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Stargirl Deserves to Join the Arrowverse's Next Big Crossover

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While its first season has only delivered a few episodes so far, Stargirl already offers an interesting take on a familiar DC Comics character, easily earning her a place in a future Arrowverse crossover event. Providing a wonderfully charming performance, Brec Bassinger's portrayal of Courtney Whitmore, aka Stargirl, adds another strong female lead to The CW's roster of superhero talent, even rivaling the hopeful and optimistic personality of Melissa Benoist's Supergirl.

Wielding the cosmic staff, the character would undoubtedly be able to stand her ground against any foe that may threaten the Arrowverse and its heroes -- and should be given the chance to.

RELATED: Stargirl: Meet Jack Knight, The Cosmic Staff's ORIGINAL Wielder

So far, the first season has fleshed out Courtney's superhero origin; having her navigate the world as a high school student after discovering her father's Cosmic Staff. She learns about a villainous group known as the Injustice Society of America as well as the Justice Society of America, a superhero organization that her father was once a member of as Starman. With the help of S.T.R.I.P.E. (Starman's sidekick and Courtney's father-in-law Pat Dugan), she creates her own Justice Society, teaming up with and befriending fellow teenage heroes, Mid-Nite, Wildcat and Hourman, all of whom are willing to work together to combat the Injustice Society's schemes.

Since The CW has stated that it intends to stick to smaller crossovers for the foreseeable future, this allows Stargirl's writers more time to focus on building the series before she makes her eventual debut in the next big crossover event.

Adding Courtney to the roster of Arrowverse frontrunners also adds another competent female voice to its collection of characters. Bassinger has already shown she's capable of carrying her own series as the lead protagonist, delivering impactful and emotional performances as a young girl learning what it is to be a hero in the face of adversity. Introducing her to more experienced heroes will only give the character more role models to look up to and be inspired by.

Additionally, if Arrow's Mia Queen can show up from the future, there’s no reason Stargirl couldn't travel from her parallel world of Earth-2 to Earth-Prime (where the other super characters reside). This dimension-hopping tactic has been used by The CW for previous crossovers, so it's not impossible for Stargirl to join forces with other super friends from another universe.

Related: REPORT: Batwoman Circles Riverdale Star For Ruby Rose Replacement

Inheriting the Cosmic Staff from her father and having already proven herself capable of wielding its power, Stargirl is a force to be reckoned with and would be an excellent ally for the Arrowverse's teased Justice League (as seen at the end of Legends of Tomorrow's "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part 5"). With the staff, Courtney can fly, create energy projectiles, and temporarily blind foes with flashes of light. After bonding with her, the staff is also able to predict Courtney's thoughts and can sense when she's in danger. Fighting alongside characters like The Flash, Supergirl and White Canary, the young heroine brings a variety of skills to the table.

Stargirl's future certainly looks bright, no pun intended. The first several episodes paint an entertaining and likable version of the character, making it very likely that we'll see more of Courtney in the future. Bassinger's performances only strengthen this, proving that the actor is deserving of the recognition she's already earned.

Factoring in the character's various abilities, thanks to the Cosmic Staff, makes her an even more formidable opponent and an excellent ally for The CW's other, more established superheroes. So, while Courtney still has a lot to learn about being a hero, she's definitely earned the right to show up in the next big Arrowverse crossover already -- whatever that may be.

KEEP READING: Supergirl's Nicole Maines Shoots Back at Rowling's Anti-Trans Essay


Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood: 10 Awesome Quotes That Will Always Stick With Us

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So many people love Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. The relaunch took everything fans love about the original Fullmetal Alchemist anime and made it an even tighter story, following more closely to that of the manga, while still giving them the great character moments and animation that has made the series so popular in the first place.

Related: Fullmetal Alchemist: Who's the Better Supporting Character, Ling or Scar?

The series is also chock full of amazing quotes from the characters. A lot of the quotes that fans remember are philosophical, as much of the series is, and others are frank comments on the nature of war. Still others are inspirational messages, and no Brotherhood fan is likely to forget them any time soon.

10 “Nothing’s perfect, the world’s not perfect, but it’s there for us, trying the best it can. That’s what makes it so damn beautiful.”

Roy Mustang says this line, which is important, considering that he has seen some pretty bad stuff in his time in the military. He’s also done some terrible things, and his feelings about his role in an actual genocide color all of his decisions afterwards. The fact that he’s still willing to be so optimistic about the world that he lives in is very inspiring.

9 “War does not determine who is right — only who is left.”

This is obviously something of a pun, but it’s also a pretty dark observation about the nature of war. Riza Hawkeye, like Mustang, has definitely been in some intense stuff in her time serving in the military. She is clearly embittered by what she’s seen and definitely has lost her faith in the idea that the military can be a morally righteous group.

8 “Stand up and walk. Keep moving forward. You’ve got two good legs. So get up and use them. You’re strong enough to make your own path.”

This is one of the earliest moments of truth that Edward doles out in the series. After he dismantles the cult leader who has been lying to the citizens of Reole about channeling the power of God, Rose demands to know what she’s supposed to do now. His response is no-nonsense but also encouraging. It’s also a little ironic, since Edward himself is missing one of his legs.

7 “Dedication is a talent all on its own.”

Alphonse Elric is not quite as talented at alchemy as Edward is. He can’t do alchemy without a transmutation circle, and he wasn’t scouted by the State Alchemists in the same way. Still, he is a devoted student, and what he lacks in talent, he makes up for in hard work and determination. He definitely holds his own in battles, and it’s clear from this quote that he knows his worth.

6 “However little strength I’m capable of, I’ll do everything humanly possible to protect the people I love, and in turn, they will protect the ones they love. It seems like the least we tiny humans can do for each other.”

Mustang, who is an often goofy, sardonic character who makes a lot of jokes and is constantly flirting with women, is also probably the most affected by the chaos and brutality of war.

Related: 10 Coolest Anime Characters With A Disability

Both because he is responsible for the deaths of so many innocent people and because he has seen people he loves killed, he has every reason to feel it’s worth giving up. Instead, he wants to protect his family and his friends in whatever way he can.

5 “Life that has been lost cannot be brought back again. That very truth is what shows us the meaning and value of living.”

This quote by Mustang is one example of the philosophical stance that the entirety of Fullmetal Alchemist takes. The whole series starts with two children, devastated by their mother’s death and unable to understand a world in which she doesn’t exist, trying to bring her back to life with alchemy. Their eventual understanding that they have to protect those they love and cherish the relationships they have is what makes the series so special and hard-hitting.

4 "Even when our eyes are closed, there’s a whole world out there that lives outside ourselves and our dreams.”

This follows from Mustang’s quote above. Here Edward has begun to understand something important both to alchemy and to life: that the world doesn’t revolve around him and that he, and Al, and everyone he knows, are small parts of a big cog that keeps the world spinning, and everyone is pretty insignificant in the big picture.

3 “The heroes during times of war are nothing but mass murderers during times of peace.”

This is another pretty cynical viewpoint from Hawkeye. It’s an especially interesting take on the idea of the war hero from the perspective of someone in the military in Fullmetal Alchemist.

Related: FMA Brotherhood: Ten Empowering Quotes From Five Female Characters

Since the iconography of the military and the nature of the war make so many allusions to Nazi Germany, it’s hard to imagine that this isn’t also a commentary on the people fighting in WWII, especially on the Axis side, who are now war criminals.

2 “No fair, sky. I’m the one who feels like crying.”

Al’s place in Fullmetal Alchemist is a difficult one. He doesn’t have a physical body, which makes it hard for him to emote, and he doesn’t have to endure the same kinds of physical pain as his brother, which causes him some anguish since he doesn’t feel the things that make a person human. In this case, he’s sad, depressed even, and he can’t even express that by crying. So rain must feel like a truly cruel joke.

1 “A lesson without pain is meaningless. That’s because no one can gain without sacrificing something. But by enduring that pain and overcoming it, he shall obtain a powerful, unmatched heart… a Fullmetal heart.”

This is no doubt the thesis of the entirety of Fullmetal Alchemist. The series considers what a person has to give up in order to achieve something, and all of the trials of just being alive. The fact that Edward could have become cynical and could have given up on his life because of the difficulties in it, but instead barreled on until he could find the answers he needed, is what makes him such a special character.

Next: Fullmetal Alchemist: 10 Things You Didn't Know State Alchemists Can Do (Because They Never Do)

Dragon Ball: 5 Times Piccolo Was Wrong (& 5 Times He Was Smarter Than We Thought He Was)

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Piccolo is one of the most intelligent fighters and characters in Dragon Ball. It's what's continued to make him at least somewhat relevant in Super, despite the huge power creep of the Saiyans. Even Beerus and Whis recognize his battle prowess, saying nothing when he was Gohan's first choice for the tournament of power.

RELATED: Dragon Ball: 5 DC Heroes Piccolo Can Defeat (& 5 He Can't)

He's one of the few Z fighters that hasn't succumb to his ego regularly, unlike Vegeta or Goku. There still have been a few decisions that were more than a little questionable. They just end up getting outweighed by his moments of brilliance.

10 Wrong: Increasing His Size Vs Goku

His decision to grow larger allowed Goku to save Kami from inside Piccolo after he ate the bottle Kami was sealed in. He grew so large that Goku was able to fly inside of him, a mistake that never should have been made in the first place. While size can give you a greater strength advantage, it makes you a bigger target as well. It's never made sense to use in a 1 on 1 fight, better suited for a large scale war, as the Saiyans used their giant ape form. It's a form made for destruction, not single combat.

9 Smarter: Reflecting The Evil Containment Field

This was a major moment towards the end of the original series. Kami, pretending to be a human named Hero, tried to use the Evil Containment Field on Piccolo Jr. He was hoping it would seal aways his evil for good. Little did he know, Piccolo had learned to counter the move, reflecting it at Kami. It was the perfect way to both handle a fight between them as well as show how much more of a threat Piccolo was compared to his father.

8 Wrong: Trying To Fight Frieza Himself

To say Piccolo was confident when he arrived on Namek would be an understatement. He thought he could take Frieza even before his fusion with Nail, confidence only growing afterward.

RELATED: Dragon Ball: 10 Biggest Mistakes Piccolo Ever Made (That We Can Learn From)

He felt himself an avenger to his people, the man who was destined to bring the evil despot down for everything he'd done to the planet. At first, he's correct, but soon, it's revealed what a falsehood that was as Frieza changes into his third form and easily overpowers Piccolo.

7 Smarter: Making Goku's Arms And Legs Useless

The strategy may not have worked out perfectly, Goku still winning the fight, but it doesn't change that it was sound decision making by Piccolo. He kept showing that he'd learned from the mistakes of his father, and he wasn't going to be taken down in the same way. He eliminated the use of Goku's appendages via his Mouth Energy Wave, crippling the Sayian. If he were dealing with anyone else, that would have effectively ended the fight, but Goku never gives up.

6 Wrong: Letting Himself Get Suckered Into Taking A Driver's Test

This episode is proof that sometimes, filler episodes can be amazing. Seeing Goku and Piccolo get suckered into taking a driving test because of Chi-Chi was amazing, from Piccolo wearing normal clothes to the two of them trying to race each other in their cars. For as funny as it was, it was still a dumb decision by Piccolo when he has no reason to be scared of Chi-Chi. It isn't like she's his wife and he has no real use for a car considering he can fly.

5 Smarter: Joining Forces With Goku

At the moment, Piccolo's only goal in life was still to avenge his father and defeat Goku. The arrival of Raditz put a new foil into that plan, a foe that was too strong for them to ever handle on their own.

RELATED: Dragon Ball: 5 Marvel Villains Piccolo Can Defeat (& 5 He Can't)

Knowing that and acting on it are two different things, however. Ego plays such a huge role in Dragon Ball that you never know when it's going to crop up. He smartly put aside his difference to eliminate the bigger threat, even achieving his goal in the end by killing Goku.

4 Wrong: Charging Dabura

On the surface, rushing an opponent without having a gauge for their abilities is never a smart thing and something a strategist like Piccolo would rarely do. It's made even worse when you consider Piccolo literally saw Dabura spit on Krillin. Why then would you just bum rush an opponent that clearly uses it as part of his fighting style? It's a moment in the show that feels entirely out of character for the Namek, there just to prop up Dabura for no real reason since he's far from a threat in the arc.

3 Smarter: Ordering Gohan To Watch Chiaotzu's Sacrifice

This scene still holds up today, showing that even the Dragon Balls can't suck the emotion out of a scene. Chiaotzu's death did a great job of both building up the foes and giving stakes to events. It was also a moment that Piccolo smartly used to make Gohan understand why it was so important to grow stronger. Gohan owed it to his friends and the whole world to reach his full potential, that he always had to give it everything he had.

2 Wrong: His Resistance To Kami

Piccolo and Kami's relationship has always been strained, and that's putting it lightly. They constantly argue like a pair of siblings, Piccolo always seeing himself above Kami. He views him as his weaker half, someone who is only there so the Dragon Balls continue to exist. This causes a bit of a problem during the Cell saga when pride nearly gets in the way of them fusing. Thankfully, Kami manages to be the bigger man, having realized how necessary the fusion was.

1 Smarter: Giving Goku Time To Finish The Spirit Bomb

Far too often, characters will just standoff on the sidelines and watch characters fight in Dragon Ball. Usually, they are there to either commentate or offer that same shocked expression of fear over a villain's power levels. It's what made it so nice when Piccolo took the remaining energy of Gohan and Krillin, launching into battle with Frieza just long enough for Goku to finish completing his spirit bomb. It may not have been successful, but that doesn't change what a smart move it was.

NEXT: Dragon Ball: 10 Things About Piccolo That Make No Sense

One Piece: 5 Crews That Can Defeat The Strawhat Pirates Pirates (& 5 That Can't)

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Hailing from the East Blue, the Straw Hat Pirates are led by the main protagonist of One Piece, Monkey D. Luffy. With some powerful individuals onboard, this crew is steadily making progress and becoming stronger.

RELATED: One Piece: 10 Strongest Families, Ranked

After the time-skip, the Straw Hat Pirates have advanced further and made quite a name for themselves. With a total bounty of over 3 billion berries and several powerful allies on their side, only a few crews can face off against them and win.

10 Can Defeat: Beasts Pirates

The Beasts Pirates are led by the Yonko, "Hundred Beasts" Kaido, the man known to be the strongest creature in the world. With some incredible figures in the crew, the Beasts Pirates rule a portion of the New World with tremendous authority.

While the Straw Hat Pirates are powerful, they stand absolutely no chance against Kaido and his crew which is why to take him down, several alliances needed to be formed.

9 Can't Defeat: Kid Pirates

Led by Eustass 'Captain' Kid, this crew is quite powerful and includes two members of the Worst Generation, one being the captain himself and the other being Killer, the Massacre Soldier.

Although two of their members are quite powerful, the rest of the crew doesn't appear to be on the same level. When compared to the Straw Hat Pirates, the Kid Pirates fall short.

8 Can Defeat: Red-Hair Pirates

The Red Hair Pirates are one of the Emperor crews of the New World and are led by Red-Haired Shanks, a man with a bounty of over 4 billion berries on his head. According to the Navy, this crew is considered to be impenetrable and the balance among their members is impeccable.

The Straw Hat Pirates are not on the level to face-off against any of the Yonko crews just yet and the Red-Hair Pirates are no exception.

7 Can't Defeat: Firetank Pirates

The Firetank Pirates are one of the Worst Generation crews and are led by Capone 'Gang' Bege, a man with a 350 million berries bounty on his head. His crew includes quite a lot of powerful characters such as Gotti and Vito, which goes to show that they're no pushovers.

RELATED:One Piece Romance: 10 Best Possible Ships

The Firetank Pirates can definitely put up a fight against the Straw Hats, however, to win against Luffy and his team is nigh impossible for them.

6 Can Defeat: Blackbeard Pirates

Led by none other than Marshall D. Teach, the Blackbeard Pirates are a new crew who have climbed their way to the top within a matter of years, thanks to Teach's incredible planning.

Having acquired some powerful individuals from Impel Down and hunting Devil Fruits to grow stronger, the Blackbeard Pirates are now one of the Yonko crews in One Piece. While a fight between the Straw Hat Pirates and the Blackbeard Pirates is inevitable, for now, Luffy's crew stands no chance.

5 Can't Defeat: On Air Pirates

Led by "Roar of the Sea" Scratchmen Apoo, the On Air Pirates are a crew that is currently serving under Yonko Kaido. Apoo himself had a bounty of 350 million berries on his head, however, the bounty or the skill of his crewmates remains unknown.

Either way, this crew is likely not as powerful as one would expect them to be, given that they submitted to Kaido rather easily. The Straw Hat Pirates have more than enough might to take on and defeat the On Air crew.

4 Can Defeat: Big Mom Pirates

Led by the Queen of Totland and one of the Four Emperors of the Sea "Big Mom" Charlotte Linlin, the Big Mom Pirates are one of the most powerful crews in One Piece. They rule over quite a big chunk of the New World and their strength can only be matched by other Yonko.

RELATED: One Piece: 10 Characters Stronger Than Queen The Plague

The total bounty of this crew surpasses the 10 billion berries mark, which is astronomically higher than that of any other crew we know of at the moment. Their strength, along with everything else about them, is on a completely different level when compared to the Straw Hat Pirates.

3 Can't Defeat: Bonney Pirates

The Bonney Pirates hail from the South Blue and are led by "Big Eater" Jewelry Bonney who has a bounty of at least 140 million berries on her head. Little is known about her crew, which makes the Bonney Pirates one of the weakest in the Worst Generation for now.

Strong as they probably are, the Bonney Pirates are likely not capable of matching the Straw Hat Pirates in battle due to the overwhelming strength of Luffy's crew.

2 Can Defeat: Whitebeard Pirates

The Whitebeard Pirates were led by the Yonko of the Sea, "Whitebeard" Edward Newgate. This crew was quite capable and was known to be the strongest pirate crew in the Great Pirate Era.

With some powerful Division Commanders such as Marco, Jozu, and Vista among others, the Whitebeard Pirates were head and shoulders above the Straw Hat Pirates.

1 Can't Defeat: Thriller Bark Pirates

Led by the former Warlord of the Sea Gecko Moria, the Thriller Bark Pirates used to consist of some decent individuals such as Hogback, Perona, and Absalom.

Their biggest asset was the army of undead zombies who, if created properly, could wreak havoc in the New World. Unfortunately for them, the Straw Hat Pirates are more than capable of defeating Moria and his men, along with the Zombies. The Thriller Bark Pirates are inferior to the Straw Hat Pirates in every aspect.

NEXT: One Piece: Strongest Rookies Of Old Generation, Ranked By Strength

The 10 Most Popular Male Anime Cosplays of 2019 | CBR

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Anime is the biggest it has ever been. The last decade has seen a surge of interest in the genre that has turned the once niche hobby into a full-blown fandom. Turning what once was an operation between fans that downloaded and translated the latest releases, into full-blown businesses that run on a model based on the fans' demands to get the latest and greatest anime to their screens as quickly as possible.

RELATED: Demon Slayer: 10 Tanjiro Cosplays You Need to Check Out

So it is no surprise that there has been an upturn in anime cosplay as well. As more and more anime flood the market and into the homes of talented fans, so do the cosplayers take to the streets to show off their hobbies. Often showcasing their talent and skills in creating costumes for their favorite male characters.

10 Demon Slayer Trio

This may be cheating but it is honestly hard to distinguish which of the main demon slayers is more popular. If someone spots one at a convention, the others aren't too far behind (and often with a Nezuko somewhere in the mix).

Not that anyone can blame them. Demon Slayer was one of the premiere anime of last year. The combination of exciting battles, great storytelling, and awesome animation earning it a place in the hearts of fans, new and old alike.

Cosplayers: Shiji Han Cosph as Tanjiro. Rei as Inosuke. GaRu as Zenitsu.

9 Saitama

Last year marked the long-awaited return of One-Punch Man, igniting a resurgence in One-Punch Man cosplayers in conventions across the land. Many people often defaulting to Saitama for his popularity and his relatively easy costume to make (when compared to other cosplay).

So it wasn't too hard to notice the resurgence anywhere someone sees cosplayers. Whether online or at conventions, there is sure to be one Saitama in cosplay rocking out to the eternal loop of the season one theme song that plays in their heads.

Cosplayer: Elffi as Saitama.

8 Izuku Midoriya (Deku)

Ever since the first season, My Hero Academia has captured the attention of fans all over the world and has kept a firm grip on it since. Now a full four seasons long with a fifth season on the way, there is an abundance of characters to choose from. But plenty still focus on one in particular.

It is no surprise that Deku still gets top billing in the cosplay market. He's the one that started the journey for man fans, and he continues to be a popular and well-liked protagonist.

Cosplayer: Inspector Lemon Cosplay as Deku.

Photographer: TEoSB - Cosplay and Photography 

7 Kazuma

If you hit their funny bone enough, people will love you. That seems to be the philosophy behind the characters in Konosuba and why it continues to be a popular cosplayer. Though it sure helps that there was a movie last year too.

RELATED: KonoSuba: 10 Awesome Kazuma Cosplay That Look Just Like The Anime

While the girls may be more popular to cosplay, there are still quite a few Kazuma's at the convention. Scum-zuma may be a pervy and foul-mouthed young man, but he is likable enough to be well represented among the cast of characters.

Cosplayer: Shifu Gicanaru as Kazuma.

6 Naofumi

The Rising of the Shield Hero anime started early last year and rode its popularity all through 2019. So it is no wonder its titular protagonist was represented well in the cosplay scene. Earning him a place among 2019's most cosplayed.

He might even give another shield-wielding hero a run for their money in the cosplay department. Naofumi a common sight at local conventions.

Cosplayer(s): J. P. Chaos Cosplay as Naofumi. (Sakuraflor as Raphtalia.)

Photographer: Kevin Jeukens

5 Goblin Slayer

Whether it be because of its entertaining narrative or the controversy surrounding the first episode, Goblin Slayer was on a lot of people's minds last year. Of course, it sure did help that the cosplays were everywhere as well.

Apparently, there was a whole lot of goblins attending conventions last year because every single one seemed to have, at least, one Goblin Slayer cosplayer in attendance. The experienced adventurer stalking the halls at local and major cons everywhere.

Cosplayer: Ethan Baehrend as Goblin Slayer.

4 Gilgamesh

2019 marked another year that the media giant Fate franchise continued to dominate the otaku market. Whether it be through their movies, their anime series, mobile game, or their extensive product line, it always seems to be growing every year.

RELATED: Fate/Grand Order: Babylonia - 10 Cosplays That Look Just Like The Anime

Even the characters from the first visual novel still get representation. Gilgamesh having quite the upturn in convention appearances thanks to his general popularity and the anticipation of the new anime he appeared in last year.

Cosplayer: Kakyoulan as Gilgamesh.

3 Kirito

Love it or hate it. Watch it or don't. There is no denying the immense popularity Sword Art Online and all of its sequels and spin-offs have when it comes to anime. Leading to the series having quite the showing at conventions all over the world.

And first and foremost is Kirito leading the charge when it comes to male cosplays. Often spotted at conventions whenever someone sees a person dressed in all black.

Cosplayer: Junicchi as Kirito.

2 The Jojos

Some people might think it's a bit too late to start cosplaying characters from a manga that started in the 80s. Jojo fans think it is about damn time.

Going through a bit of a renaissance thanks to the anime adaptations that started in 2012, the Jojos and their bizarre adventurers have captured the minds and the sewing machines of fans everywhere. Especially when it comes to dressing up as the titular protagonists of each of the arcs.

Cosplayers: Forta Oras as Joseph Joestar, Kujo Jotaro, and Star Platinium.

1 Goku

It is hard to beat a classic. Even with the Dragon Ball Super anime done, the Broly movie finished, and no recent news of another anime adaptation, Goku continues to be a mainstay when it comes to Dragon Ball cosplay.

It is really a surprise, though?. Considering that it could very well be argued that Goku is the most prolific main character of not just the shonen genre but of all anime in general, it is easy to see why he continues to be a common cosplay for con-goers.

Cosplayer: Cosplayerminney as Goku.

NEXT: Dragon Ball: 10 Amazing Goku Cosplays That Look Just Like The Anime

5 Ways The Batman Who Laughs Is His Best New Foe (& 5 Better Alternatives)

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Batman without a doubt has one of the most famous rogue galleries in all of comics. His villains are almost as famous and well known as he is, even the Joker got his own standalone film! Every new writer wants to leave their mark on Batman, but also on his group of foes by putting a new villain in place.

RELATED: Batman: 5 Ways The Killing Joke Aged Well (& 5 Ways It Did Not) 

Sometimes these new villains can't hold their own against the originals, other times they almost overshadow them. Without a doubt without his fantastic group of enemies, Batman would not have the world renown that he now enjoys.

10 Best: Most Dangerous

The Batman Who Laughs is the brain child of Scott Snyder and visually brought to life by Greg Capullo in Dark Nights: Metal back in 2017. He is without a doubt Batman's most dangerous villain, new or old, and this is for the simple fact that he is Batman. A lot of Batman's villains have aspects that are Bruce's opposite. Joker is the chaos to Batman's order, Bane has his combat skills but without his moral code. The Batman who Laughs is all those things and more because he is both order and chaos, he is strategy and brutality.

9 Alternative: Thomas Wayne

Although he wasn't considered a villain till recently, Thomas Wayne is definitely not a friend to his son. In Tom King's run on Batman, Thomas is established to be working with Bane to take down his son, all this is done so Bruce will stop being Batman. Thomas even kidnaps his son and drags him across the desert in order to try to resurrect his wife. He is more tactical then Bruce and will kill without a second thought making him a dangerous and deadly adversary, not to mention an emotional trigger for Bruce.

8 Best: Infiltrated The Strongest Heroes

In Batman/SupermanThe Batman Who Laughs rears his ugly face again, this time with a plan to turn the worlds heroes into their darkest selves. He secretly infects some of the strongest heroes like Shazam and Donna Troy. He also infects one of the most honest men in comics, Jim Gordon, striking right at the heart of Batman's support system. With these heroes under his influence he takes on the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel, and if it wasn't for Wonder Woman, he might have won.

7 Alternative: Gotham Girl

First appearing 2016's Batman #1, Gotham Girl became a steady character throughout that run. Originally starting out as an ally to the Caped Crusader, she went through a series of hardships that turned her bad. Her brother, Gotham, went insane, and then she was attacked by the Psycho Pirate, and finally she ended up with Bane, attacked Gotham City, and fought against Batman. What makes her such a good villain is that there is a heartfelt connection between her and Batman that makes the reader feel compassion and empathy for them both.

6 Best: He Beat Lex Luthor

Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen was a compelling mini-series about Lex Luthor and The Batman Who Laughs, and it ends poorly for Lex. After he was given the power of the gods by Perpetua, he went on to try to conquer the galaxy, but eventually had to showdown with Batman Who Laughs and his gang of turned heroes.

RELATED: The 10 Worst Things Cyborg Superman Has Ever Done

He brought the Batman before Perpetua, but he was betrayed by her, stripped of his power and cast aside, all because the Batman Who Laughs convinced her to use him instead of Lex. Luthor was beaten and embarrassed, not an easy feat if you aren't Superman.

5 Alternative: Court of Owls

First seen back in 2011's Batman run, The Court of Owls and their assassins, the Talons, quickly rose to the top of Batman's most wanted list. They are a cunning group of people that have been ruling Gotham City from the shadows for centuries. Whenever they encountered someone who was too big a problem, they sent one of their Talons to kill them swiftly and quietly. They are a terrifying and powerful group of people who almost destroyed Batman.

4 Best: Lead The Dark Knights

In his original introduction, Dark Nights Metal, The Batman Who Laughs was shown to be the field leader of all the dark multiverse versions of Batman. The bat-god Barbatos chose him above all the others to lead the assault on Earth. This is because he is the most cunning and devious of all of them. While some of them have the powers of Doomsday or The Flash, it was the Batman/Joker hybrid with his pet Robins that needed to be feared the most.

3 Alternative: The Colony

Introduced in Detective Comics #934, The Colony was a group of soldiers trained in Batman's image. They were to be an army of batmen type soldiers, ruthless and efficient. They came to Gotham City to stop an uprising of the League of Shadows, but obviously clashed with Batman.

Related: The 10 Best Batman Suits We Saw In The 90s, Ranked

In the end they intended to drone strike the League, but Tim Drake aka Red Robin, diverted the drones and sacrificed himself. The Colony was quickly dismantled, but imagine how perilous an army of batmen could truly be if unleashed upon the DCU.

2 Best: He Took Over The Entire DCU

Recently Dark Nights: Death Metal kicked off, and it was spectacular. It begins by showing the readers that the DCU belongs to the darkness. The Batman Who Laughs has taken over the universe, has brought more Dark Knights from below and is ruling with them by his side. He even managed to control powerful beings like Swamp Thing, Aquaman, Mister Miracle and Superman. This alone is an insane feat to accomplish. He is ruling without question and only Batman stands against him.

1 Alternative: Punchline

Making her first full appearance in Batman #92, Punchline is the Joker's new partner. She is intelligent and an idealistic, unfortunately those ideals side with the Joker's world view. She is fast, deadly, and the perfect foe for Batman and even more so for Harley Quinn. She is everything that Harley Quinn no longer is, as she is exactly what the Joker wants in his partner. Readers are definitely going to be keeping an eye on Punchline to see what she does next.

NEXT: DC: 10 Ways Harley Quinn Changed Over The Years

My Hero Academia: 5 Characters From Fullmetal Alchemist Stain Could Defeat (& 5 He Couldn't)

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Superheroes are the stuff of legend, and some heroes are born powerful while others must work hard to build their abilities and gadgets. In My Hero Academia, quirks are the norm, and these quirks are just as useful for villainy as heroism, and Stain the hero-killer has a deadly quirk. If he ingests someone's blood, he can render them paralyzed, then finish them off.

RELATED: Batman: 5 Captain America Villains He Could Defeat In a Fight (& 5 He Would Lose To)

Cool characters like Stain are fun to pit against fighters from other anime series, and this time, Stain is going to face off against the characters of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. It's an anime where alchemy and homunculi are possible, and Stain can defeat some of these characters... but not others.

10 Can Defeat: Edward Elric

This won't be easy by any stretch, but Stain could pull it off sooner or later. Edward is a nimble martial artist, having trained under Izumi Curtis, and he can combine that with his advanced alchemy skills during a duel.

Edward can hold off Stain for some time, but he'll get tired, and Stain is faster than Ed. One little cut is all it takes to win, since Ed will be rendered helpless once Stain ingests his blood and paralyzed him. Assuming that Ed doesn't have a Philosopher's Stone on him, that is.

9 Can't Defeat: Greed

Greed is one of the seven homunculi that was created from Father, and he is roughly in the pack's middle where sheer combat strength is concerned. He has some martial arts skills and can harden his skin with carbon, tough like a diamond.

In a duel, Greed can harden his skin from head to toe like that, and thus Stain has no way to cut him and draw blood. Regular swords and knives aren't enough to beach Greed's skin, so Greed can wear down Stain or just convince him to leave. Stain wants easier targets than this.

8 Can Defeat: Lust

Here comes another homunculi, and her defenses aren't as tough as Greed's. Lust has the Ultimate Spear, meaning she can elongate her fingers into long points that can stab through absolutely anything (or use her fingers like swords).

RELATED: The Legend of Korra: 5 DC Villains Korra Could Defeat (& 5 She'd Lose To)

That's scary, but Lust is too slow to actually stab Stain like that, and Stain can outmaneuver her on the battlefield. Once he gets a blood sample, he will completely paralyze Lust for a few moments, then use his knives to carve out her Philosopher's Stone and tear it right out.

7 Can't Defeat: Hohenheim

This fight would be over before it even began. Hohenheim is in a whole different league, being superior even to Father's seven homunculi. Hohenheim has vast knowledge of alchemy and the world, and his defenses are impeccable.

In fact, he doesn't even have to move to perform alchemy, so he'd throw Stain all over the battlefield without moving. If Stain did get a blood sample, that wouldn't help, since Hohenheim can still perform alchemy even if he's paralyzed.

6 Can Defeat: Lan Fan

This Xingese girl is a bodyguard of prince Ling's, and she is well-trained in the ways of tracking and melee combat. She and her grandfather Fu can even take on the Elric brothers if there isn't too much alchemy involved.

RELATED: JoJo: 5 Bleach Characters Polnareff Could Defeat With Silver Chariot (& 5 He'd Lose To)

But that won't save her against Stain. Lan Fan and Stain move and fight at roughly the same level, but the difference is that Stain just has to draw a little blood to turn the tide in his favor. Just one shallow cut is all he needs to deal, and it's all over.

5 Can't Defeat: Roy Mustang

Roy Mustang is an alchemist like Edward, but he wields a wholly different kind of alchemy. He's known as the Flame Alchemist for a good reason, and his fire abilities are all thanks to Berthold Hawkeye.

With his right hand, Roy delivers powerful fireblasts at his enemies, and with his left, he can create much smaller reactions. He has been known to vaporize people's eyes or tongues like that, and he can do that against Stain, too. And unlike Envy, Stain can't regenerate his eyes. He's doomed.

4 Can Defeat: Alex Armstrong

Major Alex Louis Armstrong has a similar combat strategy as Edward Elric: to combine martial arts with sheer alchemy skills, and use them as one. Alex Armstrong is slower than Ed, but hits harder and has more experience.

RELATED: My Hero Academia: 5 Pokemon Tsuyu Asui Could Defeat (& 5 She Would Lose To)

This still won't save him from Stain, though. At some point during their duel, Stain will find a way around Amrstrong's barriers and alchemy projectiles and deal a shallow cut, and that blood sample will seal the deal. Armstrong isn't like Hohenheim; he can't perform alchemy while paralyzed.

3 Can't Defeat: Pride

Greed would be immune to Stain's attacks because of his hard skin; Pride would be immune because he does not have any blood to start with. Pride looks human in his Selim Bradley form, but it's really just a hollow container.

Pride's real body is a shadowy mass of tendrils, mouths, and eyes, and Stain has no means whatsoever of defeating such a creature via his quirk or his combat abilities. At best, Stain would realize this and flee, and hope that Pride can't catch him.

2 Can Defeat: Scar

A clear trend is emerging: these battles are largely based on whether or not Stain can obtain a blood sample from his enemy and paralyze them by ingesting it. Most humans and several homunculi are vulnerable to this technique.

That includes Scar, too, who can fend off the likes of Stain for a time, but not indefinitely. Stain is even quicker and more nimble than Scar, and he will most certainly find a chance to cut his larger opponent and activate that quirk of his. The mighty Scar goes down at last.

1 Can't Defeat: Alphonse Elric

Alphonse is in a similar position as Pride: he has no blood to start with. Instead, he is an artificial body, a human soul bound to a suit of armor. He doesn't like it, but in combat, he has the edge since he cannot get tired or bleed.

His alchemy and superhuman endurance will serve him well against Stain, and he's definitely immune to Stain's quirk. Most likely, Stain would realize this and simply leave. He's not going to bother trying against these odds.

NEXT: The 10 Most Humiliating Defeats the Punisher Has Ever Suffered

Batman: 10 Villains He Almost Killed (But Didn't) | CBR

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As one of the darker heroes within the DC universe, Batman has been pushed to his limits in more ways than just physically. Known for his strict moral code, Batman always tries his best to save every life, no matter how evil the villain at hand may be.

RELATED: The 10 Most Useless DC Villains, Ranked

Granted, things haven't always been easy for him, as Batman has regularly come very close to breaking his own code. Looking at some specific instances, here is our list of 10 villains Batman has almost killed, but didn't.

10 Superman

Of course, Superman isn't generally considered to be a villain within the DC universe. However, during the popular The Dark Knight Returns miniseries, the character was significantly different from his main counterpart, and definitely the antagonist by the end of the series.

In one of Batman's most famous battles in all of comics, he and the Man of Steel battle it out to the point where Batman himself gets the upper hand, managing to nearly kill Superman in the process. Fortunately, Bruce manages to fake a heart attack and spare Superman's life, but not before making sure the Man of Steel knew he'd been beaten.

9 Red Hood

Despite being the second Robin, there was a time when Batman nearly killed Jason Todd himself. Towards the end of the Under the Red Hood series, Jason forces Batman into a situation where he'd have to kill either him, or the Joker.

RELATED: DC: The 10 Worst Things Batman Has Ever Done

Of course, Batman aims to save both lives, though Jason makes it incredibly difficult to do so, forcing Bruce to throw a batarang and slice his throat. Though Jason would survive the encounter, he did come rather close to death once again, making it easy to see why this story is held in such high regard to so many years after originally hitting shelves.

8 Lex Luthor

The New 52's Forever Evil event was full of all sorts of twists and turns featuring some of the most popular DC heroes at the time. At one point though, in order to stop a bomb from going off, Lex Luthor actually stopped Nightwing's heart in order to shut down the bomb and save countless others.

Obviously, this move certainly didn't sit well with Batman, who lashed out at the Superman villain in a fit of rage. Fortunately, Nightwing woke up before too much could be done to Lex, but that doesn't change the fact that Batman appeared fully ready to kill him.

7 Talon

Towards the beginning of The Court of Owls, Batman eventually discovers that he doesn't need to hold back against their deadly army of Talons. Through the Court's own advances in science, Bruce discovers that the deadly assassins are in a weird state between life and death, kept moving by a serum that makes them virtually impossible to truly kill.

Though this meant that they'd be incredibly difficult to defeat in the long run, this also allowed Batman to break out the Thrasher Suit armor, making him a virtually unstoppable force for the army of Talons. Thankfully, this story not only gave readers an incredibly awesome battle scene, but it also allowed Batman to wreak some havoc without actually breaking his own code.

6 Darkseid

Darkseid is one of the only villains that Batman has intentionally broken his own rule for. Granted, when he shot the villain in the pages of Final Crisis with a special gun and bullet, he didn't quite manage to actually kill the Lord of Apokolips.

With this in mind, Darkseid was still badly wounded, and on the verge of death by the time other characters got to him. No matter how close he may have gotten though, it is a bit scary to think how Batman actually intended to kill one of the biggest villains in the DC universe.

5 Riddler

As a more recent example, it was revealed that Batman also sought to kill the Riddler at one point early in his career as the Dark Knight. Towards the end of The War of Jokes and Riddles, Batman actually attempts to stab Riddler, deeming the villain too dangerous to be kept alive.

RELATED: Batman: The 5 Most Genius Things The Riddler Has Ever Done (& 5 Dumbest)

Surprisingly though, Joker is actually the one to prevent this action, moving his hand in the way just in time. Though this moment of weakness was reveled to still haunt Batman even today, it is certainly interesting to think that Joker actually saved Batman from himself at one point.

4 Scarecrow

Though it may not be the most popular Batman storyline ever, the Dark Knight still got pretty brutal with Scarecrow in the pages of Heart of Hush. After Hush surgically removes Catwoman's heart and gives Batman only a few hours to find it, Bruce quickly learns that Scarecrow had some intel on Hush's whereabouts.

After meeting up with the villain at Arkham Asylum, Batman very brutally electrocutes Scarecrow, while nearly drowning him at the same time. Though Dr. Crane quickly gave up the information he knew, saving his life in the long run, there's no telling just how close Batman would have come to killing him.

3 Bane

Throughout Tom King's Batman run, there are several times where Batman comes very close to actually killing Bane. From their fight in Santa Prisca, to either of their battles at Arkham, there were plenty of opportunities where Batman clearly wanted to put and end to his adversary.

RELATED: Batman: The 10 Worst Things Bane Has Ever Done, Ranked

Fortunately, even after everything Bane had done to him, Bruce wasn't actually the one to beat Bane in the end. However, their very brutal battles throughout King's run certainly gave Bruce plenty of opportunities to put a permanent end to the villain.

2 KGBeast

KGBeast is actually known for being one of the few villains Batman has actually "killed" over the years. Originally, after being sealed in a flooding vault by Batman, there was such pushback that it was later revealed that Batman called the police in time to save the villain.

More recently though, Batman nearly took the villain's life once again after tracking him down for shooting Nightwing in the head. While KGBeast did technically survive both encounters, there's no doubt that Batman could have easily finished him once and for all on both occasions.

1 Joker

Obviously, as Batman's greatest villain to date, Joker is easily the villain to push Batman to his greatest limits, nearly forcing the Dark Knight to kill him on many occasions. Whether its in storylines like Hush, Death in the Family, or any other major story with them, Batman has come scarily close to actually killing the Joker several times.

Fortunately, no matter how horrific Joker has become at times, Batman has almost always refrained from actually killing him. While there have been plenty of instances where an alternate Batman has killed the Joker, the main one has done a fair job of showing restraint thus far.

NEXT: 10 Enemies Batman Has killed


MBTI®: 10 Anime Villains Who Are ESTPs | CBR

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The ESTP (Extraverted, Observant, Thinking, and Prospecting) personality types, also known as the Entrepreneurs, are people who are very bold and forward-thinking. They are capable of noticing how things are changing and capitalizing on it, with regard to both emotional and personal changes and situational awareness. They are straightforward and no-nonsense, often being the life of the party,  and refusing to ever let themselves feel bored.

Related: MBTI®: 10 Marvel Villains Who Are ESTPs

But how would these personality traits look when applied to villains? ESTPs make great anime villains, since they can use their skills in so many different ways to manipulate situations to their liking, and they’re well-represented in anime series.

10 Nui Harime (Kill La Kill)

ESTPs are outgoing in nature, and they’re often the first people to speak in any situation, sometimes without really thinking about what they’re saying or how someone might take it. They tend to call people out for behaving differently or pointing out emotional problems they might be having. Nui Harime is incredibly cheerful and is constantly looking for ways to feel more excited about her time spent in battle. She often says things to outright upset her opponents in order to get a rise out of them, like telling Ryuko that Nui is the one who killed her father.

9 Garou (One Punch Man)

Garou starts out as the student of Silver Fang, which implies that he was probably one day going to be a hero. Instead, he gets hung up on the idea of being the strongest person, wanting to even defeat (and often kill) all of the other heroes in order to prove this. He’s willing to acknowledge his own weaknesses and do whatever’s necessary to get stronger, even going to pretty intense lengths like eating Monster cells.

8 Azula (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

If Azula ever needs to, she’s able to create situations in which everyone around her is desperate to do her bidding. For the most part, she doesn’t have to worry about this, since her family is the most powerful in the Fire Nation, and her authority goes mostly unchallenged. But her straightforward way of talking and ability to strategize her way into just about any victory is classic ESTP.

7 Char Aznable (Mobile Suit Gundam)

There are ways in which Char Aznable could be an antihero, but he does some pretty villainous things in Mobile Suit Gundam and its sequels and prequel. He is obsessed with the destruction of Zeon, which he thinks is responsible for the assassination of his father and the ultimate death of his mother.

Related: Mobile Suit Gundam: 10 Things Only True Fans Know About Char Aznable

He’s quick to manipulate any situation in order to achieve his goals, even if it means betraying the people who consider him their friend.

6 Pain (Naruto Shippuden)

Pain, like most villains, actively thinks that he’s doing the right thing. He’s so convinced that he’s the only one who can save the world that he’s willing to put himself, and others, through an incredible amount of pain. He thinks very lowly of other human beings and thinks that they can only understand each other through shared experiences of pain, which is a pretty wild idea and shows an innovative thinker, even if the thinking is generally flawed.

5 Light Yagami (Death Note)

Light Yagami is both the protagonist of Death Note and its greatest villain. He is a classic ESTP in that he feels that he can decide what’s best for everyone else. He’s incredibly intelligent and capable of problem-solving his way out of just about any situation. He can immediately read a room and is often able to manipulate any weaknesses or changes he might see in someone’s demeanor on a dime.

4 Azami Nakiri (Food Wars)

Azami Nakiri has a lot of qualities of ESTPs that can often be positive. He’s ambitious and forward-thinking. He has a lot of innovative ideas for what he’d like to do with the cooking school that his family founded. But he often uses these qualities for evil, pushing to the side anyone else’s ideas and often outright expelling or firing anyone who disagrees with his goals.

3 Dimple (Mob Psycho 100)

Dimple isn’t a villain for the entirety of Mob Psycho 100, but he is definitely an antagonist when Mob first meets him. He’s a spirit that thinks very highly of himself, and he wants everyone else to heap praise on him the same way he does on himself.

Related: Mob Psycho 100: 10 Times Dimple Was The Real MVP

He feels this way even after Mob defeats him in battle and he loses most of his powers. He’s also constantly trying to figure out ways in which to become a god, sometimes trying to use Mob’s body and esper powers to achieve the goal.

2 Greed (Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood)

Greed is a perfect example of an ESTP. He wants what he wants when he wants it, and he does whatever he needs to in order to get it. He’s very interested in status, and he longs for money and power. He’s also a bit vain and tries not to hide his face when he’s fighting, since he wants people to be able to see and admire his good looks.

1 Twice (My Hero Academia)

Twice is a type of villain that has become a little more common, especially in anime. He is very lively and is often joking around and acting as comic relief. He likes to be the center of attention, and he acts very dramatically in order to do so. But he’s also somewhat manipulative and can be pretty straightforward with both praise and ridicule.

Next: My Hero Academia: 10 Things You Need To Know About Twice

5 Overused Anime Character Tropes (& 5 We Can’t Get Enough Of)

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Tropes refer to patterns found in a work of art; therefore, character tropes point to a specific batch of characters who possess similar attributes and personalities. Avid anime viewers can spot a character trope from a mile away, which means it only takes looking at the cover design of a show to know what you're in for.

RELATED: Demon Slayer: 5 Characters Fans Have Come To Love (& 5 They Still Find Annoying)

When it comes to tropes, fans can expect mandatory factors to crop up, such as the protagonist falling ill so that their love interest visits to take care of them. For identifying character tropes, personalities, expressions, actions, attire, and accessories all play a part in creating the foundation to detect a specific character type. With that in mind, it only stands to reason that over time beloved and overplayed character tropes will come to light.

10 Overused: Class Reps

The class representative is determined based on a class vote, a test score, a volunteer, or an appointed member. They generally possess an air of authority, but that's not always the case, especially when an appointed class rep has no interest in the position. Oftentimes, this role acts as a disciplinarian or one that is responsible for their fellow classmates. This means they have the habit of butting into other's business.

A Silent Voice's Kawai, Convenience Store Boyfriends' Mihashi, and My Hero Academia's Iida each illustrate the intricate facets associated with this role and its impact on the high school classroom.

9 Love: Delinquents

More often than not, delinquents end up unveiling the soft side that's buried under rumors and appearance. Referred to as Yankees, these loveable characters possess similar traits, such as colored hair, disheveled clothing, a smug/mean looking expression, and sometimes they even sport a face wound.

Fruits Basket's Uotani, Daily Lives of High School Boys Motoharu, and almost every character in Kenko Banchou Otome act tough and put up a fight, but ultimately end up misunderstood until those around them slowly come to see their good points. Who doesn't love to root for an underdog?

8 Overused: Aloof & Passive

An aloof and passive character trope is typically applied to females. They go with the flow and are not privy to their surroundings or know how to read a room. Another attribute is their limited dialogue, which also attests to their inability to voice their thoughts or feelings.

RELATED: 5 Annoying Reverse Harem Tropes We Hate (& 5 That Are Never Disappearing)

Uta no Prince-sama's Nanami and Diabolik Lover's Yui both fall within this character trope as they rarely speak up and have no awareness of their situation in crucial moments.

7 Love: Airheads

Unlike an aloof and passive character, an airhead is one that acts before they think and tries their best for other's sakes. They display an endless depth of optimism, naturally heal those around them, and hate to voice complaints.

Fruits Basket's Tohru and Himouto! Umaru-chan's Ebina both intrinsically possess an airheaded persona that fans can't help but root for as they strive to attain their goals in life. It's a wholesome trope that fans cannot help but adore.

6 Overused: Genki Girl

Don't underestimate the vitality of a genki - energetic - girl! This common character trope is one that features optimism in loud tones. Viewers can practically hear a genki girl just by looking at them. It's a character type that's generally used for comedy, as the trope revolves around their determination and charismatic nature in whatever venture they pursue.

Kill la Kill's Mako, Hyouka's Chitandra Eru, and Tanaka-kun is Always Listless' Miyano all reflect the genki girl trope in its full capacity.

5 Love: Yamato Nadeshiko

A Yamato Nadeshiko is an aptly put character trope that encapsulates the ideals of Japanese womanhood. It plays upon the attributes of domesticity, wisdom, and a humble maturity. This trope includes a subtle ability to easily and strategically outmaneuver an opponent without them any the wiser.

RELATED: 10 Anime That Were Inspired By Japanese Mythology

Fairy Tail's Kagura Mikazuchi and Blend S' Maika display this character trope with mixed attributes that showcase a budding Nadeshiko and one that lives in a traditional Japanese family.

4 Overused: Hikikomori

A Hikikomori is a term used to describe a person that's withdrawn from society and avoids outside interaction at all costs. This is seen as a derogatory attribute, but anime portrays this in a comedic fashion or one that is pitiful and damaging. The shut-in phenomena may even occur after a traumatic experience, but in the end, the character finds their way once again.

The Wallflower's Sunako, Eromanga Sensei's Sagiri Izumi, and Recovery of an MMO Junkie's Morioka Moriko all illustrate the context in which a hikikomori character lives out their daily lives as a recluse from society and works at overcoming this disposition.

3 Love: Shōnen Hero

A kid hero is one that viewers cannot look away from as they grow into their own. These characters possess simple minds and gain strength, determination, and resolve from their friends. With a disposition to never give up, a shōnen hero protagonist's growth is connected to winning and losing alike when facing rivals and overcoming opposition.

Dragon Ball's Son Goku, Hunter X Hunter's Gon, and Haikyuu!!'s Hinata Shoyo all identify with this trope as they overcome opposition and level up from their failures.

2 Overused: Too Overpowered

Right from the onset, this trope illustrates a character that possesses amenable qualities and does everything perfectly. They don't outwardly show any problems and tend to act cool in front of others. Whether in academics, physical ability, or everyday tasks, they perform flawlessly.

RELATED: 5 Annoying Isekai Anime Tropes That We Hope Disappear (& 5 That Aren't Going Anywhere)

Kaichou wa Maid-sama's Takumi Usui, Himouto! Umaru-chan's Umaru, and Overlord's Ainz Ooal Gown display overpowered qualities from acing tests and musical scores to casting top tier magic.

1 Love: Dere's

Tsundere, yandere, dandere, and deredere are a few of the beloved anime character -dere tropes. These types possess emotions in the extreme, such as a tsundere acting rough and tough even when it doesn't match their true feelings or a yandere who is obsessed with the one they love, going so far as to become murderous.

Black Clover's Noelle, Toradora's Taiga, and Wagnaria's Mahiru Inami all act according to their extreme emotions which makes for charged scenes and sometimes much needed comedic relief.

NEXT: 10 Common Anime Tropes You See Everywhere

Fairy Tail: 10 Laxus Dreyar Fan Art Pictures That Look Just Like The Anime

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The Fairy Tail anime features an ensemble cast over the span of 300+ episodes (including filler). Lucy Heartfilia and Natsu Dragneel are arguably the two main characters, but everyone in the Fairy Tail guild gets his or her time to shine too, and that includes the lightning dragon slayer, Laxus Dreyar.

RELATED: Fairy Tail: 10 Pieces of Natsu & Lucy Fan Art That Are Totally Romantic

Laxus is the grandson of the guild's master, Makarov, but decided to leave his mark on history through combat rather than succeeding his grandfather as guild master. At first, Laxus was a real headache for his fellow guildmates, but then he became a reliable friend and protector. To commemorate this powerful and heartfelt character, the fans drew all kinds of excellent fan art of Laxus, and here are some of the finest pieces, all in one gallery.

10 His Day Off

The gallery begins on a casual note, as artist blanania decided to give Laxus a relaxing and cool outfit that's just right for the summer season. It gets warm during Fiore summers, so Laxus found a good way to beat the heat.

Laxus is looking good, from his lightning-pattern shorts to his slicked-back hair and cool aviators for a vaguely Yakuza look. But Laxus isn't really a thug; he just likes to put on a tough exterior so no one will mess with him.

9 Challenge Me!

The second entry in the gallery brings out the vicious side of Laxus Dreyar. He's not always spoiling for a fight like Natsu or the Sabertooth guild members usually are, but if someone angers him or hurts his friends, he won't let anyone walk away unscathed.

Artist mrvanhite gives Laxus a lean and mean look here, discarding Laxus' trademark fur-lined coat for a tight and sleeveless black shirt that's more appropriate for mortal combat. Laxus is striking a stylish martial arts pose with his lightning all fired up, and the results are indeed electrifying.

8 Winter Chill

Magnolia has warm and sunny summers, but eventually, it'll be winter once again, and the cold winds will blow in from the north. Gray loves winter, since he's immune to the cold, while Laxus has a cool coat to keep him warm.

RELATED: Fairy Tail: 10 Characters With the Most Fights, Ranked

Artist Catstudio7 used physical paper to make this highly detailed fanart, where the musty shades of blue and the peppered snowflakes give this piece a forlorn and desolate look. Laxus was a rather lonely fellow when he was kicked out of Fairy Tail, but he survived it, and he returned better than ever.

7 Sideways Glance

Laxus is a tough guy and he knows it. He's not easily rattled in combat, even when he's facing members of the dreaded Tartaros guild, and he doesn't even bother with weak opponents who can't give him a proper challenge.

Just one look is all he needs to send weaker foes scampering off, and artist ca-illustration gave us two versions of a stern sideways glance, Laxus Dreyar style. Whether in black and white or in full color, that glare is sharp and will punch a hole right through you.

6 Little Laxus

Ordinarily, Laxus is a big and scary guy, tall and with broad shoulders and an even bigger attitude. But it's fun to imagine characters in different forms, and artist KuroNightcliff imagined Laxus as a more ordinary-looking teenager.

RELATED: Fairy Tail: 10 Incredible Erza Fan Art Pictures You Need to See

This time around, Laxus has a slim build, and his hair is in a totally new style. He's practically posing like a fashion model in this art, complete with a dark shadow and the bright yellow Fairy Tail emblem behind him. Perhaps this will show up in the Weekly Sorcerer magazine someday.

5 Not Impressed

Laxus isn't the kind to just take on any challenge, which sets him apart from the hotheaded Natsu. He doesn't like having his time wasted; he'd rather take on the strongest opponents and prove his worth in a fight to the death.

In this fan art by artist Dcolares, Laxus is clearly disappointed in his enemy's power level, and it's almost like he's saying "Is that all you can do?" After all, he pitted Fairy Tail members against each other to weed out the weak, and maybe that's what he's doing here.

4 Just So Frustrated

Laxus seems a bit stoic at times, since he isn't constantly goofing off like Juvia, Natsu, or Lucy. He's more akin to Erza, and takes himself seriously while hiding his insecurities and problems. But he's human like anyone else.

RELATED: Fairy Tail: 10 Lucy Fan Art That Are Truly Celestial

Artist ashp19 shows Laxus in the middle of a secluded forest, where he's free to let out all of his bottled-up rage and frustration at the world. He needs to blow some steam in a serious fight, and maybe he could find a dark guild to challenge out there in the wilds. You never know what you'll find.

3 Ordinary Laxus

Artist The-Fear-Nothings decided to give Laxus a more "real" and ordinary look in this fan art piece, so most of the fanciful elements of Fairy Tail's visual style have been discarded here. It's less anime style, and more like a painting you'd find in a modern art gallery.

This helps provide a grounded, fresh take on the character, who isn't surrounded by magic or making maniacal expressions. Laxus is totally at peace here, but it's still the same character, from his pointy blond hair to his cool coat and his stern eyes. Some things remain the same, no matter what.

2 Lightning Model

The ninth entry in this gallery is a big one, and that makes it a great chance to show off every last detail of Laxus' character model. Many characters in Fairy Tail have intricate and detailed designs, and that includes Laxus, too.

Artist Joe young siguotang gave Laxus a friendly but fierce look in this one, with a "come at me" grin on his face while he's showing off his unique dragon slayer magic. The negative space is filled with the unmistakable Fairy Tail logo and Laxus' own name, too.

1 Heavy Metal Laxus

It may be Gajeel who strums a guitar in some episodes of Fairy Tail, but Laxus definitely looks like the type to plug in an amp and play some power chords. So, artist Danielgmz decided to give Gajeel some competition in the music scene.

Metallica's album Ride the Lightning was a natural choice for Laxus and he's looking good with vivid violet and white hues and that rockin' guitar. The lightning bolt and the new album name fill the negative space just right.

NEXT: Accio Anime: 10 Magical Anime For Fans of Harry Potter

The Defining Movie of Each Year of the 2010s | CBR

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Whether or not people are aware of it, movies are one of the ways in which they mark the passing of the years. They speak for the moment, serving as time capsules for what was going on and how audiences felt about it, in all the glory and disdain those moments deserve. These films each broke through in the years of their release and have had a profound effect on the canon of cinema.

Circa 2010, Facebook had about 500 million users and was just starting to buy out apps and experiment with news. Somehow, David Fincher's The Social Network - with a masterful script by Aaron Sorkin - managed to bottle the essence of what the social media Goliath would become ten years later.

The film, which chronicles the painful birth of Facebook, buzzes with angst and paranoia thanks to an iconic score and a career best performance by Jesse Eisenberg. The Social Network was well regarded, but it lost best picture to Tom Hooper's The King's Speech in one of the most egregious examples of the Academy not being able to distinguish the relevant movie from the proficient one.

RELATED: American Psycho: Why the FIlm Holds Up 20 Years Later

It's easy to discount how rare and important a movie like Bridesmaids really was. Men have been making gross out comedies with big studios' blessings on the regular for decades. Women occasionally get to play a part in the debauchery, but usually as the sex object. Bridesmaids flips the raunchy comedy ratio upside down.

Its six female leads wring maximum hilarity out of every moment they're on screen, but they're also adept at using humor to explore the many shades of female experiences and relationships. Bridesmaids let women laugh out loud about things they've always found funny in private, and it paved the way for new types of roles for female comedians.

Avengers: Endgame is the box office record holder, but it wouldn't have been so if The Avengers hadn't landed its direct hit on American culture. The success of Iron Man went a long way toward establishing the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a force to be reckoned with, but the first true team-up movie of the MCU secured the franchise's dominance.

RELATED: Fan Ages Original Avengers Roster Old Man Cap-Style

Moviegoers were already excited to see not one, not two, but six heroes fight alongside each other. They, along with critics, were genuinely surprised by how good the movie was. The Avengers contains the kind of over-the-top action set pieces that audiences now expect from superhero movies. However, it's the heartfelt performances that made these superheroes something special.

The Wolf of Wall Street does what Scorsese movies do best; it provides a window into the mind of a terrible man. Male anti-heroes aren't Scorsese's invention; they've long been a subject of fascination in literature, TV and film. Though Scorsese's known for his gangster movies, The Wolf of Wall Street - with its frantic pace and dark comedy - has more bite.

The movie was controversial, but it's gray area take on ethics and the economy were a case of right-time, right-place after the Great Recession, not to mention, Leonardo DiCaprio's work was great fodder for meme making.

RELATED: HBO Max Launch Date, Original Content Lineup Announced

Clint Eastwood has spent the latter part of his career efficiently making raw but artsy movies. Many have had political overtones, but American Sniper is the one that cemented him as a divisive figure.

It tells the story of late veteran Chris Kyle, who, much like the war he fought in, has a complicated legacy. The film is more nuanced than both its conservative champions and liberal detractors tend to remember. It became the highest grossing movie of 2014 because people from all over the political map chose to see it, perhaps for Bradley Cooper's multilayered portrayal of the Navy SEAL.

In 2015, movies like The Big Short and Spotlight wanted to say something about corruption. Mad Max: Fury Road wanted to show instead of tell. It had been 30 years since George Miller had made a Mad Max movie. This one was so ambitious - in storyboard, stunts and grand themes - it just as easily could've killed its actors or bombed at theaters.

RELATED: Furiosa: Miller Approached New Mutants Star for Mad Max Pinoff

Instead, Mad Max: Fury Road fires on all cylinders. It retains everything that makes the franchise unique, then improves upon it with a well-spent bigger budget and a celebrated cast of actors. The fourth installment is as literary as it is in-your-face, which is as difficult to pull off as a two-hour, 200 vehicle car chase through the desert.

Regrettably, Barry Jenkins' superb Moonlight is often remembered for the flub that incorrectly awarded its best picture trophy to La La Land. That piece of trivia cheapens the movie's value. Moonlight is a lyrical portrait of a character that audiences don't get to see very often in media.

The images it strings together are unforgettably beautiful. The performers - especially Mahershala Ali - are trandescent and more vulnerable than people in movies usually get to be. Moonlight's most important artistic contribution is one of representation, not just of a gay African American living in poverty, but also of aspects of masculinity that movies hadn't, until then, dared to explore.

RELATED: Star Wars: The Clone Wars Pays Homage to a Controversial Last Jedi Moment

Jordan Peele's Get Out is probably the best movie of 2017, but Rian Johnson's Star Wars: The Last Jedi is by far the most talked about. Fans were clearly expecting something akin to Episode VII but with slightly fresher material. What they got was an auteur's version of a franchise movie.

It's visually stunning with the battles in Snoke's throne room and on the salty surface of Crait making amazing use of color and contrast. It's also playful and political as was the Original Trilogy. But The Last Jedi is, above all else, subversive, which is not something Star Wars is known for. Some fans loved it, some rejected it and the studio continues to struggle with how much authorship to give their creators.

RELATED: Fans Are Concerned About Chadwick Boseman's Health

Black Panther was Marvel's best hope at finally winning the Best Picture Academy Award. Ryan Coogler co-wrote and directed it, coming off of the success of Fruitvale Station and Creed. His frequent collaborator, Michael B. Jordan, co-starred, giving easily the best villain performance in the MCU. The film's worldbuilding and mythmaking is also among the strongest Marvel has ever put forth.

While it didn't win the ultimate prize, Black Panther can claim the distinction of best reviewed superhero movie ever and highest grossing one-character superhero movie of all time. Even better, it accomplished it all with a diverse cast and crew that features a much higher than usual percentage of African Americans and women.

RELATED: Knives Out & Parasite Prove Audiences Want Original Stories

An obscure (to start) South Korean film about income inequality was the Cinderella story of 2019. The Oscars and the world fell for Parasite and its lovable director, Bong Joon Ho.

Parasite is a perfect example of a piece of art that is greater than the sum of its parts, and those parts - fantastic actors, incredible sets, hard-to-predict twists and urgent themes - are great to begin with. Its message - that it's easy to point a finger in blame, no matter where one is on the economic spectrum - will always be true. It broke the glass ceiling for international films, overcoming the one-inch barrier of subtitles.

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Justice League Dark: Constantine Sacrificed Everything to Save Swamp Thing

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WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Justice league Dark #23, by James Tynion IV, Ram V and Kyle Hotz, available now from DC.

An outsider and prototypical anti-hero to the core, it's difficult to discern John Constantine's motives at the best of times. In Ram V and James Tynion IV's Justice League Dark #20-23, "The Parliament of Life," Constantine's tendency to hold his cards close to his chest remains firm, leaving the JLD in the dark until the very end, when he pulls the rug out from everyone -- and ultimately, saves the day.

More specifically, he saves Swamp Thing. Constantine restores Alec Holland after the Floronic Man rendered him down to sludge in Justice League Dark #16. Unfortunately, it's seemingly at the expense of everyone else -- until it isn't.

Related: Justice League Dark Has a Cure for ANY Infection - but It's DISGUSTING

At the beginning of Justice League Dark #23, the various elemental parliaments are out of balance because of Swamp Thing's demise. Now that he's gone, trees are no longer growing in the Green; to make matters worse, the Floronic Man is imprisoned in the Hall of Justice. A war breaks out as the parliaments fight each other for dominance. To restore the world to what it was, they have to be reconvened through the same ritual that created them.

Constantine makes a deal the Floronic Man and frees Abigail Arcane from the heart of rot, then makes a deal with her as well. Meanwhile, Nassour heads to the Serengeti to convince the avatars of Stone, Wind, Vapors and Flame to reconvene the parliaments.

Related: Red Hood Transformed DC's Captain America Into a MONSTER

Once the parliaments are reconvened, Nassour begins the ritual. The Guardians have to give up their power over their respective parliaments. They start with the Floronic Man, with Constantine reminding him about their deal in a whisper.

Next up is Animal Man, then Abigail. Instead of giving up her guardianship, she attacks the parliament of flowers, causing them to decay. The rest of the JLD try to restrain Abigail, while the parliaments erupt in anger at the betrayal. Constantine rummages in the rot and absconds with a seed.

He flees to the Green, where he meets up with Aton Arcane, who senses a change in the parliaments. John is ever-illusive, but eventually reveals the secret goal behind all his back dealings: Swamp Thing has returned. When he plants the seed in the Green, he restores its former guardian because trees are growing once more. This also rebalances the parliaments.

Although Constantine couldn't have known for certain that his shady plan would work, he managed to restore Swamp Thing and fix the situation -- even though he kept secrets and betrayed his team in the process.

Keep Reading: Swamp Thing Just Took Over the World - and It Went Great

Lord of the Rings Star Andy Serkis Narrates New Hobbit Audiobook

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The Lord of the Rings trilogy of books and its prequel novel, The Hobbit, have set the standard for fantasy in literature for generations. Now fans will have a chance to experience The Hobbit in an entirely new light. The official Harper Collins UK Twitter account announced that Lord of The Rings alum Andy Serkis will narrate a new Hobbit audiobook.

The tweet features an audio sample of Serkis reading the book, describing Bilbo Baggins' home. The Hobbit focuses on Bilbo as he joins the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves to retrieve their treasure from the dragon Smaug. The book inspired a trilogy of films helmed by Peter Jackson, who also directed the three Lord of the Rings film adaptations.

RELATED: Lord of the Rings TV Series Looking to Cast 'Funky-Looking' Actors

In the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Serkis portrayed the creature known as Gollum. Gollum had gained the One Ring of Power after the fall of Sauron, but lost it to Bilbo. Obsessed with getting the Ring back, he would later encounter Bilbo's cousin Frodo and follow him until falling to his death in the fires of Mount Doom.

Serkis' other film credits include King Kong, Black Panther and the Planet of the Apes reboot series. He will star as Alfred Pennyworth in The Batman, which reunites him with director Matt Reeves, and is directing Venom: Let There Be Carnage.

KEEP READING: Lord of the Rings Director Peter Jackson Pens Moving Tribute to Ian Holm

How Eternals' Kumail Nanjiani Is Breaking Pakistani Stereotypes

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The Eternals' star, Kumail Nanjiani, is breaking stereotypes as Marvel's first Pakistani superhero, Kingo. The significance of the role and this break from convention is not lost on the newest Marvel Cinematic Universe star.

On his approach to the role, Nanjiani said, "I approached him really as the opposite of the opportunities that I had gotten and the opportunities that a lot of other brown men traditionally get in Hollywood," adding, "We're this group where we can be the model minority, so the smart nerds, or the exact opposite, terrorists, depending on what the project is. Those are the two ends of the spectrum that we occupy and very little in between." The actor then recalled some of his previous roles and how they inspired the shape of his upcoming character, "I've gotten to play a nerd, so I wanted this guy to be cool. I've played weaklings, so I wanted this guy to be strong. Brown men have had to play terrorists, so I wanted this guy to be full of joy." He concluded, "Really, this character for me was defined by what I didn't want him to be."

RELATED: Eternals' Kumail Nanjiani Comments on the Film's Delayed Release

Nanjiani had acknowledged that he cannot represent all Pakistanis just because he is the first to be given such a huge platform in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He stated, "I can only represent myself. So, I do feel the pressure, but the only way to relieve it is just to have more people have these opportunities. I, one person, cannot represent a whole group of people because all of our experiences and backgrounds are completely different."

Directed by Chloé Zhao with a screenplay by Matthew and Ryan Firpo, The Eternals stars Richard Madden as Ikaris, Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo, Lauren Ridloff as Makkari, Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos, Salma Hayek as Ajak, Lia McHugh as Sprite, Don Lee as Gilgamesh, Angelina Jolie as Thena, Barry Keoghan as Druig, Gemma Chan as Sersi and Kit Harington as Dane Whitman, aka the Black Knight.

KEEP READING: MCU Theory: The Eternals May Be From an Alternate Universe

(via The Hollywood Reporter)


'The American Way' Was Not Originally Part of Superman's Never-Ending Battle

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This is "Just a Reminder," when I look back at comic book history whenever I think there's something worthwhile to look back at on in connection with things going on today.

Dean Cain said some controversial stuff about superheroes in the media recently, including, "I promise you, as Superman, I wouldn't today be allowed to say 'truth, justice, and the American way.'" That's unlikely to be true, but even if it is, just like the fervor back in 2011 when Action Comics #900 (in a story by David S. Goyer, Miguel Sepulveda and Paul Mounts) had Superman announce that he was going to renounce his U.S. citizenship so that he could be a "citizen of the world" and not have his actions construed as being part of U.S. policy...

and the similar fervor when, in Superman Returns, Perry White said, "Truth, justice and all that stuff" instead of "Truth, justice and the American way"...

Which, of course, Christopher Reeve's Superman famously said in the 1978 Superman film...

The phrase has become ingrained in the world of popular culture through its use in the popular Adventures of Superman television series which ran from 1952-1958, where it was part of the opening of every episode:

Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! ("Look! Up in the sky!" "It's a bird!" "It's a plane!" "It's Superman!")... Yes, it's Superman ... strange visitor from another planet, who came to Earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men! Superman ... who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel in his bare hands, and who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never-ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way! And now, another exciting episode, in The Adventures of Superman!

However, when the "never-ending battle for..." phrase originally appeared, it was in the popular Adventures of Superman radio series that ran from 1940-1951

And there, the introduction went:

Yes, it's Superman--strange visitor from another planet who came to Earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. Superman--defender of law and order, champion of equal rights, valiant, courageous fighter against the forces of hate and prejudice, who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never-ending battle for truth and justice.

That basic opening ("a never-ending battle for truth and justice") was later used in 1941 for the acclaimed Fleischer Studios Superman animated serials...

It was not until the middle of 1942, with the United States firmly entrenched in World War II that the term "the American Way" was added to the opening of the series. But later in the decade, by the time the war ended, it was dropped once again.

But the TV series picked it up, and that has become the way the phrase has been known ever since. Now you know, though, that omitting "the American Way" is only taking the phrase back to its origins!

DC Comics' Tom King Slams Dean Cain Over Superman Comments | CBR

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DC Comics writer Tom King (Batman, Strange Adventures) has taken Dean Cain to task over several comments he made concerning Superman. Cain, who portrayed the Man of Steel on the '90s television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, was a guest on Fox News where he attacked the recent criticism of the portrayal of police in film and on television.  "I promise you, as Superman, I wouldn't today be allowed to say 'truth, justice and the American way,'" Cain said during the interview.

In response, King tweeted a page from his and Andy Kubert's comic book Superman: Up In The Sky, which features the character of Sgt. Rock saying, "I believe in the American way." "Mother fucker I put it in a comic this year. SMH," King wrote.

RELATED: Superman Just Outwitted the DC Universe's Smartest Villain (Again)

Cain responded to King, writing, "Well kudos to you! I stand corrected. I'm glad you did! What comic is that? (Also, the MF part of your tweet is not necessary at all, but if it makes you feel tough, that's ok.)"

King then fired back, explaining he added the insult because he felt Cain had "used [his] platform to discourage people from wearing masks, which will cost lives -- the opposite of what Superman would do." (King refers to a post Cain made in which he lamented having to wear a mask on an airplane as a result of the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.) The DC writer also referred to his time as a CIA operative, writing, "I don't know if I'm tough but I did fight for my country overseas and didn't just wear a cape in front of a camera."

RELATED: Tom King Auctioning Original All-Star Superman Art for Black Lives Matter

King currently writes Strange Adventures and will pen the Batman/Catwoman maxi-series for DC Comics.

Hello Kitty & Friends Mash Up With My Hero Academia in New Funko Pop! Line

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Funko is bringing Hello Kitty and her friends together with My Hero Academia in a brand new collection.

On its official Twitter, Funko shared an image of the new line, giving fans a glimpse of what to expect with this unusual mashup. The image features just a few of the characters in their superhero garb, including Tuxedo Sam as the fire and ice user Shoto Todoroki, Badtz-Maru as the explosive Katsuki Bakugou and the eponymous Hello Kitty as the number one hero, All Might.

RELATED: Dragon Ball Super: Funko Unveils SDCC Super Saiyan God Goku Pop!

"Hello Kitty and friends have dawned [sic] their My Hero Academia costumes to save your day," the tweet said. "Go to Funko Shop to collect these cute crossover figures."

These are not the only characters to have crossed over with the popular anime and manga. In the Funko Shop, fans can also find Hello Kitty's best friend, My Melody, as the gravity defying Ochako Uraraka, plus Pochacco as Izuku Midoriya, known better as Deku, and Keroppi, fittingly portrayed as the frog-like Tsuyu Asui.

Hello Kitty was created by Yuko Shimizu and was first released in 1974 by the Sanrio Company. The character has become extremely popular in both Japan and in the United States, spawning toys, clothes, shows and even a cafe. My Hero Academia, written and illustrated by Kōhei Horikoshi, has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump since 2014. As of July 2020, the series has 27 volumes, four anime seasons, two feature length films and a musical.

KEEP READING: My Hero Academia: Why Kirishima Is the Most Relatable Hero

 

Ultimate Carnage Almost Makes Funko Pops Scary | CBR

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A new Funko Pop! figure brings one of Marvel's most horrifying villains to life. Funko's official Twitter account posted a new image of its upcoming Pop! Deluxe figure of Carnage, inspired by his design in Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman's Absolute Carnage miniseries.

The figure depicts Carnage standing atop the graves of Spider-Man, Wolverine, Captain America and Carnage's "father" Venom. Issue 27 of Venom will feature an exclusive Funko cover that pays homage to the cover of Absolute Carnage #1. Funko suggests fans contact their comic stores for more details.

RELATED: Jay & Silent Bob Reboot's Iron Bob Fulfills Kevin Smith's Pop! Prediction

Absolute Carnage focuses on a resurrected Cletus Kasaday as he attempts to harvest the codexes of every being who has ever worn a symbiote, in order to free the dark god Knull from his prison. Eddie Brock carved out Carnage's codex, supposedly killing him; however Kasady's psyche had possessed his "father", attempting to influence his actions. Brock traveled to Isla de Huesos in an effort to free himself from Carnage's control during the "Venom Island" story arc. He was successful, though Carnage was shown to infest a shark.

Funko has been showcasing several new figures on social media, particularly exclusives for San Diego Comic-Con and Funko Virtual Con.

KEEP READING: Arrowverse's Black Lightning Finally Gets a Funko Pop!

Ms. Marvel: 5 Marvel Heroes Who Respect Her (& 5 Who Would Despise Her)

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Sometimes, it's hard for a new hero to catch on. Because of this, comic companies will put new characters into familiar mantles. This gives the new character name recognition but like with all things, there's always a chance it can fail. One new character that has succeeded in an old mantle is Kamala Khan, Ms. Marvel.

RELATED: 10 Things You Might Not Know About Ms. Marvel

Ms. Marvel is one of the most popular new characters created in the last twenty years. Fans immediately took to her, flocking to her adventures and Marvel gave her a higher and higher profile, making her one of the Avengers and giving her a team of her own, the Champions. She's worked with a lot of heroes and has earned all of their respect but there are some who wouldn't like her at all. Which heroes respect her? Which heroes would despise her?

10 Respects Her: Falcon

During Falcon's time as Captain America, he was the leader of the Avengers team that Ms. Marvel was a part of. While he has years of experience on Ms. Marvel, he still found a lot to like about the spunky young heroine. He respected her never say die attitude and her dedication to heroism.

Anyone who took to the hero game as quickly as Ms. Marvel has is bound to gain the respect of the old guard and Falcon worked closely with her for a while and saw just how good she is.

9 Would Despise Her: Red Hulk

Red Hulk wasn't always a hero. General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross became Red Hulk to get revenge against the Hulk and would eventually join the Avengers and the Thunderbolts. Red Hulk is a military man through and through and that would be a huge impediment in dealing with Ms. Marvel.

Red Hulk is very serious and Ms. Marvel isn't. Their demeanors are completely different and Red Hulk wouldn't do very well with her wisecracks and she wouldn't enjoy his dourness.

8 Respects Her: Valkyrie (Jane Foster)

Valkyrie was also Ms. Marvel's teammate on the Avengers when she was the Goddess of Thunder, Thor. The two of them had a lot in common- both were rather new to the superhero game and had joined the Avengers for the first time. They both were stepping into some big shoes and both of them had done a great job.

RELATED: Wonder Woman Vs. Valkyrie: Who Would Win?

Both of them went from being normal people to the top of the superhero game almost immediately and have a tremendous amount of respect for each other.

7 Would Despise Her: Hulk

Ms. Marvel has really only dealt with one Hulk in her time, the totally awesome Amadeus Cho. As far as Hulks go, he's one of the easiest to handle. Ms. Marvel would have a much more difficult time dealing with the classic Hulk, Bruce Banner.

Lately, Banner has either been a mindless berserker or a monster who doesn't get along well with anyone. He would find Ms. Marvel to be an annoyance at best and at worst, someone to smash.

6 Respects Her: Nova

Ms. Marvel and Nova have been working together for a very long time, both as Avengers and Champions. The two young heroes stepped into big shoes and showed how good they could be, taking mantles that others popularized and making them their own.

They have worked together very well and have been through a lot. Together, along with Spider-Man, they defied the Avengers and struck out on their own, and people that don't respect each other don't do things like that with each other.

5 Would Despise Her: Magneto

While Magneto was once one of the X-Men's greatest villains, he has worked with the team for a long time now. He also has a very long memory and it wasn't too long ago that Inhumans were trying to protect their Terrigen Mist clouds at the expense of mutant lives. He wouldn't forget that Ms. Marvel fought on the side of the Inhumans in the battle over the Mists.

RELATED: 5 Reasons Magneto Should Always Be A Villain (& 5 Why He's A Better Hero)

It's true that Magneto doesn't take very well to anyone who has endangered mutants and Ms. Marvel, as likable as she is, would be no different. She'd be lucky if he didn't attack her outright.

4 Respects Her: Medusa

Medusa is the queen of the Inhumans and was the leader of the Inhuman race during the conflict with mutants. Knowing how dangerous the X-Men could be, Medusa called for help from the Inhumans that didn't hang out with the rest of their race and Ms. Marvel was one of them.

Medusa has been around for a long time and is a great judge of character and talent. For her to choose Ms. Marvel to help her and the Inhumans against the X-Men means she trusted and respect the young hero.

3 Would Despise Her: Cyclops

X-Man Cyclops died because of the M-Pox, a disease caused by the Terrigen Mists. While he's in a good place mentally nowadays, he's still all about his people and wouldn't like the fact that Inhumans were perfectly fine with the genocide of the mutant race so they could keep their Terrigen Mists.

Ms. Marvel fought for the Inhumans' right to commit genocide against mutants, basically fighting against mutants' right to exist. Cyclops couldn't respect her at all and would actively despise her fighting for those who were okay with the death of his people.

2 Respects Her: Spider-Man

Ms. Marvel and Spider-Man met when they were Avengers and became fast friends. The two young people had a lot in common and while they idolized the heroes of the older generation, they still had the wherewithal to defy the Avengers and start their own team.

While they both started in the shadow of other heroes, Spider-Man and Ms. Marvel distinguished themselves from their mentors and forged a lasting friendship founded on mutual admiration and respect.

1 Would Despise Her: Punisher

The Punisher doesn't get along with anyone. He has been known to work with actual superheroes but most of them find the murderous vigilante to be a tad to close to the villains they fight and he doesn't believe they do enough to fight evil. He would especially dislike Ms. Marvel.

She's much too bubbly and moral for the likes of him. Punisher's war has hardened him and he believes that anyone who isn't like him is weak and he would definitely think that about Ms. Marvel, actively despising her weakness.

NEXT: The Punisher's 10 Darkest Stories Of All Time

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