Comic books and graphic novels aren’t all about superheroes. Although both mediums have a lot more to offer than spandex suits, other genres are often overshadowed by the conflicts between superheroes and villains. If you want to expand your library beyond superheroes, this list will let you in on some other under-appreciated comic book and graphic novel genres. Genre: Fantasy Fantasy comics and graphic novels often transport you to a universe that’s filled with mythological or fantastical creatures....

Dungeons & Dragons is a lot of fun, but there’s (unfair) pressure put on the Dungeon Master to be responsible for the enjoyment of everyone at the table—at least, in most groups. While DMs do have the most power to ensure everyone’s having a good time in a session, the onus should never rest entirely on the DM alone. There’s plenty you can do as a player to help out!...

I used to be a min-max player of the most insufferable kind. My way or the highway, as they say, and if I judged you to be playing in a way that I thought wasn’t “the best,” then I’d give you advice on what to change—and if you ignored that advice, I wasn’t a happy camper. Fortunately, I’ve matured a lot since those days, and I’m no longer the unbearable jerk I once was....

Everyone knows soccer is among the most popular sports in the world. You and I also know that anime is one of the most popular forms of media today. Say hello to a no-brainer combo! Soccer animes have been around for many years, with some series debuting way back in the 1970s. They only come out every so often, but when they do, they’re a treat to experience. These anime series are made out of a love for “the beautiful game,” showcasing what makes soccer so popular: the technical skills, the competitive challenges, the personal arcs, the thrills of success....

Even though it’s been three years since Once Upon a Time came to an end—and don’t get me started on that last season—it’s still remembered as a fun alternative fairy tale TV show with intertwining storylines and fabulous villains. Seeing the backstories of the characters unfold and the growing complexity of various relationships adds to the richness of the overall tale. Indeed, the show has given us some great characters....

Horror movie directors are a different kind of breed. No other (publicly acceptable) genre is as evocative or visceral as horror movies, which often delve into dark and grotesque subject matter. It takes a special mind to craft a movie that can shake a viewer to their core. You may or may not be reading this article with Halloween right around the corner, but either way, one thing is true: horror transcends the spooky holiday season and deserves to be watched year-round....

Back in the era of Hollywood’s star system, movies were promoted based on their lead actors and actresses—true stars who were idolized by an entire nation, with many who dreamed of emulating their success. As the filmmaking industry developed, directors started getting much more recognition as artists, especially with the auteurs of the French New Wave in the 1950s. But even so, the universal love of stars never truly waned; if anything, it has grown even stronger over time....

At the start of One Piece , we’re obsessed with the magical abilities of the so-called “devil fruits”—and enamored by powers like Luffy’s Gomu Gomu no Mi and the Mera Mera no Mi of Ace and Sabo. While Zoan-type devil fruits are rare during the early episodes, the Wano Arc features a lot of them that are interesting to dig deeper into. Taking a closer look at all the Zoan-type ability users, we see that there’s quite a bit more than meets the eye when it comes to classification, models, and names....

What’s the most epic TV series of all time? For a while, Game of Thrones was the number one answer. After eight up-and-down seasons consisting of 73 episodes, the former pop culture sensation squandered its potential with its rushed, incoherent, and unsatisfying final season. Since then, fans have been clamoring for something to fill that void. Aching for a high-quality epic TV series like early Game of Thrones ? You have several excellent options....

In Casablanca , Rick Blaine stands on an airfield as he waits for an airplane to take Ilsa and Victor away from the approaching Germans. As police draw near, he says goodbye to Ilsa—a goodbye that still stands today as one of the most iconic scenes ever put on film. As she begs him not to stay, he tells her that if she doesn’t get on the plane with Victor, she’ll regret it....

Hippies, Rockers, Punks, Mods. The 1960s and 1970s saw a huge surge in subcultures that defied social norms. Emerging out of the conservativism of a buttoned-down post-WWII society came a new generation of kids who expressed their free-loving, drug-taking angst through art, fashion, and music. Of course, cinema played a huge role, too! Here are my picks for the best movies that celebrate different counterculture movements, whether they were made during their respective periods or as a reflection on them later....

The world has been a bit obsessed with robots since the 1950s, with robot stories flooding books, games, TV shows, and movies. Robots often represent one of two things: society’s uneasiness regarding the development of artificial intelligence, or whether it’s possible to manufacture real human emotions. Movies have tried to explore these angles in many different ways, but the results have been hit-or-miss. Not all such movies are well-made, but the good ones are really good ....

Who’s the king of kids movies? Disney, obviously. They’ve been the reigning champion of family-friendly content for decades, and no one has come close to dethroning them yet. Pixar was a strong contender between 1995 and 2006, and Disney knew it. That’s why Disney went ahead and acquired Pixar Studios altogether, making them into a subsidiary of the global conglomerate. Under Disney, Pixar continues to put out some of the best animated movies in the entire industry—not just ones that are kid-friendly, but ones that are deep, meaningful, and beloved by adults....

In anime, moments of rage can bring out the best in a character, at least as far as character development goes. Most rage scenes are epic, but when the “silent character” or “cool character” goes wild with fury or violence, the resulting scene can be especially shocking—and memorable. Sudden bursts of emotions (and power), which are often caused by incidents like deaths or betrayals, can help viewers empathize with a character, to feel what they feel: the rush, the anger, the pain, the loneliness....

Every December, just as the weather begins to turn cold, we’re reminded of the whimsical, chaotic, frenzied festive season that’s fast approaching—and, with it, all the Christmas movies that are to come. They’re different from the rest of the year’s cinematic offerings. Christmas movies are often immune to harsh reviews, existing solely because audiences want to be taken over by festive spirit. And while there are genres of Christmas movies—in which the likes of Krampus and Die Hard live—there’s one type of Christmas movie that’s universally loved: the Christmas comedy movie....

As of 2022, Nintendo has sold over 110 million units of the Nintendo Switch . You know what that means? There’s an insane number of gamers out there who are enjoying the Switch, and the Switch gamers in your life are looking for ways to level up their gaming experiences. So, if you’re struggling to find a gift for someone who happens to love their Nintendo Switch, we’ve got you covered....

In cinema, there are two filmmaking methods that rarely intersect: animated movies and live-action movies . Sure, today’s live-action movies often involve CGI and special effects, and you might argue that as a kind of blending between animation and live-action techniques. But that’s not what we’re talking about. We’re talking about fully animated characters interacting with true live-action characters, or true live-action characters interacting with fully animated worlds and locations. This approach was more popular back in the 1970s and hasn’t been done much since, save for a few times....

There’s an added edge whenever rough seas and oceans become involved in a narrative. Why? Because open waters are unpredictable, harsh, and full of dangers lurking beneath the surface. Which is why oceans and seas have been where some of the greatest battles have been fought. From pioneers in search of a home to ships lost to Davy Jones’ locker, the ocean proves itself perfect for adventure. Unfortunately, there aren’t that many great movies set on the high seas—at least, not as many as you’d think....

To call Paul Thomas Anderson one of the best filmmakers of the 21st century would be accurate as far as versatility and balance. His films have drastically shifted in thematic heft and tone, yet retain a level of quality that surely makes other directors envious. The fact that he’s worked twice with the great Daniel Day-Lewis on critically acclaimed projects is one thing. But to make a movie with Adam Sandler and have it be an understated piece of comedic perfection?...

If there’s one thing Sacha Baron Cohen has proven in his career, it’s that he’s willing to put himself on the line if it means getting the best laugh possible. He’s basically the comedy version of Tom Cruise. Baron Cohen’s TV shows, movies, and other projects have made us burst with laughter on numerous occasions, and he’s even sent some of us to the hospital (as was the case with Charlize Theron)....