Ideally our prototype swarm should be made up of artists who work in the same genre. We want to keep things simple for our proof-of-concept. Then again, we might not get enough volunteers the first time around. In that case we will need a story that appeals to a broad range of readers.
If we stick to one genre we can use the usual crossover storylines. Events don't have to be canon, but it would be cool if they were. This could be an opportunity to reboot a few comics.
- A new threat has arisen and it requires all the heroes to band together, Avengers-style.
- Interdimensional tricksters (basically the audience) want to see who's the biggest badass among our characters. Time for a tournament arc!
- A Cupid-like trickster has gone through all the romance comics and gotten all the ships mixed up. The characters are stuck on a desert island (or drifting spacecraft) and unlikely pairings start popping up.
If there characters are coming from multiple genres we'll need a story with original characters.
- Interdimensional tricksters are going on a grand tour of the different comics but shit happens and they end up needing to save the multiverse.
- Interdimensional tricksters are chasing after fugitives, who have the ability to blend into whatever group of characters they find. The pursuers could be the heroes. Then again, the fugitives could be the heroes. Each episode takes its tone from the current host comic.
- A Sandman-style anthology, with a frame story and multiple standalone episodes. Everyone will work together on each episode so the project still has consistently high production values.
I hope this works too. If we succeed, not only will we have created a cool new promotional event, but we'll also have found a way to quickly (and easily!) bring new stories to market. We can take advantage of trends faster than ever. Not only that, but if we get our fans to swarm we can actually ask them what they want.