WITCH HAZEL: TROUBLE AT TCAF (2024)
WITCH HAZEL: TROUBLE AT TCAF (2024)
PART OF WITCH HAZEL SERIES
READ A PREVIEW OF THE FINISHED ISSUE HERE
PAGE 1
Close up of Hazel sitting behind Jacq’s table at TCAF, she is lost in thought, staring off into the distance.
CAPTION / RECAP
PREVIOUSLY ON WITCH HAZEL: Hazel is a 19 year old magic school drop out. She lives with her friends Cam and Jacq and their adopted pet Noot in Toronto. As a spellcaster, Hazel can summon energy into our dimension through the Abstract, a co-existing parallel dimension from which magic originates. However, summoning too much magic can cause disaster.
Let’s not drag this out.
CAPTION
HAZEL SHE/HER
WITCH
STATUS: Miles away from here
JACQ OFFSCREEN
Hello? Earth to Hazel…
JACQ OFFSCREEN LOUD
HAZEL!
LOOK OUT!
BOTTOM CAPTION
THIS STORY IS DEDICATED TO AKIRA TORIYAMA (1955 - 2024)
Generations have been inspired by your legacy with many more to come.
PAGE 2
Panel 1
Hazel looks scared
HAZEL
HUH!? WHAT!
Panel 2
A big shot of the Second floor of TCAF, nerds, geeks and sexy nerds and geeks walk around. Hazel and Jacq sit behind a table covered in zines and artwork alongside other exhibitors.
CAPTION
Toronto Comics Arts Festival (TCAF)
A cool event for cool people.
JACQ
Finally, there you are! You were spaced out for like an hour.
You’ve been like this ever since your date with Alice*, are you sure you don’t want to talk about it?
CAPTION AT BOTTOM OF PAGE
*WITCH HAZEL NUMBUH 1
HAZEL
No! I’m fine, seriously.
So, how many zines have you sold?
Are you a famous artist now and can pay all our rent?
JACQ
Not yet. Damn, I kind of thought having a hot witch at the table was going to help sales but it’s almost like something here is killing the vibe.
Panel 3
Shot of jacq
CAPTION
JACQ HE/HIM
ART STUDENT
STATUS: DROWNING IN STUDENT DEBT
JACQ
Maybe some coffee will lift our energy. There's an exhibitors lounge on the ground floor, think you could grab us some without blowing the place up?
PAGE 3
Panel 1
Hazel walks away from the table confidently
HAZEL
You can count on me!
To get coffee -
not to blow up the place.
Panel 2
Hazel looks surprised
HAZEL
Woah!
Panel 3
Shot of the various publisher tables on the first floor like KOYAMA PRESS, BLACK EYE BOOKS, D&Q
CAPTION
TCAF: FIRST FLOOR
HAZEL
This is amazing!
Panel 4
Hazel goes up to the Fantagraphics booth
HAZEL
Wow, these look cool!
Panel 5
Hazel goes up to the D&Q Booth and lifts up a copy of DUCKS
HAZEL
Ooh these are great too!
Panel 6
Hazel goes to the Silver Sprocket booth, the goat mascot is behind the table, they do finger guns to each other, forshadowing the release of Witch Hazel Variety Hour.
GOAT
Eyyyyy
HAZEL
Yoooooo
PAGE 4
Panel 1
HAZEL NARRATION
This is just what I needed after that disastrous date with Alice. It reminds me why I became a spellcaster in the first place! Creative thinking isn't just about cool ideas; it’s about making the mind and matter meet to bring the subconscious to life. To make the impossible possible.
Panel 2
Close up of Hazel
HAZEL NARRATION
Come to think of it, when Jacq talks about getting into the "zone" while painting, it's like he's describing the same focus I need for spellcasting.
Maybe that's why he calls his art "abstract" and I can feel the magic in it.
Panel 3
Hazel, surrounded by people, realizes that Jacq wanted coffee and she’s been looking at comics for an hour.
HAZEL NARRATION
Maybe the relationship between art and magic is stronger than I thought.
I should probably tell him all this sometime - WAIT
HAZEL LOUD
OHMYGOD I FORGOT TO GET JACQ HIS COFFEE!
Panel 4
To the onlookers surprise, she jumps out of the panel
HAZEL
‘SCUSE ME!
COMIN’ THROUGH!
PAGE 5
Panel 1
Hazel arrives with Jacqs coffee
HAZEL
Oh boy, you should have seen the line! That’s why I took so long and no other reason-
Panel 2
Hazel drops of the coffee in surprise
HAZEL
WOAH! WHAT THE HEX IS HAPPENING!?
Panel 3
Jacq is signing a contract while a large evil man grins
JACQ
Good news, Hazel! I’m selling all of my art to this guy!
Just look how professional this contract looks!
BATEMAN
I wrote it myself!
Panel 4
Hazel looks concerned
HAZEL
Did you even read the contract?
PAGE 6
Panel 1
Jacq realizes he might be making a mistake
JACQ
I mean, it’s really long so I just kinda, sorta, skimmed it.
Panel 2
Hazel comforts Jacq
HAZEL
Why don’t we bring it home and have Cam read it? They’re smart and will know what all the big words mean.
JACQ
Yeah, that makes me feel better!
Panel 3
The evil man gets upset
BATEMAN
NO! THIS CONTRACT IS CONDITIONAL ON YOU SIGNING IT RIGHT THIS INSTANCE!
Panel 4
Hazel and Jacq exchange a worried look
HAZEL
See, that's suspicious.
JACQ
Yeeeah maybe I shouldn’t sign this.
PAGE 7
Panel 1
Bateman rips the contract away
BATEMAN
GIVE ME THAT!
Panel 2
The contract has most of Jacqs name written on it ending in a scribble from the contract being pulled away
BATEMAN
Well, well, well.
Panel 3
Close up of Bateman
BATEMAN
LOOKS LEGALLY BINDING TO ME!
Panel 4
Bateman unhinges his jaw and begins sucking air in
Panel 5
Hazel and Jacq are scared as art from Jacqs table begins flying into Bateman's mouth
JACQ
He’s inhaling all my art!
HAZEL
I KNEW THIS GUY SUCKED!
PAGE 8
Panel 1
Jacq is lifted from the ground, he extends his hand toward Hazel
JACQ
HAZEL! HELP!
Panel 2
Hazel reaches her hand as Jacq is flown away.
HAZEL
JAAACQ!!!
Panel 3
Jacqs foot dangles from Bateman's mouth
BATEMAN
Oomf
PAGE 9
Panel 1
Bateman laughs as he towers over Hazel
BATEMAN
Let this be a lesson to always read contracts before signing them. You never know, you may be making a deal with the devil himself!
HAZEL OFFSCREEN
SHUT UP! You’re not the devil, you’re just a nepo loser with a dumb tie!
Panel 2
Close up of Hazel look determined
HAZEL NARRATION
He sucked up Jacq and all his art, but doesn’t look any bigger. He must have some sort of dimensional portal inside him. I just hope Jacq can hold on long enough for me to get him back!
PAGE 10
Panel 1
Hazel grabs one of Jacq’s abstract art pieces.
HAZEL NARRATION
Hey, one of Jacq’s paintings that didn't get sucked and it’s radiating with the same magical energy I felt before. Maybe I can…
Panel 2
She pulls the abstract art from it
HAZEL
Yes! It’s actually working, I can harness the Abstract magic from within Jacq’s art!
Panel 3
She winds up the magic energy and tosses it at Bateman
HAZEL SPELL
Abstract whispers, my allies in fight.
From canvas depths, let powers ignite.
Your brushstrokes weave a spell, a vivid plan,
Explode in action against this business man!
PAGE 11
Panel 1
The ball of abstract magical energy hits Bateman
SFX
KASIZZLE
Panel 2
Hazel taunts him as he kneels, grabbing his face
HAZEL
That’s just a taste! Now throw up or whatever you have to do to get Jacq and his art back out here and we’ll call it even-
BATEMAN
hehehe
Panel 3
Bateman moves his hand, revealing the interloper features beneath the skin of his melted face.
BATEMAN
HAHAHAHA
Your friend signed all his artwork over to me! You can’t hurt me with magic that I own!
HAZEL NARRATION
WHAT THE HEX!? HIS FACE LOOKS LIKE ONE OF THOSE THINGS!
CAPTION
Witch Hazel Uno, again lol
PAGE 12
Other artists exhibiting at TCAF watch as their art and books fly off their table.
Panel 1
BATEMAN OFF SCREEN
In fact, I tricked creatives all throughout this event into signing my arcane contracts!
Panel 2
BATEMAN OFF SCREEN
They thought I was just merely purchasing the rights to their art, when really I was acquiring the residual Abstract energy that was imbued within it!
Panel 3
BATEMAN OFF SCREEN
One by one, each of them lost something more than their creative property- they lost a piece of themselves!
PAGE 13
Splash page of Bateman, now appearing as a human/interloper hybrid, levitating above Hazel as zines, comics and art circle around him like he is the center of a magical tornado. Behind him, TCAF is in shambles as artists and visitors flee.
BATEMAN
NOW MY VERY BEING IS OVER FLOWING WITH THE MAGICAL ENERGY THESE WORKS POSSESS! I HAVE AN UNLIMITED WELL OF ABSTRACT ENERGY TO PULL FROM AND SHAPE THIS WORLD HOW I SEE FIT!
MY FIRST COURSE OF ACTION-
DESTROY THE WITCH NAMED HAZEL!
PAGE 14
Panel 1
Bateman levitates above Hazel, shooting energy blasts at her, narrowly missing. The energy blast resembles whatever artwork he touches.
HAZEL NARRATION
Okay okay okay
This is really bad
I am super outclassed here and he’s literally shooting magical anime laser beams
Panel 2
He shoots another
HAZEL NARRATION
C’mon, girl THINK. There’s got to be a way out of this.
If he’s getting his power from artwork then maybe…
Panel 3
Hazel is hit
HAZEL NARRATION
Wait- that’s it!
Maybe I can-
HAZEL SCREAMS
AAAAHHhh
PAGE 15
Panel 1
Bateman taunts as the artwork whirls around him.
BATEMAN
GIVE UP, LITTLE WITCH!
YOU COULDN’T POSSIBLY HOPE TO DEFEAT ME ON YOUR OWN.
Panel 2
Hazel smirks as creators from TCAF rally behind her
HAZEL
Then it’s a good thing I don’t plan to.
PAGE 16
Panel 1
Hazel faces the artists as she points at Bateman
HAZEL
Listen up, you beautiful weirdos! All of you are literally magic and this loser is only powerful because of the works that YOU made!
Panel 2
Funny sad face of Bateman as Hazel roasts him.
HAZEL
He may look big and scary but he’s weak! He’s incapable of creating his own magic. That's why he had to exploit you.
BATEMAN
hey, come on.
Panel 3
Hazel hold out her hands, channeling a small ball of glowing light.
HAZEL
Yes, he’s taken from all of you, but you are creators, and the only way to defeat him now is to create even more weird, wild, ABSTRACT ideas.
Whose with me?
PAGE 17
Panel 1
A comic creator stands out from the ground.
CREATIVE 1
Uhm what about… a dog that can fly?
No, that's stupid.
Panel 2
Close up of the ball of light in Hazel’s hands.
HAZEL NARRATION
For this spell to work, they just need to create. It doesn’t matter what!
Panel 3
More creatives begin drawing and pitching stories, their lines begin to crowd and overlap
CREATIVE 2
No way that’s classic! Does he fly with his ears or his tail?
CREATIVE 3
This is how I drew him.
CREATIVE 4
Oh like a basset hound? I love it!
CREATIVE 1
Maybe he flies around looking for bones?
CREATIVE 6
How’s this for his doghouse?
Panel 4
The orb in Hazels hands grows bigger as more creatives begin drawing and pitching stories, their lines begin to crowd and overlap
HAZEL NARRTION
Okay, they’re making a dog comic? Whatever! The more they collaborate, the stronger the spell becomes!
Panel 5
More and more creatives join in, their speech bubbles overlapping.
CREATIVES
Ooh he could be an archaeologist!
INDIANA BONES!?
How’s this drawing?
It’s so good!
Hey, can I colour that?
That’s so cute!
This is fun!
Panel 6
The ball of light in Hazel’s hands expands to the size of a beach ball, exploding with energy.
HAZEL NARRATION
They’re doing it! Their creative energy is flowing freely and powerfully into the spell!
PAGE 18
Splash page
Hazel lifts a giant Dragon Ball Z style spirit bomb full of magical energy as she stands surrounded by TCAF creators.
HAZEL
You may have taken their works, but you’ll never stop them from creating magic.
PAGE 19
Panel 1
Shocked Bateman
Panel 2
Hazel lifts the spirit bomb
HAZEL
THIS IS
Panel 3
Close up of Batman screaming as the magical energy closes in on him
HAZEL
THE POWER
Panel 4
Bateman as he is disintergrated.
HAZEL
OF ARTISTS
Panel 5
He turns to dust
HAZEL
MOTHERF#$%ER!
PAGE 20
Panel 1
Jacq lays on the ground surrounded by Interloper slime in the famous Yamcha pose.
HAZEL OFFSCREEN
OH MY GOD!
JACQ!!!
Panel 2
Hazel rushes to Jacqs aide as an interloper eyeball slithers away
HAZEL
I-I don’t know how to check a pulse- where’s your heart?
Jacq, say something, please.
Don't be dead.
PAGE 21
Panel 1
Hazel holds Jacq
JACQ
COUGH
I had a feeling you were going to blow this place up
HAZEL
Well, I did have some help.
Panel 2
Hazel continues holding Jacq as he points off screen.
JACQ
Y’know there’s a little slimeball getting away.
HAZEL
All that matters to me right now is getting you the hex out of here.
Panel 3
The eyeball slithers away
JACQ OFFSCREEN
Eugh, you’re still saying hex?
HAZEL OFFSCREEN
OH MY GOD SHUT UP I SAVED YOUR LIFE!
PAGE 22
Panel 1
Exterior shot of the destroyed Toronto Reference Library, the venue for TCAF
CAPTION
The Toronto Reference Library
A Few Hours Later
Panel 2
Insert Panel of security footage of Hazel, she is smiling and waving after her triumphant victory.
Panel 3
Large cool shot of Aubergine and Alice.
AUBERGINE
The report from *BOM says that an interloper had possessed a latent spellcaster from a publishing company that went rogue trying to harness Abstract energy from the vendors' artwork. A roundabout way of gathering power but I respect the creativity.
CAPTION
*THE BUREAU OF MAGIC
AUBERGINE
Apparently the creature was stopped by a single witch. Surveillance was able to capture a clear image. What do you make of her, Agent Alice?
ALICE
She’s… Incredible.
CAPTION
<- AUBERGINE SHE/HER
AGENT OF BOM
STATUS: THE GIRL OF HAZELS NIGHTMARES.
CAPTION
ALICE SHE/HER ->
AGENT OF BOM!?????
STATUS: THE GIRL OF HAZELS DREAMS.
CAPTION
TO BE CONTINUED
PAGE 23
Panel 1
Shot of Hazels apartment
CAPTION
BONUS COMIC
CAPTION
HAZEL’S APARTMENT
Panel 2
Cam sits at the table on their laptop
CAPTION
CAM THEY/THEM
STUDENT
STATUS: STUDENTING
Panel 3
Cam turns
CAM
I bet Hazel and Jacq are on some crazy adventure right now.
Panel 4
Noot smiles
CAM OFFSCREEN
But we can have our own fun, right Noot?
Panel 5
Noot throws up.
Panel 6
Cam sighs.
CAM
okay.
