In serial fiction , to reboot means to discard all continuity in an established series in order to recreate its characters, timeline and backstory from the beginning. [1] [2] The term is used with respect to various forms of fictional media such as comic books , television series , video games and movies among others. [1]
Etymology
The term is thought to originate from the computer term for restarting a computer system . [2]
Types
Reboots remove any non-essential elements with a franchise by starting the franchise’s continuity and distilling it down to the core elements and concepts. [3] For audiences, reboots allow easier entry for newcomers unfamiliar with earlier titles in a series. [3]
Movie
With reboots, filmmakers revamp and reinvigorate a film series in order to attract new fans and stimulate revenue. [2] A reboot can renew interest in a series that has grown stale, and can be met with positive, mixed, or negative results by both consumers and film critics . [ citation needed ] Reboots also act as a safe project for a studio, a reboot with an established fan base is less risky (in terms of expected profit) than a new original work, while at the same time demographics. [4] Reboots also permit directors and producers to a new set of younger actors for the audience.[ citation needed ] Unlike a remake , however, a reboot often presupposes a working familiarity on the part of the audience with the original work. [ quote needed ]
Television
In television, a reboot is different from a revival , in which many of the original cast, storylines, and local from the original series are retained, whereas a reboot features an entirely new cast and timeline original series. [ quote needed ]
Video games
Reboots are common in the video game industry, particularly with franchises that have multiple entries in the series. [3] Reboots in video games are used to refresh the storyline and elements of the game. [3]
Comic books
In comics, a long-running title may have its continuity, enabling writers to redefine characters and open up new story opportunities, and allowing the title to bring in new readers. [1] [5] Comic books are used in the universe, for example, in the universe, and in the world of the world. [6] [7] [8]
List of reboots in fiction
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Comic books
| Series | Series start year | Reboot (s) | Reboot year | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC Universe | 1934 | Silver Age | 1956 | |
| Crisis on Infinite Earths | 1986 | [6] | ||
| The New 52 | 2011 | [7] | ||
| Legion of Super-Heroes | 1958 | Legion of Super-Heroes | 1994 | |
| Legion of Super-Heroes | 2004 | |||
| Saiyuki | 1997 | Saiyuki Reload | 2002 | |
| Saiyuki Reload Blast | 2010 | |||
| JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure | 1987 | Steel Ball Run | 2004 | |
| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | 1984 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | 2012 | |
| Valiant Comics | 1992 | Valiant Comics | 2012 | |
| Sonic the Hedgehog | 1992 | Worlds Collide | 2013 | |
| Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW) | 2018 |
See also
- Artistic license
- Canon (fiction)
- List of modernized adaptations of old works
- prequel
- Remake
- Technical reset button
- Retroactive continuity
- Sequel
References
- ^ Jump up to:a b c Willits, Thomas R. “To Reboot Or Not To Reboot: What Is The Solution?” . Bewildering Stories . Retrieved 20 August 2013 .
- ^ Jump up to:a b c Parfitt, Orlando (25 August 2009). “Top 12 Forthcoming Franchise Reboots” . IGN . Retrieved 20 August 2013 .
- ^ Jump up to:a b c d Norris, Erik (7 March 2013). “Why Franchise Reboots Can Be A Good Thing” . CraveOnline . Retrieved 20 August 2013 .
- Jump up^ Billington, Alex (6 October 2008). “Sunday Discussion: The Mighty Hollywood Reboot Trend” . FirstShowing.net . Retrieved 20 August 2013.
- Jump up^ Lorendiac (16 March 2009). “Lorendiac’s Lists: The DC Reboots Since Crisis on Infinite Earths” . Comic Book Resources . Retrieved 20 August2013 .
- ^ Jump up to:a b Crisis on Infinite Earths # 1-12 (April 1985 – March 1986)
- ^ Jump up to:a b Flashpoint # 1-5 (May – September 2011)
- Jump up^ Zero Hour: Crisis in Time# 4-0 (Sept. 1994)
