This post contains spoilers about my short horror script ‘Beaten Path’ for Something Wicked #4.
I thought I write a small post how the script for ‘Beaten Path’ came about. Beaten Path was drawn by Neil Roberts
A New Script
It was around January or February 2007, a friend of mine suggested I try sending a horror script to FutureQuake Press and see if they would be interested.
I thought of a monster stalking the woods, but I wasn’t too sure what kind of monster it would be. I pictured an evil leprechaun trying to protect his magic woodland or something ridiculous like it. At the time, horror comics were all about zombies. I wanted my horror script to stand out.
So I took a walk to the Glennifier Braes taking my digital camera hoping I would get fresh ideas. I walked up the hills, taking pictures of the woods. I got to a halfway point where I was able to take a wide shot picture of my home town. As I was taking my pictures, I felt there was something behind me. I turned around and saw a Highland cow, a couple of feet away. It was chewing grass and as soon it saw me, it stopped chewing.
There was no fence between the cow and I. He had massive curved horns and was staring at me. I’m thinking “Shit, he is going to charge at me”. I had no idea whether Highland cows are docile or aggressive by nature. I stepped back quietly not wanting to find out.
It walked away, grunting. I finally found the monster for my horror script. A Highland cow.
Characters and Setting
I wrote the script within a few weeks and sent it off to Futurequake. My favourite part of the story is where King Denim announces himself, naked below the waist (save for underwear and shoes). I was King Denim a long time ago. I did a lot of daft things when I had one drink too many. That was when I was in my early 20s.
During my research into Beaten Path, I wanted to take more pictures of the area. I came back weekend after weekend.
The setting was based on Glennifier Braes and I knew for a fact that teenagers go up there to have boozing sessions. I see beer cans thrown around the landscape. Something that annoys me, but that’s another story.
In the opening scene, you’ll see there is a large bush on the right hand side. This exists on the Braes. I was taking a picture of this bush and I found a burst balloon hanging off a branch. I’m thinking this is a remote place to have a party.
You will recall there were characters hiding from the monster, in a burnt shell of a car. This car did exist at Glennifer Braes before it got towed away some time later. This was on the hillside and it was steep.
After taking pictures of the car, I tried to get back up but the ground was marshy. So marshy, my legs plunged through it. I lost my balance and got mud on me. Yes, I had to walk home with mud up to my knees. It was also sloshing around in my boots. Not a pleasant feeling, I tells ya!
When I was about to write Beaten Path, I wanted to keep it simple. Funny and scary. I do not know how the Highland cow came to be a monster or how the Farmer managed to keep the cow as a ‘pet’. I wanted the script to be over the top horror. And I think I’ve managed that.
I am pleased as punch seeing how Neil Roberts drew out the strip. He did an excellent job. I wish him all best with his future comic projects. I’m sure he will go far.