“Luck Of The Draw” a short comic story I wrote the other day!

I hope you like it! As always, feel free to use this for practice or to learn from. Remember that this story is mine, so if you would like to use it for anything just reach out! If you draw anything from it tag me!

Page 1: We want to establish our setting and some characters here. We will see the bar/saloon from the outside and go into it where we can see Gambler playing cards. We’ll end with a Mysterious Man approaching the table and asking if there is a seat that’s free.

Panel 1: Camera is outside looking towards an old Western-style saloon. The saloon should fill up most of the panel. A few people are walking down the dirt road outside, and there’s a big sign across the front that says “Mammoth Watering Hole”. We can see a man entering the saloon but don’t have enough detail to know that it is Mysterious Man. However, his clothing should be the same.

Panel 2: We are inside the saloon now and can see the main bar and a table in front and to the right of it. Gambler is sitting there with four other men. The camera is more focused more on the rest of the bar. There are a few bartenders behind the bar and other tables with patrons. It isn’t packed, but there are a fair amount of people. A man is playing a piano while a woman stands and sings next to him. Again Mysterious Man can be seen if you look closely, but he isn’t the focus. 

Singer: Oh Susanna, don’t you cry for me!

Sfx: Piano music notes floating from the piano

Man at the bar: Gimme a whiskey barkeep and how much for a room upstairs?

Panel 3: Camera is now zoomed in and looking at the table that our gambler is sitting at. The table is in the middle of a game of Texas Hold’em and the gambler has just put down the river making five face-up cards on the table. Gambler looks very happy as he flips the last card. 

Gambler: And the river! All right boys show your cards. What do you have?

Panel 4: Camera behind Gambler letting us see the other four players. Some look a bit more rough and tumble than others, but no one looks vicious or particularly angry. Each player has their cards revealed as they state what they have. We are starting with the man on Gambler's left and going around in a circle. 

Man to the left: I got a flush!

Next man: Two pair, I knew I should’ve folded.

Next man: Damn, I have a straight.

Next man: Three of a kind, how about you?

Panel 5: Camera is looking just mainly at Gambler who has a big cheesy grin on his face while showing his cards. He has a full house. The man to his left looks disgusted. We can see Mysterious Man standing behind the man on Gambler’s left, but we can’t see more than his legs and stomach. 

Gambler: Full house boys

Man to the left: Ugh

Panel 6: Camera is in a similar position as panel 5. Gambler is reaching his hands forward and collecting the chips while still looking very pleased with himself. The man on his left is standing up and we can see the legs and stomach of Mysterious Man behind him a little closer. 

Man to the left: Screw this, I’m out of here!

Gambler: Sorry about that, luck just seems to be on my side.

Mysterious Man: This seat open?

Page 2: We get a good look at the mysterious man and they start playing another game. 

Panel 1: Camera is from the Gambler’s POV looking up at the mysterious man. He looks like a tough old cowboy who doesn’t take shit from anybody. He is sternly looking down at the Gambler and looks a little menacing. We can see the gun on his hip.

Panel 2: Camera from the Mysterious Man’s POV looking down at the Gambler. The Gambler looks unfazed and has a big grin as he looks up at the man. The Gambler thinks this man will be easy pickings. 

Gambler: Why sure friend, this spot just opened up for you. 

Panel 3: Camera is back on the table, but focused mainly on the two men. We can see that he has started to deal the cards out to everyone while talking Mysterious Man. Mysterious Man is staring directly at the Gambler who doesn’t seem to notice. 

Gambler: You ever play cards before?

Mysterious Man: Once or twice.

Gambler: Well great! You’re the little blind, so you throw in a dollar. 

Panel 4: Different camera angle of the table. The game has gone on for a bit now and we can see that the pile of chips has gotten bigger and Gambler is once again flipping the river. The man is still staring at the Gambler. 

Gambler: Alright everyone what do you have?

Panel 5: Camera is behind the Gambler and Mysterious Man now. Gambler is reaching forward and grabbing the chips once again, but now he is also looking at Mysterious Man who has been staring at him this entire time. 

Gambler: Say why do you keep staring at me, partner? Something wrong?

Mysterious man: You don’t know who I am, do you?

Gambler: Should I?

Page 3: The mysterious man pulls a gun on the gambler and tells someone else to deal. He then goes into what he thinks of the gambler. 

Panel 1: Camera is looking at the two men, but we can also see under the table. Mysterious Man has pulled a gun and is pressing it into the Gambler’s side. 

Mysterious Man: Why don’t you have someone else deal this hand?

Panel 2: Camera is just above the table now and we can see some of the other men at the table. The Gambler still looks cool as a cucumber, and Mysterious Man has turned to face the table as well. Gambler is addressing the man across the table from him. 

Gambler: Hey Bill, what do you say you deal a couple hands for us? I’m getting mighty tired of dealing AND taking everyone’s money. 

Bill: Uh, sure I can do that. 

Panel 3: Camera is behind the two men again and we can see Bill dealing cards in the background, but the camera is focused on the two men who are both looking forward, but have their heads slightly turned so they can talk to each other. 

Gamber: So who are you exactly, and what do you want with little ol me?

Mysterious Man: You think you’re mighty slick don’t you?

Gambler: Excuse me?

Panel 4: Camera close-up on the mysterious man’s face. He has a stern somber look. He looks a little like he’s almost in pain. 

Mysterious Man: You might not remember me, but I remember you. You’re a man who took something that wasn’t his to take. A man who thought he was too good to get caught. Well, I’m telling you now, you’re not.

Panel 5: Front camera view of the two men. We can see that both men have their two cards face down in front of them and the table has the flop (three cards face up) of a 6 of diamonds, 9 of diamonds, and the ace of spades. 

Gambler: Now, I’m sure this is something we can talk out. 

Mysterious Man: No talking needed.

Panel 6: Small panel stacked on top of another panel. The mysterious man has used his thumb to press down the hammer of his revolver. 

Sfx: Click 

Page 4: The game continues. Mysterious Man tells Gambler that if he wins, he’s going to shoot him, but if Gambler wins he’ll leave the saloon. They continue to play, and Gambler wins. We will have more panels for this page, but the panels of the cards can be smaller as a way to show the passage of time in the game. 

Panel 1: Camera is looking down at the three cards on the table. 

Mysterious man offscreen: This is what we’re going to do. 

Panel 2: Camera is on both men who are pushing their chips into the center of the table. 

Mysterious Man Narrating: We’re going to both go all in and show our cards. 

Mysterious man and Gambler in unison: All in.

Panel 3: Camera panel of all the cards. The cards in front of Gambler are a 5 and 7 of diamonds. The cards in front of Mysterious Man are the ace of hearts and the ace of diamonds. 

Mysterious man narrating: If you win, I walk right outside those saloon doors. 

Panel 4: The turn (4th card) is revealed to be the ace of clubs

Mysterious man narrating: If I win, 

Panel 5: Camera is underneath the table focused on the gun that is pressing into Gambler’s side. 

Mysterious man narrating: I fill you full of holes, right here, right now.

Panel 6: Camera is on the two men’s faces who are looking at each other now. Gambler is starting to panic a little bit and we can see beads of sweat forming on his face. 

Gambler: Now wait just a minute we…

Mysterious Man: You talk too much. The cards are dealt, there’s no turning back now.

Panel 7: Camera is just on the cards and the last card has been put down. It is an 8 of diamonds. 

Panel 8: Camera is from Bill’s POV across the table focusing on the two men. They are both stoically looking forward. Mysterious Man is staring very hard at the cards and we can see that he is frustrated. Gambler is still panicking and worried that he will be shot anyway. 

Panel 9: Same camera angle, Mysterious Man has lowered his head slightly and let out a big sigh. 

Mysterious Man: Sigh well I am a man of my word.

Page 5: Last page of the story, Mysterious man gets up and walks away from the table. Gambler composes himself and says let’s play another hand. We then go outside the saloon and see that Mysterious Man is waiting outside with his hand on his gun. 

Panel 1: Mysterious man is standing up from the table now. He has both hands on the table and is looking around at the other players. 

Mysterious Man: Well, I’m spent. Thank you for the game gents.

Panel 2: Mysterious Man has turned mostly away from the table, and put his hand on the shoulder of the Gambler. He is leaning down and speaking into his ear. We can see the Gambler still looks nervous, but not as panicked as he was before. 

Mysterious Man: Aren’t you a lucky one? You better hope that luck doesn’t run out.

Panel 3: Camera is still on Gambler, but we can see Mysterious Man walking to the doors and exiting the saloon. Gambler is running his hands through his hair now and starting to laugh again.

Gambler: Well, that was exciting! Who’s up for another game?

Panel 4: Camera zooms out to see the entire bar once again with a shot very similar to the first page. 

Singer: Forget all your sorrows, your cares, and your labors

Group at a table: Hahaha

Panel 5: Similar panel of the Western Saloon from Panel 1. The only difference is that Mysterious Man can be seen leaning against the outer wall. This time, we should know it is him. 

Panel 6: Camera is zoomed in on Mysterious Man and we can see that he is calmly waiting outside the saloon, leaning against the wall, and has his hand on his gun. 

End