Chapter 1: Infecto: A running cartoon series

By Richard Rose, author

In my screenplay novel, COMIC CRUSADERS,  Ralph Zumbroom, a teenage cartoonist, uses a magic pen to create a superhero to help him find his father, who has mysteriously disappeared.  In so doing, he unwittingly unleashes a grotesque supervillain and his Dark Legion, challenging him to find a way to save his father while preventing the Dark Legion from taking over the world. This he accomplishes in this lighthearted adventure/fantasy recently released as a screenplay novel by Savant Books and Publications. See more about it in BOOKS on my website RichardRoseAuthor.com.

Now follow Ralph on a series of my website blogs in a new adventure that requires him to use the magic pen again to deal with another deadly menace. The story begins in the comic book world where there is a loathsome creature dwelling in a pestilential swamp. The creature, known as INFECTO, is even feared by the Dark Legion. And for good reason, because the creature is about to emerge from the swamp to spread a deadly virus that threatens not only the comic book world but all mankind.

To be continued...

Illustration by Richard Rose

In the previous blog a hideous creature known as INFECTO has emerged from a pestilential swamp in the comic book world to be greeted by a swarm of bats. 

The story resumes with teenage cartoonist, Ralph Zoombroom, working on the next edition of Crusader Comics at his desk in the family study. He is startled when an evil looking comic book BAT flaps out of the drawing. It circles the room, as if on a recon mission, while being harassed by a barking Charlie, the family mutt. Ralph rises and knocks over a waste basket as he rushes to grab a tennis racket on a wall hook. He takes some swipes at the bat before it vanishes back into the drawing. Bewildered and alarmed, Ralph stares at the drawing. What was the bat doing here? Ralph doesn’t know. But he senses that it portends some ominous event in the comic book world. He is right.

To be continued...

Illustration by Richard Rose

Sent by INFECTO to recon the family study where teenage cartoonist, Ralph Zumbroom, is working on the next edition of Crusader Comics, the bat reports back to the hideous swamp creature.

What is Infecto’s plan? And why does he fear the magic pen?

To be continued... 

Illustration by Richard Rose 

The news that Infecto has emerged from the swamp has alarmed the denizens of the Comic Book World. It was years ago that a demented sorcerer created the evil creature with a deadly virus that he could spread throughout their world. To confront the crisis, the superheroes and supervillains united. However, they were unable to get within a few feet of Infecto without being exposed to the virus. It was up to Maid Merlin to use her wand to encase him in ice, which enabled them to throw Infecto into the swap without being contaminated.

To be continued...

Illustration by Richard Rose

While Ralph is drawing Crusader Comics, a SPIRIT HAND appears and guides Ralph’s hand with a warning. A hideous creature called Infecto is threatening to spread a deadly virus in the comic book world. The hand informs Ralph that he can help prevent this, but he will need the Magic Pen. The hand vanishes before Ralph can learn more. Meanwhile, Infecto takes the next step in his plan to unleash the virus by recruiting a traitor.

To be continued...

Illustration by Richard Rose

Infecto has a problem.

Infecto is safe from his advisories as long as he remains in the pestilential swamp. But being confined there prevents him from carrying out his plan to take over the comic book world by spreading a deadly virus. To resolve this dilemma, and to protect himself once he emerges from the swamp, Infecto needs a confederate.

Recruiting a superhero from the ranks of The Astral Paladins is not an option. But there is supervillain – Vulturo – who Infecto believes could be persuaded to betray his fellow members of The Dark Legion. To find out he sends Igor, the leader of Infecto’s swarm of bat allies, to contact the vulture like creature. 

To be continued...

Illustration by Richard Rose