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| | ==Explanation== | | ==Explanation== |
| − | This comic 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 headcanon is a compound of "head" and "canon," and is a term used among online discussions that means "canon that only exists within one's head." In other words it refers to belief or theory about a fictional universe that has not, strictly speaking, been proven to be true within the fiction (some headcanons can even contradict the fiction).
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| − | In this strip, [[Black Hat]] tells [[Cueball]] that he has a "new headcannon". [[Cueball]], thinking Black Hat means "headcanon," inquires what Black Hat's new idea is. Instead of the expected idea or theory, Black Hat removes his hat to reveal a tiny cannon on his head which blows away Cueball and his computer desk.
| + | This is a pun on the {{w|Homophone|homophones}} "{{w|Canon_(fiction)|canon}}" and "{{w|Cannon|cannon}}". |
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| − | While headcanon may often be ignored or dismissed as a personal theory, a headcannon would be far harder to ignore, as it is a physical object which has a notable (and in this case violent) impact on the real world.
| + | A [http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Headcanon headcanon] is a fan's thought imposed on a fictional world, often seen in fanfiction. "Canon" is the term that describes things that are true for a particular fictional world. (It derives from the {{w|Biblical_canon|Biblical canon}}, a list of books considered to be authoritative scripture by a particular religious community.) A work's definitive canon is determined by its creators, but fans can have their own ''personal'' canons—things that they believe ''should'' be true for the setting, such as new romantic pairings or personal answers to questions officially left unexplained. The fannish term for a ''canon'' that only exists in that fan's ''head'' is, thus, "headcanon." These ideas are notoriously contagious ("It's really easy to get other people to believe in them."), and sometimes return to the author, who may decide to canonize them. |
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| − | In the title text Randall makes the spellings of these two words indistinguishable by using three consecutive "n"s to spell "headcannnon". Therefore, the title text is deliberately vague. It could be interpreted that it is easy to convince people that you have a cannon on your head, that it is easy to make people believe in a self invented headcanons, or both. Since you are choosing your own interpretation of this title text, the joke is that you are creating your own headcanon.
| + | A cannon, meanwhile, is an explosive-based projectile weapon. Were someone not to believe that a person had a cannon strapped to their head, it would presumably be very easy to convince them of the headcannon's existence, as cannonfire is quite noticeable. |
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| − | This comic also shows Cueball being once again distracted from his work in a manner similar to [[1388: Subduction License]].
| + | Randall addresses both homophones in the title text by putting three consecutive "n"s in "headcannnon". |
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| − | ===Canon===
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| − | In terms of a given literary series, "''{{w|Canon_(fiction)|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.
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| − | ===Headcanon===
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| − | 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.
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| | ==Transcript== | | ==Transcript== |
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| | :[Black Hat lifts his hat, revealing his "headcannon": a tiny cannon on the top of his head. The headcannon fires and blows up Cueball's desk, the explosion throwing Cueball backwards.] | | :[Black Hat lifts his hat, revealing his "headcannon": a tiny cannon on the top of his head. The headcannon fires and blows up Cueball's desk, the explosion throwing Cueball backwards.] |
| | :Headcannon: '''BOOM''' | | :Headcannon: '''BOOM''' |
| − | :Cueball: Augh! | + | :Cueball: AUGH! |
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| | {{comic discussion}} | | {{comic discussion}} |
| | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] |
| | [[Category:Comics featuring Black Hat]] | | [[Category:Comics featuring Black Hat]] |
| − | [[Category:Language]]
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| − | [[Category:Portmanteau]]
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| − | [[Category:Computers]]
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| − | [[Category:Puns]]
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