The Penumbra Paradigm
The Penumbra Podcast was undeniably one of the big hits of the late 2000’s Podcast Renaissance, what I personally consider a wave of hit audio drama debuts that became the new status quo for success after Welcome to Night Vale, and is still going strong to this day before the new generation of 2020’s hits surface.
The Penumbra shares its success story with other popular titles like The Bright Sessions and Wolf 359 but due to some longer breaks between seasons, is able to brush shoulders with The Magnus Archives on the Tumblr trending page to this day.
It’s definitely the kind of product that demands the attention of its audience even without a hashtag, not only exceeding at world building but creating characters and a setting and stakes with a sardonic sense of humor and eye for aesthetics without being style over substance.
Now technically, The Penumbra Podcast as a whole product consists of two distinct narratives: one a fantasy epic of delectable male knight adventures called The Second Citadel-which might prompt it’s own article one day-and the other a science fiction private eye story about the aloof and self destructive Juno Steel which will be the primary focus of this article.
This sort of science fiction filter put in place over a detective story is the kind of setup ripe for potential. If you’re remotely familiar with things like Blade Runner, Equilibrium, or The Terminator, you probably have at least a basic understanding of what grim and gritty tech noir is capable of exploring be it through socio political messages or just really cool cities filled with really cool people doing really cool things.
As podcasts are my preferred medium of entertainment right next to books and video essays, The Penumbra is easily my favorite of the tech-noir genre and creates a world and atmosphere that practically oozes class while understanding the benefits of stakes, suspense, and humor. The Penumbra really does put the drama in audio drama with its love for larger than life characters, hairbrained schemes ranging from crazed artists to pet napping schemes all against the backdrop of. Hyperion City, a troubled yet fantastical city on Mars which is a sprawling metropolis of fabulous scenery and absolute lunatics.
If it weren’t obvious already, this write up is coming from a fan of the show, someone who digested a fair amount of the series in under a week and is still hungry for more.
Who to blame for that obsession is no other than the combined talents of Sophie Takagi Kaner and Kevin Vibert whose writing allows them to devise a fun, vibrant, and even sexy world that is capable of combining a number of genres, ideas, and character types into one space without feeling like it’s steering off course.
It’s an excellent blend of zany comedy to steamy, storybook romance to high stakes drama, all while wrapped up tightly in a necktie that reads “noir” in big bold, neon letters.
From dinner parties to destructive robots, it’s surprisingly capable of throwing a curveball and hitting a homerun every time, mostly due to the likability of its protagonist and where the show gets its name, Juno Steel.
Juno Steel is definitely the kind of character that can blend well in almost any conflict thrown his way with a melancholic charm that’s truly his own. His cynical behavior is an excellent contrast to his acquaintances, rivals, and last minute flings that are all their special shade of crazy, especially when thrown into a mystery alongside the charming thief Peter Nureyev who can add Juno’s heart to his collection of treasures.
No noir is complete without romance and Peter is just the anecdote for anyone who wants a steamy slice of sex appeal to an already sizling mystery setting.
Flirtatious, charming, and prone to getting into his own predicaments in pursuit of untold riches, Peter provides an excellent contrast and core love interest to Juno that makes any story they may share have that extra pinch of emotional stakes and punchy exchanges. Though one-offs for Juno are incredibly immersive and still add to the overarching plot, Juno Steel and the Midnight Fox being a personal favorite of mine, it’s times when Juno and Peter get to collaborate that the best parts of their dynamic shine.
Juno with his headstrong, deadpan business logic and Peter with his cunning optimism makes them surprisingly compatible in the face of danger, especially in another standout episode, “Juno Steel and the Train From Nowhere” which can only truly be appreciated once you get around to The Penumbra’s momentum.
And yet Peter never overstays his welcome, almost always bouncing in and out of the narrative on a whim that befits his mysterious character and adds all the more angst to Juno’s uncommitted lifestyle. But don’t think his presence ends with him being offscreen, him being a lingering force in Juno’s thoughts which makes his inevitable returns a crowning achievement that’s prone to get the fans buzzing with excitement.
And while this might seem like a digression from the core points of this writeup, I’d definitely say a lot of The Penumbra’s success attributes to its taste for presentation. As a regular podcast consumer, I can’t stress enough the importance of effective, gripping visual techniques that helps devise an intricate setting.
Though audio drama definitely derives strength from a “less is more” ideology, The Penumbra employing the talents of Mikaela Buckley has only strengthened its ability to rope its audience into their next tale. Be it through some gorgeous mini comics or minimalist yet dramatic cover art, Buckley’s eye for mature color palettes and distinct silhouettes really breathes life into the setting while still allowing the imagination of fan artists to flourish.
Now, to insist on the idea of “official art” for a podcast almost seems taboo and yet it almost seems like a plus to the Juno Steel world building. Though I’m not one to dish out career advice, having a fresh piece of art to anticipate the release of the new episode has always provided an extra taste of dedication and craft.
The Penumbra is a truly one of a kind experience that knows what it wants to be, making no excuses about being just the right amount of silly in a world that benefits from high stakes conflict, pivotal moments of character drama, and really cool laser guns.
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