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How would you do if you had unlimited ability? That's a fundamental inquiry posed by all best science fiction and fantastical narratives. What if you gained superhuman abilities? Or stumbled upon a miraculous drug? What about every single person was dedicated to your personal happiness? Could you wield that power for good, or succumb to your own baser instincts?

These series ranked below all confront this concept in distinct ways (with one notable exception). Detailed below is our list of the ten top installments of sci-fi and fantasy television from the past year.

10. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

Despite more than 60 years of stories, the web-slinger continues to be reinterpreted by fresh creative voices. This series presents a novel perspective at the character's formative years, cleverly merging essential source material story beats with ideas from other adaptations to craft something which is both fresh and deeply engaging.

Instead of being alone or having Iron Man as a mentor, this iteration of the hero forges a complex relationship with the future Green Goblin, who here is merely the head of Oscorp. Across their dynamic, Peter becomes a true hero, internalizing the signature lesson of great power and responsibility.

9. Hazbin Hotel Season 2

Showrunner Vivienne Medrano's audacious adult musical-comedy series, which sprang from a fan-funded pilot, truly came into its own in its second installment. Building on the game-changing events of the first season, the narrative expands considerably, following the ambitious TV demon Vox who seizes control of the situation, sparking a series of ever-more explosive confrontations that naturally culminate in show-stopping musical numbers.

While it might not have a single breakout song on the level of the first season's "iconic tune," this is due to everything in this season being more ambitious. The fight sequences, personal development, and above all the music are all more sophisticated. The season moves the overarching plot forward while providing plenty of weird, wild, and ultimately fun fantasy.

8. Daredevil: Born Again

Following the acclaimed Netflix show, this series faced enormous shoes to fill. Despite well-documented production challenges, the resulting product demonstrates to be worthy of the wait. The plot follows Matt Murdock after his dual life as Daredevil is publicly revealed, leaving him a target to enemies both history and present in a refreshed take of his well-known world.

The premiere is explosive, evoking the gritty feeling audiences loved from the original series. While the middle episodes explore certain new narrative ground, the season concludes powerfully, setting viewers eagerly awaiting a second season.

7. Common Side Effects

A unexpected this year's gem, this series could be described as an animated crime saga filtered through the sensibility of a suburban satire. Created by an Adult Swim veteran alongside writer Steve Hely, it follows the story of a mild-mannered fungi expert who discovers a curative mushroom and soon finds himself hunted by everyone from ruthless Big Pharma executives to federal authorities.

Far from being a parody, the show plays out with the grave intensity of a classic conspiracy thriller. Accentuated by trippy visuals and an eerie score, the story explores bigger questions about the mushroom's true effects. It's a smart, visually striking, and completely gripping ten-episode season.

6. Fallout Season 2

This hit series based on the popular gaming franchise came back with a second batch of stories that expanded its epic mystery and broadened its nuclear wasteland setting. While it ventures toward the fan-favorite location of New Vegas, the story is not a direct adaptation of that game; rather, it continues to explore ideas of control and autonomy.

It skillfully balances several narrative threads and perspectives, from the protagonist's mission for justice to Maximus's struggle with the ideology of the Brotherhood of Steel. The outcome is a deeply detailed and wholly engaging addition to the expanding Fallout mythology.

5. Invincible Season 3

This bloody and emotionally charged adult animation show continues its powerful momentum in its third outing. Mark Grayson faces tremendous challenges on every fronts: preparing for a coming Viltrumite invasion, guiding his young sibling, and battling with the shadowy GDA. The story also features some of the most brutal action scenes the series has ever produced.

Mark's physical and psychological limits are constantly tested. He must grapple with foes more powerful than himself, the aftermath of his battles, and the ethical weight of his choices. Standout arcs for key characters such as Cecil Stedman and Rex Splode complete a superb season.

4. Peacemaker Season 2

The director's irreverent superhero series came back with increased significance within the revamped DC canon, and season 2 executes on that fronts. While it effectively lays foundations for upcoming DCU projects, it also tells a resonant and self-contained {