Ode To Literature

[Valhalla Erikson]

That's right folks. It's Back!!!

A weekly review series where I'd review a story and provide my overall thoughts before I'd give it my personal rating. Novels, Comics, Mangas, and even Fan Fiction are fair game. The fan fic depends on how well written it is though. Why fan fiction? Lets face it how many fan fics you've read that sounds waaay better than it's source material? Yeah.

When it comes to giving a product a rating here are the categories.

Monument of Literature: A story that is so good that will stand the test of time

Edge of Your Seat: So good you cant put down.

Worth Every Penny: You don't regret the price you've paid for the story.

Bargain Bin: Some flaws but not too offensive. The best way to describe is that it's a nice time waster. You know, if you feel bored.

Who Wrote This Crap: Either the writer had a bad day or just don't care

Kill It With Fire!!: Even The Cosmic Horrors themselves wouldn't touch this book

[superkamiguy1]

Aug 21, 2022 23:09:21 GMT Valhalla Erikson said:

That's right folks. It's Back!!!

A weekly review series where I'd review a story and provide my overall thoughts before I'd give it my personal rating. Novels, Comics, Mangas, and even Fan Fiction are fair game. The fan fic depends on how well written it is though. Why fan fiction? Lets face it how many fan fics you've read that sounds waaay better than it's source material? Yeah.

When it comes to giving a product a rating here are the categories.

Monument of Literature: A story that is so good that will stand the test of time

Edge of Your Seat: So good you cant put down.

Worth Every Penny: You don't regret the price you've paid for the story.

Bargain Bin: Some flaws but not too offensive. The best way to describe is that it's a nice time waster. You know, if you feel bored.

Who Wrote This Crap: Either the writer had a bad day or just don't care

Kill It With Fire!!: Even The Cosmic Horrors themselves wouldn't touch this book

Sweetness! This is going to be a very fun thread! I've got some fun ideas for the thread this time around!

[Valhalla Erikson]

Batman: Wayne Family Adventures is a webcomic by DC Comics, the first in its planned collaboration with Webtoon, and the second webcomic (after Li'l Gotham) to focus on the Gotham Cast Herd. It is written by CRC Payne; the artists involved are StarBite (Rhett Bloom) (inks), by Maria Li (storyboards), Lan Ma (backgrounds), C.M. Cameron (flats and rendering), and Kielamel Sibal (lettering). The first three issues were released on September 8, 2021 as part of Batman Day 2021.

It is a Slice of Life Dom Com comic featuring interactions between the Batfamily, portrayed here (in contrast to their usual dysfunctional dynamic in the mainstream comics) as a vitriolic-but-loving surrogate family of vigilantes who work hard under the tutelage of their mentor, Batman, to keep Gotham City safe.

In addition to Bruce Wayne/ Batman and his loyal butler Alfred Pennyworth, the main cast includes Duke Thomas (The Signal), Damian Wayne (Robin), Tim Drake (Red Robin), Cassandra Cain (Orphan), Jason Todd (Red Hood), Barbara Gordon (Oracle), Stephanie Brown (Spoiler), and Dick Grayson (Nightwing).

A high recommend to anyone who likes the Bat-Family and those who'd prefer a Bruce Wayne who acts like a, you know, human being. I never thought I'd see a Bat-Family series that operates as a sitcom working but here ya go. And I love how it plays up each of the Bat-Clan's personalities perfectly while also providing some dimensions.

Like how the series established Damian as someone who, while a little bratty, there's a hint of vulnerability within him and it clearly shows him as a guy wanting to fit in as a member of the clan.

I also like that Bruce is depicted as a flawed individual. Many times he's seen as too perfect or a complete asshat yet here he makes mistakes but he's well-meaning.

Anytime my girls Steph and Cass get the respect they deserve it's always a plus in my book.

The series reads like you're following their lives whenever they're on their downtime from superheroing and it's fun seeing them when they have their hair down.

Overall I give this one an Edge of Your Seat rating. If you're tired of the doom and gloom treatment DC Comics gives the Bat-Clan and want to see them a little more down to earth then check this web series out.

[superkamiguy1]

Ahhh Kamen Rider. Shotaro Ishinomori's legendary series that has been around 1971 and has since spawned 30 distinct television incarnations, spin-off movies and merchandise, and continues today in its many, many, MANY incarnations! Like, A LOT! The Manga adaptation encapsulates a lot of it in a different tone that is more violent than the usual fair, more along the lines of Early Kamen Rider, with the blood and such, Hongo even impales the Bat Kaijin on a cross! Not to mention the scene where Hongo gets shot to hell by the Shocker Riders!

Oh yeah. The Hero, the Main Character, gets shot to hell by the villains. The Shocker Riders are scary competent in the Manga for the brief time they're around and Hongo is so badly wounded he needs to convert his body into an android to keep fighting. In the meantime, Hayato has to take over thanks to being freed from brain washing thanks to a head wound from the fight with Hongo.

While the final battle is a bit disappointing, they fight a giant robot instead of The Great Leader, but The Great Leader wasn't much of a fight in the Original Series anyway so it's fair and the heroes winning through intelligence rather than just raw power matches up.

All in all it's a great introduction to the world of Kamen Rider and a treasure for Kamen Rider Fans. It's a big Manga though so brace yourself for some reading time. 

[superkamiguy1]

Aug 21, 2022 23:18:44 GMT Valhalla Erikson said:

Batman: Wayne Family Adventures is a webcomic by DC Comics, the first in its planned collaboration with Webtoon, and the second webcomic (after Li'l Gotham) to focus on the Gotham Cast Herd. It is written by CRC Payne; the artists involved are StarBite (Rhett Bloom) (inks), by Maria Li (storyboards), Lan Ma (backgrounds), C.M. Cameron (flats and rendering), and Kielamel Sibal (lettering). The first three issues were released on September 8, 2021 as part of Batman Day 2021.

It is a Slice of Life Dom Com comic featuring interactions between the Batfamily, portrayed here (in contrast to their usual dysfunctional dynamic in the mainstream comics) as a vitriolic-but-loving surrogate family of vigilantes who work hard under the tutelage of their mentor, Batman, to keep Gotham City safe.

In addition to Bruce Wayne/ Batman and his loyal butler Alfred Pennyworth, the main cast includes Duke Thomas (The Signal), Damian Wayne (Robin), Tim Drake (Red Robin), Cassandra Cain (Orphan), Jason Todd (Red Hood), Barbara Gordon (Oracle), Stephanie Brown (Spoiler), and Dick Grayson (Nightwing).

A high recommend to anyone who likes the Bat-Family and those who'd prefer a Bruce Wayne who acts like a, you know, human being. I never thought I'd see a Bat-Family series that operates as a sitcom working but here ya go. And I love how it plays up each of the Bat-Clan's personalities perfectly while also providing some dimensions.

Like how the series established Damian as someone who, while a little bratty, there's a hint of vulnerability within him and it clearly shows him as a guy wanting to fit in as a member of the clan.

I also like that Bruce is depicted as a flawed individual. Many times he's seen as too perfect or a complete asshat yet here he makes mistakes but he's well-meaning.

Anytime my girls Steph and Cass get the respect they deserve it's always a plus in my book.

The series reads like you're following their lives whenever they're on their downtime from superheroing and it's fun seeing them when they have their hair down.

Overall I give this one an Edge of Your Seat rating. If you're tired of the doom and gloom treatment DC Comics gives the Bat-Clan and want to see them a little more down to earth then check this web series out.

Such a sweet and heartwarming series! After all of the BS of the Injustice Series and the constant gloom and doom of the Comics world, it's nice to see to see a BatFamily take that's actually beautiful and fun to read! The characters are on point and it's honestly the best and heartwarming take on the Bat-Family and something I definitely recommend!

[Valhalla Erikson]

Aug 21, 2022 23:36:42 GMT superkamiguy1 said:

Ahhh Kamen Rider. Shotaro Ishinomori's legendary series that has been around 1971 and has since spawned 30 distinct television incarnations, spin-off movies and merchandise, and continues today in its many, many, MANY incarnations! Like, A LOT! The Manga adaptation encapsulates a lot of it in a different tone that is more violent than the usual fair, more along the lines of Early Kamen Rider, with the blood and such, Hongo even impales the Bat Kaijin on a cross! Not to mention the scene where Hongo gets shot to hell by the Shocker Riders!

Oh yeah. The Hero, the Main Character, gets shot to hell by the villains. The Shocker Riders are scary competent in the Manga for the brief time they're around and Hongo is so badly wounded he needs to convert his body into an android to keep fighting. In the meantime, Hayato has to take over thanks to being freed from brain washing thanks to a head wound from the fight with Hongo.

While the final battle is a bit disappointing, they fight a giant robot instead of The Great Leader, but The Great Leader wasn't much of a fight in the Original Series anyway so it's fair and the heroes winning through intelligence rather than just raw power matches up.

All in all it's a great introduction to the world of Kamen Rider and a treasure for Kamen Rider Fans. It's a big Manga though so brace yourself for some reading time. 

A true superhero manga if one needs a breather from the disappointment that is MHA. Although One Punch Man isn't too bad.

[Valhalla Erikson]

Gary Karkofsky is an ordinary guy with an ordinary life living in an extraordinary world. Supervillains, heroes, and monsters are a common part of the world he inhabits. Yet, after the death of his hometown's resident superhero, he gains the amazing gift of the late champion's magical cloak. Deciding he prefers to be rich rather than good, Gary embarks on a career as Merciless: The Supervillain Without Mercy.

But is he evil enough for the worst city in America?

The series follows Gary as he travels through a four-color world full of Expies of popular superheroes and the crazy situations he gets into as a result. The book often Lampshades the use of tropes and their implications even as it treats their plots seriously.

---

I was going to give my own review of this but having read the recent illustration of the novel I just don't have the heart to do it. So here's Lex Luthor reviewing the novel instead.




Ah, The Supervillainy Saga. A story that promises an exhilarating dive into villainy, only to pull you up gasping for air and asking, "Is that all?" At first glance, Gary Karkofsky seems to be cut from the cloth of the great antiheroes: an everyman thrust into a world of power, inheriting the mighty cloak of a fallen hero, and stepping out onto the stage with an open ambition to get rich rather than save lives. Now, that’s promising. But oh, how that promise disappoints.

Gary – or should I say, Merciless – is perhaps the most frustrating of all “villains” I've encountered in literature. The man wants to brand himself as a supervillain, yet he displays all the menace of a soggy paper towel. Instead of clawing his way up through cunning, skill, or even ruthlessness, Gary receives every advantage on a silver platter, like a privileged tourist stumbling upon a vacation package to power and fame. He learns magic effortlessly. He outmaneuvers his foes without breaking a sweat. And he parades through a gallery of unimpressive villains who seem barely capable of managing themselves. Is this supposed to be the worst city in America? If so, I’d wager the bar for “villainy” is embarrassingly low.

Gary as a protagonist lacks the gravitas, the cunning, and frankly, the self-awareness that any proper supervillain worth their salt should possess. He’s a perpetual man-child with a self-aggrandizing streak that’s somehow both overplayed and uninspiring. And yet, the narrative treats him as some sort of chick magnet, though I can find no traits – magnetic or otherwise – to justify it. The female characters, in fact, are little more than set dressing, existing solely to orbit around our lackluster protagonist as though he’s some black hole of charisma. It’s insulting to them and frankly insulting to the reader.

And then there's his so-called “villainy.” Despite his endless declarations of being a “bad guy,” Gary’s actions are laughably tame. Killing other villains? Really? That hardly scratches the surface of villainy, Gary. Even the book itself seems to realize this, openly questioning his credentials. This isn’t villainy – it’s community service with a dark coat of paint. Frankly, even the Punisher has more moral complexity, and at least he knows what he’s about. Gary? He’s a walking contradiction, fumbling about in a game he has no right to be playing.

As much as I despise Joker with every fiber of my being at least he doesn't pretend to be something he's not.

If there's a silver lining here, it's in the worldbuilding. I’ll give credit where it’s due: the author knows his way around superhero tropes and has built a colorful, diverse world that could have been the setting for something spectacular. Yet it’s tragically wasted on a protagonist who couldn’t menace a rubber ducky, let alone a city of villains. I'm confident he wouldn't last a day in Gotham.

Final Rating: I'm a man who considers himself Pro Life. Yet if I were the parents of the main character then I'd Kill It With Fire!

[superkamiguy1]

Nov 14, 2024 0:19:43 GMT Valhalla Erikson said:

Gary Karkofsky is an ordinary guy with an ordinary life living in an extraordinary world. Supervillains, heroes, and monsters are a common part of the world he inhabits. Yet, after the death of his hometown's resident superhero, he gains the amazing gift of the late champion's magical cloak. Deciding he prefers to be rich rather than good, Gary embarks on a career as Merciless: The Supervillain Without Mercy.

But is he evil enough for the worst city in America?

The series follows Gary as he travels through a four-color world full of Expies of popular superheroes and the crazy situations he gets into as a result. The book often Lampshades the use of tropes and their implications even as it treats their plots seriously.

---

I was going to give my own review of this but having read the recent illustration of the novel I just don't have the heart to do it. So here's Lex Luthor reviewing the novel instead.




Ah, The Supervillainy Saga. A story that promises an exhilarating dive into villainy, only to pull you up gasping for air and asking, "Is that all?" At first glance, Gary Karkofsky seems to be cut from the cloth of the great antiheroes: an everyman thrust into a world of power, inheriting the mighty cloak of a fallen hero, and stepping out onto the stage with an open ambition to get rich rather than save lives. Now, that’s promising. But oh, how that promise disappoints.

Gary – or should I say, Merciless – is perhaps the most frustrating of all “villains” I've encountered in literature. The man wants to brand himself as a supervillain, yet he displays all the menace of a soggy paper towel. Instead of clawing his way up through cunning, skill, or even ruthlessness, Gary receives every advantage on a silver platter, like a privileged tourist stumbling upon a vacation package to power and fame. He learns magic effortlessly. He outmaneuvers his foes without breaking a sweat. And he parades through a gallery of unimpressive villains who seem barely capable of managing themselves. Is this supposed to be the worst city in America? If so, I’d wager the bar for “villainy” is embarrassingly low.

Gary as a protagonist lacks the gravitas, the cunning, and frankly, the self-awareness that any proper supervillain worth their salt should possess. He’s a perpetual man-child with a self-aggrandizing streak that’s somehow both overplayed and uninspiring. And yet, the narrative treats him as some sort of chick magnet, though I can find no traits – magnetic or otherwise – to justify it. The female characters, in fact, are little more than set dressing, existing solely to orbit around our lackluster protagonist as though he’s some black hole of charisma. It’s insulting to them and frankly insulting to the reader.

And then there's his so-called “villainy.” Despite his endless declarations of being a “bad guy,” Gary’s actions are laughably tame. Killing other villains? Really? That hardly scratches the surface of villainy, Gary. Even the book itself seems to realize this, openly questioning his credentials. This isn’t villainy – it’s community service with a dark coat of paint. Frankly, even the Punisher has more moral complexity, and at least he knows what he’s about. Gary? He’s a walking contradiction, fumbling about in a game he has no right to be playing.

As much as I despise Joker with every fiber of my being at least he doesn't pretend to be something he's not.

If there's a silver lining here, it's in the worldbuilding. I’ll give credit where it’s due: the author knows his way around superhero tropes and has built a colorful, diverse world that could have been the setting for something spectacular. Yet it’s tragically wasted on a protagonist who couldn’t menace a rubber ducky, let alone a city of villains. I'm confident he wouldn't last a day in Gotham.

Final Rating: I'm a man who considers himself Pro Life. Yet if I were the parents of the main character then I'd Kill It With Fire!

A classy review from the bald wonder himself! And Lex knows what he's talking about. He's beefing with freaking SUPERMAN his whole history! Lex has even become GOD on at least one occasion! He might not have the same horror stories as The Joker but you don't spend your whole life as The Man Of Steel's #1 Hater without developing some serious villain cred for yourself. The man is a classy super genius who lives and dies by his absurd intelligence that matches Superman's absurd strength. I haven't read the series myself, as it didn't grab me, but this honestly sounds about right.

[Valhalla Erikson]

If I were going to give my own opinion of this novel, just read Soon, I Will Be Invincible. It’s this story but handled so much better. And it is actually about a super villain

[superkamiguy1]

Nov 14, 2024 1:30:23 GMT Valhalla Erikson said:

If I were going to give my own opinion of this novel, just read Soon, I Will Be Invincible. It’s this story but handled so much better. And it is actually about a super villain

A true classic Superhero Supervillain Story! 

[Valhalla Erikson]

Meet Wesley Gibson. Wesley's father abandoned him when he was eighteen weeks old, and things have gone steadily downhill since. He works for a disgusting boss at a job he hates before going home to a girlfriend who's sleeping with his best friend. But suddenly, Wesley is tapped to join the Fraternity, a shadowy cabal of comic book-style villains who claim they're behind all organized crime on Earth, and that further, Wesley's father was one of them.

And that's when Wesley's life gets much more interesting.

Wanted is a comic series by Mark Millar and JG Jones that operates on one simple principle: superheroes really do exist in our world. Well, at least they did until 1986, when all the supervillains in the world teamed up for the express purpose of defeating every superhero in the world. However, getting rid of the superheroes and divvying the world up into sections to make money unencumbered by spandex-clad do-gooders wasn't enough for the supervillains. Did we mention they are supervillains? They used magic and technology to alter reality and people's memories, removing the superheroes from all recorded history and recall.

Almost.

You see, this still wasn't enough (supervillains, remember). So they took the heroes who had survived and gave them meaningless lives, then left most of the heroes' exploits around... in comic books.

---

Mark Millar’s *Wanted* is a graphic novel that doesn’t merely flirt with controversy—it embraces it unapologetically. For better or worse, this audacious work stands as a testament to Millar’s polarizing, no-holds-barred approach to storytelling. With a protagonist as irredeemable as Wesley Gibson, *Wanted* subverts the archetypal hero’s journey and gleefully leans into the dark underbelly of the superhero genre. But beware: this isn't the comic for everyone. It revels in its cynicism and nihilism, leaving traditional notions of heroism in the dust.

The story centers on Wesley Gibson, an office drone whose miserable existence takes a dramatic turn when he discovers his true lineage: he’s the heir to a secret society of supervillains who control the world from the shadows. The narrative plunges headlong into a world where power, cruelty, and moral depravity reign supreme. Millar doesn’t try to make Gibson likable or redeemable—on the contrary, Gibson is the embodiment of self-serving hedonism, reveling in his newfound freedom to live without consequence. This is a bold move, and it’s one of the reasons why *Wanted* isn’t just a story—it’s a confrontation.

Artist J.G. Jones complements Millar’s vision with dynamic, hyper-stylized visuals that capture the grotesque excess and lurid appeal of this world. From the sharp character designs to the gritty urban backdrops, the artwork amplifies the narrative’s visceral impact. Together, Millar and Jones craft a graphic novel that is visually stunning, morally provocative, and unabashedly provocative.

But does it work? That depends on your perspective. Millar’s refusal to soften his characters or themes can feel abrasive and alienating, especially for readers accustomed to superheroes as paragons of justice. This isn’t a critique of power; it’s a gleeful celebration of its corruption. And yet, there’s something refreshing in its brutal honesty. Unlike other stories that attempt to humanize villains with sob stories or moral grayness, *Wanted* lets its characters be unapologetically evil. It’s a rare and unsettling perspective that forces readers to confront their own fascination with power and rebellion.

The downside, of course, is that *Wanted* can feel more like a provocation than a narrative. Wesley’s transformation from a downtrodden loser to an amoral sociopath is engaging in its extremity, but it lacks the emotional resonance of a truly compelling arc. The world-building, while imaginative, leans heavily on shock value, which may wear thin for some readers.

Still, for those willing to embrace its cynicism, *Wanted* offers a blistering critique of conventional superhero tropes and a darkly satirical look at human nature. It’s not a story that will leave you inspired or hopeful—quite the opposite—but it’s one that will leave an impression.

### Verdict

*Wanted* earns its place as a graphic novel worth experiencing, though it’s not for everyone. For fans of traditional superhero tales, its relentless bleakness may be a turn-off. However, for readers seeking a bold, subversive take on the genre, *Wanted* is a gripping exploration of what happens when the gloves—and the masks—come off. It’s a brutal, uncompromising ride that doesn’t apologize for its nihilism. In that sense, it’s a graphic novel that achieves exactly what it sets out to do.

A masterful deconstruction of the superhero mythos that challenges, provokes, and polarizes. Love it or hate it, *Wanted* demands your attention. And unlike The Supervillainy Saga this graphic novel is honest about it's main character.

[superkamiguy1]

Nov 21, 2024 15:00:54 GMT Valhalla Erikson said:

Meet Wesley Gibson. Wesley's father abandoned him when he was eighteen weeks old, and things have gone steadily downhill since. He works for a disgusting boss at a job he hates before going home to a girlfriend who's sleeping with his best friend. But suddenly, Wesley is tapped to join the Fraternity, a shadowy cabal of comic book-style villains who claim they're behind all organized crime on Earth, and that further, Wesley's father was one of them.

And that's when Wesley's life gets much more interesting.

Wanted is a comic series by Mark Millar and JG Jones that operates on one simple principle: superheroes really do exist in our world. Well, at least they did until 1986, when all the supervillains in the world teamed up for the express purpose of defeating every superhero in the world. However, getting rid of the superheroes and divvying the world up into sections to make money unencumbered by spandex-clad do-gooders wasn't enough for the supervillains. Did we mention they are supervillains? They used magic and technology to alter reality and people's memories, removing the superheroes from all recorded history and recall.

Almost.

You see, this still wasn't enough (supervillains, remember). So they took the heroes who had survived and gave them meaningless lives, then left most of the heroes' exploits around... in comic books.

---

Mark Millar’s *Wanted* is a graphic novel that doesn’t merely flirt with controversy—it embraces it unapologetically. For better or worse, this audacious work stands as a testament to Millar’s polarizing, no-holds-barred approach to storytelling. With a protagonist as irredeemable as Wesley Gibson, *Wanted* subverts the archetypal hero’s journey and gleefully leans into the dark underbelly of the superhero genre. But beware: this isn't the comic for everyone. It revels in its cynicism and nihilism, leaving traditional notions of heroism in the dust.

The story centers on Wesley Gibson, an office drone whose miserable existence takes a dramatic turn when he discovers his true lineage: he’s the heir to a secret society of supervillains who control the world from the shadows. The narrative plunges headlong into a world where power, cruelty, and moral depravity reign supreme. Millar doesn’t try to make Gibson likable or redeemable—on the contrary, Gibson is the embodiment of self-serving hedonism, reveling in his newfound freedom to live without consequence. This is a bold move, and it’s one of the reasons why *Wanted* isn’t just a story—it’s a confrontation.

Artist J.G. Jones complements Millar’s vision with dynamic, hyper-stylized visuals that capture the grotesque excess and lurid appeal of this world. From the sharp character designs to the gritty urban backdrops, the artwork amplifies the narrative’s visceral impact. Together, Millar and Jones craft a graphic novel that is visually stunning, morally provocative, and unabashedly provocative.

But does it work? That depends on your perspective. Millar’s refusal to soften his characters or themes can feel abrasive and alienating, especially for readers accustomed to superheroes as paragons of justice. This isn’t a critique of power; it’s a gleeful celebration of its corruption. And yet, there’s something refreshing in its brutal honesty. Unlike other stories that attempt to humanize villains with sob stories or moral grayness, *Wanted* lets its characters be unapologetically evil. It’s a rare and unsettling perspective that forces readers to confront their own fascination with power and rebellion.

The downside, of course, is that *Wanted* can feel more like a provocation than a narrative. Wesley’s transformation from a downtrodden loser to an amoral sociopath is engaging in its extremity, but it lacks the emotional resonance of a truly compelling arc. The world-building, while imaginative, leans heavily on shock value, which may wear thin for some readers.

Still, for those willing to embrace its cynicism, *Wanted* offers a blistering critique of conventional superhero tropes and a darkly satirical look at human nature. It’s not a story that will leave you inspired or hopeful—quite the opposite—but it’s one that will leave an impression.

### Verdict

*Wanted* earns its place as a graphic novel worth experiencing, though it’s not for everyone. For fans of traditional superhero tales, its relentless bleakness may be a turn-off. However, for readers seeking a bold, subversive take on the genre, *Wanted* is a gripping exploration of what happens when the gloves—and the masks—come off. It’s a brutal, uncompromising ride that doesn’t apologize for its nihilism. In that sense, it’s a graphic novel that achieves exactly what it sets out to do.

A masterful deconstruction of the superhero mythos that challenges, provokes, and polarizes. Love it or hate it, *Wanted* demands your attention. And unlike The Supervillainy Saga this graphic novel is honest about it's main character.

Yeah, for as over the top insane and intense as the story is, you have to admit that Millar was at least honest about what utter monsters his villains are. Unlike Hori trying and flailing to create sympathy for anyone who isn't Dabi/Touya, the villains in this story are far more along the lines of honestly pure evil over the top and at the very least clearly enjoying themselves being monsters. Honestly, Chris Genovese/The Motherfucker from Kick-Ass is more along the lines of Shigaraki and even he had a better character arc despite being an utter bastard in Kick-Ass 2.  Funnily enough, Wanted makes an interesting companion piece to The Boys. Horrifically Evil Villains Doing Whatever They Want VS Fake Heroes Doing Whatever They Want with both being grimy, gritty and dirty as both Millar and Ennis are going completely off the rails with the story. And yet The Boys received an arguably superior adaptation while Wanted was watered down to assassinations. Fascinating but nowhere near as insane as the comic. You would probably have to go to HBO to get a proper-ish adaptation of The Wanted Comic.  And hey, say what you want about Wesley, but Big Game proved that the man had serious villain cred.