I'm always looking for characters that show weakness in times of crisis or who don't even try when things fall apart, since I feel like those are more true to human nature and I'm quite partial to bleak and hopeless endings that are as un-Hollywood and as un-heroic quest as possible.

I guess some call it anti-fantasy, but I'm very into works that don't console, probably just because I'm burned out and jaded...but that can't possibly help someone who is writing for publication since it makes getting published less likely, in most cases.