armored and well defended as WILLIAM’S men, are still better armored than the cavalry.  They look exhausted, because they have walked all the way from northern England.

TUROLD:      A lot of foot soldiers.  That’s where Harold has his strength.

PANEL 6:      This is another horizontal panel showing the landscape of the tree in the foreground where TUROLD is precariously climbing down, looking like a small creature in the tree.  In the background off to the right we can see the plain laid out with HAROLD’S army in the far distance and in the nearer ground, WILLIAM’S and HAROLD’S men have separated and have their backs to each other, heading back to their respective camps.

TUROLD:      If I can just get out of this damn tree alive, the Duke will be happy.

PAGE 12

This page will show the return of HAROLD’S men to his camp where they will tell him of the meeting.  At the same time some of HAROLD’S spies will return from scouting WILLIAM’S army and revealing how it is arranged.  The layout for the page will be one large horizontal panel, two smaller panels, and larger horizontal panel taking up the last third of the page.

PANEL 1:       This is a similar shot to the horizontal panels from PAGE 10, showing HAROLD’S men on the left side and WILLIAM’S men on the right.  The difference here is they are all facing away from each other, heading in opposite directions back to their respective camps.  HAROLD’S men are grouped close together indicating they are engaging in conversation, while WILLIAM’S men are in front of each other in a line.

PANEL 2:      We have a close-in shot of HAROLD’S men, showing essentially their upper bodies and one of the horses’ heads.  The men are all close to each other, making conversation easy.  The man furthest to the left is HAROLD’S MAN #1, the second HAROLD’S MAN #2, and the man furthest to the right of the panel is HAROLD’S MAN #3, who holds the standard.  They’re not important enough to warrant names.

HAROLD’S
MAN #2:        There seems no way out of this war now.

HAROLD’S
MAN #3:        No.

PANEL 3:      This is a face on shot of HAROLD’S MEN.  HAROLD’S MAN 1 is to the left, HAROLD’S MAN 2 to the right, while HAROLD’S MAN 3 is obscured by the other two, yet the standard is visible above them, while the horses heads are also visible.

HAROLD’S
MAN #1:        Our King will decide what is to be done.  Not you simpletons. 

PANEL 4:      This is a large, detailed shot of HAROLD’S camp, as HAROLD’S MEN come into the camp, with the army arranged across the land in groupings.  The men nearest to HAROLD’S MEN are all looking up at them in a sort of wonder, knowing they have come back from a meeting with the enemy, also knowing that battle is imminent.  In the background is a hill and approaching from this hill are two men dressed in black cloaks, their faces obscured by hoods.

PAGE 13

The next two pages will be between HAROLD and his men in his tent.  The inside of the tent is lavishly over-decorated.  HAROLD is the king and he enjoys getting everything he desires.  There is a solid oak throne in the center of the room, encrusted with jewels.  Furs on the floor and perhaps a half-naked woman in the background asleep.  This page and the next will feature four panels of equal size in two rows.  I would like to have the colorful layout of the tent with its fabrics, curtains etc. forming a background outside of the panels for both pages.

PANEL 1:       This is a framed shot of HAROLD’S tent.  There are a few tents around it not in such good condition and it is clear that this is the king’s tent.  There are two guards posted in front of it.  The men who have just returned from the field are entering the tent. 

PANEL 2:      We are now inside the tent.  It is not too brightly lit, but the tent is thick enough to keep out most of the sunlight and it would be dark inside if it weren’t for a couple of open flames around the tent.  We have a full frontal shot of HAROLD smugly sitting on his mighty throne.  [Think evil Prince John from Disney’s Robin Hood or any other depiction of Prince John – he shouldn’t be where he is and every moment he is gloating about it.]  He is dressed in kingly robes and furs of the highest quality.  His jeweled sword leans against the side of the throne, forgotten and not that important.  A few feet away from him the three men who’ve entered the tent are on their knees: his subjects bowing before him.  If you can get the girl in the background in some way that would be great.

PANEL 3:      This is a shot looking over HAROLD’S right shoulder at his men who are now talking to him.  Mainly it is HAROLD’S MAN #1 doing the talking.

HAROLD’S
MAN #1:        He claims you are not the King and that you have no right to the throne.  That it is he who should be in your place, by the wishes of King Edward, may he rest in peace.

PANEL 4:      We have pulled back a bit but are still behind HAROLD, able to see the side of his face.  He is in deep concentration, his hand holding his chin.  His men are leaving the tent, while his spies (like the men before) are kneeling in abeyance on the floor before him.  They still wear their black cloaks, but the hoods have been pulled back.

PAGE 14

As I said, this page looks a lot like the last with four panels and the background of the tent bleeding across the page.  It’s almost like there’s a double-page splash of the colors and fabrics of the tent with the panels laid over it.

PANEL 1:       This is a side view with HAROLD on the left and the two spies (SPY #1 & #2) on the right, now standing.

SPY #1:          As you surmised, heavy infantry is what most of his army consists of.  There is also a considerable force of archers , numbering over a thousand.  There was some cavalry, but not much.

PANEL 2:      This a frontal shot of SPY #2 who is now speaking.  He looks tired and dirty.

SPY #2:          I circled the entire area a number of times, studying all the men in what they were doing.  They aren’t all Normans, he has allies with him.  I believe some of them are Bretons.

PANEL 3:      This is a shot from the right shoulder of SPY #1 looking on at HAROLD.  HAROLD looks defiant and confident [Think George W.].   

HAROLD:      So.  William the Bastard thinks he can take my throne, does he?  With the help of his allies?  No doubt the same people who kidnapped me.  This comes as no surprise.

PANEL 4:      This again is a side angle, perhaps a little more from HAROLD’S side.  SPY #2 is leaving the tent, while SPY#1, who is behind SPY #2, has turned to HAROLD, arm raised, to add something.   I’ve just decided to change this panel a little with a small inset square in the bottom right corner of this panel.  It is of HAROLD grinning devilishly and he has one line under “HAROLD [INSET].”

SPY #1:          There is one more thing, my liege.  The cavalry.  With the number of ships William has, there should be more horses.  Many more.

HAROLD:      Thank you.  You have done well.  I will think on all you have told me.  Go and rest, have a drink and food . . .

HAROLD
[INSET]:        . . . Maybe a peasant woman or two.

PAGE 15
Much like the last two pages were between HAROLD and his men in his tent, PAGES 15 & 16 will be between WILLIAM and his men.  This page will feature four large panels, like the last two pages.  We are going for a mirror effect here, with a military austere background around the panels showing WILLIAM’S tent and how he cares little for lavish decoration or accoutrements, but knows he is at war and is so prepared for it.   This page will be between WILLIAM and EUSTACE and RALF, who have just returned.

PANEL 1:       We have WILLIAM standing looking over a table at the map, like on PAGE 7.  EUSTACE is striding into the tent with RALF coming in behind him.  EUSTACE is determined and adamant, feeling very important with the information he is to give WILLIAM.  This is a side view.

EUSTACE:     Harold and his men are blundering fools.  They will not listen to reason.  War is imminent!

WILLIAM:    I trust all went as planned.  Eustace.  Ralf.

PANEL 2:      Same shot more from WILLIAM’S side.

RALF:            Exactly as planned, my lord.

WILLIAM:    Very good then.

EUSTACE:     If your plan is for war.  My lord, you must attack them today!  Before they attack us!

PANEL 3:      This angle is from the viewpoint of EUSTACE and RALF looking at WILLIAM; it is slightly elevated so we can see the table and the map where the armies and lines have been drawn.

WILLIAM:    We know Harold and his men are anxious.

                        We know Harold and his men are nervous.
                       
                        But we also know Harold and his men are very tired after battling and defeating Harold Hardrada in the far north

And marching south at full speed to meet us.

PANEL 4:      This is a side angle again, except now we see TUROLD coming into the tent on the far right.

WILLIAM:    Do not worry, Count Eustace, I have everything in hand and our battle will begin today.  I know we are at a crucial point and have the upper hand on Harold Godwinson.

                        And now if you will excuse us, I must talk with Turold in private.

PAGE 16
This page will continue the background of the tent from PAGE 15.  It will feature one long horizontal panel, followed by four small square panels.

PANEL 1:       This is another side angle shot, except now EUSTACE has left and RALF is just leaving the tent while TUROLD is bowing before his king.

WILLIAM:    Come Turold, that is not necessary and we do not have time for formalities.

TUROLD:      My lord, I have my completed report for you on Harold’s army.

PANEL 2:      This is a small panel essentially with an overlooking view of the map from PAGE 7.  The difference now is there are three markers specifically placed on the map.  [While the markers aren’t that important, we can decide later exactly what they shall be – they may just be rock!]  Only TUROLD is speaking and his speech bubble should be running along the bottom of the panel.

TUROLD:      There is some light cavalry, nothing to really be concerned about.  A considerable number of archers, weakly armored.  His strength is in his ground troops.  But as we know, they’re all exhausted.

PANEL 3:      We have a front angle with the table in the immediate foreground and TUROLD looking up at WILLIAM.

WILLIAM:    Good.  At your suggestion, I had two thirds of the cavalry moved down to the beach.  That was a brilliant idea of yours, Turold.

TUROLD:      Thank you, my lord.  By now Harold’s own spies should’ve returned and told him what to expect.

PANEL 4:      We now have a close up of TUROLD and WILLIAM.  WILLIAM has rolled up the map and has it in his hand.  TUROLD is still looking up at him as one of his loyal subjects.

WILLIAM:    The more we can confuse him the better.  The key will be establishing a dominance early on.  Pushing hard at first.  You will need to keep that cavalry far back and hidden until you get the signal.

TUROLD:      I will no fail you, my lord.

PANEL 5:      We have a side view once more with the table in the center.  WILLIAM is on the left side, TUROLD is on the right.  RALF is coming into the tent from the far right.

WILLIAM:    By nightfall, this country will be rightfully . . .

RALF:            My lord, Harold’s men are preparing.  He will be ready to attack within the hour.

PAGE 17
This page and the next will be complete mirror images.  This page will feature HAROLD and his men preparing for battle, while the next one will be WILLIAM and his men.  The panel layout will be exactly the same and there will be no dialogue.  There will be four panels on two rows on each page.  There will be no dialogue, but the pictures will speak more with action and what is going on, so they key will be to add as much detail as possible.

PANEL 1:       This will show a number of foot soldiers preparing their clothing, armor and weapons.

PANEL 2:      This will show a number of men mounting their horses.  This is the cavalry and will be a snapshot into their preparation for battle.  So there will be squires holding the horses, preparing harnesses, etc. for the horses and holding while the riders mount.  They don’t all have to be mounting, but are at different points of readiness.

PANEL 3:      This panel will show the archers in various stages of preparation: checking their arrows, their flights, stringing their bows, preparing their weapons.

PANEL 4:      This final panel of the page will show HAROLD preparing for battle.  There are two or three men around him, putting on his armor, his weapons, while he does nothing but stands their in his arrogant way.

PAGE 18
As I said, this page is like the last one: four panels, two rows.  Except now we are seeing WILLIAM’S men and their preparation.  Again, maximum detail is key.  Also showing the difference in WILLIAM’S men compared to HAROLD’S men: how they look and what their armor is like, etc.

PANEL 1:       The foot soldiers are getting ready.  They are all very serious, their clothing and armor is superior to HAROLD’S and the weapons are somewhat different.

PANEL 2:      The cavalry are all ready, armored, on their horses.  They are waiting and ready for orders.

PANEL 3:      The archers are also ready and are in their specific position on a hill overlooking the plane.  Their bows are strung, an arrow notched and ready.  There are clumps of arrows stuck into the ground around them, ready at hand to be used. 

PANEL 4:      WILLIAM is getting himself ready, his clothing, his armor, his weapons.  TUROLD is by his side, handing him his mighty sword.  The key here is that WILLIAM is doing the work.

PAGE 19
This page is essentially “the calm before the storm’ [though the storm won’t actually begin until much later].  It will be six panels on three rows.  The left column of panels will feature HAROLD and his men, while the right column of panels will feature WILLIAM and his men.  Ideally, I would like to create the image that they are facing off with the actions in each of the panels, facing inwards, building up to the final two panels.

PANEL 1:       This is a group of four or five horsed men, in the middle is HAROLD in his full battle kingly regalia.  They are all listening intently to him.  Have the horses be facing to the right, as if they are facing WILLIAM.

HAROLD:      Go to your posts and tell your men I want William killed as soon as anyone has sight of him.  As soon as that bastard is dead, the rest of the army will crumble to dust.

ALL OTHER
MEN:              Yes, your highness.

PANEL 2:      I would like a similar image to that on PAGE 4.  TUROLD is standing, looking up at WILLIAM on his horse in his full battle regalia.  TUROLD is turned facing the rear of the horse, as if he is about to leave.  Have WILLIAM’S horse be facing to the left and TUROLD turned to the right.

WILLIAM:    Remember, keep the men waiting but ready.  When you see the signal, charge at full speed.

TUROLD:      Aye, m’lord.

PANEL 3:      This is a shot of HAROLD on his horse.  His face is a picture of fury.  It is a little closer in than before.  He only has one other horseman at his side now.

HAROLD:      I want that pretender to the throne’s head on a plate!

PANEL 4:      This is a shot of WILLIAM’S horse again, facing to the left.  He has been joined by EUSTACE on horseback by his side, who is in his military garb.

EUSTACE:     My lord, the men are ready.

WILLIAM:    Good.  You will lead the first charge on my signal.

PANEL 5:      This is a profile close-up shot of HAROLD’S face as he is looking to the right.  The fury is not as strong anymore; he brow is furrowed, the eyebrows pulled in, but he is also deep in concentration.

PANEL 6:      This is a profile close-up shot of WILLIAM’S face as he us looking to the left.  His face is a picture of calm and relaxation,  but there is a strong determination in his eyes.

PAGE 20 & 21
This will be an extravagant double-splash page of the armies laid out in full readiness to attack.  There should be an intended similarity with PAGES 2&3, though possibly from a slightly different angle and the key here is that everyone looks poised to attack.  Again, add as much detail as possible.  TUROLD and his cavalry is too far off to the right to be seen in this shot.

PAGE 22
This page will be the big cliffhanger before the armies meet in a deafening clash.  There will be five panels: four small, two rows, side by side, and one long horizontal one on the bottom.

PANEL 1:       This is a profile shot of HAROLD sitting on his horse.  His right arm is raised straight up, the hand open, fingers splayed.  It is the signal to mount the charge.  Like on PAGE 19, he is facing to the right.

PANEL 2:      This is a profile shot of WILLIAM on his horse.  He has drawn his sword with his left hand [his left-handed] and has it raised high above him.  It is the signal to charge.  He is facing to the left.

PANEL 3:      This is a shot of about twenty of HAROLD’S men leading the charge with their weapons drawn, charging to the right.

PANEL 4:      This is a shot of about twenty of WILLIAM’S men beginning the charge around EUSTACE who has drawn his sword in the same way as WILLIAM.  He is not charging with them but has simply given the order to charge.  They are charging to the left.

PANEL 5:      This is the horizontal panel showing the two armies coming together to attack.  They are about six feet apart.  [It is up to you how far apart to make them, they key is to be as dramatic as possible.]  This is the big cliffhanger panel that will leave readers wanting more.  In the bottom right corner will be some text like the opening narration text on the first few pages.