Collection: Tip The Ferrymen

The main story of Tip The Ferrymen!

PANEL 1: This panel is drawn in a sketchy, black and white style. Nathan blankly stares at the newspaper on his desk, transfixed by it. Behind him are sketchy flames, the hair on the top of his head and the areas where we can see his burn scars turn to flames. The newspaper on the desk now reads He's dead and you're still here. PANEL 2: Nathan shakes himself out of his trance, the art style returning to normal. PANEL 3: Nathan sits down on his bed, removing his prosthetic leg. PANEL 4: Nathan lying in bed, curled up and looking uneasy as he tries to sleep. The sketchy-styled fire from before slowly creeps in on him from the darkness that surrounds him.
PANEL 1: A birds eye view of Nathan walking into his bedroom. His room is messy, in stark contrast to the rest of the house. The floor is littered with old clothes, papers, and trash. A desk off to the right is covered in papers. There's a small hole in the wall above the desk, the wall also has frames of photos and old papers. PANEL 2: Something on the desk catches Nathan's eye, he looks nervous. PANEL 3: We see the papers on Nathan's desk, all of them are articles and photographs related to Wilbur's death. There's a photo of Wilbur to the left, but all we see of him is a silhouette. There's a newspaper with the headline WILBUR VARGAS KILLED IN FIRE AT P.I. OFFICES. The article reads as follows: Wilbur Vargas, local private investigator and co-host of paranormal investigation show 'ParaNathan,' has died following a fire at the Vargas's Private/Paranormal Investigative Offices. His brother, Nathan, was rushed to hospital with severe injuries but luckily survived. According to Nathan, the fire broke out in the downstairs workshop. He is unsure of how the fire started, but believes a piece of tech Wilbur was working on had backfired and caused the accident. Wilbur leaves behind a seven year old son, who is now in his uncle's custody. A private funeral service is to be held next week.
Panel 1: Nathan and Eddie walk back into the living room. Eddie has his arms up behind his head. NATHAN: Get to sleep. If you're serious about this, you'll need the rest. EDDIE: I'll hold ya to that, too! I'm gonna sleep like a queen tonight. PANEL 2: Eddie stretches as he sits back down on the couch. PANEL 3: Eddie flops back down onto the couch, out of Nathan's sight. PANEL 4: Nathan stares back at Eddie, uncertain. After a moment, he turns away and turns off the lights. He looks tired, dejected, as he heads upstairs.
PANEL 1: Eddie looks nervous, stimming by shaking his hands. EDDIE: Sorry, I didn't- I don't mean that. I know it's none of my business, and if you really want me to go I will, but-- PANEL 2: Nathan looks uncertain as Eddie speaks, unable to meet his eye. EDDIE: If this is as dangerous as ya say, you're gonna get yourself killed if ya try to play lone wolf. What's Joey gonna do then? PANEL 3: Nathan huffs, looking tired. NATHAN: ...Fine- Fine, I can work with that. PANEL 4: Nathan stares at Eddie intensely. NATHAN: But the second things get too heated, you better turn and run. PANEL 5: Eddie offers her hand to Nathan, which seems to surprise him. EDDIE: Hey so long as it keeps ya out of trouble, y'got yourself a deal. PANEL 6: The two shake hands.
PANEL 1: Nathan clenches a fist NATHAN: I'm not dragging someone I hardly know into this! I'm not going to be responsible if you get hurt! PANEL 2: Eddie gestures to himself, frustrated EDDIE: I've already been dragged into this! I'm a witness! Hell, I'd argue after what happened at the manor I'm an active participant! PANEL 3: Nathan steps up to Eddie. NATHAN: Look, I know you think this is a walk in the park-- That it's just a few spirits, what's wrong with having a little fun, right? PANEL 4: Nathan puts a hand to his chest. NATHAN: But working with ME is far more dangerous than you could ever begin to imagine! PANEL 5: EDDIE: Going by yourself isn't any better! What if you get hurt? Or worse? Do you even fucking care that that nephew of yours would end up alone?! PANEL 6: Nathan and Eddie both look shocked at this, Eddie slapping his hands over his mouth.
PANEL 1: Nathan walking away as Eddie looks at him over the back of the couch. They continue their conversation as they walk. EDDIE: So...Are ya really taking the case? NATHAN: Don't think I've got any other choice, I made a promise. PANEL 2: Eddie raises an eyebrow, skeptical. EDDIE: And you're gonna run into this completely alone? PANEL 3: They walk into the kitchen, Eddie leaning on the entryway wall. NATHAN: So what if I am? EDDIE: It just...seems risky, is all. PANEL 4: Nathan opens the fridge and leans over to see what's inside. NATHAN: Yeah, well, it is what it is. It's not like I have a partner anymore. PANEL 5: Nathan pauses, eyes widening as he realizes something. PANEL 6: Nathan looks over his shoulder at Eddie, who is smiling smugly. PANEL 7: Nathan looks annoyed as he points at Eddie. Eddie puts his hands up in mock defense. NATHAN: ...No-- EDDIE: Hear me out.
PANEL 1: Eddie sits up. EDDIE: What're you doin' up so late? PANEL 2: Nathan stares down at Eddie, annoyed, as they lean forward resting their arms on their knees. NATHAN: What's it to you? EDDIE: Just askin'! Makin' conversation. NATHAN: Couldn't sleep, is all. It's been a long night. PANEL 3: Eddie looks worried. EDDIE: ...Everything alright? PANEL 4: Nathan looks surprised. NATHAN: Excuse me? PANEL 5: Nathan presses a finger to his temples as he and Eddie talk. EDDIE: I'm asking if you're, like, okay. I know 's kinda weird for me t' be askin' that, I mean-- NATHAN: No, it's- it's fine. I'm fine. There's a lot on my mind is all. PANEL 6: Eddie smirks and Nathan rolls his eyes, crossing his arms as they talk. EDDIE: Like the ghost hunting stuff? NATHAN: Wow it's like you're some sort of detective. EDDIE: Oh I'm an absolute genius, thanks for noticing.
PANEL 1: An birds eye view of the Vargas household at night PANEL 2: Nathan walks into the living room from the upstairs, rubbing his eyes as he switches on the lights. He's wearing a white tank top, boxers with ghosts on them, doesn't have his glasses and has his hair down. We also see that he has a fair amount of burn scars on the left side of his body. PANEL 3: Nathan walks to the side of the couch, looking surprised as Eddie speaks. EDDIE: Hey, y'think you could kill the lights? I'm tryna rest here, man. PANEL 4: Nathan stares at Eddie, who is lying on the couch with her arms behind her head. She is no longer wearing her hoodie, and is in a tank top just like Nathan. NATHAN: ...Why are you on the couch? EDDIE: I'm sleeping. NATHAN: We have a guest room, Pierce. PANEL 5: Up close shot of Eddie. He's still lying back, relaxed as he winks at Nathan. EDDIE: I know, but I haven't slept on a good couch in years. PANEL 6: Nathan, looking confused as his face reddens a little. NATHAN: ...Right.
PANEL 1: Nathan looks shocked by this. All of the color drains out of him. PANEL 2: Nathan grabs Joey's shoulders. NATHAN: Mijo. PANEL 3: Nathan gets down to eye level with Joey, staring at him seriously. NATHAN: If that's the case then I promise you I'll get to the bottom of it. Wherever he is, Wilbur's gonna be safe by the end of all of this. PANEL 4: Nathan looks somewhat melancholic. NATHAN: I will stop at nothing to find him. Do you understand? PANEL 5: After a pause, Joey forces a smile. JOEY: ...Yeah, okay. PANEL 6: Nathan takes one hand away from Joey's shoulders, smiling at him softly. Joey looks uncertain, though. NATHAN: C'mon, now, it's getting late. We ought to get you to bed.
PANEL 1: The two see Joey walking behind them. The boy stares at the ground, looking upset. PANEL 2: Eddie and Nathan look at each other, concerned. PANEL 3: Nathan hangs back, walking beside Joey. NATHAN: Hey, Jojo, you doing okay? PANEL 4: The two walk side by side. Joey walks with his hands in his pockets, still staring at the ground. NATHAN: You were kinda quiet back there. JOEY: Yeah, it's just... PANEL 5: Joey finally looks up at Nathan. JOEY: Something's kidnapping spirits, right? PANEL 6: Nathan looks down at the ground, a serious expression on his face. NATHAN: It seems like it, yeah. The Fortunes are the only case we know about, but there could be a lot more. PANEL 7: Joey hugs himself, looking back down at the ground. JOEY: ...What if...Dad is one of those cases?