The 100 Greatest Superhero Films and TV Shows

In this guide to the best films and TV series centered on superheroes, Ingle (film, Hollins Univ., Roanoke, VA) and Sutera (communications studies, Bridgewater State Univ., MA; Vaudeville on the Diamond: Minor League Baseball in Today’s Entertainment World) list their picks alphabetically, from Angel and Ant-Man to Wonder Woman (both the 2017 film and the 1970s series starring Lynda Carter) and five X-Men iterations. A brief history of the rise of comic book characters as film subjects precedes a discussion of iconographic superhero genre elements (urban settings; characters who fight crime or protect citizens; weapons; costumes) and a section where the authors lay out their selection criteria (such as aesthetics, historical significance, and unique thematic content). Each entry lists cast members, runtime or number of episodes, and audience rating and includes a synopsis, commentary, and photos. A list of 49 films that almost made it into the book may provoke lively debate.