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The Word of God trope defines "God" as the definitive creative source behind a work.
There's only one problem with that...
...works that lack a singular, defining "God".
Maybe it's a work that was created by more than one person. Maybe it's an adaptation of an already existing work. Maybe it was work-for-hire for a large corporation (this last one is especially notable in Toyetic works).
The point being, the author more commonly identified as the "God" of a work isn't really so, not as much as people think.
Often results in Armed with Canon and Continuity Snarl if the different "gods" have opposing opinions over the work.
Has nothing to do with Norse Mythology.
Anime and Manga[]
- Satoshi Tajiri is often overloked when it comes to Pokémon despite having created the original games.
Comic Book[]
- Due to his massive Hatedom, Rob Liefeld is often overlooked when it comes to Deadpool, despite having created the character.
- Rom and Micronauts were always work for hire, so Hasbro's role as the creative authority behind both is overlooked in favor of giving Word of God to Bill Mantlo.
- Peter Laird often opposed most incarnations of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (other than the 2003 show and the 2007 movie, both of which he collaborated on). Kevin Eastman, the other creator of the comic book, has no problem with the Lighter and Softer adaptations and has in fact collaborated on many of them.
- Alan Moore is often considered the ultimate authority on Swamp Thing, despite the character being created by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson.
Animated Film[]
- Brad Bird is considered the ultimate authority on The Incredibles despite John Lasseter having as much input on the movie.
- Henry Selick directed The Nightmare Before Christmas, but most still consider Tim Burton the ultimate authority on the movie and its characters.
- Don Bluth is often considered the ultimate authority on the movies he worked on, often overlooking his longtime collaborator, Gary Goldman.
Live-Action Film[]
- Daniel Craig said that James Bond is just as comfortable seducing men as he (James) is seducing women. Ian Fleming (the creator of James Bond) and long-time Bond producer Cubby Broccoli both envisioned Bond as heterosexual, so Craig is most likely wrong on this account.
- James Cameron is considered the ultimate authority on Terminator, despite Gale Ann Hurd having co-wrote the script for the original movie.
- Ridley Scott is often considering the ultimate authority on the Alien franchise, despite the script being written by Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shushett.
Live-Action TV[]
- Ron Moore is often considered the ultimate authority on Battlestar Galactica, often overlooking Glen A. Larson, who created the original incarnation of ther show.
- Gene Roddeberry is often considered the ultimate authority on Star Trek despite Gene Coon having as much input in its creation.
- Shuki Levy had as much input on Power Rangers as Haim Saban, yet Saban's statements are considered word of God and Levy's statements are considered Word of Saint Paul
Western Animation[]
- Lauren Faust is thought to be the ultimate authority on My Little Pony, often completely ignoring Bonnie Zacherle, the actual creator of the franchise (who is never actually asked her opinion on Friendship is Magic).