What If - OSW, Volume III edition.
I thought it might be fun to see how over the seasons, we've had to pivot storylines and what they were originally supposed to be.
TOMBSTONE vs. ALBERT LAMPLIGHT
Originally, Albert Lamplight and Tombstone were supposed to meet at Ring of Dreams X. Everything you've seen between Tombstone and Albert's father was the storyline, but there was no Felix Foley. Originally, the plan called for Albert to go after Tombstone and seek revenge for the death of his father.
DREXL & THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT
Drexl wasn't supposed to be killed off. Rob wanted a little time away and I planned for a Drexl return from the Red Light District as a survivor. The plan was for him to come back as a member of the Arcadian Censorship Authority, which would've led to a memory loss storyline that culminated in a badass turn for Drexl as he remembered who he was and feuded with Sebastian Boswick.
ACA IMPLOSION - WITHOUT DREXL, AS PLANNED
When Tucker Goode was outed as a homoseuxal, it was the beginning of what would be an eventual implosion of the ACA, leading to Tucker Goode feuding with Sebastian Boswick over his 'betrayal' of their so called standards.
DR. DEATH & EL MARIACHI MUERTE
I don't want to say too much about this one because you never quite know what might happen in the future but Dr. Death and El Mariachi Muerte weren't finished by a long shot. What Muerte whispered to Death at Red Snow would've had massive implications for the character and at some stage they would've likely come back together, either in a clash at first, or a united front. The latter is where they would've ended.
THE KINGDOM
When I made changes to OSW and started limiting characters based on the poor roster performance at the time and unbenknownst to me, the purposeful let down by handlers who planned to do such things, The Kingdom had a longer arc. I was going to build them closer, like a Forever Friends and bring Panther further into the fold from asshole to anti-hero and best friend of The Red Falcon. The idea for me would've eventually led them to trying to understand who the Zookeeper was.
JACKSON CADE - UPRISING MAIN PLAYER
At the beginning of the volume, I'd planned for Jackson Cade to be a main player in the Uprising storyline - that's why he was present when Zeus and Ares killed Ace Lawton. Hera was always Narcissa and that wasn't going to change, but Jackson was going to join her as the inside man on the APD, helping to keep the Uprising afloat and apprised. I pivoted away from this when I had the idea to make CJ Thorpe be the brother of Cade and Jasper head to Deathrow. Glad I did.
Oh man, I've always wanted to see a thread like this. I love these what-if moments.
The ACA stuff sounds fascinating. Drexl makes a lot of sense for being the guy they brainwash. That's the story made for a group like ACA, having someone join them.
The Kingdom one could've been really fun. I'm curious if your original idea for the Zookeeper is still happening or not.
I forgot that Cade was there in that OG segment. Cade being the inside man would have been a huge swerve. I like the way it turned out now better, but this would have been a good story.
This was a bloody fascinating read. I walk away with conflicting emotions in that I hate Joe for everything he's done passionately, but I can't help but thank him also. If he wasn't such a flaky piece of shit, none of this would've happened for Felix Foley or Connor as Tombstone.
I wish Drexl would've entered the ACA story but again, with Alex Clark revealing himself to be a bucket of sloppy shit, it would've probably ruined that whole story and what we saw with Python and Kleen at Lambs.
It's funny how things work out but the pivoting into really great angles is a commendable feat. I'd change nothing, which means I'm thrilled all these things didn't happen.