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How would you do if you had boundless power? That's a central question explored by the best science fiction and fantasy stories. What if you gained superhuman abilities? Or discovered a revolutionary substance? Or if every single human was wholly committed to your personal happiness? Would you use such power for good, or give in to your own darker impulses?

The series listed below each grapple with this theme in unique ways (aside from one key exception). Outlined here is a list of the ten best installments of sci-fi and fantasy TV from the past year.

10. Spider-Man: Your Friendly Neighborhood

Even after more than 60 years of stories, the web-slinger remains reinvented by new talent. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man delivers a refreshing look at the hero's formative years, skillfully combining essential source material elements with ideas from the broader Marvel universe to craft something which is both new and profoundly engaging.

Instead of being alone or having Tony Stark as a mentor, this iteration of the hero develops a complex partnership with Norman Osborn, who here is merely the CEO of Oscorp. Through their dynamic, Peter grows into his own man, internalizing the iconic lesson of power and responsibility.

9. Hazbin Hotel Season 2

Showrunner Vivienne Medrano's audacious adult musical show, which originated as a fan-funded pilot, fully hit its stride in its sophomore installment. Building on the climactic revelations of the first season, the story expands considerably, following the scheming media overlord Vox as he takes control of the situation, igniting a chain of increasingly dramatic conflicts that inevitably culminate in show-stopping musical numbers.

While it might not have a one breakout hit quite like the first season's "Loser, Baby," this is due to everything in season 2 being increasingly ambitious. The fight sequences, personal development, and especially the music are all elevated. The season moves the main storyline forward while providing plenty of bizarre, unhinged, and ultimately fun dark fantasy.

8. Daredevil: Born Again

As a successor to the acclaimed Netflix series, Daredevil: Born Again faced immense shoes to fill. After significant production challenges, the resulting product demonstrates to be worth the wait. The plot centers on Matt Murdock once his secret identity as Daredevil is publicly revealed, leaving him vulnerable to enemies both history and present in a slightly version of his well-known setting.

The first episode is explosive, evoking the intense feeling audiences cherished from the original series. While the subsequent chapters venture into some new territory, the season finishes powerfully, setting viewers keenly awaiting a second season.

7. Common Side Effects

A surprising this year's gem, this show is essentially a crime saga with the humor of a suburban satire. Created by an Adult Swim veteran alongside writer Steve Hely, the series follows the story of a nerdy fungi expert who discovers a miraculous mushroom and soon finds himself pursued by forces including ruthless pharmaceutical CEOs to government agents.

Despite being a parody, the show plays out with the serious intensity of a classic paranoia thriller. Accentuated by trippy visuals and an eerie musical soundtrack, the story explores bigger mysteries about the substance's full capabilities. It's a smart, visually striking, and utterly gripping ten-episode season.

6. Fallout Season 2

This hit series of the popular gaming series returned with a new season of stories that expanded its epic lore and broadened its nuclear wasteland world. While it ventures in the direction of the legendary location of New Vegas, the story is far from a direct retelling of that game; rather, it continues to examine themes of authority and autonomy.

The show expertly balances multiple narrative threads and points of view, from Lucy's mission for answers to Maximus's reckoning with the dogma of the Brotherhood of Steel. The result is a rich detailed and utterly absorbing addition to the expanding wasteland mythology.

5. Invincible Season 3

The visceral and heartfelt adult animation show keeps its winning momentum in season 3. The hero faces immense challenges on every fronts: preparing for a coming alien invasion, mentoring his powered sibling, and battling with his secretive GDA. The season once again includes some of the most brutal fight scenes the show has yet produced.

The protagonist's physical and emotional endurance are repeatedly pushed. He must grapple with foes more powerful than himself, the aftermath of his actions, and the moral burden of his choices. Standout arcs for supporting cast members like Cecil Stedman and Rex Splode round out a superb installment.

4. Peacemaker Season 2

The director's offbeat anti-hero show came back with elevated importance within the new DC canon, and season 2 delivers on both fronts. While it effectively establishes foundations for upcoming cinematic universe projects, it primarily presents a powerful and self-contained {