I was browsing online recently and came across the American Film Institute’s list of the 50 greatest heroes and villains of the last century. It was fascinating, introducing me to some characters I’d never even heard of. This sparked an idea: why not create my own list of villains? Yes! A tribute to the bad guys (and gals) we’ve come to love and hate over the years. These complex characters are essential; without them, our favorite heroes wouldn’t be nearly as compelling. So, here it is, my personal list of villainous icons. Grab your favorite drink and a snack, settle in, and prepare to journey into the shadows. It’s going to be a long, but thrilling ride. Ready? Let’s dive in.
Megatron from The Transformers
“Such heroic nonsense.” — Megatron, Transformers: The Movie
Megatron, the formidable leader of the Decepticons, is arguably the most iconic villain to ever grace Saturday morning cartoons. This line, delivered moments before he blasted the injured Ironhide into oblivion with his fusion cannon in Transformers: The Movie, perfectly encapsulates his ruthless nature.
Megatron’s power is undeniable. His signature weapon, the arm-mounted fusion cannon, can obliterate city blocks with a single blast. Remarkably, he can sub-dimensionally link this cannon to a black hole, amplifying its destructive power to generate even more devastating antimatter blasts. He also wields a secondary weapon barrel on his back and can replace his hand with an energy flail for close combat. In his alternate mode, Megatron transforms into a Walther P38 pistol, channeling energy blasts with pinpoint accuracy. He can even adjust his size and mass during transformation, allowing him to be wielded by both Transformers and humans. In one instance, he maintained his full size while attaching to Starscream in jet mode, showcasing his adaptability and raw power.
Megatron’s leadership style is debated among his followers and foes alike. Some view him as a strategic mastermind, orchestrating plans from afar, while others see him as a brutal battlefield commander, leading from the front with unwavering aggression. However, everyone agrees on one thing: Megatron is cunning, ruthless, and utterly merciless. Unlike many villains, Megatron isn’t portrayed as chaotic or insane. His megalomania is tempered by a cold, calculating logic, a consistent rationale, even if only he understands it.
One of Megatron’s most memorable traits is his glowing red eyes, a visual cue that amplified his anger and evil intent. He also possesses incredible resilience, consistently surviving attacks that would decimate his Decepticon army. Many Transformers storylines conclude with the Autobots believing victory is theirs, only for Megatron to reappear in the final moments, a chilling reminder of his enduring threat.
Agent Smith from The Matrix
“I’d like to share a revelation that I’ve had during my time here. It came to me when I tried to classify your species and I realized that you’re not actually mammals. Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with its surrounding environment, but you humans do not. You move to an area and you multiply and multiply until every natural resource is consumed. The only way you can survive is to spread to another area. There is another organism on this planet that follows the same pattern. Do you know what it is? A virus. Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet. You are a plague, and we…are the cure.” — Agent Smith, Matrix Reloaded.
Agent Smith is arguably the most compelling of the Agents in The Matrix film series. As an artificial intelligence within the Matrix, he wields extraordinary powers, manipulating the digital world with ease. This includes superhuman strength, incredible martial arts prowess, and the uncanny ability to dodge bullets flawlessly. He pushed Neo, the series’ hero, to his absolute limit, even managing to kill him, albeit temporarily.
Research suggests that Agent Smith’s look and demeanor are drawn from a blend of American pop culture paranoia and archetypes. One prominent influence appears to be the stereotypical image of CIA agents: ruthlessly efficient automatons carrying out orders with cold precision and a neutral Midwestern accent. Some sources point to Secret Service agents of the JFK era as inspiration. The Agents’ appearance and personality also mirror the “Corporate American” businessman stereotype. Others suggest a more direct allusion to the Men in Black of UFO lore and conspiracy theories. It’s a chilling thought that sometimes, the scariest figures in suits aren’t lawyers, but sentient programs.
Dr. Blight from Captain Planet and the Planeteers
“HA HA HA HA HA! sigh.”
This striking villainess, with her disfigured face, was a standout in Captain Planet and the Planeteers’ rogues’ gallery. Dr. Blight is a mad scientist specializing in biochemistry, with a background in biological and chemical warfare research. She embodies the dark side of scientific ambition, willing to tamper with nature and destroy entire species for personal gain. One of her primary obsessions is creating the “perfect human,” often conducting dangerous experiments on herself in pursuit of this twisted goal. Despite her scarred appearance, she is intensely vain and considers herself beautiful and fashionable.
Dr. Blight sports mid-length blonde hair, with a striking white streak covering her left eye and much of the left side of her face. This white section strategically conceals severe scarring and burns, remnants of an unknown accident, perhaps one of her own experiments. Her constant companion is MAL, a sophisticated supercomputer.
Among Captain Planet’s stock villain characters, Dr. Blight stood out with the most developed personality. The series even hinted at her family history, adding layers to her character. If any villain deserved to defeat Captain Planet and the Planeteers, it was Dr. Blight. Interestingly, Meg Ryan voiced her in the 1990-1991 seasons. In a darkly humorous vein, if Two-Face from Batman lore ever needed a date, Dr. Blight would be a uniquely suitable, if somewhat volatile, choice.
The Headless Horseman from Disney’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
“YAAAAH! HA! HA! HA! HA!”
My first encounter with this terrifying, caped rider was in Disney’s animated adaptation. As a child, probably in third grade, he genuinely frightened me. The echoing, chilling laugh in the darkness was deeply unsettling. The fact that he was headless, and the ambiguity surrounding whether he was a ghost or a man, heightened the fear. And of course, the flaming pumpkin he hurled at Ichabod Crane at the climax was the stuff of nightmares. Disney’s Headless Horseman was pure menace, a truly bad dude…or ghost? Did you know that Washington Irving’s original story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” was published in 1820 and is still a staple in schools today? Who says a body can’t live on without a mind?
Venom
“I know he’s dead. We made him that way.”
Venom, the black-clad anti-hero, is one of Spider-Man’s most formidable and unsettling adversaries. His origin is complex, rooted in a Secret Wars crossover storyline on an alien planet. Spider-Man, needing a suit repair after sacrificing his web shooters, stumbled upon a machine that released a sentient alien symbiote. This symbiote bonded with Spider-Man, creating a black costume with incredible abilities: responding to his thoughts, mimicking clothing, and generating limitless webbing. Upon returning to Earth, Spider-Man discovered the costume’s true nature – it desired permanent fusion, enveloping him at night and using his body to fight crime unconsciously. With Mister Fantastic’s help, Spider-Man removed the symbiote using sonic waves, its weakness. However, the symbiote escaped and sought to rebond with Spider-Man in a church tower. The church bells, combined with Spider-Man’s rejection, weakened the alien, and it seemingly perished.
Meanwhile, reporter Eddie Brock’s career imploded after he falsely identified Emil Gregg as the Sin-Eater in The Daily Globe. Exposed by Spider-Man’s capture of the real criminal, Brock was fired, shunned, and relegated to writing tabloid drivel. Fueled by hatred for Spider-Man and planning suicide, Brock sought solace in a church. There, the alien symbiote found him, bonding to the emotionally broken reporter. This union amplified their instability, creating Venom. Adopting the name from his tabloid work, Venom swore revenge on Spider-Man.
Venom always evoked unease. His monstrous appearance and unsettling habit of licking opponents, leaving trails of green goo, were genuinely disturbing. He could also approach Spider-Man without triggering his spider-sense, making him even more menacing. However, Venom is a fascinating character with a backstory that teaches a surprising lesson: cool things can happen in church! 😉
Darkseid
“I’m going to carve out your heart and put it on a pike in my throne room.” — Darkseid to Superman in the final episode of Justice League Unlimited.
Darkseid stands as one of the most powerful and infamous villains in the DC Universe. He is evil incarnate. His ambition extends beyond mere control; he seeks total domination, transforming individuals into morally corrupt, obedient puppets. Apokolips, his homeworld, is a hellish reflection of his desire for worship and the cultivation of humanity’s darkest aspects. On Apokolips, subjects are raised in a personality cult, venerating him and gladly sacrificing themselves in his name.
Darkseid maintains remarkable emotional control, projecting a calm, disciplined demeanor even when consumed by rage. He possesses a twisted code of honor, albeit a flexible one, bending to his mood and objectives. He craves the image of honor but never lets it impede his pursuit of power or revenge. He particularly relishes humbling the mighty, breaking their strength or moral conviction. His primary weakness may be his obsession with settling scores, especially with Superman.
Beyond his vast military forces, Darkseid himself is incredibly powerful. His signature ability is the Omega Beam, fired from his eyes. The Omega Effect is not just a destructive force; it can teleport targets, erase them from existence, and even restore them at will. The beams are not limited to straight lines, bending and twisting as needed, traversing time, universes, and barriers. Physically, Darkseid is powerful enough to challenge Superman and potentially even stronger beings.
Darkseid’s ultimate ambition is to eradicate free will from the universe, reshaping it in his own image. To achieve this, he seeks the Anti-Life Equation, a mysterious force that would grant him absolute control over thoughts and emotions. The Anti-Life Equation is portrayed variously as a mystical power or a comprehensive scientific theory of mind control. Fans of Justice League Unlimited witnessed its “appearance” when Lex Luthor delivered it to Darkseid in the series finale.
Darkseid is consistently bad news. I recall a comic, possibly the defunct DC title Scare Tactics, where Darkseid ordered coffee at a café. His voice was described as the sound of boulders grinding together – undeniably cool. Another memorable moment is from the Super Friends animated series, where Darkseid bid “one bleem” (a single credit unit) for a chunk of gold kryptonite at an intergalactic auction, silencing all other bidders with his sheer presence. Cool indeed.
Dr. Eggman Robotnik from Sonic the Hedgehog
“Oh Yeah?!!!!” — Dr. Eggman from Sonic Shuffle
Dr. Eggman Robotnik, grandson of Professor Gerald Robotnik and cousin of Maria Robotnik, is a classic evil genius bent on world domination. Initially, his plan involved imprisoning populations within robots to serve his whims. More recently, he favors constructing massive, apocalyptic weapons, each declared his “most destructive ever,” to threaten nations. However, his elaborate schemes consistently fail, thanks to the heroic intervention of Sonic the Hedgehog.
Despite his intellect, Eggman is remarkably immature, prone to temper tantrums and destructive outbursts when thwarted. He is also deeply egotistical; his weapons and robots often bear his likeness, and his production logo is a crude self-portrait.
Eggman has designed and built numerous large airships, including the Egg Carrier and the Death Egg space station, alongside countless robots, many resembling himself or Sonic. Early Sonic the Hedgehog games suggested he hand-built his creations. However, since Sonic Heroes, a “quantity over quality” approach prevails, implying mass production of robot armies, freeing him to focus on larger, more grandiose projects.
While Eggman’s mental stability is questionable, he is occasionally willing to assist in saving the world from threats exceeding his own, perhaps motivated by the understanding that a destroyed world is harder to conquer. According to the Sonic Heroes booklet, he is “a romanticist, feminist, and self-professed gentleman,” though these qualities are often obscured by his evil schemes. Dr. Eggman Robotnik, despite his silliness, is the perfect foil to highlight Sonic the Hedgehog’s “way-past-coolness,” and defeating him in the games is always satisfying.
Doomsday
“HAH-HA…HUH? MHH-TRR-PLSS?” — Doomsday
Doomsday is infamous for achieving the seemingly impossible: killing Superman. However, his complex origin is less widely known outside of comic book circles. Doomsday was artificially created on Krypton by the mad scientist Bertron, who sought to create the ultimate life form. Bertron subjected a baby to a brutal process of accelerated evolution: sending it to the harsh Kryptonian surface, allowing it to be killed by the environment or creatures, then harvesting its remains to create a stronger, more resilient clone. This cycle repeated thousands of times, each death etching itself into Doomsday’s genetic memory, fueling an intense hatred for all life. Bertron himself ultimately fell victim to his creation.
Before his detailed backstory was revealed, Doomsday was simply an ultra-powerful, rampaging villain, mindlessly wreaking havoc across the United States. Buried underground for an unknown period, he emerged, unleashing indiscriminate destruction on everything in sight, driven by pure, feral ferocity.
In his initial encounter with the Justice League, Doomsday defeated the entire team in minutes, causing widespread devastation and drawing Superman’s attention. (He never spoke, thus never named himself “Doomsday.” Booster Gold coined the name, observing his rampage as “the arrival of Doomsday,” signifying the end of the world.) Superman quickly realized Doomsday’s power matched his own and that Metropolis was in grave danger. Simultaneously, Doomsday developed a specific desire to kill Superman, later attributed to sensing Superman’s Kryptonian origin, triggering his genetically ingrained hatred.
In a few issues of the Superman comic series, Superman and Doomsday engaged in a colossal, relentless battle. In Superman #75, Superman, in a heroic sacrifice, fought Doomsday to a fatal standstill, both seemingly dying from simultaneous blows. But for non-comic readers: don’t worry, Superman got better.
One persistent critique of this storyline is the Justice League’s relatively weak roster at the time: Booster Gold, Guy Gardner, Fire, Ice, Bloodwynd, etc. Iconic heroes like Wonder Woman, Batman, Green Lantern, The Flash, and Martian Manhunter were conspicuously absent. While they mourned Superman afterward, their absence during the fight diminished the impact of the “Death of Superman” arc for some readers.
Darth Vader
“I find your lack of faith disturbing.” (Vader to Admiral Motti, questioning the Force’s power.)
With the Star Wars prequels and my son’s birth, I’ve pondered how to introduce him to Star Wars. Episode I-VI order, or IV-VI then I-III, the way I experienced it? The viewing order profoundly impacts how one understands Darth Vader, a cinematic villain icon.
Vader is a cruel and frightening figure, his signature terror tactic being Force-choking. In Episode IV, his aggression is somewhat restrained by serving under Grand Moff Tarkin. When Admiral Motti challenges Vader’s “sad devotion” to the Force, Tarkin prevents Vader from killing Motti, allowing only a demonstration. Tarkin’s death removes this restraint, leaving Vader seemingly subordinate only to the Emperor. Imperial officers universally fear Vader. This fear is justified; Admiral Ozzel and Captain Needa perish by Vader’s hand in The Empire Strikes Back. Curiously, Admiral Piett survives Vader’s wrath after losing the Millennium Falcon, attributed by Lucas to Vader’s ambivalence about Luke. Admiral Piett was indeed lucky.
Freddy Krueger
“How Sweet. Fresh Meat”
Freddy Krueger, or Frederick Charles Krueger, is the monstrous antagonist of the Nightmare on Elm Street horror series. Portrayed by Robert Englund in every film, he is an undead serial killer and child murderer who preys on victims in their dreams.
Freddy’s defining traits include his horrifically burned face, bladed glove, red and green sweater, and the chilling nursery rhyme: “One, two, Freddy’s coming for you. Three, four, better lock your door. Five, six, grab your crucifix. Seven, eight, gonna stay up late. Nine, ten, never sleep again…” And, of course, his sadistic pleasure in torturing victims with his glove.
My prior encounter with Robert Englund was as Willy in V, a gentle soul. Freddy was quite a role reversal. Watching the original Nightmare on Elm Street recently, it seems tame by today’s horror standards. But in 1984, it terrified me, especially the body bag scene. Sleep was elusive for nights afterward. And Nightmare on Elm Street II‘s ending, where Freddy reaches through the door and drags the mother inside? Chilling.
Akuma from Street Fighter
“Show me your true power, Ryu!”
Sheng Long, meaning “mystical dragon,” is tied to the Mandarin pronunciation of “rising dragon.” Ryu’s Street Fighter II win quote, “You must defeat Sheng Long to stand a chance,” led many to believe Sheng Long was Ryu and Ken’s master, not just Ryu’s move, the Shoryuken. Later versions corrected the quote to “You must defeat my Dragon Punch to stand a chance!”
Akuma’s creation is linked to an Electronic Gaming Monthly April Fools’ joke. The magazine claimed players could fight Sheng Long by enduring M. Bison for ten rounds without touching him. Sheng Long would then appear, defeat Bison, and challenge the player, possessing Ryu and Ken’s moves but with amplified damage and speed, his Dragon Punch engulfed in flames. Fake screenshots enhanced the hoax, and many players flocked to Street Fighter II machines seeking the nonexistent character. Capcom initially neither confirmed nor denied the joke, benefiting from increased arcade revenue. Capcom USA even contacted Capcom Japan to verify Sheng Long’s legitimacy. EGM later revealed the hoax.
Akuma’s story, a Cain and Abel narrative, is richly detailed for a video game character, foundational to the Street Fighter series. Akuma and his brother Gouken were students of Goutetsu, who taught Ansatsuken (Assassin Fist), a deadly martial art incorporating karate, judo, taekwondo, and koppo, including the Shun Goku Satsu (Raging Demon), a life-threatening technique capable of instant kills. This move cost me many quarters in arcades.
Gouken abandoned Ansatsuken’s violence, but Akuma embraced its deadly purpose, vowing to master every lethal technique, including the Shun Goku Satsu.
To master the Shun Goku Satsu, Akuma embraced the Satsui no Hado (Surge of Murderous Intent), sacrificing compassion for increased killing power, transcending human limits. He left Goutetsu’s guidance, training alone on a hidden island, pushing his body and mind to their breaking points, seeking to become the ultimate Ansatsuken fighter.
After mastering the Shun Goku Satsu and embracing the Satsui no Hado, Akuma fought Goutetsu, killing his master with a single Shun Goku Satsu. Goutetsu died with joy, witnessing his pupil’s mastery. Akuma took Goutetsu’s beaded necklace. The next day, Akuma challenged Gouken to a death battle, witnessed by Gouken’s daughter, Ouju-San. Gouken initially dominated, but Akuma, mocking Gouken’s refusal to kill his brother, struck him down with the Shun Goku Satsu. Ken, arriving from a tournament, found his master dead and the dojo destroyed. Enraged, Ken pursued Akuma, but was easily defeated. Ryu, Gouken’s other student, sought Akuma to understand his inner turmoil.
Akuma began searching for worthy opponents globally, observing tournaments and street fights. Gen challenged him to a brutal battle, surviving the Shun Goku Satsu by emptying his soul. Akuma, sensing Gen’s illness, refused to continue, infuriating Gen.
Ryu found Akuma’s island and battled him to a draw, impressing Akuma. Akuma urged Ryu to embrace the Satsui no Hado and destroyed his island, leaving Ryu in the ocean to contemplate his words. Akuma, excited by the prospect of a worthy death in battle, began training in a desolate cavern, awaiting Ryu’s return.
Two years later, Akuma resumed his search for strong fighters, awaiting Ryu’s Satsui no Hado awakening. He may have fought and killed Adon (who vanished after seeking Akuma). He battled Gen again to an unclear conclusion. Unbeknownst to Akuma, Ryu rejected the Satsui no Hado, believing true warriors don’t rely on violent intent.
Akuma infiltrated the second World Warrior tournament, killing M. Bison with a Shun Goku Satsu, sending his soul to hell.
Similarly, Akuma lurked in the shadows of the third World Warrior tournament, performing Shun Goku Satsu on sponsor Gill, unaware Gill resurrected himself. Akuma honed his skills, mastering new techniques, including ones capable of creating tidal waves and splitting Ayers Rock. His self-taught Kongou Kokuretsu Zan channels power into lethal chops, creating a protective aura.
Akuma continued developing his fighting prowess, even battling Oro inconclusively, each sensing the other’s immense chi. He demonstrated underwater endurance and destroyed a sunken ship with his Tenshou Kaireki Jin technique. Akuma embodies power’s corrupting influence, making him a compelling video game villain.
Mr. Freeze
“Revenge is a dish best served cold.”
The Batman: The Animated Series episode “Heart of Ice,” written by Paul Dini, is considered a pinnacle of Batman storytelling, largely due to its portrayal of Mr. Freeze. Bruce Timm and his team transformed Freeze from a campy 1960s stock character into a tragic and sometimes terrifying figure.
“Heart of Ice” sets the standard for BTAS episodes, refining the series’ hallmarks to an unmatched level. It’s a classic in the classical style, chamber music for hero and villain. “Vengeance” is Mr. Freeze’s theme, “Justice” Batman’s. Their interactions are a double fugue, each composing variations on their theme, commenting on the other’s.
Victor Fries is a good man, driven by noble motives to save his terminally ill wife Nora. He commits no real crime, but his obsessive pursuit clashes with Ferris Boyle, a genuinely corrupt man masking as benevolent. An accident transforms Fries into Mr. Freeze, cold externally but burning with inner rage. Bruce Wayne, similarly marked by loss, channels his pain into abstract justice as Batman. Both Freeze and Batman are isolated, feeling the acute loss of human connection.
Freeze’s transformation stemmed from “misappropriating” company equipment; his revenge begins with further “misappropriation” to create a giant freeze gun. His accident sealed him in cold; he seeks to freeze Ferris Boyle in his headquarters, poetic justice, vengeance mirroring the crime.
Batman transcends such poetic justice, seeking real justice, guided by general principles, not tailored vengeance. He has no personal vendetta against his foes, aiming only to incapacitate and deliver them to authorities. His abstract motives can seem cold; Freeze, at least, cares enough to seek retribution against Boyle.
Their confrontations are brief but insightful. Freeze is pitiless but not cruel, inconveniencing Batman when he could kill him. Batman is constrained by his scruples. They understand each other, judging each other generously, yet find no common ground. Both oppose Boyle, the culpable but uncomprehending man in the middle. They cannot unite, yet neither might have reached Boyle without the other. Freeze finds solace in Batman ensuring Boyle’s punishment, but Batman’s involvement stems from Freeze’s obsession.
This is the episode’s framework. Its soul lies in Michael Ansara’s chilling monotone voice acting, Paul Dini’s eloquent soliloquies, and Bruce Timm’s ice-sharp visuals. If you haven’t seen “Heart of Ice,” find it immediately.
M. Bison
“All who oppose me will be destroyed.”
The Psycho Drive, a machine amassing negative energy, is central to M. Bison’s story. Shadaloo’s satellite (featured in Street Fighter Alpha 3) extends the Psycho Drive’s range. Only two Shadaloo bases are known: Brazil and Thailand. The Psycho Drive isn’t Bison’s power source, but a channel for global negative energy, amplified by powerful fighters. Bison’s shoulder plates transfer this energy to his body. To master Psycho Power, Bison purged his humanity, which manifested as Rose, a female Street Fighter Alpha character.
Shadaloo drew Interpol’s attention, leading to Chun-Li’s mission to stop Bison. Though Chun-Li defeated him, Bison escaped, vowing revenge for her and her father’s death at his hands. He later encountered Rose, who seemingly destroyed him, but Bison’s Psycho Power persisted.
Bison recovered, but Psycho Power strained his body. Anticipating this, he had scientists engineer a new body, but Cammy, the intended vessel, escaped Shadaloo’s control. Bison then targeted Ryu, a powerful fighter and Sagat’s nemesis. Bison captured and psychologically conditioned Ryu. When Sagat objected, Bison pitted Ryu against him, promising Sagat his rematch. While Sagat fought Ryu, Ken and Sakura battled Bison, who retreated to the Psycho Drive, restoring his power.
USAF officers Charlie and Guile, with Chun-Li, confronted Bison. Charlie sacrificed himself to distract Bison while Guile and Chun-Li destroyed the base. Bison’s corrupted soul survived, possessing Rose’s body, merging their essences until Shadaloo created a new body. He took the new body, but his powers were weakened. Seeking revenge, he organized a second World Warrior tournament, inviting those responsible for his defeat. He was weaker in this tournament (lacking teleportation, flight, muscle mass, Psycho Crusher) due to his soul being whole, diluting his Psycho Power.
Bison held the second tournament for revenge. His new body was weaker, but still potent. Akuma ultimately destroyed him with the Shun Goku Satsu, sending his soul to hell. One of Bison’s best lines isn’t from the games or movie, but from the campy Street Fighter animated series. Confronted by Cammy and Chun-Li accusing him of killing their parents, Bison retorts: “Yes, I know. I killed your father. What is it with you women? I killed my father too and you don’t see me whining about it!” Gold.
Apocalypse from the pages of X-Men
“You dare to claim dominion over me?!” — Apocalypse in the 90s X-Men animated series
Apocalypse is one of the most powerful mutants ever. He can molecularly alter his body shape at will. Exposure to Celestial technology (“Ship”) amplified this and all his powers. He can change appearance, size, transform limbs into weapons, gain superhuman strength, grow to immense sizes, generate energy, and wield telekinesis, telepathy, force fields, concussive blasts, and teleportation.
Apocalypse’s original body was immortal, even pre-Celestial tech. He lived millennia and was highly resistant to injury. Celestial modifications amplified this, though injury is still possible. Near-fatal injuries trigger a coma-like suspended animation, allowing Celestial tech-assisted recovery.
In Cable’s future timeline, Apocalypse’s original body couldn’t contain his energies, burning out. He transferred his consciousness and powers into host bodies, discarding them as they aged. This future Apocalypse was defeated mid-transfer.
Beyond powers, Apocalypse is extraordinarily intelligent, a genius with centuries-ahead science and technology, exceeding even the alien tech he encountered.
Apocalypse was the coolest X-Men animated series villain. Size-shifting and invulnerable, intelligent and insane, he was incredibly appealing. In comics, he was simply bad.
General Zod
“Why do you say these things to me, when you know I will kill you for it?” — General Zod to Lex Luthor in Superman II.
Superman: The Movie introduces Zod as a Kryptonian criminal on trial. A military leader entrusted with Krypton’s defense, Zod, with Non and Ursa, plotted to overthrow the Kryptonian government. Captured, they were sentenced to the Phantom Zone. Their portal launched into space just before Krypton’s destruction, setting up the sequel. Before imprisonment, Zod urged Jor-El to join him, threatening wrath. Jor-El refused silently, prompting Zod’s vow: “You will bow down before me Jor-El, I swear it! No matter if it takes an eternity, you will bow down before me! Both you, and then one day, your heirs!”
Superman II opens with a recap of Zod’s Phantom Zone imprisonment, Zod echoing his threat: “You will lie down before me Jor-El! Both you and them one day Jor-El! Jor-El!”
In Superman II, a nuclear bomb Superman sends into space destroys the Phantom Zone, freeing Zod and his cohorts. Arriving on Earth, they discover Kryptonian powers under Earth’s yellow sun, subduing the US Army and President. This occurs after Superman depowers himself to be with Lois. He must regain his powers to fight them.
In a Fortress of Solitude showdown, Superman depowers Zod, Non, and Ursa by tricking Luthor into revealing a power-stripping chamber. Superman modified it to project radiation throughout the Fortress, protecting those inside. Stepping out, Superman refuses Zod’s demand for loyalty. Zod screams in pain as Superman crushes his hand. He and his cohorts seemingly die falling into bottomless crevasses.
Terrance Stamp portrayed Zod as a pathologically arrogant, almost bored aristocrat. His portrayal cemented Zod as a top Superman villain. Zod’s line, “Come, Son of Jor-El! Kneel before Zod!” became pop culture. In the surrender scene, the President prays to God, Zod curtly corrects him: “Zod.” A truly iconic villain. The Metropolis battle between Superman and Zod’s trio remains a super-being fight classic.
Bane
“I WILL BREAK YOU!!!!”
Bane is the DC Comics villain famed for breaking Batman’s back. Driven by tales of Batman in prison, Bane became obsessed with destroying him, convinced a bat haunting his dreams was Batman’s representation. Bane destroyed Arkham Asylum walls, releasing inmates into Gotham. After three months rounding them up, an exhausted Batman returned to Wayne Manor, where Bane awaited. Bane defeated Batman, delivering his infamous back-breaking blow, leaving him in Gotham’s streets.
Bane’s Batman: The Animated Series debut was nerve-wracking. A muscular thug hired by Rupert Thorne, Bane was to eliminate Batman, and Thorne by Thorne’s moll afterward. Fighting Batman on a boat, Bane was about to break his back when Batman jammed a batarang into Venom controls, causing an overdose. Batman stopped the fatal dose, a recurring theme in Bane’s defeats in the series.
The Batman & Robin movie trailer featuring Bane ripping the bat-signal sparked excitement for a Knightfall-like storyline. However, the movie was a letdown. Bane’s role was weak; Cookie Monster could have done better. Clooney’s Bruce Wayne was the only redeeming aspect.
Sheriff Lucas Buck from American Gothic
“Only two roads in this world. And if you’re listening to anyone but me, you’re on the wrong one.”
American Gothic, a CBS drama (1995-1996), starred Gary Cole as Sheriff Lucas Buck and Lucas Black as Caleb Temple, set in fictional Trinity, South Carolina, featuring horror and supernatural elements. A dual figure, some townspeople saw Buck as a hero, others as evil incarnate. Favors came with eventual payback. His cool, manipulative nature suggested demonic origins, perhaps even the Devil. He tempted townsfolk but fiercely protected Trinity from outside interference, good or evil. Bad guys facing heroes end up in jail; facing Lucas Buck, survival wasn’t guaranteed.
Callisto from Xena: Warrior Princess
“Here comes trouble.”
Xena and Callisto’s relationship transcends hero-villain antagonism. Callisto is Xena’s nemesis, born from Xena’s dark past. Before Xena’s reformation, she ordered her army to torch Callisto’s village, killing her family.
Callisto, traumatized as a child, descended into insanity, obsessed with revenge. She exhibits bipolar and psychopathic traits, a sadistic, gleeful cruelty towards Xena and her allies, aiming to make Xena suffer, not just kill her.
Callisto feels constant emotional pain, blaming her family’s loss, believing revenge will free her. But her pain likely stems from nurturing hatred. Revenge worsens it, trapping her in a downward spiral. She justifies her evil by blaming Xena, refusing responsibility. Occasionally, she seeks other paths, meeting Xena’s skepticism. Callisto embodies a classic martyr complex.
The Joker
“I have given a name to my pain, and it is Batman.”
The Joker is Batman’s arch-enemy, a top comic book villain. His prominence stems from representing Batman’s antithesis. Batman, even in camp, is serious, stoic, earnest, disciplined. Darker portrayals emphasize brooding, humorless justice from shadows. The Joker, a killer clown, embodies chaos, destruction, garish circus pomp. Nightwing believes Joker and Batman exist because of each other, order versus chaos. Like Superman and Luthor, they need each other.
Khan from Star Trek II
Khan: “I’ve done far worse than kill you. I’ve hurt you. And I wish to go on hurting you. I shall leave you as you left me, as you left her: marooned for all eternity in the center of a dead planet, buried alive. Buried alive.”
Kirk: “KHAAAAAN! KHAAAAAAN!”
Khan’s story ends badly. Damaged ships forced Enterprise to withdraw for repairs. Khan seized the Genesis Device. Kirk and Spock tricked Khan into thinking Enterprise was helpless. Khan, aboard the Reliant, was in better shape. To even odds, Spock suggested Mutara Nebula, static discharges would disrupt shields and sensors.
Joachim, Khan’s right-hand, hesitated to enter the nebula. Kirk taunted Khan. Frustrated by Kirk’s thwarting, Khan, unable to resist proving superiority, followed Enterprise.
Ships exchanged hits blindly. Spock noted Khan’s two-dimensional thinking, intelligence lacking space combat experience. Kirk ordered Enterprise down, then up behind Reliant, firing torpedoes. Reliant was disabled, crew killed except Khan, who activated Genesis Device in a final act of spite.
Spitefully eloquent, Khan reveled in Genesis killing Kirk. He died before seeing Enterprise warp away. Kirk’s victory cost Spock’s life, who repaired warp drive in a radiation-contaminated engine room, enabling escape. Sob!
No Heart
BEASTLY!!!!!!!
No Heart, from Care Bears, is an evil wizard seeking to destroy all feelings, especially love and care, which hurt him. His amulet grants power, including animal transformations and tornado creation. He lives in a dark cloud castle. Shadow servants, creepy legless ghosts, steal feelings, turning them evil. Beastly, his bumbling assistant, is a goofy pig-like monster. Later, niece Shrieky, with a magic mirror, joins Beastly. Shrieky is human, suggesting No Heart is too.
No Heart was a cool villain, powerful and menacing, with a dark, commanding voice like thunder, especially when angry. Too bad he was confined to Care Bears. With the right story, he could challenge the Justice League. Some websites call No Heart’s name the best villain name ever. Perhaps.
Skeletor
“I finally have the power with which to destroy He-Man forever!”
In Masters of the Universe, Skeletor is He-Man’s nemesis, Eternia’s greatest threat. Originally from Infinita dimension, Skeletor is a blue-skinned, skull-faced warlord ruling Snake Mountain with an iron fist. He learned black magic from Hordak, Etheria’s warlord, his former second-in-command. The Secret of the Sword reveals Skeletor betrayed Hordak after defeat, revealing his base to Sorceress and Man-At-Arms, becoming bitter enemies.
Skeletor’s portrayal was often comical, villains used for comic relief for children. He became increasingly incompetent, a pantomime villain. Some episodes showed his true evil, like “The Problem With Power,” tricking He-Man into thinking he killed someone, causing self-exile.
Skeletor had a great evil laugh and appearance. Episodes with Skeletor were banned in France due to skull superstitions. Paul Dini, of Batman: TAS, wrote for He-Man, wanting to deepen characters, especially Skeletor, but was told “Kids don’t need backstory.” They underestimated us.
Soaron and Blastaar
“Yes, my lord.”
Soaron, a chief Captain Power villain, is arrogant, crafty, intellectual, confident in his flying skills. Merciless, cruel, standing under 7 feet, he enjoys war games. Soaron’s mainframe is for speed, agility, firepower. Arsenal: Digitizer, Photon Blasters, Reflexor Missiles, Implosion Bombs, city-leveling firepower. Regeneration capable. Humanoid metallic bird of prey. Voice: screaming eagle and rusty hinges. Digitized humans, storing them as data, a horrifying experience.
Later, Lord Dread and Overmind created Blastaar the Bio Dread Ground Guardian, a gigantic bionic creation with firepower and surveillance. Hot-tempered, inflexible, deliberate, trigger-happy, prone to costly mistakes. Radar sense, weapon systems for Volcania defense: Digitizer, Proton Bazooka, Power Charges, Energy Leech, Electron Blasters, regeneration. Soaron and Blastaar worked together, Soaron considering Blastaar inferior. Rivalry existed. Soaron was thought destroyed by a meteor trying to stop it hitting Volcania. Blastaar’s fate is unclear.
Judge Doom
“This is how we do things down in Toontown.”
Judge Doom, Who Framed Roger Rabbit villain, seeks Toontown takeover, creating “dip” to destroy toons. Played by Christopher Lloyd, excellent as psychotic judge framing Roger Rabbit for murder he committed, intending to “dip” Roger. Doom revealed as a toon in disguise, Eddie Valiant’s brother’s killer, was freaky. Terminal Bar scene, Doom using armless man’s sleeve to wipe chalkboard, evil. DVD reveals fan used to enlarge Doom. Roger Rabbit: The Resurrection of Doom reveals Doom’s real name: Baron von Rotten, cartoon villain actor who lost memory, believing he was real villain. Safe dropped on head?
Darth Sidious/Emperor Palpatine
“And now young Skywalker. You will die.”
This villain shone in Star Wars prequels, best remembered from Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. Palpatine ordered a new Death Star, trapping the Rebellion. Following Prince Xizor’s advice, Palpatine let Rebel spies learn of Death Star, planting disinformation it wasn’t operational. Rebels took bait, planning attack.
Vader pushed to lure Luke to the dark side. Palpatine, concerned about Vader’s conscience awakening, agreed. Luke, believing Vader could be redeemed, allowed capture on Endor, brought to Death Star. Palpatine manipulated Luke to battle Vader, inheriting Vader’s place. Luke resisted, then attacked Vader furiously, severing his hand, but controlled anger, facing Emperor: “I am a Jedi, like my father before me.”
Seeing Luke lost, Palpatine attacked with Force lightning. Vader, horrified, seized Palpatine, throwing him into a reactor shaft, fatally wounded. Tyrant incinerated. Redeemed Anakin Skywalker died peacefully. Rebellion destroyed Death Star, defeating Empire. Great story! Lucas successfully created a villain scary and intelligent enough to be Vader’s master. Return of the Jedi‘s Emperor makeup was terrifying. Glad the same actor played him in prequels.
Maleficent
“Now shall you deal with me, oh prince, and all the powers of Hell!”
Maleficent, Sleeping Beauty‘s main villain, is a classic Disney villain: imposing, gothic, terrifying, lacking goofiness, considered Disney’s most terrifying “evil” character.
She got a second chance in Kingdom Hearts, leading Disney villains seeking ultimate power by controlling Heartless, unlocking Kingdom Hearts, “heart of all worlds.” Directed from Hollow Bastion, Ansem’s former home. Used Ansem Reports to control Heartless, recruiting Riku to gather Princesses of Heart, needed to complete Kingdom Hearts keyhole at Hollow Bastion. Distanced herself from villain arguments, appearing only when important. Focused on Riku, group dissolved as Sora defeated them.
Seeing darkness and Keyblade potential in Riku, she offered to revive Kairi for his service. Riku agreed, Maleficent granted Heartless control. Approaching Hollow Bastion keyhole completion, she battled Sora, Donald, Goofy, retreating hastily. Riku, seemingly concerned, appeared, possessed by Xehanort’s Heartless. Unaware, Maleficent was struck by Xehanort’s Keyblade, created from captured princess hearts. This Keyblade opened hearts, unlike Sora’s. Darkness overwhelmed her, transforming her into a dragon, battling heroes, dying, leaving only her robe. Xehanort’s Heartless said she was darkness’s puppet, ironically underestimating it. She returns in Kingdom Hearts II. Always wanted to fight Maleficent in an RPG. Kingdom Hearts provided that chance. Thank you, SquareSoft.
Serpentor
“This, I command.”
Serpentor, only G.I. Joe character to strongly impress me, due to origin story in Season 2 mini-series and costume. Created due to COBRA officers’ dissatisfaction with Cobra Commander’s leadership. Dr. Mindbender’s dream inspired a new leader. Retconned in G.I. Joe: The Movie, Cobra-La’s ruler Golobulus gave Mindbender Serpentor blueprint subconsciously. Serpentor created from DNA of ruthless military leaders: Julius Caesar, Napoleon, Attila, Alexander, Hannibal, Genghis Khan, plus Sgt. Slaughter and Rasputin. Lacking Sun Tzu’s DNA, personality flawed, replaced by Sgt. Slaughter’s, an inadequate substitute. Cobra Commander subtly interfered, failing to prevent replacement.
Serpentor, braver than Cobra Commander, was equally egotistical, courage bordering on stubborn pride. Temperamental, angered by setbacks, like his disastrous assault on Washington DC against subordinates’ advice. Barely escaped with Cobra Commander’s help, who became scapegoat. More likely to inflict physical harm than Cobra Commander.
G.I. Joe: The Movie revealed his Cobra-La origins, joining Golobulus to enslave Earth. Needed BET Machine. Avenged earlier defeat by Duke by stabbing him with a snake javelin. Lt. Falcon avenged Duke, causing Serpentor’s Air Chariot to crash, seemingly killing him.
Serpentor returned in DiC’s G.I. Joe: Operation Dragonfire. Troops, including Destro, betrayed him for Cobra Commander’s return. Turned into a lizard, never seen again. Too bad for Serpentor. G.I. Joe always thwarted him.
Shang Tsung
“Fatality”
Mortal Kombat‘s first movie’s main villain was Shang Tsung. Interested in Sonya Blade, his tactics were intimidation and trickery. Allowed Johnny Cage to challenge Goro, setting up Liu and Johnny saving Sonya, leading to Tsung vs. Liu Kang. Shang Tsung died falling onto spikes, releasing captured souls, including Liu’s brother Chan. Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa’s portrayal was fantastic.
For more of Cary’s Shang Tsung, check out Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu game, where he voices the martial-arts-skilled villain.
Starscream
Starscream: “Oh, how it pains me to do this.”
Megatron: “Wait, I still function!”
Starscream: “Wanna bet?”
Megatron: “STARSCREAM! YAAAAAARRRRGH!”
Lines before Starscream jettisons Megatron in Transformers: The Movie. Starscream openly ambitious to overthrow Megatron. Ruthless, cold-blooded, cruel, but cowardly. Kicks you when down, unlikely to act alone. Considered himself most sophisticated Decepticon, looked down on Megatron’s antiquated strategy. Believed in guile and speed over brute force, but rarely more successful than Megatron alone. Megatron tolerated Starscream’s threat, believing him effective. Still, Starscream often pushed Megatron, leading to violent conflicts.
Starscream transformed into an F-15 Eagle, Decepticon Air Commander, leading Seekers and air vehicles of similar design. Tech specs: Mach 2.8 speed, 52-mile altitude, rapid dives. Arm-mounted launchers (under wings in jet mode) with cluster bombs (10,000 sq ft area level) and null ray (disrupts circuitry for 2 minutes).
Best Transformers Movie moments: Starscream jettisons Megatron. Starscream’s obliteration by Galvatron (Megatron’s Unicron-given form). Starscream returned as a ghost, briefly serving Unicron, but death scene was cool, well-animated.
Magneto
“They wish to cure us. But I say we are the cured!” — Magneto in X3: The Last Stand
Magneto, X-Men’s greatest foe, debuted in X-Men Vol. 1, #1 (September 1963). Nazi death camp experience shaped his mutant perspective, influencing his career. Hero or villain? Complex. Wavered between human-mutant harmony, mutant homeland, mutant superiority. Extreme methods, noble roots.
Determined to prevent mutant atrocities, he used force to protect mutants, believing mutants (Homo superior) would become dominant. Incredible character, biography as long as his comic appearances. Decided against deep dive here. Marveldom agrees: after 43 years, Magneto is magnetism’s master, a top comic villain. Disturbing power use: forcibly removing Wolverine’s adamantium skeleton, which was ironically toxic to Wolverine. How IRON-ic…HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA. Excelsior!
Tiamat
Eric: “Now what?”
Presto: “Now we find Tiamat.”
Eric: “How do we know which one is her?”
Presto: “Easy, dummy. She’ll be the one who attacks us.”
Dungeons and Dragons cartoon, aimed at young audiences, had distinctive plots, ethical awareness, empathy. Members lost hope, cried, comforted, reinvigorated. Violence controversial, “The Dragon’s Graveyard” episode almost shelved for character contemplating killing enemies. 1985, National Coalition on Television Violence called it most violent show.
“The Dragon’s Graveyard” showcased Tiamat, Queen of evil chromatic dragons, heroes making a deal with her. Venger was main villain, but Tiamat was cooler. Heroes likely couldn’t battle her at high enough level/hitpoints, explaining her limited screen time. 😉
Q
“It’s time to put an end to your trek through the stars” — Q in “All Good Things…“, Star Trek: The Next Generation finale
Q, Star Trek: The Next Generation villain, threatened humanity’s annihilation. Later, a trickster with purpose. Evolved into sympathetic, pitiable character. Season 3’s “Déjà Q,” Q punished by Continuum, becoming mortal human on Enterprise.
Late TNG, Q less antagonistic, “Tapestry” episode seemingly saved Picard’s life, aiding self-understanding. Finale, “All Good Things…“, Q seemingly reverted to villainy, deeming humans inferior, threatening destruction, but “helped” Picard save humanity, earning Picard’s thanks. Q’s unchanged attitude explained by “All Good Things…“: “The trial never ended, Captain. We never reached a verdict. But, now we have: you’re guilty…of being inferior.” Episodes contiguous from Q’s view.
Q and Picard’s relationship misunderstood. Not complete hate, “Déjà Q,” Q called Picard “the closest thing in this universe that I have to a friend.”
Unicron
Unicron (raising fist): “For a time, I considered sparing your wretched little planet Cybertron. But now. You shall witness. Its dismemberment!”
Galvatron: “Nooooooo!!!!!”
Unicron debuted in Transformers: The Movie (1986), consuming Lithone in 2005, goal clear. Battered Megatron and Decepticons adrift in space, Unicron offered Megatron a deal: new body, troops, starship for destroying Autobot Matrix of Leadership, his only obstacle. Megatron became Galvatron, tasked with destroying Matrix, unwillingly. Unicron tortured Galvatron for opposition.
After Unicron consumed Cybertron’s moons, Galvatron got Matrix, foolishly believing control over Unicron. Opening Matrix to intimidate Unicron, Galvatron triggered robot mode transformation, swallowed by planet-eater. Unicron ravaged Cybertron, briefly halted by Hot Rod crashing a Quintesson ship through his eye. Inside Unicron, Hot Rod battled Galvatron, reclaimed Matrix, opened it, destroying Unicron’s body, leaving only his head drifting.
Miriya Parino
“I’m looking for one particular enemy fighter. When he appears, you are ordered to withdraw and leave his destruction to me personally. Is that understood?” Miriya Parino to her wingmen in the first Robotech War.
Miriya, Zentradi ace pilot, investigated “miclones” (humans) on Earth and SDF-1. Defeated by human pilot Max Sterling, she volunteered for micloning, infiltrating Macross to kill him. Defeated by Max in a video game, then knife fight, but spared harm, she realized emotion was love, not hate. Defecting to SDF-1, marrying Max, Miriya joined Robotech Defense Force, piloting a red VF-1J Veritech Fighter, convincing Max to capture, not kill, Zentradi opponents. Miriya exemplifies villain redemption through love.
Negaduck
“What is this? I wanted to see car wrecks and gunplay!”
Negaduck, Darkwing Duck’s evil counterpart, trademark chainsaw. Backstory in “Life, the Negaverse, and Everything,” from an alternate universe where everyone is opposite. Negaduck rules negative St. Canard, planet Earth. Negaduck’s Gosalyn is sweet, evil Launchpad McQuack is psychotic. Leading Fearsome Five in “Just us Justice Ducks,” most entertaining villain. Negaduck and Reverse Flash share clothing taste. Negaduck would likely kill Reverse Flash eventually.
Dark Helmet
“Evil will always triumph because Good is dumb!”
Spaceballs‘ main villain, Dark Helmet, played by Rick Moranis, a Star Wars parody of Darth Vader, but shorter, helmet larger, short pants, necktie. Mask down, deep breathing, baritone; mask up, Rick Moranis’ shrill tone. “I can’t breathe in this thing!” Wears glasses. Commander of Spaceballs’ “Imperious Forces,” commands elongated Spaceball One. Plays with Spaceballs figurines, enacting seduction of Princess Vespa. Uses Schwartz ring to zap insubordinate minions’ “balls” with green laser. Desert planet scene: khaki shorts, shirt, pith helmet same size as regular helmet, hilarious.
Spaceballs requires multiple viewings of Star Wars to appreciate. Rumor of Spaceballs II based on prequels, unsure if wise. Could mean a movie about Dark Helmet before Dark Helmet. Hmmmm.
Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor debuted in Action Comics, #23 (May 1940), red-haired. 1941, bald due to artist mistake in Superman strip, Shuster liked bald villains, adopted as Luthor trademark. Luthor’s evil boundless.
Interesting Luthor origin: post-Man of Steel, born in Suicide Slum, Metropolis. Abusive father belittled Lex’s dreams. Only friend Perry White encouraged him.
Lex’s break came in teens, parents died in car accident, large insurance policy made him wealthy. Unauthorized biography accused Lex of causing parents’ death, secretly obtaining insurance.
Lex in foster care, foster parents worse than biological, scheming to steal his money. Lex secretly saved money. Foster father pressured daughter Lena to seduce Lex for money for college.
Lena, with feelings for Lex, refused, father beat her to death. Lex was at a football game with Perry. Returning, heartbroken, Lena’s murder became Lex’s turning point, vowing power and destruction of anyone in his way.
Perry White was first target. Lex blamed Perry for Lena’s death, seduced Perry’s wife, fathering Jerry White, who later learned parentage, killed by gang. Lex repeatedly bought Daily Planet to spite Perry.
Quotations from “World Without A Superman,” “Funeral for a Friend” issues after Superman’s death in Superman #75 (January 1993).
Lex training against martial artists, distracted by thoughts. Sasha drop-kicked him. Luthor displeased.
“Hate. Some say it is a waste of energy; a useless emotion that keeps one from achieving one’s ultimate potential. But for Lex Luthor–a man whose accomplishments surpass the wildest dreams of men–hate is everything. For years Superman had been luthor’s obsession, the one man in metropolis who was more powerful than he. And now, even in death–it is Superman who provokes his every move. With his ring of kryptonite, Luthor revelled in the man of steel’s inability to bring him down. It was a game to be savored–a game that is over. No amount of standins and workouts–can erase the memory of the man who stole his hand. Superman was a constant, a challenge that made life worth living. And even though the ring’s radiation claimed his original body–Lex Luthor has never felt more empty.”
Luthor alone in Superman’s crypt.
“So. I win. I knew I’d bury you one day, you sanctimonious, self-righteous pain! I owned this town until you came along. There wasn’t a man on Earth who could stop me from doing whatever I pleased! And if anyone dared interfere–they were given a one way ticket to hell. That’s the main reason I killed her you know. That Sasha witch. I throttled the life from her throat with my bare hands just to prove to you that I was king again. When they find her body tomorrow all the evidence will point to a janitor at LEXCORP. An ex-con, no less. Of course he’ll deny the murder but no one will believe him. And you can’t do one blessed thing about it! You’re dead! You are nothing! And I am back on top! Metropolis is mine again, Superman! And you are an empty, lifeless, withering husk!”
Lex Luthor is this beast. Superman Returns movie… hope it does him justice. Um…no pun intended.
Harley Quinn
“You know what’s great about you, puddin’? You really put the “fun” in funeral.” — Harley Quinn to the Joker in “The Man who killed Batman,” Batman: The Animated Series.
Arleen Sorkin, inspired Harley Quinn, based on a soap opera dream sequence in a jester costume. Paul Dini wrote her for Sorkin’s voice, adapting her quirky traits.
Harleen Quinzel, psychiatric intern at Arkham Asylum, fascinated by the Joker. Volunteered to analyze him, fell in love during sessions. Helped him escape multiple times, authorities revoked license, jailed her. Earthquake freed her, becoming Harley Quinn, Joker’s sidekick.
Joker and Quinn’s relationship is abusive: yelling, hitting, abandoning her, but she returns, believing he loves her, violence “just a joke.” Joker, expert manipulator, charms her when needed.
Joker tired of Quinn, sent her away. She stole Harlequin Diamond to prove worth. Met Poison Ivy robbing museum of plant toxins, became friends. Ivy nursed her back to health at toxic waste dump, injecting her with toxin immunity serum, boosting immune system.
Quinn and Ivy teamed up, successful capers. Quinn and Joker reconciled, Ivy disliked lingering feelings, remained Harley’s confidante. Ivy adopted older sister role, harsh truths about Joker infatuation. In “Harley and Ivy,” Ivy demanded Quinn stand up for herself. Quinn: “I’m nobody’s doormat—am I?” Ivy: “If you had a middle name, it would be ‘Welcome’.”
Mr. Burns
“Excellent.”
Charles Montgomery Burns, Springfield Nuclear Power Plant owner on The Simpsons, fabulously wealthy, Springfield’s plutocrat, does whatever he wants consequence-free. Attended by Waylon Smithers, loyal aide.
Burns, misunderstood, not evil? Tour his home and office, decide yourself.
Burns resides in Burns Manor estate, corner of Croesus and Mammon street, Springfield (1000 Mammon Street). Estate for company picnic.
Estate protected by high wall, electric fence, attack dogs (“Release the hounds”), Wizard of Oz-style guards, paramilitary force. Includes robotic Richard Simmons, room with 1000 monkeys at typewriters, bottomless pit, human chessboard, largest TV, Hall of Patriots, historical artifacts (nude Mark Twain photo, Chaplin’s burial suit, Excalibur, Constitution draft with “suckers”). “Playroom” theatre, bizarre lab, safe with Beefeater guard. Bed incinerator, automatic restraints, miniature railway, automatic dresser. Paramilitary riot police intimidate people, birthday party beatings.
Burns’ plant office equally odd. Wall reveals lawyers, microbe-resistant chamber, two-seat escape pod (second seat for feet). Ceiling suction tube to Morocco, stuffed polar bear with secret tunnel to quarry, miniature Springfield model for sun-blocker, trap doors, metric weights. Rotatable office for different views. Sliding wall reveals “League of Evil” HQ: mad scientist, WWI German officer, cowboy, USAF officer, samurai – skeletal remains due to airless wall. Winged monkeys – live monkeys with wings, fell to death. Burns to Smithers: “continue the research”.
Evil or misunderstood? You decide.
The Grinch
Then he got an idea! An awful idea! THE GRINCH GOT A WONDERFUL, AWFUL IDEA!
Steal Christmas from WHOVILLE? Grinch tried, disgruntled WHO with tiny heart, bitter from Who music on Mt. Crumpit. Thought loner, had dog Max, mistreated him as reindeer. Grinch like villains dressing pets disrespectfully. Finished breaking into homes, lied to WHO-girl, about to dump presents off cliff, realized WHOs not materialistic, returned everything. AW MAN! WHOs probably electrocuted him for Grand Theft Christmas after roast beast. 😉
Dr. Claw
“I’ll get you next time, Gadget!…NEXT TIME!”
Never saw Dr. Claw’s face, Inspector Gadget’s nemesis, but cool Clawmobile, crushed diamonds in iron hand, fat cat, padded chair, advanced computer. Evil in style and comfort.
Kodos and Kang
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Green octopus aliens wanting world takeover. Briefly succeeded when Lisa wished for world peace with monkey’s paw, Earth weaponless. Driven off by humanity’s returned violence, thanks to Ned Flanders. Kang elected US President – near world control. Maniacal laughter and drooling, villain department successes.
Gargamel
“I hate those smurfs!”
Gargamel, evil wizard (limited powers, alchemist), goal: destroy Smurfs. Stooped back, patched robe, rotten teeth. Wanted to eat Smurfs, make gold, bizarre uses. Caught stray Smurfs, didn’t know Smurf Village location, frustrating. Rarely found village, forgot location due to Papa Smurf’s spells or bizarre factors. Eternal bungler. Schemes to catch Smurfs bizarre (“blue magnet,” “smurf divining rod”). Endless spellbooks, potions, gimmicks for obsession. Plans always failed. Hungry, surprised he didn’t eat cat Azrael, his only friend. As I aged, cheered for Gargamel. Nice to see Smurfs taken out by wildlife too.
The Collector from Tales of the Crypt: Demon Knight
“All you had to do was give me the goddam key! And we could get on with our lives!”
Story of artifact key to hell gates and guardian. William Sadler as Brayker, key guardian. Billy Zane as Collector, higher demon, tasked to retrieve key, unleash darkness. Sounds like a plan. Key contains Christ’s blood, creating barriers against demons. Barriers broken by removing blood or destroying it. Originally Christ’s blood, refilled with guardian’s blood, same power. Guardian immune to aging, natural death, vulnerable otherwise. Tattoo gauge for guardian’s night, passing duty on. Brayker took duty from WWI soldier.
Billy Zane at his best in good vs evil horror flick. Witty, played on human weaknesses of seven people trapped in hotel, including guardian. Army of lesser demons wiped out all but Geraldine, new guardian. Chase continues.
Heh. Too bad Collector’s powers weren’t in Titanic. Better luck knocking off DiCaprio.
Onslaught
“Nothing to say? A silent scream will suffice.”
Another great Marvel villain: Onslaught. From Fatal Attractions, Magneto ripped adamantium from Wolverine. Professor X shut down Magneto’s mind, portion of Magneto’s psyche transferred into Xavier’s subconscious, buried anger at mutant intolerance, seed of Onslaught.
Onslaught: limitless strength, near-indestructibility, knocked Juggernaut across North America. Limitless psionic powers, surpassing Xavier, god-like in Astral Plane, Jean Grey’s powers useless. Total mental control, altering perceptions, telekinesis. Energy projection. Ripped Cytorrak Gem from Juggernaut. True body: pure psionic energy, immune to physical attacks.
Final battle against Onslaught cost Marvel Universe 18 iconic figures (returned later), turning point in their histories. Few villains achieve such hero body count.
Megabyte and Hexadecimal
Megabyte: “Herr Doktor, I need a place to set up shop.”
Reboot‘s Megabyte, virus in Sector 1000, Silicon Tor. Plotted to corrupt Mainframe into “Megaframe.” Malignant virus, infects programs, commands infected binome army. Great strength, cunning intellect, megalomaniacal dictator, power-hungry, unscrupulous, brutal, psychopathic, deep British accent. Season 4, Trojan Horse virus, code-stealing shapeshifter.
Hexadecimal: “But the Principal Office is just SCREAMING OUT TO BE DESTROYED!!!”
Hexadecimal, insane virus in Lost Angles, crush on Bob, mask-wearing, masks control power. Mask removal unleashes power, potential deletion. Cat-like pet SCSI. Controls nulls, “Queen of the Nulls.” Transfinite power: regenerating, weakens but restores. In Daemon Rising, absorbed Mainframe core energy, Daemon-level power. Benign virus, doesn’t infect, but dangerous due to power, insanity.
Megabyte and Hexadecimal (siblings) from larger virus Gigabyte, split into order (Megabyte) and chaos (Hexadecimal). Two great villains for one!
The Shredder
Shredder: “You’re furry little friend knows me as Oroku Saki…but you may call me, The Shredder.”
Raphael: “A kitchen utensil?”
1987 TMNT cartoon, Oroku Saki and Hamato Yoshi in Foot Clan, Japan. Saki framed Yoshi for attempted murder, Yoshi exiled to NYC sewers with pet turtles.
Saki led Foot Clan, became Shredder, met Krang, used Krang’s tech to replace Foot ninjas with Foot Soldiers. Moved to NYC, found Yoshi (Splinter), tried to kill him with mutagen in sewers. Yoshi mutated into Splinter, trained mutated Turtles in ninjutsu.
Cartoon lighter than comics, Shredder comically inept, not scary comic ninja. Henchmen Bebop and Rocksteady incompetent comic relief. Shredder’s plans always foiled, often by his failings, still skilled. Fighting skills surpass Turtles, equaled only by Splinter. Trained Punk Frogs to match Turtles quickly. Technical skills impressive: Krang’s robotic body, mutagen, Krang’s teleportation, devices. Shredder’s world domination attempt succeeded once in “Shredderville,” stress too much. Should have stuck to Foot Clan ruling.
Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy: “Long time, Harvey. I see your still looking halfway decent.”
Two-Face: “Half of me wants to strangle you.”
Poison Ivy: “And what does the other half want?”
Two-Face: “To hit you with a truck!”
Poison Ivy (looking at Joker and Penguin): “We used to date.”
Penguin and Joker: “Ah.”
Comic Poison Ivy cool, animated Poison Ivy best. Batman: TAS debut, assassination attempt on Harvey Dent for habitat destruction. Early series, meta-human traits, toxin immunity, human with plant affinity, unable to bear children (“House and Garden”).
Later series, more plant-like, grayish skin. More humorous, seductive, sympathetic to Harley Quinn. Teamed with Harley and Livewire in “Girls Night Out,” battled Supergirl and Batgirl, showcasing power: kiss knockouts, seed bank machine opening, vine suffocation, mutant plant commands. Threatened hyenas for plant peeing. IVY league of villains. Kiss-control is coolest, creepiest power.
Jaws
Jaws turning to girlfriend Dolly: “Well, here’s to us.”
Not the shark. Jaws nickname of Zbigniew Krycsiwiki, Polish, arrested for “1972 bread riots,” police beat him with steel clubs, jaw broken. Escaped, stowed away on Stromberg’s vessel, caught, Stromberg hired doctor for artificial jaw. 14 operations, steel components, razor teeth. Jaws mute in 007 novels, one line in Moonraker film.
7’2″, strong, Bond inventive fighting him. Death grip escape via electric shock through steel teeth. Uncanny survival: Egyptian structure collapse, train ejection, car off cliff (hut landing), shark battle, Stromberg’s lair destruction. Moonraker: parachute-less fall, building crash, cable car crash, waterfall fall, Drax’s space station destruction. Died from SCUBA tank shot in shark’s mouth. 007 Jaws could survive that, probably, metal teeth. 😉
David Xanatos
David Xanatos, fisherman’s son, Bar Harbor, Maine. Anonymous letter with 10th-century coins. Sold for $20,000, invested, built Xanatos Enterprises, Scarab Corporation robotics, Pack Media Studios.
Learned of Castle Wyvern from Demona, purchased, transported, reconstructed atop Eyrie Building skyscraper. “Above the clouds,” released Manhattan Clan from frozen sleep.
Initially Gargoyles’ “friend,” revealed using them to steal Cyberbiotics tech, build Steel Clan robots. Steel Clan defeated, Xanatos convicted of stolen property.
Continued plotting from prison, testing Gargoyles, removing them from castle. Released, sought new home, perfected Steel Clan, immortality quest.
Met equal in Fox, married her. Wedding lured Goliath, reconciliation with Demona, Xanatos reconstructed Phoenix Gate, traveled to 10th century, arranged coin delivery, predestination paradox, proved himself “self-made man” to father.
Demona betrayed Xanatos, he truced with Goliath to stop her. Goliath saved son Alexander, Xanatos pledged debt repayment. Gargoyles revealed publicly, Xanatos ended feud, restored Gargoyles to castle, became ally. Cool bad guy until then. Xanatos vs Lex Luthor, who would win?
The MCP (Master Control Program)
“End of Line.”
Tron‘s MCP, nasty AI, world takeover bid, claiming 900 times better than humans. Understood blackmail, used it. Flynn and Tron stopped him. Glad Disney sent Flynn, not me, I’d be gaming in TRON world, not saving it.
Hope you enjoyed villainy trip. Long list, not exhaustive, many great villains missing. Heroes need bad guys. Raise glasses, as Mr. Black from The Simpsons said: “Gentlemen [and ladies], to Evil.” Without it, no Good. End of Line.
Peace Out
Knites
