Hybrid genre and character representation : noir, fantasy, and fantasy noir in Constantine, Pushing daisies, and the Dresden files

Abstract

Genre is an important part of the television industry, as it helps both producers market their texts and consumers better interpret the television they consume. By combining genres, producers can create new stories and more dynamic characters to please audiences. A recent combination that has come into being is fantasy noir. Such examples of this genre are Pushing Daisies, Constantine, and The Dresden Files. These shows take recognizable elements from both genres and meld them together to create a stronger story. While the general population does not support texts such as Pushing Daisies, Constantine, or The Dresden Files, the fans who do have found something that they can be highly dedicated to. It is my intention to bring to light the ways in which fantasy noir creates new interpretations of old archetypes, to examine the ways gender roles change in this mixed genre as compared to its components, and to suggest some of the possible reasons that fans build cultural communities around these three texts despite their short lifespan on prime time television. I propose that this genre is one in which fans build strong cultural communities around characters.