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Jesus Ruvalcaba
Professor Haas
Writing 37 Intensive Writing
26 November 2014
Superhero/Action vs. Detective Genre Mash Up
The detective genre, and the original conventions which were established during the
Victorian Era by Conan Doyle, have been upgraded recently in a way that makes it similar to the
superhero/action genre. (Took professor Hasss advice and decided to only write about the
superhero genre in order to have a strong controlling idea). For example, as stated by TV
Tropes, Joe Gardner and scholarly writers Leroy Panek and George N. Dove, the detective genre
has characteristics that make it what it is and makes it stand out from all the other genres. These
characteristics may include making the main character really intelligent (as Conan Doyle did
with Sherlock Holmes), which in some ways can be seen in some modern day superheroes, or
overall always giving the solution at the end of the film. These ideas can be seen in both BBCs
Sherlock and Guys Richies 2009 film Sherlock Holmes. These films clearly depict how the
detective genre has been evolving into a faster paced genre (like the action/superhero genre).
(Decided not to talk about the action genre). Overall, the original conventions of the detective,
which were established during the Victorian era, have been slightly changed in a way that makes
the detective/ detective films more action like and makes the detective appear like a superhero.
The detective genre has adopted many characteristics, which make it feel more like an
action/superhero film. These characteristics can include faster paced scenes, which create
suspense within an audience. For example, in minuet 52:30 from the BBC televisions series
Sherlock season 1 episode 1 A study in Pink, the audience can feel the fast paced environment.

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This scene is an adaptation of the original conventions of the detective genre. Within this scene
the audience can view many cinematic elements that are being up into play. For example, as
Sherlock is climbing up the stairs there is a high angle shot where the camera is higher than the
actor in order to show how Sherlock Holmes is coming up the stairs. Lower angle shots were
also used while Watson and Sherlock are climbing down the stairs and jumping from ceiling to
ceiling. This allows the audience to get a feel of how high these buildings were and the danger
that Sherlock and Watson were in while running after the taxi. Montage is also used throughout
the scene in order to show what the character, in this case Sherlock Holmes, is thinking when he
is trying to catch up to the taxi car. This example of montage is also fast in order to show how
fast Sherlocks mind works in these types of situations. These elements make this genre closely
related to the action genre as they are fast paced and create suspense for the audience. The action
genre makes sure that the action includes movement, not meaning like standing up, but big
movements (1). The fact that this scene from Sherlock shows Sherlock and Watson jumping
from building to building makes it clear that the detective genre has adapted since the Victorian
era to become more like the action genre. The detective genre has now begun to establish
characteristics, which make it a faster paced viewing environment for the viewer and in some
cases more appealing for the 21st audience. (Pretty much deleted this whole paragraph and
chose another recue scene that relates to the conventions of the superhero genre. This let
the overall controlling idea of my essay be stronger.)
Another characteristic of the detective genre that has been changed since its creation
during the Victorian era with regards to Sherlock Holmes is how is now closely related to the
superhero genre (which is a type of action genre). As stated by TV tropes, not all superheroes
are super-powered; Batman is often considered a superhero despite having nothing but training,

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intelligence, willpower, minor gadgetry and the writers on his side (1). As seen in Guy Richies
2009 movie Sherlock Holmes at minuet 82:00, the detective genre has begun to make the
detective work in dangerous life or death situations, which make the detective, seem like a
superhero. Cinematic elements were also used within this scene in order to create a more
suspenseful environment. Extreme close up was used when Irene Adler and Sherlock Holmes
were in the jacket, which protected them from not getting burnt. This extreme close up shows
them talking and displays exactly what they are going through during this dangerous situation. A
short example of montage was used in order to let the viewer see exactly what Sherlock Holmes
was thinking during that scene. As the audience sees, Sherlock thinks really fast and therefore
the camera has to move really fast with his thoughts as well. Jump cut was also used in this scene
to cut back into the present moment after all of Sherlock Holmess thoughts were done and were
about to be put into action. The fast music/sounds in this scene were also important as they create
the feeling that the director wanted to create. Overall, all of these cinematic elements are used by
the director in order to create the fellings/thoughts he want to create for his audience. This scene
really shows the conventions of the original detective genre and how the detective is always the
smartest and always the person who everyone relies on for a solution. But contrary to the original
convention of how Holmes feels impelled to point out Watson's errors and to show him how to
do the thing correctly, (Panek 86) this scene shows Sherlock working closely with Watson to
get Irene Adler out of this trouble that she is in. This difference is huge because Sherlock Holmes
was always seen as the person who wants to take the credit for all the investigations and the
person who solves everything on his own. This scene can also relate to the action genre as it
includes a fast paced situation that has big movements (1). The actions and the detective genre
are closely related to one another.

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Another way that the detective genre has mashed up with the superhero genre is with how
the detective genre has adapted their characters to relate to those of the superhero genre.
(Described how the scenes relate to the mash up of the detective and superhero genre.)
Batman can be seen like Sherlock Holmes because of all the similar characters that have been
created. As stated by Joe Gardner, despite there many differences, 'Batman' and 'Sherlock
Holmes' have more in common than it appears (Gardner 1). For example in the BBC show
Sherlock and with Guy Richies 2009 movie Sherlock Holmes, it can be seen how Irene Adler is
really close with Sherlock Holmes almost to the point of love. These characteristics of Irene
Adler were not in the original versions of Sherlock Holmes by Conan Doyle and are now
adaptations, which can relate to the ideas of the Superhero Genre. In comparing the detective
genre with the superhero genre, Irene Adler can be in a way related to Catwoman. These two
characters ultimately feel love for the main character (in this case Sherlock Holmes or Batman).
Watson can be closely related to Robin, Batmans (Sherlock) sidekick. Moriarty can be closely
related to the Joker, or in both cases, the villain. These stories are closely related as both of these
characters are detectives and need the help of their sidekicks to stay sane. For example, Sherlock
Holmes needs Watson in his life in order to have a companion and keep him away from trouble
and harms way, this is the same thing for the superhero genre.
Overall both of these films are aimed at different audiences. For example BBCs Sherlock
is mostly aimed at the audience in London while the movie Sherlock Holmes by Guy Richie is
aimed at a more American audience. The things they talk about in both of these films appeal to
different groups of people and therefore become more popular within specific areas. (I show
how Guy Richie uses mash up to attract a greater audience.) The scenes I chose are related in
the fact they are both show examples of how the detective genre is closely related to both the

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action and superhero genre. These scenes are both fast paced and show Sherlock Holmes doing
extraordinary things. Both of these films show similar conventions of the detective genre which
are slightly changed from what was originally established by Conan Doyle during the Victorian
Era. Both of these films depict Irene Adler as a lover to Sherlock Holmes and both of these also
depict how the detective genre can now be strongly relatable to the action/superhero genre. Older
conventions are also kept though. As stated by scholarly writer George N. Dove, the detective
genre has similar conventions, first, the main character is a detective; this person may be male
or female, professional or amateur, public or private, single or multiple, but there is an
identifiable detection role. Second, the main plot of the story is the account of the investigation
and resolution; there may be love themes, ghost themes, social themes, or others, but the
detection retains precedence. Third, the mystery is no ordinary problem but a complex secret that
appears impossible of solution. Finally, the mystery is solved; the solution may be unknown to
the detective- protagonist, the official police, or anybody else in the story, but it must be known
to the reader (10). These conventions that were established by Conan Doyle are sill kept in all
the new films that relate to the detective genre. Even though there are many new conventions
that are created to make the detective seem a little more different and appealing for the 21st
audience, these original conventions are kept the same and are pretty much the basis for the
detective genre.
All in all, the detective genre and the conventions that were created with in during the
Victorian Era have been changed but have kept its basic structure. (I show how the detective
genre has not changed but instead, new conventions have been added to it.) The detective
genre has adopted a lot of characteristics that are included in both the action genre and the
superhero genre (these genres are closely related). These new fast paced characteristics have

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made the detective genre more exciting for some of its new audiences and have made the
detective genre accumulate some new conventions. These new characteristics could also be used
because they want to appeal more to the 21st audience who have now been exposed to the action
and the superhero genre (which are really popular). The detective genre though, will always
include the basic conventions that Conan Doyle created and that have stayed alive for so long.
Even though the detective genre has been adopting new characteristics and can be related to
different genres the basic principles set up by Conan Doyle will always be present and will
always make the detective genre one of a kind.

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Works Cited
Wikipedia contributors. "Action (fiction)." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 23 Oct. 2014. Web. 27 Nov. 2014.
Doherty, Robert. "Elementary "Pilot" CBS. New York City, New York, 27 Sept. 2012.
Television.
Leroy,Lad Panek "Read An Introduction to the Detective Story" 1987. Web. 23 Nov.
2014.
"Superhero". Tv Tropes. N.d.Web. 15 November 2014.
Gardner, Joe. "The Great Detectives - Sherlock Holmes/Batman Comparison." The Great
Detectives. 3 Jan. 2012. Web. 15 Nov. 2014.
McGuian, Paul, dir. Sherlock: Season 1, Episode 1: A Study in Pink. BBC. 1 Jan. 2012.
Television.
Dove, George N. The Different Story. The Reader and the Detective Story. Bowling Green,
OH: Bowling Green State University Popular Press, 1997. PDF File.

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