World's Funnest: Golden Age Sequence Script/Sheldon Moldoff Inks (Pgs 20-21)

Here's the new installment of the ongoing WORLD'S FUNNEST retrospective, this time we're finally looking at the actual Golden Age sequence after two extended introductory posts regarding the comic that was the main inspiration for the project, the two golden age comic artists linked to this section of the comic Golden Age and a few other things (more-or-less related to the comic).  

The Golden Age sequence in World's Funnest was penciled and inked by Sheldon Moldoff lettered by Tom Orzechowski (whose lettering work was done on overlays, see images). Again, since it's a short trip, only two pages, I'll just post the script below rather than make a PDF (although I'm thinking of creating a PDF of all the scripts sometime down the road for some backers to be able to access).

I don't really have many notes beyond what I wrote in the introduction posts. One thing of note, is that here's where we realized we'd need to use the original, purple-clad  "lightbulb-headed" Mr. Mxyzptlk (or Mr. Mxyztplk, as it was originally spelled in the first Golden Age appearance of the character). Anyway, whenever we had a segment that took place in the golden age of comics we went with the appropriate Mxy design, I think that covers this chapter, the Fawcett/Earth S/Marvel Family segment and the Kingdom Come pages. It's also the look for the character in the animated storyboard segment, because the Superman series chose to go with the original design. Good for them, it's funnier (side note, World's Funnest was how I got asked to design a Mr. Mxyzptlk statue for the DC Direct line, it was of the "modern" Mxy, but I also got to write an introduction for a volume of the Superman Archives which reprinted the first appearance of Mxy/Mxyzptlk/Mxyztplk. Work creates work, fun creates fun. Sometimes, at least). 

I think the Spectre hauling battleships like a trudging day laborer might have come from an actual JSA comic from the golden age of nonsense. I rib the Spectre a few times in WF because he's basically God's hitman and yet somehow life on Earth still sucks and evil flourishes. I know uber-fanboy HouseRoy Thomas tried to explain away why these super-jackasses couldn't shut Hitler and the Axis powers down in an hour, but that horsehockey just opens up more cans of worms, and even if Mr. Mind is in there somewhere I ain't buying it. Explaining away the unreality of children's stories has been one of the sillier mug's games in mainstream comics history. But that's a post for another day. let's get to the script and get past this sequence and move things forward. I think the next chapter is Earth 3, with the Crime Syndicate. But here's the script for the Golden Age sequence, at last. 

I guess this is a good place to point out that while it might not be super-obvious while reading, I tried very hard to convey the speech patterns and dialog in use in each "era", so everyone in the Silver Age and Golden Age speaks in a hyped-up, "gee-wiz" style, that hopefully captures the flavor of the old comics decently. I tried to make everything work together and look, "sound" and "feel" of its time to the best of my ability. 

A reminder, as before, these pages are mostly unedited except for typos, and the script format I used in 2000 is not how I would write this today (the SFX isn't numbered, I added the number of panels-per-page for this post and underlined some things, etc).

If you want to go back and check out the proceeding posts, here's some links. Hopefully they work. Search "World's Funnest" if I goofed.

- The original pitch for World's Funnest (aka, Last Imp Standing) is here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/worlds-funnest-64684036

- Brian Bolland's cover with original, alternate colors can be found here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/worlds-funnest-65353388

- The Silver Age-era script (pgs 1-18), w/Dave Gibbon's inks:  https://www.patreon.com/posts/worlds-funnest-1-65064249

- The Golden Age Introduction part 1:  https://www.patreon.com/posts/worlds-funnest-66906681

- The Golden Age Introduction part 2:  https://www.patreon.com/posts/worlds-funnest-2-67170515

As these posts accumulate I'll switch to putting these links to the previous posts below the script/notes rather than above. 

SCRIPT FOR PAGES 20/21 

EARTH 2 - GOLDEN AGE: WHAT HAS GONE ON BEFORE: 

An argument between Mr. Mxyzptlk and Bat-Mite got out of hand, resulting in the accidental death of Batman, and then the deaths of Superman, Robin, and most of the Silver Age "Earth 1" cast of characters. Mr. Mxyzptlk then chased Bat-Mite across the Earth, which ultimately destroyed the planet. Their feud continued into space, where they accidentally obliterated the entire universe. To Mxyzptlk's surprise, Bat-Mite "pops' out of view -- using his inter-dimensional powers to lead Mxy on a chase throughout the various DC dimensions, pasts and futures, starting with the Silver Age Phantom Zone, and leading us here, to the Golden Age "Earth 2". 

NOTES ON ART:

Golden Age look and layout style, with several old-style circular panels, slightly stiff and less dynamic character and action poses, minimal backgrounds, older lettering font to reflect the era, etc. All Justice Society characters appear as they did in the 40's DC Golden Age era, and Mxy appears as he did when he first appeared in the 1940's..

PAGE TWENTY  (7 panels)

PANEL ONE

We open on a panel of BAT-MITE, huffing and puffing as he "runs" through the air in a panic, nervously looking behind him for a sign his pursuer. *In the background we can see (some old 30's/40's real-life or DC icon, old 39/40 world's fair globe?  East Coast Navy dockyards in the background? Coastline in the distance?

1) BAT-MITE: GOLLY, I SURE DO HOPE I GAVE THAT THAT MEAN MR. MYXYPLITZ THE SLIP --    

PANEL TWO

Still in the air, Bat-Mite runs smack-dab into a grinning MR. MXYZPTLK who pops in right in his path. Mxyzptlk's appearance has changed to reflect his look in the 40's Golden Age -- he now has the bulb-shaped head, suit and derby from the old character design of "Mr Mxyztplk". 

2) MXY: HELLO THERE, BAT-MITE! I BET YOU DIDN'T THINK YOU'D BE RUNNING INTO ME SO SOON, EH?

3) BAT-MITE: OOF! MXY -- ?  

SFX (by Mxy) - POP!

PANEL THREE

Mxy and Bat-Mite are startled to see several flying JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA MEMBERS flying towards them -- SUPERMAN, DR. FATE, HAWKMAN, and STARMAN. Dr. Fate points at the imps as the other superheroes study the strange sight before them.

4) DR FATE: LOOK, SUPERMAN -- WEIRD LITTLE FLYING MEN!  

5) SUPERMAN: THEY MUST BE GREMLINS! WE'D BEST TAKE SWIFT ACTION --

THEY SAY THOSE CREATURES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DOWNING OUR ALLIED PLANES IN EUROPE!

6) HAWKMAN: YES -- WE'D BEST CALL A MEETING OF THE JUSTICE SOCIETY TO DECIDE WHAT ACTION WE'LL BE TAKING!

7) MXY/BAT-MITE: ???

PANEL FOUR  

A circular panel if possible in the layout. And wincing, angry Mxy and a confused Bat-Mite watch the small silhouettes of the JSA members flying off in the distance. 

 7) BAT-MITE: GOSH, THEY LOOK FAMILIAR! BUT I THOUGHT YOU KILLED ALL THE SUPERHEROES TO DEATH!  

PANEL FIVE

Bat-Mite points at Mxy, covering his mouth with one hand as he tries not to giggle.

An angry and embarrassed Mxy is examining his clothes and appearance with some, tugging at his jacket with one hand and holding his derby in the other.  

8) MXY: YOU NITWIT! THIS IS EARTH 2 -- AN ALTERNATE EARTH IN AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE WHERE ALMOST EVERYTHING IS --ER -- ALTERED! EEP -- I-INCLUDING ME! 

9) BAT- MITE: TEE HEE! YOU SURE DO LOOK SILLY "ALTERED", MXY!

PANEL SIX

A circular panel. Mxy is pulling on Bat-Mite's nose with one hand. His other hand is behind his cartoonishly-enlarged left ear, which is cocked towards the next panel to eavesdrop on the JSA meeting. 

10) MXY: I'LL "ALTER" YOU, YOU LITTLE -- HEY! I THINK THOSE SUPER-CLODS ARE DONE WITH THEIR MEETING!

PANEL SEVEN

A cramped panel showing all the Justice Society members uncomfortably and ludicrously crowded around a round meeting table, an American eagle and flag crest on the wall above them (see All Star #9, archives vol. 2, page 138/139 for reference). HAWKMAN is at the front of the table in the "chairman" position. Seated and standing around the table are BATMAN, WONDER WOMAN, GREEN LANTERN, THE FLASH, DR. MIDNITE (with HOOTY the owl on his shoulder), STARMAN, THE ATOM, DR. FATE, SANDMAN, JOHNNY THUNDER, and HOURMAN. Hourman is seated, more involved with popping Miraclo pills than the meeting. The Spectre is not present at the meeting. 

11) HAWKMAN: SO IT'S AGREED, THEN! WE'LL ALL GET OUT THERE AND BEAT THE TAR OUT OF THOSE GREMLINS! 

12) DR. MIDNITE: IT'S THE ONLY THING TO DO!

13) SANDMAN: A SWELL IDEA, THREE CHEERS!

14) THE ATOM: HOORAY! LET ME AT' EM!  

PAGE TWENTY-ONE  (6 panels)

PANEL ONE

The entire Justice Society rushes towards Mxy and Bat-Mite, ready to attack the airborne imps. The superheroes attack on land and air depending on their powers. Johnny Thunder is either not in the shot or is seen from very far away, running far behind the others. Bat-Mite excitedly points at Mxy like he's tattling ona  school bully.

1) HAWKMAN (big): FOR AMERICA -- AND DEMOCRACY!  

2) BAT-MITE: OOH, THEY'RE COMING TO GET YOU! 

3) MXY: AW, SEE IF I CARE!

PANEL TWO

Mxy snaps his fingers and all the JSA members clutch at there chests and fall to the ground in pain. The flying heroes all plummet to the ground like stones.  

4) SUPERMAN: -- URK -- OH OH, FELLOWS -- I SEEM TO BE HAVING SOME SORT OF MASSIVE HEART ATTACK!

5) DR. FATE: SAY, ME TOO! OOOHHH--- 

6) BATMAN: I'D - COUGH COUGH - SAY WE ALL ARE!

SFX: (Mxy's fingers) - SNAP!

PANEL THREE

Johnny Thunder arrives, he stands amongst the piled up fallen bodies of the JSA, angrily pointing at the two hovering imps. From off panel the THUNDERBOLT zips around Johnny, the Bolt looks astonished and frightened at the sight of Mxy and Bat-Mite.  

7) JOHNNY THUNDER: S-SAY, YOU BIG -- ER -- LITTLE BULLIES! YOU CAN'T DO THAT TO THE JUSTICE SOCIETY!

8) JOHNNY THUNDER: MY MAGIC THUNDERBOLT THAT OFTEN SHOWS UP WHEN I NEED HIM WILL SAVE THE DAY!

PANEL FOUR

The Thunderbolt flies away in a panic as Mxy electrocutes Johnny Thunder with a cartoon lightning bolt of his own. Oblivious, Bat-Mite cheerfully waves to the fleeing Thunderbolt.

9) THUNDERBOLT: NOTHING DOING, KID -- YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN! I'M NOT TANGLING WITH THOSE TWO NUTJOBS! 

10) JOHNNY: SAY, YOU #%@& COWARD, GET BACK HERE -- AAAAH!

11) BAT-MITE (small): G'BYE, THUNDERBOLT! NICE SEEING YOU AGAIN!

SFX (Mxy's bolt) - KZZAPP

PANEL FIVE

Pull back for a wide shot. The Justice Society members all lie dead on the ground as the imps hover in the air above them. Both pests are shocked to see the towering SPECTRE striding towards them from the ocean in the distance -- little "surprise" lines emanate from the pest's heads to register their surprise from this distance. The Spectre is knee-deep in the depths, he's dragging several chained-up Japanese destroyers bearing rising sun markings on them towards shore. His back is turned, he looks over his shoulder towards shore and is unhappily  surprised to see the bodies of the JSA strewn about the ground.  

12) THE SPECTRE: SORRY I MISSED THE MEETING, FELLAS! I HAD A FEW HUNDRED GODFORSAKEN SOULS TO -- 

13) THE SPECTRE: WHAT'S THIS?! SOMEONE'S MURDERED THE JUSTICE SOCIETY!

14) BAT-MITE: !!!

PANEL SIX

Mxy gestures and the Spectre and the entire "universe" splinters and shatters like a broken window. As pieces of "reality" fall we can see a blank white void behind everything. As the universe breaks apart a nervous Bat-Mite "pops" out, we can see his faint form still within the "burst" effect that they used in the 60's comics when he teleported.

15) MXY: YOU AGAIN? THAT CUTS IT! I'VE HAD MY FILL OF THIS EARTH! 

16) BAT-MITE (small): WELL, S'LONG, MXY -- I'LL, ER,  BE ON MY WAY NOW!

SFX (by Bat-Mite) POP!

SFX (destruction) - K-TRASH