Dangler (plot device)

Dangler is a literary term meaning plot-lines that are metaphorically left to "dangle" or "hang". A dangler, or dangling plotline, is a plot device in fiction where a plotline is forgotten, phased out and eventually dropped, thus a resolution is never achieved. Although dangling plot-lines can occur in all forms of media, they typically appear in comic books, movies and book sequels, where the original writer or creative team can be replaced.