# Fictional universe > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Fictional_universe > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Fictional_universe.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fictional_universe > Source revision: 1332372404 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Self-consistent fictional setting "In-universe" and "Imaginary world" redirect here. For fictional dream worlds, see [Dream world (plot device)](/source/Dream_world_(plot_device)). This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (June 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Map of the [Land of Oz](/source/Land_of_Oz), the fictional realm that is the setting for [L. Frank Baum](/source/L._Frank_Baum)'s [*Oz* series](/source/Oz_series) A **fictional universe**, also known as an **imagined universe** or a **constructed universe**, is the [internally consistent](/source/Continuity_(fiction)) fictional [setting](/source/Setting_(narrative)) used in a [narrative](/source/Narrative) or a [work of art](/source/Work_of_art). This concept is most commonly associated with works of [fantasy](/source/Fantasy) and [science fiction](/source/Science_fiction), and can be found in various forms such as [novels](/source/Novel), [comics](/source/Comics), [films](/source/Film), [television shows](/source/Television_show), [video games](/source/Video_game), and other creative works.[1][2] In science fiction, a fictional universe may be a remote alien planet or galaxy with little apparent relationship to the real world (as in the *[Star Wars](/source/Star_Wars)* [universe](/source/Universe_of_Star_Wars)). In fantasy, it may be a greatly fictionalized or invented version of Earth's distant past or future (as in *[The Lord of the Rings](/source/The_Lord_of_the_Rings)*).[1] ## Fictional continuity In a 1970 article in *[CAPA-alpha](/source/CAPA-alpha)*, comics historian [Don Markstein](/source/Don_Markstein) defined the fictional *universe* as meant to clarify the concept of fictional continuities. According to the criteria he imagined:[3] 1. If characters A and B have met, then they are in the same universe; if characters B and C have met, then, [transitively](/source/Transitive_relation), A and C are in the same universe. 1. Characters cannot be connected by real people—otherwise, it could be argued that [Superman](/source/Superman) and the [Fantastic Four](/source/Fantastic_Four) were in the same universe, as Superman met [John F. Kennedy](/source/John_F._Kennedy), Kennedy met [Neil Armstrong](/source/Neil_Armstrong), and Armstrong met the Fantastic Four. 1. Characters cannot be connected by characters "that do not originate with the publisher"—otherwise it could be argued that Superman and the Fantastic Four were in the same universe, as both met [Hercules](/source/Hercules). 1. Specific fictionalized versions of real people—for instance, the version of [Jerry Lewis](/source/Jerry_Lewis) from [DC Comics](/source/DC_Comics)' *[The Adventures of Jerry Lewis](/source/The_Adventures_of_Jerry_Lewis)*, who was distinct from the real Jerry Lewis in that he had a housekeeper with magical powers—*can* be used as connections; this also applies to specific versions of public-domain fictional characters, such as [Marvel Comics' version of Hercules](/source/Hercules_(Marvel_Comics)) or [DC Comics' version of Robin Hood](/source/Robin_Hood_(DC_Comics)). 1. Characters are only considered to have met if they appeared together in a story; therefore, characters who simply appeared on the same front cover are not necessarily in the same universe. ## Collaboration See also: [Shared universe](/source/Shared_universe) Fictional universes are sometimes shared by multiple prose authors, with each author's works in that universe being granted approximately equal canonical status. For example, [Larry Niven](/source/Larry_Niven)'s fictional universe [Known Space](/source/Known_Space) has an approximately 135-year period in which Niven allows other authors to write stories about the [Man-Kzin Wars](/source/Man-Kzin_Wars). Other fictional universes, like the [*Ring of Fire* series](/source/Ring_of_Fire_series), actively court canonical stimulus from fans, but gate and control the changes through a formalized process and the final say of [the editor and universe creator](/source/Eric_Flint).[4] ## See also - [Alternate history](/source/Alternate_history) - [Alternate universe](/source/Alternative_universe_(fan_fiction)) - [Campaign setting](/source/Campaign_setting) - [Constructed world](/source/Worldbuilding) - [Continuity](/source/Continuity_(fiction)) - [Diegesis](/source/Diegesis) - [Expanded universe](/source/Expanded_universe) - [Shared universe](/source/Shared_universe) - [Fantasy world](/source/Fantasy_world) - [Fictional country](/source/Fictional_country) - [Fictional location](/source/Fictional_location) - [Future history](/source/Future_history) - [Lists of fictional locations](/source/Lists_of_fictional_locations) - [List of fantasy worlds](/source/List_of_fantasy_worlds) - [Mythical place](/source/List_of_mythological_places) - [Paracosm](/source/Paracosm) - [Parallel universe](/source/Parallel_universes_in_fiction) - [Planets in science fiction](/source/Extrasolar_planets_in_fiction) - *[Roman-fleuve](/source/Roman-fleuve)* - [Setting](/source/Setting_(narrative)) - [Simulated reality](/source/Simulated_reality) - [Virtual reality](/source/Virtual_reality) - [Multiverse](/source/Multiverse#Multiverse_Hypothesis_in_fiction) ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_1-1) Schult, Stefanie; Tolkien, J. R. R.; Pratchett, Terry; Williams, Tad (2017). *Subcreation: fictional-world construction from J.R.R. Tolkien to Terry Pratchett and Tad Williams*. Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald. Berlin: Logos Verlag Berlin GmbH. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3-8325-4419-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-8325-4419-5). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Pavel, Thomas G. (1986). *Fictional Worlds*. Harvard University Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780674299665](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780674299665). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Markstein_3-0)** ["THE MERCHANT OF VENICE meets THE SHIEK OF ARABI"](https://archive.today/20190531164542/http://toonopedia.com/universe.htm), by [Don Markstein](/source/Don_Markstein) (as "Om Markstein Sklom Stu"), in *[CAPA-alpha](/source/CAPA-alpha)* #71 (September 1970); archived at Toonopedia 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Flint, Eric](/source/Eric_Flint) and various others (26 December 2006). [*Grantville Gazette III*](/source/Grantville_Gazette_III). [Thomas Kidd](/source/Thomas_Kidd_(illustrator)) (cover art). [Baen Books](/source/Baen_Books). pp. 311–313. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-4165-0941-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4165-0941-7). The print published and e-published Grantville Gazettes all contain a post book [afterword](/source/Afterword) detailing where and how to submit a manuscript to the fictional canon oversight process for the [1632 series](/source/1632_series). ## Further reading - [Alberto Manguel](/source/Alberto_Manguel) and [Gianni Guadalupi](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gianni_Guadalupi&action=edit&redlink=1): *[The Dictionary of Imaginary Places](/source/The_Dictionary_of_Imaginary_Places)*, New York : Harcourt Brace, c2000. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-15-100541-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-15-100541-9) - [Brian Stableford](/source/Brian_Stableford): *The Dictionary of Science Fiction Places*, New York : Wonderland Press, c1999. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-684-84958-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-684-84958-5) - [Diana Wynne Jones](/source/Diana_Wynne_Jones): *The Tough Guide to Fantasyland*, New York : Firebird, 2006. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-14-240722-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-14-240722-4), Explains and parodies the common features of a standard fantasy world - [George Ochoa](/source/George_Ochoa) and [Jeffery Osier](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jeffery_Osier&action=edit&redlink=1): *Writer's Guide to Creating A Science Fiction Universe*, Cincinnati, Ohio : [Writer's Digest Books](/source/Writer's_Digest), 1993. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-89879-536-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-89879-536-2) - Michael Page and [Robert Ingpen](/source/Robert_Ingpen) : *[Encyclopedia of Things That Never Were](/source/Encyclopedia_of_Things_That_Never_Were): Creatures, Places, and People*, 1987. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-14-010008-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-14-010008-3) v t e Narrative Character Antagonist Archenemy Character arc Character flaw Characterization Confidant Deuteragonist False protagonist Focal character Foil Gothic double Hamartia Hero Anti Byronic Tragic Narrator Protagonist Stock character Straight man Supporting character Title character Tritagonist Villain Plot Ab ovo Action Backstory Origin story Chekhov's gun Cliché Cliffhanger Conflict Deus ex machina Dialogue Dramatic structure Eucatastrophe Foreshadowing Flashback Flashforward Frame story In medias res Kishōtenketsu MacGuffin Pace Plot device Plot twist Poetic justice Red herring Reveal Self-insertion Shaggy dog story Stereotype Story arc Story within a story Subplot Suspense Trope Setting Alternate history Backstory Crossover Dreamworld Dystopia Fictional location city country universe parallel Fictional species Utopia Worldbuilding Theme Irony Leitmotif Metaphor Moral Moral development Motif Deal with the Devil Conflict between good and evil Self-fulfilling prophecy Time travel Style Allegory Bathos Comic relief Diction Figure of speech Imagery Mode Mood Narration Narrative techniques Hook Show, don't tell Stylistic device Suspension of disbelief Symbolism Tone Structure Act Act structure Three-act structure Freytag's Pyramid Exposition/Protasis Rising action/Epitasis Climax/Peripeteia Falling action/Catastasis Catastrophe Denouement Linear narrative Nonlinear narrative films television series Premise Types of fiction with multiple endings Form Drama Fabliau Flash fiction Folklore Fable Fairy tale Legend Myth Tall tale Gamebook Narrative art Narrative poetry Epic poetry Novel Novella Parable Short story Vignette Genre (List) Fiction Action fiction Adventure Comic Crime Docu Epistolary Ergodic Erotic Historical Western Mystery Nautical Paranoid Philosophical Picaresque Political Pop culture Psychological Religious Rogue Romance Chivalric Prose Saga Satire Speculative fiction Fantasy Gothic Southern Horror Magic realism Science Hard Utopian and dystopian Underwater Superhero Theological Thriller Urban Nonfiction Autobiography Biography Novel Creative Narration Diegesis First-person Second-person Third-person Third-person omniscient narrative Subjectivity Unreliable narrator Fourth wall Multiple narrators Stream of consciousness Stream of unconsciousness Tense Past Present Future Related Dominant narrative Fiction writing Continuity Canon Reboot Retcon Parallel novel Prequel / Sequel Series Genre List Literary science Literary theory Narrative identity Narrative paradigm Narrative therapy Narratology Metafiction Political narrative Rhetoric Glossary Screenwriting Series of works Storytelling Tellability Verisimilitude v t e Fictional locations Buildings Bars and pubs Castles Prisons Railway stations Cities and towns Settlements in animation in comics in film in literature in television Countries, counties, and states Countries African Asian European Oceanian Pan-American by region Islands Mythological places Planets, worlds, and universes Fantasy worlds Planets Universes film and television animation and comics literature science fiction Related Continuity Fantasy map Lists of fictional locations Shared universe Worldbuilding Authority control databases International GND National United States France BnF data Israel Other Yale LUX --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Fictional universe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fictional_universe) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fictional_universe?action=history)). 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