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What would you do with infinite ability? This is the central question posed by the greatest science fiction and fantastical stories. Imagine if you gained extraordinary powers? Or discovered a revolutionary substance? Or if every other person became wholly committed to your personal satisfaction? Would you use that influence for good, or succumb to your darker instincts?

The shows listed below all confront this dilemma in distinct manners (with a single notable exception). Outlined below is our countdown of the ten best installments of science fiction & fantastical television from the past year.

10. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

Even after over 60 years of history, Spider-Man remains reinvented by fresh talent. This series delivers a refreshing look at the character's formative days, skillfully blending essential source material story beats with ideas from other adaptations to craft something that feels simultaneously new and deeply compelling.

Instead of operating solo or Iron Man as a mentor, this version of Peter Parker forges a evolving relationship with Norman Osborn, who in this story is still just the CEO of Oscorp. Across their interactions, Peter becomes his own man, learning the signature lesson of great power and great responsibility.

9. Hazbin Hotel Season 2

Showrunner Vivienne Medrano's audacious adult musical-comedy series, which sprang from a crowdfunded pilot, truly came into its own in its sophomore season. Following the game-changing events of the first season, the narrative broadens considerably, centering on the ambitious media overlord Vox who seizes control of the narrative, igniting a chain of ever-more explosive confrontations that naturally end in show-stopping song.

While it may lack a single breakout song on the level of season one's "iconic tune," that's because each element in season 2 being more interwoven. The fight sequences, personal development, and above all the music are all more sophisticated. The story advances the main plot forward while providing plenty of weird, wild, and ultimately fun dark fantasy.

8. Daredevil: Born Again

As a successor to the legendary Netflix series, Daredevil: Born Again had immense shoes to fill. After well-documented production issues, the resulting product demonstrates it was worth the effort. The story follows Matt Murdock once his dual life as Daredevil is publicly revealed, making him vulnerable to foes both past and present in a refreshed take of his familiar world.

The first episode is explosive, evoking the gritty tone audiences loved from the original incarnation. While the subsequent chapters explore certain new narrative ground, the first season finishes powerfully, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating a second installment.

7. Common Side Effects

An unexpected this year's highlight, this show could be described as an animated crime saga filtered through the humor of King of the Hill. Helmed by an Adult Swim veteran alongside comedy Steve Hely, the series follows the saga of a nerdy mycologist who discovers a curative fungus and quickly finds himself hunted by everyone from unscrupulous Big Pharma CEOs to government agents.

Far from being a spoof, the narrative plays out with the grave intensity of a 1970s paranoia thriller. Accentuated by hallucinogenic visuals and an eerie musical soundtrack, the plot delves into deeper mysteries about the substance's true effects. It's a smart, beautifully animated, and utterly gripping first season.

6. Fallout Season 2

This acclaimed adaptation of the iconic video game franchise returned with a second season of stories that expanded its sprawling mystery and expanded its post-apocalyptic setting. While it travels in the direction of the legendary location of New Vegas, the story is not a straight retelling of that title; rather, it further explore themes of control and autonomy.

The show expertly juggles several storylines and perspectives, from Lucy's quest for answers to a knight's reckoning with the ideology of the his faction. The result is a rich layered and utterly absorbing addition to the expanding Fallout mythology.

5. Invincible Season 3

The bloody and heartfelt animated show keeps its powerful streak in its third outing. Mark Grayson confronts tremendous challenges on every side: training for a coming Viltrumite invasion, guiding his young brother, and clashing with the shadowy Global Defense Agency. The season once again includes some of the most intense fight scenes the show has ever produced.

The protagonist's physical and psychological endurance are constantly tested. He must grapple with foes more powerful than himself, the consequences of his battles, and the ethical weight of his choices. Standout storylines for key cast members such as Cecil Stedman and Rex Splode complete a fantastic season.

4. Peacemaker Season 2

The director's irreverent anti-hero show came back with elevated importance within the revamped DC universe, and season 2 delivers on both count. While it successfully establishes foundations for upcoming DCU projects, it also presents a powerful and self-contained {