retcon

American  

[ret-kon] / ˈrɛtˌkɒn /

noun

1. a subsequent revision of an established story in film, TV, video games, or comics.

   In an awkward retcon of his origin story, the hero’s parents survived the attack but suffered complete memory loss.

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verb (used with object)

retconned, retconning

1. to later revise (an established element of a fictional story).

   The writers retconned the origin of her powers, newly attributing them to alien ancestry.

Usage

What does retcon mean? Retcon is an informal term for a revision made to an established story after the story was published or released, as in Fans were frustrated with the retcons that eliminated some of the TV series’ early characters. The term is a shortening of retroactive continuity. It is also used as a verb meaning to later revise an established story, as in I can’t believe they retconned a romance between the hero and the villain!Retcon is used mostly informally in reference to movies, television, video games, comic books, and similar types of entertainment with an ongoing story. A retcon is a plot point, reveal, or significant change that invalidates or changes the past of the story in order to maintain continuity within the whole of the story. Example: The fact that he had a son we never heard about does make sense, so I'm okay with the retcon.

Etymology

Origin of retcon

First recorded in 1980–85; a shortening of retroactive continuity

Example Sentences

DeKnight is open about denying Ashur a retcon that erases his past crimes.

From Salon

The transformation of Sol's lightsaber draws from material in the "Darth Vader" comic books, which itself is a retcon of the first offscreen explanations of red lightsabers from the age before Disney.

From Salon

Technically "Secret Invasion" is a lead-in to "Armor Wars," an upcoming feature starring Don Cheadle's James Rhodes, aka War Machine, and it forces a major retcon on his character that may end up irritating fans more than jump-starting his story.

From Salon

It also smooths out significant canonical wrinkles via retcon, which more devoted Trek observers than I have explained in detail.

From Salon

In a "nobody asked for this ever" retcon, Rowling also revealed how wizards used to go to the bathroom.

From Salon