Comic Book Best/Worst List

I feel like I am in some sort of summer hiatus.  I have neglected my blog either for being busy, lazy or writer's block.  When bloggers run out of ideas, they tend to post some sort of list, and I am no exception.  Since I feel like I know my audience fairly well, I thought that a comic book themed post might generate some discussion.

1. Best Comic Book Hero - Spider-Man.  My childhood favorite who seemed to have a tough time balancing his life without the added complexity of being bitten by a radioactive spider and the headaches that follow.  His exhaustive list of villains keeps everyone on their toes.  Spidey brings the best (worst?) out of his nemeses.  He always on the verge of hanging up the tights, but always realizes that his powers should be used to fight crime.

2. Most Overrated Comic Book Hero - Superman.  Lacks the humanistic element to allow fans to connect to him.  Yeah, I realize he's an alien, but still, he's impervious to everything except Kryptonite to which I just can't relate.  Too much of a goody-two-shoes.  Need cinematic evidence?

3. Best Comic Book Villain - Magneto.  Has incredible vision for his species.  Instead of accepting being treated as inferior for being a mutant, he believes they are in fact superior and should allow the mutants to evolve and take over as the new species.  His childhood history of a persecuted Jew ultimately sent to Auschwitz concentration camp adds depth and passion to his character.  Quite powerful as the master of magnetism.

4. Worst Comic Book Villain - The Penguin.  A gangster born with a birth defect that has a penchant for birds and umbrellas?  Almost like he was created by randomly selecting items out of the dictionary.

5. Most Underrated Comic Book Hero - Doctor Strange.  I don't really get into the whole mystic arts thing, but I do understand that when things get really messed up, Doctor Strange is usually called.  A lot of heroes nowadays like to dabble into alternative universes, which can be a tricky task.  Typically, they screw it up, and its Doc Strange to the rescue.  Its not like Captain America or Wolverine can set the cosmos back in balance.

6. Best Female Comic Book Hero - Wonder Woman.  She's Superman without the Kryptonite weakness and the annoying boy scout routine.  Her roots are based on Greek mythology which is a soft spot for me.  She deals with the constant adversity in the form of sexism by doing things better than most guys.  Although not the most feminist comment, I think she's hot (thanks Lynda Carter).  Artists continuously draw her as the goddess she was meant to be.  I still don't understand the invisible jet though.

7. Worst Female Comic Book Hero - Kitty Pryde.  Walking through walls rarely becomes a necessary trait in the realm of superheroes.  There are doors and windows everywhere.  Besides, if you really need to get through a wall, wouldn't a muscle bound brute have more to offer besides simple room access?  Most of those guys can just knock the wall down.

8. Best Comic Book Series - Civil War, Watchmen (tie).  I'm a sucker for bringing in raw, gritty realism to the genre.  Give the heroes true dilemmas to sort out, instead of just foiling the masked robbers from taking the money bags marked with dollar signs.

9. Best Comic to Movie Adaptation - Batman Begins.  The only movie that captures the essence of the character.  Most other comic book movies are simply after the aesthetics of the characters, not what makes them tick.  After watching BR, you understand why Batman is a little off his rocker but you also understand his dedication, plus his access to all of his resources.