Top 5: Sidekicks

5. Tails

Depending on how you played Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Miles Prower (get it…miles per hour) was potentially a god. With a second controller plugged in, Player 2 could take control of Tails. He was no longer regulated to being Sonic’s shadow. He wasn’t as fast as Sonic but still capable of defeating bad guys; best of all…if he was hit he would rejuvenate even without a ring. This provided players an opportunity to use Tails as an infinitely respawning pawn on their path to defeat Dr. Robotnik. Tails was the first sidekick introduced into the Sonic universe; his fan-reception was well received enough for copycat entries Knuckles, Shadow and Amy to overcrowd Sonic games. Despite the state the blue speedster finds himself in nowadays, Tails will always have a special place as being the best sidekick a mascot could ask for.

4. Vegeta

He would be angry to be on this list, much less not number one. But that is what makes Vegeta as popular as he is; anger and pride. The crown prince of all Saiyans is a competent fighter, strategist and leader–the problem is that Goku is always better. Vegeta wants to be the very best, the best there ever was but his determination and natural ability aren’t enough to overcome Goku’s heart. Throughout the series, Vegeta serves as Goku’s rival and is oftentimes a reluctant hero. Whenever a big bad arrives, Vegeta is on the front lines and typically stalling until Goku can arrive and save the day. Vegeta proves to be a necessary support player, either saving the team from Frieza, contributing in the defeat to Cell or completing a fusion with Goku to reach a power level over 9.000!!!!

3. Rose Tyler

The Doctor is anger, pain, suffering contained in a lost boy running away from his problems. His companions ground him and bring out the hero underneath the righteous rage. For the viewer, companions offer a conduit to enter The Doctor’s world. No companion served this purpose better than Rose. She is an everyday girl, worried about what her friends are doing, an on-again-off-again relationship and no real direction in her life. The Doctor changes all that when she is able to travel throughout time and space. Rose changes The Doctor by softening his gruff exterior and revealing a man who simply needs companionship. Often times on their adventures, The Doctor will find an extraordinary explanation for the situation and motivations of foes, but Rose is able to point out the humanity throughout it all.

2. Dr. Watson

Sherlock Holmes is the greatest detective the world has ever seen, but incapable of recognizing the patterns of acceptable human behavior. His overwhelming intelligence prevents him from integrating with normal society. Dr. Watson provides this insight. Holmes is brilliant but unfocused, Watson is able to steer Holmes in the correct direction. Watson is a sounding board wherein Holmes can pitch ideas and see what feels like a plausible solution. Even when he has all the necessary pieces to solve a puzzle, sometimes an offhanded comment from Watson can provide the last spark necessary to bring the entire matter to close. In Sherlock, a brilliant show on BBC, Holmes says it best “If you want someone to solve your murder, call Sherlock Holmes. If you want someone to save your life, call John Watson.”

1. Oracle

Information is power. Barbara Gordon can access all knowledge. When the Joker shot Barbara, paralyzing her from the waist down, her days as Batgirl were over. Instead of focusing on her loss, she redoubled her efforts as a computer genius, accumulated the tools and skills necessary to access any database. Using her understanding of the criminal underground, Cadmus labs, Lexcorp, Wayne Tech and any other organization connected to the Internet, Oracle was the hub of the superhero community. Batman relied on her expertise and abilities more so than anyone is his rotating roster of Robins. She oversaw operations for the Birds of Prey and was a vital contributor to the Justice League. Despite the loss of her legs (until a continuity reboot…because…comics) and knowing everyone’s dirty secrets, Barbara remained a positive role model and influence on all those around her. She was no longer a combatant in the struggle against super villains but she was leading the fight.

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