Villains who make you love them.
Like Dr. Horrible in Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog. He's a better person than the hero, and his fall into darkness . . . well, let's just say it's a beautiful, sad romance. And don't tell me you haven't seen it yet. Go download it from iTunes now!
Or Villains who make you squirm, they are that evil.
Like Sylar from the TV show Heroes. Seriously, this serial killer was downright creepy. And nearly indestructible and all powerful. But at least, after season 3, you learn that he doesn't eat brains.
In this picture of him, I have to wonder why he's bothering with a gun. He can cut through people's skulls with his telekinesis.
Or Villains that leave you confused.
Like Allie Beckstrom's dad in Magic to the Bone (Allie Beckstrom, Book 1) by Devon Monk. He's manipulative. He warps her memories with magic. He lies and cheats and sneers at everybody. He wants power and immortality, and he doesn't care if he hurts his own daughter in the process.
But he also wants to save magic, purge the taint out of it, and better the world. And along the way, he helps the good guys. I love the complexity.
Who are your favorite Villains? Tell me what I want to know, or I will swipe your cookies. Mwahahaha!
Oooh. Good examples, Rita! I haven't read the Monk books, but I agree 100000% with the other two.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite villains is Melisande Shahrizai from the first two Kushiel trilogies by Jacqueline Carey. Brilliant, beautiful, cold blooded, but fascinating. She's one of those that kind of makes me squirm because I know she'd destroy me in a second if we ever met.
I'm going to have to check out that book. That sounds like an awesome villain.
DeleteSomeday, I want to write a villain who is actually kind and wise, who won't kill their underlings because they make a mistake, but instead teaches them and encourages them. For that they love her and will follow her anywhere.
But this villain will have a noble cause that will destroy the world. Kinda like Rhas Al Ghul from Batman comics.
Oooooo that's a tough choice. While I love Doc Horrible, I don't really think of him as a villain. Bad guy yes, villain, not so much.
ReplyDeleteI think first and foremost would be Darth Vader, but then the Imperial Death March is my ringtone. Do I even need to give reasons why he is an awesome villain? I didn't think so.
Then there is Scorpi from Farscape, nice and complex with his own agenda which is revealed over several seasons. Putting the Scorpi / Harvey clone in John Crichton's head was a powerful twist especially when it tries to take over. "Well you know John..." the accent didn't hurt either.
Gentleman Johnny Marcone, dangerous, unscrupulous, mob boss, with a secret, and an odd code of honor. I like him.
And of course there is Sylar. The boogie man from season one of Heroes. "I don't eat brains Claire, that's disgusting." The first season was by far the best. (yes I know the quote is not from season one.)
This is my husband, everybody. He's been called "the most evil-looking nice guy" by his friends before. Though I wouldn't call him "nice". He's definitely sweet, but he's also too stubborn and dangerous to be nice. And now he's giving me funny looks for writing such things about him.
DeleteRita, for a complex villain, one you find yourself loathing and rooting for at the same time is Steerpike in Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast Trilogy. On vaguely related theme, it's interesting how the villain is the new hero eg Boardwalk Empire and the Borgias. Morally bankrupt and oozing glamour.
ReplyDeleteNow I have another book to check out! I love the name "Steerpike" for a character.
DeleteHmm, "Morally bankrupt and oozing glamour"--maybe that explains the vampire craze.