With the 2019 holiday season in full swing, let’s take a look at who made the naughty and nice list. There are plenty of good hearted heroes and dastardly villains, but these ones stuck with me.
Jane Foster – Nice
Doctor Jane Foster is one of the few people worthy enough to hold Mjolnir in Thor: Goddess of Thunder and The Mighty Thor. She save countless lives as Thor, and she better grasps the meaning of being a god than most Asgardians. Even when she isn’t battling intergalactic forces, she is remarkable. When she wields Mjolnir, it undoes the chemotherapy she receives to treat her cancer. Jane puts the safety of others before her wellness, proving why she is worthy of the hammer. She also doesn’t let her sickness define her or hold her back, truly making her an inspiration. While she may not be Thor this year, she continues to be more than worthy as a Valkyrie in her latest comic, Jane Foster: Valkyrie. Jane Foster demonstrates why she is a hero for many of us, whether that’s as a doctor, a god, or a heavenly warrior.
Harley Quinn – Naughty
Despite her good intentions, Harley is still on the naughty list. In Harleen we see Harley’s tragic descent into villainy at the hands of the Joker. This is a serious take on the usually bubbly badass; however, it is a welcome tonal shift to better understand the trauma she’s gone through. Meanwhile, her cartoon shows Harley embracing villainy while being free of her abusive ex. She relishes in being bad, taking audiences on a gory and volatile ride. Throughout the years, Harley has always been naughty, even when she tries to be the good in comics like Harley Quinn Power Girl and Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass. This year is no different, as we’ve seen in the comics mentioned as well as Harley Quinn: Villain of the Year, where she finds a way to bring mischievous antics to the infamous award show.
A Super Couple – Nice
Superman and Lois Lane are one of the nicest couples in comics. Superman is the poster child for great heroes and upstanding citizens. This year specifically we see Superman take on one of the most hateful groups in America with Superman Smashes the Klan. This is a welcomed read for children and adults. Meanwhile Lois Lane is on her own heroic adventures in Greg Rucka and Mike Perkins’ Lois Lane. With political figures challenging the validity of the news, having a journalist as the hero is important, especially when that journalist is uncovering a truth that poses a threat to the world. This husband and wife dynamic duo truly captures what it means to be heroic. It’s about fighting for what’s right, standing against bigotry, and refusing to let others win with hate.
Charlie Ellison -Naughty
This year we saw the first trade for Crowded. I recommend this for anyone in the mood for a deadly buddy comedy. In this world, you can put a hit on someone and have it crowdfunded. Charlie happens to be a special target. Hundreds have donated over one million dollars to have her killed. As far as the first volume goes, she’s not a big baddie who deserves death, but she is naughty. Self absorbed, inconsiderate, obnoxious, and rude, Charlie is a horrible person that readers fall in love with. Even her bodyguard Vita, who more than once has saved Charlie because of her over the top behavior, is somewhat charmed by her troublesome client. I’m eager to see where these two end up because with Charlie around they’ll run into plenty of problems on their road to safety.
Mera – Nice
Originally a deadly warrior who obediently followed orders, Mera has now grown into an independent woman who values freedom and love while retaining her fiery passion. In DC Comics’ Bombshells and Mera: Queen of Atlantis, Mera challenges the status quo in favor of what’s right. She shines brightest in Bombshells because we see her romantic heart with Arthur Curry, her playful nature with Wonder Woman, and her loyalty with her sisters in arms. This year we got even more of Mera in Mera: Tidebreaker. This DC Ink book focuses on her fight for freedom in a society that expects her to be compliant. The book is visually stunning and shows what a great role model Mera is for younger generations.
The Batman Who Laughs – Naughty
When turn Bruce Wayne into a Joker like villain, that will catch a lot of attention. The Batman Who Laughs is messing with the entire DC universe, so it’s hard not to put him on this list. His infamous design alone screams naughty. He also poses a real threat to many of the god like heroes, as seen in Infected. Debuting in The Dark Knights: Metal series, this Batman is behind much of the chaos in this year’s Batman/Superman. Then there is the graphic novel, The Batman Who Laughs, which goes deeper into the twisted world of this Bruce Wayne.
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