Fictional universe
Internally consistent setting for narratives and art.
A fictional universe—also called an imagined universe, constructed universe, or diegetic world—is a self-consistent imaginary setting that serves as the backdrop for a narrative or artistic work. This idea appears most often in fantasy and science fiction, across media like novels, comics, films, TV shows, and video games. In science fiction, the setting might be a distant alien planet or galaxy with little connection to our own reality, as seen in the *Star Wars* universe. In fantasy, it could be a heavily fictionalized or wholly invented version of Earth’s ancient past or far future, such as the world of *The Lord of the Rings*.
**Fictional continuity** In a 1970 article for *CAPA-alpha*, comics historian Don Markstein proposed a set of criteria to define fictional universes in terms of continuity. According to his framework: if characters A and B have appeared together in a story, they share the same universe; if B and C have also met, then A and C are transitively in that universe as well. Real people cannot serve as connectors—otherwise, one could argue Superman and the Fantastic Four occupy the same universe because Superman met John F. Kennedy, Kennedy met Neil Armstrong, and Armstrong met the Fantastic Four. Similarly, characters that do not originate with the publisher cannot link others; otherwise, both Superman and the Fantastic Four could be connected through Hercules, whom each has met. However, specific fictionalized versions of real people—for instance, the DC Comics version of Jerry Lewis, who differed from the real Jerry Lewis by having a magical housekeeper—can be used as links. The same applies to specific versions of public-domain characters, like Marvel’s Hercules or DC’s Robin Hood. A meeting only counts if the characters actually appeared together in a story; simply sharing a cover does not put them in the same universe.
**Collaboration** Sometimes multiple prose authors share a fictional universe, with each writer’s contributions granted roughly equal canonical status. For example, Larry Niven’s Known Space includes a period of about 135 years during which Niven permits other authors to write stories about the Man-Kzin Wars. Other universes, such as the Ring of Fire series, actively encourage fan contributions but control changes through a formal process, with the final say held by the editor and the universe’s creator.
- field
- Narrative theory, fiction
- known_for
- Internally consistent fictional settings in fantasy and science fiction
- related_concept
- Fictional continuity
Lore & Background
According to the criteria he imagined, if characters A and B have met, then they are in the same universe; if characters B and C have met, then, transitively, A and C are in the same universe. Characters cannot be connected by real people—otherwise, it could be argued that Superman and the Fantastic Four were in the same universe, as Superman met John F. Kennedy, Kennedy met Neil Armstrong, and Armstrong met the Fantastic Four. 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. Specific fictionalized versions of real people—for instance, the version of Jerry Lewis from DC Comics' 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 or DC Comics' version of Robin Hood. 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.
Reader's Guide
Fictional universes are sometimes shared by multiple prose authors, with each author's works in that universe being granted approximately equal canonical status. Other fictional universes, like the 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. The concept of fictional continuity, as articulated by Don Markstein, provides a rigorous method for determining whether characters inhabit the same universe, based on story appearances and excluding connections via real people or characters not originating with the publisher. This framework has influenced how creators and audiences understand shared fictional worlds, particularly in comics and other serialized media.
Did You Know?
- The concept of a fictional universe is most commonly associated with works of fantasy and science fiction.
- According to Markstein's criteria, characters cannot be connected by real people or by characters that do not originate with the publisher.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a fictional universe in narrative theory?
A fictional universe is a constructed, self-contained setting that a story or artwork takes place within, where its own rules and logic hold together without contradicting themselves. It serves as the coherent backdrop behind characters and plot, giving the narrative a defined world to operate in.
How is a fictional universe different from a real-world setting?
While real-world settings are grounded in our actual geography and history, a fictional universe operates under its own internal rules that may have little connection to reality—like an alien galaxy or a magic-filled realm. The key distinction is that every element within it must follow the logic established by the creator rather than our actual world's.
What does 'internally consistent' mean for a fictional universe?
It means the setting's own rules—whether physics, magic systems, social structures, or geography—stay logically coherent throughout the narrative without unexplained contradictions. Fans notice and criticize 'plot holes' when a story breaks the rules its own universe has already established.
Which genres rely most heavily on fictional universes?
Fantasy and science fiction are the two fields most associated with building out full fictional universes, though the concept also appears in comics, video games, film franchises, and television. A single constructed world can span novels, games, and screen adaptations, all sharing the same setting.
How does a fictional universe relate to the concept of fictional continuity?
Fictional continuity is the thread of events, characters, and rules that links multiple stories within the same fictional universe across time and media. While the fictional universe is the setting itself, continuity is the ongoing record of what has happened within that setting.
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