The Last Hero Standing: The Last Hero Standing
In a world where all superheroes have retired, one aging hero must come out of retirement when a new threat emerges that only the original powers can stop.
An aging superhero, living a quiet life in retirement, is disturbed by news of a powerful new threat that surpasses the capabilities of modern heroes. He reluctantly decides to suit up one last time, knowing only his original powers can stand a chance.
Characters
ARTHUR PENHALIGON
supporting
Arthur Penhaligon is an elderly, retired superhero reluctantly pulled back into action. He is a Caucasian man in his late 70s, with thinning, white hair neatly combed back. He has deep-set, kind, blue eyes and a slightly wrinkled face with a distinguished nose. He has a slightly weathered skin tone and a few age spots. In the present day, he wears a comfortable, worn tweed jacket over a button-down shirt and corduroy pants, with brown leather slippers. He often carries a newspaper and a half-empty mug of tea is usually nearby. In flashbacks, he appears as a muscular, younger man with a full head of dark brown hair, wearing a faded, tattered blue and gold superhero costume with a stylized 'P' emblem on the chest. The costume has seen better days, showing signs of wear and tear from past battles.
Page 1
Panel 1: A cozy living room. An elderly man, ARTHUR PENHALIGON, sits in a worn armchair, reading a newspaper. A half-empty mug sits on the table beside him.
“ARTHUR PENHALIGON: (muttering) Another cat stuck in a tree… world's gone soft.”
Panel 2: Close up on the newspaper headline: 'MYSTERIOUS ENERGY SURGE DEVASTATES CITY CENTER'. A grainy photo shows a ruined cityscape.
Panel 3: ARTHUR PENHALIGON's face, now filled with concern. He lowers the newspaper.
“ARTHUR PENHALIGON: Energy surge… that's… familiar.”
Panel 4: ARTHUR PENHALIGON stands up, walking towards a dusty trunk in the corner of the room. He looks hesitant.
“ARTHUR PENHALIGON: It can't be… not after all this time.”
Page 2
Panel 1: ARTHUR PENHALIGON opens the trunk. Inside, a faded, tattered superhero costume lies folded. A single ray of sunlight illuminates it.
Panel 2: Flashback panel: A younger, muscular ARTHUR PENHALIGON in the same costume, soaring through the sky, energy crackling around him. He's fighting a shadowy figure.
“(SFX: KRA-KOOM!)”
Panel 3: ARTHUR PENHALIGON back in the present, his face a mixture of regret and determination.
“ARTHUR PENHALIGON: Those were different times.”
Panel 4: Close up on ARTHUR PENHALIGON's hand as he picks up the costume's mask. It's old and worn, but still recognizable.
Page 3
Panel 1: ARTHUR PENHALIGON is now dressed in the tattered costume. It's clearly too tight and doesn't fit him as well as it used to. He's standing in front of a mirror, adjusting the mask.
“ARTHUR PENHALIGON: (grunting) Still fits… mostly.”
Panel 2: Close up on ARTHUR PENHALIGON's face in the mirror. His eyes are filled with a renewed sense of purpose.
“ARTHUR PENHALIGON: Time to remind them what a real hero can do.”
Panel 3: ARTHUR PENHALIGON walks out of his house. He's walking with a slight limp but his shoulders are squared.
Panel 4: A beat-up, old motorcycle is parked in his garage. ARTHUR PENHALIGON is pushing it out.
“ARTHUR PENHALIGON: Let's see if you still got some juice in ya, Bessie.”
Page 4
Panel 1: ARTHUR PENHALIGON, now in full costume and on the motorcycle (Bessie), speeds down the road. Energy begins to crackle around him and the bike.
Panel 2: Wide shot of the devastated city. Buildings are crumbling, and strange energy pulses emanate from a central point.
Panel 3: ARTHUR PENHALIGON arrives at the edge of the devastation. He stops the motorcycle and looks up at the source of the energy.
“ARTHUR PENHALIGON: It's worse than I thought.”
Panel 4: Close up on ARTHUR PENHALIGON's determined face. Energy is glowing brighter around his eyes. He clenches his fists.
“ARTHUR PENHALIGON: Time to go to work.”