History WhatCouldHaveBeen / Comicbooks

* A ''[[WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid1989 Little Mermaid]]'' comic written by Peter David was scrapped for being [[FamilyUnfriendlyDeath too dark]]. It was supposed to be a backstory into what happened to Ariel's MissingMom. In ''Portrait Of Life'' Queen Atlanta befriended a [[InterspeciesFriendship human artist]] named Duncan. She would often pose for his portraits. A rival artist named Kole attempts to kill Duncan by setting off an avalanche; however, Atlanta pushes him out of the way, only to be [[HeroicSacrifice crushed herself]]. Triton goes into a rage at his wife's death, accidentally causes Kole to [[DisneyDeath fall off the cliff]], and attempts to kill Duncan but is stopped when he hears the voice of Atlanta telling him to spare Duncan. The comic [[DownerEnding ends]] with Triton leaving with an unfinished portrait of Atlanta. It wasn't until over a decade later that Creator/{{Disney}} gave an official backstory to Triton's wife. In ''WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaidIIIArielsBeginning'' she is named "Athena" and died [[spoiler:rescuing her oldest daughter Attina from being hit by a ship, an event that contributes to Trition's grudge against humans in the original movie]].

* After writing prequels for the first Film/{{Transformers}} movie over the course of eight issues, British publisher Titan Comics decided to create [[ComicBook/TransformersTwilightsLastGleaming an alternate universe story where Megatron had won the battle of Mission City, claimed the AllSpark, and dominated the Earth]]. The story was only supposed to last five issues - it ended up lasting until the entire comic was rebooted for Film/TransformersRevengeOfTheFallen seventeen issues later.

* Had Eric Powell not left writing duties on ''ComicBook/GodzillaKingdomOfMonsters'', the old man who talked to the Shobijin at the end of issue 3 would been revealed to be crazy and the "Shobijin" who've been revealed to really be dolls and the man was delusional enough to believe they were real.

* There was almost a ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' comic. A four-issue mini-series written by Creator/KurtBuisek, covers by Creator/MikeMignola and interiors by Dell Barras, the comic was originally meant to be set in the original ''VideoGame/FinalFantasy'' game but not with the Warriors of Light, instead a random group of adventurers. However, Squaresoft decided they wanted it to be set in the second game, what we know as ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'', before the whole thing was ultimately shelved.

* Creator/RobLiefeld's ''Executioners'' was going to be a Malibu Comic modeled after ''ComicBook/XForce'' before being reworked into ''ComicBook/{{Youngblood}}''.

* When Creator/ImageComics gained the rights to create comics based off of ''Series/PowerRangersZeo'', they had also plans to cross it over with ''ComicBook/{{Youngblood}}''. However, all that came out of it was a small advertisement at the end of the only issue of the ''Zeo'' comic and a blurb in an issue of ''Wizard'' mentioning what would happen in the first issue.

* Following ''ComicBook/YoungbloodJudgmentDay'', Creator/AlanMoore had a lot of ideas how to reshape the ''ComicBook/{{Youngblood}}'' universe and bring back the spirit of UsefulNotes/{{the Silver Age|of Comic Books}} via a lot of {{Reconstruction}} - turn ''Allies'' into a modern-day ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' and ''Youngblood'' into an equivalent of ''ComicBook/TeenTitans'', write mystical-themed adventures of ''ComicBook/{{Glory}}'' and ''Maxi Mage'', make Suprema and Big Brother a couple and introduce a ComicBook/MartianManhunter-esque character to the universe. Sadly, he only managed to publish few issues of his ''Youngblood'' project before the company was closed, and later published three issues of ''Glory'' at Creator/AvatarPress. Elements of these plans did influence some of his later Creator/AmericasBestComics works - in particular his intended mystical reworking of Glory being reworked as ''ComicBook/{{Promethea}}''.

* We nearly got a Creator/DCComics[=/=][[Franchise/TransformersGeneration1 Transformers]] crossover, which would have involved Optimus Prime becoming a Franchise/GreenLantern and Transformers being made out of Franchise/{{Batman}}'s Batwing and Franchise/WonderWoman's Invisible Jet. But by the time the story was pitched, DC was getting ready for its ''ComicBook/{{New 52}}'' reboot, so the idea was nixed.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen/TheDCU
* WhatCouldHaveBeen/MarvelUniverse
* WhatCouldHaveBeen/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics

* According to [[http://www.equestriadaily.com/2015/02/fiendship-is-magic-2interview-with.html Christina Rice]], an early draft of the issue #2 of the upcoming ''Fiendship Is Magic'' mini-series originally had Lord Tirek ''[[MoralEventHorizon kill a unicorn]]'', but it was eventually scrapped as too dark for an all-ages comic.

* Donatello of ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' was originally going to be called Botticelli.

[[folder:Sonic the Hedgehog]]
* Lots of storylines from the ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics'' comics end up like this, most notably an alternate version of the "Endgame" series where Sally ''was'' actually killed instead of put in a coma, a storyline involving a secret romance between NICOLE and A.D.A.M, and the very start of the "Mobius: X Years Later" storyline, dealing with the crisis that Locke [[GeneticEngineeringIsTheNewNuke "prepared" his son Knuckles]] to defend against, as per prophecy (hint: it involves an alien Eggman {{Expy}}). Oh, let's not forget the comic's recent WordOfGay reveal...
** In fact, the sheer amount of this trope in the comic, combined with the demand by fans to know about it, has pushed former head writer Ken Penders to work towards revealing all of these dirty little secrets on his webpage. Thus far, plot details announced include the death of Snivley in a HeroicSacrifice against Eggman, Sonic gaining a higher rank than Sally, conflicting with their relationship, and an alliance between Knothole and Station Square.
*** Ken also planned to have Bunnie and Antoine married as well. However, unlike Ian who blasted through the engagement and wedding in under three issues, Ken would of had the proposal in issue 175 and the actual wedding in 200.
*** Speaking of Antoine, he wasn't supposed to have been replaced with his EvilTwin, Patch, either: Karl had wanted Antoine to actually [[TookALevelInBadass take a level in badass]] and end the Bunnie/Antoine relationship, but Ken hated it.
** And Karl Bollers wanted to: do a story arc where Knuckles and Monkey Khan get brainwashed by the Iron Queen and Eggman (respectfully) as part of a three-way battle between the Queen, Eggman and Mammoth Mogul over a power source equal to the Master Emerald; turn Snively into a PoweredArmor-wielding AntiHero who allies with Shadow against Eggman; and have the Source of All return, being controlled by Ixis Naugus.
*** After Sonic and Sally went through the highly controversial break-up, Karl had plans for Sonic to date Amy Rose. However, Fiona Fox would end up developing feelings for Sonic and the two would become rivals for his affections. Though both girls would have a chance with Sonic, it never came to the level of Archie-Betty-Veronica fighting.
*** Given the reveal that the comic is practically being crushed under layers of ExecutiveMeddling, it's hardly surprising.
** The "Anonymous" storyline was originally supposed to reveal that the one acting as Anonymous was actually the original Robotnik (the one killed off in issue #50), but the plan fell through.
** Oh, and the alien Knuckles was supposed to fight in the prophecy? It was supposed to be a man named Dr. Ian Droid, the bad guy who appeared when Sonic teamed up with the Creator/ImageComics characters.
** The aforementioned Sally incident would of had started the same way the normal story began, with Sonic waking Sally from her supposed slumber. However, Sally would start acting more and more out of character before being revealed as a robot replacing the KilledOffForReal Sally.
** ''Sonic Universe #50'', the last issue before the jump to the upcoming crossover with ''ComicBook/MegaManArchieComics'', was originally billed as the conclusion to the ''WesternAnimation/SonicUnderground'' series during one of the recent [=ComiCons=]. However, it was revealed that it was now a story involving two versions of Metal Sonic and no word on what has happened to this story.
* After ''ComicBook/SonicTheComic'' went reprint-only, writer Nigel Kitching posted some of his intended ideas for stories on the STC mailing list. Some of those ideas were later adopted by the [[WebComic/SonicTheComicOnline STC-Online]] FanWebComics.
* According to writer Ian Flynn, there was supposed to be two fusion characters in ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogMegaManWorldsCollide''. The comic showcased the first, Chaos Devil, a fusion of the water creature Chaos and Wily Base boss Yellow Devil. The other was supposed to be "Metal Bass", a fusion of Metal Sonic and Bass. However, someone (he forgot who) nixed it, and we have Sonic and Mega Man battling Metal Sonic and Bass.
** Ian Flynn also wanted the CosmicRetcon that would happen at the end be completely and utterly clean-cut, with no one remembering the old universe. However, he reigned on it when the editor asked him to, not wanting to alienate the older readers.
* The original origin for future EnsembleDarkhorse NICOLE was actually much more humorous in nature - Robotnik revived the Universalamander, a robot that forced Sonic to go [[SuperMode Super Sonic]] for the first time. When the attempt to reshrink him failed, Sally whips out NICOLE, here called "NICOLE 7000", and uses her help to help Rotor build a new shrink ray that shrinks him to a molecular level. Ian Flynn says that the story happened "to a point" - they fought the Universalamander and he was shrunken, but NICOLE's involvement was non-canon.
* The infamous storyline "Endangered Species" was a completely different story than what was written. Among the things noted:
** The original solicits mentioned the Dark Egg Legion also fighting against Thrash the Devil. This would have meant that it would be a MeleeATrois between the Dark Egg Legion, Thrash the Devil and Team Fighters for the fate of the Echidna species instead of [[TheBadGuyWins Thrash outright winning right then and there]].
** The cover to the second part had Julie-Su [[BackToBackBadasses back to back with Amy Rose]]. Julie was removed from the final cover.
** The cover to the third part had half of it changed three times. The original cover had Lien-Da having her whip binding Sonic. The almost finished cover replaced Lien with metal tendrils and the final added in leaves to represent the returning Krudzu.
** As Ian Flynn has [[https://web.archive.org/web/20131222041844/https://www.bumbleking.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7231&start=75 stated]]: [[spoiler:The arc was originally supposed to have a ''happy'' ending]].
** Someone obtained one of the original pages from Sonic #243 and, from clues gathered from it as it was already heavily altered, revealed that the Death Egg II would have actually been over Avalon, suggesting that Eggman was supposed to have invaded the village.
* According to artist Ben Bates, had Ken Penders not tried to sue everyone and ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogMegaManWorldsCollide'' not interfered, issue #250 would have ended the Mecha Sally storyline. Interestingly, Sally's redesign for the reboot was already set up for her return in that issue.
** "Shadow Fall", the first storyline involving Team Dark after the reboot, was meant to involve [[VideoGame/ShadowTheHedgehog Black Doom]] and [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006 Mephiles]]. However, those were shot down because Black Doom would have been dead and Mephiles wiped out by the wonders of time travel.
* Nigel Kitching, writer for ''ComicBook/SonicTheComic'', actually offered Ian Flynn usage of the Brotherhood of Metallix, the army of Metal Sonics from the series. However, while Ian was flattered for the offer, he admitted he couldn't do it - [[ScrewedByTheLawyers the red tape involved in it would have been enough to choke a bear.]]
* With the release of ''Lost Hedgehog Tales''' first chapter:
** The big story would have went from #225 to #275, with the intention of putting the Freedom Fighters through their DarkestHour, delivering them a loss that they couldn't just easily pick back up from.
** Sally would have been roboticized in #225, but Sonic's 20th Anniversary scuttled that, leading to "Genesis".
** Antoine was originally planned to have died, but fan outcry over Sally's fate and Antoine's sacrifice saved him.
** Hershey would have been revealed to be alive and undercover as a member of the Dark Egg Legion. When told of Geoffery's actions, she would have left to confront him.
* Johnny from ''ComicBook/SonicTheComic'' was once supposed to have unrequited feelings for Amy.
* When SEGA finally pulled the plug on the franchise, a few stories were left untold as they were solicited prior to the lengthy hiatus that led to the cancellation. In ''Sonic the Hedgehog'', the Freedom Fighters would have went their separate ways for a vacation, with Sonic dropping in on Honey the Cat and later, Mighty and Ray for a flashback issue retelling ''VideoGame/SegaSonicTheHedgehog''. ''Sonic Universe'' would have focused on the individual Freedom Fighters in solo stories. Antoine's story would have given him a new look, possibly a SuperMode, while Sally's would have had her and Tails approach Dr. Elidy to help save Nicole.
** There was also the planned Metal Virus arc, which would have kicked off in the 300th issue and would have introduced the titular virus as a replacement for the Roboticizer. After Archie's cancellation and the subsequent announcement of [[ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogIDW the IDW series]], Ian Flynn [[RefittedForSequel rewrote the story to fit with IDW's new setting and characters,]] becoming that book's second major arc.
* For ''Sonic the Comic'', it was originally planned for Freedom Fighter Johnny Lightfoot and the Robotnik supporter, Agent X, [[spoiler:to be the same person]], but it didn't go through.

[[folder:Watchmen]]
* ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'' was originally penned to be about a group of Creator/CharltonComics characters DC had recently acquired. But since the plot Creator/AlanMoore wrote had many of them killed off and thereby unusable in future story lines, it was suggested he make up his own characters.
** That's not all. The second Silk Spectre was going to be a teenage runaway simply named Silk, the world would actually be TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture, with no disease and easy genetic modification. Antarctica was going to be a huge resort for the rich and wealthy, an idea which ended up trickling down to ultimately being ''only'' Ozymandias' lair.
** Not only would the Charlton characters be unusable, but it would have a profound affect on the DCU, so it was then to have the story take place in alternate version of Earth-4.
* There was supposed to be a legitimate prequel series to ''Watchmen'', ''The Minutemen'', which would have been of equal length and created by Alan Moore and David Gibbons. Moore's falling out with DC ended the prospects of this. Stranger still, going by comments made by Gibbons and Moore at the time, the tone would have been very different, attempting to recreate Golden Age comics as realistically as possible (if not an actual {{Reconstruction}}). This would have had far-reaching effects, since imitation of ''Watchmen'''s style was responsible for some of the worst excesses of the Dark Age of Comics.
[[/folder]]