Bill –
These are strips I wrote several years
ago. Most of these, I’ve already illustrated, yet I feel something
is lacking in them. The character evolved into a simpleton. The jokes
were ‘campy’. I’m re-designing the character to have
a more ‘gritty’, realistic edge. I’m a big fan of
Milton Caniff’s Ms. Lace, Terry and the Pirates, Steve Canyon,
etc. Have you ever seen Jordi Bernet and E. Sanchez Abuli’s “Torepedo
1936”?
I’d
like Havana to have an insight. He speaks plainly, with an easy air.
– John
| Long
shot: Havana walking down beach. |
Medium shot: Havana
with thoughtful look on his face. |
Close-up: Havana
with shocked look on his face. |
Medium shot: Havana,
waist deep in water. |
|
N:
Havana Clue takes a
lonely stroll along the beach. |
N:
He stops to ponder all the cases he’s solved, the love he’s
lost… |
|
N:
And the importance of keeping a tide schedule handy. |
| Medium
shot: Portly older man and Clue, in his office. |
Medium shot: same
shot |
Medium shot: Clue
looking indignant. |
Medium shot: Clue
filling out a form. |
|
M:
Mr. Clue, I think my wife has been seeing someone else… |
M: But I’m not sure if hiring a private eye is the right way to handle it.
HC:
Relax, mister… |
HC:
Private investigation is no longer the cheap, sleazy business
it once was!! |
M:
I’m sorry, I meant no offense.
HC:
That’s alright…now will you be wanting the 8x10 or
the wallet-size photos? |
| Medium
shot: Havana and Roxie. |
Medium shot: same |
Medium shot: Roxie
looks like she’s spitting. |
Medium shot: same |
|
HC:
Look sister, if you need me, just whistle. |
HC:
You know how to whistle, don’t cha? Just
put your lips together and blow. |
|
HC:
Maybe you should get rid of the gum first. |
Case File: The Missing Mummy
| Medium
shot: Shadow of Clue on his office door. |
Close-up: Clue |
Foreground: Legs
of woman sitting. Close-up of man with jewelry. Background: Clue
standing in doorway. |
|
N:
My name is Clue… My
friends call Havana. |
N:
My landlord calls me late. |
N:
I had visitors…something told me these weren’t the
cookie-selling type. |
Case File: The Missing Mummy
| Medium
shot: Abdul, Fatina and Clue in office. |
Close-up: Abdul |
Medium shot: Havana
indignant. |
Foreground: hand
with wad of cash. Background: Havana |
|
A:
Mr. Clue, I am Abdul and this is my sister Fatina. |
A:
We have come to you with a job proposal. |
HC:
Forget it, bucket head…I don’t like the cut of your
suit. |
N:Suddenly,
a wave of compassion washes over Havana.
HC:
‘Course, I’m no Fashion Critic! |
Case File: The Missing Mummy
| Medium
shot: Abdul, Fatina and Clue in office. |
Medium shot: Abdul,
Fatina and Clue in office. |
Medium shot: Abdul,
Leans menacingly across the desk. |
Medium shot: Abdul,
Fatina and Clue in office. |
|
F:
Mr. Clue, we need you to retrieve something for us.
HC:
So you want me to do a dog act.. |
HC:
I’ll bite. What’s the stick? |
A:
A mummy! |
HC:
Y’know, I had you pegged as a momma’s boy. |
Case File: The Missing Mummy
| Foreground:
Fatina, slinky seductress. Background: Clue
looking at her while the brother rambles’ on. |
Foreground: Fatina,
slinky seductress. Background: Clue
looking at her while the brother rambles’ on. |
Foreground: Fatina,
slinky seductress. Background: Clue
looking at her while the brother rambles’ on. |
Foreground: Fatina,
slinky seductress. Background: Clue’s
stomach growls. |
|
HC:
This dish is quite a tomato…a real hot tamale. |
HC:
Yet she’s cold as a fish…A cool cucumber.
|
HC:
She’d be a tough nut to crack. This cookie wouldn’t
crumble. |
<grumble>
HC:
I’ve got to start eating breakfast. |
Case File: The Missing Mummy
| Medium
shot: Abdul talking, Fatina sitting aloof and Clue leaning back
in his chair, in his office. |
Medium shot: Abdul
talking, Fatina sitting aloof and Clue leaning back in his chair,
in his office. |
Medium shot: Abdul
talking, Fatina sitting aloof and Clue leaning back in his chair,
in his office. |
Medium shot: Clue
leans over to Fatina. |
|
N:
Abdul and his sister run a little egyptian museum downtown.
|
N:
Up until a few days ago, things were going pretty well…
|
N:
Then their prize exhibit, an egyptian mummy was stolen by Shazaar,
a dis-gruntled employee. |
N:
Havana takes this all in with his usual air of professionalism.
HC:
Say, sister…you busy tonight? |
Case File: The Missing Mummy
| Medium
shot: Abdul, Fatina and Clue in office. |
Medium shot: Abdul,
Fatina and Clue in office. |
Medium shot: Abdul,
Fatina and Clue in office. |
Medium shot: Abdul,
Fatina and Clue in office. |
|
A:
So Mr. Clue, can you help us retreive our prize mummy? |
HC:
Well, I can’t give you anything binding…
|
HC:
And this case would certainly tie me up for awhile… |
HC:
But, I think I can wrap it up for ya. |