Editing 1401: New

{{comic
| number    = 1401
| date      = July 30, 2014
| title     = New
| image     = new.png
| titletext = The nice thing about headcannnons is that it's really easy to get other people to believe in them.
}}

==Explanation==
This strip uses a play on the {{w|homophone|homophonic}} relationship between "{{w|Canon_(fiction)|canon}}", the literary term, and "{{w|cannon}}", a projectile weapon. The word headcannon is a Portmanteau of "head" and "cannon".

In terms of a given literary series, ''canon'' describes a set of works that are collectively recognized by the community as having authenticity. Generally, works created or endorsed by the original author(s) are considered canonical. Not all original content is considered canon and not all canon is original content.  Sometimes creators will rewrite the canon (called a {{w|retcon}}) and make things that were previously canonical non-canonical. For example, the origins of a character may be rewritten, thus invalidating the portions of the works that speak to the old origins. Other times creators will incorporate non-original content and therefore incorporate the canon of these borrowed works.

A ''headcanon'' as the name implies is a form of canon that only exists in one's mind. More specifically, a headcanon is created when a consumer watching or reading the material develops their own ideas about a fictional universe that are not actually part of the canon, perhaps developing their own backstories or experiences for characters. Some frequent examples of headcanon include relationships between characters, abilities, events following the conclusion of the work, etc. which the author or creator has not explained or included. For example, a consumer may "read between the lines" and assume that there was a previous romantic relationship between two characters where no conclusive evidence actually exists of one. Some fans who come up with particularly interesting or convincing headcanons may decide to share them with others in hopes that their idea spreads.

In this strip, [[Black Hat]] tells [[Cueball]] that he has a "new headcannon". Cueball, thinking Black Hat means "headcanon", thus inquires what Black Hat's new idea is. Instead of the expected idea or theory about a fictional universe, Black Hat removes his hat to reveal a tiny literal cannon on his head, which proceeds to blow away Cueball and his computer desk.

In the title text Randall deliberately emphasizes the comic's punch line by using three consecutive "n"s to spell "headcannnon". He also introduces the fact that a fan who introduces a headcanon may be ignored or dismissed by the rest of the community for various reasons, such as the idea being too unconvincing or implausible to be true. This may be discouraging to the fan in question. On the other hand, a fan who introduces a headcannon would be far harder to ignore and it would be far easier to convince others of the headcannon's existence, as it is a physical object which has a notable (and in this case violent) impact on the real world. 

This comic also shows Cueball being once again distracted from his work in a manner similar to [[1388: Subduction License]].

==Transcript==
:[Black Hat walks in.]
:Black Hat: New headcannon:

:[Cueball is sitting at his desk, using his computer.]
:Cueball: Yeah?

:[Black Hat lifts his hat, revealing a tiny cannon on top of his head. The headcannon fires and blows up Cueball's desk, the explosion throwing Cueball backwards.]
:Headcannon: '''BOOM'''
:Cueball: AUGH!

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Black Hat]]
[[Category:Language]]
[[Category:Portmanteau]]