charlesoberonn:

Good subversion: Taking a trope and improving upon it by executing it in a different way that is more interesting and well written than it typically is.

For example, taking the “inanimate object given life” trope and making that object into an antagonist that’s cruel because it lacks a soul or an appreciation for life.

Bad subversion: Taking a trope and executing it in a way that is worse than it usually is.

For example, taking the trope of the “prophecized epic confrontation between the protagonist and antagonist for the fate of the world” and then having the protagonist’s little sister show up and kill the antagonist in 2 seconds.

Not subversion: Setting up a plotline and then not delivering on it on purpose.

For example, setting up a mystery regarding the protagonist’s parentage and the origin of their powers and then revealing the parents were nobodies and the explanation for the powers is no explanation.