A "canon event" is an important, defining event that is considered officially true and essential within a fictional story or universe. It is a key occurrence that shapes a character's life and identity and is consistent across different versions or universes of that story. For example, in the Spider-Man franchise, a canon event is the loss of a close family member or friend (like Uncle Ben's death), which motivates the character to become a hero. This event happens in nearly every Spider-Man storyline, making it a "canon event"-something fated or destined to happen regardless of different timelines or universes
. Outside of fiction, the term has been adopted as a meme and cultural concept to describe significant life events that shape who a person is, whether positive or negative. These can range from major life changes like a first job or a personal loss to seemingly small but impactful moments. The idea is that these events are pivotal in defining one's path and character
. In summary:
- In fiction, a canon event is a crucial, recurring event that is officially part of the story's true history.
- In popular culture and social media, it refers to life events that fundamentally shape a person's identity or future.
This concept gained widespread attention from the 2023 movie Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse , where canon events are shown as key moments that happen to every Spider-Man across multiple universes
