2013 was a big year for superheroes. Superman soared back onto the big screen while Iron Man gave (perhaps) his final solo outing. We saw the Flash brought to life twice while other heroes bit the dust. And, of course, Loki finally took his rightful place on the throne of Asgard.
I personally had what can only be described as a super year, and all of you reading this now are the reason. As I look back at the 10 superhero films and TV shows of the year, I decided to pick out the one moment from each that stuck out most for me. The ones I think of first when I think of each show/film, or the ones that meant the most to me.
So here they are. The best origin scenes. The best fights. And even who had the best deaths.
Disclaimer: Lots of spoilers (I mean, I am picking out the best bits). Also, the list is in no particular order.
Best Superhero Fights of 2013
Iron Man 3: House Party Protocol
http://youtu.be/Bg8ObkHxvxk
Perhaps the most visually stunning of the action pieces this year, and by far the most random, was the final fray in Iron Man 3. With Tony Stark jumping from one armor to the next and plenty of Extremis-powered baddies, this was a non-stop battle to the max! The one-on-one between Stark and Killian was the icing on the cake. And let’s not forget, even Pepper managed to get in on the action here. If Iron Man 4 is not to be, at least 3 went out with a bang!
The Dark Knight Returns Part 2: Batman vs. Superman
In truth, I’m including this scene on this list for one simple reason: it’s one of my all-time favourite comic book scenes finally realised in animation. I love The Dark Knight Returns and the fight between Batman and Superman is the ultimate fanboy dream (why do you think the next Superman movie is going to include Batman?). As great as the scene is in the book, though, seeing it play out in animation was even better. The scene is bigger, bolder, and I felt myself cheering for both titans anytime they landed a punch. Truly, a great scene.
Young Justice: Young Justice vs. The Light
This was easily one of the best action pieces of the whole series. The many disguise reveals were just badass, and we got to see just how effective Young Justice is both as a team and individually. From the team ups of Beast Boy and Lagoon Boy to Flash’s assist with Batgirl, to my absolute favourite moment: finally seeing Nightwing in action, this fight had it all. The surrender and subsequent death of Ra’s Al Ghul was particularly memorable as well. After months of waiting, it was nice to finally see the whole team fighting together as one, even if it did only happen once.
The Wolverine: Wolverine vs. Shingen
Alright guys, let’s be honest: picking just one of the best fight scenes from The Wolverine is impossible. First, I was going to write about the epic train sequence, but then I remembered the fight with the ninjas and how badass Logan looked stuck full of arrows, not to mention the amazing climax with the Silver Samurai. But I found that I still kept coming back to Wolverine’s fight with Shingen (after performing open heart surgery on himself, no less) as the most emblematic of the film. Wolverine fights claw to sword and proves that yes, six blades really are better than one. But what I loved most about this scene is the symbolism of the way it ends: with Wolverine pulling the sword from his chest, a kind of reverse-seppuku, showing that his rebirth is now complete.
The Best Superhero Origins Of 2013
Arrow: Barry Allen Becomes the Flash
http://youtu.be/ynd-om7M4FY
“Three Ghosts” is currently standing as my favourite episode of Arrow so far, for many reasons but none come close to the perfection that was the Flash origin scene at the end. Talk about getting it right on the money! After being built up for months and teased in several episodes, we finally saw what happened when the Central City particle accelerator was activated. This scene really had it all: the abandoned lab, a lightning storm, a particle accelerator. Really, what else do you need to create a Flash?
Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox: Barry Allen Becomes Flash… Again
(I couldn’t find the whole scene, but you can see glimpses in the trailer around the 30 second mark)
They say lightning never strikes twice, but Flashpoint may beg to differ as it provides new ground for the Flash origin. When Barry Allen finds himself in an alternate universe where he never got his Flash powers, he literally tried to tame lightning and recreate the events that lead to his becoming the Scarlet Speedster. Barry’s determination to become a hero once more, willing to get struck by lightning again not one but twice in an effort to set things right, shows just how much of a hero he really is.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Lola
http://youtu.be/hgHogNq5pRA
Not to be outdone by DC, Marvel introduced their own red-hued hero this year in new fan favourite character Lola!
…Okay, so this one’s a stretch at best, but I think we can all admit that there really hasn’t been a truly great moment in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Yet this year. Here’s hoping they finally impress us next year.
The Best Superhero Deaths of 2013
Kick-Ass 2: The Death of Colonel Stars & Stripes
Having not read the Kick-Ass 2 comics before seeing the movie, this moment came as a complete shock to me. Jim Carrey’s Colonel was featured so heavily in the marketing that I assumed he would be a much bigger figure in the film, but like Big Daddy before him, this turned out to be a one-film only role. Having been a fan of Carrey since his Ace Ventura days, it was a bit hard to see him die so brutally (yes, I know it’s just a film). That said, seeing him totally kick ass during the poker game scene was just plain awesome.
Man of Steel: The Death of Zod
http://youtu.be/OToWrnzK3gw
Perhaps the most controversial death of the year was Superman killing Zod at the end of Man of Steel. Alright Snyder, we get it: you’re going darker. But really, killing off a great villain like that in the first movie? Rookie mistake. Michael Shannon did a fantastic job as Zod and it saddens me that he won’t be coming back later on down the line. It will, however, be interesting to see what ramifications killing Zod will have in-universe for Superman, especially after the scandal it caused in reality.
Thor: The Dark World: The Death of Loki
(I couldn’t find a clip or a good picture from this scene, so I decided to just go with my favourite promo pic of Loki, right where he belongs)
This death was both a total shock and later revealed to be fake out (unlike the earlier death of Frigga). Still, one can’t help but feel for Thor as his brother, finally redeemed, dies right in his arms. I was never fully convinced he was dead (and really, the fact that Thor was just perpetuates his utter gullibility when it comes to his brother. The scene did also raise a good question though: if being stabbed through the heart is no longer a deadly wound for both men and gods, then what the hell can kill these guys?
Bonus Moment!
Thor: How do I get to Greenwich?
If you asked any Londoner what the most memorable superhero scene of the year was, most of them will probably go right to the the scene in Thor: The Dark World with Thor on the tube. When I saw it in theatre, everyone in the audience, as if on cue, shouted, “Hey! That’s not right.” The fact that I had the exact same reaction made me finally feel like a true Londoner myself, and that makes this moment more than worthy of a spot on this list.
What were your favourite superhero moments of 2013? Sound off below in the comments or tell us on Twitter!