The use of retcons, or retroactive continuity, may be seen by some as proof that a story or trope was broken from the get-go. We say, au contraire! Sometimes going back to make adjustments to a narrative is not only a good idea, it’s absolutely NECESSARY. Welcome to Ten Things!
Whooshman-Bicarbonate Films, in conjunction with ‘An Amateur Comics Historian’ and the Earth-2 Matthew, who is still a nerd, but wears a hubcap for a hat, Presents:
TEN NECESSARY RETCONS THAT WORKED!
10) THE ALL-STAR SQUADRON
There are a lot of great things in the comics of the Golden Age, a time when the expectations of superheroes weren’t as concrete and creators would literally throw any ol’ thing at the wall to see if it sold comic books. The creation of the All-Star Squadron by Roy Thomas was a note-perfect idea that took those old concepts and stories and reframed them in a way that made sense and was palatable to modern audiences. In addition, he added some much-needed diversity to DC’s 40s/Earth-2 lineup, but the real masterstroke was in finally explaining the story where the Justice League found funny aliens on the moon as well as every planet in our solar system. By choosing to clarify and emphasize, Thomas and his collaborators showed that a retcon could be a perfect tool for universe-building, rather than an admission of failure.
