Mythology Gag
A Mythology Gag is a reference to past iterations of a work that are explicitly not Canon to the work in question. A meta-Continuity Nod, if you will. Often seen in Reboots or Series Franchises when an element from the previous version is referenced or seen in some way, usually as an acknowledgment to fans of earlier incarnations. When successful, it serves as a reassurance to those fans that the producers aren't trying to disrespect the original source material. When unsuccessful, it only reminds fans that the original source material essentially never happened.
This trope is usually taken largely as a bit of gratuitous humor, since if t...read more