Every year I’ve done these top ten lists, there are nearly a dozen pieces that almost made the list. In fact, some wound up being practically interchangeable with my choices on the bottom half of the list.
But not this year.
No, 2010 was so competitive that there were over TWO dozen almost-rans.
So without further preamble (and in alphabetical order):
Ares (DC 75th Anniversary #058)
He fell off my radar for not having any range to speak of for his high, high price (272). But man…considering his similarly short-ranged “Everyone Must Fight” SP, maybe that actually works to his devastating advantage!
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Barry Allen (DC 75th Anniversary #054)
Although he’s an exceptional running speedster, it really only took having a natural AV greater than 10 and damage greater than 2 respectively to be that…especially at his not-quite-svelte 119 cost. Not quite enough to warrant Top Ten status.
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Batman and Catwoman (The Brave and The Bold #100)
I actually forgot about this potent duo. They probably should be on the Top Ten for their Bat TA and Outwit and awesome “Double Pounce” SP and Willpower. Their only drawbacks are a total lack of damage reduction (problematic for their 142 cost) and their size causing them extra difficulty in hiding.
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Batman and Green Arrow (The Brave and The Bold #046)
Over 200 points for zero damage reduction (and for offering what Bullseye does a fair bit better at far cheaper cost) was enough to conspire to keep this dangerous pair off the list.
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Beast Boy (DC 75th Anniversary #014, 015, 016, 055)
Unprecedented flexibility for a cheap 60 points nearly earns the Teen Titan a spot among the titans of the Top Ten.
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Big Figure (Watchmen #019)
Never before has a character allowed you to attack during your opponent’s turn, as his “This Place Is Gonna Explode” SP does. (In fact, it required an errata to keep people from pushing pogs to death to allow multiple free attacks during your own turn!) Add in the choice of Outwit or Perplex and Mastermind to keep himself alive and you have a 49-pt. piece whose lack of keywords was the only thing keeping him from a top spot.
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Deadpool (Web of Spider-Man #057)
An excellent (if 158-points pricey) dial is done in by the trait, which is too ridiculous to depend on. If traits were optional, this wildcard would’ve made the list.
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Deadshot (DC 75th Anniversary #005)
Absolutely destroying first clicks are done in by low DV and need for a taxi. At 89 points, there’s no room for him in a list with Bullseye.
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Detective Chimp (DC 75th Anniversary #024)
Darn near made it for his high yet Stealthy mobility, high DV+SSenses, Outwit and Mystical Perplex. A little bit too expensive at 62 points for the pure support/tie-up he is.
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Diana Prince (The Brave and The Bold, #103)
If she’d had better speed to make her dangerous tie-up ability more usable, or Stealth to make her safer using her Perplex, there’s no way she wouldn’t have made the Top Ten at 43 points.
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Doppelganger (Web of Spider-Man #062)
Just misses consideration because of the “silver bullet” nature of one of his powers. Highly mobile, highly destructive, highly unhittable 93 points.
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Green Goblin (Web of Spider-Man #058)
His 122-point dial is just decent. It’s his ability to use the Thunderbolts ATA and its game-changing flexibilities that makes him an honorable mention.
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Hal Jordan (DC 75th Anniversary #053)
If his “Aviator” trait granting Flight to pals worked with his Running Shot, he’d be a lock for the list despite his high 169 price and soft middle clicks.
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Wow. There’s just too many; I’m going to have to split this one into two parts (the way I should have split my Atlantis article into, um, five parts. For real. <:) ) and continue tomorrow. Come back then!