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How could you accomplish if you had boundless power? This is the central inquiry posed by the greatest sci-fi and fantastical stories. Imagine if you gained superhuman abilities? Perhaps discovered a revolutionary substance? What about each and every other human was wholly committed to your personal satisfaction? Could you wield that power for the greater good, or give in to your baser instincts?

These shows featured herein all confront this dilemma in various ways (aside from a single key exclusion). Detailed here is a countdown of the 10 best installments of science fiction & fantastical TV from the past year.

10. Spider-Man: Your Friendly Neighborhood

Even after over 60 years of history, Spider-Man remains reinterpreted by fresh creative voices. This series presents a novel perspective at the character's formative years, cleverly blending classic comic elements with ideas from other adaptations to create something which is both new and profoundly engaging.

Instead of operating solo or having Tony Stark as a guide, this iteration of the hero forges a complex relationship with the future Green Goblin, who in this story is merely the head of Oscorp. Through their interactions, Peter becomes a true hero, internalizing the signature lesson of power and responsibility.

9. Hazbin Hotel Season 2

Showrunner Vivienne Medrano's audacious mature musical-comedy show, which originated as a fan-funded short, fully hit its stride in its sophomore installment. Building on the game-changing revelations of season 1, the story expands significantly, centering on the ambitious media overlord Vox who seizes control of the narrative, sparking a chain of increasingly dramatic conflicts that inevitably end in show-stopping song.

While it might not have a single viral song quite like season one's "Loser, Baby," this is due to each element in season 2 being more complex. The action, personal development, and especially the music are collectively elevated. The story moves the main storyline forward while delivering no shortage of weird, wild, and simply fun fantasy.

8. Daredevil: Born Again

Following the acclaimed Netflix series, this series had immense expectations. After well-documented production challenges, the final show proves to be worthy of the effort. The story follows Matt Murdock after his secret identity as Daredevil is publicly revealed, making him vulnerable to foes from his history and new threats in a slightly take of his well-known world.

The first episode is explosive, evoking the gritty feeling audiences cherished from the original incarnation. Although the subsequent episodes explore some new narrative ground, the season finishes powerfully, leaving viewers eagerly awaiting a second installment.

7. Common Side Effects

An surprising this year's gem, this show could be described as an animated crime saga with the humor of King of the Hill. Helmed by Joe Bennett and comedy Steve Hely, it tells the story of a nerdy fungi expert who discovers a miraculous mushroom and soon finds himself hunted by everyone from unscrupulous pharmaceutical executives to government authorities.

Far from being a spoof, the narrative unfolds with the grave intensity of a classic conspiracy thriller. Accentuated by hallucinogenic animation and an unnerving musical soundtrack, the story delves into bigger questions about the substance's true effects. It's a smart, beautifully animated, and completely gripping first season.

6. Fallout Season 2

This acclaimed adaptation of the popular gaming series returned with a second season of episodes that expanded its epic mystery and expanded its nuclear wasteland setting. Although it ventures in the direction of the fan-favorite location of New Vegas, the season is far from a direct retelling of that game; rather, it further examine ideas of control and freedom.

The show expertly juggles several narrative threads and points of view, from the protagonist's quest for answers to a knight's reckoning with the ideology of the Brotherhood of Steel. The outcome is a deeply detailed and utterly absorbing chapter to the ever-growing Fallout mythology.

5. Invincible Season 3

The bloody and heartfelt animated show keeps its winning momentum in its third outing. Mark Grayson faces tremendous pressure on every side: preparing for a coming alien invasion, mentoring his young sibling, and battling with the shadowy Global Defense Agency. The story also includes some of the most brutally intense fight scenes the show has ever delivered.

The protagonist's physical and emotional limits are repeatedly pushed. He must grapple with foes stronger than himself, the aftermath of his actions, and the ethical weight of his decisions. Standout arcs for key characters such as Cecil Stedman and Rex Splode round out a superb season.

4. Peacemaker Season 2

The director's irreverent superhero show came back with elevated significance within the revamped DC universe, and it delivers on both count. While it successfully establishes groundwork for future DCU stories, it primarily presents a powerful and self-contained {