PAGE ONE – SIX PANELS

Panel One: It’s a dark night, with a full moon high above. A motorcycle roars through the night on a back road.

Panel Two: The motorcycle drives at full speed into the mouth of a cave. The Batcave, that is.

Panel Three: The motorcycle comes to a screeching halt.

Panel Four: The driver pulls his helmet off to reveal NIGHTWING.

NIGHTWING (1): Hello? Anyone here?

Panel Five: Nightwing begins to walk over to the Bat-Computer.

NIGHTWING (2): I just heard that Harvey busted out of Arkham. I came to help bring him back.

Panel Six: Nightwing has a look of surprise on his face. The person sitting in the chair is not anyone he expected.

VOICE (OP) (3): I’m afraid you have me mistaken…


PAGE TWO – ONE PANEL

Panel One – Splash page. The person sitting in the chair is TALIA, the daughter of Ra's Al Ghul, one of Batman’s greatest nemeses. She sits with her hands in a praying position in front of her. Nightwing is still in the foreground, shocked look still on his face.

NOTE TO EDITOR: If it is ok, we would like to submit the five page back up to explain where Batman was during this story. It deals with Harvey Dent/Two-Face and is another pseudo-romance tale.

TALIA (1): …for someone else.

TITLE: The Next Best Thing

CREDITS: Vito Delsante – Writer
Dean Haspiel – Artist
Creative Team - TBA


PAGE THREE – FOUR PANELS

Panel One – Nightwing grabs Talia by the arms suddenly.

NIGHTWING (1): What have you done with Batman, Talia?

TALIA (2): My beloved? Why, nothing. In fact, I too am looking for him.

NIGHTWING (3): Oh, yeah? What for?

TALIA (4): I…I need protection.

Panel Two – Nightwing releases her, but is still convinced that she has something to do with Batman’s disappearance (actually, Batman has not disappeared…he’s just not in the ‘Cave).

NIGHTWING (5): You? That’s a joke! Not only can you hold your own in a fight, but you’ve got that big ape Ubu as a bodyguard.

Panel Three – Dramatic soap opera shot. Talia walks toward the reader (extreme foreground) as Nightwing hangs back.

TALIA (6): No longer. I have defied my father; it seems, for the last time.

TALIA (7): He has sent the League of Assassins to “remedy” himself of me.

NIGHTWING (8): But…you’re his daughter!

TALIA (9): A small detail to the Demon’s Head.

TALIA (10): Will you…help me?

Panel Four – Nightwing really doesn’t want to get involved, but Talia is too beautiful to resist. Besides…she really didn’t come to the Batcave for Batman, as we will find out later.

NIGHTWING (11): I…I really shouldn’t get involved. Besides, you came here looking for Batman.

TALIA (12): But you are every bit the warrior that he is! You are an accomplished detective too!

TALIA (13): Will you help me?


PAGE FOUR – SEVEN PANELS

Panel One – Widescreen panel taking up the width of the page. We are now out of the Batcave and on the streets of Gotham City. Nightwing maneuvers his motorcycle in and out of traffic. Talia holds on.

NIGHTWING (1): What exactly did you do to get your dad so upset?

TALIA (2): You know of my father’s goal to create Lazarus Pits all over the world?

NIGHTWING (3): You mean the stuff that keeps him young, crazy and bent on world domination?

NIGHTWING (4): I’m familiar with his work, yes.

Panel Two – Closer on the two of them on the motorcycle. Talia has her hands on his waist, holding on, but not that tightly.

TALIA (5): To activate the Lazarus Pit, there must be certain elements present. Ley lines, heavy water, a point of alignment with the moon---

NIGHTWING (6): I get it. Go on.

TALIA (7): There is one other device that he needs. One of ancient mystical power.

Panel Three – Same as Panel Two.

TALIA (7): At first, Batman stole the device from my father, but The Demon’s Head is far craftier than he is given credit for.

TALIA (9): Batman stole a fake.

Panel Four – Same as Panels Two and Three, but Talia leans her head against Nightwing’s back.

TALIA (10): With the device secured, he went forward with his mission to create more Pits. I had tipped off My Beloved to his plans---

NIGHTWING (11): Which explains where he was last month.

Panel Five – Same as Panel Four.

TALIA (12): Word got back to my father---

NIGHTWING (13): Which explains where you are right now.

TALIA (14): Precisely.

Panel Six – Same as Panels Four and Five, but Talia grabs tighter, wrapping her arms around his waist. Nightwing looks back slightly.

Panel Seven – Same as Panel Six, with Nightwing looking forward again. Talia releases her grip slightly.

NIGHTWING (15): You…you don’t have to hold on so tight.


PAGE FIVE – SIX PANELS

Panel One – Same as Page Four/Panel Seven.

NIGHTWING (1): It’s ok. Where is this safe house of yours?

TALIA (2): In Ivy Town. Beneath the observatory.

Panel Two - As Nightwing comes up with an idea, Talia points to something (off panel) in front of them.

NIGHTWING (3): No…they’d probably expect you there. I know where we can keep you sa---

TALIA (4): LOOK OUT!

Panel Three – Two gunmen/snipers “rain” gunfire down upon them from above. It’s not important to know what they look like. They are generic League of Assassin members.

Panel Four – Nightwing maneuvers the cycle, dodging the bullets, but it seems like the gunfire is missing them completely…as if they are shooting “warning shots.”

Panel Five – Nightwing fishtails the bike to a screeching halt.

NIGHTWING (5): (THT) Strange…not a scratch on either of us. Not even the bike. It’s like…they meant to miss.

Panel Six – Nightwing looks back at Talia, who is trying to catch her breath.

NIGHTWING (6): Are you ok back there?

TALIA (7): Yes.

NIGHTWING (8): Ok, hold on. Change of plans.


PAGE SIX – FIVE PANELS

Panel One – If I’m not mistaken, it’s been established (in both the comics and the cartoon) that Nightwing has a condo that doubles as his headquarters, which is where this next scene takes place. This will be another widescreen panel, so we can see the layout of the apartment/h.q. In the background, coming out of a secret elevator, Nightwing leads Talia into the room. As far as decoration, I think I’d like to see it lay out as a Batcave Light…you know…one computer, but a large monitor. I’d also like to see it have a more primitive “crime lab.” Think of the old Batman TV show from the 60’s. While we wont have everything labeled “Nightwing Scope,” he will have a microscope that is probably not as powerful as the one in Batman’s cave. My reasoning is this: When Dick walked away from Batman; he made a choice to do everything on his own. So he had to start from the ground floor. I also see Dick as more of an old-fashioned detective…what Batman USED to be. That’s a long-winded explanation for just one word balloon…

TALIA (1): This is your lair?

Panel Two – Nightwing walks toward the window (off panel) as Talia acclimates herself to the environment.

NIGHTWING (2): It’s my apartment and my base of operations.

TALIA (3): It is above ground. How different.

Panel Three – Nightwing is looking out the window as Talia comes up behind him.

NIGHTWING (4): Trust me, we’ll be safe here.

TALIA (5): I feel safe…

Panel Four – Talia gets real close and puts her hand on his shoulder. It should be obvious by now that Talia is doing her best to seduce Mr. Grayson.

TALIA (6): …With you.

Panel Five – Nightwing looks at her hand.

NIGHTWING (7): Talia, I ---

TALIA (8): Yes?


PAGE SEVEN – SIX PANELS

Panel One – Nightwing walks away stone faced, effectively moving her hand from his shoulder. Talia stands there, almost frozen.

NIGHTWING (1): Never mind. Stay away from the window. I’m just checking to see if they’ve got the place covered.

Panel Two – Close-up of Talia, her head tilted to the side.

TALIA (2): Is there…anyone in your life?

NIGHTWING (3): (OP) Excuse me?

Panel Three – Fitting both into the panel, she is behind Nightwing now.

TALIA (4): Someone special, I mean.

NIGHTWING (5): Yes. I mean, not really. Why do you ask?

Panel Four – He turns to face her. They are closer now. He’s not sure where this conversation is going.

TALIA (6): I wonder sometimes. About you people.

NIGHTWING (7): You mean…

TALIA (8): Heroes. I wonder if you love…how you love.

Panel Five – She moves in closer, close enough to put her arms on his shoulders.

TALIA (9): I’ve tried, as you know, many times to show my love for Batman with no success. I wonder if I should…

NIGHTWING (10): Talia, we shouldn’t…

PAGE EIGHT – ONE PANEL

Panel One – SPLASH PAGE! This is the money shot of our little pseudo romance story. Talia pulls NW in and kisses him. At first, Nightwing is shocked…


PAGE NINE – FIVE PANELS

Panel One – …But he gives himself over and kisses back, embracing her tighter.

Panel Two – They pull away, but slowly.

Panel Three – Same as Panel Two…the same frozen moment in time.

NIGHTWING (1): Talia, I---

Panel Four – Same positions, but now they are in the dark! We should only see their silhouettes as the room is illuminated by whatever external light is shining in from outside through the windows.

Panel Five – They start to run as various thugs crash through the window. Again, we are just seeing silhouettes. Within this panel is a smaller (inset) panel (technically, the Seventh on the page) of their hands, locked together. The camera zoomed in tight on their hands.

TALIA (2): They’ve found us!

NIGHTWING (3): Don’t panic! Hold my hand!


PAGE TEN – EIGHT PANELS

Panel One – Back to back, Talia and Nightwing fight Ra’s al Ghul’s minions in the dark.

Panel Two – In the extreme foreground, Nightwing uppercuts one of them, as Talia kicks another in the face. Very “Batman Family”/Robin and Batgirl style.

Panel Three – Nightwing blocks a punch by one of the thugs. Talia is not in the panel, so we can bring the camera in a little closer.

NIGHTWING (1): Talia, are you all right?

Panel Five – Talia is being dragged to the window that they crashed through.

NIGHTWING (2): (OP) Talia!

Panel Six – Nightwing gets to the window (the one the thugs crashed through) too late.

NIGHTWING (3): (THT) Gone. They’ve taken her. Who knows what Ra’s will do to her now?

Panel Seven – Extreme close-up of Nightwing.

NIGHTWING (4): I should call Batman. I shouldn’t even get involved.

Panel Eight – Hard cut to the street. On his bike now, Nightwing is in high pursuit.

NIGHTWING (5): (THT) Screw it!


PAGE ELEVEN – SIX PANELS

Panel One – Nightwing gets to the Ivy Town Observatory, which was alluded to earlier.

CAPTION (1): Ivy Town

NIGHTWING (2): (THT) If my instincts are correct, they would have brought her here.

NIGHTWING (3): (THT) Don’t expect to find a front door, Grayson!

Panel Two – Nightwing finds a sewer grate (not a manhole lid!) on the ground.

NIGHTWING (4): (THT) She did say “under” the observatory. Looks like this is the only way down.

Panel Three – Grate open, Nightwing climbs down a ladder.

NIGHTWING (5): (THT) Hope Professor Palmer doesn’t mind if I go “spelunking.”

Panel Four – Now in an underground tunnel, with flashlight in hand, Nightwing begins to explore. NOTE: This isn’t a sewer. Most of these places of academia have an underground access route (for electricians, etc.). So there will be pipes running overhead, but no lights (or dim lighting).

NIGHTWING (6): (THT) Talia said that a few elements are needed for a Lazarus Pit to be operational. I’m betting that one thing Ra’s would need is…

Panel Five – Looking above, Nightwing finds (shines the flashlight on) the pipe that says “ITWC,” or “Ivy Town Water Co.”

NIGHTWING (7): (THT) …Running water. Now to follow the sound.

Panel Six – He finds a secret door, with light seeping through the cracks.

NIGHTWING (8): (THT) Jackpot! Let’s see what’s behind Door #1.


PAGE TWELVE – FIVE PANELS

Panel One – Nightwing bursts through the door to find Talia, in good health and not in captivity, standing surprised. The thugs from earlier have their guns trained on Nightwing, ready to fire at the first word.

NIGHTWING (1): Just what I thought! Talia, what’s the meaning of all this?

VOICE (2): (OP) I think it’s best if I explain.

Panel Two – Ra’s al Ghul walks in to the story (background). Talia bows her head in respect, as do any thugs in the frame. We see this all over Nightwing’s shoulder (who stands in the extreme foreground to the left of the frame).

NIGHTWING (3): Ra’s al Ghul!

RA’S (4): Talia, leave us please.

TALIA (5): Yes, father.

Panel Three – As Talia exits, Ra’s moves past Nightwing. A throne (because Ra’s always has a throne near him) is nearby and he is walking toward it.

RA’S (6): Well done, Apprentice.

NIGHTWING (7): I knew you were behind this, Ra’s.

RA’S (8): On the contrary, young man. While I admit to funding this exercise, it was hardly one of my designs.

Panel Four – As Ra’s sits down, he waves to someone off panel.

NIGHTWING (9): What are you saying?

RA’S (10): For years, my daughter has pursued your mentor in the hopes of finding not only a successor to my empire, but a suitable companion for eternity.

Panel Five – The servant that he was waving to brings him a cup of espresso (you know, a tiny cup) on a silver platter.

RA’S (11): The Detective has never looked kindly upon the offer. Talia, however, came to me with an alternative.

RA’S (12): To find one worthy of her heart, she would not have to look far.

NIGHTWING (13): Me.


PAGE THIRTEEN – SIX PANELS

Panel One – Ra’s sips on the espresso as Nightwing stands by.

RA’S (1): The American saying…how does it go?

RA’S (2): Ah yes…”the apple does not fall far from the tree.”

Panel Two – Ra’s puts the espresso cup down. Nightwing stands defiant.

NIGHTWING (3): You know I can’t accept this proposal.

RA’S (4): A pity. I know that you have fought to be free of the Detective’s shadow…

NIGHTWING (5): It’s not like that, Ghul. Batman has no bearing on my decision. I have my own reasons.

Panel Three – As Nightwing prepares to fight, Ra’s folds his hands in front of him.

RA’S (6): Unfortunate.

NIGHTWING (7): So…

Panel Four – Same as Panel Three.

Panel Five – Same set up as Panel Three, but Nightwing throws his hands up.

NIGHTWING (8): Does this mean we’re going to fight?

RA’S (9): You are free to go, Apprentice.

RA’S (10): But I ask you…as a father.

Panel Six – Close up on Ra’s, hands still folded. There should be a twinkle in his eye…something that suggests that he would do something, but this is about Talia, not him. What I’m trying to point out here is that as evil and maniacal as Ra’s is and can be, at his core, he’s a dedicated father…or at least, he’s dedicated to getting a man in the family. He didn’t want to settle for Nightwing, but he was willing to humor Talia because he loves her.

RA’S (11): Tell her.


PAGE FOURTEEN – FIVE PANELS

Panel One – We are now back outside, at the top of the observatory. I’ve personally, never been to an observatory, but I’ve seen Rebel Without A Cause, so I picture this happening somewhere along a walkway that looks out over the town. Nightwing is by himself, leaning on the ledge.

Panel Two – Talia walks into the frame. Nightwing is still looking out at Ivy Town at night.

TALIA (1): You wanted to see me?

NIGHTWING (2): I have to ask you. Why did you go through all of this?

NIGHTWING (3): What were you trying to prove?

Panel Three – In typical romance comic fashion, Talia crosses her arms. Nightwing now turns to face her.

TALIA (4): I always knew that you would figure it out. You were always as good as him…maybe better.

TALIA (5): There is no one else like him. But I had to find someone.

Panel Four – Close up of Talia. We now see her heart breaking. Her arms are still crossed and her head is down.

TALIA (6): I was…I am…so tired of rejection.

Panel Five – Same as Panel Four, but pull out to reveal Nightwing reaching out for her.

NIGHTWING (7): Talia, I---

TALIA (8): Will you? Will you be…My Beloved? We will stay young forever. I swear that I would never leave your side.


PAGE FIFTEEN – SIX PANELS

Panel One – Dick moves closer to Talia and gently puts his hand on her arm.

NIGHTWING (1): Talia, you’re a beautiful woman. Any man would be lucky to be with you.

TALIA (2): But?

Panel Two – He moves his hand off of her arm and toward his face.

NIGHTWING (3): But I’m not the one you want. I’m a substitute for the real thing. I don’t even think you want Batman.

TALIA (4): I don’t?

Panel Three – Nightwing removes his mask. Hell, she already knows who Bruce is…it’s not like she hasn’t figured it out yet.

Panel Four – Nightwing stands there; mask less, in front of Talia.

NIGHTWING (5): You deserve more than what this mask means, and what it symbolizes.

NIGHTWING (6): You’re in love with Bruce, not Batman. Your heart belongs to the man, not the mask.

Panel Five – Same as Panel Four, but Dick puts his head down.

NIGHTWING (7): Just like my heart belongs to someone else.

TALIA (8): The Girl Whose Heart You Broke.

Panel Six – They both smile. Talia smiles because she knows she’s lost this game. Dick smiles because he finally admits it.


PAGE SIXTEEN – SIX PAGES

Panel One – Same as Page Fifteen/Panel Six.

TALIA (1): I should have known. I’m sorry.

Panel Two – They turn away from each other, knowing that their hearts belong elsewhere…and so do they.

TALIA (2): Maybe you are right. Perhaps I have gone about this the wrong way.

NIGHTWING (3): Yeah…me too.

Panel Three – They turn back to each other to say goodbye. Back to being reluctant enemies.

TALIA (4): Thank you…for everything. I shall go now.

NIGHTWING (5): I just want to say…I want to tell you…

Panel Four – Talia kisses Dick on the cheek lightly.

NIGHTWING (6): If this was an alternate earth, and we were just two regular people…

TALIA (7): But we are not.

Panel Five – Nightwing stands there, mask in hand, as Talia walks off panel.

NIGHTWING (8): Right.

Panel Six – Nightwing puts his mask back on. Talia is gone.

NIGHTWING (9): Right.


PAGE SEVENTEEN – SIX PANELS

Panel One – This whole page will be split down the middle; three panels on one side and three on the other. They should be identical in every way, with a few differences, which I will get to in a second. What I’m trying to portray here are parallel lives…two lives that, after sixteen pages, have the same ending (at least in terms of this story). In this panel, Dick Grayson (wearing civilian clothes...leather jacket, jeans, etc.) walks up the steps of the Gotham City Library. Parked in front is his motorcycle (not the same bike as the one he was using as Nightwing, obviously).

CAPTION (1): The Next Day

Panel Two – In a similar panel, Talia walks up the steps of the Wayne Enterprises Building. Parked in front of the building is her limousine. The hard part of portraying that this is Talia without using her famous purple jumpsuit. I’m hoping that after all we’ve seen it will be obvious that this is Talia, because I want to show her in a business suit/skirt outfit (I’m betting that her hair color will be the giveaway).

Panel Three – Inside of the library, Barbara is filing away books on a shelf, her head turned slightly to see the person who is calling out to her.

VOICE (2): Barbara, you have a visitor.

Panel Four – Bruce sits at his desk, half asleep of course. His receptionist pages him and he presses down on the intercom half-assed.

VOICE (3): (ELEC) Mr. Wayne, your twelve o’clock is here.

WAYNE (4): Send them in, Mary.

Panel Five – Dick walks up to Barbara (her back turned to the reader, in foreground, with “shock” lines coming from her head) and says…

DICK (5): Would you ---

Panel Six – Talia walks up to Wayne (his back turned to the reader, in foreground, with “shock” lines coming from his head) and says…

TALIA (6): --- like to get lunch?