Writer's Bible
From QuestFan
Peter Lawrence authored the first writer's bible, which was revised two times by Glenn Leopold for the production of the second season. The final version was auctioned on Ebay as photocopies, while Lawrence's draft made its way into a collector's hands through unknown means, then posted by Tammy on the Jonny Quest Mailing List. Parts were not posted there, so if you have any information on Lawrence's writer's bible please contact at [email protected] (remove the SPAM). The bibles are presented in contrast, then separately below.
Contrasted Versions
| Peter Lawrence (S1) |
| ' Glenn Leopold (S2) |
Peter Lawrence Draft
Glenn Leopold Revision
THE NEW JONNY QUEST
WRITERS BIBLE
Written by
Peter Lawrence
Revised by
Glenn Leopold
FIRST DRAFT:5/18/94
REVISED: 1/17/96
REVISED: 2/6/96
HANNA-BARBERA CARTOONS
�
CONTENTS
Foreword
Overview
A Classic Action Adventure
Villians and Monsters
Jonny Is Star Of Show
Comedy
The Characters
Jonny
Hadji
Jessie
Race Bannon
Dr. Quest
Bandit
The Group -- Relationships
The Quest Home
Base, Props & Vehicles
More On Story
Some Story Ideas to Explore
Mysteries, Legends, Locations
Format
�
FOREWORD
The original JONNY QUEST is a classic of its kind. It pioneered
both action adventure and what one might call "realism" in
animation. It has a remarkable following; it's something of a
cult.
Analyzing that kind of success in order to repeat it is not an
exact science but we believe that the original JONNY QUEST has a
certain kind of heart and, in developing THE NEW JONNY QUEST,
we're trusting in that heart.
We have evolved the characters and the situations in which they
find themselves; we have shifted the action's emphasis more to
Jonny himself, to Hadji and, when she is featured, to the
relatively new character of Jessie.
We're telling the stories at a higher pace (thank you MTV!) and
with somewhat greater sophistication - but THE NEW JONNY QUEST
does not try to be fashionable or particularly Politically
Correct. We're aiming for timelessness, an appeal which depends
more on story, character, mood, enchantment, and rollicking high
adventure than it does on changing fashion.
You can see through the original show's necessarily dated style
to that timeless quality. Fans love the original show, perhaps
simply for their memories of it; but even when they look at it
today, and comment on how dated it is in many ways, they still
respond to its sense of adventure...and its heart.
Our intention is that audiences will feel the same way about THE
NEW JONNY QUEST in another 10 years' time.
� 2
A CLASSIC ACTION ADVENTURE
THE NEW JONNY QUEST is classic action adventure. A young boy and
his friends caught up in extraordinary circumstances. Why?
Because Jonny's dad just happens to be Dr. Benton Quest, one of
the world's great scientists and inventors. A man who likes
nothing more than to investigate the unknown. And lucky Jonny
(and the audience) gets to come along for the ride.
There's an air of mystery to Jonny's adventures. They involve
hitherto unexplained phenomena, the paranormal, legends and
folklore of today's world - stories which spring from, for
example, the enigmas of the Amazonian Rain Forest; the hidden
possibilities of the least accessible depths of the oceans; the
secrets of the most remote areas of the world - the Himalayas,
the Kalahari, the Gobi, the Arctic and the Antarctic; and the
riddles of equally fascinating areas nearer home: the Everglades;
the ruined dwellings of the Anasazi; the metaphysical lives of
the American Indians (and other non-First World cultures); and
even the hidden worlds within and beneath our cities.
These mysteries may drive the plots of THE NEW JONNY QUEST, or
they may simply be a dramatic backdrop. They may be exploited by
Jonny and Dr. Quest's antagonists or the mysteries themselves may
become the antagonist.
But Jonny doesn't get bogged down in mystery. That just provides
the exotic flavoring for our adventures. Because JONNY QUEST is
most of all about...adventure! Jonny was the original young
Indiana Jones. The NEW JONNY QUEST stories are fast paced and
action packed. But they also have heart and comedy. You know
and love the Quest team, and really care what happens to them.
� 3
Episodes of THE NEW JONNY QUEST in which Jonny explores an
existing, real phenomenon - such as the Airstrips of Nazca, the
Ruins of Teotihuacan or the possible existence of Giant Squid -
will not attempt to solve these mysteries. In half an hour, we
don't set out to unravel archaeological or anthropological
problems which have baffled scientists for years. Where real
phenomena are featured in a NEW JONNY QUEST story, they will be
played for their cryptic qualities and, by the end of the show,
when Jonny's adventure has come to a satisfactory dramatic
conclusion, we will still wonder exactly why the airstrips exist;
who built teotihuacan; or whether there really are 500ft Giant
Squid in the depths of the Indian Ocean.
In taking this approach to THE NEW JONNY QUEST, we believe we are
faithful to the spirit of mystery of the original.
� 4
VILLIANS AND MONSTERS
THE NEW JONNY QUEST will create new villians for the Quest Team
(and the world) to face. We will also 'revive' some of the more
exciting villians from the old 'classic' series, like Dr. Zin.
Not only will this give a continuity with the past for rabid
Jonny Quest fans, but also give us the fun of 'upgrading' old
enemies -- giving old dogs new tricks, so to speak.
THE NEW JONNY QUEST is not a "monster of the week" show. Does
that mean there's no room for a dinosaur chasing Jonny through a
desert? Or werewolves and vampires and other supernatural
creatures? Of course not. Monsters, both human and otherwise,
were and are a staple of the Quest formula. But they should be
used sparingly. The new show aims for a diversity of adventures,
and giant (or even smaller) creatures every week just ain't gonna
cut it.
The new villians of THE NEW JONNY QUEST might more accurately be
defined as antagonists. They have little in common with each
other except that they are in conflict with Dr. Quest - and that
conflict is never their prime motive. It is always the result of
the antagonist's personal objective or ambition which, for
whatever reason, is opposed by Dr. Quest.
No one is simply "out to get" the Quest team. Unless it's
someone with a long-held grudge, like Dr. Zin.
These new antagonists are always 'bigger than life', in the
classical sense that they are determined, courageous and
determined. But misguided. Their mores might be different from
Dr. Quest's - or ours - but they are not necessarily malevolent.
We may even sympathize with their agenda and sympathize with
their fate. Does that mean there are no mad scientists? No way.
� 5
Though mad, or at least angry, these new antagonists are
characters in their own rights; have their own clear objectives.
They are always convincing, determined, powerful and, however
enigmatic, very dangerous to the Quest team.
� 6
JONNY QUEST IS THE STAR OF THE SHOW
THE NEW JONNY QUEST features Jonny as the star, with Hadji and
Jessie (when she appears) as his co-stars. The stories are told
through Jonny's point of view and the drama is driven by his (and
Hadji's and Jessie's) actions and reactions.
Dr. Quest and Race Bannon are always present - but pushed more to
the background. This is not the story of Dr. Quest's and Race's
adventures as they affect Jonny; the kids don't simply tag along
for the ride. They propel the action.
That does not mean that we cannot have stories that feature the
other characters. Yes, Race or Benton can have a problem, as can
Hadji or Jessie. That doesn't mean Jonny isn't right in the
thick of things trying to solve the problems, but the problems
revolve around others besides himself. After all, rescuing
friends and relations is what Jonny does best. We can, and
should feature storied 'centered' around the various other Quest
team members. It adds variety. And we care more when one of our
characters is in grave danger. Not some stranger.
THE NEW JONNY QUEST is the story of Jonny's (and Hadji's and
Jessie's) adventures - triggered by Dr. Quest's work. Jonny,
Hadji and Jessie are usually the prime movers, and not simply
kids responding and reacting to the adults' world. But that is
not a hard and fast rule. Let variety and good story-telling be
your guide.
� 7
COMEDY
THE NEW JONNY QUEST is an action adventure show. But it is not
humorless. There is a sense of fun to these adventures, whether
it comes from Race's quips-in-the-face-of-danger or Bandit's
doggy shenanigans.
The Quest Team is likeable. And light hearted moments make them
more so. THE NEW JONNY QUEST aims to mix edge-of-the-seat
adventure with some tongue-in-cheek humor, to keep our show from
getting too dark or heavy. They say laughter relieves tension.
With the kind of peril our kids get into, a good laugh now and
is mandatory!
� 8
THE CHARACTERS
JONNY
The new Jonny may wear a black T-shirt instead of his roll-neck
and his jeans may be differently cut but his character is much as
you remember him. At age 13 he still has some growing and
maturing to do.
He's a little less strident. Somewhat cooler. He's a tough kid
with a straight-ahead, right-on attitude. But he's not a punk.
He's got guts...and heart. He may be headstrong, but he always
cares about others. After all, this is a kid who's saved the
world (not to mention friends and relatives) dozens of times.
Jonny will do whatever has to be done. At least, he'll try. He
does, of course, remain a young boy. He will not be able to out-
think a brilliant physicist, or physically overpower an athletic
adult opponent. But that doesn't mean he won't try. Failing the
direct approach, Jonny resorts to wit and cunning; to go around
the problem rather than confront it head on.
Jonny has a strong connection with his father. They like each
other and Jonny admires and respects his dad. It's true that he
will never be as smart - highly educated - as Dr. Quest, who
approaches genius where Jonny is a B student; nor is Jonny
driven by his father's desire to know more about all and
everything...though Jonny is curious. Jonny is much more a Man-
Of-Action in training (hence his great respect for Race) than an
intellectual.
� 9
Deep down, maybe Jonny envies Jessie's relationship with Dr.
Quest. She's so darn smart. And sometimes Jonny gets jealous of
Jessie's relationship with Bandit. He's his dog. These tensions
add spice to our drama. Remember, these are kids. Wouldn't you
be a little miffed if a genius girl hung out with your Dad all
the time?
Jonny does not dwell on the fact that he has no mother. That's
the way it is and he gets on with his life. There's never any
doubt of Dr. Quest's love for his son...though sometimes he might
wish Jonny was a bit more like Jessie.
To Jonny, his life is a dream come true. He is super-enthused to
be able to travel the world with his father, Race Bannon, and his
friends Hadji and Jessie. His life is cool and he embraces it
wholeheartedly.
� 10
HADJI
is a little older (15) than Jonny, taller and thinner than you
remember him.
He is now Dr. Quest's assistant in training. He does not have
his mentor's formal education in the sciences but he shares his
burning interest in archaeology, anthropology and, particularly,
the paranormal.
Hadji is a Sikh and a student Yogin. Spiritually and
philosophically, he is a true product of his world. Compared to
Jonny and Race, particularly, he has a more fatalistic and
accepting attitude to whatever is happening to him at the time.
He starts from the philosophical point of view that everything is
as it's supposed to be. Most elements of the grander scheme are
beyond control of the individual. Fate is the governing
factor. But that doesn't mean Hadji isn't overly cautious. He
is. And that sometimes annoys headstrong Jonny...and even
Jessie.
Hadji's actions and reactions will express this significant
contrast between his character and Jonny's. In addition, Hadji
may use aphorisms or some other figure of speech which expresses
his different take on life. That figure of speech may be taken
from any culture or any source, but it must reflect Hadji.
Sometimes, it will baffle Jonny. Sometimes it may even irritate
him. It will always have an intrinsic truth to it.
� 11
Hadji was raised in India by PASHA THE PEDDLER. He never knew
his parents (though this year he may learn otherwise). He has
developed latent psionic powers that appear 'magical'. He is
eager to learn all aspects of the mystic arts. No, Hadji can't
fly...but with enough concentration he can levitate small
objects. He can do rope tricks. He should not sit around in a
trance. Hadji is active and eager to try our his mystical
knowledge. Sure, he may not be able to hypnotize a tiger...but
he'll embrace his failure and try harder next time, if the tiger
doesn't eat him first! Being a student Yogin allows him to
master such proven techniques as controlling his heartrate (so
he's able to feign his own death for a short while) and
controlling his body temperature. These may get him out of tight
spots, story-wise, but they are not that interesting to watch.
With Hadji, the more visual his 'power', the better.
� 12
JESSIE
is slightly older (14) than Jonny, and often seems much more
mature. Like Jonny, she has had to take responsibility for
herself and handles herself well in most situations.
As Race's daughter, she is fit and athletic but she is not
Superwoman in training. She cannot, even with all Race's tuition
in the martial arts, overpower an adult. In fact she's a bit of
a disappointment in that regard...though Race would never let on
to her. Jonny is his prize pupil in the physical fitness
department.
Let's face it. Jessie is more of an egghead. And Race can be
overprotective when it comes to his daughter.
But though Jessie is not as strong, physically, as Jonny, she is
just as tough. She's smarter, too, and more thoughtful; more
academic and, to Jonny's chagrin, certainly more in tune with
Hadji. Why does Hadji always seem to side with Jessie? Maybe
because she's prettier than Jonny.
Like Hadji, Jessie has a strong interest in Dr. Quest's work and
she often has a better grasp of the academic and the theoretical
than Jonny. So, just as Jonny likes to hang out with Race - the
man of action - Jessie likes to spend time with Dr. Quest. She
shares his consuming interest in archaeology, physics and the
paranormal. Race may be a touch envious of Jessie's relationship
with Benton. Call it fatherly jealousy. But Race is also
extremely proud that his daughter can hold her own with a genius
like Dr. Quest.
� 13
The very real differences between Jessie and Jonny should make
for interesting crossplay and tensions. These two kids really
like each other, but they fall out like friends often do. Maybe
some day, the two will become more than friends. Maybe Jessie
really prefers Hadji's company. Sometimes Jonny thinks so.
Most of the time, Jessie lives [with] Race at the Quest Compound. She
has a mother, Race's ex-wife, ESTELLA VELASQUEZ, an architect who
lives in South America (Columbia to be exact). Estella is rarely
featured in a NEW JONNY QUEST episode, but when she is, she must
have a strong, relevent role.
� 14
RACE BANNON
is almost exactly as you remember him: the ageless (okay, he's
38) man of action with an acute nose for any danger which
threatens him or his friends. He is fearless and utterly
dependable. Though Race is almost a part of the Quest family, he
is an employee of the government, assigned to protect Dr. Benton
Quest and family. And he would do anything to protect them.
Respecting his employee arrangement, Race respectfully refers to
Benton as "Dr. Quest".
Race has a laconic sense of humor. He will often come up with a
dry quip at the moment of maximum danger.
Race has been involved with a variety of women, including such
femme fatales as the American spy "JEZEBEL" JADE KENYON and the
Russian operative, NATASHA ROSTOVA. He's been married (and
divorced) by a Columbian architect named ESTELLA VELASQUEZ, with
whom he had a daughter...Jessie.
Jessie is the most constant woman in Race's life right now,
though sometimes it seems the brainy teenager should be Dr.
Quest's daughter. Race loves Jessie, but can't help being the
overprotective Dad.
As for Jonny, he's the boy Race never had. He's taught Jonny
everything he knows about self-defense and courage. It's enough
to make a daughter jealous. And sometimes does.
� 15
DR. QUEST
is much as you remember him, though he is a little older (55) and
certainly more relaxed. He is a famous scientist and inventor,
consulted by individuals, governments and corporations to
investigate any mysterious chain of events which might affect
their lives or operations. Dr. Quest has an overwhelming
interest in strange phenomena, and is always eager to study the
unexplained mysteries of our world.
While Dr. Quest no longer works specifically for the U.S.
Government, he is, from time to time, called in to help resolve a
particular problem. And the government does provide him with a
bodyguard in the person of Race Bannon. As Race puts it, "You're
too valuable a resource to be left unprotected, Dr. Quest."
Dr. Quest is somewhat cerebral - driven by his desire to know
more about everything and, particularly, more about the
inexplicable worldwide phenomena which he investigates. Gripped
by that desire, he will ignore all distractions and dangers - not
because he is especially brave but because his drive to learn
blanks out more basic instincts like self-preservation.
His sense of humor tends to be a touch ponderous. Jessie laughs
at his jokes, though. Jessie is the daugher Dr. Quest never
had. And what of Benton Quest the man? He still misses his dead
wife. He hasn't remarried. Will there be a romance for the
world's most famous scientist this season? Which kid would
resent this instrusion on Dr. Quest's attention the most? Jonny
or Jessie? Seeing another side of Dr. Benton Quest is something
we may explore in our show.
� 16
BANDIT
is as you remember him. A loveable bulldog with strange mask-
like eye markings. The comic relief for the Quest Team...and our
show.
Bandit is a cartoon dog, but not a Tex Avery cartoon dog. His
eyes don't bug out three feet...but he is funny. He gets into
trouble, chasing birds and cats. He falls into rivers. He saves
the day. He can understand Jonny, basically. He can dig. Fetch
keys. Sometimes fetch the wrong things. He can bark warnings.
Jump on villains.
Bandit doesn't talk or laugh. He doesn't flatten against walls.
But he can roll down a snowy hill and become a rolling Bandit
snowball. If we wanted a real dog, we'd rotoscope Rin-Tin-Tin.
Bandit is Bandit. The Quest Team (and the world) loves him.
Bandit is loyal, capable of bravery, enthusiastic and, all in
all, the best dog buddy an adventuresome kid could have. Yes,
he sometimes ducks for cover and covers his head with his paws,
but when the chips are down...Bandit is there.
Bandit lives at the Quest's home and accompanies Jonny when it is
practical. Or when our story needs him. He should not appear
slung over Jonny's back while Jonny is scaling an impossible
Alpine ridge. On the other hand, he might be waiting for him in
a warm hut to lick the icicle off his pal's nose. Bandit
provides heart. And warmth. And laughs.
� 17
When Bandit features in a story, he should be carefully
integrated into the action. If he is in any way central to the
action (rather than a background presence), he must be presented
so that we care about him, what he's doing and what might happen
to him.
� 18
THE GROUP - RELATIONSHIPS
Clearly, our main characters has different and defined
personalities and their reactions to the various predicaments in
which they find themselves will differ.
Jonny's response to danger will be close to Race's. Jessie's
intrigue with mysterious, unexplained phenomena will be close to
Dr. Quest's. And Hadji, with his roots in a different culture
and a more spiritual approach to life, is different again.
Given a set of strong personalities like this, conflicts are
bound to result. And even in the most loving of families, there
are disagreements. Minor, sometimes. But there are different
ways to reach the same goals. Jonny can be headstrong. Hadji
perhaps too cautious. Jessie too cerebral. Hadji seems to side
with Jessie against Jonny. Or vice versa. Jonny shows off for
Jessie's benefit, trying to outdo Hadji. Petty jealousies.
Nothing is more boring for drama than total harmony. So yes, the
Quest team must have their moments of annoyance with each other.
Nobody's perfect and the Quest Team shouldn't be either. That
doesn't have to make them bad guys...just human. And it doesn't
mean they don't stick together to defeat the bad guys. They do.
� 19
THE QUEST HOME
BASE, PROPS AND VEHICLES
THE NEW JONNY QUEST does not rely on a range of props, vehicles
and gimmicks for its drama - but it does have some cool stuff! What
follows describes some of it, but we should not be limited in
what we can dream up for this show.
HOME
is on the Maine coast, a sprawling compound of houses, barns and
workshops. Please refer to the Design Sheets.
Areas of note include the Conservatory, a half-oval building
attached to the main house and perched on its own rocky outcrop.
The rocks "grow" up through its floor and it features a central
fireplace. The room, whose windows flare red and gold with the
setting sun, is often the place where an adventure starts - where
a stranger wlll inveigle the Quests into an investigation.
There is a huge, old fashioned library complete with rolling
ladder. This room reflects Dr. Quest's hunger for knowledge, his
eclectic tastes and the groups respect for the written word.
In addition to his bedroom, Jonny has a workshop/den which is his
own private place. There's always a half-dismantled motorcycle,
an antique shotgun in restoration or some similar project on a
bench.
Hadji uses the smaller house's lookout as his retreat. This is
where he meditates and studies to be a yogin. It has a
spectacular 360 degree view.
� 20
Jessie has her own den which reflects a modern approach to the
acquisition of knowledge: she surrounds herself with the latest
in personal computer systems.
There is a dojo/gym, which is where you'll usually find Race and,
often, Jonny. Jessie works out here too but she's not obsessive
about it.
There is a huge barn, in which an up-to-the-minute lab and has
been installed, along with a well equipped workshop. The
workshop is open to a row of horse stalls, so that curious
horses' heads are often visible in background while any of the
group uses the workshop.
The PBY Catalina
The Quest's plane is a World War II vintage PBY Catalina
amphibious flying boat. Race's pride and joy, he is always
tinkering with the PBY - but it is more than a hobby. Even
though its cruising speed is well below 200 mph, it has a 3000
mile range and its amphibious abilities mean that the Quests can
take it to any part of the world.
The Quester Catamaran
A state-of-art cat some 120 ft in length, The Quester is a go-
anywhere vessel with enormous accomodation in its two hulls -
including a marine lab and a saloon, both of which are enclosed
in huge reinforced plexy canopies.
The Quester's bridge deck is equipped with every navigation and
communications system a world-girdling sailor could desire.
� 21
The Quester has two helms. One is open (like a flying bridge)
equipped with a large steel "Destroyer Wheel" (helm), engine
control units, compasses and "repeaters" - instruments which
repeat the displays generated by the navigation systems in the
Control Center beneath the Flying Bridge.
The Control Center/Bridge is as comprehensively equipped as any
combination yacht, survey-, dive vessel. In addition to s second
Destroyer Wheel and engine controls, it has complete navigation
systems and instruments, state-of-the-art world-ranging
communications systems, ocean floor mapping facilities, and so
on. Instruments and displays include: Radar, SatNav, Loran, Wind
Direction, Wind Speed, Ship's Heading, Course, Course Made Good,
Speed Over Ground, Etc.
The Quester's two hulls extend perhaps four feet beneath the
surface, the bottom of the huge expanse of her bridge deck some
eight feet above the surface.
Two submersibles
Looked at from a fish's eye view, one would see two SUBMERSIBLES
docked beneath the bridge deck, in snug niches.
When the subs are docked beneath the bridge deck, their entry
hatches are accessible through The Quester's bridge deck, so that
operators may enter the sub directly through The Quester's deck,
then close the hatch after them, pull a quick-release lever and
drop the sub directly into the sea beneath The Quester.
The port mini-sub - THE SEA SLUG - is really a diving bell with
limited maneuverability. It permits two of its three operators
access to the sea via a bottom hatch, and is attached to the
Quester at all times by an umbilical. It is similar in function
to a conventional diving bell but can be maneuvered, in a limited
fashion, by using small, rotating compressed air nozzles. (In
the same way, space capsules are maneuvered by small thruster
rockets.)
� 22
The Sea Slug is constructed of carbon fiber and uses a water
ballast system. The pilot/operator lies prone, while the two
divers accomodate themselves in reclining seats.
The starboard mini-sub - THE PORPOISE - is a self propelled
exploration vessel which allows its operators no access to the
sea but is equipped with remarkably maneuverable prehensile arms.
It carries two people. Access is via hatches in The Quester's
bridge deck (like The Sea Slug). A quick release lever drops The
Porpoise into the sea. This sub is piloted much like a
helicopter. The "pilot" sits behind a plexi shield, in a
reclining seat, with a cyclical control stick for movement in all
planes. There are foot and hand throttles. The "passenger" (who
works all ancillary equipment) sits beside and slightly behind
the pilot. The Porpoise is equipped with mechanical arms and
hands (the "passenger's" responsibility to operate).
The Quester is extensively equipped with free-diving systems.
For further details, see Design Sheets and "THE DARKEST FATHOMS".
Tenders - A Boston Whaler & A Sailing Cat
The stern of each hull features a Whaler-Mothership-style ramp.
A 20 ft Boston Whaler is berthed in one hull and can be launched
from the ramp. The other may be used to carry whatever is needed
for an expedition, or anything that is found along the way. The
Whaler has a powerful outboard and can make 30 knots.
A 16 ft Catamaran is stowed, hulls folded together, on the bridge
deck, for use as a sailing tender when in port or inshore.
Jonny, Hadji and Jessie are experts at sailing this cat and
delight in flying it, one hull high, strung out on trapezes.
� 23
These are some of the featured props and vehicles - but we're not
limited just to them. Dr. Quest is contracted by individuals,
organizations, corporations and governments who have access to
just about any kind of vehicle or piece of equipment which can be
imagined: from Lear Jets to diving ships with moon pools; from
supersophisticated satellite imaging equipment to gas
chromatographies. The sky's the limit.
� 24
MORE ON STORY
Dr. Quest is perhaps the world's best-known scientist, inventor,
and investigator of unexplained phenomena, which is why
individuals, organizations, corporations and governments call on
hi mto investigate apparently inexplicable mysteries which affect
them.
He also initiates his own inquiries into mysterious phenomena,
for he can be single-minded - almost to the point of obsession -
in his pursuit of knowledge.
The phenomenon may be central to the story or it may be the
background. It may itself be the antagonist or it may be
exploited by someone who becomes the antagonist/villain.
THE NEW JONNY QUEST does not feature a regular cast of villains,
although the more interesting antagonists and guest characters
can be brought back for multiple appearances. To allow the
flexibility and time to develop and exploit each episode's
characters, regular and guest, heroic and villainous, it is not
necessary to use all the characters in every show. Jonny himself
is the only character who must appear in every story.
Most of THE NEW JONNY QUEST's villains are enigmatic three
dimensional characters. They may be warped, greedy, antisocial,
psychotic or downright bad - but they are more than simple punch-
bag villains. They are personalities in their own rights.
� 25
SOME STORY AREAS TO EXPLORE
1. The real mysteries of our world.
The Sphinx (which some people now think may be as much as 8000
years old); The Bimini stones (which were once thoughr to be hard
evidence of the existence of Atlantis); stories of South West
African beaches where huge diamonds may simply be picked out of
the sand; UFO sightings; the West African Dogon tribe, whose
centuries-old ceremonies incorporate knowledge of planets and
moons invisible to the naked eye; the Nazca Strips of Peru;
submarine Sulphur Funnels where life exists without oxygen; the
legend of Prester John; the Zimbabwe Ruins; the statues of Easter
Island; the various monolithic stones and stone structures which
are found throughout the world; corn circles; fossil footprints
which indicate that humans and dinosaurs co-existed eons before
our known ancestors; Shamans, Witch Doctors and Medicine Men with
cures for diseases unaffected by Western drugs; ghostly
visitations leaving hard evidence which even the most cynical
investigators find hard to dismiss ...
2. Legends involving as-yet unproven creatures
The many versions of Sasquatch - Amok, El Mano Grande, the Yeti,
etc.; the well-supported theory that Giant Squid exist -
creatures so large that they could drag a small ship beneath the
surface.
3. Exotic locations may themselves be a springboard.
The Everglades; the Rockies; Arizona's Anasazi settlements;
Amazon Jungles; Kalahari Sands; the Himalayas; the Rockies;
the Arctic and the Antarctic; the Congo; Papua New Guinea; the
Australian outback; tropical paradises like the Amirantes, the
Tubua and the Line Islands ...
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4. Fictional mysteries and locations
The existing, known phenomena and locations on which we may base
THE NEW JONNY QUEST stories aew endless, but we can also invent
our own equivalents of the Sphinx and Nazca, Atlantis and Amok.
The only rules are that the phenomenon must be believable; its
effect on our protagonists dramatic; and the denouement vaguely
plausible.
Plausibility is a keynote of THE NEW JONNY QUEST. We will take
our adventures to the limits but they should remain somewhat real
and grounded. That means no space ship trips to Venus. At least
not this deason.
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FORMAT
Each NEW JONNY QUEST story is told in three parets: a short
PREVIEW (up to 3 minutes), followed by THE MAIN TITLES and TWO
ACTS.
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