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EvilpixieA β Concerning Villains
Published: 2011-02-21 23:39:18 +0000 UTC; Views: 615; Favourites: 7; Downloads: 6
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Concerning Villains:I have a confession to make. It isn't a very surprising one; many of my friends would not be surprised if I were to tell them this. But I feel I would like to make it all the same.
I have a thing for the bad boys and girls of fiction. Yes, I love villains. Secretly (okay, not so secretly) I root for the Joker over Batman, Superman's character pales in comparison to Lex Luther, Darth Vader is infinitely more interesting when he dons the cape and starts swinging the red, I am naming my first born after Lord Voldemort, T-800 (better known as the Terminator) is the best toy anyone could get, Norman Osborn deservingly kicks Spiderman's arse, Agent Smith is so much classier than 'Mr. Anderson', Kira has the sexiest writing style/killing spree everβ¦. I should stop now.
Anyway, in English the other day the teacher told us about a lady who had a dream to be a superhero and what one would have to do to be a superhero. It's quite a task unless you are born/mutated to have special powers. Yet, no one seemed to take into consideration that a good villain not only has to go through all of these processes as well and often more to be a match for the hero. No one notices the poor old bad guys who really do make the hero and can become more of a star than the hero could hope to be.
I mean, think about it! A villain has to match a hero AND often have to think up elaborate plots and plans to make up for natural weaknesses or take use of advantages in ways to outwit the hero who more often than not gets lucky rather than scheming their way out of things.
Gah! It is frustrating! My poor babies not getting the love they deserve!
Well, most of them don't. If you think about it Death Note, The Dark Knight and Charlie and the Chocolate factory all had vastly impressive villains that are perhaps even more notable and remembered than their counterpart heroes.
So I need to throw this question out into the world:
Do you admire some villains more than some heroes? Even if you don't agree with their goals or motives perhaps you can respect the talent in which they plot and create schemes?
Do you fall in love with the bad boy/girl/both?
Just wondering I hope you understand.
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Comments: 24
What's a hero without a good villain? I'll tell you what: he's nothing but an average Joe. Without that villain trying to take over the world or whatever he's out to do, the hero has nothing better to do than pick the lint out of his navel or something equally mundane.
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Agreed: a hero is the sum of his villain.
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What's a bit irritating is when the villain(s) outshine the hero(es). I mean, yes, I love my villains but if the villain is better written than the hero, I'll lose interest.
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Oh yes, I understand that as well. The villain has to pose the challenge, and has to be on higher ground than the hero. But if the bad guy is the only interesting character then the whole story starts to slip.
If an author can get me to despise their villains then I'll probably really like the story.
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My feelings exactly. When I find the villain interesting and the hero boring, I want to track the author down and beat them with a wet sock.
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I'm confused. Do you consider Willy Wonka the villain?
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Oh he is the villain, no question about it.
It may not be immediately obvious (because he is both dastardly clever and very much idealized) but he is the antagonist to the whole plot. The role of a villain is to present challenges, conflict and question the hero and needs to be defeated or overcome in some way to create a satisfying conclusion.
Willy Wonka not only lures children into his factory but picks off those he does not agree with one by one and eventually challenges Charlie himself both for his mistake and because he wishes to stay with his family. Charlie has to overcome Wonka by showing him his mistakes and challenging his method of 'succorer selection'.
Quite a good child villain in my books. And because most people don't recognize him as one, that just makes him all the more awesome.
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I have to disagree. I think he's the best of the characters. He's extremely warm and welcoming (unlike the film portrayals)but he's also dangerous and not afraid to get rid of people he doesn't like. He specifically wanted his factory to go to a kid because an adult would ruin it.
He does get rid of kids in horrible ways, but they really bring upon themselves by their own vices.
I think one of the things that makes the book work is that it has no villain, just unlikable characters.
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Well, I still disagree but I can see your point. I too have read the book but I got a very different impression of him, and one which I quite enjoyed.
Glad to find a fellow fan here on deviantart!
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It's interesting the way people interpret things differently. It is nice to meet other fans.
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Well uh, ALL villains in the DC and Marvel universe is better, cooler, more interesting and more lovable than the heroes themselves, heck, look at Spideyman. But sometimes, the good guys are cool too, so I guess that I can't really say who I love more. In the world of comics though, it's clear that the bad guys are way cooler than the good ones (except for Hellboy, they're all equally good). This is a fun read
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I must agree. Comic villians do dominate but their heroes do as well. Thanks for commenting!
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Yay! It's great to know I'm not the only one out there that loves the bad guy
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I am really wanting a poster of the Joker. When I was little my friends used to tell me I was like him because we were both crazy.
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Ah the Joker. In my opinion the best bad guy of all time.
Hahaha, life is better being crazy! Far more interesting, though a little more time consuming... I suppose that depends on your personal kind of crazy.
Did you ever get that Joker Poster? I wouldn't mind a copy.
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Yesyesyes! I often refer to him if making a villain, because sane villains are boring...
They have some at Spencer's Gifts for like 10-15$ and they used to at Wal-Mart & 5 below for 5$
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Another soul that sees the Joker as I do! Marvelous! And I think you are right; the most boring villains are the sane ones because they always stop to rationalize, reason, figure etc etc etc blah blah blah.
I think I just might look into that, thanks. 
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Yup. The scariest ones are insane, often because they like what they do, and they're going to do it no matter what gets in their way.
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exactly, though some sane villains are interesting it is still the insane ones that capture the imagination.
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Definitely!
Perhaps, they are even easier to relate to.
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interesting theory. I think perhaps the insane ones are more opposite of their heroes and therefore can represent the other side of human nature. Again, there are some highly entertaining sane villains, but the ones I do respect the most as villains do have that touch of insanity which I think effects us all at some point in time.
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Yes, that is a valid point as well. :] I agree wholeheartedly. It's why we swoon over the joker... and not the Puzzler xD
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