Deadly Class by Rick Remender

Homeless teen, Marcus is recruited into Kings Dominion, a secret academy for the Deadly Arts, where he’s naturally the outsider among a community of the deadliest teens in the world — fighting every day for survival as part of their curriculum. Over time he finds purpose and family in fellow misfits who use their skills to better the world by breaking all the rules. There’s also a forbidden love triangle involving multiple gangs. We deserved more than 10 episodes of this treasure of a Syfy series and I hope justice is served one day. For now, I can rest knowing that the comics continue.

Birds of Prey (Amazon)

I’ve been waiting and waiting for a Harley Quinn movie and I’m not even a superhero fanatic. Check out Margot Robbie kick some serious a$$ as she faces the wrath of narcissistic crime boss Black Mask. It’s funny, action-filled, and champions female empowerment. My only advice is don’t watch it with your Grandmother – ya, I don’t know what I was thinking.

The Incredibles (Disney+)

My absolute favorite animated movie (and I can say that because Peter Rabbit is technically a hybrid). One of the only Pixar movies I really felt needed a sequel. And when it finally happened, it was just as incredible (wink, wink) as I’d imagined it would be. Quotable, hilarious, and heart-warming, the perfect superhero film for the whole family.

Batman Returns (Amazon)

This is exactly what you want it to be when you picture Tim Burton directing a Batman movie. Danny DeVito plays the Penguin, teaming up with Christopher Walken to take down Michael Keaton’s Batman. Our beloved Selina Kyle played by Michelle Pfeiffer dies on Walken’s watch, transforming into Catwoman and unexpectedly falls for Gotham’s hero, who just so happens to also be my hero, in every remake (except in…you know the one).

Sky High (HBO Go)

This feel good flick has it all. It’s colorful, funny, for the kids, and has a great soundtrack. Why are we here? To take down the bad guys! Dorky teen has a crush on the popular girl. Dorky teen’s best friend has a crush on him. Popular girl is actually super evil! Best friend teams up with a band of misfits to save dorky teen and the rest of the world! Tale as old as time. Also another shoutout to Cousin Greg who glows in the dark.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Netflix)

I remember my brother begging me to agree to watch this movie one night and I finally agreed. Turned out to be one of my favorite superhero movies. It’s a relevant coming of age story with a fantastic soundtrack. Moral of the story? Maybe I’ll consider my brother’s movie taste when we’re picking movies…maybe.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (Netflix)

Is there a more perfect movie than Scott Pilgrim vs. the World? The film transcends genre. Is it a superhero movie? Yes. Is it a romantic-comedy? Yes. Is there a battle of the bands narrative? Also, yes. Michael Cera stars as Scott, who has to defeat the girl of his dreams’ seven evil exes. Visually stunning and laugh-out-loud funny, you’ll be wondering why you haven’t watched (or rewatched) sooner.

Watchmen (HBO Go)

I really thought everyone had watched this over the winter holidays, but I guess not. In an alternate universe, police hide their identities in order to protect themselves from a terrorist organization. If you’re going to rant about how awful the movie was, don’t worry – it’s nothing like it. Not the easiest viewing, but Watchmen is one of the only pieces of media that I think takes the source material and transforms it into something better.

Umbrella Academy (Netflix)

When it was announced that My Chemical Romance’s Gerard Way was turning his comic series into a TV series, I put google alerts on for any and all updates and binged the first season immediately upon its release. Seven children are adopted by a billionaire in 1989 as he grooms them to save the world. They fall out of touch as teens, but reunite years later to unlock the mystery of his death. These estranged siblings learn how to work together, uniting their abilities to stop a global apocalypse. I wish they would save us from this one.

Akimbo

If you’re feeling deep and want to challenge your thinking, listen to Akimbo – a podcast about our culture and about how we can change it. Some episodes I’ve enjoyed are hype cycle, solving interesting problems, and creative destruction.

IMO best thing about Fridays means new music!!

• If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know) – The 1975
• Chemicals – SG Lewis
• Forced Convalescence – Bright Eyes
• Good Job – Alicia Keys
• On My Life – Cheat Codes

And to all our superheros on the frontline today… we thank you for risking your lives to keep us safe, for the the Tiktoks, dances, and the victories.