Apocrypha (fiction)
Encyclopedia
In the context of fiction, apocrypha includes those fictional stories that do not belong within a fictional universe's canon
, yet still have some authority relating to that fictional universe. The boundaries between canon and apocrypha can often be blurred.
The word "Apocrypha" is sometimes used to describe works set in a fictional universe that may not belong in the canon
.
These may include tie-in merchandise such as video games, novels and comics, which are sometimes termed 'Expanded Universe
s'.
Often these materials might contradict the continuity that has already been established by 'canon'. Even when no such contradictions occur, such materials may still be deemed apocrypha possibly because they might have been produced largely independently of the creator of the fictional universe. For example Joss Whedon
, creator of the Buffyverse
, has little involvement with the Buffyverse novels
and has never read an entire novel, let alone closely overseen or edited one.
The Star Trek canon consists of the various Star Trek television series and movies. All the other Star Trek stories which have been licensed by Paramount (novels, comics..) are not part of canon, they are instead apocrypha. Fan fiction is classified as fanon
.
.
Use of the term has extended to non-religious contexts, where an account or anecdote is said to be apocryphal if its authenticity is questionable (more often when the account's veracity is probably questionable). In recent years it has sometimes been used in the context of fiction.
Canon (fiction)
In the context of a work of fiction, the term canon denotes the material accepted as "official" in a fictional universe's fan base. It is often contrasted with, or used as the basis for, works of fan fiction, which are not considered canonical...
, yet still have some authority relating to that fictional universe. The boundaries between canon and apocrypha can often be blurred.
The word "Apocrypha" is sometimes used to describe works set in a fictional universe that may not belong in the canon
Canon (fiction)
In the context of a work of fiction, the term canon denotes the material accepted as "official" in a fictional universe's fan base. It is often contrasted with, or used as the basis for, works of fan fiction, which are not considered canonical...
.
These may include tie-in merchandise such as video games, novels and comics, which are sometimes termed 'Expanded Universe
Expanded Universe
The term Expanded Universe is generally used to denote the 'extension' of a media franchise with other media...
s'.
Often these materials might contradict the continuity that has already been established by 'canon'. Even when no such contradictions occur, such materials may still be deemed apocrypha possibly because they might have been produced largely independently of the creator of the fictional universe. For example Joss Whedon
Joss Whedon
Joseph Hill "Joss" Whedon is an American screenwriter, executive producer, director, comic book writer, occasional composer and actor, founder of Mutant Enemy Productions and co-creator of Bellwether Pictures...
, creator of the Buffyverse
Buffyverse
The Buffyverse, also known as the Whedonverse or Slayerverse , is the shared fictional universe in which the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel are set. This term, originally coined by fans of the TV series, has since been used in the titles of published works, and adopted by Joss...
, has little involvement with the Buffyverse novels
Buffyverse novels
Buffyverse novels include Buffy novels, Angel novels, Buffy/Angel novels and Tales of the Slayer.-History:-BS1:These Buffyverse tales take place around Buffy Season 1 .-BS2:...
and has never read an entire novel, let alone closely overseen or edited one.
The Star Trek canon consists of the various Star Trek television series and movies. All the other Star Trek stories which have been licensed by Paramount (novels, comics..) are not part of canon, they are instead apocrypha. Fan fiction is classified as fanon
Fanon (fiction)
In works of fiction, fanon is a customary and unofficial canon established in a spontaneous manner by the community of fans at large, for example fan clubs, whenever the official canon is not clear on some points of its narrative....
.
Etymology
The word derives the Greek word 'απόκρυφα', which means "opened", "revealed", or "uncovered". Saint Jerome coined the term to refer to those books of the Old Testament that were not found in the Hebrew Tanakh, and it has since been used to describe religious texts that may not belong to the canonBiblical canon
A biblical canon, or canon of scripture, is a list of books considered to be authoritative as scripture by a particular religious community. The term itself was first coined by Christians, but the idea is found in Jewish sources. The internal wording of the text can also be specified, for example...
.
Use of the term has extended to non-religious contexts, where an account or anecdote is said to be apocryphal if its authenticity is questionable (more often when the account's veracity is probably questionable). In recent years it has sometimes been used in the context of fiction.