Reference: Franchise/Series Lines
Rick Retro’s Reference Rundown #5: Header Block, Franchise/Series Lines
Retro Reviews Reference
In the Header Block, there will be one or more Franchise/Series Lines, if applicable. When used, the Franchise/Series Line or Lines will be the last line or lines of the Header Block.
Some works are included in more than one franchise or series, resulting in more than one Franchise/Series Line being included in the Header Block. The Lines will be listed in the order of number of total works in the franchise or series, from most to least.
A Franchise or Series Line will be in the format:
emoji#/# [type] in X [franchise]/series
The “emoji#” in the format represents the position number in the franchise or series of the reviewed work:
1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣4️⃣5️⃣6️⃣7️⃣8️⃣9️⃣🔟
(numbers greater than 10 will not use emojis)
The “#” following the “/” separator in the format represents the total number of works included in the franchise or series.
The type of franchise or series is usually the same as the reviewed work, for example “films” for feature films.
Exceptions:
“works” includes all types of works.
“movies” includes feature films, TV movies and direct-to-video movies.
“shorts” includes short films, TV specials and video shorts.
“videos” includes everything in “movies” and “shorts”.
“stories” includes micro-stories, flash stories, short stories, novelettes and novellas.
The “X” in the format represents the name of the franchise or series.
A franchise will usually be described as a universe, or if it comprises more than one fictional universe, as a multiverse.
Three more emojis may immediately follow the franchise or series designation, when applicable.
🔜 Remade
The reviewed work is followed by remakes based on either the reviewed work, or the original work on which the reviewed work is based. If the reviewed work is a modernized adaptation of an original work, later adaptations of that original work are not considered remakes of the reviewed work unless they include the same modernization.
⏮️ Sequel
The reviewed work is chronologically later in the story than the first work in the series or franchise.
⏭️ Prequel
The reviewed work is chronologically earlier in the story than the first work in the series or franchise.
🥾 Reboot
The reviewed work is a specialized remake intended as a restart of the franchise, usually serving as the first entry in a new series.
Here are a couple of examples of the Header Block that might show up for a couple of well-known sci-fi films:
Star Trek (2009)
Feature film, 2h 7m
Based on TV series Star Trek by Gene Roddenberry
11/13 films in Star Trek multiverse 🥾⭐
1️⃣/3 films in Star Trek reboot series ⭐
Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones (2002)
Feature film, 2h 22m
5️⃣/12 films in Star Wars universe ⏭️⭐
5️⃣/9 films in Skywalker Saga series ⏭️⭐
2️⃣/3 films in Star Wars prequel series ⏮️⭐
A ⭐ emoji used on this line indicates that a Retro Roundup including the reviewed work is intended for future publication, and will serve as a linked list of related works. If a Retro Roundup has already been created, the relevant term(s) that describe the Roundup’s related works will be linked to the Roundup.
Originally posted to text group 2025-01-04
Last updated 2025-04-01
Retro Reviews Reference Pages:
Reference Overview
Header Block:
Primary Information Line
Version Line
Secondary Information Line
Franchise/Series Lines
Opinion Block:
Grade Line
Entertainment Quality Line
Dark Whimsy Line
POPCAP Line
Left-Right Line
Footer Block:
Review Lines
Genre Line
Content Block:
Overall Content Line
Content Detail Line
Viewpoint Block:
My View Line
Christian Values Line
Biblical Values Line
Political Values Line
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