retcon

English

Etymology

A blend of retroactive +‎ continuity.

The term "retroactive continuity" was popularized by comics writer Roy Thomas, who was known for writing superhero comic books set decades in the past such as All-Star Squadron and attributes it to an anonymous source [bold in original]:

"As for what Roy himself (myself) is trying to do, we like to think an enthusiastic ALL-STAR booster at one of Adam Malin's Creation Conventions in San Diego came up with the best name for it, a few months back: 'Retroactive Continuity.' Has kind of a ring, don't you think?"

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɹɛtˌkɒn/

Noun

Wikidata

retcon (plural retcons)

1. A situation, in a soap opera or similar serial fiction, in which a new storyline explains or changes a previous event or attaches a new significance to it.
   • 2003. Glen Cadigan, The Legion Companion, p. 152:

     TLC: What do you say to the Legion fans who have become disenfranchised with the series due to its various retcons and reboots?

   • 2005. Rhonda Wilcox, Why Buffy Matters: The Art of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, p. 9:

     Fans talk of retcon—retroactive continuity—giving information that explains an earlier event, especially seeming plot contradictions or lacunae.

   • 2006. Glenn Yeffeth, ed., The Man from Krypton: A Closer Look at Superman, p. 155:

     It's a little trick called retcon, short for "retroactive continuity," ...

     Yet I'm unsure even Millar is fully aware of the power given him by the retcon.

Verb

1. To employ such a device.
   • 2003. Jean-Marc Lofficier, The Nth Doctor, p. 5:

     While ‘retconning' the scripts, I came up with a number of theories that throw new light on the Doctor, his past, and various other elements...

   • 2004. Eric Nolen-Weathington, Modern Masters Volume 3: Bruce Timm, p.79:

     A lot of people were like, "Oh, they just retconned their own continuity. They should have used Kyle. I don't like that." So we just threw Kyle in there to say, "No, no, Kyle's still there. He still exists in the animated universe; he's just not stationed on Earth at the moment, regularly."

   • 2006. Len Wein, ed., The Unauthorized X-Men: SF and Comic Writers on Mutants, Prejudice, and Adamantium 92:

     Retroactive continuity (aka retconning), would reveal that Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are also Magneto's children, showing that this was a guy who was really committed to his cause

   • 2006. Michael Eury, Daniel (CON) Best, Glen (CON) Cadigan, Mike (CON) Esposito, David (CON) Mandel, The Krypton Companion, p. 157:

     Luthor appeared a handful of times, Gary "retconned" the Toyman and created Terra-Man, and Superman would get a worthy opponent whenever Len Wein did a fill-in.

See also

• Joss

Anagrams

• Cotner, centro-, cornet, corten, creton, cronet