Expanded universe

The term expanded universe, sometimes called an extended universe, is generally used to denote the "extension" of a media franchise (like a television program or a series of feature films) with other media, generally comics and original novels.

Nearly every media franchise with a committed fan base has some form of expanded universe.

Two prominent examples of media franchises with an expanded universe are Star Wars[1] and Star Trek,[2] which both have a wide range of original novels, comics, video games, and other media that add to the mythology of their fictional universe in different ways.

In both cases, entirely new characters and situations have been developed that exist only within the expanded universe media.

[3][4] Although there are some exceptions, expanded universe works are generally accepted as canon, or part of the "official" storyline continuity.