BlackOUT is a comic series proposal created by Patrick Rills and Evan Lemoine in 2002. It is the story of Elijah Samson, a man who has gained the extraordinary power of knocking others unconscious. This is the project where we first established the process of using photographs instead of illustrations.
Synopsis
Willington Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an industry leader in pharmaceutical technologies. Yet, with the patents of its most profitable products scheduled to expire in the near future, stockholders are beginning to express concern. Founder and lead chemist, Alfred Willington, has temporarily subdued those fears with the preliminary testing results of a new synaptic stimulant medication which has proven to increase the intelligence of monkeys significantly. However, a major setback erupts when the FDA denies Willington permission to perform trials of the drug on humans. Alfred’s determination to prove his genius and his unwillingness to accept the FDA’s ruling then lead to a weak moment of irrationality. Alfred decides to conduct his tests without approval, distributing the drug to unsuspecting patients participating in trials of an anti-depressant treatment concurrently being developed at Willington. Alfred hopes that with time the ends will justify the means.
After weeks of being on the drug, Elijah’s depression has not abated, but he has begun to notice other effects both exciting and troubling. His ability to explicitly remember even the most minute details of his surroundings, to rapidly assimilate and synthesize information, and to comprehend abstract concepts has expanded in ways he thought himself incapable of before. However, Elijah cannot help but also notice that as each day passes, he feels increasingly nauseated and overwhelmed with pain, even prone to losing consciousness. Despite the pain, he continues to receive the treatments in order to take advantage of its unexpected effects, all the while refraining from disclosing them to his doctor. But when his psychiatrist mysteriously disappears, Elijah becomes alarmed.
Even more problems arise at Willington Pharmaceuticals when it is revealed that CEO, Sam Mitchell, has made some rather unwise business decisions, resulting in a joint investigation by the SEC and the FBI into all of the company’s affairs. Frightened by the prying eyes of Federal investigators, Alfred confesses his wrong-doing to Mitchell hoping that he can somehow rectify the situation. Convinced that he can pull the company out of the investigation alive if Alfred’s folly remains in the dark, Mitchell decides that he must do whatever possible to keep it there.
Elijah’s failure to extensively inquire about the drug from the beginning leads to a search for answers with virtually no leads. As Elijah’s pain grows more unbearable, he begins to piece together from the scant clues available to him the chain of supply that brought the experimental drug to him. But as he draws closer, the lethal resolve of Mitchell to defend his company is demonstrated. Through Mitchell’s instruction, Elijah now finds himself a high profile target. This throws Elijah’s life further into disarray as now he must struggle with constant ambushes by ruthless hit-men in addition to his deteriorating body and debilitating depression.
His confrontations with Mitchell’s security cadre result in Elijah’s discovery of a strange power allowing him to channel his expanding mental energy into others, consuming them and knocking them unconscious. While this neutralizes the threat of Mitchell’s henchmen, it also results in an agonizing nausea which leaves Elijah only slightly less incapacitated than his foes. Fortunately he recovers and escapes with his life, but now the questions of what is happening to him have become even more troubling and desperate. Elijah fears that each time he utilizes his newfound abilities could be his last.
Elijah’s encounters with Mitchell’s thugs cannot help but grab the attention of authorities. Elijah is consequently taken into custody, where he crosses paths with the gorgeous Detective Pamela Jones. After much convincing of the skeptical detective, he enlists her support in uncovering the truth of what has been done to him. Together, with the aide of other patients turned victims, they will uncover the trail of deceit leading to Mitchell and eventually to Alfred Willington himself. In the process, they uncover the severity of Elijah’s condition, and a deep-seeded love for one another.
