Retcons

Kargath · 09-08-2008, 04:34 AM

What's your opinions on retcons in fiction? Do you mind it when it happens? Does your level of respect for a series decrease or increase? Do you like new directions coming up, with the freedom of removing 'bad' backstory?

**Crazyswordsman** · 09-08-2008, 06:21 AM

Retcons are bad, no questions asked. -CSM

***Marilink*** · 09-08-2008, 09:26 AM

I don't mind Retcons, if they're necessary.

What I do mind is when writers put themselves into a situation where a Retcon is necessary.

Robotazy · 09-08-2008, 10:32 AM

Retcons are good if you don't like what you did earlier, but you're too far into the story to do anything about it, and would rather not make a redo.

There are several ways to avoid a retcon, but it can make things easier, I guess.

Dux is not you · 09-08-2008, 05:51 PM

Retcons are always good for your health.

Especially when they involve time travel of some kind.

**Valigarmander** · 09-08-2008, 07:06 PM

I am not a fan of retcons. Nope.

Maximum Spider · 09-08-2008, 07:50 PM

Most retcons suck.

Don't believe me? Just look at Spiderman comics!

Metal Man · 09-08-2008, 08:03 PM

I've used them before. They're like drugs.

Don't use them, and definitely don't allow them to fool you if other authors have used them against you.

t3hDarkness · 09-08-2008, 11:59 PM

EDIT: I LIKEZ RETCONS>

***Cosmonautical*** · 09-09-2008, 12:58 AM

Retcons are just a symptom of bad writing, through and through.

Dr. Furball · 09-09-2008, 03:41 AM

Some retcons, such as making Mortal Kombat's Kano an Australian due to his portrayal in the movie, I'm fine with.
But stuff like Mary Jane knowing that Peter Parker was Spider-Man since the very beginning and has been hiding that for twenty years bugs me quite a bit.

Dux is not you · 09-09-2008, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DELICIOUS POISON

Retcons are just a symptom of bad writing, through and through.

Writing without thinking ahead isn't always bad (though it often is). It's just a habit.

***Cosmonautical*** · 09-09-2008, 10:45 AM

It's the trying to change the past thing I've got a problem with, not the "no thought for the future" business.

Dux is not you · 09-09-2008, 10:51 AM

Well, unless trying to change the past comes as a consequence of not enough forethought, I agree retcons are pointless.

***Cosmonautical*** · 09-10-2008, 08:34 AM

If trying to change the past comes as a half assed attempt at "correcting" your lack of forethought despite the undenyable success of the "incorrect" product, it sure as hell is a problem.

Dux is not you · 09-10-2008, 06:29 PM

But if it's, uh, necessary?

09-08-2008, 04:34 AM	#1
Kargath et in Arcadia ego Join Date: Jul 2001 Gender: Posts: 8,334 Thanks: 1,226 Thanked 780 Times in 488 Posts	Retcons What's your opinions on retcons in fiction? Do you mind it when it happens? Does your level of respect for a series decrease or increase? Do you like new directions coming up, with the freedom of removing 'bad' backstory?

09-08-2008, 06:21 AM	#2
Crazyswordsman This key doesn't work. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Booyaville (yeah!) Gender: Posts: 10,791 Thanks: 1,019 Thanked 686 Times in 467 Posts	Retcons are bad, no questions asked. -CSM

09-08-2008, 09:26 AM	#3
*Marilink* Gotta catch 'em all! Supermod! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Location, Location. Gender: Posts: 29,118 Thanks: 2,535 Thanked 1,822 Times in 1,007 Posts	I don't mind Retcons, if they're necessary. What I do mind is when writers put themselves into a situation where a Retcon is necessary.

09-08-2008, 10:32 AM	#4
Robotazy PRESS ANY KEY TO PANIC! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: A Tiny Shed Gender: Posts: 16,483 Thanks: 529 Thanked 1,254 Times in 897 Posts Blog Entries: 46	Retcons are good if you don't like what you did earlier, but you're too far into the story to do anything about it, and would rather not make a redo. There are several ways to avoid a retcon, but it can make things easier, I guess.

09-08-2008, 05:51 PM	#5
Dux is not you Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Not Columbia Gender: Posts: 1,976 Thanks: 92 Thanked 113 Times in 74 Posts Blog Entries: 1	Retcons are always good for your health. Especially when they involve time travel of some kind.

09-08-2008, 07:06 PM	#6
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,755 Thanks: 1,649 Thanked 5,700 Times in 2,580 Posts Blog Entries: 20	I am not a fan of retcons. Nope.

09-08-2008, 07:50 PM	#7
Maximum Spider Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: I'll take Street Fighter over Dragonball any day. Gender: Posts: 2,549 Thanks: 0 Thanked 191 Times in 126 Posts	Most retcons suck. Don't believe me? Just look at Spiderman comics!

09-08-2008, 08:03 PM	#8
Metal Man Fairy-Slaying Maniac Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: 1592 Miles Away From Here Gender: Posts: 18,062 Thanks: 148 Thanked 683 Times in 482 Posts	I've used them before. They're like drugs. Don't use them, and definitely don't allow them to fool you if other authors have used them against you.

09-08-2008, 11:59 PM	#9
t3hDarkness Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: I weep oily black tears of joy. Gender: Posts: 7,590 Thanks: 119 Thanked 418 Times in 306 Posts Blog Entries: 5	EDIT: I LIKEZ RETCONS>

09-09-2008, 12:58 AM	#10
*Cosmonautical* Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I rub my tilde all over your asterisk Gender: Posts: 28,100 Thanks: 2,151 Thanked 5,338 Times in 2,433 Posts	Retcons are just a symptom of bad writing, through and through.

09-09-2008, 03:41 AM	#11
Dr. Furball Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Mad Science Academy, 12th Floor Gender: Posts: 1,125 Thanks: 185 Thanked 97 Times in 60 Posts	Some retcons, such as making Mortal Kombat's Kano an Australian due to his portrayal in the movie, I'm fine with. But stuff like Mary Jane knowing that Peter Parker was Spider-Man since the very beginning and has been hiding that for twenty years bugs me quite a bit.

09-09-2008, 10:45 AM	#13
*Cosmonautical* Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I rub my tilde all over your asterisk Gender: Posts: 28,100 Thanks: 2,151 Thanked 5,338 Times in 2,433 Posts	It's the trying to change the past thing I've got a problem with, not the "no thought for the future" business.

09-09-2008, 10:51 AM	#14
Dux is not you Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Not Columbia Gender: Posts: 1,976 Thanks: 92 Thanked 113 Times in 74 Posts Blog Entries: 1	Well, unless trying to change the past comes as a consequence of not enough forethought, I agree retcons are pointless.

09-10-2008, 08:34 AM	#15
*Cosmonautical* Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I rub my tilde all over your asterisk Gender: Posts: 28,100 Thanks: 2,151 Thanked 5,338 Times in 2,433 Posts	If trying to change the past comes as a half assed attempt at "correcting" your lack of forethought despite the undenyable success of the "incorrect" product, it sure as hell is a problem.

09-10-2008, 06:29 PM	#16
Dux is not you Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Not Columbia Gender: Posts: 1,976 Thanks: 92 Thanked 113 Times in 74 Posts Blog Entries: 1	But if it's, uh, necessary?