Disclaimers
First of all, I’d like to thank you for taking at least enough interest in this story to at least read this far. There are a lot of reasons why I’m writing this story, going from love for the characters to simply having some ideas that I wanted to put to paper (metaphorically speaking of course). Not among these reasons those, is dissatisfaction with DC Comics’ stories and/or continuity. I just want to get that out in the open right now. Although there are some continuity changes which I will explain later, it’s my desire to build on what was written before, not change it. I’ve been lucky so far, in that most of what has been written after I started this doesn’t completely invalidate what I’m doing (Although what I’m doing will invalidate some current stories, simply due to the direction I’m taking. I’ll have to see if what’s happening in The Kingdom will change this though...).
I have specific time periods where most chapters of Crisis of the Heart takes place. It may take a little brain bending, but I hope that you’ll be able to fit this together eventually. Infinity Inc. occurs soon after the Green Lantern/Sentinal: Hearts of Darkness mini series, in which Jade lost her powers, and before Green Lantern #98, where Kyle Rayner got sent through time, eventually meeting Hal Jordan. It also follows well after Sandman: The Kindly Ones, giving that story sort of another epilogue. Green Lantern occurs after Infinity Inc., in the same time frame. Kyle’s meeting with Hal Jordan won’t be happening in my timeline. (Not saying that it was a bad story, it’s just a good diverging point for what I want to write). Birds of Prey can happen pretty much any time after BoP #1 from a couple years ago. I don’t think anything I write is going to completely invalidate anything being written now. Most importantly, The Titans occurs before the JLA/Titans mini-series, giving a different story of their reunion than is being in that series (Which, by the way, is a billion times better that what I’m writing... I can’t recommend this series highly enough!). As I add more to this story, I’ll let you know where things should fit in overall.
Now, you may asking after you’ve read some of this, Why is Obsidian gay? Why is Jade gay as well? Why does it seem like you’re making all of the women in this story attracted to other women? Well, there’s no single answer to this, but I’ll try to explain. This whole thing started at the request of a friend who was involved in a story involving Obsidian “outting” himself. I was supposed to simply follow up on what was written before, but circumstances caused me to ditch that. I had this scene of Obsidian outting himself to his sister all written out though, and, not to seem like I’m praising my own work, I was really proud of it, and wanted to follow up on it. Jade’s preferences seemd like a natural offshoot of this, and seemed to fit well with her character. As the story continued further into “What if...” territory, I decided to add a few more women to the list, under the stupulation that it makes SOME sence with the character. (Unfortunately, it’s been rather easy to rationalize most women, but that’s another story!). If one were to psychoanalyze the reasons behind this, perhaps it’s because I’m compensating for the Obsidian stuff I wrote, perhaps it’s because, as a straight male, it’s easier to write someone’s attraction to women. Hell, maybe it’s just something as simple as me wanting to write a “Comic style” story, using elements you won’t find in a mainsteam comic book. Any way you look at it, you may have to suspend some disbelief with some of the couples in CotH, but what the hell, I’m just having fun!
Now, here are a couple of questions I’ve been asked concering some aspects of CotH.
Since when are Jade and Jesse Quick best friends?
Smart ass answer is, since I said so. Seriously though, I’m building a bit on the traditional Green Lantern/Flash friendships and these two are perfect to continue the tradition. In my own continuity, there was an unwritten Jade and Jesse: Fast Friends story that occurred sometime between the break-up of Infinity Inc. and now. Of course, what happens later turns the whole Fast Friends concept on it’s ear, but you’ll have to read the story to find out how.
What’s up with this “mysterious member” of Infinity Inc’s early days?
This is my own little post crisis revision. In the pre-crisis DCU, the Huntress was a member of Infinity Inc during it’s early days. Once she was written out of continuity, it was assumed noone really replaced her. Well, in my story, she DID have a replacement in the post-crisis DCU. Who that is though, is a surprise.
Why aren’t there any footnotes?
Because I’m procrastinating. (How’s that for honesty!) I will be adding some footnotes in the future, but for now, I’ll just list some stories that I follow up or that I am heavily influenced by for CotH.
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Animal Man 1-27
Green Lantern: Ganthet’s Tale
A few others I can’t think of right now, off the top of my head...
Can I get involved in this somehow?
Ok, this one hasn’t been asked often enough, but I’m MORE than open for ideas and story submissions. If anyone has something they’d like to see or an idea that will fit the overall running theme of CotH, by all means, let me know! I’m always open for new ideas!
Hope you enjoy the story!
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