Sidekick: Sidekick
The story of a superhero told entirely from the perspective of their long-suffering sidekick, who might actually be the real hero of the story.
An unnamed superhero bursts through a wall to stop a petty robbery, leaving his sidekick, Kip, to handle the aftermath of the destruction and apologize to the store owner. Kip's frustration with the superhero's recklessness grows as he cleans up the mess. The hero flies off, oblivious, leaving Kip to handle everything.
Characters
Kip
supporting
Kip is the exasperated sidekick to a flamboyant superhero. He's a young adult, early 20s, with a perpetually tired expression. He has messy, light brown hair that's always slightly out of place, and tired blue eyes. He has a fair skin tone and a slightly lanky but average build. He wears a simple, practical sidekick uniform: a dark blue jumpsuit with a yellow utility belt, and sturdy boots. He often carries a small, foldable broom and dustpan for cleaning up after the superhero's chaotic entrances.
Page 1
Panel 1: A close-up of a brick wall in a convenience store. Cracks are forming and dust is falling as a figure smashes through it.
“KA-POW!”
Panel 2: The Superhero, muscular and caped, lands dramatically in the middle of the aisle, scattering chips and candy. A terrified store owner cowers behind the counter. Kip, the sidekick, stands behind the superhero, looking annoyed.
“Fear not, citizens! The city is safe!”
Panel 3: Close-up on a robber in a ski mask, holding a bag of money, looking utterly bewildered. He's surrounded by the wreckage.
“Uh...”
Panel 4: Kip approaches the store owner, looking apologetic. The store owner peeks out from behind the counter, still scared.
“I am so, so sorry about this. He tends to get a little... enthusiastic.”
Page 2
Panel 1: Superhero is tying up the robber with a single, elegant knot, using the robber's own belt. Kip is sweeping up debris in the background.
“Justice is served!”
Panel 2: Close up on Kip, sweat dripping from his brow, looking directly at the reader with a weary expression.
“(Sigh) Another day, another mess to clean up.”
Panel 3: Kip is talking to the store owner who is looking upset. The store owner is gesturing wildly at the hole in the wall.
“I'll have our…organization… cover all the damages, sir. I promise.”
Page 3
Panel 1: The Superhero is already flying out of the hole in the wall, cape billowing. Kip watches him go, holding a broom and dustpan.
“Gotta fly! Crime never sleeps!”
Panel 2: Close-up on Kip's face, his expression a mix of frustration and resignation.
“Of course it doesn't. But someone has to clean up after it.”
Panel 3: Wide shot of Kip, now surrounded by even more debris, sweeping diligently. The tied-up robber sits amongst the wreckage.
Page 4
Panel 1: Kip finishes sweeping, a small mountain of debris in his dustpan. He looks exhausted.
“Almost... done...”
Panel 2: Kip is now taping cardboard over the hole in the wall. He's clearly improvising.
“Well, that's the best I can do for now.”
Panel 3: Kip stands outside the convenience store, looking up at the sky. The Superhero is a tiny speck in the distance.
“I swear, one of these days...”
Panel 4: Close up on Kip's face, a determined look in his eyes.