Canon

Canon Definition

In the context of fiction, the canon of a fictional universe comprises those novels, stories, films, etc. that are considered to be genuine (or "official"), and those events, characters, settings, etc. that are considered to have inarguable existence within the universe. Usually items that are considered canon come from the original source of the universe while non-canon material comes from adaptations or unofficial items.

Generally, Expanded Universes are considered canon to alternate reality designations of the character. These should be broken out into separate universe pages as denoted by the comic version of Albert Simmons being different from the HBO cartoon version of Albert Simmons (Todd McFarlane's Spawn). In layman's terms, one could basically say that something that is canon is something that "actually happened" in that universe.

See Image Comics Database:Universe Structure for more information about universe designations.

Canon and Non-Image Prints

There has been a handful of cases where Image Comic creations have shifted between publishing companies. As a result, we have taken an affiliated approach where possible.

• Comics: Comics that are published by Image Comics shall be covered here and stay here. We allow orientation pages for intercompany cross-over events. A good example is the Batman/Spawn landing page. The appropriate publishing wikia site owns the comic.

• We do not cover non-Image comics. This has to do with the copyright of the material and that publishing companies own the rights. As an Image Comics database, we only cover the content that Image Comics owns the publishing rights to. If there are issues that need to be cleaned up, please use the {{Merge}}, {{Move}}, and {{Delete}} templates and pipe in the reasons. An admin will assist with the necessary actions.

• Character Pages: Characters created for Image Comic publications are creator-owned. As a result, the owner may use this character in various publications. Each publishing wikia shall host their owned characters, but for creator-owned characters this can be a grey area.

• For DC and Marvel appearances, we shall point to the respective publishing wikia for the characters. See Spawn #10 and Spawn/Batman #1.
• For Creator-Owned appearances, if the character has an active wikia where the content can be referenced, we should point to this wikia. If none exist, the page can be created here as long as they have played an important and notable on-going role within Image Comics.

Useful Templates

• {{Non-Canon}}
• {{Non-Image Publication}}: See a usage example on Madman

See also

• Retcon
• Imprints

Notable Decisions for Bought/Sold Properties

• Powers: Powers will be hosted by the Marvel Database as the issues have been moved to the Icon Imprint by Brian Michael Bendis and there have not been notable development to this project before the purchase.
• Madman was brought to Image Comics after several volumes of content had been published on Dark Horse and Oni Press. The issues published by Image Comics shall be hosted here, and canon material shall be published in the characters page with appropriate {{Non-Image Publication}} usage.

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