Screenwriter and author John August

[Scene Challenge] Oh, so *that’s* why I don’t do these more often.

There were 145 entries for the [Superheroic Scene Challenge](http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/superheroic-scene-challenge), and some of them were looooong. Printed out, they totaled 406 pages. Going side-by-side shrunk it to a still-ridiculous 203.

My assistant Matt and I read every one. We have a lot of honorable mentions.

Favorite hero names include [Trilobyte](http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/superheroic-scene-challenge#comment-172335), [Mighty Mandi](http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/superheroic-scene-challenge#comment-172325), [The Level](http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/superheroic-scene-challenge#comment-172412), [Harico Ver](http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/superheroic-scene-challenge#comment-172298), and [The Endurist](http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/superheroic-scene-challenge#comment-172301).

I enjoyed seeing the wide range of possible interpretations on villain Brickhouse. Given the name, there were a slew of German/Austrian variants, but it was nice to see the occasional [Victorian spin](http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/superheroic-scene-challenge#comment-172410), the [blaxpoitation vixen](http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/superheroic-scene-challenge#comment-172320), and the villain who could [become the entire building](http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/superheroic-scene-challenge#comment-172419). (Appropriately, his nemesis was Breckin Wall, a.k.a. Wreckin’ Ball.)

The challenge was to write an action scene, so I couldn’t give the gold medal to entries that were more talk than walk. But I enjoyed the non-action of this [diner conversation](http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/superheroic-scene-challenge#comment-172385), this [con game](http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/superheroic-scene-challenge#comment-172327), and this [riff on nanotechnology and bio-bots](http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/superheroic-scene-challenge#comment-172418).

And you can’t get more non-action than an excellent [Buddhist superhero](http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/superheroic-scene-challenge#comment-172415).

Finally, there were some that made the short list. Nima (he made Scrippets!) combined [robots with a Buffy-esque heroine](http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/superheroic-scene-challenge#comment-172406). The Divide combined [robots with golems](http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/superheroic-scene-challenge#comment-172279). Chip Street [kept the action tight](http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/superheroic-scene-challenge#comment-172317), as did [Bill K.](http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/superheroic-scene-challenge#comment-172401). Ryan Jackson explored the implications of [Dora’s magic backpack](http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/superheroic-scene-challenge#comment-172330), while DougJ went the [teddy bear route](http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/superheroic-scene-challenge#comment-172402).

The winner actually came quite early in the stack: [#7 by Spenturion](http://johnaugust.com/archives/2009/superheroic-scene-challenge#comment-172275), in which hero Azure battles Brickhouse while coaching a group of pre-teens in proper quips. It’s light on action, but keeps a nice tempo. And it’s short, which is no small victory.

EXT. CITY MUSEUM OF UBIQUITIES – NIGHT

Our hero, AZURE stands patiently waiting on the large marble front steps. Dressed in bright blue body kevlar and donning a pair of goggles on his head.

Around him stand three boys ages 9-13: a FAT BOY, a SHORT BOY and a NERDY BOY. They are all wearing matching blue t-shirts, and a cheap knock-off goggles.

AZURE

All right. Brickhouse is going to be coming through that door at any moment.

Right on cue, CRASH!

BRICKHOUSE comes tumbling through a solid brick wall, about 15 yards from the door. He stands tall, at about eight feet and built like his namesake implies.

He’s carrying a golden jeweled STAFF in his right hand. It looks like a pencil proportionately.

AZURE (CONT’D)

Remember what we talked about?

FAT BOY

Open the fight with witty banter.

AZURE

That’s right. Ok, I’ll take him on, you guys do like we practiced.

Brickhouse lets out a deep bellied laugh, and begins to run toward the group. He runs like a toddler, throwing his weight in to it with no fear, ready to topple at any moment.

BRICKHOUSE

Azure? God you’ve let yourself go. You a camp counselor?

Azure takes off running towards the man, at an impossible speed.

SHORT BOY

(overconfident)

That’s what she said.

Azure takes a flying leap, landing on the oaf’s back. He grips Brickhouse by the hair and begins PUNCHING him in the face.

AZURE

(between punches)

That’s not really so much banter... more importantly it didn’t make sense.

BRICKHOUSE

Get off of me!

Brickhouse tries to swat him away like a fly, all the while still barrelling towards the group of boys. Azure covers Brickhouse’s eyes.

FAT BOY

You’re momma’s so fat--

The short boy stops mid sentence as Brickhouse TRIPS, launching himself and Azure along with him, in to the air.

What follows is nothing short of beautiful: 600 pounds of muscle hits the ground, hard, tearing through the marble of the steps like tissue.

Azure rides the man like a surfboard.

They end up too close for comfort for the costumed boys, who all take a few steps back.

AZURE

We went over this!

Brickhouse struggles as he’s pinned down.

SHORT BOY

The bigger they are--

AZURE

(scolding)

Don’t even finish that...

BRICKHOUSE

(holds up staff)

Do you know what this is? I’ve got the Staff of Ptelomy! Do you know how long I’ve waited to get my hands on this staff?

SHORT BOY

That’s what she said!

AZURE

Better! Still not what I’m after.

BRICKHOUSE

How do you put up with this?

FAT BOY

You better put up or shut up!

AZURE

Again, not making sense.

The Nerdy boy begins to speak up, but cuts himself short and takes a step back.

Azure catches this and makes direct eye contact, punching Brickhouse instinctually.

AZURE (CONT’D)

Come on... you can do it. Can’t be much worse than what we’ve had so far.

NERDY

When we’re done with you, they’ll call you Pile-of-bricks.

AZURE

Finally.

WHACK! Azure lands a final heavy punch.

Brickhouse is beyond limp.

Azure grabs Brickhouse and THROWS him in to a nearby lightpole.

The metal pole bends around his weight and collapses. Azure approaches, takes the bar and wraps it around Brickhouse’s body, forming an impromptu straight jacket.

Red and blue lights flash as tires screech to a halt nearby.

Out of the eyesight from the children, Azure drops his heroic facade and lights up a cigarette.

BRICKHOUSE

What a bunch of wash-ups. How’d you get stuck training wannabes?

AZURE

Court ordered. I might have destroyed an orphanage fighting Gigantathorn.

BRICKHOUSE

I hate orphans.

Congrats to Spenturion, and to all the entrants for making the Best Challenge Ever. The next one will be limited to three sentences.

[Scene Challenge] After a short delay, the next Scene Challenge is ready to go.

This time, the goal is to write an action scene/sequence suitable for a summer blockbuster — or to subvert this intention so ingeniously that we can’t help but be impressed.

The only required element is the villain: BRICKHOUSE. He’s big and he’s strong. It’s up to you to decide whether that means he can throw cars or entire skyscrapers.

As the scene opens, Brickhouse has just grabbed an ancient staff from The City Museum of Ubiquities. You can decide whether the staff is merely valuable or has some other attribute. It’s also your choice whether the action takes place in the museum, outside, or some other locale.

Your hero can be superpowered, gadget-enhanced or merely quick-witted. Your choice.

Standard rules:

1. Post your entry in the comments thread of this article. If you’re uncertain about how [scrippets](http://scrippets.org) work, [try it out first on the test blog](http://scrippet.net/wordpress/?p=38).

2. Proofread. There’s no editing once you’ve submitted.

3. All entries must be submitted by 8 a.m. PST on Thursday, July 23rd, 2008. Remember that comments are sometimes held in moderation. __Don’t submit twice.__ It will show up. Promise.

4. I’ll pick a winner later that day.

5. Winner receives hearty congratulations and a brief moment in the spotlight.

And…begin.

Popcorn Fiction

Challenge results

Superheroic scene challenge

Playing to the core