Reboot (fiction)

From Hey Kids Comics

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][3]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The term is thought to originate from the computer term for restarting a computer system.[2]

Reboots in various media[edit | edit source]

Reboots remove any non-essential elements associated with a franchise by starting the franchise's continuity over and trimming it down to the core elements and concepts.[4] For consumers, reboots allow easier entry for newcomers unfamiliar with earlier titles in a series.[4]

Film[edit | edit source]

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 the consumers and film critics.[5] Reboots also act as a safe project for a studio, as a reboot with an established fan base is less risky (in terms of expected profit) than an entirely original work, while at the same time allowing the studio to explore new demographics.[6]

Video games[edit | edit source]

Reboots are common in the video game industry,[4] particularly with franchises that have multiple entries in the series.[4] Reboots in video games are used to refresh the storyline and elements of the game.[4]

Comic books[edit | edit source]

The term also applies to comic books,[7] where a comic's previously published stories are erased from continuity in order to provide a clean slate and allow a writer to start over from the beginning while retaining the essential concepts.[7] Reboots in comic books are done to retell a story, revamp characters, open up new story opportunities, and bring renewed interest to a comic without burdening the readers with its complex history.[1][3]

Comic books that reboot a continuity sometimes include an explanation for the reboot within the comic itself, such as merging parallel worlds and timelines together[8][9] or destroying and recreating a universe from the beginning.[10]

List of reboots in serial fiction[edit | edit source]

Film[edit | edit source]

Series Series start year(s) Reboot(s) Reboot year(s)
The Mummy 1934 The Mummy 1999
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 1974 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Texas Chainsaw 3D
2003
2013
The Punisher 1989 The Punisher
Punisher: War Zone[11]
2004
2008
Batman 1989 Batman Begins 2005
The Pink Panther 1964 The Pink Panther 2006
James Bond 1962 Casino Royale[12] 2006
Neon Genesis Evangelion 1995–97 (TV series and films) Rebuild of Evangelion 2007
Halloween 1978 Halloween 2007
Friday the 13th 1980 Friday the 13th 2009
Star Trek 1966 (TV series), 1979 (films) Star Trek 2009
A Nightmare on Elm Street 1984 A Nightmare on Elm Street 2010
Planet of the Apes 1968 Rise of the Planet of the Apes[13][14] 2011
Spider-Man 2002 The Amazing Spider-Man 2012
Judge Dredd 1995 Dredd 2012
Superman 1978 Man of Steel 2013
The Evil Dead 1981 Evil Dead 2013
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1990–2007 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2014
RoboCop 1987 RoboCop 2014
Godzilla 1954 Godzilla 2014
The Terminator 1984 Terminator 2015

Video games[edit | edit source]

Series Series start year Reboot(s) Reboot year(s)
Ecco the Dolphin 1992 Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future 2000
Alone in the Dark 1992 Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare
Alone in the Dark
2001
2008
Wolfenstein 3D 1992 Return to Castle Wolfenstein
Wolfenstein: The New Order
2001
2014
Shinobi 1987 Shinobi 2002
Prince of Persia 1989 Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Prince of Persia
2003
2008
Doom 1993 Doom 3 2004
Ninja Gaiden 1988 Ninja Gaiden 2004
Altered Beast 1988 Project Altered Beast 2005
Spyro the Dragon 1998 The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning
Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure
2006
2011
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter 1997 Turok 2008
Silent Hill 1999 Silent Hill: Shattered Memories 2009
Castlevania 1987 Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2010
Dead to Rights 2002 Dead to Rights: Retribution 2010
Medal of Honor 1999 Medal of Honor 2010
Splatterhouse 1988 Splatterhouse 2010
Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit 1998 Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2010
Mortal Kombat 1992 Mortal Kombat 2011
Need for Speed: Most Wanted 2005 Need for Speed: Most Wanted 2012
Devil May Cry 2001 DmC: Devil May Cry 2013
Tomb Raider 1996 Tomb Raider 2013
Killer Instinct 1994 Killer Instinct 2013
Thief 1998 Thief 2014

Comic books[edit | edit source]

Series Series start year Reboot(s) Reboot year(s)
DC Universe 1934 Silver Age of Comic Books
Crisis on Infinite Earths[7]
Flashpoint
1956
1986
2011
Legion of Super-Heroes 1958 Legion of Super-Heroes (1994)[7]
Legion of Super-Heroes (2004)[7]
1994
2004
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1984 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2011
Valiant Comics 1992 Valiant Comics 2012

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Thomas R. Willits. "To Reboot Or Not To Reboot: What is the Solution?". Bewilderingstories.com. Retrieved 2013-08-20. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Orlando Parfitt. "Forthcoming Franchise Reboots". IGN. Retrieved 2013-08-20. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 Keith Swenson (2011-06-10). "Movie Franchise Reboots, And The Fans That Love Them". Tonight At The Movies. Retrieved 2013-08-20. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Erik Norris (2013-03-07). "Why Franchise Reboots Can Be A Good Thing". CraveOnline. Retrieved 2013-08-20. 
  5. "Twenty Film Franchises in Need of a Reboot - VideoHound Blogs - VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever". Movieretriever.com. 2009-04-27. Retrieved 2013-08-20. 
  6. "Sunday Discussion: The Mighty Hollywood Reboot Trend". FirstShowing.net. 2008-10-06. Retrieved 2013-08-20. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "Lorendiac's Lists: The DC Reboots Since Crisis on Infinite Earths | Comics Should Be Good! @ Comic Book Resources". Goodcomics.comicbookresources.com. 2009-03-16. Retrieved 2013-08-20. 
  8. Crisis on Infinite Earths #1-12 (April 1985 – March 1986)
  9. Flashpoint #1-5 (May – September 2011)
  10. Zero Hour: Crisis in Time #4-0 (Sept. 1994)
  11. "Interview: Lexi Alexander - IGN". Movies.ign.com. 2007-12-06. Retrieved 2013-08-21. 
  12. Day, Aubrey (2009-12-16). "Decade's Best: Casino Royale". TotalFilm.com. Retrieved 2013-08-20. 
  13. "RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES Set Visit and Video Blog | Collider | Page 85807". Collider. Retrieved 2013-08-21. 
  14. Kevin Melrose (2011-04-07). "Fox's Planet Of The Apes Prequel Gets Renamed … Again – Spinoff Online – TV, Film, and Entertainment News Daily". Spinoff.comicbookresources.com. Retrieved 2013-08-22. 


Category:Comics terminology Category:Continuity Category:Film and video terminology Category:Video game terminology