Entertainment
10 Best Graphic Novels of All Time
Before jumping into a ranking of the best graphic novels of all time, it’s important to try to establish the difference between graphic novels and comic books. One way to do it fairly simply is by suggesting that graphic novels are like the movies of the comic world, and that comic book series – as in those that are published monthly – are kind of like the TV shows of the comic world.
Things get complicated when some issues of an ongoing series tell a standalone story, though, and then that story might be collected into a graphic novel. You’re not going to please everyone with any definition, and people might get very passionate about this. But if a comic tells a mostly self-contained story, and that story can be (and has been) collected in a single book, then it counts as a graphic novel for present purposes. If you disagree, uh, sorry, or whatever.
10
‘The Crow’ (1989)
The Crow is a story about revenge, to some extent, but it’s also probably more about angst and grief, at least in its original form. The movie version, which is probably a little more famous, does also convey those emotions, but it’s more coherent and straightforward, by design, so the revenge aspect of it all feels more pronounced. The graphic novel, on the other hand, is a good deal more emotionally intense and primal, for lack of a better word.
James O’Barr used it as a way to process the feelings he had after his fiancée died because of a drunk driver. He channeled that grief and anger into a story about a man who, alongside his fiancée, is murdered, and then he comes back from the dead to avenge both his own murder and that of his fiancée’s. It isn’t easy to follow, yet grief itself isn’t really all that coherent or understandable when you’re going through it. In that sense, and as something truly visceral/raw, The Crow succeeds immensely at achieving what it sets out to do.
9
‘From Hell’ (1989–1998)
The first graphic novel written by Alan Moore worthy of mention here is From Hell. Now, this one is pretty long, but it can still be compiled into a physical book, so it feels worth considering as a graphic novel. It was originally published over almost a decade, and is, overall, a very intense and oftentimes genuinely unpleasant story about the Jack the Ripper murders; one that suggests a conspiracy behind them that makes the already horrific killings feel even more difficult to grapple with.
This is one of the most graphic (in terms of violence) graphic novels ever published, and a strong stomach is pretty much required if you want to read it.
There are some interesting directions From Hell goes in, even beyond the historical speculation, and those parts are often the most effective and nightmarish. Speaking of nightmarish, this is one of the most graphic (in terms of violence) graphic novels ever published, and a strong stomach is pretty much required if you want to read it. It’s controversial and challenging for sure, but also very much powerful and unique.
8
‘Uzumaki’ (1998–1999)
The one manga that’s going to be included here is Uzumaki, and if you feel it shouldn’t be, because you think manga works are too different from graphic novels, then too bad. It’s the only manga here, so you’ve got nine other “actual” graphic novels to focus on. Nine out of ten ain’t too shabby. Anyway, this was published over the course of just over a year, originally, with 19 main chapters all up, but all of it can be condensed into a single book that’s a little over 600 pages in length all up.
Basically, Uzumaki is a work of psychological horror that focuses on a town that becomes cursed by spirals. People start to see spirals everywhere, and then this drives them mad, with lives constantly being ruined, and then it just keeps escalating from there. Reading it in whole, the pacing is a bit choppy and repetitive, but there is something inherently unsettling about the whole thing, and the artwork here is undeniably striking and nightmare-inducing… that feels like the most important thing, in terms of inspiring a visceral sort of horror, in all honesty.
7
‘Batman: Year One’ (1987)
It’s very nice of Batman: Year One to summarize what it’s about with the title alone. Like, this is focused on Batman just beyond his origin, capturing the first year or so of his time as the Caped Crusader. If you’re more knowledgeable about movies than comic books and graphic novels, like the person typing this, uh, may or may not also be, Batman: Year One was a big inspiration for the recent 2022 film, The Batman.
There, the origin story of Bruce Wayne/Batman was not focused on, but the Robert Pattinson Batman was someone who was just starting out, and that approach proved more interesting than doing yet another origin story. Batman: Year One is satisfying in a similar way, and is easily one of the best Batman-related graphic novels. Frank Miller was the writer behind this, and there is one other Batman graphic novel he did that’s worth mentioning, for present purposes… but more on that one in a bit.
6
‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’ (2021–2022)
Thank or blame Supergirl (2026) for putting the spotlight on Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which was eight issues of Supergirl that formed its own arc, and so it’s being counted as a graphic novel here. That 2026 film, which was originally titled Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, did make a kind of half-hearted attempt to adapt the comic, and it wasn’t a total miss (like some people might have you believe)… but also, the graphic novel, in this instance, was better.
Much of it comes down to the visuals being a whole lot bolder and more eye-catching in the graphic novel, while the movie looked comparatively drab, outside a few shots here and there. Woman of Tomorrow, across its eight issues, tells a much more compelling story of revenge and redemption, and it’s understandable why it’s already become something of a modern classic, as far as comic books/graphic novels are concerned.
5
‘V for Vendetta’ (1982–1989)
Before From Hell, and another Alan Moore-related graphic novel that will be gotten to in a bit, there was V for Vendetta. This is pretty legendary as far as works of dystopian fiction go, with the setting being a futuristic England that’s in a pretty dire spot all around. Like, Children of Men bad, or maybe even a bit worse. But there is one revolutionary figure known only as “V” who might be able to make a difference, or maybe not. He very intentionally keeps things mysterious, to both his enemies and his (potential) allies.
This Alan Moore graphic novel got a movie adaptation, too, and that movie adaptation is liked by some, but it doesn’t quite hold a candle to the thrilling source material. Moore’s work is generally hard to adapt, and best appreciated in its original form. V for Vendetta is one of those stories where, if it didn’t age well, that’d probably be a sign that the world was headed in a good direction. But it’s about 40 years on, now, from when it was published, and V for Vendetta is, somewhat regrettably, still aging well, and still feeling relevant.
4
‘Persepolis’ (2000–2003)
If you ever ran into someone who thought great graphic novels didn’t deserve to be held in the same high regard as great novels, Persepolis would make for a pretty compelling work to use as a way to show such a person the error of their ways. This is an autobiographical graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi that also happens to be an all-time great coming-of-age book, graphic novel (in its presentation) or otherwise.
The central character here is named Marjane, after the author, and she navigates life in Iran during the 1980s, at the time of the Islamic Revolution, with later parts of the story taking place when she’s a young adult, during the 1990s. It’s about a girl, then a young woman, growing up during a dramatic time in 20th century history, with it being done in an authentic and ultimately moving way. It also inspired a notable – and pretty great – movie of the same name, which was released in 2007, and did an overall good job at translating the material of the graphic novel to the big screen.
3
‘The Dark Knight Returns’ (1986)
Frank Miller returns, here, and so does the Dark Knight, what with this being called The Dark Knight Returns and all. This was published the year before Batman: Year One, and can be contrasted with that graphic novel (or limited series, or whatever you want to call it) in the sense that The Dark Knight Returns is all about an aging Bruce Wayne/Batman doing his thing as he nears retirement, rather than being in, you know, his first year and stuff.
The Dark Knight Returns has not been directly adapted into a live-action film yet, but there are certainly elements here that proved influential for Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises. The Dark Knight Returns is better as a graphic novel than that one is as a film, though, and there’s a solid argument to be made that it’s the ultimate – and most compelling – arc in the history of this particular series.
2
‘Maus’ (1980–1991)
Maus is not a particularly long story, but it was completed over a fairly lengthy amount of time, with all the chapters collected into one book ultimately being a graphic novel. It’s something of an autobiographical graphic novel, with author/artist Art Spiegelman putting himself into the work, and having it be about him speaking to his father, Vladek, about his experiences as a Jewish man in the lead-up to, duration of, and then aftermath of World War II.
It’s about the Holocaust, but also about the legacy of those who survived such an ordeal, all done in a brutally honest and sometimes startlingly introspective manner. Maus also makes the artistic decision to depict all its characters as different kinds of animals, depending on their race/affiliation during the war. But it’s still entirely realistic, since this artistic decision doesn’t make it fantastical or anything of the sort. It’s one of those works that’s hard to stop thinking about, once read, and it easily ranks among the most important – and artistically bold – graphic novels of all time.
1
‘Watchmen’ (1986–1987)
If you find subversive superhero stories a bit played out at this point, you can’t be entirely blamed. At least on the television side of things, it almost feels like there are more popular anti-superhero shows than actual superhero shows, thanks to the likes of The Boys and Invincible, to name just a couple. But 40 years ago, when Watchmen was first published, taking a grittier, darker, and more violent approach to comic book/superhero conventions felt a whole lot more groundbreaking.
Watchmen is definitive, in that regard, and essential for pushing superhero stuff forward considerably, in so many ways. There are adaptations of it, but there’s a uniquely apocalyptic and heavy-going feel to the original graphic novel (initially published in 12 issues throughout 1986 and 1987) that’s proven hard to capture in another medium. Even if you’re not usually wild about graphic novels, Watchmen is pretty much required reading. Putting it at #1 here feels equal parts predictable and well-deserved.
Watchmen
- Release Date
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March 6, 2009
- Runtime
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163 minutes
- Director
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Zack Synder
- Writers
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Alex Tse, David Hayter, Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons
Remakes are always risky, especially when it comes to beloved series. For audiences who grew up watching 1974’s Little House on the Prairie, which ran for 200 episodes, the idea of remaking a quintessential piece of American television history feels like an odyssey of errors. But rest assured that not only does Netflix’s new 8-episode series pay homage to what came before with grace and understanding, but it also improves upon aspects of the book series with the aid of primary source-led historical context that enriches the story for a new generation.
Inspired by Laura Ingalls Wilder’s eponymous semi-autobiographical book series detailing her family’s real-life experiences traveling and homesteading across the American frontier in the late 19th century, Little House on the Prairie arrived on television screens at a unique point in the nation’s history where frontier life was just far enough removed from most households, while remaining within a generation’s experience. Now, fifty-odd years removed from the original series, the Western genre remains a driving force for viewers — not just for Netflix with hit series like American Primeval, but across media and beyond.
Despite some early reactionaries insisting that Netflix’s remake would usher in a homesteading renaissance, this series is far from the conservative fever dream that some would wish it to be. Instead, showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine has painstakingly sought to contextualize aspects of history that Wilder, writing from childhood memory, only partly understood. 2026’s Little House on the Prairie carefully weaves in the perspectives of the Osage Nation, expanding the scope of the series beyond the limited viewpoint of the Ingalls family. The series also reintroduces a very important character from Wilder’s book series: Dr. George Tann, the Black doctor who saved the Ingalls from malaria, who was omitted from the original television series. With his reintroduction into the narrative, Netflix’s series is able to touch upon Black life on the American frontier, which was far more vibrant than its often narrow portrayal within the Western genre.
Netflix’s ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Cast Makes the Series Feel Whole
While much goes into adapting a novel series — and even more into remaking an American classic — none of those laborious efforts really matter if the series’ cast is not up to snuff. With a series like Little House on the Prairie, where the diminutives “Ma and Pa” almost immediately invoke memories of Michael Landon and Karen Grassle in the roles, Netflix managed to strike gold with its casting for the couple. Crosby Fitzgerald and Luke Bracey breathe new life into Charles and Caroline Ingalls, elevating an already top-tier script that doesn’t shy away from the conflict a couple might face on the frontier. Caroline may be quiet and patient, but she is a fierce defender of her family and madly in love with her husband. While Charles may be the one to physically build the family’s iconic log cabin outside Independence, Kansas, Caroline is the supporting beam that keeps the family together.
Little House on the Prairie gives Bracey a far more expansive backstory to work with as Charles, delving into both trauma from personal losses and the mysterious reasons that send the Ingalls out west to begin with. While Charles is undeniably a man of the time, it doesn’t stop him from having the soul of a poet, musician, and storyteller. That trait is passed down to the couple’s daughter, Laura (Alice Halsey), whom the series still positions as the narrator of the story. Together with her sister Mary (Skywalker Hughes), audiences are invited to see what life on the frontier looks like for two girls who are, at times, at odds with their situation. Mary wants to grow up and court boys and make friends, while Laura chases after anyone who might add color to the stories she tells.
It’s through its ensemble that Little House on the Prairie gets to really explore the themes that made the books such seminal literature for many generations of children. Beyond the Ingalls, Little House on the Prairie also adds greater depth to John Edwards (Warren Christie), a character who was largely defined as a gruff, man-of-few-words type in the original series. Here, Sonnenshine redefines Mr. Edwards as a Civil War veteran haunted by tragedy and poorly coping with what we now recognize as PTSD. Across the first season, Edwards is given room to evolve as a character, and his friendship with Charles and the care that he extends to the Ingalls girls is one of the best parts of the series. While it is a departure from how he was originally portrayed, it is more in line with Wilder’s unreliable narration of Mr. Edwards in the novels, where he becomes an amalgamation of many different people the Ingalls encountered throughout their journey.
The aforementioned Dr. Tann (Jocko Sims) exists far beyond the restrictions of merely being the doctor who saves the Ingalls’ lives. His relationship with Emily Henderson (Barrett Doss) may be a secondary plotline to the overarching story, but it will leave audiences wishing that the Ingalls would stay in Independence, leaving the conclusion to their romance open-ended. If Netflix’s Little House on the Prairie has a single fault, it is the fact that it makes you fall in love with characters who aren’t able to continue on the Ingalls’ journey with them.
This is undeniably felt when it comes to those who are involved with the Osage Nation, too. Meegwun Fairbrother‘s performance as William Mitchell is a true standout, particularly as William struggles with the contention between the two sides of his identity. Rounding out this new cast is William’s wife, White Sun (Alyssa Wapanatâhk), and their daughter Good Eagle (Wren Zhawenim Gotts), the latter of which becomes an integral part of Laura’s life in Independence and a window through which she can understand the Osage and grapple with why the Ingalls are at odds with them. The Osage storyline is perhaps the most poignant element of the Netflix series, especially as it gracefully reminds audiences that the Ingalls aren’t the only ones who live on stolen land.
It’s No Surprise ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Has Already Been Renewed for Season 2
Shortly after the first trailer for the series dropped, historical costuming aficionados were quick to praise the series for its commitment to historical accuracy, and costume designer Mitchell Travers has indeed achieved something that few other series depicting rural life in any period of time have done. That level of detail extends far beyond just the costuming. Throughout the course of the series, the town of Independence grows and changes, reflecting the slow growth of the community across a span of seasons, and that change is visible in the set pieces and props, both close to the camera and in the deep background. All of these small details help to build a fully realized world that feels tactile and familiar, in the same way that the book series inspired a generation of children to pretend they were a member of the Ingalls family traveling across the American frontier.
Netflix’s Little House on the Prairie upholds the feel-good nature of the original series, delivering a serialized story that will leave audiences desperate to find out what transpires in the next episode. While it is very much a wholesome family epic, it still understands that a homespun story can push boundaries and make the audience engage with the material at hand more seriously. Whether it’s conflict between the settlers and the Osage, bouts of life-threatening illness, childbirth on the prairie, town-threatening fires, or quarrels between children, Sonnenshine and her team treat each plotline with the same deft care, underscoring why Little House on the Prairie is such an enduring story.
After watching the entirety of Season 1, it’s no surprise that the series was renewed for a second season long before it was even made available to critics to review; there’s a confidence that is felt across every aspect of the production, from the actors to the creative team to everyone working behind the scenes. Little House on the Prairie is sure to be an instant hit for Netflix, and with any luck, it will live on for many more seasons, just as the original series did. While gritty Westerns like American Primeval will always remind audiences of the high-stakes brutality entwined with westward expansion, Little House on the Prairie presents the era through the eyes of a child who understands the importance of community, family, and friendship.
Little House on the Prairie is now streaming on Netflix.
Little House on the Prairie
An incredibly faithful adaptation of a beloved series.
- Release Date
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July 9, 2026
- Network
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Netflix
- Directors
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Kat Candler, Julie Anne Robinson, Sydney Freeland, Sarah Adina Smith, Erica Tremblay
- The series masterfully incorporates primary source-led history to expand the narrative, beautifully weaving in the perspectives of the Osage Nation and reintroducing crucial historical figures like Dr. George Tann.
- Netflix struck gold with Crosby Fitzgerald and Luke Bracey, who bring incredible depth and new life to the iconic roles of Charles and Caroline Ingalls.
- Secondary characters like Mr. Edwards are given far more expansive and nuanced backstories, allowing them to meaningfully evolve over the course of the season.
- The series successfully upholds the wholesome, feel-good family quality of the original while remaining confident enough to tackle high-stakes, serious frontier conflicts with deft care.
- The show features an extraordinary commitment to historical accuracy, boasting praised costume designs and detailed, tactile set pieces that evolve alongside the town.
A Chris Brown fan shared photographs of her experience at a recent meet & greet online, and they are going viral.
Aisoylina Kelly shared the pictures on Instagram on Sunday, July 5, along with video footage that appears to be from the artist’s ‘R&B’ tour stop in Minneapolis on June 30. Brown’s interaction with Kelly has the internet on fire as folks joke about how much love the “Loyal” singer showed Kelly.
Chris Brown Fan Shares Meet & Greet Pics
Brown is notorious for his fan interactions, and photos from his VIP meet & greets allegedly cost between $1,000 and $5,000. However, the ‘Sensational’ singer reportedly gives his VIP fans every penny’s worth.
The post was captioned, “POV: I finally met the man I’ve been talking about for years. 🥹🤎 #meetandgreetchrisbrown #teambreezy4life #teambreezy #chrisbrown”
Fans Are Hollerin’ After Seeing The Meet & Greet Pictures
The Chris Brown fan photographs had roomies rollin’ after they were shared on TSR Instagram page, and the comments are undefeated.
User @iimjustsj joked, “He even got the studs going crazy. Man is a goat 🐐 😂.”
@danidevito__ added, “Not the studs cuttin up like this 😂.”
@a_shantel wrote, “He almost did a factory reset on her 😂.”
@natural_meee replied, “Studs love Breezy too ! Tf it’s CHRISTOPHER MAURICE !! Helllllloooo 😂😂❤️.”
User @dominiquechinn noted Brown goes in for his fans. “He gives them their money’s worth at his meet and greets 😂.”
@paige.the.babe added, “I think he liked her too cuz he don’t be kissing nobody 😂.”
@juice_0210 joked, “Had them Tim’s inna air ! Chris made ha leave that backpack at home !! IKDRRRR.”
Brown Recently Went Viral After Bringing One Fan Onstage
The 37-year-old recording artist is currently on the road with Usher and ‘The R & B Tour.’ During a recent concert, Brown brought one fan onstage and gave her the VIP treatment as he sang ‘Take You Down.’
Down she went, too, as a shirtless Brown got on top of the fan. He later shared a clip in his Instagram Stories of moment with the caption, “This what yall wanted?”
Judging from his happy fans, Brown seems to have understood the assignment.
RELATED: Caught Up? Fans Are Popping OFF With Reactions To Chris Brown & Usher’s Opening Tour Night (VIDEOS)
What Do You Think Roomies?
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“The Bear” loses some of its growl, “Hacks” picks up lots of acting nods, and more.
Tom Holland recently earned bragging rights over Lupita Nyong’o after England knocked Mexico out of the World Cup.
The two Hollywood stars had backed opposing sides before the clash, with Holland posing with an England shirt while Nyong’o held up Mexico’s jersey.
The viral moment came during a London photocall for Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, “The Odyssey,” where they both star.
Tom Holland appears to have bragging rights over his “The Odyssey” co-star Lupita Nyong’o after England ended Mexico’s World Cup run.
In the build-up to the clash, the pair delighted fans during a promotional photo call for Nolan’s much-anticipated film, with Nyong’o backing Mexico with a green jersey while Holland proudly held up England’s shirt.
Holland’s English roots are well known, while Nyong’o was born in Mexico City to Kenyan parents and has long identified as Kenyan-Mexican.
On the pitch, England backed up Holland’s pick by beating Mexico 3-2 in a dramatic knockout clash at the Azteca Stadium. Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham struck twice in quick succession before Mexico pulled one back, and although England were reduced to 10 men after Jarell Quansah’s red card, Harry Kane’s penalty proved decisive as the Three Lions held on to end Mexico’s run.
Lupita Nyong’o’s Mexico Ties Run Deep
Nyong’o has often spoken about Mexico as a core part of her identity, with Yale noting that she holds dual Kenyan and Mexican citizenship.
The future Academy Award winner was born in Mexico City in 1983 to Kenyan parents, Dorothy and Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, while her family was living outside the East African nation. Her name also reflects that story, as “Lupita” is a Spanish diminutive of Guadalupe.
Although she was raised mainly in Kenya, Nyong’o later returned to Mexico as a teenager to study Spanish, spending several months there and strengthening a cultural link that has followed her throughout her career.
That background has also surfaced on screen, most notably in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” where she spoke Spanish as Nakia and later described the moment as a meaningful gift tied to her Mexican heritage.
Tom Holland And Lupita Nyong’o Were Attending ‘The Odyssey’ Photocall
The England-Mexico jersey moment between Holland and Nyong’o unfolded in London, where the actors were attending a photocall for Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey.” For the event, the cast gathered at Savoy Place on July 5 as part of the film’s promotional rollout.
The event brought out several of the movie’s big names, including Tom Holland, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon, Robert Pattinson, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, Himesh Patel, Samantha Morton, Nolan, and producer Emma Thomas.
While the photocall was mainly designed to spotlight the upcoming Homer-inspired epic, it also took on a World Cup twist when two of its most prominent cast members posed in customized football shirts tied to their characters. Holland, who plays Telemachus, was seen with a No. 10 shirt bearing his character’s name, while Nyong’o, who plays Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra, held a No. 5 “Helen” jersey.
Elon Musk Mocked Nyong’o’s Casting In ‘The Odyssey’
Elon Musk was one of the loudest critics of Nyong’o’s casting in Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” taking issue with her role as Helen of Troy.
Musk claimed Nolan had “lost his integrity” by casting the Oscar-winning actress. The Independent reported that his comments had sparked accusations of racism after he questioned Nyong’o’s suitability for the role of the mythological beauty.
The tech mogul’s criticism was part of a wider online backlash against Nolan’s diverse casting choices, with many objecting to Nyong’o’s portrayals of Helen and Clytemnestra in the classic Greek epic.
Lupita Nyong’o Has No Time For Her ‘Odyssey’ Critics
Nyong’o is not spending her time crafting a defense against critics of her casting in “The Odyssey,” however.
After the criticism that followed the announcement that she would play Helen of Troy and her half-sister, Clytemnestra, the actress appeared to brush off the backlash by reminding the naysayers that “this is a mythological story.”
In an interview with ELLE, she also defended Nolan’s broader vision for the film, saying she supports “Chris’s intention” and the version of the story he is telling.
Nyong’o made it clear she is not interested in debating those opposed to her casting, adding that “the criticism will exist whether I engage with it or not.” Instead, she described the project as part of “the epic narrative of our time.”
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
As a lifelong fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the weirdest thing about Picard was its insistence that the former Enterprise captain and his android subordinate, Data, were just the best of friends. In TNG, Data’s best friend was Geordi LaForge; Picard was somebody he played with on the holodeck when nobody else wanted to watch him play VR Shakespeare. Nonetheless, Picard presented its titular character as best buddies with his former synthetic homie. Maybe Jean-Luc just had dementia; after all, this is the same show where he’s suddenly cool with Starfleet using android slaves, something he helped make illegal decades earlier.
While Picard and Data got a bit closer in the TNG movies (close to a devil’s threesome with a bionic babe, even), they were never in danger of being best friends. Why am I so confident about this? Simple: The Next Generation presents Picard as a man of many hobbies, including literature, archeology, music, and more. Did you know that he tried his hand at art, too? No, you probably didn’t know that, and there’s a specific reason for that. Namely, the one time Picard tried to paint something, Data dunked on it so hard that the captain never picked up a paintbrush again!
Picard The Artist
This story begins with “A Matter of Perspective,” a Season 3 episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s classic Rashomon, we get the same story from multiple perspectives. Basically, Riker is accused of some serious crimes, including assaulting a man’s wife before murdering the man. The Enterprise uses the holodeck to recreate very different scenarios as told by very different people. By the end, Riker is exonerated, and it’s revealed that the man he is accused of murdering actually tried to kill Riker, ultimately dying by his own hands due to a freak accident.
Once the episode gets down to business, there isn’t much time for Picard to engage in any of his hobbies. But in the cold open for “A Matter of Perspective,” the captain is doing something deliciously out of character: creating a painting of a woman who is posing nude for all of the artists in the room. Data arrives to deliver a report to Picard; afterward, he offers his artistic opinion on the work done by Lieutenant Wright, whom he claims “has effectively fused the incongruities of the surrealists with the irrationality of Dadaism.” When he looks at Picard’s own painting, his initial comment is just one word: “interesting.”
Who Arted?
Picard then asks his subordinate the obvious question: “In what way?” With this cue, the android absolutely tears into his superior officer. “While suggesting the free treatment of form usually attributed to Fauvism, this quite inappropriately attempts to juxtapose the disparate cubistic styles of Picasso and Leger,” he said. “In addition, the use of color suggests a haphazard mélange of clashing styles. Furthermore, the unsettling overtones of proto-Vulcan influences–” Picard sarcastically thanks Data, and when the little art critic asks if he can offer any more help, the captain dismisses him.
In the context of “A Matter of Perspective,” this cold open is meant to offer some light humor before we settle into a rather dark and serious episode. But here’s the thing: after Data’s criticism, Picard literally never paints again. Why is that, you think? No need to guess: in a deleted scene, the captain throws red paint at his creation in shame over Data’s criticism. This is a guy who sustained his interest in literature, music, and even archeology for decades, but he gave up his new painting hobby immediately because he never wanted to hear that know-it-all android be rude about his art, ever again.
Data Makes Motel Art
You know the real gutpunch of a punchline? In Picard, one plot point revolves around a painting created by Data, and guess what: as a piece of artwork, it absolutely sucks. There’s no real tension, the symbolism is obvious, and the bland, boring sky takes up over half the image just to serve us warmed-over symbolism. This android destroyed a lifetime of artistic aspirations for Captain Picard only to use his advanced positronic brain to create a badly-lit painting featuring a woman practically floating off the canvas. Maybe I’m being a little too harsh about Data’s creative abilities, though, and I should really acknowledge his limitations.
After all, what were any of us really expecting from AI art?
Blake Lively is reportedly finding it difficult to move on after being absent from Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s star-studded wedding.
The actress, once considered one of the pop superstar’s closest friends, was notably missing from the ceremony amid ongoing speculation about a fallout between the pair.
Insiders claim the omission was a reminder of how much their relationship has changed, with reports suggesting tensions stemming from Blake Lively’s recent legal drama permanently damaged their friendship.
Lively is said to be struggling to come to terms with being absent from Swift’s MSG wedding, with sources claiming the snub has left her reflecting on how much her life and friendships have changed in recent months.
While Swift and Kelce celebrated their wedding surrounded by family, friends, and a host of celebrity guests, Lively and husband Ryan Reynolds spent the holiday weekend supporting their daughter Betty at an equestrian event in Lake Placid, New York.
According to a Star Magazine insider, “Blake did her best to hold her head high through this and act as though it was just any other weekend, but it’s been absolutely devastating for her because it’s forced her to accept that this chapter of her life really is over.”
The reported strain between Lively and Swift has remained a topic of speculation since the singer became linked to the legal dispute involving Lively and her “It Ends With Us” co-star and director Justin Baldoni. Reports last year suggested the longtime friends had become increasingly distant, fueling questions about the future of their relationship.
Blake Lively Reportedly Hoped To Rebuild Friendship With Taylor Swift Before Wedding Snub
Sources claim Lively had quietly hoped there might still be an opportunity to repair the friendship, making her absence from the wedding especially disappointing.
According to one insider, even if “Taylor had invited her, it would have been so awkward because everyone in her world has turned their backs on Blake too.”
The wedding itself reportedly attracted a long list of famous guests, including longtime Swift friends and several celebrities who had once been part of Lively’s wider social circle.
“Seeing Gigi, Cara and all the people she used to be so close to celebrating together without her was a brutal reminder of how much has changed,” the insider said.
Despite the disappointment, Reynolds is reportedly doing his best to support his wife through the situation. Still, sources claim Lively remains concerned about the long-term impact of the fallout “because there’s this underlying fear that this is going to haunt her forever.”
The Actress Was ‘P-ssed’ About Being Snubbed From The Star-Studded Wedding
Lively’s absence from the wedding has only intensified speculation about the state of her friendship with Swift.
Given the reported scale of the celebration, some observers argued it would be difficult to attribute the omission to space constraints.
One source told the Daily Mail that a venue the size of Madison Square Garden could accommodate “more than 20,000 people,” adding, “If Blake isn’t there, nobody can blame a lack of space.”
They noted that Swift’s decision not to invite Lively left the actress feeling “sad” and “p-ssed” over the end of their friendship.
Taylor Swift And Blake Lively’s ‘Friendship Is Done’
Recent reports suggest Swift’s guest list reflected a broader shift in her personal priorities.
According to insiders, the singer is in a “different place now” and wants to surround herself with people she “trusts” and who bring positivity into her life.
While sources acknowledge that Swift and Lively once shared a close bond, some now believe the relationship has reached a point where reconciliation is unlikely, especially for the popstar who is said to have intentionally excluded her former pal from her wedding.
“As far as Taylor’s concerned, their friendship is done,” one insider alleged, per Page Six.
Sources Claim Wedding Decisions Marked A Turning Point In Swift-Lively Rift
The controversy surrounding the Baldoni dispute appears to have played a significant role in the fallout. Court filings drew additional attention when text messages surfaced in which Lively referred to Swift and Reynolds as “my dragons,” a remark that reportedly caused discomfort among some members of the pop star’s circle.
Although Swift reportedly believed at one point that the tension would eventually pass, insiders claim that a series of issues gradually changed her perspective.
“It wasn’t one big thing, it was everything adding up,” a source said, per Page Six. “By the time Taylor was making decisions about the wedding and who she wanted there, she realized she just didn’t want that kind of energy around something so important, and it really was a turning point for her.”
The reported fallout marks a significant change from what was once one of Hollywood’s most celebrated friendships. For more than a decade, Swift and Lively publicly supported one another’s careers, attended major milestones together, and frequently appeared in each other’s social circles.
Now, all that seems to have come to a sad end.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has reportedly shared a request for the public as school officials release statements following the death of Nolan Xavier Wells.
RELATED: UPDATE: Autopsy On Body Of Nolan Xavier Wells Reportedly Scheduled As Internet Users Send Support To His Mom & Family
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Reportedly Shares Request For The Public
According to CBS News, Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter has informed the press that, as the investigation into the death of Nolan Xavier Wells unfolds, his friends have been cooperating with authorities.
“From the people we’ve talked to, it sounds like he chose to stay on the island with the assumption that he was going to ride back to the mainland with someone else,” Ledbetter explained.
In addition to the help from Wells’ apparent friends, the office is reportedly asking members of the public to reach out if they saw the 18-year-old while he was on Horn Island. Or if they had any direct interaction with him while they were on the island themselves. Per the outlet, the office is requesting “original, unedited photos and videos taken on the northwest tip of Horn Island.”
Specifically, the office would like photos or videos that show “alleged altercations or containing images of, or believed to include Nolan Wells.”
Furthermore, the office is also looking for individuals who “observed or heard an argument, disturbance, or other unusual activity while on the island that day” to come forward.
“What we have to go on in an investigation is original documentation and firsthand knowledge. One barrier we have is social media. We are in the process of documenting, verifying, and corroborating all that information. We have to authenticate everything,” Ledbetter reportedly stated in regard to previous tips stemming from floating social media posts, per the SunHerald.
Witnesses are encouraged to call the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department at 228-769-3065.
School Officials Release Statements Following Death Of Nolan Xavier Wells
According to WLOX, Nolan Xavier Wells was a “2025 graduate and multi-sport athlete” at Ocean Springs High School. In 2025, he had reportedly spoken to the outlet about continuing his football career at Southwest Mississippi Community College.
“It’s truly a blessing being here with some of my best friends and teammates, and most of us are all going to college together. It’s just truly a blessing,” Wells had said at the time.
Now, Jake Bramlett, the Ocean Springs Head Football Coach, shared a statement about his passing.
“We are devastated by Nolan’s passing. He was the kind of son, teammate, friend, and student that every coach hopes to have in a program. Nolan was so much more than an outstanding football player. He carried himself with humility, treated others with respect, worked hard, and led by example. His character spoke louder than his accomplishments, and he was loved deeply by his teammates and coaches. Our football family is grieving alongside Nolan’s parents, family, friends, classmates, teammates, and all who loved him.”
Additionally, Dr. Jacob Dykes, the Ocean Springs High School Principal, shared a statement:
“Nolan was a remarkable student, teammate, and brother. He will be remembered as an extremely kind and hardworking young man who left a lasting impression on his teachers, coaches, teammates, and community. Our thoughts are with his family and the many people he made a lasting impact on around him.”
Furthermore, Southwest Mississippi Community College also issued a statement following the discovery of Wells’ body. The college noted Wells as an “exemplary student, athlete, friend, and teammate.” Additionally, it noted that “professional counselors” and “local ministers” will be available as Wells’ teammates and friends return to campus.
More On The Discovery & Investigation Into Death Of Nolan Xavier Wells
As The Shade Room previously reported, news of Nolan Xavier Wells’ disappearance after visiting Horn Island on July 4 surfaced earlier this week. At the time, photos showed that he had reportedly traveled to the island with white friends. This, as the only Black teen.
By Monday, July 6, Wells’ body was discovered as conversation ensued about Black safety in white spaces. Since then, friends of the 18-year-old have spoken out as an autopsy was reportedly conducted on his body on Tuesday, July 7.
RELATED: What To Know About Horn Island, Where Nolan Xavier Wells Was Reportedly Last Seen Alive (PHOTOS + VIDEO)
More recently, Christine Wonsley, Nolan Wells’ mother, has been active on social media, mourning her son and sharing family photos. This, as she and her relatives reportedly retain civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump as the investigation into her son’s death unfolds.
RELATED: Family Of Nolan Xavier Wells Retains Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump As Investigation Into His Death Continues (UPDATE)
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Was the 1970s the best decade for music? Maybe. It’s not actually something that has to be answered here, necessarily, but it is relevant in the sense that it makes picking any selection of great songs from the decade in question potentially harder than it might be for other decades. There was a lot of rock, pop, soul, and yes, even some disco music, plus some other genres, and many of them arguably peaked in the 1970s.
The best thing to do would be not to undertake something like this in the first place. But there are bills to pay, and food to buy. The undertaking is happening. So, the second-best thing to do is pick songs that are largely well-regarded, but perhaps also personally favored by the person picking them. Being objective here is harder than usual, as there is an unfathomable number of songs that could be picked here. But these ones are all great. They’re among the best songs of the 1970s, and to keep things varied, there’s a limit of one song per artist.
10
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” (1970)
Simon & Garfunkel
“Bridge over Troubled Water” was the title track for what ended up being the final studio album by Simon & Garfunkel. It’s the duo’s only one of the 1970s, though in the case of “Bridge over Troubled Water,” the song, it was recorded in 1969, and then released within the first few weeks of the new decade. It’s a grand ballad, and has an incredible crescendo that builds over almost five minutes.
It’s Simon & Garfunkel’s peak, which is saying a lot, considering how many memorable songs the duo recorded throughout their relatively short partnership. “Bridge over Troubled Water” is simple with what it goes for lyrically, but it’s all in the execution that makes it genuinely work. And, credit to Art Garfunkel, whose post-Simon & Garfunkel work does sometimes get overshadowed by Paul Simon’s, but Garfunkel’s lead vocals in this song are incredible.
9
“Ambulance Blues” (1974)
Neil Young
This is going to be the closest to an out there pick, in this whole ranking, but “Ambulance Blues” really does feel like it might be Neil Young’s single best song, and he had an especially great run throughout the 1970s, so he’s worthy of inclusion here. This track concludes the heavy-going album On the Beach, and spans almost nine minutes, doing for this album what Bob Dylan’s “Desolation Row” did for Highway 61 Revisited.
Or, for another Dylan comparison, it’s to On the Beach what “Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands” is to Blonde on Blonde. Having a downbeat epic at the close of a folk rock album just feels right. The melancholy, musically and lyrically, in “Ambulance Blues” is hard to put into words, but you know it when you hear and feel it. It’s the ideal showcase for Young’s abilities as a singer-songwriter.
8
“Stairway to Heaven” (1971)
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin’s fourth album is the band’s best, and part of that comes down to it being the album with “Stairway to Heaven” on it. If you’ve only ever heard a single Led Zeppelin song, it was probably this one. And it is another long song, so at least if you’re in that camp, you’ve maybe heard the equivalent of two or three Led Zeppelin songs through the act of listening to “Stairway to Heaven.”
It’s also a great marriage of all the sounds and styles Led Zeppelin had explored throughout their first few albums.
It’s another slow build of a song, a bit like “Bridge over Troubled Water,” and that’s a big factor in no one really minding the fact that it goes on for about eight minutes. It’s also a great marriage of all the sounds and styles Led Zeppelin had explored throughout their first few albums, since you get the slower, almost folkier sound of the band on display in the first half of the song, and then things sound more and more like hard rock as the second half of the song progresses.
7
“Dreams” (1977)
Fleetwood Mac
There are no misses to be found on Rumours, and so it’s understandably an album with an enduring legacy that showcases Fleetwood Mac at its best. Picking a highlight from an album packed with highlights is hard, but why not “Dreams?” This is one of the mellower songs on the album, and it’s also got lyrics that most impactfully summarize what the band members were (somewhat notoriously) going through at the time.
“Dreams” is easy to listen to, and kind of relaxing, if you’re not listening too much to the lyrics, but then that relative calmness gets a whole lot sadder, once you do. Other Fleetwood Mac songs might feel a bit more high-energy or rock-oriented, sure, but “Dreams” is still one of the band’s very best tracks because of how much it nails what it’s going for, and because what it’s going for is quite distinct, even for a bittersweet album like Rumours.
6
“Move On Up” (1970)
Curtis Mayfield
One of the most energetic songs of not just the 1970s, but maybe all time, “Move On Up” is also as good as feel-good songs get. It’s also best experienced in its original/extended form, on Curtis Mayfield’s debut album, called Curtis, because while the single version still has a good deal of what makes the song so great, the version that goes for nearly nine minutes is more special.
The lyrics and uplifting message of the song are retained, when it gets shortened, but the lengthy instrumental outro is energizing and uplifting in a different sort of way. Also, an honorable mention should go out to another 1971 soul song that almost made the cut: Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.” It moved on out, to make way for “Move On Up.” And “Move On Up” might not be as famous, but it’s arguably even better.
5
“Born to Run” (1975)
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen called his autobiography Born to Run, which does help support the idea that it’s his defining song. Well, Born to Run is also the name of his third studio album, and that album overall does a great job at encapsulating Springsteen, as an artist, and the same can be said of its title track, albeit more directly. It summarizes the youthful energy Bruce Springsteen had early on in just four and a half minutes.
In that sense, it’s a good song to name the album after, and then a good title to also use for an autobiography. Everything’s here, and sure, Springsteen would explore different sounds later on in his career, as he matured and experimented a bit more, but the Springsteen of the 1970s – and maybe into the early 1980s – is the one you hear at his Springsteen-iest on “Born to Run,” his (potentially) forever definitive song.
4
“Heart of Glass” (1978)
Blondie
With “Heart of Glass,” Blondie just dove right into disco, instead of, like, merely flirting with it or something. It has a bit of a pop/rock sound, too, or maybe it’s new wave, but whatever it is, it sounds amazing. You’d think it would sound a bit dated alongside being kind of amazing, but this really isn’t a guilty pleasure or anything. Instead, it’s just a pleasure (to listen to).
It’s the highlight of Parallel Lines which, as an album, is the highlight of Blondie’s entire discography. Musically, it’s unreal how well “Heart of Glass” works, and then it’s got some very sharp lyrics, too. It’s the full package, and it almost makes you wish Blondie had done an entire album with this sort of disco sound, since the band just got it that right. But, then again, Parallel Lines wouldn’t be quite as special as it is if it hadn’t been so wonderfully eclectic.
3
“Layla” (1970)
Derek and the Dominos
Bands don’t get much more short-lived than Derek and the Dominos, since there was a grand total of one Derek and the Dominos album: Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. And, yes, “Layla” was the highlight of that album. The other assorted love songs are worthy of attention, because it is a pretty great album, but “Layla” is next-level, and is also more about desperation – and maybe obsession – than it is love.
Like “Move on Up,” “Layla” would still work as a passionate pop song if you just listened to the first half, but the instrumental second half is just as important, emotionally speaking, even if the “narrative” as far as the lyrics go is contained within the first half. At the risk of sounding corny, though, the guitar and piano part in the second half does continue telling a story, just without words. You do really feel it, though (again, sorry about the potential corniness). Be a good fella and listen to this one, why don’t you?
2
“Dancing Queen” (1976)
ABBA
Oh no, a second disco song has intruded onto this ranking. But it’s “Dancing Queen” by ABBA, and, like, come on. You can’t really hate “Dancing Queen” by ABBA. This is one of those precious few pop songs that’s so good, even if you hear it hundreds of times without necessarily going out of your way to listen to it, it’s unlikely to ever get old. Plenty of other great songs can eventually get tiresome, but not “Dancing Queen.”
It’s another instance of a band’s best song appearing on what’s probably their best album: in this case, Arrival. The only times “Dancing Queen” might be kind of annoying is if you’re exposed to too many of the covers. There are so many covers. They’re all inferior, and they’re all likely to make you wish you were just listening to the ABBA version instead. And that ABBA version really is flawless. Dread it. Run from it. Try to resist it. “Dancing Queen” arrives all the same.
1
“Heroes” (1977)
David Bowie
There was an argument to be made that “Born to Run” summed up a good deal of Bruce Springsteen’s career and appeal in one song, but it’s harder to say that about “Heroes” and David Bowie, even if it is probably the legendary artist’s very best song. It comes down to Bowie having too many eras, styles, sounds, and personas. “Heroes” can, at most, be cited as the pinnacle of his Berlin Trilogy (Low, Heroes, and then Lodger, all released in the late 1970s).
Maybe the better comparison is that it’s Bowie’s “Stairway to Heaven,” but even then, that song captures and summarizes a lot of Led Zeppelin. “Heroes” is just a very small piece of Bowie’s discography, and maybe even just a small piece of what he was capable of. Still, what a piece. And what a song. What else needs to – or can – be said? “Heroes” is “Heroes.”
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