The Penumbra Podcast Explained

The Penumbra Podcast
Language:English
Updates:Bi-weekly[1]
Length:30-50 Minutes[2]
Num Seasons:5
Began:March 16, 2016

The Penumbra Podcast is a science fiction and fantasy podcast.

History

The Penumbra Podcast was created by Harley Takagi Kaner and Kevin Vibert. There are two main stories within The Penumbra Podcast: The Second Citadel, which takes place inside a fantasy world where humans are battling monsters;[3] and Juno Steel; a detective noir story set in the distant future.[4] [5] Juno is a handsome, trenchcoat-wearing black detective.[6]

From 2016 to 2018, The Penumbra Podcast employed artist Mikaela Buckley to make art for the characters of the podcast. In her depictions, some characters (most notably Juno Steel) were black. Some people felt that the podcast was brownwashing the characters without putting actual effort in, as the voice actors almost exclusively were white. The Penumbra Podcast issued an official apology on September 24, 2021, a few weeks after awareness about the topic was raised. Merchandise featuring Buckley's art was discontinued. The Penumbra Podcast still has her art on their website for archival purposes.[7]

Reception

The Penumbra has received positive attention for its heavy LGBTQIA+ themes. The site Book Riot labeled it one of "the best fiction podcasts you need to listen to."[8] Melissa Locker of The Guardian called the podcast "a storytelling show that gives classic tales a head-spinning twist".[9] It was ranked number 17 in Tumblr's 2019 list of top web series.[10] Mackenzie Hubbard of The Michigan Daily, said "I've listened to [the podcast] four times and I've cried each time".[11]

According to Joshua Dudley of Forbes, the podcast has won six different AudioVerse Awards.[12] The podcast won "Best New Original, Long Form, Small Cast, Ongoing Production" in 2016.[13] In 2017, "Best Actress in a Supporting role for an Ongoing, Dramatic, Production" went to Kate Jones for playing the character Rita in Penumbra, "Best Actor in a Supporting role for an Ongoing, Dramatic, Production" went to Noah Simes for playing Lord Arum, and "Best Actor in a Leading role for an Ongoing, Dramatic, Production" went to Joshua Ilon for playing Juno Steel.[14] The podcast also won best "Audio Play Production" in 2019 along with more awards for acting.[15]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Baum. Sarah Emily. January 5, 2018. 'The Penumbra' Is the Queer Audio Drama You Didn't Know You Needed. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210903182030/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-penumbra-is-the-queer-audio-drama-you-didnt_b_5a48f900e4b0df0de8b06b29?ncid=engmodushpmg00000004. September 3, 2021. September 3, 2021. HuffPost. BuzzFeed. en-US.
  2. Web site: Zhao. Nathan. June 2, 2017. Kevin Vibert: Making Mistakes Is the Best Way to Learn. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200811134343/https://waylandstudentpress.com/54756/articles/kevin-vibert-making-mistakes-is-the-best-way-to-learn/. August 11, 2020. September 3, 2021. Wayland student press.
  3. Web site: Ponders. T. H.. June 25, 2021. 4 Space Podcasts With Crews You'll Want to Join. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210704160419/https://www.tor.com/2021/06/25/4-space-podcasts-with-crews-youll-want-to-join/. July 4, 2021. September 3, 2021. Tor.com. Macmillan Publishers. en-US.
  4. Web site: Romano. Aja. May 26, 2017. 11 Addictive Podcasts to Indulge in Over Memorial Day Weekend. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170526215222/https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/5/26/15698356/podcast-recommendations-true-crime-fantasy-summer. May 26, 2017. September 3, 2021. Vox. Vox Media. en-US.
  5. Web site: Levy. Marc. July 23, 2019. PodTales Festival of Audio Drama Is in October, Brought to You by 'Greater Boston' Podcasters. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191015121232/https://www.cambridgeday.com/2019/07/23/podtales-festival-of-audio-drama-is-in-october-brought-to-you-by-greater-boston-podcasters/. October 15, 2019. September 3, 2021. Cambridge Day. en-US.
  6. Web site: Ng. Wei Ai. February 2, 2017. 'Be Gay, Do Crime' - Appreciating LGBTQ+ Representation in Fiction Podcasts. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210213164756/https://www.oxfordstudent.com/2020/02/17/be-gay-do-crime-appreciating-lgbtq-representation-in-podcasts/. February 13, 2021. September 3, 2021. The Oxford Student. Oxford Student Services. en-GB.
  7. Web site: The Penumbra Podcast apology. live. 2021-11-09. 2021-11-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20211109143934/http://www.thepenumbrapodcast.com/regarding-race-in-our-early-artwork.
  8. Web site: Robertson. Zoe. April 5, 2020. The Best Fiction Podcasts You Need to Listen To. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210302204300/https://bookriot.com/best-fiction-podcasts/. March 2, 2021. September 3, 2021. Book Riot. Riot New Media Group. en-US.
  9. Web site: Locker. Melissa. August 15, 2016. The week's best podcasts: Stephen King, BoJack Horseman, Werner Herzog. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108140425/http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2016/aug/15/the-weeks-best-podcasts-stephen-king-bojack-horseman-werner-herzog. November 8, 2020. September 3, 2021. The Guardian. en-GB.
  10. Web site: 2019's Top Web Series. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191203023832/https://fandom.tumblr.com/post/189334909694/2019-web-series. December 3, 2019. September 3, 2019. Fandom on Tumblr.
  11. Web site: Hubbard. Mackenzie. July 14, 2021. The Importance of the Comfort TV Episode. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210715164818/http://www.michigandaily.com/statement/the-importance-of-the-comfort-tv-episode/. July 15, 2021. September 3, 2021. The Michigan Daily. en-US.
  12. Web site: Dudley. Joshua. January 15, 2020. The Audio Verse Awards Announces Winners in Audio Fiction Categories for 2019. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201206012948/https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuadudley/2020/01/15/the-audio-verse-awards-announces-winners-in-audio-fiction-categories-for-2019/. December 6, 2020. September 3, 2021. Forbes. en-US.
  13. Web site: 2016 Audio Verse Awards. live. 2021-09-03. 2021-10-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20211006191350/https://audioverseawards.net/2016-winners/.
  14. Web site: 2017 Audio Verse Awards. live. 2021-09-03. 2021-10-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20211006220605/https://audioverseawards.net/2017-winners/.
  15. Web site: 2019 Audio Verse Awards. live. 2021-09-03. 2021-08-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20210818104055/https://audioverseawards.net/2019-winners/.

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