Countdown to 2010: Philly's Top 10 Not-So-Secret Superheroes

As in years past, Phillyist will be counting down to 2010 every workday of December, presenting you with our highlights from the past year and our predictions for the next. If you have a list you'd like to submit, let us know!

Image by Flickr user eneas

Last week Andy told you about some of the most hated Philadelphians in 2009. Today, I give you le opposite. Some locals (with specific superhero tendencies) to love and adore right on into 2010.

10. Anna Goldfarb
The Co-founder and Kitten-in-Chief of Shmitten Kitten has clearly come into possession of the Captain Planet "heart" ring. Yeah, I thought heart was lame when I was a kid, too—but fire and wind don't help to bring the lovelorn together over mix tapes and under mistletoe. Once you're an adult, the power to instill caring and understanding in people kinda comes in handy. Now if only someone would give Anna a show like Number 9's but for dudes... the Millionaire Matchmaker's just not as fun.

9. Steve Ward
Oh boy is this Tough Love dude from Philly. As a shameless VH1 reality show whore, I love his no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is stance toward self-sabotaging women and dating. But mostly, it's fun to hear an unabashed Philly accent bellowing at full volume from my TV. His superpower? Turning gold-digging tramps into almost acceptable people counts, right?

8. Athena Onatop
You can take the girl out of Philly, but you can't take the Philly out of the girl. The former Hellcat may have defected to Austin this fall, but there's no denying her uncanny ability to command a room. Plus, she actually looks like a superhero. And a picture (by Dan Murphy) is worth a thousand words .