User reviews

Having obtained electric superpowers as a teenager, Johnny Bolt who grew up idolizing the heroes of the Union of Justice has since grown up to be a lower tier supervillain. Having been released from Supermax, Johnny reunites with his psychic girlfriend Casey in San Francisco and finds himself falling back in with his old crew of other lower tier villains. Kasey worried for her and Johnny's future convinces Johnny to meet with her mentor, Carmine, a former heat gun based supervillain who is recruiting other no name supervillains for a major heist for Count Orlok's helmet at the Union of Justice.

Supercrooks is an adaptation of the 2012 comic book miniseries written by Mark Millar from Marvel's Icon imprint. With 2008's Wanted becoming a major hit, its success lead to studios optioning other Mark Millar comic properties such as Lionsgate's Kick-Ass films and 20th Century Fox's Kingsman movies. Since Mark Millar's company, Millarworld, was acquired by Netflix in 2017, Millar has been churning out more comic book miniseries to serve as templates for feature films and television series, as well as retrofitting older properties whose rights and options lapse from studio inaction. Such is the case with Supercrooks, the 2nd film/tv project made for Netflix following the adaptation of Jupiter's Legacy and sees Millar and studio Bones reverse engineer the original standalone mini into a side-story for Jupiter's Legacy following earlier failed attempts 10 years ago to turn the property into a feature film to be helmed by cult Spanish filmmaker Nacho Vigalondo. The end result is reasonably entertaining if not particularly exceptional.

One of the criticisms with the original comic miniseries was in a perceived lack of personality to the characters who were mainly defined by their superpower (barring some exceptions). That criticism has been addressed with the 4 issue comic miniseries now greatly expanded to a 13 episode anime TV series giving much more detailed character histories or character building scenes to the story as well as establishing ties to Jupiter's Legacy. For the most part I think the writers do an okay job of integrating the story into the universe of Jupiter's Legacy, but there are some hiccups such as with an expansion of Johnny Bolt with the first episode primarily showing his teenage years and failed attempts at being the superhero, Electro Boy, which lead to less than appealing results with his major debut leading to an accidental electrocution at a public swimming pool which lead to a escalating chain reaction of events that left many injured and/or presumably killed (which in typical Mark Millar fashion is done in a darkly comedic manner) and strangely there's never really any fallout from this scene and Johnny's criminal divergence from aspiring superhero to supercrook is done almost in the blink of an eye when he inadvertently activates an ATM machine with a stray charge. The first episode really doesn't have much reason to exist aside from establishing itself as taking place in the Jupiter's Legacy universe, and except for a minor callback in episode 10 (and kind of at the end of episode 13) there's nothing all that important in the first episode.

Once the plot does get rolling, the show sticks pretty closely to the "Ocean's Eleven with Superpowers" premise of the original comic, but the actual events of the comic aren't covered until episode 10. Episodes 2-9 focus on an original caper for the cast which the show uses to build up the relationships and interplay among the cast and fill in some of the gaps left by the original miniseries. Overall I'd say it works pretty well and it does lead to some entertaining action sequences that are stylishly done. On occasion there are some noticeable gaffes in logic such as an earlier sequence where Johnny is going on a crime spree through San Francisco with his crew of three other guys (who've been greatly expanded from the no-names they were in the comic) and one of the superheroes they come across is a character named Rubber Ball who despite possessing the attributes of Rubber is still vulnerable to Johnny's electric abilities, admittedly there's no other scenes like that that call that level of attention to themselves (at least in that manner), but that's a pretty glaring error when the show forgets the relationship between rubber and electricity.

Outside of my gripes with these elements, the show captures the appeal of the source comic pretty well. The show does a good job of translating Millar's abrasive sense of humor, with the Diesel brothers in particular scoring some humorously over the top violent scenes as their regenerative abilities often leave behind a....mess for lack of a better word that makes some of the Evil Dead movies look restrained by comparison. Dai Sato of Cowboy Bebop, Wolf's Rain, and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex helped to adapt the comic alongside Millar, and despite some quirks with adapting the material, Sato gives a sense of identity and life to the series that feels very stylish in that "retro" fashion his other work is known for.

Supercrooks is a solid adaptation the miniseries. While it maybe adds a little too much to the somewhat anemic comic book (ironically giving it the opposite problem), there's a lot of style and energy on display in the show that makes it an engaging watch. As with other Millar projects of this type, it boasts the same acerbic humor and over the top violence that is present in much of the writer's work and that will be a major deciding factor in your enjoyment of this. The ties to Jupiter's Legacy don't really add much on a story level, but they're reasonably unintrusive to the core narrative. Flawed, but mostly enjoyable.

A new anime from Japan that has an original story and unique characteristics not found in the million other animes released this year!

Super Crooks is original...which is refreshing by the way, and the anime art style is quite retro which is great! None of this CGI anime crap that makes soulless animation in straight lines from a keyboard instead of a drawing board. The retro art style shines! This art style could have been made in the 90's and we would never know it!

The story is well written also! I have seen a number of IMDB user reviews saying that this show is just like my Hero Academia and even a few saying it's Fairy Tale rebooted for villains?! Clearly these bozos that posted those reviews are fake and they are reviewing this anime just from reading the shows generic description! They made me laugh because it's clear they never watched this show...which makes me wonder why on earth they took the time to write a fake review with a poor score? Review bombing is all I could come up with.

Regardless of the fake reviews, this show is excellent and I have no doubt it's going to become an extremely popular anime with a very bright future! Basically it's a hit. I know a hit series when I see one, and this is it! I am posting this review on the day they just released all of the episodes- Nov.27, 2021. Six months from now this show will be a well known hit with cosplayers at conventions and a green light for season two!

I give it a SOLID 8/10! Don't miss this one!

First few episodes, it was a show you'd put on in the background while your phone. By the end, I truly felt I had watched a good program, with a good plot.

The over saturated superhero field found a place for SuperCrooks. Unique, interesting, good character evolution with a nice twist. This show shouldn't go unwatched by avid anime fans. Some reminiscent of The Boys in it, either way, I enjoyed it, watched in one sitting.

It get very bloody at times.

Watching with english subs, lots of reading .

It as a goofy side.

I agree, the Prince like into song with sexy moves is well design, also the closing credit song style is well choose.

A recommended binge.

One can sincerely find a genuine love and care from the creators bubbling underneath this show. It's stylish and not afraid to go all out. I enjoyed the adult themes touched upon the show.

It has quite a resemblance to the Amazon Prime video show "The boys". So if you are coming from that show, you'll find enjoyment here.

The show doesn't exactly do anything ground-breaking per se, but rather recycles themes and familiar superhero problems in a fresh, entertaining way. It's a guilty pleasure to gorge on.

I had a hard time to get used to the animation, they are really good but not my taste. The Story is intresting and since the Boys I really enjoy Shows that draw a thin Line between good and bad heroes. First i wanted to quit after the first episode but I got my own rule never judge before you finished episode 3. The Story is fun, the crooks are fun and Glad i watched it till the end. Only thing beside the animation style that bothered me was the Soundtrack. Music is the most important factor for me. Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bepop had music that i don't listen too, music that is just noise for me but I loved both Soundtracks, they are fantastic. But this one... 1 / 10 for that horrible music that only fit once, when the Brothers Made their Red button Run.

Given the fact that the superhero genre is starting to go stale and with shows like Invincible and The Boys utilising the narrative perspective of the line between heroes and villains being blurred. I'm pleasantly surprised by how refreshing this show is. The elements of the characters gives you a wholesome suicide squad vibe. The animation is beautiful and the influence of western and eastern together is reminiscent of Shinichiro Watanabe to (creator of Samurai Champloo, Cowboy Bebop and Space Dandy) combined with the funky music just gives off such a cool vibe. I'm glad that they stuck to the more adult themes as it separates it from anything Marvel or DC in regards to animation.

Also I literally can't stop listening to the opening credits song it's that funky and amazing.

Art Style Reminds me of The Great Pretender.

Supervillain Heist anime, but TV MA rated. Good amount of blood and decent comedy.

What annoys me is that the main character is weak compared to the superheroes.

Beginning of the series was good, but it went downhill from there.

Decent story overall and if you are bored I recommend watching it.

Been waiting for it. Not disappointed. Keep it coming. This one isn't holding back. Cheesy old me happy it ain't for kids.

Pretty surprised they were able to somewhat expand on the comic (comic was a one story arc), but yea, with Mark Millar still helming, I guess that isn't much a surprise.

By the way, The Preatorian is awesome. But Hello Ms. Kasey. You're the MVP.

Mark Millar is a scumbag but he can write if he wants to. The 4 issue source comic is pretty forgettable. As is most of his output these days. The 120 professional-looking pages can only be described as a Hollywood pitch and all Millar got out of it was an anime miniseries that extends an already canceled live-action show. Lol. Eps 1 to 9 are 98% original prequel material and the last 4 mostly adapt the comic. The plot is too repetitive as you end up watching the same/similar characters going through the same motions about 3 times by the end. Logic and a sense of danger are equally missing. The animation and style are top-notch so I stuck with it despite a clunky beginning. This is rule of cool the show. English is the original voice track so I went with it. Millar adaptations have outshined the source material more than once and so does Super Crooks even if the light is a bit dim. 6.5/10.

If you're a fan of The Boys, Castlevania, Helsing Ultimate, Jujitsu Kaisen or enjoyed reading books such as The reckoners series, then this show is a treat for you. With the stage set with Jupiter's legacy universe, the creators of the show managed to capitalize on a rich and almost unlimited source of different powers to mix and match. The story line doesn't disappoint if you're a fan of anti-hero POV. I am very grateful for this work.

The first half is very solid with interesting chacracters, cool fights and some humors. It goes downhill pretty fast from episode 7. The latter half makes no sense, characters behave illogical, super lazy story.

The only sense character is the only woman in the team.

What a watse.

I really liked the first episode, at this point, I thought we would follow this young boy how he get more and more criminal as he found out, that being a villain is much more profitable etc. Something like Invincible, but other direction

What I got was this one episode, suddenly after that he is an adult whose most remarkable feature isn't his powers, but spouting dumb stuff and doing this whistle everytime something seems cool. He does dumb stuff all the time and behaves like an asshat, even to his girlfriend he "loves so much, and he will change", and not just once! This Protagonist made me really mad at this point a bit after half the season was over. That was where I watched because I hoped it would get better, but the ending could be seen from miles away (even though I am nearsighted).

Wanted to give it 6 Stars, but while writing I had to go down to 5.

Super Crooks, the Netflix animated series based on the comic book by Mark Millar and Leinil Francis Yu, offers a wild and entertaining ride into the world of super-powered criminals. While it may not reach the pinnacle of excellence, the show still manages to captivate viewers with its energetic storytelling and unique blend of humor and action.

One of the strongest aspects of Super Crooks lies in its premise. The concept of a group of super-powered villains planning the ultimate heist is intriguing and sets the stage for an exciting narrative. The show effectively explores the dynamics between these colorful characters, showcasing their unique powers and personalities. The diverse cast of super crooks adds depth and variety to the story, making it a joy to follow their escapades.

Visually, Super Crooks boasts vibrant and eye-catching animation. The art style effectively captures the comic book aesthetic, with bold colors and dynamic action sequences that keep the viewer engaged throughout. The animation quality maintains a consistent level of detail, bringing the characters and their powers to life in an impressive manner.

The humor in Super Crooks is another aspect that adds to its charm. The series doesn't take itself too seriously, injecting lighthearted moments and witty dialogue into the mix. The comedic relief serves as a welcome break from the intense action, providing a nice balance that prevents the show from becoming overly dark or gritty.

While the show manages to maintain a fast pace and keep the viewer entertained, it does suffer from certain drawbacks. One of the main criticisms lies in the lack of character development. Although the super crooks are an interesting bunch, their backstories and motivations remain relatively shallow. This limits the emotional investment in their journey and prevents the show from reaching its full potential.

Additionally, the plot can at times feel rushed, with certain storylines and relationships not receiving the attention they deserve. Some character arcs and conflicts are introduced and resolved too quickly, leaving the viewer wanting more depth and exploration. As a result, the narrative feels somewhat incomplete and lacking in substance.

Despite these flaws, Super Crooks remains an enjoyable and binge-worthy series. It successfully delivers on its promise of action-packed heists and superhero shenanigans, providing a refreshing twist on the traditional superhero genre. If you're looking for a fun and light-hearted animated show with a touch of criminal mischief, Super Crooks is definitely worth a watch.

Overall, Super Crooks deserves a solid 7/10 rating. It may not be a flawless masterpiece, but its unique premise, engaging animation, and entertaining humor make it a worthwhile addition to the superhero television landscape.

Netflix has found its Invincible or The Boys. Targeted for mature audience like me who found Arcane very predictable and too slow.

The animation is uneven and not groundbreaking like Arcane is, but they didn't hold back on the action and the ending is conclusive (unlike Arcane, which I deduct one point just for THAT ending alone)and true to the comic (I'm assuming this is just a one-season show?).

The second half of the show (episode 7 onwards) is a bit messy but it's still a good time. Binged all 13 episodes in one sitting but I got up from my seat and danced to the intro song for every episode lol.

Too bad Jupiter's Legacy is cancelled, will there be more coming from the universe or this is it?

Super heroes, anime and heist tropes. Episode 1 is a great feat of story telling and expectation subversion. The rest of the show is rather trivial and mundane in comparison. There is no way to tell heist stories anymore, as a genere it was explored too much and you cant change that no matter how unreliable the narrator gets or how many counter plot twist you shoe horn in. Overall a fine watch with uncommon aesthetic and an overabundance of gore. Super Crooks: the heist movie in a superhero world.

I've accidnetlly stumbled upon this show on Netflix and was pleasantly surprised. This is obvious attempt to copy the style of the Invinsible, but it still works on its own.

The best part is the sexual representation of female characters (if you got it, own it and don't preach some woke crap), and the crazy, over the top comics violence, that has very little influence on the anti-heroes themselves.

In short, worth to watch. Waiting for season 2.

If you are superhero genre fan like me who have been through all like marvel movies, Dc comics, Invincible, The boys and also you loved Netflix Castlevania, Arcade, Dragon pricnce please trust me you will absolutely love it. I don't usually put 10/10 but I want more people to watch it. The retro vibe drawing and soundtrack, the sexy dance of Kasey at the intro, the sugar song on outro, the story buildup every single thing was magical. Acting was so natural, human psychology was fluent. Absolutely recommend. Don't drop the show before you watch three episodes. Enjoy.

There have been a fair amount of decent super hero shows recently and most of them do it better than this one. It wasnt bad at all, it just felt like a knock off the whole time, sometimes it felt like an invincible knock off, other times it felt like it was trying to be other super hero shows.

This may have been great had i not seen most of it done several times before alrdy.

I Just finished watching episode 3, and i like the style of the art work/animation. Great story so far, good music/comedy and character arcs. Somewhat similar to Invincible - since its about hero's/villains. This to me is like the anime version of The Boys lol. I Look forward to watching the rest of the season and hopefully a season 2.

Use subtitles if you watch this the english voice acting is pretty mid. The animation is good, characters are decently interesting, and the story is ok so far only on the 7th episode.

To me this was all trial and errors, more errors than i can even count but the point is it worked out in the end, after all that sacrifice 5 years and all that paid off more like bonus cut to me, so yeah it was a gang of failed villains coming together to pull an heard heist in jail after been imprisoned many times, so was this fun to watch i guess am not sure but it passed the time though.

It was a better subject to make a live-action film instead of an animation. It's a story for adults, but it's not serious enough.

I felt that the subject matter of Mark Millar's draft was very good and was a waste. The opening song was good though.

I just do not understand this kind of writing. There were some legitimately good ideas in here. There were some good scenes, but the pacing and several key writing decisions brought it from like an 8 to a 5.5-6.

It was about 2-3 episodes too long with some really really stupid "twists" thrown in towards the back half which were completely unnecessary from a writing perspective. Like when they're story boarding this, or looking at what makes a cohesive story, who says, yeah let's add in two episodes worth of absolute idiot plot decision making on behalf of the cast. The craziest part to me is the story would have flowed perfectly without it and everything could have been wrapped up with a neat little bow.