What is canon?

easy question...

What do people consider canon information for characters to use in battle threads?

I've heard several people use 'alternate realities' when talking about Marvel characters and using that information as Canon, but then dismissing the same information when it's used from DC characters.

this basically came from an argument about "leadership" where it was stated that Kingdom Come isn't canon for DC, well since Kingdom Come is now "officially" Earth 20 (?) in the DCU continuity, does that not make it as "canon" any the separate universes in Marvel?

M

Canon is basically the "PRIMARY" world in which all of the heroes of the chosen title reside. For instance, the Marvel heroes primary world is 616. While they may have "What if's?" and "Alternate futures" what happens there really has no effect on them. Unless of course, they themselves actually GO into an alt future or something.

Yeah that pretty much sums it up.

so is Kingdom Come canon as it's an "Alternate Future" where the "Earth Prime" characters have traveled to, and the "KC characters" have traveled to "Earth Prime"?

M

Methos says:

"so is Kingdom Come canon as it's an "Alternate Future" where the "Earth Prime" characters have traveled to, and the "KC characters" have traveled to "Earth Prime"? M"

Methos says:

"easy question... What do people consider canon information for characters to use in battle threads? I've heard several people use 'alternate realities' when talking about Marvel characters and using that information as Canon, but then dismissing the same information when it's used from DC characters. this basically came from an argument about "leadership" where it was stated that Kingdom Come isn't canon for DC, well since Kingdom Come is now "officially" Earth 20 (?) in the DCU continuity, does that not make it as "canon" any the separate universes in Marvel? M"

so Green Lantern Vs Silver Surfer oneshot does count as canon because it had lasting effects on the universe?

M

Yeah but now with all the Ultimates and Heroes reborn storylines etc, canon is harder to define. As far as I'm concerned if it happened in an official (logo'ed DC, Marvel, Dark Horse,) comic or during official licensing (non-spoof) as in a movie or tv series then as far as Battles go, it's canon.

Methos says:

"so Green Lantern Vs Silver Surfer oneshot does count as canon because it had lasting effects on the universe? M"

Nobody says:

"f it had a lasting effect on the universe then I say yes."

it did lol

M

Methos says:

"Nobody says:

"f it had a lasting effect on the universe then I say yes."

it did lol M "

specifically it dealt with the destruction of OA (Homeworld of the Green Lanterns) and how Parallax's power affected the universe...

it was also the first "hint" of the actual Marvel Vs DC crossover which was shown at the end of the one shot :D

M

Methos says:

"specifically it dealt with the destruction of OA (Homeworld of the Green Lanterns) and how Parallax's power affected the universe... it was also the first "hint" of the actual Marvel Vs DC crossover which was shown at the end of the one shot :D M"

Do either Marvel or DC have specific canon policies? If so it might be helpful to put them up permanently so people don't cite non-canon material.

PhoenixSouvenir says:

"Yeah but now with all the Ultimates and Heroes reborn storylines etc,canon is harder to define. As far as I'm concerned if it happened in anofficial (logo'ed DC, Marvel, Dark Horse,) comic or during officiallicensing (non-spoof) as in a movie or tv series then as far as Battlesgo, it's canon."

This Is how I view cannon, and I think its kinda of silly to say "this is not cannon" as if to say it never was created by the book publisher, which of couse is just silly since Marvel & DC created it for God sakes..

someone also stated that just because it occured in comics (written by writers) that that does not count as examples of battles because it happend in comics which isnt "real" which I think is just insane because arent we all here because of comics. and the info we have on all heros is from comics!

Alternate realities shouldn't be considered canon in battles, but it could bring up things that are at least possible in the normal continuity. It should be used for discussion but not be the entire basis of the arguement.

It's even hard to define what is canon in the main universes, since so many writers ret-con old stories.

Phorqe says:

"Alternate realities shouldn't be considered canon in battles, but itcould bring up things that are at least possible in the normalcontinuity. It should be used for discussion but not be the entirebasis of the arguement.It's even hard to define what is canon in the main universes, since somany writers ret-con old stories."

I dissagree about the battles. If marvel or dc published than it provides an example of what can occur as stated by the heros creators themselves.

speedlgt says:

"Phorqe says:

"Alternate realities shouldn't be considered canon in battles, but it could bring up things that are at least possible in the normal continuity. It should be used for discussion but not be the entire basis of the arguement. It's even hard to define what is canon in the main universes, since so many writers ret-con old stories."

I dissagree about the battles. If marvel or dc published than it provides an example of what can occur as stated by the heros creators themselves. "

Precisely. "Canon" should be used when dealing with issues concerning character history and/or story lines, but not powers and abilities.

speedlgt says:

"Phorqe says:

"Alternate realities shouldn't be considered canon in battles, but it could bring up things that are at least possible in the normal continuity. It should be used for discussion but not be the entire basis of the arguement. It's even hard to define what is canon in the main universes, since so many writers ret-con old stories."

I dissagree about the battles. If marvel or dc published than it provides an example of what can occur as stated by the heros creators themselves. "

Canon is what you think you know to be fact until a writer comes along low on ideas, high on ambition, and pummels your perspective into a pulp.