http://www.bumblekin....php?f=4&t=7231
We're fast approaching Christmas - it practically blindsided me this year. I like to try to do something each year - an "Ask Ian" or something. This year, I'm asking for y'alls' help to organize a little project - one you've all wanted for a while now.
What is the project?
Lost Hedgehog Tales will be a write-up of all my original plans for the 2012-2013 period, along with my original scrapped ideas for the Road to #275 and Road to #300.
What will it specifically contain?
An informal overview of storylines I pitched or was planning to pitch before things got all... dramatic. There will not be any manuscript material, nor any original documents sent to Archie. Think of it as me pulling a box out of the attic, going through its contents, and telling you about each thing. Those "things" will include:
- the original ending to the King Naugus Arc
- Mecha Sally's fate
- both versions of "Endangered Species"
- the aforementioned plans that would've taken us through STH#300
- Hershey's role
- ...and more!
What do you need our help for?
Prompting my memory, mostly. This thread is for folks to request follow-up on stuff that slipped through the cracks. Ever since the shake-up, all my time and effort has been focused on the current state of the comics. All my old plans had to be tossed out, so I've not devoted any thought to them. And while I have my notes, I had a lot of plates spinning, so I'm going to be rusty. Everyone had a subplot or character they were invested in. Now's your chance to get a small form of closure.
I will not be covering such things as:
- confirmation of cut content
- commentary on the legal proceedings or individuals involved
- other potential hot-button topics I can't think of immediately
When will this be done?
When it's done, really. My work and life take priority, so this will be picked over when I have time. I also don't want to stealing the thunder of "Countdown to Chaos," so it certainly won't be out before STH#256. I'll try to have it done before the summer, though.
I've had my wallet open for a while now. How much?
This will be released for free when it's done. I briefly considered charging a little fee, or asking for good faith donations - this is a lot of work I did that's going to be for nothing - but I've ultimately ruled against it. I can't afford a lawyer to navigate the legalities of this, and I'm concerned certain parties would take me to court regardless of whether or not I was in the clear.
But I know my First Amendment rights, and casually writing about "what would've been a neat idea" is safe enough. Expect a big, beefy disclaimer at the very beginning, tho'.
Along that line... Archie is cool with this?
I don't know - I haven't asked. This is all me. Since this material isn't being used by them, and a fair bit of it was never shown to them, they're not really involved. This is just me doing something for the fans. An informal, unlicensed, non-profit, unofficial thing for fun.
So let me know what y'all are interested in me following up on.
NOTE: I'm seeing some questions being phrased as "Will we see..." or "Will this happen?" No, no they will not. These things will never happen. The write-up will simply cover what I wanted to happen. This is without editorial or license-holder input or oversight. So when this comes out, keep in mind everything could've been very different in the end.
