Overarching universes have become more popular than ever over the past decade in movies and TV shows -- and that includes anime. There have been plenty of anime crossovers over the years with the likes of Cyborg 009 VS Devilman, Isekai Quartet, and more. One series that really stands out with its crossovers, however, is Space Patrol Luluco.
Space Patrol Luluco is a short anime series that was produced by Studio Trigger. Trigger's series tend to stand out due to their unique art style and stunning animation. Space Patrol Luluco is no different in that regard, but what makes it special is its many crossovers with other works from Studio Trigger.
General Manager of Over Justice, a character that strongly resembles Inferno Cop, is the head of the Ogikubo Space Patrol. Plus, the aforementioned Inferno Cop was revealed to be a former member of the Space Patrol and an associate of Over Justice. The series also travels to other worlds, with episodes taking place in settings of different Trigger properties, such as Kill la Kill, Little Witch Academia and SEX and VIOLENCE with MACHSPEED. Some characters from these series actually appear in it, too, like Sucy from Little Witch Academia, while others are heavily referenced, like a Gomorin from Kiznaiver.
These episodes were notable because it was fun to see the Space Patrol interact with these different, already-existing worlds and characters. The Kill la Kill episode, for instance, shows a parody of the climactic battle in the series but replaces Ryuko and Ragyo with Luluco and AΩ Nova. As for the Little Witch Academia episode, it doesn't really explore the plot of the series that much but it does have some fun with it. In that episode, Luluco drinks Sucy's potion, which is supposed to cause her to die in two and a half minutes, but instead, it turns out that it wouldn't take effect for another 60 years.
These crossovers were mainly just cameos and parodies, but they did open up the "Trigger-Verse." Having all these shows co-exist in the same universe could lead to an infinite number of possibilities due to the diverse nature of Trigger's catalog. Not to mention, Space Patrol Luluco came out in 2016, so new properties have been released since then that would also fit right in. Series like SSSS.Gridman and DARLING in the FRANXXand movies like Promare all have plots, settings or characters that would work well with those of other Trigger properties.
One way to really explore this universe would be to potentially make a show like Isekai Quartet, where the different Trigger characters can interact with each other even more. It would be interesting to see the likes of Satsuki and Zero Two being in the same place at the same time. As Trigger's library grows larger and more characters are introduced, as does the potential for more incredible crossovers that could appeal to any anime fan -- not just the studio's dedicated fanbase.
Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball franchise is one of the most beloved ever. The incredibly popular franchise has consisted of several manga and anime series, as well as various video games and other sorts of tie-ins. A large part of this is that Dragon Ball as a franchise has a lot of wonderful, compelling characters that are just hard not to root for. However, that doesn't mean they're perfect. In this video, we're going to delve into the character flaws of the franchise's main characters.
We're starting off with Goku, who has remained the franchise's primary hero for decades. Over the years, Goku has defeated some pretty incredible enemies and literally transformed himself into a being able to stand toe-to-toe with gods. However, Goku's main flaw is pretty obvious: He's naive. Goku has a compassionate and merciful heart, which is sometimes a great thing; it's what helped turn Vegeta -- at least in part -- to his side. However, sometimes he's too forgiving to the villains against whom he fights, and many have exploited his kind nature to their advantage.
Dragon Ball Super was the most recent installment in the franchise, not counting the original net animation Super Dragon Ball Heroes. Although it's unclear just when -- or if -- the series will return, the Dragon Ball franchise is popular, so it's unlikely to stay gone for long. The manga currently expands on the ending of Dragon Ball Super, taking Goku and Vegeta into space to fight against the energy-absorbing Moro. However, it's unclear if when the anime returns it will actually pull from that plotline.
Let us know what you think in the comments, and check out many other deep, thought-provoking videos on our YouTube channel! Don't forget to subscribe and click that bell for notifications of brand new content, posted every day!
Hollywood is currently undergoing a reckoning for past insensitive representations of race, but the movement is receiving some backlash from fans of popular series and films that are being censored and taken down from streaming platforms. Communityis among the latest of these to be retroactively deemed inappropriate by Netflix. The streaming giant announced that it would remove the Season 2 episode, "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons," from the platform due to Ben Chang's (Ken Jeong) dark face makeup cosplay in the episode and its correlation with blackface. As well-intended as Netflix's move may be, it is misplaced, and the episode in question deserves more recognition for what it is actually about and how central it is in Community's popularity and success.
Whether Ken Jeong is actually doing blackface here is complicated. Jeong's character in the context of the episode is not attempting to negatively portray a Black person, but the actor is still wearing dark, visually offensive makeup. The joke is that Chang's over-the-top commitment to his D&D role as a "Dark Elf or a Drow" resembles blackface, and Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown) immediately calls out that the group is "just gonna ignore that hate crime." Entertainment has a long history of doing blackface to disparage Black people, more recently than should have been acceptable, as contemporary audiences and entertainers are currently coming to terms with, and it is a trope that was long overdue to be discontinued. "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons," however, should not fall into that categorization.
Intent is important. The bit is shocking, perhaps, but the butt of the joke is Chang's obliviousness to his appearance, which in reality barely adheres to the tasteless conventions of true blackface; he is not attempting to portray real-world racist stereotypes, but rather, a fictional elf race. Surely audiences can understand the difference between face paint that resembles blackface from the act of engaging in racist depictions that reinforce ignorance and hate. By removing the episode, Netflix not only robs audiences from making this distinction for themselves, but it also robs them of one of the most beloved and touching episodes of the series.
Removing the episode because of a couple of scenes is a regrettable disservice to what it is actually about. "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons" is an exploration of bullying and suicide prevention. In the episode, the study group takes a classmate, referred to as "Fat Neil," under their wing when Jeff (Joel McHale) becomes aware that Neil is lonely and potentially suicidal over the way he is treated on campus. They set up a game of D&D, Neil's passion, to include and empower him. Along the way Neil is able to express himself about how being bullied for his weight makes him feel. It is one of the more emotional and dark episodes of Community, but it results in one of the most memorable.
In a 2019 reunion panel, Community's creator Dan Harmon and the cast discussed what stands out about "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons." Alison Brie and Harmon both point to it as their favorite episode of the show. Harmon noted that not only was he proud of the creativity of his writers for the story but he was also excited that he could bring a niche childhood passion to life on network television before the rise of Game of Thrones.
Furthermore, it is a critical episode for Chevy Chase's character, Pierce, who was often an unlikable grump on the show. Though it features some of Pierce's most despicable moments on Community, it also offers insight into his selfishness. By the end, even he is sympathetic, in his own way, towards Neil because of what they learn through the role-playing game. As Harmon notes, "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons" is the high point of Community's creativity and commitment to great character development.
Much of the recent outrage and reflection on racist jokes and blackface from past years is appropriately directed. It's part of the necessary conversation for understanding the ways offensive material in media shapes perceptions and hurts communities. But the scenes from Community in question require more nuanced consideration within that narrative. To remove the episode entirely, to pretend it does not exist because of one gag is a discredit to everyone involved in making the show, to fans and to anyone who may have benefited from the episode's broader message.
If Netflix chooses to reupload the episode with a disclaimer, perhaps that is the appropriate compromise. But it should not be sacrificed and remain inaccessible to viewers who love Community, who can discern for themselves the meaning and intent of the joke and who may truly benefit from the episode's message about bullying and suicide prevention.
Crunchyroll has announced a new series, TONIKAWA: Over The Moon ForYou,will be joining its Originals lineup in late 2020, along with a new slate of programming for the streaming service arriving this year and early 2021.
The announcement was made at the anime brand's virtual industry panel at Anime Expo Lite today. Billed as a "celebration of anime and Japanese pop culture," the annual convention is taking place across July 3 - 4th, with all of its events moved to online attendance only because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
TONIKAWA: Over The Moon For You, is a romantic comedy from Kenjiro Hata, the creator of Hayate the Combat Butler. According to the official synopsis, the series centers around the life of newlyweds, Nasa Yuzaki and a mysterious person known only as Tsukasa. The pair wind up getting prematurely married after Tsukasa stipulates that this is the only way the two can date each other. The series arrives on Crunchyroll in October.
Crunchyroll also gave further details on two other Original series coming to the streaming service: So I'm a Spider, So What? and EX-ARM. Based on the light novel series by Okina Baba and Tsukasa Kiryu, the anime adaptation of So I'm a Spider, So What? was teased by Crunchyroll in February, and has now been confirmed for a January 2021 release. The isekai series features a high school girl who is reincarnated in a fantasy world as a spider monster.
EX-ARM, a sci-fi manga series created by HiRock and Shinya Komi was first announced to be receiving an anime adaptation in December 2018. Slated for a summer 2020 release originally, disruptions due to the current coronavirus crisis have pushed it back to an unspecified date this year. Set in 2030, EX-ARM follows a police officer who infiltrates an underground weapons ("Ex-Arms") trading ring, along with her android partner.
As well as with these three Original series, Crunchyroll announced several additional programs. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a SlimeOVA #4 and #5 will premiere July 8 and this November, respectively. The fourth OVA is the second part of a new episode from series writer, Fuse. A synopsis for the series teases the titular Slime, Rimuru, and his students will take part in an "outdoor training event that takes an unexpected turn."
The list is rounded out by Monster Girl Doctor, which is releasing this summer and promises to "explore the physiologies of monster girls like never before;" With a Cat AND a Dog, Every Day is Fun, arriving in October, which pairs a cute, hard-working dog and a loveable cat with a scary face; the second season of How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord Ω, a continuation of Takuma Sakamoto's adventures as a (pretend) Demon Lord in the MMORPG world of Cross Reverie, which is coming in 2021, and lastly, The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter, which follows the third son of a noble family who has fallen on hard times, leading him to enter a dangerous dungeon filled with rare treasures. No release date has been announced for it yet.
TheNeed for Speed series has established itself as one of the best street racing franchises of all time. Its fast-paced gameplay and deep customization mechanics made it a cut above other games in the genre. While it's hard to say which Need for Speed title is the best, many gamers agree that the Need for Speed: Underground games are some of the greatest in the series. Underground took everything great from the franchise and gave it a stylish, urban twist. It's been 15 years since the last Underground entry, and it's time for EA to bring back the subseries.
Need for Speed: Underground launched in 2003 for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance and PC. It took the chaotic street racing players know and love from the original games and transplanted it into a bustling inner-city environment. Players have to prove themselves in a variety of different races in order to prove they're the best drivers in town. Need for Speed: Underground received a sequel a year later that added new elements and improved certain aspects from the original game.
If any word describes the Need for Speed: Underground games, it's style. Underground radiates style with its sleek car designs and big city vibe. Every car is fully customizable, allowing players to tweak everything from its exterior appearance to engine performance. Players can include things like sound systems and neon to really make their cars pop. Nex-gen consoles could take the game's stylish aura and take it to another level. A graphical upgrade would do wonders for a new Underground and make the cars really come to life. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X would also make the big city environment much more immersive.
Besides racing, the Need for Speed: Underground games are also known for their expansive open-world environments. While open-world racing games are a dime a dozen nowadays, it was pretty rare to find one back in the early to mid-2000, especially ones as details as Underground. A next-gen sequelwould really highlight and enhance the game's open world. Olympic City and Bayview from the originals captured the essence of big-city nightlife perfectly. Both cities felt alive with neon lighting and modern architecture. A next-gen Need for Speed: Underground could take the environment to new heights by improving the graphics and expanding its size, thrilling fans of the original with all of the improvements next-gen can offer to an already stylish game.
The Need for Speed: Underground games are often viewed as the pinnacle of the street racing genre, and it's surprising that EA hasn't continued the series on modern gaming consoles. While there are a handful of Need for Speed games on current-gen systems, they don't offer the same experiences as the Underground games. A new entry to the franchise would finally fill the stylish street racing void that many racing fans crave.
When it comes to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' enemies, you don't get a bigger bad guy than the Shredder. The man formerly known as Oroku Saki has been a thorn in the Turtles' side ever since the characters debuted in 1984.
However, he didn't reach his most powerful level of villainy until 1991's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze. After being subjected to Vanilla Ice's "Ninja Rap," he realized he was no longer the best rogue in the room so he consumed mutagen, aka the ooze, turning himself into the mighty Super Shredder.
Played by WWE and WCW alumnus "Big Sexy" Kevin Nash, this monstrous version of the character was larger than life and featured more metal than a Judas Priest concert. Shredder has been a snazzy dresser with his lush combinations of purples and reds interspersed delicately among the chrome, but this timeless outfit put him straight on Vogue's radar.
Sadly, his self-inflicted defeat was straight out of the Bebop and Rocksteady playbook. Unsatisfied by smashing the Turtles around under the pier like a giant ogre, he attacked the pillars in a fit of rage. Naturally, the pier collapsed on him, proving that while his strength and size increased, his brain didn't.
Super Shredder's movie debut might've been anticlimactic, but he made such an impression that he appeared in the animated series, toylines and video games in subsequent years. In fact, Super Shredder served as a formidable boss in the games Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time.
This time around, however, Super Shredder came armed with way more than Braun Strowman's limited move set. This version of the character had the power of Thor to summon lightning, hurled fireballs like Liu Kang, moved around the screen like the Flash and possessed the horrifying ability to de-mutate the Turtles. Facing off against the beast known as Super Shredder cost players numerous lives and required them to develop a sound strategy to avoid his powerful attacks.
Expectedly, Super Shredder's video game powers were over the top and outrageous, and made fans question just how strong he, and the ooze he consumed, really were. While the audience discovered how it could turn animals, and the combination of animal and human, into anthropomorphic creatures, Super Shredder demonstrated the impact on sole humans.
If Shredder had just grown a tad bigger and developed more muscles, the mutagen would nothing more than a steroid or growth hormone. But because he became super-sized, super-shredded and blessed with super-speed and superpowers, Shredder clearly wasn't an ordinary man anymore; he became the next step in evolution combined with a healthy dose of elemental powers.
That being said, no one knows how long Super Shredder can stay in that condition. It could be permanent, temporary or his heart could give up on him being that size after a few weeks. Without that piece of information, it's hard to grasp just how formidable an opponent this version of the character really is, even with fireball and lightning attacks thrown in the mix.
Almost 30 years after his debut, Super Shredder remains one of TMNT's most powerful characters, and what makes him even better and more appreciated is that he's been used sparingly throughout the years. All things considered, Super Shredder is one of the franchise's shining villains and deserves another go at his least favorite turtles.
Many people look back at the Attitude Era as the best time to be a fan of WWE. There are good reasons for that, even though many people see the era through rose-colored glasses.
The Attitude Era's high points came because WWE had multiple main event stars, from Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock to Degeneration X and The Undertaker. Never in the history of WWE was the roster so stacked. WWE also had storylines for everyone, even the mid-card talent, and no one was wasted.
However, while everyone had a storyline, that did not mean that all gimmicks were created equally. Fans may remember most of the era fondly, but in retrospect, many of its gimmicks are better off being forgotten. Here is a look at five gimmicks from the Attitude Era that range from cringy at best to outright horrific at worst.
Easily, the most popular gimmick on this list was that of The Godfather. At his WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, Godfather mentioned that he loved this gimmick because it was the real him. Before this, he worked as a voodoo priest, an MMA fighter, and a nondescript member of the Nation of Domination. However, when WWE let him be him, he soared to new heights as The Godfather.
However, in the modern era of the #MeToo and #SpeakingOut movements, a professional wrestler whose gimmick was being a pimp who'd bring out his Ho Train and offer up the ladies' services to other wrestlers would never fly. It is almost hard to believe that it was so popular in the Attitude Era, but that was the era of bra and panty matches. At least this gimmick introduced the world to Victoria.
Not only did WWE have a pimp in the Attitude Era, but it also had a porn star. Val Venis would come out to the ring with his bath towel around his waist and then strip down to his wrestling tights for the ladies in the audience. It was like Ravishing Rick Rude, but without the kissing and with a lot more hip gyrating. Venis even had a finishing move inspired by his gimmick, The Money Shot.
Venis underwent a lot of changes over his WWE career after the Attitude Era, but he never found as much success outside of his porn star gimmick. He was an authority figure and was part of the Right to Censor, turning his back on the sexualized gimmick of the Attitude Era to help Steven Richards -- and, ironically, The Goodfather -- try to censor all sexuality from WWE.
Not only did Val Venis have a cringeworthy gimmick as a porn star, but he was also involved in one of the worst angles in Monday Night Raw history. This came in 1998, when he was feuding with the stable Kai En Tai. In the angle, Venis slept with manager Yamaguchi-San's wife, Shian-Li Tsang. Venis battled various members of Kai En Tai, and much like in the present-day Rusev and Bobby Lashley storyline, the adulterer won the feud. However, before that ended, the stable abducted Venis, brought him backstage, stripped him down, and tried to "choppy-choppy his pee-pee."
That is offensive enough -- and that was just one storyline. WWE treated Kai En Tai with practically every Asian stereotype in the book. They were over-the-top and forced to act like fools the entire time they were together. Even worse is the fact that this stable consisted of some of the best wrestlers from Japan at the time, including Taka Michinoku, Togo and Funaki, all being saddled with a terrible, racist gimmick. WWE would repeat a similarly embarrassing racist stereotype gimmick in the Ruthless Aggression era with a stable called the Mexicools.
It wasn't only the male superstars who looked to objectify other members of the roster during this period. There was also a stable that arrived in the Attitude Era called PMS. While the name has another meaning, this one stood for Pretty Mean Sisters and consisted of Terri Runnels, Jacqueline, and Ryan Shamrock. Only one of those women was a legitimate wrestler, and the others were just there to try to humiliate the men in WWE, all of whom almost universally exhibited sexist behavior towards the women on the roster.
These women also had a boy toy of their own: their love slave, Meat. For those who don't know, Meat was Shawn Stasiak. WWE didn't seem to care that Stasiak was the son of a former WWE World Champion. He was just there to be a sex slave to PMS and wrestle all his matches with a fake bulge in his trunks. Yes, it was that kind of rare angle that managed to be embarrassing for both genders involved.
There was one stable that was revolutionary in the Attitude Era, and it wasn't Degeneration X. That stable was the Nation of Domination. This group was — when taken seriously — a faction that actually talked about the discrimination and racism that exists in America, as portrayed by a group of strong Black men who refused to be held back by anyone. However, WWE saw this and decided they'd be perfect for a racist "gangland war" storyline.
WWE created two more gimmick stables and neither one held a candle to the Nation of Domination, either at the time or in the annals of history. These were the Disciples of Apocalypse and Los Boricuas. The DoA were a biker gang that came off almost like a white supremacist gang. The second were a group of Latino wrestlers whose only big name was Savio Vega. WWE took something great in the Nation and created something offensive and stereotypical in the end.
Action anime series really resonate with audiences. Anime is able to tap into the brutality and creativity of action series in a way that few other mediums are capable of doing. Of all of the important action anime series to come along, both Attack on Titanand Berserkare two of the most notable ones.
Berserk has been around since the ‘90s and there have been several different attempts to adapt the source material, with the most recent being in 2016. Atttack on Titan has been lightning in a bottle ever since it debuted. Accordingly, which of these two anime is better?
10 Attack On Titan: The Music
It’s obviously important to tell a good story with a strong foundation to it, but it’s when every element of an anime can work together that a show really excels. One of the most enjoyable aspects of Attack on Titan is the epic score that Hiroyuki Sawano has put together.
The music that’s in episodes is the perfect accompaniment for these battles and the opening and closing themes are some of the most passionate in all of anime. Berserk’s score is fine, but it’s hardly on the level of what Attack on Titan turns out.
9 Berserk: How It Mixes Horror With Fantasy
There are many dark anime out there, but Berserk is a special kind of series that really embraces a bleak setting and pushing things to the limit. Attack on Titan is also a very gruesome and nihilistic program at times, but Berserk achieves an interesting balance with how it incorporates so many fantasy elements into this blood-soaked environment.
It’s very jarring to see creatures like fairy and innocent children get wrapped into terrifying carnage, but it’s an effective spin for this world. It creates such an unusual energy that’s so purely Berserk.
8 Attack On Titan: The Large Cast
Another very attractive selling point with Attack on Titan is that it features such a massive cast. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin are the core trio, but that greatly expands as they step out of the spotlight and many other characters, both from the good and bad sides of this war, get developed. It can be a little overwhelming at times, but once the characters click together it’s worth it. Berserk is much more about a man on a mission with a small posse by his side, if that.
7 Berserk: Its Exaggerated Nature
Part of what makes Berserk such a memorable series that’s been adapted several times over and still something that the public get excited over is that it knows how to push its material over the top. Berserk doesn’t just handle scary monsters and incredible battles, but it equips Guts with weapons that are some extreme and gigantic that they almost seem like jokes. Additionally, the anime is very operatic in the way that excessive amounts of blood and gore will spill out of Guts’ altercations. Berserk understands what it is and that’s one of the best things about it.
6 Attack On Titan: The Variety In The Titan
Even if Attack on Titan was a complete disaster in terms of story and characterization, the creepy designs behind the Titans would likely be enough that people would still be talking about the show. Every Titan is terrifying and their attitudes towards humanity are even more so. However, Attack on Titan has slowly introduced more Titans, some with special powers, which push the monsters to even more fascinating territory. The growing history and development of the Titans is more interesting than anything that Berserk tackles.
5 Berserk: The Monsters
Berserk chronicles Guts’ journey to take out the dangerous monsters that roam the land and it makes sure that the beasts that he faces are as horrendous as possible. Demons and monsters are such a vague description that can go in many directions, but the creatures in Berserk really feel like their out of Hell. They’re large, mysterious, and aggressive towards humans in a way that’s genuinely intimidating. Despite these phenomenal creatures, Guts never breaks a sweat and his resolve to take down what seem like impossible monsters is so entertaining.
4 Attack On Titan: The Storytelling
Attack on Titan is one of the best examples of slow-paced storytelling that truly takes its time before it shows its hand for the bigger picture. The series very carefully parses out specific story details so that when the truth eventually does come forward it’s an unbelievable blow. The series’ scope continues to explode in amazing ways where it feels like the end of the anime will be completely different from where it began. That’s very exciting for a show that could have easily just been a surface level action anime about giants.
3 Berserk: Guts’ Character Arc
Action archetypes can be tricky to properly pull off and Berserk’s macho protagonist, Guts, is a great example of an aggressive alpha. Guts finds himself on an important and deadly journey that he’s committed to achieve on his own and not bring any more unnecessary pain to those around him. Guts begins the series very closed off and a man of few words, but he slowly softens once be brings the lost Casca into his fold. It’s very satisfying to see Guts open up and care for others and it’s a satisfying emotional arc due to the show’s isolating nature.
2 Attack On Titan: The Animation
It’s nothing short of incredible that WIT Studio, who were relative newcomers to the anime industry, were able to turn out Attack on Titan and make it look as beautiful as it does. The animation department was constantly going above and beyond and putting an insane amount of resources into the episodes so that the series’ biggest moments would be as epic as necessary. The quality of the chaos in the series is part of the reason that Attack on Titan has become so popular. There’s no contest here, especially since 2016’s Berserk is full of ugly CG.
1 Berserk: The Action Sequences
Berserk is all about its bombastic action sequences where Guts hacks and slashes through bloodthirsty monsters of the night. There are many anime that depict this brutality towards demons, but Berserk really puts together some impressive battle choreography and framing of shots that make these scenes really pop. Guts’ aggressive means are enough on their own, but the use of magical elements also keep the fights in Berserk interesting. Even when the animation is lacking, the sheer madness that takes place is enough to balance things out and still remind audiences of how great an action series this is.
It's official. Season two of Harley Quinn has ended. With the possibility of a third season still up in the air at the moment, fans are pleading with DC Universe to give the series at least one more season. With Harley and Poison Ivy both finally admitting their love for each other, we deserve to see their romance play out.
Until then, all fans can do is stream their favorite episodes on repeat. This isn't a problem though, as the show's top-notch humor gives Harley Quinn great rewatch value. This list breaks down fans' favorite episodes from the series, and a few episodes that can be skipped.
10 Worst: Season 2, Episode 9 - "Bachelorette"
Although this episode features an entertaining side plot revolving around King Shark, it's completely filler. Fans appreciate that this episode pushes forward the romance between Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy in a big way, but the rest of the episode is a bit lackluster.
The plot with Eris mind-controlling the Themyscarians wasn't engaging and could have been substituted for a more compelling storyline that ties back into other season two elements like the relationship between Jim Gordon and Batgirl, or Batman working with Gordon and Batgirl to save Gotham.
9 Best: Season 2, Episode 5 - "Batman's Back Man"
This episode deserves some love solely for the meta opening and closing scenes that poke fun at the haters who won't give Harley Quinn a chance. That aside, this episode is also noteworthy because it's the first and only episode so far to fully revolve around Batman.
Introducing characters like Alfred and Lucius Fox, this episode expands Batman's role in the series while also bringing some memorable laughs. The chemistry between Batman, Gordon, and Batgirl is great and fans wish they were able to see more of it during season two.
8 Worst: Season 1, Episode 6 - "You're A Damn Good Cop, Jim Gordon"
Admittedly, this episode isn't all bad and does a decent job laying the early groundwork for Gordon and Batman as characters. That said, the whole plot device of Clayface's arm gaining sentience and forming a friendship with Gordon was a bit too over the top.
The subplot following Doctor Pyscho as he attempts to reconcile with his son feels forced and has no worthwhile impact on the series. Lastly, the joke involving King Shark being beaten by police officers is problematic as police brutality is a very real issue and is nothing to joke about.
7 Best: Season 1, Episode 1 - "Til Death Do Us Part"
Every pilot episode for a series has the difficult task of introducing the world of the show and the characters, while also developing and teasing story arcs to come. The first episode of Harley Quinn completes this task with flying colors, proving to be one of the best episodes of the entire show.
Watching Harley step out from Joker's shadow and become her own individual is still captivating upon a rewatch. Bonus points are also awarded to the fantastic action in this episode.
6 Worst: Season 1, Episode 7 - "The Line"
Wanda Sykes's Queen of Fables fully brought to life in this episode is a standout aspect, as is Poison Ivy sneaking around with Kite Man. However, the rest of the episode fails to capitalize on what makes Harley Quinn such a great series.
The Jason Praxis plotline falls flat and could have been much better by making use of any number of heroes or villains from Batman or DC Comics lore. This episode feels like a forced introduction for Queen of Fables as a human again and a forced set up the role she plays later with Joker.
5 Best: Season 2, Episode 13 - "The Runaway Bridesmaid"
This is the episode Harley Quinn has been building towards since the very beginning when the deep friendship between Harley and Poison Ivy is first introduced. As both the climax of Harley and Poison Ivy's blooming romance and a season finale, it does not disappoint.
Effectively intertwining the love between Poison Ivy and Harley with the rest of the season's story arcs, like Gordon and his quest to become Gotham's shining knight, this episode brings the season together in a satisfying way and concludes it with a bang.
4 Worst: Season 2, Episode 4 - "Thawing Hearts"
Besides wasting the incomparable Alfred Molina on a character who lasted only two episodes, this episode also gives Mr. Freeze a poor send-off from a season that had no idea what to do with him as a character in the first place.
Fans initially thought the writers were setting up a twist where Nora Fries takes up the "Freeze" mantle, however, when Nora's character eventually vanishes from the season, the disappointment of this episode becomes all the more glaring.
3 Best: Season 1, Episode 2 - "A High Bar"
A high bar indeed, the second episode of Harley Quinn defies expectations and manages to outshine the stellar pilot. Bane is debatably the best side character on the show, and his introduction here is nothing short of perfection.
One of the funniest episodes of Harley Quinn, this episode also does a great job introducing Harley's quest to join the Legion of Doom, Poison Ivy, and Kite Man's relationship, as well as the dynamic between Batman's famous gallery of rogues like Joker, Two-Face, and Penguin.
2 Worst: Season 1, Episode 10 - "Bensonhurst"
The introduction of Harley's parents doesn't do much for the series, as they are never seen again after this episode. While this episode does provide some backstory on Harley and insight into her character, overall the episode feels too far removed from the rest of the show.
The twist at the end that the assassins coming after Harley were hired by Penguin's son as revenge for ruining his Bar Mitzvah was underwhelming at best and was only salvaged due to Bane's involvement in the scene.
1 Best: Season 1, Episode 4 - "Finding Mr. Right"
This is what Harley Quinn looks like when it's firing on all cylinders. Developing the relationship and loyalty between Harley and Poison Ivy, while also tying into the season's main story arc of Harley making a name for herself, and topped off with exceptional usage of a range of DC characters, this episode is nothing short of spectacular.
From Superman's cheesy jokes to the all-out brawl between Harley, Poison Ivy, Batman, and Joker, this episode rocks. Shoutout to Jacob Tremblay's hilarious portrayal of Robin, even though Damian Wayne could have been better used in the show.
While Avatar: The Last Airbender is considered by many to be a masterpiece in children's television, The Legend of Korra had a lot to live up to in being a sequel/spin-off to one of the most popular animated TV shows of all time.
Despite this pressure, The Legend of Korra managed to be a fantastic show in its own right, focusing on the moral complexities of Korra's antagonists, instead of the slow build-up to fight between Aang and the irredeemable Fire Lord Ozai. The Legend of Korra forfeited the epic nature of The Last Airbender in order to provide villains with compelling points of view that were rooted in relatable ideologies.
11 The Lieutenant
The right-hand man to Amon always stood by his side until it was revealed that Amon was a bloodbender. His undying loyalty to the cause and dismay at the Equalist movement being built on a lie was a minor but succinct subplot showcasing the dismay of the entire Equalists in one character.
He is the lowest ranking character on the list because he has a small impact on the story but he is still great in the small role that he does play.
10 Ming Hua
Ming Hua lacks the political posturings of some of the more memorable villains in The Legend of Korra but has a laid back attitude and a wry sarcastic attitude that brought humor to more serious situations that involved the Red Lotus.
Like Toph before her, she uses her disability as an asset through her bending. She does this by creating tentacle-like prosthetic arms. She also uses one of the most aggressive styles of waterbending we’ve seen, focusing more on pressing the attack instead of deflecting them.
9 Ghazan
Like Ming Hua, Ghazan is not given much time to show off his personality and is characterized more by his actions and bending abilities than anything else. Ghazan showcases a rare subskill of earthbending, known as lavabending, in which he bends molten earth.
It is interesting to note the sheer destructive nature of lavabending, even though lava is inherently a constructive force. Ghazan embodies the very ideals of the Red Lotus through his bending, being destructive in the short term for long term growth.
8 P'Li
P'Li was the last member of the Red Lotus to be released by Zaheer. Her combustionbending caused her to be captured and exploited by a warlord before being freed by Zaheer. The two fell in love shortly after and expressed a great deal of affection towards one another after being reunited.
While not explored in any real depth, P'Li's relationship with Zaheer makes The Red Lotus appear more sympathetic due to P'Li's unique bending abilities being exploited at such an early age.
7 Desna & Eska
Although they aren't "the hero of their own story" like the more important villains of the show, Desna and Eska stand out in a show littered with ideological villains as villains of apathy.
The children of Unalaq and cousins of Korra, Desna and Eska highlight a sense of humor through Eska's romantic relationship with Bolin which acted as a catalyst for their eventual turn against their father. Ally or enemy, their apathetic nature brought levity to the more politically turbulent situations they were a part of in the show.
6 Hiroshi Sato
Hiroshi Sato is one of the most surprising villain reveals in a season full of villains and antagonists hiding in plain sight. Introduced as the founder of Future Industries and the father of Asami Sato, Hiroshi masked his sympathetic but irrational hatred for benders, waiting for the right time to strike.
His reveal as an Equalist proved that the anti-bending sentiment in Republic City was both widespread and powerful. He in many ways believed in the Equalist Movement even more than Amon did, which actually allowed him to redeem himself later on in the show.
5 Tarrlock
Tarrlock is introduced in the first season of The Legend of Korra as a scheming politician that slowly shows himself to be more and more corrupt to the point of being a serious obstacle Korra has to overcome before facing Amon.
The son of a famous mob boss Yakone, Tarrlock saw the corruption and inequality present on Republic City as a means for personal gain. In this way, he uses the skill of bloodbending in a dishonest way much like his brother does, but without any of sense of moral righteousness to justify his actions.
4 Unalaq/Vaatu
What makes Unalaq different from the other foes in the series is that he does not stand behind the ideas he promotes. As the main authority of spiritual matters, he abuses this position to get what he wants and keeps Korra in the dark in order to exploit her for his own end. This end involves reconnecting the material world with the spirit world and lessening the Avatar's importance in connecting the two.
Unalaq represents the dangers of theocracy, showing how embuing a person with the trust one puts into their spiritual beliefs can lead to a dangerous outcome. Through releasing Vaatu and becoming the first and last Dark Avatar, Unalaq also shows how often emissaries to a higher power start to think of themselves as the higher power.
3 Kuvira
The last villain in the show, Kuvira faced Korra at a time where she lacked self-confidence after her near-death experience with Zaheer. Kuvira in a lot of ways embodied many of the qualities present in Fire Lord Ozai and the Fire Nation prior to Aang's victory at the end of The Last Airbender, which is why she is third on this list.
By dissolving the Earth Kingdom and declaring herself the head of the Earth Empire, she shows her good intentions and misguided views in one fell swoop. Her desire to unite the remnants of the Earth Kingdom slowly escalates into a never-ending mission of conquest. Although in third place, Kuvira was the best possible villain on which to end the show.
2 Amon
While Kuvira was a great final villain, Amon was a fantastic introduction to The Legend of Korra and Republic City. After all the amazing feats shown through the art of bending in Avatar: The Last Airbender, it was interesting to see how powerless non-benders might feel in a society built by benders. As the leader of the Equalists, Amon made Korra question the hierarchy of the world of which she was at the very top and forced Korra to realize that, although his methods were questionable, he was genuinely fighting for equality.
What ended up being his ultimate downfall was the very thing that gave him power in the first place; he was secretly the powerful waterbender Noatak and son of the infamous crime boss Yakone. Despite Noatak having a desire to protect the weak from an early age, Yakone's training in the art of bloodbending dulled his empathy through learning a skill that involved subjecting others to your will. This inherent contradiction, while being his ultimate weakness, was also what made him so interesting as a villain.
1 Zaheer
Among stiff competition, Zaheer stands out as the best villain of the entire show. As the head of the Red Lotus, he uses his recently acquired airbending to rescue his allies and travel in a small band to enact their master plan as a dark reflection of Aang and the original "Team Avatar." The similarities to Aang go deeper than his team of skilled benders. Zaheer believes that every figurehead has the potential to do as much damage as Ozai and should, therefore, be stopped. His deep philosophical understanding of the air nomad culture makes his anarchist views seem measured in the backdrop of so many corrupt heads of state.
His pursuit for total freedom is so dogged, that he undermines the very ideal for which he is fighting. His forceful pursuit towards anarchy leads to chaos and tyranny in the Earth Kingdom and made him imprison Korra, Mako, and Bolin, as well as the new Airbenders, causing him to compromise the very ideals he holds so dear.
Family is important, especially in the world of comics. There are plenty of superhero brothers and sisters who fight together to save the day. And considering how often superheroes have siblings that go to the dark side, just being able to keep a team with your brothers and sister is clearly a superpower in itself.
There are all kinds of family, so biological siblings, foster siblings, and adopted siblings are being considered (and thanks to constantly changing continuities and reboots, sometimes a pair of siblings can switch back and forth between just how they are related). Close cousins, like Superman and Supergirl or the Hulk and She-Hulk, remain an honorable mention. And clones who simply pretend to be each other's siblings are practically another genre unto itself.
But remember, since we might be looking at characters from different incarnations, spoilers abound.
10 The Charmed Ones
The Charmed Ones are good witches who use their powers to protect innocent humans from demons and other forces of evil. Originally, there were just three sisters, Piper, Phoebe, and Prue, but, after Prue's passing, a fourth witch, their long-lost half-sister Paige, joins the family.
And the reboot show later added a new trio of sisters: Macy, Mel, and Maggie, suggesting witches have a thing for alliteration. Once again, one of the sisters is a half-sister, but which one is kind of the twist.
9 The Powerpuff Girls
Made out of sugar, spice, and everything nice, with a healthy dose of Chemical X, these plucky, little girls were created by Professor Utonium in an attempt to create the perfect little girl. These sisters use their powers to protect the city of Townsville from the forces of evil.
In addition to their super-strength and powers of flight, the girls each have their own special powers: Blossom (the pink one) can create ice and snow, Bubbles (the blue one) is a polyglot who can even communicate with animals, and Buttercup (the green one), in addition to being the toughest fighter, can curl her tongue.
These girls were also so big in Japan that they got their own anime series, although this time around they weren't related at all.
8 Darna & Ding
Darna, a superheroine from the Philippines meant as the country's answer to Superman, is the alter-ego of a young girl named Narda, who uses a magic stone to become the adult superhero, Darna. To help her along, her younger brother Ding becomes her sidekick and even provides her famous catchphrase, "Ding, ang bato," meaning, "Ding, give me the stone."
Their exact dynamic varies from version to version. Sometimes, Narda is merely Darna's host; other times, they are the same person. Sometimes, Ding gets to be a superhero, too, complete with his own costume. That said, the idea of Darna having her little brother alongside her is so iconic. When a 1991 film aged up the characters, she was inexplicably given yet another younger brother, named Dong, just so she could still have a little brother as a sidekick.
7 The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
These four mutated turtles, named after the great Renaissance artists, are a band of brothers raised by their sensei, a mutated rat named Splinter.
Exactly how they are related varies from version to version. The live-action show explicitly made them unrelated (possibly to avoid implying their love interest Venus, a female turtle, was their sister). Given that they used to be regular turtles, they might not know themselves. But they are usually at least raised as brothers.
6 Gohan & Goten
When Goku of Dragon Ball fame grows up, he fathers two sons who prove to be quite powerful themselves: Gohan and Goten.
Gohan is generally more reserved than Goten, but they usually do get along. Little Goten tends to adore his older brother, even thinking his Saiyaman costume is cool, at least at first. They even have their own conjoined Kamehameha attack.
5 Invisible Woman & Human Torch
Half of the Fantastic Four is a sibling team: Johnny Storm and Susan Storm, also known as the Human Torch and Invisible Girl (later Invisible Woman.) As the four members represent the four classic elements, hot-headed Johnny becomes literal fire and Sue's powers evokes air itself, providing a good study in contrast between the two.
Exactly how Johnny and Susan are related varies from version to version. Usually, they seem to be biological siblings, but the 2015 film reboot cast them as adopted siblings. On occasion, Sue is also something of a mother-figure for her younger brother as well.
4 The Marvel/Shazam Family
Billy Batson is a pure-hearted orphan boy who gains the power to transform into the adult superhero, Captain Marvel (later known as Shazam). Eventually, he learned that he had a twin sister who was switched at birth named Mary and he shares his powers with her, allowing her to become Mary Marvel (later known as Lady Shazam).
As mentioned, there are all kinds of families, and later incarnations gave Billy a foster-family, complete with other foster-siblings with whom he's more than happy to share his powers: Eugene Choi, Pedro Peña, and Darla Dudley. Freddy Freeman, who can transform into Captain Marvel Jr. or Shazam Jr., was originally just a friend of Billy's, but is sometimes a foster-sibling of the group, too.
3 Wonder Woman & Nubia
Wonder Woman has had quite a few siblings over the years. In her various incarnations, Wonder Girl is sometimes portrayed as Diana's younger sister, although sometimes she isn't (in fact, she was originally just a younger version of Diana). She's also recently got a brother named Jason. Added to that, the Amazons might generally consider each other "sisters" in a symbolic way.
But one honorable mention goes to Diana's sister, Nubia, who notably shares Diana's traditional backstory of being made of clay by their mother and granted life by the gods. Unfortunately, Nubia was stolen by the scheming god, Mars, and raised under his control until she was freed by her sister. Notably, she was also one of the first black superheroines in comics.
2 He-Man & She-Ra
Prince Adam, and his alter-ego, He-Man, has had a lot of incarnations over the years, but the Filmation cartoon famously revealed that he has a twin sister, Princess Adora. Stolen as a baby and raised to be a soldier for the villainous Hordak, Adora eventually reunited with her brother and learned she could become the powerful heroine, She-Ra, the Princess of Power.
Rather than return home with her brother, Adora stays on the planet Etheria to help overthrow the evil Horde. However, there are plenty of times Adora and her brother teamed up to save the day, including that time they saved Christmas. They were also the inspiration for Jonathan and Samantha from Brazil's Society of Virtue.
1 The Wonder Twins
The Wonder Twins, also known as Zan and Jayna, were an alien brother and sister team that joined the Superfriends. Allegedly modeled after Donny and Marie Osmond, these two first appeared on The All-New Super Friends Hour and are known for their powers of transformation, activated with the help of their magic rings: Jayna can become any animal of her choice while Zan can become water in any state.
These twins later appeared in comics, as well as shows like Smallville and Teen Titans Go. They were also the focus of a series of shorts produced for Adult Swim on Cartoon Network.
Until recently, Black Lightning was easily one of DC's most underestimated heroes. As a member of teams like The Outsiders and the Justice League, he has fought some of the worst villains DC has to offer and come out on top.
His electrical abilities are formidable, to say the least. Black Lightning generates electricity in his body which he has learned to manipulate in a variety of ways. If that's not enough, he was also trained to fight by Batman. In the Marvel Universe, he would run into more than a few villains he could defeat as well as a few he couldn't.
10 LOSE TO: Hydro-Man
The nature of the relationship between water and electricity does not play in the favor of Black Lightning. Salts dissolved in water is an excellent conductor of electricity, and Hydro-Man is made of water that is not likely to be pure. The unfortunate reality is that Hydro-Man's abilities are perfectly designed to defeat Black Lightning's. With one blast of water, he could short circuit Black Lightning and win the fight.
9 DEFEAT: Crimson Dynamo
One thing that Iron Man isn't short on is armored copycats who are ready to fight the original and steal his tech. The Crimson Dynamo is high up on that list. While various people have piloted the armor over the years, the Dynamo has always been high up on that list.
The Crimson Dynamo armor is powerful, though it is still inferior to Iron Man's. Black Lightning would easily be able to overcome the Dynamo, taking him down with his electrical powers.
8 LOSE TO: The Destroyer
But the same wouldn't be true of all suits of armor. The Destroyer is a powerful weapon generally used to defend Asgard, though it can also be manipulated for more nefarious means. The mystically forged suit of armor is practically invulnerable and overwhelmingly powerful. It is no small feat to stop this weapon, usually by removing the lifeforce animating it. Black Lightning is powerful but not that powerful.
7 DEFEAT: Sentinels
Some humans are so afraid of mutants that they went so far as to create giant robots loaded with weapons specifically designed to hunt mutants. These robots were called the Sentinels, and they have proven to be quite effective.
There are version's the X-Men's future have even shown the Sentinels ruling over the planet. Black Lightning is in an incredible position to win this fight. His electrical abilities would allow him to render any Sentinel useless in seconds.
6 LOSE TO: Super Skrull
Facing off against any member of the Fantastic Four would be difficult enough but one individual with all of their powers would be terrifying. That's what the Super Skrull brings to the table. As if being a shape-shifting alien wasn't enough, Super Skrull was given the ability to mimic the different powers possessed by the Fantastic Four. That would be simply too much for Black Lightning to overcome.
5 DEFEAT: Pyro
The formerly perennial member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants has had a recent change of allegiances. He now serves with Kitty Pryde on her team of Marauders. But back in his evil mutant days, Pyro loved to watch things burn.
While he can control fire, he can't actually make it without assistance. That's why always has a flamethrower around. Black Lighting would be able to use this to his advantage, taking out Pyro's means of generating fire before he had the chance to use it.
4 LOSE TO: Ultron
Ultron is one of the most powerful enemies the Avengers have. Created by Hank Pym, Ultron has spent his existence finding new and inventive ways to upgrade his body. Each upgrade makes him more dangerous than the last one. Being a robot, the Black Lightning's first instinct would be to use his abilities to shut Ultron down the same way he did on the Sentinels. The problem is that Ultron is far more advanced and is ready for whatever gets thrown at him.
3 DEFEAT: Shocker
When it comes to deceptive villain names, Shocker's is high up on that list if not number one. Assuming your mind isn't in the gutter, a name like "Shocker" makes you think of electrical blasts or some other kind of electrical ability.
Instead, his gauntlets generate concentrated blasts of compressed air that are destructive and powerful. As much damage as he can do, it's not enough to defeat Black Lightning.
2 LOSE TO: Doctor Doom
Like Crimson Dynamo, Black Lightning could try using his powers to short out Doctor Doom's armor but no one would recommend it. Where the Crimson Dynamo runs around in a knock off version of Iron Man's suit, Doctor Doom has his own powerful gear that isn't getting taken down by an electrical blast. He's Doctor Doom, after all. But on the off chance the plan works, Black Lightning still has to deal with Doom's army and his dark mystical skills.
1 DEFEAT: Electro
Black Lightning and Electro have more in common than just their powers. Each of them is criminally underestimated, in the level of their abilities and in their skill with them. Electro has consistently gotten better trained with his powers, finding a new way to enhance them. The only things keeping him from the big leagues are more confidence, a less goofy costume and Spider-Man. Electro is tough but not tough enough to beat Black Lightning due to the fact that he has to find and store electricity while Lightning makes it.
Narutois one of the most iconic anime to ever premier. For as long as a decade, the series acted as the gate of anime; thousands of fans world-wide delved into the anime verse After getting mesmerized with Naruto. That being said, guiding fans to the anime platform is only secondary. What Naruto never failed to deliver was quality entertainment, it remained constant throughout its runtime.
There are plenty of other aspects that make Naruto one of the best anime to ever be produced, and that's factual. The amazing worldbuilding that easily puts a good bunch of its Shonen counterparts to shame, the generic storyline that was executed magnificently, and of course, the characters. The characters are the backbone of Naruto, had their quality been sloppy, the viewer's experience would've been sloppy. Here are the top 10 most liked characters according to the fandom.
10 Madara (7,000+ Users)
When it comes to villainy in anime, very few could compete with Madara Uchiha. His ideals challenged our own, so much that the fans faltered and questioned whether his actions truly were for the greater good.
When a character makes you question your very ideals; it could only mean that they have succeeded as a character. Madara's position in this list is by no means a fluke.
9 Mintao (8,000+ Users)
Minato "Yellow Flash" Namikaze was a genius of his era. He lived for only so many years, but the legacy he built still lives to this date.
Even before debuting, Minato was one of the most hyped-up characters. Not to mention his identity as Naruto's father, just his achievements and sacrifices are enough to elevate him to an unforgettable character.
8 Jiraiya (9,000+ Users)
Jiraiya is the mentor figure that intruded into Naruto's life when he was needed the most. He tutored Naruto and raised him into the fine man he is today-- at least strength-wise.
There's nothing to dislike about Jiraiya, nothing besides his perverted behavior at least. It's quite frankly surprising how Naruto grew to be so gentlemanly when he was in Jiraiya's company for more or less three years.
7 Hinata (11,000+ Users)
Hinata is the eldest daughter of the main family of the Hyuga clan, as she is Naruto's wife. From the moment of her introduction, Hinata swiftly won the favor of the fans-- her sweetness and pure personality made her even more liked.
If there was a character in Naruto who gets little to no criticism by the fans, then it's definitely Hinata. The fandom will shun whoever disrespects her, a justified act, to say the least.
6 Shikamaru (11,000+ Users)
Growing up, Naruto was pretty much an outcast. He had to resort to extreme pranks to get whatever little recognition he could get. Shikamaru, on the other hand, didn't mind hanging out with Naruto even at the expense of being flagged as a weirdo by the village-- an action that garnered him respect from the fans. Shikamaru was always one of Naruto's closest friends; even now he is acting as his right-hand.
5 Gaara (12,000+ User's)
Naruto is a pioneer of the art of developing heart-wrenching backstories. It's rare that you see a character relevant to the plotline, with a decently normal backstory. But even with the abundance of sad backstories, it never gets old. A character with a sad backstory is almost guaranteed to connect with the viewer on an emotional level.
Gaara's past is as such. However, instead of surrendering to the darkness, he made a 180 turn and became one of the most loved characters.
4 Sasuke (26,000+ Users)
Sasuke is one of the main characters of the series. He has always been head-to-head against Naruto-- his lifelong rival. As polar opposites, Naruto and Sasuke chose different shinobi paths, each with his own conviction and ideals.
Strength-wise, Sasuke is one of the strongest Shinobi in the series. He has a plethora of techniques that could even give Naruto a run for his money.
3 Kakashi (32,000+ Users)
Kakashi is a character that experienced way too much for his age. His mother died in his infancy, followed by his father less than a decade later-- and that was only the beginning of his miserable life.
However, despite going through so much; Kakashi held on and accomplished what the average ninja could never hope to. His genius was easily unrivaled during his era.
2 Itachi (45,000+ Users)
There are only a few characters who could compete with Kakashi in terms of innate talent. And one of those who could compete with, and even surpass Kakashi is no one other than Itachi Uchiha.
Dubbed as the best boy of Naruto by the fandom, Itachi’s popularity is leagues above a bunch of Shonen protagonists. Classifying him as one of anime’s most famous characters is not an overstatement.
1 Naruto (61,000+ Users)
And last, but definitely not least, is Naruto Uzumaki. A character whose popularity broke through the bubble of the anime community and almost developed into a household name. At the start of the series, Naruto’s ideals were truly inspiring to the youth. His sentiments were so far-reaching that he became- to his fans, at least- more than a 2D character. It’s only natural for Naruto to head this list.
Marvel is bursting out the seams with immeasurably powerful telepaths, but a group that gets a lot less attention are the various telekinetics that make that Universe their home. For any non-True Believers out there, Telekinesis is the ability of an individual to manipulate or influence objects or physical systems through their minds.
Here, we'll go over some of the least to most powerful TK's among Marvel's roster, though for the sake of brevity we might exclude a couple of the many different versions, clones, and progeny of Jean Grey who are currently out and about in the MU (that's another list for another day!) So without any further ado, let's get to it.
10 Namor
Marvel's "First Mutant," Prince Namor may seem like an odd addition to this list as telekinesis isn't usually viewed as part of his particular power set. However, it has been widely speculated and believed that it is through telekinesis that he can achieve some of his more impressive abilities.
For example, his ability to fly, often attributed to the small set of wings that adorn his ankles, is achieved through his relatively low-level TK powers. His ability to control water, an ability known as hydrokinesis, may also be an offshoot of this as well.
9 Professor X
Charles Xavier is one of the Marvel Universe's most powerful telepaths but his telekinetic abilities have fluctuated wildly over the years, leaving many readers without a clear sense of just how strong they are.
What is known is that with the aid of special equipment like a Cerebro-esque headset, he can amplify these powers to a greater degree, making himself quite formidable though nowhere near the level shown by the rest of the individuals on this list.
8 Elizabeth Braddock
The new Captain Britain has more than the Amulet of Right on her side, she's also a full-blown telekinetic. Elizabeth Braddock has been shown using her powers to warp and manipulate reality, along with forming powerful energy shields and her trademark psionic sword.
She's also fairly disciplined when it comes to using her power, so just how far she can take her extraordinary abilities haven't yet been quite measured.
7 Cable
On the surface, Cable's powers may seem to only be comprised of super-strength, combat mastery, an oversized arsenal, and the ability to fit tons and tons of pouches on his costume. This ignores the powerful telekinetic abilities he inherited from his mother Madelyne Pryor (Jean Grey's clone.)
While his TK powers are pretty up there, he has mostly used them to combat the spread of the techno-organic virus that is slowly consuming his body. Untethered from that constant struggle, and he can add a whole new host of abilities to his array of powers.
6 Hellion
Julian Keller, better known as Hellion, has proven to be a surprisingly powerful telekinetic. During his training at the Xavier Institute, he becomes one of Emma Frost's star pupils, which is a pretty significant red flag.
Though his power is significantly limited at first due to a series of mental blocks, when Frost removes these holds from his subconscious he's able to perform a variety of surprising feats with his TK, including single-handedly trashing a Sentinel and destroying the Danger Room.
5 David Haller
Doofy haircut aside, it can't be denied that Legion is a top-level telekinetic. An Omega-Level mutant, his abilities make him one of the most powerful characters on this list and is only held back from a higher spot due to his unique mental condition.
The variety of personalities housed in his psyche makes it difficult for him to control and utilize his powers to their fullest extent. When one of his alternate personalities like Jack Wayne is dominant, he is one of the most powerful TKs on earth, but when that's not the case he exhibits other powerful abilities.
4 Invisible Woman
It's hard to believe that at one point fans were writing letters to Stan Lee and Jack Kirby about how Sue Storm was the most "useless" member of the Fantastic Four. Thankfully, the Invisible Woman has proven that she is not only someone not to be messed with but also that she is the most dangerous member of the Fantastic Four.
Over the years we've seen her flatten multiple villains and put the hurt on seasoned heroes, as shown in the recent X-Men/Fantastic Four miniseries. Anyone who can face down the might of an angry Hulk is worthy of consideration.
3 Jean Grey
While Jean Grey constantly passing out and struggling with her powers in X-Men: The Animated Serieshas become a popular meme, it can be easy to forget that she is one of the most powerful telepaths and telekinetics in the Marvel Universe.
Jean Grey houses immense telekinetic ability that she has trained to keep under control so that it doesn't run rampant and result in worldwide damage.
2 Galactus
The last survivor of the world that existed before the Big Bang, Galan of Taa now known as Galactus is a planet ending level threat, one that has more than lived up to his name as the Devourer of Worlds.
His mastery of over the mysterious POWER COSMIC (that phrase almost necessitates being written in all-caps, just as Stan the Man and King Kirby intended) has allowed him to access many abilities including a remarkably powerful brand of telekinesis.
1 Franklin Richards
Contest over. It goes without saying that Franklin Richards, omega-level mutant and son of Reed and Sue, is probably one of the most powerful beings in the Marvel Universe let alone just the most powerful telekinetic.
Keep in mind, we've seen this kid reshape and rebuild the entire universe. Just how powerful is the "Impossible Boy" (let's wait to see if his new name "Powerhouse" sticks before we start calling him that)? As seen in the recent History of the Marvel Universe, *SPOILER* Franklin still exists at the end of time with Galactus as his sidekick.
Spider-Man has faced quite a few heavy-hitters over the course of his superhero career, though none of them hit quite like The Rhino, who first appeared in 1966's The Amazing Spider-Man #41 as his "most fearsome villain of all!"
While The Rhino has proven to be a fearsome villain a number of times, he's also a multi-faceted character that has grown far past the stampeding muscle struggling to prove his strength and make some money into a flawed protector of his loved ones, doomed to live with loss and tragedy.
10 HIRED MUSCLE
Aleksei Sytsevich was a low-level goon who picked up various jobs that brought him in league with two scientist/spies offered him a high-paying role as a test subject for their experiment, which promised to make him important and powerful.
They did this through months of treatments that prepared him for the experimental molecular adhesive that would bond onto his body like a second skin, forming an incredibly protective hide while also greatly increasing his strength.
9 CRASHED THE HULK'S WEDDING
The Rhino is definitely one of Spider-Man's greatest villains, though he has also clashed with the Hulk quite a few times, which turned into an ongoing contest of strength and toughness between the two powerhouses.
During the wedding of Bruce Banner and Betty Ross, The Leader forcibly turned Banner into the Hulk, hoping he would kill Betty in anger, but the Rhino intervened and attacked the Hulk as soon as he transformed, disrupting the Leader's plans and the wedding,
8 PERMANENT HIDE
While Spider-Man was able to dissolve the Rhino's first suit with a special webbing, Aleksei would undergo a series of upgrades and improvements to his second skin, which would eventually fuse irreversibly to his body.
He would undergo quite a few different treatments and work with a number of different villains to either raise money for experiments or force scientists into attempting to remove the suit with different levels of success, though it was ultimately accomplished for a time by S.H.I.E.L.D., though that too proved to be temporary.
That version of the Syndicate didn't last long, but the Rhino would work with other groups like the Emissaries of Evil, or as an assassin in the Great Game, and more recently as a member of the Savage Six.
6 MULTIPLE RHINO SUITS
While the Rhino doesn't usually stray too far from the solid grey hide that permanently covers his entire body, fans have seen a few different variations of this suit over the years as he attempted to upgrade his abilities.
Justin Hammer created a new armored, removable suit, and Rhino was further transformed into a more bestial version of the Rhino due to experiments while in confinement, though that was later reversed. He even wore a black version of his Rhino hide while working for the Jackal.
5 LOWERED HIS OWN INTELLIGENCE
Spider-Man's Tangled Web saw a saddened Rhino increase his intelligence since he wasn't able to remove his hide, allowing him to become the Kingpin of his own little criminal organization and find the love of a girl he had been hired to protect.
Unfortunately, the operation continued to expand his intelligence too far and he felt he had become a different kind of monster. He sought the advice of Spider-Man after he deduced his secret identity, and then almost committed suicide before he decided to have the operation reversed, though he asked to be made just a little more stupid than before.
4 TEMPORARILY REFORMED
The Rhino was initially more about money and proving his toughness than murder or world dominance, and he began to lose interest in the criminal life after he accidentally killed a security guard during a bank robbery.
He would begin his quest for redemption there and even earn a pass from the Punisher who saw his attempts at being good, which would result in the Rhino turning himself into S.H.I.E.L.D. and having his hide removed. He would be released for good behavior and meet and fall in love with his soon-to-be wife, Oksana.
3 MORE THAN ONE RHINO
While fans have seen a mechanically-armored alternate reality version named Alex O'Hirn in the Ultimate Universe, there was also a new Rhino introduced in the mainstream universe during Spider-Man's "The Gauntlet" storyline.
After Aleksei had been released from prison, he refused an offer from supervillain Doc Tramma to reinvent the Rhino. So Doc Tramma performed her experiment on another subject who tried to destroy Aleksei so he could officially take up the mantle, though he was quickly defeated once Aleksei suited up in his old Rhino costume.
2 LOST THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE, TWICE
During the new Rhino attack, Aleksei's new wife Oksana was tragically killed, so Aleksei destroyed the old Rhino's armor before he took the life of the man who killed his wife, despite Spider-Man's attempts to stop him.
Later when Ben Reilly returned as the Jackal, he cloned Oksana so the Rhino would work with him as a guard at the New U headquarters, though he was forced to watch Oksana's clone body degenerate to dust in his arms after the events of Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy, losing her yet again.
1 "KILLED" SILVER SABLE
Doctor Octopus assembled a new Sinister Six that included the Rhino during the "Ends of the Earth" storyline as Doc Ock attempted to hold the planet for ransom, and Aleksei was in a dark place after the death of his Oksana.
In the final confrontation with an armored Spider-Man and his allies, the Rhino was able to pin and hold Silver Sable while water filled the underwater base, and he made Spider-Man choose between leaving them both to drown or stopping Doctor Octopus, forcing him to let them die (though they both later turned up alive).
Shazam is one of those hit or miss kind of DC superheroes. He has the power to challenge Black Adam and Superman but consistently falls well below the top echelon of Justice League members. Part of this has to do with the majority of villains he faces not exactly being top of the line when it comes to villainy.
With all that said, he has had some pretty powerful moments and saved the world on a few occasions. So is he an overrated or underrated Justice League member?
10 Overrated: No Match For Lobo
For the most part, Lobo is one of those great underrated villains that just doesn't get enough credit or screen-time to really have mainstream fame. He checks all the boxes for what it takes to be a superb villain especially when it comes to powers and a memorable look.
Yet, oftentimes, he is just there for comic relief. In L.E.G.I.O.N. '91 #30, Shazam finds out the hard way that picking a fight with Lobo isn't as easy as one may think. He definitely won't forget this beat-down anytime soon.
9 Underrated: Protected Harley Quinn From Black Adam
Harley Quinn isn't exactly someone who needs protection as she is more than capable of walloping her enemies over the head with her over-sized mallet. That said, when getting on the wrong side of Black Adam, there are few superheroes or villains that wouldn't need a little support.
In Injustice: Ground Zero comic Black Adam decides he is going to take out all his rage on Harley Quinn only for Shazam to intervene. In this lopsided fight, Shazam teaches Black Adam a few lessons in manners.
8 Overrated: Tricked Into Losing His Powers To John Constantine
John Constantine often makes an appearance when some random demon is giving the Justice League a run for their money. In the comic Constantine #5, John Constantine finds himself in need of Shazam's powers.
So, in order to get them, he tricks Shazam into believing that an evil spell is at work and for them to defeat it, he has to turn back into Billy Batson. Once Billy was powered down, Constantine used a voodoo doll to control Shazam's powers.
7 Underrated: Shazam Makes Quick Work Of Giant Robots
Shazam is often thought of as a more kid-friendly version of Superman. Which is kind of true since Shazam is technically a kid. However, while Superman is taking on epic villains across the galaxy, Shazam is usually reduced to protecting Fawcett City from whatever low-level villain comes to town.
In Superman/Shazam!: First Thunder Vol 1, Shazam does take down some ferocious giant robots destroying the city. He makes quick work of these enormous villains, bringing their destruction to an abrupt end while saving the city from more collateral damage.
6 Overrated: Shazam Vs Superman
Shazam might be powerful in his own right but he still lacks the power, skills, and experience that Superman has. This experience plays a key role in separating the two heroes as Billy Batson just lacks the know-how to stand toe-to-toe with A-level antagonists.
This rings true in Kingdom Come when a Brainwashed Shazam tries to bring down a much older Superman only to get a quick reminder of who the top dog still is. Shazam does put a pretty good fight in this one though.
5 Underrated: Shazam Defeats A Demi-God
Oftentimes fans forget Shazam does have the power of more than a few gods. Sadly, this power is rarely on display. Yet, at times, he does show the full force of his might when he absolutely must step up his game to take down a superior enemy.
In Injustice: Gods Among Us Year Four # 13, Shazam intervenes in a fight between Wonder Woman and Hercules resulting in him doing battle with Zeus' favorite son. Hercules manages to hold his own but Shazam still brutally beats him into submission.
4 Overrated: Lex Luthor Outsmarts Billy Batson
Lex Luthor's genius-level smarts allow him to constantly stay one step ahead of Superman. So, if Superman can't match wits with Lex Luthor what chance does Shazam have? In The Dark Knight Strikes Again, Lex Luthor takes it upon himself to learn Shazam's secret that the adult version of Billy Batson has been dead for eight years.
Shazam faces certain death if he reverts back to his original form. Sadly, that is precisely what Luthor forces him to do, consequently resulting in Shazam's immediate demise.
3 Underrated: Yuga Khan Is Destroyed By Shazam
Being the father of Darkseid gives Yuga Khan some much-needed street cred. Even though, Khan is no chump and knows his way around destroying a few worlds here and there.
When Shazam's power begins to wane as he loses his connection with the old gods, Yuga Khan seeks to swoop in and steal them for himself in Justice League: The Darkseid War #1. The father of Darkseid stands as an equal to Shazam but in this battle of nutrition, Shazam is the last man standing.
2 Overrated: The Spectre's Vengeance Proves Too Much For Shazam
Spectre is an entity that holds the power to destroy countless worlds. Being God's favorite enforcer gives Spectre the upper hand in most battles even against cosmic forces with the capabilities to destroy universes.
However, in the comic Day of Vengeance, the Spectre loses his bodily host, weakening him to the point that Eclipso is able to brainwash him into believing magic is evil. With Shazam in his sights, there is little Billy Batson can do to defend himself from Spectre's brutal attacks.
1 Underrated: Shazam Shows Black Adam Who Holds The Power
Black Adam is by far Shazam's greatest foe. After all, Black Adam once held the same mantle as Shazam before he went off the deep end and started mercilessly murdering innocents in his blind attempts to bring justice to humanity by the cruelest means necessary.
In Justice League: Shazam's Last Stand #21, Black Adam seeks to reclaim Shazam's power for himself only to find himself outnumbered and out-manned when Shazam accidentally gives some of his powers to his friends making them his equals.
The film adaptation of V for Vendetta continues to resonate with fans years after its theatrical release. Written and produced by the Wachowskis and starring Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving, the film features some heavy star power. They were able to present the movie to mainstream audiences while still creating a beautiful, moving, and nuanced film.
V for Vendetta's themes remain relevant and the film has plenty of insight to offer in light of current events. The film's many eloquent and iconic quotes are the perfect way to remember its triumphs and to reexamine its timeless messages.
10 "Our Integrity Sells For So Little, But It Is All We Really Have. It Is The Very Last Inch Of Us. But Within That Inch, We Are Free."
When Evey believes she is being held prisoner, she finds a letter written by a woman named Valerie. The letter is a moving account of Valerie's life and of all the beauty and suffering she experienced.
One of Valerie's most powerful lines is about the inch of integrity that everyone possesses. She is right that integrity can be easily bought and fighting to maintain integrity can feel impossible. Winning that fight is worth it, though, as one's conscious remains free and pure while those who sell their integrity have to live with the guilt and shame of what they've done.
9 "Ideas Are Bulletproof."
V for Vendetta focuses a great deal on the power of ideas and that they are much larger and more important than any single individual. Revolution begins with V and he knows the ideas behind his revolution will outlive him. Oppressive forces can kill individuals, but they can never kill an idea.
All movements start with an idea and the idea will always grow beyond those who first thought of it. This is an empowering and hopeful message that suggests the best ideas will survive all kinds of adversity and will eventually lead to real change.
8 "Artists Used Lies To Tell The Truth While Politicians Used Them To Cover The Truth Up."
Evey recounts how her father was a writer and the clever distinction he made between artists and politicians. Fictional stories are technically lies but their true power resides in their ability to reveal essential truths about society and the human condition.
Stories are often the spark that helps people better understand themselves, the world they live in, and how this understanding can be used to create positive change. Artists revere this power and use it for good whilst politicians abuse it.
7 "You Wear A Mask For So Long, You Forget Who You Were Beneath It."
Stephen Fry's character Gordon Deitrich is an important individual in the television industry, but he's secretly a gay man who has a copy of the Koran, along with rare works of art that are deemed illegal. Gordon is exhausted from years of pretending to be someone he's not while he conceals his true identity from the rest of the world.
He's concerned that the "mask" he's worn is no longer a mask and now defines him completely. This is what drives him to create a hilarious, satirical, but highly subversive episode of television, so he can feel like he's reclaiming at least part of his authentic identity and voice that he's tucked away for so long.
6 "For Three Years, I Had Roses And Apologized To No One."
Even as she endures unimaginable suffering, Valerie is able to cherish and cling to the beautiful memories she created with her partner Ruth. Valerie spent so much of her life being shamed and even punished for her lesbian identity.
Her words are a powerful reminder that everyone deserves to be loved and no one should ever have to apologize for their sexuality or for living their most authentic life.
5 "Words Will Always Retain Their Power. Words Offer The Means To Meaning, And, For Those Who Will Listen, The Enunciation Of Truth."
This is one of the many profound things that V has to say when he shares a video with the masses. Words contain tremendous power and weight to them. People need to be wise about what they say and what they write as their words will have more of an impact than they can ever know.
V's words help spark a revolution, not only because of their power, but because they open the eyes of everyone who chooses to listen and analyze what he's saying. Writing and speaking are the keys to inspiring others and taking action to change the world for the better.
4 "Even Though I Do Not Know You And Even Though I May Never Meet You, Laugh With You, Cry With You, Or Kiss You . . . I Love You. With All My Heart, I Love You."
Valerie's moving account of her life ends with this powerful quote. In the face of such hatred and oppression, she is still able to be deeply compassionate, even toward strangers who she will never know.
This may be the most famous and popular quote from the film. It embodies the story's many potent themes and character development, along with the movie's historical and political contexts.
They are the first words in the film, immediately reeling audiences in with their conviction and rhythm, and by the end of the film, they've taken on far greater meaning. It also helps that fans are compelled to rewatch the film and quote this line every 5th of November.
2 "A Revolution Without Dancing Is A Revolution Not Worth Having."
This quote is an important reminder that revolutions should not be joyless. Whether they are filled with literal dancing or not, revolutions should include little moments of compassion, connectivity, and humanity.
V and Evey are fighting for a just and free world, which includes freedom of expression. It's more than appropriate that they are able to express themselves through dance at this moment as they work toward creating a world where everyone will be able to dance and express themselves freely.
1 "People Should Not Be Afraid Of Their Governments. Governments Should Be Afraid Of Their People."
Governments need to be held accountable for their actions and remember that they exist to serve the people. This is true not only of the fascist government in V for Vendetta, but also for the many real-world governments that operate without impunity.
V's revolution may seem extreme, but it's ultimately about creating accountability and giving the power back to the people. This certainly mirrors many real-world events and the steps that need to be taken to create true and meaningful accountability.
As fans of DC's Animated Movie Universe wait patiently for the next film in the series (Superman: Man of Tomorrow will release in 2020), they are also waiting to see how the successful direct-to-video franchise will develop after the events of Justice League Dark: Apokolips War.
While the previous continuity was rooted in DC's New 52 reboot universe, the next film looks to take a back to basics approach to DC's characters, though there are some already established storylines fans would still love to see adapted for the DCAMU, including Green Lantern's epic "Emerald Twilight" storyline.
10 FINISH THE TRILOGY
Of course, Hal Jordan/Green Lantern is no stranger to the DCAMU, as he has appeared alongside the rest of the Justice League in most of the team's films, and even starred in two of his own films, though they took place in a different film continuity.
Green Lantern: First Flight explored the origins of Hal and the beginnings of the Sinestro Corps while Green Lantern: Emerald Knights explored a few legendary members of the Green Lantern Corps, so a final film in this series could finish off the character's animated story nicely.
9 EXPLORE HAL'S DEPTH
While he was forced to deal with his own fears and doubts in the first film and has learned how to be a team player in the Justice League films, Hal hasn't really been explored with any depth in the DCAMU.
"Emerald Twilight" explored the repercussions to Hal's sanity after his home town and the people he loved were wiped off the face of the planet. While some fans felt it was out of character for Hal, it also dove into his relationship with the Guardians that run the GLC and resulted in his transformation into the villainous Parallax that we'd love to see adapted.
8 FLUSH OUT THE MODERN GREEN LANTERN CORPS
Emerald Knights introduced a number of GLC members like Arisia and Kilowog while diving into their backstory, but aside from Hal Jordan fans never got a chance to explore the modern members of the GLC.
This includes a number of other Earth-born Green Lanterns like John Stewart, Guy Gardner, Simon Baz, and Jessica Cruz, though the Cruz version of GL did recently appear in Justice League vs. The Fatal Five. There are a number of alien GL's fans have come to love that has yet to appear in the DCAMU that could enjoy some of the spotlights as well.
7 ACTION-PACKED GL FIGHTS
The previous GL films featured some fun fights and showcased some interesting constructs, but the battles shown in "Emerald Twilight" would bring a new ferocity and intensity from Hal Jordan to the DCAMU.
Stricken with grief and rage (and infected by Parallax), Hal embarks on a quest to absorb the power of OA's central power battery, which puts him against a number of battle-hardened Green Lantern's that he proceeds to defeat, maim, and even kill before stealing their rings to increase his power.
6 GREAT TWO-PART SERIES WITH NEW DAWN
Of course, "Emerald Twilight" isn't just about the fall of Hal Jordan, though any adapted film version would definitely benefit from devoting the entire film to Hal's mission and attack against the GLC, which ultimately results in a battle to the death with Sinestro.
"Emerald Twilight" also introduced the concept of the last Green Lantern, who would become the Torch-Bearer of the Corps in the "New Dawn" storyline that would work well as the second half of a two-part Green Lantern film release.
5 INTRODUCE KYLE RAYNER TO THE DCAMU
Kyle Rayner made his first teasing appearance in "Emerald Twilight," though most fans weren't sure that this new character was fated to become so important to the mythology of the Green Lantern Corps.
Rayner was a freelance comic book artist with a wild imagination who was given the last Green Lantern ring and almost no instructions on how to be a hero, which makes him the perfect character for new fans to follow as the new continuity of the DCAMU develops.
4 EXPLORE DC'S COSMIC UNIVERSE
One of the biggest draws of Green Lantern is the character's involvement in the cosmic side of the DC Universe as well as the more superhero-based issues that develop on Earth with the Justice League, though that hasn't been explored much in the DCAMU.
"Emerald Twilight" could touch on the various important planets in the DCU that Hal could pass on his way to Oa, or Kyle could begin to explore planets like Rann and Mogo and Thanagar as a new Green Lantern in "New Dawn."
3 PROPERLY ADAPT PARALLAX FOR THE FIRST TIME
Fans have previously seen a version of the evil entity known as Parallax in 2011's live-action Green Lantern film, though that version was a corrupted Guardian of the Universe that fed on fear and died way too easily.
"Emerald Twilight" introduced the first version of Parallax after Hal Jordan was able to absorb the energy of the Central Power Battery, though it was later revealed that Parallax was a corruptive energy being that served as the avatar of fear and was able to possess other characters over the years, and fans would love to see the character properly adapted to face off against Kyle Rayner.
2 LAUNCH GREEN LANTERN EVENT FILMS
Not only would "Emerald Twilight" and "New Dawn" serve as a great two-part exploration into one of the Green Lantern Corps' darkest moments, but it could also serve as a springboard to launch a whole series of event films.
After Kyle Rayner had spent a few years with his ring and Hal had returned and been redeemed, the GLC was involved in a number of amazing events like Sinestro Corps War and Blackest Night or even newer storylines like Rise of the Third Army or Godhead that could help drive the next phase of the DCAMU.
1 POTENTIAL FOR ANOTHER REBOOT
The New 52 era of the DCAMU was brought into being when Barry Allen/Flash rewrote the timeline in Justice League: Flashpoint Paradox and brought to a close with another reality-altering reboot thanks to Barry in Justice League Dark: Apokolips War.
While the DCAMU may not need another reboot anytime soon as it launches in a new direction with Superman: Man of Tomorrow, the creation of Hal Jordan/Parallax in "Emerald Twilight" sets up the possibility of a potential future reboot with the subtle timeline altering Zero Hour comic event.
The mid to late '90s were not a great time for Marvel. The collector bubble had burst, sales were down, and the company was bankrupt. In order to get a sales boost, they turned to Jim Lee and Rob Liefeld, who had left Marvel to co-found Image Comics years before, to breathe new life into the Avengers and Fantastic Four franchises. While the critical reception wasn't great, the sales were.
Marvel did this again in 1998, throwing a bunch of their second-tier characters- Daredevil, Punisher, Black Panther, Black Widow, and the Inhumans- to Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti. They would begin the Marvel Knights imprint and over the years, more titles would be added to the fold and it would be responsible for some great and not so great stories.
10 The Best: Daredevil: Guardian Devil
The inaugural Marvel Knights book, Daredevil's first story arc was "Guardian Devil." Written by film director Kevin Smith with art by Marvel Knight founders Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti, this book put Daredevil back on fan's radar after lackluster sales in the '90s.
The story followed Daredevil as he found a child that was prophesied to be the Antichrist and how the Catholic superhero deals with that, as well as Bullseye attacking and a surprise villain behind it all.
9 The Worst: Black Widow
Black Widow was part of the second wave of Marvel Knights books in 1999. Written by Devin Grayson with art by J.G. Jones, it chronicled Black Widow trying to track down a bioweapon created by Dr. Didier Ines. The whole time she's being stalked by a new Black Widow, Yelena Belova.
The main problem with this book is that in comparison to some of the other Marvel Knights stuff out there, it's kind of an afterthought. Yelena Belova was introduced to some fanfare and nothing became of her. That said, it's probably the best of the worst.
8 The Best: The Sentry
The Sentry, by writer Paul Jenkins and artist Jae Lee, tells the story of the Robert Reynolds, a man with severe agoraphobia whose mind is playing tricks on him. He keeps remembering life as a superhero but there's no way those memories are true. As that's happening, a mysterious entity called the Void is attacking the world.
Jenkins and Lee pulled out all the stops in the Sentry's inaugural tale, playing up the psychological aspects of the character and leaving readers wondering what was happening and how much of it was real.
7 The Worst: Marvel Knight Spider-Man #1-12
Marvel Knights Spider-Man #1-12 was written by Mark Millar with art by Terry Dodson and Frank Cho. Aunt May is kidnapped and Spider-Man has to figure out what happened to her, all the while facing off against his greatest foes in a race against time.
This story is basically Batman: Hush: The Spider-Man Edition. It's also kind of blah. Millar indulges his personal sense of humor, Dodson and Cho cheese it up, and the villain who you assume did it totally did it.
6 The Best: Wolverine: Enemy Of The State/Agent Of S.H.I.E.L.D
Wolverine: Enemy Of The State/Agent Of S.H.I.E.L.D., written by Mark Millar with art by John Romita Jr., opens with the Hand killing Wolverine and gets better from there. The Hand resurrects the mutant and pit him against his fellow superheroes before his programming is broken and he vows revenge.
Millar was a much great fit for this book, utilizing the widescreen action style he'd used on TheAuthority and The Ultimatesto tell an action-packed tale that is one of the best Wolverine stories of all time. Romita Jr.'s kinetic action penciling is the icing on an awesome cake.
5 The Worst: Daredevil: Golden Age
Daredevil: Golden Age came towards the end of Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev's seminal run on the book. An old mob boss that Daredevil put away when he first started out is released from prison and vows revenge on the Hornhead, whose secret identity is now public.
While this story played into Bendis's over-arching 'Daredevil's identity is public' story, it basically paused the whole thing to tell a simple revenge tale with a bunch of flashbacks. Maleev's art was great as always, but Bendis's writing was boring and long-winded and the story was very stereotypical.
4 The Best: Marvel Boy
Marvel Boy, by writer Grant Morrison and artist J.G. Jones, was Morrison's first Marvel work on the exclusive contract he had just signed in 2000 and it was a revelation. Telling the story of the alternate universe Kree supersoldier Noh-Varr being shot down in the 616 Marvel Universe and his path of vengeance, this story is an unsung chapter in the Morrison oeuvre.
Full of the big concepts that Morrison is known for and action-packed, Marvel Boy is infinitely re-readable. Jones's art is amazing throughout, doing Morrison's amazing scripts justice. There's so much to love about this book and it deserves way more praise than it has gotten over the years.
3 The Worst: Daredevil: Decalogue
Bendis and Maleev's penultimate Daredevil story, Decalogue has a bunch of people in a support group for those who had been saved by Daredevil, discussing their experiences with the superhero. Their stories are all mysteriously linked together and they have a few uninvited guests to their meeting.
While Maleev's art is as great as always, this is easily the worst Daredevil story of Bendis and Maleev's run. While it's only five parts, it feels a lot longer. The mystery linking everyone together is kind of novel, but other than that this story lacks.
2 The Best: Inhumans #1-12
Inhumans #1-12, by writer Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee, is probably the best Inhumans story of all time. Something is happening in Attilan - a young Inhuman's Terrigenesis turns him into an Alpha Primitive, the forces of the outside world are attacking, and there's unrest in the Royal Family. Things only get more complicated from there.
Jenkins and Lee tell a thrilling slow-burn tale, showing readers pieces of the mystery afflicting Attilan and taking looks into the psyches of the Inhumans Royal Family. This story is an unsung gem.
1 The Worst: Punisher #1-4
Punisher #1-4, by writers Christopher Golden and Thomas E. Sniegoski and art by Bernie Wrightson, sees the Punisher resurrected by angels to fight demons with special Heaven guns. There's really nothing else to say about it.
Bernie Wrightson is one of the greatest horror artists of all time, so the book looks great but it gets everything about the Punisher so wrong that it's not funny. They tried something new with the character and it was a complete failure. However, it did get readers the excellent Punisher series by the team of Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, so that's a plus.
Snyder wrote on Twitter, "Excited that Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Ultimate Edition is now streaming exclusively on HBOMax." The tweet was accompanied by a poster of the Dark Knight.
The newly-released poster features Ben Affleck as Batman walking on gravel in a shipping yard, holding a modified machine gun. A hazy atmosphere and sepia-tone filter help to enhance the ominous look and stance of the Dark Knight in the image. The message "Of course he's real. He's on HBO Max," gives a small nod to the film's dedicated fanbase while advertising its release.
Some fans may find this throwback image to Affleck's time as the Caped Crusader bittersweet, as the actor left the role in 2019, to be replaced by Robert Pattinson for the standalone film The Batman which is set to premiere in 2021.
Directed by Zack Snyder and written by Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Ultimate Edition stars Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Holly Hunter and Gal Gadot. The film is currently available for streaming on HBO Max.
