Copycat 1: A Serial Killer Comic Book Story

Is this the work of a copycat, or is the Pierre Piercer still out there? The first instalment of the Copycat series.

PAGE 1

PANEL 1

Establishing shot: Solem Public Safety Center

CAPTION

Pierre, South Dakota

SFX

RING RING

CHIEF MCAULEY (off panel)

This is Chief McAuley

PANEL 2

Police Chief James McAuley, 50, a wiry, self-serious cowboy, on the phone. On one of his walls he has a poster of a police officer with angel wings and the caption “The Protector.”

SECRETARY (off panel)

Sherif, it’s Joseph Howard…

CHIEF MCAULEY

Whatever he said or did I don’t even want to know.

PANEL 3

Phone being hung up.

PANEL 4

Still shot of the phone.

PANEL 5

Phone ringing

PANEL 6

Sheriff answering the phone again.

SECRETARY (off panel)

It’s not what Howard did, it’s what was done to him.

CHIEF MCAULEY

If his car got vandalized again he can come in and file a report. Assure him I’ll make it my top priority.

SECRETARY (off panel)

I’m afraid it’s worse than that. They’re saying…

PAGE 2

PANEL 1

Splash page. Joseph Howard Jr., 30, dead. He is in a hotel room, tied up to an office chair. He is naked, with bits of his tattered clothing sticking out from the ropes as his clothes were cut off after he was tied up--scraps of clothes on the ground. A deep wound goes from the center of his chest down to his stomach where the knife still protrudes. His eyes are open.

SECRETARY (off panel)

...the Pierre Piercer killed him.

PAGE 3

PANEL 1

Establishing shot, exterior of the Hitching Horse Inn, day. Police cars are out front with their lights on.

PANEL 2

From behind Joseph Howard’s shoulder we see Chief McAuley standing in the hotel room doorway, annoyed. Also present is deputy Cyril Hoskins, who resembles Cousin Oliver.

CHIEF MCAULEY

It’s as if I made a wish to get rid of Joseph Howard on a cursed monkey paw and it came true in the worst possible way.

PANEL 3

Chief McAuley is moving in for a closer look at the body with Hoskins off to the side. The chief has pulled a pen from his pocket.

CHIEF MCAULEY

What do we know so far?

DEPUTY HOSKINS

Mr. Howard was last seen last night by his producer, Elsie Wright, at approximately 9pm. She came to get him when he didn’t show up for breakfast. Eventually she got the hotel to open his room at 8:51 this morning.

PANEL 4

McAuley putting his pen in between Howard’s big and second toe--this becomes relevant to the plot later.

PANEL 5

McAuley pushing the big toe aside with his pen in order to see between the toes.

PANEL 6

McAuley standing up, speaking to Hoskins without looking at him.

DEPUTY HOSKINS

They’re normal.

CHIEF MCAULEY

They’re unremarkable.

DEPUTY HOSKINS

Can this actually be the work of the Piercer?

CHIEF MCAULEY

We should assume the worst.

PAGE 4

PANEL 1

Establishing shot of exterior of Pierre City Hall.

STELLA (off panel)

The Oahe Days Arts Festival Committee wants to know if you would like to give a speech at the Oahe Days Arts Festival?

PANEL 2

Shot of Mayor Mary Toft, who resembles Ivanka Trump, sitting bored at her desk in an office. There are posters reading "Great faces, Great Places." with an awkward family photo and another reading “Under god the people rule” with soviet-esque people proudly marching forward under the smiling gaze of Jesus. Her young assistant, Stella Chiappini, sits across from her.

STELLA

Mayor Toft?

MAYOR TOFT

I regard you with indifference bordering on aversion.

PANEL 3

A somewhat confused Stella is still trying to get an answer. The mayor has dropped her head into her hands.

STELLA

So… should I tell the Oahe Days Arts Festival Committee you don’t want to give a speech at the Oahe Days Arts Fest...

MAYOR TOFT

Stop saying Oahe Days Arts Festival.

PANEL 4

Stella sits there awkwardly, unsure of what to do while the mayor remains with her face in her hands. Stella’s phone dings.

SFX

Ding

PANEL 5

Stella checks her phone, the mayor perks up at the news.

STELLA

Oh. Joseph Howard is dead.

MAYOR TOFT

Great!

PANEL 6

The mayor is less pleased at what Stella has to say next.

STELLA

The Pierre Piercer killed him.

MAYOR TOFT

If that is a joke, you’re fired.

PAGE 5

PANEL 1

Establishing shot of a mobile home.

TV (Off panel)

...It is still unconfirmed at this time but they are saying that this is the work of the Pierre Piercer.

PANEL 2

Lozier, who resembles a young Donald Trump, is watching TV, and squeezing a hand grip exerciser.

TV

The notorious serial killer terrorized Pierre five years ago, brutally killing four teens, but was believed to have been stopped by…”

LOZIER

Oh, wow.

PANEL 3

Lozier is walking down the hall of his home. He passes a poster depicting a leaner version himself smiling in a suit with the caption “Discover your X-Potential! Lead by Lozier--Accredited Life Coach and Ancient Shaman” His depiction in the poster is a sharp contrast to the man wearing a stained sweatsuit talking to himself.

LOZIER

I can’t believe the Piercer is back. People are going to be obsessing over this.

PANEL 4

Lozier opens a closet with boxes of merchandise. T-shirts with pictures of knives reading “I got Pierced in Pierre!” and “Pierre Police special investigation unit” and mugs with knives for handles.

LOZIER

Maybe now I can finally move some of this merchandise

PAGE 6

PANEL 1

Establishing shot of a Victorian house.

VIDEO (off panel)

The victim, Joseph Howard Jr., was the host of “Pierced” a true-crime podcast about the Pierre Piercer.

PANEL 2

Inside a dark room Hugo Baruch. He resembles Joachim Kroll and we can’t see his eyes because of the glare off his glasses. He is seated in front of a computer monitor. On the wall behind him are newspaper clippings and a map of the city of Pierre with markings on it. Headlines from the clippings include “Second Bizarre Murder” “Pierre Piercer Killed!” and “Police: ‘There is no Pierre Piercer’”

VIDEO

The podcast was popular nationwide, but not in Pierre, where most locals preferred not to dwell on this dark chapter in the city’s history.

PANEL 3

Close on Hugo smirking.

HUGO

Well, they can’t pretend it’s over anymore.

PAGE 7

PANEL 1

Establishing shot of an overly grand cabin.

PANEL 2

A groggy William Ireland, who resembles Tucker Carlson, is waking up late. A naked blond is still in his bed. His home is decorated with taxidermied bears and mountain lions.

PANEL 3

In an out-of-focus William is pouring himself a cup of coffee in the background. In the foreground we see his phone, which says that he has 13 missed calls. The time is 1:05pm.

PANEL 4

William is in front of his house still in his bathrobe getting his newspaper, there is a news van in front of his house, with a reporter getting out.

WILLIAM

Doorstoping me like this, they must be getting really desperate for me to come over to KDLT.

PANEL 5

A news crew is rushing to an overconfident William, who has closed his eyes and is waving them off.

WILLIAM

I’m flattered, but I’m very happy over at KSFY…

REPORTER

What do you have to say about the return of the Pierre Piercer? Did you get the wrong man?

PANEL 6

Close up on a shocked and horrified William.

WILLIAM

The return?!

PAGE 8

PANEL 1

We meet Elsie Wright, 27, the producer of the podcast “Pierced.” An attractive woman who is more full bodied than most comic book women, Lisa Lou Who as a basis. She’s in a room at the Hitching Horse Inn, yelling into a phone.

ELSIE

What do you mean you want me to stay here? I’m not staying in Pierre!

PANEL 2

A besuited executive, Thomas Chatterton, at the other end of the line. His office has posters for other podcasts such as “Drunk Fanfiction. Taking characters where you want--and then some!” featuring two dorks in comic book t-shirts holding beers, sitting in front of mics. Another poster is “Night Court Appeals. Re-examining the cases from Night Court through a socio-economic lens” featuring a woman in a judge’s robe. A small plaque on his desk lists him as “Thomas Chatterton, VP of Content”

CAPTION

Top Pod Network HQ, Atlanta, GA.

THOMAS

Elise, downloads of Pierced are exploding. We can’t pull the plug now.

PANEL 3

Elsie, who is not having it.

ELSIE

I don’t care about that! I signed up to work on a closed case, not one where the killer was actively targeting people talking about him.

PANEL 4

Chatterton pushing on.

THOMAS

You’re now the producer, no I suppose you’ll have to be the host, of the number one podcast in America. Do you really want to walk away from that?

PANEL 5

Elsie, confused.

ELSIE

I mean, it’s too dangerous. Maybe if I could do it from Atlanta…

PAGE 9

PANEL 1

Chatterton, satisfied that he’s won the fight.

THOMAS

I’m not asking you to do it alone. I’m going to be sending you some muscle.

PANEL 2

Elsie looking at her phone with disbelief.

ELSIE

...muscle?

PANEL 3

Elise is still in the Hitching Horse Inn, hears a knock on the door.

CAPTION

An hour later

SFX

Knock knock

ELISE

Who is it?

KONRAD (off panel)

Ms. Wright? I’m Konrad Kujau. Mr. Chatterton sent me to assist you.

PANEL 4

Elise opening the door to see Konrad Kujau, 37, who looks like Conan the Barbarian born in modern day. He’s carrying a duffle bag and looks slightly amused at her description.

ELISE

You’re my muscle then?

KONRAD

Is that what he called me? I’m a private investigator.

ELISE

Oh, I thought you were going to be a bodyguard.

PANEL 5

Konrad entering the room, throwing his duffle bag on the bed closest to the door.

KONRAD

Protecting you is part of the job, but I’m also supposed to help you with your case.

I should take this bed, that way anyone who enters the room has to go by me first.

ELISE

Woah, I don’t even know you. You can’t stay in my room.

PAGE 10

PANEL 1

Konrad cocking an eyebrow, Elise looks bashful.

KONRAD

You want to be left alone then? Like Joseph Howard?

ELISE

I suppose not…

KONRAD

Because you’re the boss. You tell me what you want to do.

PANEL 2

Close on Elise strengthening her resolve.

ELISE

Right. We’ll worry about the sleeping arrangements later.

Now I want to focus on Joseph’s murder. It looks like he was killed by the Pierre Piercer, but the Piercer is supposed to be dead.

PANEL 3

Elise and Konrad brainstorming.

KONRAD

Maybe that’s wrong then and the Piercer is still out there.

ELISE

It could be, but I don’t think that’s it. I think an enemy of Joseph wanted him dead and staged the scene to look like a Pierre Piercer murder to throw us off.

KONRAD

Who were his enemies?

ELISE

Just about everyone in Pierre. The podcast was not well received here.

PANEL 4

Elise and Konrad looking out the window at the police cars out front.

ELISE

But the people who hated it the most were the police. Joseph made them look bad for not catching the Piercer. What was his line…

“The Pierre Police considered themselves to be competent swimmers but then the Piercer threw them in the deep end and they were too proud to ask for a life preserver.”

KONRAD

Harsh.

PAGE 11

PANEL 1

A black and white imagined scene of Chief McAuley killing Joseph Howard. Elise and Konrad stand in the background, in color, observing it play out.

KONRAD

That could be motivation enough for the Police to do it.

ELISE

But the police murdering Joseph doesn’t make sense, because then they are right back to looking bad for having an unsolved Pierre Piercer case.

KONRAD

They might have killed him in the heat of the moment without forethought.

Or maybe they have a patsy they plan to frame.

PANEL 2

Another black and white scene with Elise and Konrad in color. This time a masked man is killing Joseph.

ELISE

Sometimes, serial killers do something to the bodies that the public never finds out about. The police keep this information secret so that if there is a copycat killer then they’ll be able to tell by that missing detail.

MASKED MAN

There I’ve killed him. Now I just need to cut a cross in his skin behind the left ear, like I always do.

KONRAD

So we need to find out if there’s a tell tale sign of the original killer. But the police won’t tell us that will they? And if they killed Joseph they’d know how to fake that detail.

PANEL 3

Another black and white scene with Elise and Konrad in color. This time Chief McAuley is cutting a cross behind Joseph’s ear.

CHIEF MCAULEY

And now to cut a cross behind the left ear just like the real Piercer.

ELISE

That means if the police tell us that a secret detail has been found on the body that indicates the original killer, it actually implicates them.

KONRAD

But what if it actually was the original killer?

ELISE

Then they wouldn’t tell us about the secret detail, but they would announce that they had reason to believe this was the original Pierre Piercer.

PAGE 12

PANEL 1

Konrad and Elise back in their hotel room, Konrad looks a bit confused. Elise is putting on her shoes.

KONRAD

So… we want them to tell us… what?

ELISE

Yeah, there’s a lot of game theory going on here.

We’re just going to have to go talk to them and see what they say.

PANEL 2

Elise and Konrad are in front of the hotel, speaking to Deputy Cyril Hoskins.

DEPUTY HOSKINS

I cannot comment on an ongoing investigation.

PANEL 3

Elise and Konrad walking away from the police line.

ELISE

I don’t know why I was expecting any other answer.

KONRAD

Let them stonewall us. You can make them look like jerks for doing so.. What we need is an official response from someone more important.

ELISE

Right… Chief McAuley isn’t here anymore. We need to go find him.

PANEL 4

Elise and Konrad driving away from the Inn in Konrad’s GTO.

PANEL 5

We see that they are being followed by a dirty Ford truck.

PAGE 13

PANEL 1

Inside Chief McAuley’s office, McAuley is staring down Elise and Konrad.

CAPTION

Solem Public Safety Center

CHIEF MCAULEY

You’re asking me to authenticate this as Piercer murder?

ELISE

Yes. We need to know.

PANEL 2

Close up on a stone face McAuley.

CHIEF MCAULEY

Does it matter? Is your friend any less dead one way or the other?

This whole Pierre PIercer horror show was over until you decided to drag it back up again.

PANEL 3

Close on Elise, she’s hurt by this statement.

PANEL 4

Close on Elise, she’s moved to anger.

ELISE

Actually it matters a lot. Because if the original Piercer is still out there that means you’ve spent the last five years ignoring a serial killer in your town.

And my friend deserves the truth either way.

PANEL 5

McAuley, Elise and Konrad. McAuley is half amused, half annoyed, Elise is angry, Konrad is gritting his teeth.

CHIEF MCAULEY

You’re a tough one, hun?

ELISE

I guess we’ll find out.

CHIEF MCAULEY

Yeah, real tough with your bodyguard standing right beside you. Go ahead and do your little show. If more people die it’ll probably be great for ratings. Hopefully just one of the little people in Pierre next time though, nobody too important.

ELISE

Here’s an idea: you do your job instead of trying to scare me away from doing mine.

PAGE 14

PANEL 1

Elise and Konrad exiting the safety center.

KONRAD

What are you thinking?

ELISE

He really got under my skin. Blaming me for Joseph's death.

PANEL 2

Close on Konrad, who is avoiding eye contact, and Elise, who is embarrassed.

KONRAD

I meant whether you think the police are behind it or if it’s the original.

ELISE

Oh, right. I don’t think the police did it, the Piercer being back is terrible for them. And I don’t think they know at this point if it is the original or not.

PANEL 3

Elise and Konrad getting back in the car. We see the Ford truck that was following them in the background.

KONRAD

So what now? Any other enemies jump to your mind?

ELISE

We got hate mail.

PANEL 4

From the back seat we see Konrad is driving, Elise is reading an email from her phone, we see the truck in the rearview mirror.

ELISE

Here’s one email we got:

“How do I hate thee? Let me count the ways.

I hate thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight”

I doubt a sonnet enthusiast was our killer

PANEL 5

Looking into the front windshield we see Konrad unhappily looking into the rearview mirror while Elise goes on reading emails. The Ford truck follows behind.

ELISE

This one just talks about how we’re not as funny as Soren and Dan. I mean, we’re not a comedy podcast…

KONRAD

We’re being followed

PAGE 15

PANEL 1

Looking in through the front windshield we see Elise twisting around to see behind them, Konrad focuses on the road.

ELISE

We are?

KONRAD

That truck has been behind us since the hotel. I thought it might have been a coincidence since few stalkers would have the nerve to follow their prey to the police station, but we have a bold one.

PANEL 2

These next panels are the imagination of Elise. Perhaps Dutch angles?

From outside the driver’s side window we see Konrad intently looking at the road and Elise looking at him.

ELISE

What are we going to do?

KONRAD

We’re going to lose him.

PANEL 3

We see an intersection with a red light and traffic going across.

PANEL 4

Through the front windshield we see a manic looking Konrad leaning forward with Elise white knuckling the dashboard.

ELISE

NOOOOOOO!

PAGE 16

PANEL 1

A crane view of their GTO going into the intersection. Other cars slam on their brakes and swerve to avoid him.

SFX

SCREACH

PANEL 2

Same view, except the GTO has not made it through the intersection, a garbage truck has t-boned it, totaling the vehicle.

SFX

SMASH

PANEL 3

Back to reality, a closeup on an ashen Elise, who looks as though she really has died.

PANEL 4

Same shot, but Konrad’s snapping fingers have entered the frame.

SFX

SNAP SNAP

KONRAD (off-panel)

Elise? Hey, stay with me here.

PAGE 17

PANEL 1

View through the front windshield. A panicked Elise is grabbing Konrad by the arm and shoulder, caught off guard, he struggles to maintain control of the car. I’d like for the two of them to be chibi form for this panel.

ELISE

Don’t run a red light to ditch him!

It’s not worth it!

KONRAD

I wasn’t going to do that!

Let go of me!

PANEL 2

A still somewhat upset Elise pulls back, Konrad looks sideways at her.

KONRAD

Trying to lose a tail in this small of a town would be pointless, he’d locate us again in no time.

ELISE

Then what are you going to do?

KONRAD

This.

PANEL 3

From behind the GTO we see the brake lights come on as Konrad makes a sudden stop.

SFX

SCREACH

PANEL 4

From a bit further back than the panel 3, we see the truck also slams to a halt just behind the GTO. A serious looking Konrad is getting out of his car.

SFX

SCREACH

PAGE 18

PANEL 1

Konrad smashing the driver’s side window of the truck with a tire iron.

SFX

SHATTER

PANEL 2

Konrad pulling the terrified driver out of the truck through the window. The driver’s name is Stuart MacLelland, looks like Charlie Kirk.

STUART

Aaaaaaaaah!

PANEL 3

Konrad is slamming Stuart against the hood of his truck.

KONRAD

Why are you following us?

STUART

I’m a fan!

PAGE 19

PANEL 1

Elise now stands next to the two men. Konrad still has Stuart firmly pinned to the hood of his truck. Konrad and Elise share a dumbfounded expression.

KONRAD and ELISE

A fan?

STUART

I’m your number one fan! I’ve been listening to Pierced since the first episode dropped!

ELISE

Let him go

PANEL 2

Stuart standing up, rubbing his wrists where he was manhandled. Konrad still doesn’t like this situation. Elise, annoyed.

ELISE

That doesn’t really explain why you’re following us.

STUART

I heard what happened to Joseph Howard. I wanted to be there in case you needed help. I thought I could be, like, your guardian angel.

PANEL 3

Closer in, Elise is pinching the skin between her eyes, Stuart is moving into her personal space.

ELISE

Yeah, I don’t think that’s a great idea.

STUART

Oh. Well, can you at least mention me as a superfan on the show?

ELISE

That’s not really something I would…

PANEL 4

Konrad steps in and cuts her off, pulls Elise aside.

KONRAD

Ah… just a moment, we need to discuss this.

STUART

Sure, take your time

PANEL 5

From behind Stuart’s shoulder we see Konrad and Elise a few steps away trying to have a private conversation.

ELISE

Discuss what? I’m not doing a fan shout out on a true crime show.

KONRAD

I just broke his window and assaulted him. Give him what he wants.

STUART

Those are good points! I’m willing to forgive and forget.

KONRAD

Private conversation here buddy.

PANEL 6

Same shot, an exasperated Elise looks up at the sky, Stuart pumps his arm in victory.

ELISE

What’s your name super fan?

STUART

You can call me Stuart MacLelland!

PAGE 20

PANEL 1

Konrad and Elise walking back into their hotel room.

KONRAD

I got sweaty in today’s excitement. I’m going to take a shower.

ELISE

Sure. Leave the door cracked so we can talk.

PANEL 2

Elise looking at a handwritten letter.

ELISE

We got physical hate mail as well. This one says that “Things gained through unjust fraud are never secure.”

What do you think that…

PANEL 3

Elise looking up to see Konrad has actually left the bathroom door wide open. Elise can see his bare backside in the mirror, he’s in shape.

ELISE

...means…

KONRAD

I can’t really hear you over the shower!

PANEL 4

Close on Elise biting her lip and craning her neck.

PAGE 21

PANEL 1

William Ireland is at KSFY studios getting prepped to go on air. He sits in his chair reviewing his notes, with tissues in his shirt collar while a makeup artist, who resembles Doris Grossman, silently works on his face. An uncomfortable director, who looks like Woody Allen, tries to reason with William.

DIRECTOR

Will, I think you’re just too close to this story to report on it objectively.

WILLIAM

Nonsense. I never allow my personal views to affect my reporting.

DIRECTOR

I mean… that’s like Clark Kent saying he doesn’t allow his personal views to affect his reporting on Lex Luthor.

You’re not a bystander here, you’re involved.

PANEL 2

William getting up, pulling tissues out of his collar.

WILLIAM

It’s called compartmentalizing. Have someone not me explain it to you.

PANEL 3

William taking his seat at his news desk. Already seated is his co-anchor, Maria Monk, who resembles Nicole Richie in Great News.

ANNOUNCER (Off panel)

...the most trusted source of news in Pierre, with your hosts William Ireland and Maria Monk.

PANEL 4

Close on William, who is silently looking ahead.

PANEL 5

Shot of the teleprompter

TELEPROMPTER

William: Our lead story tonight. The shocking murder of a national podcaster right here in Pierre.

Maria: The murder took place late last night at the Hitch Horse Hotel…

PANEL 6

Maria looks surprised as William goes off script.

WILLIAM

I am sure many of you have already heard about the death of Joseph Howard, the host of Pierced.

PAGE 22

PANEL 1

Maria looks supremely uncomfortable that William is improving. William becomes more red faced with more spit flying out of his mouth in each panel of this page.

WILLIAM

The manner of Mr. Howard’s death has led some people to declare that the Pierre Piercer is back.

I am here to assure that the Piercer is most definitely not back.

PANEL 2

Closer on William

WILLIAM

Rather, this is the work of the lowest form of scum, the copycat killer.

Someone who has failed at imitating the cool kids and instead turns to imitating a serial killer.

PANEL 3

Closer on William

WILLIAM

And how can I know for sure that this is a copycat killer? Because George Chappell was the Pierre Piercer and George Chappell is dead.

PANEL 4

Close on William, who is in a complete red faced, spitting rage.

WILLIAM

The Pierre Piercer is dead!

I know because I killed him!

PANEL 5

Back at the Hitching Horse Hotel Elise is sitting on the bed, remote in hand, we can see the glow of the TV just off panel. Konrad stands next to her in a bathrobe, wet hair

ELISE

Fair and Balanced.

KONRAD

Unoriginal.

ELISE

If you have a better zinger, I’m listening.