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)

Image via Gallery 13

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)

Image via Top Shelf Productions

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.

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)

Image via Shogakukan Inc.

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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)

Image via DC Comics

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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)

Image via DC Comics

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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)

Image via Vertigo Comics

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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)

Image via Pantheon Books

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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)

Image via DC Comics

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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)

Image via Pantheon Books

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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)

Image via DC Comics

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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.

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Watchmen

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Release Date

March 6, 2009

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Runtime

163 minutes

Director

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Zack Synder

Writers

Alex Tse, David Hayter, Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons

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Most people would probably spend a few days recovering after officiating one of the biggest celebrity weddings in recent memory. Adam Sandler, however, apparently had something else on his mind. Just 48 hours after helping Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce tie the knot in front of roughly 1,000 guests at Madison Square Garden, the comedian was reportedly calling local authorities in Nantucket, Massachusetts, with a simple question: Where can he find a pickup basketball game?

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According to the Nantucket Current, Sandler contacted the Nantucket Police Department’s non-emergency line shortly after arriving on the island with his family. Rather than reporting a problem, the actor was looking for directions.

Public safety dispatcher Chris Reynolds told the outlet that Sandler asked where he could find a public basketball court and join a pickup game. “Sandler said, ‘Hey, I’m here on your island and I like to play basketball. Can you tell me where there’s a basketball court I could play on?’” Reynolds recalled.

The dispatcher pointed him toward the Backus Lane basketball courts near Surfside Road, where Sandler reportedly wasted little time joining local players already on the court.

Local Players Got An Unexpected Teammate

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For the group of Nantucket residents already playing basketball that day, the appearance of a Hollywood star was completely unexpected.

Local resident Andrew Kesler told the Nantucket Current that he and his friends were in the middle of a game when Sandler arrived and asked if he could join. “Adam Sandler rolled in a car and started playing pick ups with the boys,” Kesler said. “He’s like, ‘guys let me stretch I’m going to hop in.’”

Kesler also offered a scouting report on the actor’s game. “Great passing and playmaking, decent lay-ups, hesitated to shoot the ball,” he said.

Basketball Has Become One Of Sandler’s Most Recognizable Off-Screen Habits

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While the Nantucket sighting may seem random, it fits a pattern that fans have been noticing for years. Sandler has frequently been photographed playing pickup basketball across the country, often showing up unannounced at public courts while traveling for work or family vacations.

The consistency of those appearances has turned basketball into an unusual part of Sandler’s public image. Unlike celebrity golf outings, private gyms, or invitation-only sporting events, Sandler’s games often take place on public courts with whoever happens to be there.

Why Adam Sandler Was Chosen To Officiate Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce’s Wedding

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The basketball detour came just days after Sandler played a significant role in one of the most talked-about weddings of the year. Swift and Kelce revealed in a wedding announcement that Sandler officiated the ceremony at Madison Square Garden, where, according to E! News, approximately 1,000 guests gathered to celebrate the couple’s marriage.

The choice may have surprised some fans, but Sandler’s connection to the newlyweds extends back several years. He first met Swift in person in 2023, while attending the premiere of her “Eras Tour” concert film with his daughters, Sadie and Sunny. Since then, the relationship appears to have grown significantly.

Meanwhile, Kelce made a memorable cameo in “Happy Gilmore 2,” prompting Sandler to praise the NFL star as “a great actor and a great human.”

Sandler Previously Gushed Over Swift And Kelce’s Relationship

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Long before he was standing at the altar, Sandler was publicly rooting for the couple. During an appearance on the Kelce brothers’ “New Heights” podcast, the comedian revealed that his family had become invested in the romance shortly after Swift and Kelce began dating.

“You guys being together, I mean… when you guys first started dating, my God, was my family like: ‘Yes! Look how good they are together, he’s a gentleman! And she’s having so much fun with him!’” Sandler said. “Like any time Taylor is laughing with you, my whole f-cking family is like high-fiving.”

While the actor has remained largely silent about the wedding itself, his longstanding admiration for the couple suggests the role was far more than a celebrity cameo. And if his post-wedding plans are any indication, Sandler was happy to trade Madison Square Garden’s star-studded guest list for a pickup basketball game with strangers just two days later.

UPDATE 7/7/26, 11:25 a.m. ET: Victoria Lee Robinson was not granted her request for a temporary restraining order against ex Tom Sandoval.

“It’s no surprise that Victoria’s request for a restraining order was immediately denied,” a rep for Sandoval told Us in a statement following the decision. “The court granted Tom a restraining order and an immediate move-out order against both Victoria and her father. The decision came after Tom presented extensive photographic evidence, along with police reports prepared after officers reviewed all of the video footage from that night, including footage showing Victoria punching Tom in the face.”

The statement continued, “During their two-and-a-half year relationship, Tom has made it clear he never physically harmed Victoria. Instead, he lived in fear of her repeated physical attacks and unpredictable behavior. He will show he was the victim of ongoing physical and emotional abuse, and has substantial evidence documenting what he endured, which will be presented through the legal process.”

Original story below:

Tom Sandoval’s ex-girlfriend Victoria Lee Robinson has filed her own restraining order against him.

According to court documents obtained by Us Weekly, Robinson, 33, submitted paperwork on Thursday, July 2, for a domestic violence restraining order against Sandoval, 42, weeks after his request for a temporary restraining order against Victoria and her father, J. Will Robinson, was granted following her arrest.

The filing also included a declaration from Victoria that accused Sandoval of “routinely physically and verbally” abusing her during their relationship. (Sandoval and Victoria began dating in 2024 and broke up earlier this year amid the domestic violence allegations.)

Victoria claimed that Sandoval shoved her “down a flight of stairs” after having an alleged “verbal disagreement” in August 2025. Victoria claimed that she was following Sandoval up the stairway to the second floor of their home. While walking up, Sandoval allegedly “turned and shoved” Victoria which resulted in “visible injuries” to her knees, which included bruising. She called 911 to report the alleged altercation.

Related: Tom Sandoval Speaks Out Amid Restraining Order Issue With Ex Victoria

Vanderpump Rules alum Tom Sandoval broke his silence amid his legal dispute with ex-girlfriend Victoria Lee Robinson and her father. On Saturday, June 27, Sandoval, 42, and Robinson, 33, were both in the company of police at the Los Angeles area residence they both shared as they separately removed items from the home. During one […]

However, Victoria ultimately recanted her statement after learning that Sandoval would be “arrested and criminally charged.” Victoria stated that she now regrets that decision.

Nearly one year later, Victoria claimed she tried to end her relationship with Sandoval. The Vanderpump Rules alum allegedly “begged” Victoria to “not to leave” and allegedly “promised to change for the better.” Victoria agreed to stay.

After the near breakup, Victoria claimed that she and Sandoval were involved in another domestic dispute. She claimed that Sandoval pushed her to the ground at a hotel in Nashville while in town to visit her terminally ill grandfather, who has since died.

Victoria alleged that she and Sandoval got into a “verbal disagreement” where he “repeatedly called her a “coward.” Sandoval allegedly left the room to have a cigarette and when he returned, their argument “escalated” and became “physical.” Victoria accused Sandoval of pushing her to “the floor of the hotel hallway” and locking her out of their room. After giving Sandoval some time to cool off, Victoria allegedly discovered that Sandoval threw her belongings into the room where her father was staying.

When Victoria and Sandoval returned home from Nashville, she claimed that they got into another verbal altercation. Victoria claimed that Sandoval ransacked her purse and allegedly elbowed her “hard in the chest” when she tried to retrieve her belongings. Victoria called her father who was staying with them for the time being.

Victoria also requested that the restraining order protect her father following a June incident where Sandoval allegedly pushed him into a lit fire pit. Victoria stated that she is “fearful” of her own well-being as well as the well-being of her father.

Victoria’s restraining order was denied by the court on Monday, July 6. According to court documents obtained by Us, the filing was denied ahead of the exes’ hearing which is scheduled for July 16. The court added that there is already a temporary restraining order issued against Victoria and Will, which Sandoval filed last month.

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Related: Tom Sandoval’s Dueling Restraining Orders Explained

This week on Legally Us, Rachael Bennett, a certified family law specialist and senior attorney at Sullivan Law & Associates, breaks down Tom Sandoval’s request for a domestic violence restraining order against Victoria and her father, J. Will Robinson. On Thursday, June 24, Sandoval, 44, filed for a domestic violence restraining order against Victoria and […]

Us has reached out to Victoria and Sandoval’s spokesperson for comment.

Sandoval and Victoria’s domestic violence issues and legal dispute made headlines last month. Sandoval filed a restraining order against Victoria and her father following alleged “verbal and physical abuse” during a confrontation on June 3. Sandoval accused Will of attacking him and Victoria of striking him in the face. She was arrested that same day and posted a $50,000 bond.

Later that month, video footage surfaced of Sandoval pushing Will into a fire pit during a heated argument. Will subsequently filed a restraining order against Sandoval, claiming that he received multiple injuries in his scuffle with the Traitors alum.

Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland had stage 1 CTE when he died by suicide in November 2025, according to a post-mortem brain tissue analysis performed by the Concussion & CTE Foundation.

“Unfortunately, I was not surprised to find CTE in the brain of Mr. Kneeland, because we have found this progressive brain disease in nearly half of the athletes we’ve studied who have died before the age of 30,” Dr. Ann McKee, director of the Boston University CTE Center, said in a release on Tuesday, July 7.

She continued, “Thanks to the generosity of our brain donor families, we now better understand the earliest stages of CTE, and it is bringing us closer than ever to diagnosing it during life. My team and I are fully dedicated to finding effective treatments and a cure for CTE.”

Kneeland died at age 24 on November 6, 2025, following a pursuit with state troopers who had tried to pull him over for a traffic violation. Authorities initially lost Kneeland’s car, before finding it crashed and abandoned. He was later discovered near the area dead of an apparent suicide.

Related: Cowboys’ Marshawn Kneeland Sent Goodbye Texts to Family Before Death: Report

Dispatch audio painted a tragic picture of the final moments of Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland’s life. Kneeland sent a group text to his family “saying goodbye,” according to audio obtained by TMZ Sports on Thursday, November 6.  “We’re talking to his girlfriend,” a 911 dispatcher said. “She’s trying to call his agent. We’re […]

Kneeland began playing tackle football at age 7, eventually enrolling at Western Michigan University, where he played four seasons. The Cowboys drafted him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

CTE can only be diagnosed by observing the brain tissue of a patient who has died. Stage 1 is the lowest level on a scale of 1 to 4.

Even with Kneeland playing in the NFL at the height of its modern safety precautions, Concussion & CTE Foundation CEO Chris Nowinski said his death is a reminder that the current protocol is not enough.

“We have no reason to believe the current generation is at a lower risk of CTE than previous generations,” he said. “Concussion protocols do not prevent CTE, because CTE is caused by repeated head impacts, not just concussions. If we want to reduce CTE risk, we must implement CTE prevention protocols and aggressively reduce the number and strength of head impacts at every level of the game.”

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Related: Cowboys Make Emotional Return to the Field After Marshawn Kneeland’s Death

The Dallas Cowboys returned to action with heavy hearts following the death of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland. It was an emotional scene as the Cowboys hit the field at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium to play the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, November 17, Dallas’ first game since Kneeland died of an apparent suicide on November […]

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Kneeland’s family released a statement about the findings through his girlfriend, Catalina Mancera. (In June, Mancera gave birth to her and Kneeland’s first child, a son named Makhai.)

“While this diagnosis does not change the tragedy of his passing, it provides important context about some of the struggles he may have been facing,” the statement read. “We share this information to help people understand what NFL and other high contact sport athletes might be struggling with. Raising awareness is important to us. We continue to remember Marshawn with compassion for the person he was, rather than defining him by the final moments of his life.”

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

By Jacob VanGundy
| Published 31 seconds ago

I recently rewatched Hellraiser, one of the best horror movies of the 1980s, and I was struck by how much it resembles a vampire story. Aesthetically, thematically, and even in terms of plot, the story has more in common with Dracula than the supernatural slashers of the era. While elements centered around the Cenobites dominated the sequels, the original movie is more interested in exploring the vampiric antagonist, Frank.

Released in 1987, Hellraiser was written and directed by Clive Barker, who had adapted his novella, The Hellbound Heart. It made $14.6 million at the US box office ($30 million worldwide) on a budget of only $1 million and became a hit with horror fans, though it faced heavy censorship and a ban in Ontario. The movie was so successful it spawned nine sequels and a reboot. 

The Dracula Parallels

Hellraiser begins with the hedonist Frank Cotton using a puzzle box to summon Cenobites, a group of sadomasochistic extradimensional beings who torture him to death and take his soul to their dimension. When Frank’s brother Larry cuts himself in the attic where Frank died, it resurrects him as a skinless monster. Larry’s wife Julia is seduced into luring victims to Frank, who, now a vampire, needs the blood to restore himself. 

While the movie’s heroine, Kirstie, solves the puzzle box and is tormented by Cenobites for it, Frank is the clear antagonist. In his new vampire form, Frank requires the blood of multiple victims, becoming increasingly human in appearance as he feeds on the men Julia seduces and brings to him. He also attempts to seduce and murder Kirstie, making a much more explicit villain than the more mysterious Cenobites. 

Frank’s need to feed on blood is the most obvious way Hellraiser is a vampire story, but his entire character resembles Dracula. His origin, making a deal with demonic beings, is a common origin for the character and similar to the implied origin in Bram Stoker’s novel. The fact that he was resurrected from death by human blood also fits within the mythology. 

Hellraiser’s setting is also reminiscent of classic vampiric folklore. Taking place in a grand but dilapidated family home is similar to the decrepit mansions and castles common in vampire stories. The fact that Frank is confined to the attic of that home by his appearance takes the place of hiding in a crypt to avoid sunlight. 

Thematically, Hellraiser explores ideas that frequently appear in vampire stories. Hedonism, sexual taboos, and corruption are all central themes of the movie that can be found in everything from Interview With the Vampire to Carmilla. Solving the puzzle box also connects to the idea of forbidden knowledge, which is often a central piece of Dracula’s mythology. 

The seductive element of Frank’s character is another central connection to vampire lore, with Julia being Hellraiser’s version of Dracula’s bride. While Frank doesn’t directly turn Julia into a monster, he does lead her to behave monstrously, helping him murder multiple men, including her husband. The sequel would double down on this by making her a central antagonist after her own resurrection. 

Hellraiser Is Misunderstood

Hellraiser has more than earned its place in the pantheon of great horror movies, but it’s also largely misunderstood by those who haven’t seen it as a movie about Pinhead as a supernatural slasher. The movie is much more at home within the vampire genre than the broader oeuvre of 80s horror. Fans of horror, particularly fans of vampire stories, should watch Hellraiser, which is available to stream for free on Tubi, Pluto TV, Plex, and Amazon Prime Video.

By Jacob VanGundy
| Published 7 seconds ago

Operation Mincemeat is a spy thriller based on a true British intelligence operation from World War II. While the spy story is fascinating, and there was enough suspense to keep me watching, the movie is bogged down with unnecessary interpersonal drama. The result is an uneven, disappointing movie that doesn’t live up to its premise. 

Based on Ben Macintyre’s book about the historical event, Operation Mincemeat is about a misdirection mission by British intelligence. To hide the Invasion of Sicily, a plot is hatched by British intelligence officers Ewen Montagu and Charles Cholmondeley to plant false information on a corpse and have it wash ashore.

To sell the fake soldier’s identity, a detailed backstory was constructed including a fictional fiance using a photo of the office’s secretary Jean Leslie. 

The Period Drama Overshadows The Spy Intrigue

Operation Mincemeat brings together a fantastic cast of UK actors, who deliver great performances across the board. Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, and Kelly Macdonald play the movie’s three leads, making their characters feel real. The supporting cast also features great actors like Penelope Wilton, Johnny Flynn, Jason Issacs, Mark Gatiss, Paul Ritter, and Simon Russell Beale.

While I found the depiction of spycraft in Operation Mincemeat compelling it was weighed down with superfluous period drama elements. Much of the film’s runtime is dedicated to the love triangle between its three main characters, which adds a layer of unneeded personal drama that actively distracts from the spy mission’s inherent tension.

It’s the sort of tacked-on plotline that feels like it exists to meet period drama expectations, and I was unsurprised to learn it was invented whole cloth for the movie. 

The Spycraft Is More Interesting

Some of the most interesting spy thriller moments of Operation Mincemeat are glossed over to dedicate more time to its boring love triangle. Numerous scenes depict the budding relationship between Ewen and Jean, while the head of Germany’s army intelligence discovering the plot and turning a blind eye to undermine the Nazi regime is given a single truncated scene.

As a fan of spy thrillers, I can’t help but feel like the movie prioritizes the wrong elements of its plot.

The pacing in Operation Mincemeat also suffers due to its love triangle. What should be a consistently suspenseful movie grinds to a halt halfway through to focus on the romantic subplot and the hostility it creates between Ewen and Charles. With a runtime of 128 minutes, it drags on for too long, drawing attention to its unneeded subplot.

Despite its shortcomings, Operation Mincemeat has a strong story at its core and it tells that story well when its focus isn’t divided. It’s at its best when it depicts the finer details of the operation and the construction of the soldier’s fictional life. With strong acting and directing, it’s well-made even when the writing falls short. 

Fans of period dramas who also enjoy spy stories will likely enjoy Operation Mincemeat, while fans looking for a spy thriller like I was may find it disappointing. It’s a well-made movie bogged down by a single poor creative decision. You can watch the film version of one of history’s most fascinating spy stories for yourself on Netflix.

OPERATION MINCEMEAT SCORE

Rumors surrounding Marvel Studios’ upcoming X-Men reboot continue to heat up, and the latest name reportedly being considered for the Marvel Cinematic Universe is one of the biggest stars in music today: Sabrina Carpenter.

According to multiple entertainment insiders, Marvel Studios is interested in bringing Carpenter into the MCU for a major role. While nothing has been officially confirmed by Marvel, the report has quickly sparked speculation among fans about which iconic mutant she could portray.

The strongest rumor currently points toward Emma Frost, the powerful telepath known as the White Queen. The character has long been a fan favorite in the comics thanks to her sharp wit, commanding personality, and ability to transform her body into organic diamond. Other fans have thrown out names like Dazzler, whose music career and mutant powers have made her one of the most recognizable pop-star superheroes in Marvel history.

Emma Frost [Marvel]

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Marvel Studios has yet to reveal any official casting for its upcoming X-Men reboot, leaving the internet to speculate about nearly every major mutant role. Recent reports have connected numerous actors to characters like Jean Grey, Cyclops, Storm, and Professor X, though none of those rumors have been confirmed by the studio.

Carpenter’s star power has skyrocketed over the past year following the massive success of her music career and sold-out tours, making her one of Hollywood’s fastest-rising entertainers. If Marvel is indeed looking to add another globally recognizable name to its next generation of mutants, she would certainly fit that strategy.

Still, fans should treat the report with caution. Marvel Studios is famously secretive, and casting discussions often change before contracts are ever signed. Until Kevin Feige or the studio makes an official announcement, Carpenter’s involvement remains firmly in the rumor category.

With Marvel’s X-Men reboot still in development, speculation is only expected to intensify in the coming months. Whether Carpenter ultimately joins the MCU as Emma Frost, Dazzler, another mutant entirely, or not at all, one thing is certain—fans are already imagining what the next generation of Marvel’s mutants could look like.

What do you think? If Sabrina Carpenter joins the MCU, which Marvel character would you like to see her play?

TV shows have changed through the decades, and what was once considered acceptable in some cases would never fly today. Whether it’s the handling of women, LGBTQ+ characters, racism, domestic violence, or other themes, some shows approached topics in a way that would be handled very differently today or not covered at all.

Some of the shows are sitcoms that presented troubling storylines in a humorous way, and in some cases, it fit for the times. In others, they were controversial even back then. In hindsight, all of them maybe went a little too far. The shows remain beloved, and the storylines are accepted for what they were intended to accomplish at the time. But if any of these shows were written today, there would probably be a lot of red pen, changing certain aspects of the scripts and even characters.

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Barney Relentlessly Preying on Women

‘How I Met Your Mother’ (2005–2014)

Image via CBS

Barney’s (Neil Patrick Harris) relentless preying on women throughout the entirety of How I Met Your Mother (until he fell in love with and married Robin, played by Cobie Smulders) only managed to pass because of Harris’ over-the-top performance and the way his actions were woven into the plot. But it likely wouldn’t happen today, especially not as it did in some episodes.

Barney lied to and took advantage of women over and over again, painting them as gullible and dispensable. In one very questionable episode, it’s even revealed that he had a hidden scale at his door where he weighed women before they entered and denied entry if they exceeded a threshold. It bordered on disgusting at times, yet went overlooked because the character’s charm overshadowed the awful things he did and said. The exaggerated level of absurdity helped, too.

2

Jack Lying About Being Gay

‘Three’s Company’ (1977–1984)

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The entire premise of Three’s Company would never fly today. Jack Tripper (John Ritter) is a single playboy who lies about being gay to score an apartment with two women. Knowing the landlord would never allow a man to live with two single women if he were straight, Jack keeps up this ruse so he won’t be kicked out.

Aside from a landlord being able to deny such a living situation, Jack pretending to be someone he’s not and “playing up” being gay so he isn’t caught is not a storyline that would work today. Back in the ’70s, however, it was fitting of the time. And while the sitcom is still beloved and never considered offensive, it wouldn’t be remade in today’s climate.

3

Two Guys Dressing in Drag for an Apartment

‘Bosom Buddies’ (1980–1982)

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Bosom Buddies helped put Tom Hanks on the map long before his thriving film career began. It remains his most memorable small-screen experience, but fans today can’t help but question the angling of the show. It’s about Kip Wilson (Hanks) and his friend Henry Desmond (Peter Scolari), who dress in drag so they can get into an all-female building because the rent is dirt cheap.

The pair pretend to be women while befriending other residents and trying to keep up the act. Some find it insulting to the trans community; others believe it’s predatory, as these two men infiltrate a building meant to be only for women. It’s all in fun, of course, but Bosom Buddies isn’t a concept that would air today without pushback, the classic show having aged poorly.

4

Sam Propositioning Female Staff

‘Cheers’ (1982–1993)

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Sam Malone’s (Ted Danson) womanizing ways aren’t in question in Cheers. There’s nothing wrong with a single man looking to date women and dating around if he so chooses and the women are willing participants, but his constant propositioning of female staff who work for him at the bar is wildly inappropriate.

One of the most notable relationships is when he constantly hits on Diane (Shelley Long) when she’s a waitress, and he’s her boss. He later pursues the bar’s new manager, Rebecca (Kirstie Alley). Sam is never portrayed as being predatory but rather sex-addicted, smooth, and charming, which is why his actions often slide unnoticed. But the idea of a male boss so casually and constantly hitting on his female subordinates probably would not see the light of day today in a comedic show unless it was part of a darker storyline.

5

Jerry Drugging a Woman

‘Seinfeld’ (1989–1998)

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There’s one particular storyline in Seinfeld that doesn’t sit well. In Season 9, Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) is dating a woman who has a rare, vintage toy collection. But she is very particular about it and doesn’t want anyone touching the items. From the original G.I. Joe to the classic Mattel football game, it reminds Jerry so fondly of his childhood that he can’t help himself. So, he gets around her rules by offering her aspirin when she has a headache, knowing it will make her drowsy. She passes out, and he proceeds to play with the toys. When she awakens, he purposely introduces a heavy turkey dinner and boxed wine in hopes she’ll fall asleep again so he can continue.

It’s crystal-clear why this storyline in one of Seinfeld‘s most awkward episodes is so wrong. Even though Jerry didn’t do any physical harm to the woman through his actions, he still purposely put this woman in a vulnerable state so he could take advantage of her in a different way. The storyline is funny when you look at it through the absurd humor lens from which it was intended, but it’s widely considered to be one of the darkest things Jerry did throughout the show’s entire run.

6

Archie Bunker’s Racism

‘All in the Family’ (1971–1979)

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All in the Family was a sitcom true to its time, with Archie Bunker (Carroll O’Connor) a character true to his fictional backstory. He was a World War II veteran who held onto his bigoted beliefs, even though he was presented as a lovable character. His family members, especially his daughter Gloria (Sally Struthers) and son-in-law Michael (Rob Reiner), are members of the counterculture, being the voice of reason when Archie would say or do things that were questionable.

Still, a character like him, especially often given the mistreatment of his wife (though he clearly loved her dearly), would be frowned upon today. While the show did shed light on racism and presented characters to help soften Archie’s views, including the Jefferson family that went on to star in their own spin-off, it would still be considered too much today.

7

Al’s Insults to Overweight Women

‘Married…With Children’ (1987–1997)

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Alongside his constant ribbing of neighbor Marcy (Amanda Bearse), there was a running gag on Married…With Children that involved Al Bundy (Ed O’Neill) constantly poking fun at overweight women. They were often customers in the shoe store where he worked, desperately trying to fit their large feet into shoes that were clearly a few sizes too small.

Al would whisper an insult under his breath, say it straight to their face, and even hurl another clever one as they angrily stormed out the door. It’s a wonder he was still employed! That aside, the concept of someone being ridiculed for their weight in such a biting way for the sake of laughs, especially without someone else advocating for them, wouldn’t cut it now.

8

Ralph Joking About Hitting Alice

‘The Honeymooners’ (1955–1956)

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The Honeymooners is one of the funniest, most iconic sitcoms of all time, but one of its running jokes wouldn’t sit well with people today. Ralph (Jackie Gleason) and his wife Alice (Pert Kelton, Audrey Meadows, Sheila MacRae) had a typical marital relationship. But when they had arguments or Ralph was upset about something, he would often joke about hitting her. He never followed through with such an action, but the mere threat, even in jest, would never be seen in a comedy like that today unless it was meant to be part of a storyline specifically to address it.

“One of these days,” Ralph would declare, “Pow! Right in the kisser!” referencing punching his wife in the face. He would also say things like “Bang, zoom, straight to the moon!” These phrases were taken as they were meant to be at the time, a man saying words he didn’t actually mean and expressing his anger in a joking manner. But today’s culture would not find this funny in a modern sitcom.

9

The Fat Jokes About Carol

‘Growing Pains’ (1985–1992)

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This one is especially powerful because the constant weight-related jokes about Carol Seaver (Tracey Gold) in Growing Pains, especially when she was nowhere near being overweight, reportedly led to Gold developing an eating disorder. Gold told late actor Shannen Doherty on her Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty podcast back in 2025 that, while she had great memories from working on the show — one of the best sitcoms of the ’80s — her struggles with anorexia were fueled in part by some of her experiences there.

As she gained weight, the jokes written into the show became meaner, Gold recalls. Though the writers reportedly claimed the intention was to reflect the realities of a typical brother-sister relationship and wasn’t a jab at her figure at all, this didn’t make it right. Considering Gold’s honest words about how this made her feel, it’s a given that such lines would not be written into shows nowadays.

10

Pacey Sleeping With His Teacher

‘Dawson’s Creek’ (1998–2003)

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Dawson’s Creek was a teen drama that wasn’t afraid to get dark and gritty, but there’s one storyline that was a step too far. In Season 1, Pacey (Joshua Jackson) sleeps with his English teacher in a storyline that even caused controversy back then. He not only sleeps with her, but he loses his virginity to her while just a teenager. When the school and community find out about it, she leaves town.

The storyline is further disturbing because the teacher isn’t even seriously reprimanded for her actions. Pacey was groomed and taken advantage of by this grown woman, behavior that would absolutely be considered predatory, yet was presented as a romantic storyline. Unless it’s a dark and dramatic show like Euphoria meant to highlight how wrong such behavior is, this storyline was too much for a show like Dawson’s Creek. It wouldn’t be handled the same way if it were replicated in a similar show today.

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Dawson’s Creek

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Release Date

1998-00-00 – 2003-00-00

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Network

The WB

Directors

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Greg Berlanti

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