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

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 • Jul. 22, 2024

It’s a complete bizarre retcon of the original mythology that makes no sense except to create an opportunity for Laurie and Hawkins to share a moment while recovering from their Michael-inflicted wounds in the hospital.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 15, 2021

It’s a completely bizarre retcon of the original mythology that makes no sense except to create an opportunity for Laurie and Hawkins to share a moment while recovering from their Myers-inflicted wounds in the hospital.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 13, 2021

Still, as regrettable as this nonconsensual retcon may be, it is at least not an indictment of Africans writ large.

From Slate • Mar. 5, 2021

Interestingly, the term `cookie monster' appears to be a retcon; the original term was cookie bear.

From The Jargon File, Version 4.2.2, 20 Aug 2000 by Steele, Guy L.