What’s a good sci-fi or fantasy series without a fascinating, deeply rich urban locale to serve as its backdrop? Batman’s got Gotham, Superman has Metropolis, and any comparable franchise that plans to stick around would do good to create comparable settings from which subplots and supporting characters can emerge to provide new narratives and continuing intrigue through the years.

Recounting how several movies, comics, TV shows and multi-platform franchises have done just that, io9 has compiled an enjoyable listicle of The 9 Worst Fictional Cities on Earth. Obviously, Gotham is on the list, as is Sunnydale from the Buffy series, but we’re a little surprised they stopped at nine. After all, so many series opt for fictional cities that we’re rather surprised by the abscences of The Matrix’s nameless metropolis, Mystery Men’s Champion City and the titular shape-shifting urban center from Dark City (pictured).