With Superhero Movie fizzling at the box-office and the mixed buzz for Hancock, you might think funny superheroes simply don't work. But I've got eleven hilarious crime-fighters that suggest otherwise. I'll be looking forward to your comments of what I got wrong, although, since I'm considered an expert in the field, I'm not expecting any.

11. El Kabong
El Kabong was created by Hanna-Barbara in 1959 - he was Quick Draw McGraw's alter-ego. Here he's reintroduced in a Cartoon Network short with music by Calexico.  If beating up El Bad Guy with a steel guitar is not a super power, I don't know what is. Second and Third place for this category go to Batfink and Super Chicken.

10. Drawn Together
Heralded as the first animated reality show. Here's a tender moment when Captain Hero enjoys some S&M.

9. Batman
The original series reached the height of camp in the 1966 movie, which showed just how practical it was that Batman kept shark repellent in his utility belt.

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8. Venture Brothers
Various guests on the show mirror several super heroes, such as Dr. Orpheus (a neurotic, ineffectual Dr. Strange). Mr Impossible (voiced by Stephen Colbert) is the stretchy, controlling patriarch of a family like the Fantastic Four, if everything had gone terribly wrong.

7. Daredevil
Okay, Ben Affleck's Daredevil isn't a parody, but it makes the movie slightly less painful to sit through if you imagine it as a huge joke. A great drinking game would involve a shot every time the blind hero mugs for the camera.

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6. Greatest American Hero
A somewhat clumsy teacher fights crime in an alien space suit. The theme song, which I own the single of, was covered by George Costanza in an amazing answering machine message. I realized I just mentioned technology you've never heard of. Think of cell phones and ringtones and you'll understand.

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5. Mystery Men
Given the amazing cast, it was difficult for me not to love this movie, although Eddie Izzard and his Disco Boys forced me to root for the bad guys.

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4. Ambiguously Gay Duo
Ace and Gary (Steves Carell and Colbert) were on both the Dana Carvey Show and SNL. Two crime fighters battling Bighead and his various schemes to out them.

3. Richard Pryor's Super Nigger
In this early stand-up, Pryor busted all conventions with his take on a black Superman. It's the opening track from his 1968 debut album.

 

2. The Tick

The Big Blue Bug of Justice taught me that you can't fight evil with a macaroni duck. Originally conceived as an an ad for a Boston area comic shop, The Tick became a comic book, an animated series, then a live action show. We're still waiting for the musical.

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1. Space Ghost Coast To Coast
A  Tonight Show-style with SG, plus his enemies Zorak (the bandleader) and Moltar (the producer). SGC2C is hands down the best resurrection of any lame 60's cartoon. This excerpt is from an interview with Thom Yorke and Bjork.