The sports romance genre has taken television audiences by storm lately. Much of the success of these shows stems from the books they’re based on. First, we had the buzz surrounding HBO Max’s Heated Rivalry, based on the Game Changers series by Rachel Reid. Then, Off Campus put a different spin on the adrenaline-filled world of hockey, adapted from the book series of the same name by Elle Kennedy. While fans wait for both shows to return with their second seasons, there’s one new sports fantasy romance that combines Off Campus‘ fake-dating trope and the competitive dynamic at the heart of Heated Rivalry with the fantastical world of Fourth Wing — and it’s totally perfect for a television adaptation.

What Is ‘The Winged Game’ About?

The Winged Game, by Sophie Kim, revolves around the sport of carriwitchet (think Quidditch, but with dragons, wyverns, and stymphalian birds), and its two most famous players, Taissa Cho and Kion Locke. They used to be each other’s biggest rivals in the sport, but when Kion accuses Taissa of cheating, she’s subsequently kicked out of the league. When the book starts, Taissa has lost everything, but her life gets flipped upside down when Kion comes back into the picture. His team has experienced two years of embarrassing losses, and he needs to recruit the once-brilliant Taissa to help. The team’s publicist insists that the best PR would be to pretend they’re dating, but the only problem is that the two hate each other with an intense, fiery passion. Once Taissa and Kion reluctantly agree to the plan, of course, sparks start to fly as they become closer.

This plot would be exciting enough for a romance novel, but the fantasy aspect comes into play when the winged animals in the league develop a mysterious and dangerous illness. Taissa and Kion join forces to figure out what might be afflicting the animals, who can communicate with their owners, just like in Fourth Wing. The duo ends up embarking on a perilous journey filled with all types of fantastical figures, including fairies, vampires, werewolves, and demons. Can they figure out how to save both their winged friends and the entire sport of carriwitchet as their fake relationship starts to become all too real?

‘The Winged Game’ TV Adaptation Would Be a Fast-Paced, Fantastical Ride

Image via Penguin Random House

The Winged Game is packed with television-worthy elements, from twists and turns in the storytelling, powerful relationships between the characters, and a fantastical sport that can be brought to life with state-of-the-art CGI and special effects. Of course, the story is built around the enemies-to-lovers and fake-romance tropes, just like in Off Campus. There’s plenty of spicy action, just like in Heated Rivalry, to satisfy viewers who like romance with some heat. And there are fantasy elements, like in Fourth Wing, that would make the series all the more entertaining to watch. It’s easy to see the adaptation being cast with fresh faces, too. Someone like Arden Cho, Lana Condor, or Leah Lewis could play Taissa, while Joshua Bassett, Josh Heuston, or Gavin Leatherwood could take on the raven-haired Kion.

There’s indeed a Fourth Wing adaptation on the way, which could serve as some competition, but that fantasy doesn’t have a relatable, contemporary setting or the sports romance element that The Winged Game does. Fourth Wing has also had a slow start to production, so The Winged Game could easily swoop in and find a devoted audience right away. If nothing else, you should check out the book for yourself so that you can dive right into its thrilling, addictive world while waiting for the adaptation rights to get snatched up.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 8 seconds ago

For horror fans, it’s been one hell of a summer. Blockbusters like The Mandalorian and Grogu and Supergirl flopped while spooky movies made money hand over fist. One of the most successful scary movies was Backrooms, which made horror history: 19-year-old Kane Parsons became the youngest director to have a movie debut at number one at the box office. The success of both Parsons and his film helped cement A24, the studio behind Backrooms, as a champion of creativity and independent art. Unfortunately, they just decided to torch that reputation for the most predictable reason of all: money.

On July 15, a Reddit user posted seeming proof that his Backrooms-inspired shirt had been yanked off of Redbubble because of a copyright strike from “A24 Films, LLC.” The problem here is that the user wasn’t selling an image from Parsons’ film; rather, it was an image from the original viral image that kicked off the whole Backrooms craze. Other users made similar claims that their Backrooms art and games have been taken down by A24. Now, the latest wrinkle in this bizarre tale? Parsons himself convinced the studio to drop its copyright claims, effectively giving the hottest horror IP back to the fans who made it.

A Haunting Betrayal

At first glance, it may not seem that surprising that A24 went after creators who are profiting off Backrooms. After all, they just released a film of that same name, one that quickly established itself as one of the biggest movies of the summer. It only makes sense for the studio to protect its IP, right? However, A24 doesn’t actually own Backrooms; they only own the interpretation they hired Kane Parsons to correct. When news of the copyright claims first began circulating on the internet, it caused fans to ask the obvious question: how does the studio have legal standing to copyright Backrooms projects that have nothing to do with the film?

A24 has very deep pockets (never forget, it was created by finance bros), causing fear that nobody affected would dare to sue the company. That would effectively create a chilling effect, preventing future creators from making money on their own interpretations of the viral Backrooms concept. It’s a concept that is effectively owned by fans, and the studio had no right to threaten other content creators with copyright claims. At least, that’s the sentiment shared by Backrooms fans all around the world. It’s also one shared by the last person anyone would expect: Backrooms director Kane Parsons! When he learned what the studio was allegedly doing, he made a promise on Reddit: “I’m looking into this. Should not be happening.”

Kane Parsons Bites The Hand That Feeds Him

Incredibly, it seems that Parsons spoke to the studio, and his pleas were successful. Recently, A24 very publicly backed down from any attempts to threaten Backrooms content that had nothing to do with the movie. In a statement, the studio wrote the following: “A24 makes no claim of ownership over the yellow wallpaper, the original post referencing it, or any of the community works that have since been built around it.” The statement ended with an expression of solidarity for future creators. “We will continue to support the artists who, like Kane, were inspired by it.” 

Thankfully, all’s well that ends well: very soon after users began complaining about these copyright strikes, Kane Parsons himself intervened, getting A24 to back down from their crusade against the fans. However, this incident will be remembered for a long time by fans who once revered the studio. A24 established itself as one of the greatest creators of smart horror films, and the success of Backrooms made them seem like champions of young voices with fresh ideas. But between the company’s recent AI partnership with Google and the recent alleged attempts to copyright material they don’t even own, the studio has seemingly become the greatest enemy of actual creatives.

The ultimate spooky auteur studio being far scarier than anything they have created? Now, that’s what I call elevated horror!

He may have had an uncontroversial start to fatherhood, but Jelly Roll has always prioritized his family.

The country singer welcomed his first child, daughter Bailee Ann, with ex-girlfriend Felicia in 2008. At the time, Jelly Roll (real name Jason DeFord) was serving a prison sentence for a drug dealing conviction.

“A guard knocks on my cell door midafternoon during lockdown. He goes, ‘You had a kid today,’” he told Billboard in June 2023. “I’ve never had nothing in life that urged me in the moment to know that I had to do something different. I have to figure this out right now.”

After learning about Bailee’s arrival, Jelly Roll vowed that he would be there for his daughter. Eight years later, the musician welcomed son Noah Buddy with ex Melisa.

That same month he became a father to Noah, Jelly Roll tied the knot with Bunnie Xo. While the pair do not share children, Jelly Roll has credited Bunnie as the reason why he was able to be a better father.

“You’re talking about a woman that came in and took a child that was soon to be born and a child that [we were] soon to have full custody of,” he said to Billboard. “I would have never got custody of my daughter without her. I wouldn’t have had the stability or the money.”

In June 2026, news broke that Jelly Roll had quietly filed for divorce from Bunnie after nearly 10 years of marriage, and the paperwork was finalized the next month.

Keep scrolling to get to know Jelly Roll’s family:

Bunnie Xo

Jelly Roll and Bunnie met in 2015 at one of the musician’s shows in Las Vegas. The following year, the couple eloped at the city’s famous Little White Wedding Chapel.

“It takes a special kind of woman to raise a kid that isn’t her child and still treat the child as if she was. Bunnie is that special woman, outside of the social media, outside of the podcast, and all the business endeavors she does and helps me with, Bunnie is a beautiful soul,” Jelly Roll wrote via Facebook alongside a photo of his wife with his daughter in May 2020. “She is kind, patient and caring. Over the years watching her relationship with Bailee blossom into this beautiful mother daughter bond that it has become has been nothing short of magical.”

In May 2026, Jelly Roll quietly submitted divorce paperwork in Tennessee, Us Weekly confirmed the following month. He listed their date of separation as May 9, 2026, and cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the split.

Us confirmed in July 2026 that the country singer had finalized his divorce from Bunnie.

Bailee Ann

In 2017, Jelly Roll and Bunnie got custody of Bailee while her mother struggled with drug addiction. During a February 2024 appearance on her stepmom’s “Dumb Blonde” podcast, Bailee opened up about her struggles while she lived with her mom.

“I was still smoking a lot and doing whatever but I wasn’t doing coke anymore because my mom wasn’t around,” the teen recalled, while Bunnie noted her stepdaughter didn’t have access to harder drugs while her mother was not present. “Why would I? Didn’t have access, didn’t have need.”

While performing at Stagecoach in April 2024, Jelly Roll brought his daughter out on stage for her birthday.

“I don’t wanna put her on blast, but my baby girl is 15 years old, and in like 10 days, she’ll be 16 years old,” he told the crowd at the music festival. “I see some of y’all little cowboys getting smiles, stop it. I’m looking at you. I see you.”

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Noah Buddy

Jelly Roll announced the arrival of his son in August 2016. “God Bless this Child to be everything I am not! Noah Buddy DeFord!” he wrote via Facebook at the time. “I pray he nor Bailee ever have to pay for their father’s sins. I’ll post more pics tomorrow.”

Seven years later, Noah made his debut on his stepmother’s social media page. (Bunnie later shared that she got permission from Noah’s mom to put the little one on camera.)

“My name is Noah and my favorite color is red,” he said in a July 2023 TikTok video.

Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo were candid about their relationship ahead of their shocking 2026 divorce.

News broke in June 2026 that Jelly Roll (real name Jason Bradley DeFord) filed for divorce from Bunnie Xo (real name Alisa Andrea Carter) one month prior. In court documents obtained by Us Weekly, Jelly Roll listed the pair’s date of separation as May 9 and cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason behind their split.

Jelly Roll went on to propose in his filing that he and Bunnie Xo have “an equitable division of the parties’ assets” and apportion “responsibility for payment of the parties’ debts.”

Us confirmed in July 2026 that the exes had quietly finalized their divorce.

Related: Jelly Roll Breaks His Silence After Filing for Divorce From Bunnie Xo

Jelly Roll has broken his silence on his divorce from Bunnie Xo after nearly 10 years of marriage. Speaking on stage, Jelly Roll, 41, publicly addressed his split from Bunnie, 46, at his Saratoga Springs, New York tour leg on Thursday, June 18. “I wasn’t going to talk about this tonight, but while we’re talking […]

Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo were married for nearly a decade. While the pair did not share any children of their own, Jelly Roll became a dad when he welcomed daughter Bailee Ann in 2008 with ex-girlfriend Felicia Beckwith. He also welcomed son Noah Buddy in 2016 with ex Melisa Ann Cowell.

Scroll down to see more of Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo’s quotes about their relationship before divorce:

Jelly Roll Admits Affair During Bunnie Xo Relationship Was 1 of His ‘Worst Moments’

In 2025, Jelly Roll recalled a moment of infidelity while in a relationship with Bunnie Xo.

“One of the worst moments of my adulthood was when I had an affair on my wife,” he admitted during an October 2025 episode of the “Human School” podcast. “Because it was the first time that I was like, ‘I really can’t get this right at all. I know I’m in love with this woman.’ It just really, really, really blew me back.”

Jelly Roll explained that he put in “a lot of work to repair” their connection, which led to them being “stronger than we could have ever been.”

He added, “I wish our story would’ve went in the way that it never had an affair. I’m proud of who we are today. I truly am.”

Related: Jelly Roll’s Daughter Breaks Silence Over Dad and Bunnie Xo’s Split

Jelly Roll‘s daughter, Bailee Ann DeFord, has spoken out about her father filing for divorce from Bunnie Xo after nearly 10 years of marriage. Bailee Ann, 18, took to TikTok on Tuesday, June 16, to comment on the news after it made headlines one day prior. “I am disgusted at how invested everyone is in […]

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The next year, Bunnie Xo reflected on the moment during an interview with Us, saying it was “hard” to move on from the “betrayal.”

“I don’t think anybody can just snap out of it. It is a process. You’re literally grieving and you’re heartbroken, but you’re still in love with this person. Even though the affair is a part of the book, it’s not our story,” she explained in January 2026. “It’s literally what catapulted us into who we are today and I think that readers need to definitely consume it, chew on it and think about it. But they also see what we’ve made from that entire situation. It completely changed who we are as humans and how we looked at love.”

She continued, “We didn’t know how to love each other properly. We both were raised in opposite households but weren’t taught how to love correctly. A lot of that gets brushed over, [but] as a child, he wasn’t taught how to love properly and I wasn’t taught how to love or receive love.”

Jelly Roll Gets Candid About Intimacy Changes Since Weight Loss

Jelly Roll reflected on his 200-pound weight loss and how it has affected his intimate relationship with Bunnie Xo.

“I feel like I’m a teenager, dog,” Jelly Roll told Men’s Health in a January profile. “I have the sex drive of a 17-year-old again. I’m f***ing pouncing on my wife. We’re having daytime sex again. It’s f***ing awesome. [Before the weight loss] my testosterone level — and I’m cool to talk about this openly — was of a preteen boy.”

Jelly Roll Talks ‘Secret to Success’ in Bunnie Xo Marriage

In February 2026, Jelly Roll exclusively told Us the relationship secrets between him and Bunnie Xo.

“The secret to success is, one, not taking anything too serious [and] having conversations,” he said at a pre-Grammys gala. “What happens in that bedroom matters a lot. Those private conversations — and that other stuff.”

Jelly Roll Addresses Claims Bunnie Xo Is a ‘Gold Digger’

In a March 2026 interview with Taste of Country Nights, Jelly Rill addressed claims that Bunnie Xo is a “gold digger.”

“I love it when they call her a gold digger. She hates it. It just flames her up,” Jelly Roll said, before explaining why he finds it funny. “But it just tickles me absolutely pink because when I met her. I was homeless living out of a 1996 conversion van, so if anyone was digging for gold it was I, Popeye. I was couch-surfing and made it to the bedroom.”

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Bunnie Xo Claps Back at Jelly Roll Split Rumors

In 2025, Bunnie Xo slammed speculation that she and Jelly Roll were headed toward a split.

“Someone said the other day, ‘They used to always be together, and now you never see them together,’” she said on her “Dumb Blonde” podcast in August 2025. “I’m like, ‘Do you guys not know that for the past six months [that] I’ve been trying to make a baby?’”

Bunnie Xo Talks IVF Journey With Jelly Roll

The duo had been candid about pursuing in vitro fertilization to have a child together. “This journey with IVF, we sat down a couple months ago,” Bunnie Xo said on her “Dumb Blonde” podcast in August 2025. “And I was just like, I feel like I’ve accomplished so much in my life. And the only thing that’s left is to raise a baby and garden. I’m in my baby mama [and] gardening era.”

Anna Wintour turned Centre Court into her own front row, proving once again that Wimbledon isn’t just about tennis — it’s one of fashion’s biggest runways, too. Her flowing floral maxi dress immediately stole our attention, serving up the perfect mix of timeless elegance and effortless luxury. Naturally, we couldn’t resist hunting down a budget-friendly version.

During the July 10, 2026, Wimbledon Championships, the former Vogue editor-in-chief arrived in a swirling blue-and-green floral maxi dress, pairing it with her signature sleek bob, oversized sunglasses and a statement necklace. The look was classic Wintour — cool, considered and quietly luxurious. While her dress appears to be a custom S.S.Daley design (a.k.a. the same brand recently sported by Harry Styles on stage), we found a $40 floral maxi that looks just as luxe.

Get the Prettygarden Floral V Neck Maxi Dress for just $40 (Was $50) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, July 16, 2026, but are subject to change.

The Prettygarden Floral V Neck Maxi Dress captures the same polished feel without the designer price tag. It features a flattering V-neckline, long sleeves and a flowy A-line skirt that creates beautiful movement. It also has pockets, comes in sizes S through XXL and is available in several floral prints, including a blue-and-green option that closely mirrors Anna’s Wimbledon color palette.

Related: Jennifer Lopez’s $750 Designer Blouse Has a $32 Lookalike

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Jennifer Lopez has a knack for making romantic, bohemian pieces feel effortlessly chic. Her latest designer pick is no exception, proving that soft ruffles, breezy sleeves and feminine details are just as stylish this summer as ever. The only downside? Her Zimmermann blouse comes with a $750 price tag. While strolling through Paris on July […]

It’s clearly a hit with shoppers, too. The dress has earned more than 1,300 five-star ratings on Amazon, with one reviewer praising its “gorgeous vibrant colors” that “really stand out in person.” Another buyer said the “details and textures” make it “seem high-end,” making it an easy pick for anyone who loves an expensive-looking style on a budget.

We’d finish the look with oversized sunglasses, a statement necklace and simple sandals or neutral heels, just like Anna did. Whether you’re headed to a summer wedding, a garden party, brunch or even a winery weekend, this is the kind of dress that looks polished with very little styling. The long sleeves also make it easy to wear into early fall.

If Wintour’s signature Wimbledon style has you dreaming of a Royal Box-worthy wardrobe, this $40 Amazon find is an easy way to recreate the look for less. It delivers the same elegant floral energy without the luxury price, making it one of our favorite celebrity-inspired finds of the season.

Obsessed with Anna Wintour’s floral maxi? Scroll our favorite lookalikes below!

Shop more blue and green floral dresses that we love:

Not your style? Explore more floral dresses here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

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Related: Kate Middleton’s White Midi Dress Has Me Rethinking Bold Prints

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I’ve spent most of the summer reaching for bright florals and colorful prints, but Kate Middleton just made a strong case for going back to basics. Her latest white midi dress feels timeless and elegant, and the look is surprisingly easy to recreate. Now I’m seriously considering swapping my bold summer patterns for crisp white […]

Desiigner was arrested again for domestic violence on Wednesday, July 15. The rapper reportedly chased a woman with a hammer while she was holding a baby. The incident reportedly happened in Conway, South Carolina. The artist, whose real name is Sidney Royel Selby III, was charged with domestic violence, malicious injury to animals, and property damage.

RELATED: Desiigner Discusses Self-Healing After Revealing Why He Exposed Himself On An International Flight (WATCH)

Desiigner Arrested For Chasing A Woman With A Hammer

According to WBTW, officers from the Horry County Police Department responded to a disturbance at a home on Arbor Ridge Circle in Conway. Upon arrival, a woman told the police that she and Desiigner were arguing about him taking televisions off the wall.

The woman said that the ‘Panda’ artist snatched her cell phones and smashed them with a hammer. The incident caused her to grab her child and run outside to call for help. Selby then allegedly grabbed her on the neighbor’s lawn and threw her to the ground while she was holding their baby. Desiigner also reportedly took her purse and threw it over the fence. The woman then got up, ran into the neighbor’s house and locked herself in the bathroom — all while still holding on to her baby.

The Rapper Tried To Get Into Neighbors’ Home

After the woman ran inside, the ‘Timmy Turner’ artist then damaged the neighbors’ vehicles with a screwdriver and a hammer. According to WPDE, the woman is Selby’s girlfriend and the mother of his child. Desiigner also allegedly broke several windows to try to get inside his neighbor’s home. He was arrested and charged with second-degree domestic violence. In addition, the rapper was also charged with malicious injury to animals, personal property, injury value over $2,000 but less than $10,000. It’s not yet clear why Selby was charged with malicious injury to animals.

Desiigner Was Arrested For Domestic Violence In March

Desiigner was also arrested for domestic violence in March. Selby was arrested for domestic violence after he reportedly snatched the woman’s car keys from her pants. Furthermore, the Grammy Award-winning artist threw her down to the ground, which left her with minor scratches and bleeding. He was later arrested, charged with third-degree domestic-violence and booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center.

RELATED: Desiigner Discusses Self-Healing After Revealing Why He Exposed Himself On An International Flight (WATCH)

Blueface and Nevaeh Akira have the internet buzzing after dropping new flicks from their maternity photoshoot. Fans loved seeing the pair pose up alongsidge Nevaeh’s son, but some folks quickly brought a little shade into the mix by bringing up Jaidyn Alexis.

RELATED: Here We Go! Blueface & Jaidyn Alexis Trade Accusations Amid Heated Online Drama As Fans Weigh In (VIDEOS)

Bliueface & Nevaeh Akira Show Off Their Western-Themed Maternity Flicks

Nevaeh Akira and Blueface have social media talking after dropping new maternity photos. The pair hopped on Instagram and shared flicks of them posing in Western-inspired looks, with Blue, Nevaeh and her son coordinating in white tank tops and denim jeans. Blue sparked reactions after captioning the photos, “Family first.” Nevaeh also shared her own set of pics on Instagram and revealed her delivery date, writing, “Prayed for a family, received one. Our baby is almost here , 39 days left until August 24th 🙏💙”

Fans Show Love To Blue & Nevaeh’s Photoshoot, But Jaidyn Alexis Still Gets Mentioned

Once The Shade Room Teens reposted Blueface and Nevaeh’s photos, the Roomies flooded the comment section with reactions. Plenty of folks said they thought the flicks were actually cute, while others couldn’t help but bring up Jaidyn Alexis and claimed they felt like Blue was trolling and trying to get a reaction out of her.

Instagram user @itssliyaah_ wrote, “He tryna make Jaidyn dem mad 😂” 

Instagram user @megantheestalliondaugther_ wrote, “Blueface play too much 😂” 

While Instagram user @nunu3crazy.tho wrote, “Aweee this is actually some nice photos. Anyone saying they aren’t just h8ing 😂😂😂😂 they accept their reality. Gotta respect it.” 

Then Instagram user @desslifestylee wrote, “He got. 4 families. His own, Rock, Jaidyn, and now this one.” 

Another Instagram user @kaylasrev3nge wrote, “idk guys i think its kinda cuteee 😍” 

Instagram user @creolemami_916 wrote, “Had the nerves to say family first now when Jaidyn and kai do they family pics the internet finna go black for a min 😂😂😂😂😂😂” 

Then another Instagram user @_victoriaaaaaaaaaaa17 wrote, “They look GOODT 🤎🤠🤠” 

Instagram user @savagexbeauty47 wrote, “She all in love and thinks this is genuine .. meanwhile he trying to piss Jaidyn off 😂”

While another Instagram user @misss__bianca wrote, “She is so pretty tho ion care what y’all talking about.” 

Finally, Instagram user @_prettyhirah wrote, “Ohh this why Jaidyn said enjoy ur barn 😂” 

Blueface & Jaidyn Alexis Previously Made Serious Claims About Each Other

Blue’s new photos with Nevaeh Akira’s come after he and Jaidyn Alexis previously went back and forth online with serious allegations. During a livestream, Blue accused Jaidyn of being a bad mother and alleged that she drove drunk with their children in the car. He also claimed that she left the scene afterward. Jaidyn didn’t let the comments slide. She jumped on her own stream and accused Blue of being a jailhouse snitch.

Blue’s comments stem from Jaidyn’s reported car accident in December 2025 involving her and their children. At the time, Jaidyn spoke with The Shade Room and said everyone involved was okay and the accident didn’t result in any major injuries. She also shut down claims that she was under the influence while driving.

RELATED: Fans React After Blueface Claims Karlissa Saffold Harvey Traumatized Him & She Defends Herself During Heated Exchange 

In the 22nd episode of the criminally underappreciated animated gem Young Justice, Wonder Woman confronts Batman about taking on Dick Grayson at the young age of 9 to fight crime alongside him. “Robin needed to help bring the man who murdered his family to justice,” Batman says. “So he could turn out like you?” she fires back. Batman simply replies: “So that he wouldn’t.” This simple but powerful exchange is the core of Dick Grayson’s entire characterization and captures, in just a few well-chosen words, why he’s the greatest character in the history of DC.

Dick is the first sidekick in comic book history, introduced way back in Detective Comics #38 as Robin, the Boy Wonder. Arriving in April of 1940, Dick predates major DC icons like Wonder Woman and Joker. Yet, antiquity alone does not a legend make, nor does his status as the first sidekick. In fact, Dick’s best traits would not be cemented until much later in his comic book run, once he moved away from the Robin mantle and adopted the Nightwing persona. Yet, today, it’s undeniable that Dick Grayson is the best DC character, thanks to his incredible characterization and the fact that he embodies the main traits that make a truly great hero.

Who Is Nightwing?

Image via DC Comics

Richard “Dick” Grayson was born into the Flying Graysons, a family of trapeze artists working at Haly’s Circus. During one of their acts, Dick’s parents fall to their deaths after their act is sabotaged by Tony Zucco, a criminal rebuffed by the circus owner, Jack Haly. In the audience is Bruce Wayne, who instantly relates to Dick’s situation and adopts him, revealing his secret identity to him and accepting him as a sidekick. Under the mantle of Robin, the Boy Wonder, Dick brings Tony Zucco to justice, thus providing a sense of closure for his parents’ deaths. Bruce understands how crucial it is for Dick to actually see this through, as it means he can overcome his trauma and move on with his life in a way Bruce himself never could.

Dick remains Batman’s sidekick for years before joining the Teen Titans as their de facto leader. Because comic book lore is a mess (especially DC’s), the ultimate reason for Dick and Batman’s separation varies from continuity to continuity; pre-Crisis, Bruce fires Dick over safety concerns; post-Crisis, it’s because of Dick’s commitment to the Teen Titans. The fact remains, Dick abandons the Robin persona, and after struggling with his persona for a while, he eventually becomes his own hero, adopting the name Nightwing in honor of a legendary Kryptonian warrior (post-Crisis, anyway).

From then on, Nightwing begins a fascinating character journey that leads him from the Teen Titans back to Gotham and eventually to Blüdhaven, which is something like Gotham City’s ugly sister. In most depictions, Blüdhaven is a corrupt and crime-infested hell-hole, meaning Dick has his work cut out for him. Through highs and lows — and more than a few continuity changes — Dick remains one of DC’s most hopeful characters. Sure, he goes through a typical rebellious phase, mullet and everything, and he perennially struggles with confidence issues. Yet, he remains a firm believer in justice, because he has experienced it firsthand. It’s that conviction that separates him from other DC heroes, and which ultimately makes him the GOAT.

Why Is Nightwing the Best Superhero in DC?

It’s often said that Nightwing is Batman’s greatest success. Unlike Bruce, who was branded by the events on Crime Alley, Dick was able to process his grief and move on from it. Unlike Bruce, who is chronically incapable of trusting others, Dick has no intimacy issues and a willingness to let others in. He’s best friends with countless characters and has multiple support systems, both within the Bat-Family and without. In the Titans, Dick has a surrogate family, and he’s still close with those at Haly’s Circus. He’s that one friend who’s cool with everyone.

Indeed, Dick’s greatest strength, besides his resilience, is his kindness. In that respect, it wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Nightwing is the true heir to Superman’s ethos. They both lead with hope and empathy, always believing that there is good in everything. Their friendship is also one of the most endearing in DC Comics. What once began as a mentor-mentee dynamic has transformed into a bond of peers, friends, and allies. Both Superman and Batman respect Nightwing, to the point where they trusted him to lead a new iteration of the Justice League following the Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Yet, a hero can only be compelling if he has actual trials to overcome, and Dick struggles with doubt and confidence issues going back to his days as Robin; after all, living in the Bat’s shadow can’t be easy. Yet, he’s also the only Robin who made it out of the somewhat cursed mantle; Jason fully went to the dark side before redeeming himself, while Tim allowed himself to be absorbed by the mantle, and Damian… well, he’s a little savage. But Dick wrestled with his demons and came out victorious, even if the battle endures. Dick is in one continuous fight against himself and his self-imposed expectations, but he’s learned never to allow it to overcome him. “The mission” is important, but it’s not everything, and that makes him a more effective hero.

Lastly, a hero can’t be truly great unless he kicks ass, and Dick kicks some serious ass. For one, he’s the best acrobat in all of DC. He’s also one of the few characters who can beat Batman, something he has actually done before. He’s the second-best fighter in the Bat-Family, which instantly makes him a top-tier fighter in the entire DC Universe. Lastly, Dick is also a detective, a genius-level tactician, and a forensic specialist, not to mention the most emotionally intelligent person in Gotham.

It’s Time to Make the DC Trinity a Quaternity

Image via DC Comics

For decades, DC has flaunted the Trinity as the certified stars of the universe, the greatest superheroes in the medium and the pillars upon which DC rises. Yet, while Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman are certainly worthy of the praise, so is Nightwing. In terms of characterization alone, Dick Grayson is a far more compelling, complex, and inspirational character, and it’s about time he gets to occupy his place at the top of the DC canon. Currently, DC is back to its default state, with the Justice League at the top, and Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman leading it. I can’t help but wonder, though, how long it will take before Nightwing joins them.

His tenure leading the Justice League received universal acclaim because he combined the best qualities of the Trinity and then some. Dick is the best leader in DC Comics because he leads with the right combination of head and heart. Whereas Batman can only use the former, Superman often lets himself be influenced by the latter, and Wonder Woman writers constantly go back and forth between the two, Nightwing perfectly balances both, something that no other superhero can do. With each new issue, he further cements his place as the best leader in DC, not to mention one of the most universally beloved characters in the entire medium and an overwhelmingly positive portrayal of masculinity. What else can you ask for in a hero? Take a bow, Nightwing, because you are the single best character in DC Comics, and it’s not even particularly close.

A photo of a 20-year-old Lionel Messi holding Spanish soccer star Lamine Yamal as a baby has resurfaced in the days before the two face each other in one of the biggest matches of their lives.

Barcelona-based photographer Joan Monfort took the famous picture in 2007 as part of a photoshoot for UNICEF. In the photo, Messi, now 39, is holding an infant Yamal, now 19, in his arms as he helps Yamal’s mother give him a bath.

Nearly 20 years later, Messi’s Argentina squad will take on Yamal’s Spain on Sunday, July 19, in the 2026 FIFA World Cup title match in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

“I have never been a believer or thought that anything was destined to occur, but I am beginning to have my doubts,” Montfort told the Associated Press on Friday, July 17. “This is beyond all reasonable explanations.”

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He added, “This has exploded all over the world, and the fact that the final is in the U.S. has given it the extra push. And now this has culminated with the final between Messi and Yamal. It is better than any film script.”

The viral photo came about when Yamal’s family won a raffle to pose with a Barcelona player for a 2008 UNICEF calendar, according to the agency. Messi played for Barcelona from 2004 to 2021.

In a full-circle moment, Yamal became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2026 and will use his platform to “advocate for every child’s right to play.”

“Growing up, all I had was a family, a ball, a park and a dream,” Yamal told UNICEF in June. “Playing football gave me structure, a sense of belonging, and hope for the future. I know how important it is for children to have a safe place to play, so that they can simply enjoy being children, discovering the world, imagining and growing.”

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As the viral photo, which became the calendar’s January image, continues to make the rounds, other players in the upcoming match expressed their surprise over the coincidence.

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“The first time I saw it, I thought it was AI and that it wasn’t even real,” Spain’s Mikel Merino said Friday, per the AP. “It’s unbelievable that two of the best players to have played the game — and hopefully Lamine, in the future, will be one of those — share a picture like that. Hopefully we’re going to see a very bright final with those two protagonists at their best, playing and giving all the fans a great spectacle.”

As for Monfort, he is a lifelong Barcelona supporter, but has not decided who he will be rooting for on Sunday.

“My heart is split. I don’t know if I want Messi or Yamal to win,” he said.

There’s a handful of series that come to mind when anime is discussed, and Sailor Moon is near the top of the list. Naoko Takeuchi’s story of teenage girls was unlike anything that had come before; it deftly blended elements of the tokusatsu series Super Sentai with the more standard tropes of shoujo manga, leading to a unique hybrid. It continues to inspire various animated projects, including Pixar’s Turning Red. There’s even a channel on the Pluto TV streaming service that plays Sailor Moon 24/7!

Sailor Moon‘s biggest claim to fame was the fact that it was one of the first anime series, alongside Dragon Ball Z and Pokémon, that U.S. viewers became fans of in the ’90s. But the English dubs of the series would often go out of their way to make things more palatable to American audiences — cutting out references to death, as well as excess violence and sexual subject matter. While sometimes this was necessary (see the infamous episode of Pokémon that only aired once in Japan), censors would often take things to the extreme, creating a transmogrification of the series due to Westernization and conservative norms. Sailor Moon was a strong case for this, as its original English dub was extremely edited to the point where some of the series’ key themes were diluted.

How U.S. Censorship Impacted ‘Sailor Moon’

The original English dub of Sailor Moon was overseen by DIC Entertainment, which oversaw a number of animated series including The Real Ghostbusters as well as Street Sharks and Extreme Dinosaurs (the latter two series being among the few cartoons that took the right lessons from the success of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.) Naturally, that came with a flurry of changes. The titular heroine saw her name being changed from Usagi Tsukino to Serena, and the Japanese intro was replaced with an admittedly catchy English theme. The DIC dub also added a segment titled, “Sailor Says” where the Sailor Scouts would impart lessons to viewers. The company took a similar approach with Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, so it only makes sense that it would try the same approach for a series as popular as Sailor Moon.

Some of the U.S. censorship, however, was frankly ridiculous. Chief among that censorship was the removal of death scenes. Instead, the evil Queen Beryl’s minions “were sent to the Negaverse.” This didn’t make any sense, as, for one, the Sailor Scouts’ attacks were fairly destructive. Sailor Mars summons a flaming arrow, and Sailor Jupiter can manifest a dragon composed entirely of lightning, so there isn’t much left in the way of the monsters’ bodies. But most important was the fact that the Negaverse is Beryl’s domain.

Therefore, sending her minions back would only empower them. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the fifth and final season of Sailor Moon never aired in the U.S. due to Minako, aka Sailor Venus, having fantasies about her favorite band, the Three Lights, as men. Takeuchi was never shy about exploring LGBTQ+ themes in the Sailor Moon manga, so it would only make sense that those themes would appear in the anime. But American censors would scramble to tone down those elements to align with more Western binaric thoughts and norms. But that wasn’t the only infamous example of DIC’s attempts to rewrite the show.

‘Sailor Moon’ Characters Were Re-Written To Reduce LGBTQ+ Representation

As Sailor Moon progressed, more Sailor Scouts beyond the core five would be introduced. Two of those scouts were Michiru Kaiou (Sailor Neptune) and Haruka Tenou (Sailor Uranus). The two were as different as night and day: Michiru was a refined violinist while Haruka was a confident, outgoing race car driver. But the biggest revelation came from the fact that the two were lovers, making them the first lesbian couple in Sailor Moon. It wasn’t the first time the series featured a same-sex relationship: the Dark Kingdom generals Zoisite and Kunzite were shown to be in a relationship, with Kunzite mourning Zoisite after Beryl executed him for attempting to kill Tuxedo Mask.

DIC’s censorship could be felt the heaviest here in the U.S. version of Sailor Moon, with Zoisite being referred to as a woman (even having a female voice actress in Kristen Bishop), while Neptune and Uranus were referred to as cousins. This caused a sharp debate among Sailor Moon fans that exists to this day. Some fans prefer the dub because it was their introduction to Sailor Moon, while others have balked at the egregious changes that scrubbed out a great deal of LGBTQ+ representation at a time when most fans could have used it. For a time, the DIC dub was the only way for Sailor Moon fans to engage with the show — but that all changed in 2014.

Image via Toei Animation

Sailor Moon would race back into prominence with the debut of Sailor Moon Crystal, a new series from Toei Animation that hewed far closer to the original series than the first anime did. To that extent, many of the series’ original themes have been restored, including Zoisite’s gender as well as Neptune and Uranus’ romantic relationships. The original series was also redubbed with all-new voice actors, which also kept the original themes intact. Both series would fall under the purview of VIZ Media, which obtained the license for Sailor Moon in 2014.

Once again, this opened up a debate between Sailor Moon fans, as some prefer the new dub while others express their love of the DIC dub with its warts and all. No matter what side of the debate one falls on, it is clear that the VIZ version of the series hews far closer to Takeuchi’s original vision and keeps in all the themes that made the series worth a watch. With Sailor Moon Cosmos having debuted in June 2023, the legacy of Sailor Moon proves to endure no matter what umbrella it’s under, or what censorship issues it’s faced in the past.

Sailor Moon is available to stream on Hulu and Pluto TV in the U.S.