5 best (and 5 worst) dads from sci-fi and fantasy

Fifth Best Dad: Bob Parr, aka Mr. Incredible, from The Incredibles

Look, is Bob Parr perfect? No. He can be selfish, and impatient, and even a little jealous of his wife when she’s getting more limelight than him in The Incredibles 2. But while she’s off fighting the bad guys, he is at home doing his best to make sure his three children get everything they need, whether that’s a story to fall asleep to, boundaries when they’re going out on a date, or help with their math homework, even though none of it makes any sense and why would they change math?

He does this stuff even though it’s frustrating and exhausting, which is what good dads everywhere do. And he honestly wants his kids to excel. His son Dash is the fastest kid in his school, but can’t make full use of his abilities because no one is supposed to know that he’s part of a superhero family. Bob thinks that’s bull; if his children are good at something, why not be the very best at it they can be?

Admittedly, there are limits to that line of thinking, and it’s a very good thing that Bob has his cooler-headed wife Helen, aka Elastigirl or Mrs. Incredible, at his side to reign him in when he’s getting carried away. At the same time, Bob can spur Helen to do things she might not normally do. They make a good team, as superheroes and as parents.

At the end of the day, Bob is a family man through and through, even if he gets restless about reliving the good old days every now and again. Whatever his misgivings, he always puts his family first. He tries, and that what makes him incredible.