The Villain Thread

[Ieyke]

-Deathstroke response snip-

You... basically explained why Slade from Teen Titans just barely makes "honorable mention" on my list... I mean, sure, after delving more into Deathstroke the character, he became more of a badass than I've ever imagined... However, I cannot forget that if it wasn't for Teen Titans on Cartoon Network, I probably would not have invested as much time as I did trying to learn more about "Deathstroke The Terminator"...

(Plus, his appearance in Arrow was both unexpected, on my part, and awesome at the same time...)

Deathstroke is Batman....except better in basically every way and not a hero...per se (which makes sense, since that was the premise behind his creation).
He's an opponent/adversary/antagonist, certainly, but I wouldn't really call him a villain.
He's more of an anti-hero or just...kinda...neutral. Mercenary.

 

[FPLOON]

-Deathstroke response snip-

You... basically explained why Slade from Teen Titans just barely makes "honorable mention" on my list... I mean, sure, after delving more into Deathstroke the character, he became more of a badass than I've ever imagined... However, I cannot forget that if it wasn't for Teen Titans on Cartoon Network, I probably would not have invested as much time as I did trying to learn more about "Deathstroke The Terminator"...

(Plus, his appearance in Arrow was both unexpected, on my part, and awesome at the same time...)

Deathstroke is Batman....except better in basically every way and not a hero...per se (which makes sense, since that was the premise behind his creation).
He's an opponent/adversary/antagonist, certainly, but I wouldn't really call him a villain.
He's more of an anti-hero or just...kinda...neutral. Mercenary.

That's still basically why I consider him a honorable mention, in terms of Teen Titans cartoon canon... since he's still kinda anti-neutral despite that series making him seem "fully" villain (and lacking any of his original backstory, let alone a backstory for "Slade" himself) for the most part...

But, yeah... In general, he's not really a "villian" villian...

 

[Lieju]

It doesn't get much better than Frank Gorshin's Riddler. Though John Glover was no slouch in the role either. I could take or leave the other interpretations.

Yes! I grew up with the 60's Batman, and that has always been the definitive Batman for me. And he has the best villains, The
Riddler was always my favourite, and I considered him to be Batman's nemesis.

Spoiler: These guys need more love, though!

Bookworm
http://m1.behance.net/rendition/modules/2906494/disp/1702601273983949.jpg
King Tut.
http://static2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100408215650/batman/images/4/4f/King_Tut_Victor_Buono.jpg

Spoiler: One of my all-time favourite comics caracters is a villain protagonist

http://www.iznogoudworld.com/watched.jpg
Iznogoud from the comic of the same name. He is a very horrible person, but kinda sympathetic since he never ever wins.

Spoiler: Also I played Resident Evil for it's villains. They are the most fun.

http://www.residentevilsac.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Wesker_und_Birkin.jpg
I was totally on their side. Any villain who as a zombie-virus and teir first thought is to use it to make monster frogs is ok in my book. I lost interest in te series after Wesker died. I wasn't upset that he died, but I always considered the series to be his story. He has the most of a character-arc in them, even if it's very confusing (why does he hate Chris, again?) It makes more sense in Umbrella Chronicles, though, and I love that game.

Spoiler: Also Doc Ock is cool

http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Octarm-doc-ock_9627.jpg

 

[Ieyke]

-Deathstroke response snip-

You... basically explained why Slade from Teen Titans just barely makes "honorable mention" on my list... I mean, sure, after delving more into Deathstroke the character, he became more of a badass than I've ever imagined... However, I cannot forget that if it wasn't for Teen Titans on Cartoon Network, I probably would not have invested as much time as I did trying to learn more about "Deathstroke The Terminator"...

(Plus, his appearance in Arrow was both unexpected, on my part, and awesome at the same time...)

Deathstroke is Batman....except better in basically every way and not a hero...per se (which makes sense, since that was the premise behind his creation).
He's an opponent/adversary/antagonist, certainly, but I wouldn't really call him a villain.
He's more of an anti-hero or just...kinda...neutral. Mercenary.

That's still basically why I consider him a honorable mention, in terms of Teen Titans cartoon canon... since he's still kinda anti-neutral despite that series making him seem "fully" villain (and lacking any of his original backstory, let alone a backstory for "Slade" himself) for the most part...

But, yeah... In general, he's not really a "villian" villian...

I'd love to see Slade and Wade fight. Watching Deathstroke try to deal with Deadpool would just be amazing.
Just saying.

 

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

Let's see;

1- Kane (pre Command & Conquer 4)

2- Agent Maine (Red vs Blue)

3- Darth Bane (Star Wars EU)

Runner up would be Light from Death Note.

 

[Ratty]

Yes! I grew up with the 60's Batman, and that has always been the definitive Batman for me.

Same here! Was so excited to hear a DVD release of the series will finally be happening soon. Did you catch the "Return to the Batcave" TV reunion movie they did a little over 10 years ago? It was surprisingly really good, with a mix of scripted antics with Adam West/Burt Ward/Frank Gorshin/Julie Newmare inter-cut with a humorous but interesting reenactment of the history of the show.



PS- Also yeah gotta love King Tut. And it's a shame Bookworm never made another appearance.
If you want to see more Roddy "Bookworm" McDowell though I highly recommend checking out his work in the original Planet of the Apes series[footnote]He was in everything except the second movie and the cartoon show, both of which even most hardcore PotA fans will tell you were pretty awful. Personally I'd also recommend skipping the final movie in the original pentalogy "Battle for the Planet of the Apes", and the live action TV show as well. Unless you wind up getting very into the series.[/footnote]. Guy was brilliant at letting the Ape make-up enhance rather than hinder his performance. He practically was the franchise, especially after the gut-punch ending to Escape from the Planet of the Apes when Kim Hunter left the series.

 

[cojo965]

Black Mage from 8-bit Theater. Were he a real person he would have no redeeming qualities. He is only a legendary hero because the local monarch was too much of a dumbass to know they were lying, yet never improves through the entire series. He is constantly trying to kill his partners, once sacrificed nine children for power (allegedly), took over Hell (for twenty minutes but still), and wants nothing more than to end all in creation. Luckily, then, the universe has chosen him to be its personal chew toy. The first person he met (Fighter) is an absolute moron that he can't get rid of no matter how many times he stabs him in the head. Thief put BM under a contract he can't get away from until the quest is over. Red Mage's plans often throw BM under a bus somehow along with just annoying him. Yet the trooper that is Black Mage just keeps trying.

 

[Dimitriov]

Spoiler: I can't believe how few people have mentioned this magnificent bastard!

Kefka, the crazy-ass clown that destroyed an entire world and gained the power of a god!

Also:

Spoiler

I admit it, it's because of the song.

 

[skywolfblue]

Spoiler: Alexei Volkoff from Chuck:

Evil overlord of a criminal corporation, part brilliant, loves being evil. I love the part when Chuck has convince a "reformed" Alexei to take up villainy again!

Spoiler: GLaDOS

Whimsical, light-hearted, but maniacal and deadly AI!

Spoiler: Arthas from World of Warcraft

Dark Overlord, Frozen Blade that steals souls, Icy fortresses. I like this guy's style! I thought the whole "let the heroes win some fights and get stronger, so that when I kill them and resurrect them they will be very powerful lieutenants for my cause" thing was an interesting perspective.

 

[TheMann]

Well, I have to go with Darth Vader for being incredibly iconic and for reasons that many have already said.
Also, Doc Ock was my favorite Spidey villain, and Spiderman is my favorite superhero.
Plenty here I already agree with so here's some new ones:

Spoiler: Like his namesake, he has many ways to sting...

THE MIGHTY MONARCH!!!

[small]"Butterflies... don't... sting."[/small]

Spoiler: Do you know what your sin is?

See the thing I like about this guy, is that he knows he's evil and freely admits to being a horrible person. But he truly believes that his monstrous actions will create a better society. When he's presented with clear evidence to the contrary, he actually changes his mind. Not something you see in most villains which I thought was a nice change of pace.

Since this is a gaming site, I'll throw in one from a game:

Spoiler: I really hated this guy.

Basically, Dr. Wallace Breen is just a smug asshole. He's a guy who loved the idea of power and agreed to help sell out the entire human race just to get a little. He just goes on and on about how awesome the Combine are while they drain our resources and slowly drive humans (and everything else on Planet Earth) to extinction or assimilation. It's hard to tell whether he's delusional, or if he wanted to keep the tenuous authority he had, but it didn't take me long before I wanted to bury my crowbar in this fucker's teeth. I never got that chance in Half Life 2, but I will take watching him explode in a dark energy reactor and falling 300 stories as a consolation prize.

 

[Lieju]

Yes! I grew up with the 60's Batman, and that has always been the definitive Batman for me.

Same here! Was so excited to hear a DVD release of the series will finally be happening soon. Did you catch the "Return to the Batcave" TV reunion movie they did a little over 10 years ago? It was surprisingly really good, with a mix of scripted antics with Adam West/Burt Ward/Frank Gorshin/Julie Newmare inter-cut with a humorous but interesting reenactment of the history of the show.

I never saw that, I need to check it out.

PS- Also yeah gotta love King Tut. And it's a shame Bookworm never made another appearance.
If you want to see more Roddy "Bookworm" McDowell though I highly recommend checking out his work in the original Planet of the Apes series[footnote]He was in everything except the second movie and the cartoon show, both of which even most hardcore PotA fans will tell you were pretty awful. Personally I'd also recommend skipping the final movie in the original pentalogy "Battle for the Planet of the Apes", and the live action TV show as well. Unless you wind up getting very into the series.[/footnote]. Guy was brilliant at letting the Ape make-up enhance rather than hinder his performance. He practically was the franchise, especially after the gut-punch ending to Escape from the Planet of the Apes when Kim Hunter left the series.

The 70's Planet of te Apes was one of the series I grew up with, actually. I never noticed the actor was the same, though.

I don't think any of the adaptations have captured the spirit of the original novel, though, and how it handled the idea of what separates us from animals.

 

[Ieyke]

Spoiler: Like his namesake, he has many ways to sting...

THE MIGHTY MONARCH!!!

[small]"Butterflies... don't... sting."[/small]

Okay, yea. He's amazing.
I completely forget he's a "villain" most of the time.

 

[bartholen_v1legacy]

Okay, got ninja'd on Griffith, but Berserk still has one other fantastic villain from an often overlooked story arc.

Spoiler: Namely, Rosine

What makes her special is that she's not some sadist or power-hungry madman. She's just a kid who had a shitty childhood, and accidentally gained power beyond what she could cope with. She takes everything that makes kids evil bastards, and amplifies it about a thousandfold. She doesn't see herself as evil, rather she lets her friends have fun and not be bothered by stupid grownups. And in light of the conditions she grew up in, she has a very good point. But as we see, it all went tits-up the moment she gained her powers.

Spoiler: And for a more unusual pick

Marche Radiuju

If you start to think about it, he can be seen as the ultimate villain of the story of FF Tactics Advance, despite being the main character. He's not trying to save the world, he's trying to get away from it. Which he intends to do by essentially destroying it. And he'll tear down any happiness or contentment his close ones have acquired to do so.

Spoiler: And who could forget the most diabolical of them all? The man who needs no introduction...

 

[bossfight1]

Handsome Jack, the Joker and Queen Chrysalis are among my favorites.
I also deeply enjoyed the Sha of Fear from Mists of Pandaria, since it had such an AMAZING VOICE; perfect for a living embodiment of fear itself.
Speaking of WoW, the Lich King is fantastic; also amazingly voiced, but his schemes and presence are felt as you travel throughout Northrend, and beating him is even more satisfying when you know his past as Arthas.

 

[WhiteFangofWhoa]

Psychotic bubblegum.

Oh yeah, almost forgot about Cell, the smooth operator to Kid Buu's rabid animal. The only villain in that series to ever force his opponents to break the honoured tradition of one-on-one fights even if you outnumber the enemy, and the first Minecraft player ever. Can't wait to see him in the abridged series.

 

[IllumInaTIma]

For me there are two categories of good villains.
1)The Villain that I'm afraid of. He's intimidating, skillful and always has a plan. That's the kind of guy that I would be scared to meet in a fight.
2)The Villain that I see myself following. He fights for a believable cause, know how to talk and convince people without screaming, yelling or going for unnecessary theatrics.
And there's only one villain who fits both categories.
<img src=http://static2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20121107105525/avatar/images/0/00/Amon_and_his_Equalists.png>
Holy shit was Amon an amazing villain. He's scary, he's skillful, he always has a plan, he wipes the floor with Korra and her friends and, honestly, if I was just a regular guy in Avatar Universe I could see myself following him. And he's also voiced by Steve Blum.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

Hmm. Looks like I get to put in some original picks instead of jumping on the bandwagon as usual. Yay! I could probably think of more with a little effort, but these are off the top of my head and represent a fair cross section all on their own. Honorable mention to Bayaz from The First Law trilogy, because OMG that fucking guy. Alas, no picture.

Spoiler: From Movies

Spoiler: Also From Movies

Spoiler: From Games

Spoiler: From Books

Spoiler: Also From Books

Spoiler: From Television

Spoiler: Also From Television

You could probably argue that the last two are anti-heroes, but don't be that guy.

 

[Ratty]

The 70's Planet of te Apes was one of the series I grew up with, actually. I never noticed the actor was the same, though.

I don't think any of the adaptations have captured the spirit of the original novel, though, and how it handled the idea of what separates us from animals.

You grew up with the TV show or that and the movies? I can just imagine how the aforementioned traumatic ending to Escape would have affected me as a kid lol. It was still kind of jarring when I first saw it as a teenager. But then that's just what you gotta expect with PotA, downer endings.

It's been many years since I read the original book, and I agree none of the movies seem to even try for the same feel. But I don't remember the differences between human and ape being highlighted so much as the similarities. I mean, the whole point is that the Apes are allegories of humanity.

One thing I do remember being much more pronounced in the book than in the movies was the romantic tension between the human protagonist and Dr. Zira. In the book Ulysse and Zira seemed to connect on an intellectual level while Ulysse's attraction to Nova was purely physical. At the same time there was a definite "dominant/submissive" thing going on with Zira getting jealous and leading him around on a chain and such. So it always seemed to me that Pierre Boulle was trying (probably with his tongue squarely in his cheek) to make some sort of comment on the different extremes of attraction. This subtext was almost entirely removed from Taylor and Zira's relationship in the film for understandable reasons.

Say, since we're on the subject who would you say the greatest villain is in the series? Obviously Zaius is the iconic choice but I don't think there's one I love to hate more than Governor Breck.

 

[Lieju]

It's been many years since I read the original book, and I agree none of the movies seem to even try for the same feel. But I don't remember the differences between human and ape being highlighted so much as the similarities. I mean, the whole point is that the Apes are allegories of humanity.

One thing I do remember being much more pronounced in the book than in the movies was the romantic tension between Ulysee and Zira. Those two seemed to connect on an intellectual level while Ulysse's connection with and attraction to Nova was purely physical. At the same time there was a definite "dominant/submissive" thing going on with Zira leading him around on a chain and such. So it always seemed to me that Pierre Boulle was (probably humorously) trying to make some sort of comment on the different extremes of attraction. This subtext was almost entirely removed from Taylor and Zira's relation in the film for understandable reasons.

Yeah, it was bestiality. Not between Ulysse and Zira, but between Ulysse and Nova.

Say, since we're on the subject who would you say the greatest villain is in the series? Obviously Zaius is the iconic choice but I don't think there's one I love to hate more than Governor Breck.

My memory of the series is not all that great. The book made a bigger impact on me (as I read it first) and I remember considering the general stagnation of culture as the real villain.

 

[Ratty]

and I remember considering the general stagnation of culture as the real villain.

Hmm, yeah I can agree with that. I love how misanthropic the book and movies are. I doubt we'll ever see a mainstream franchise with such undisguised contempt for humanity and it's shortcomings again.

Yeah, it was bestiality. Not between Ulysse and Zira, but between Ulysse and Nova.

Yep. I'm not sure the mainstream movie audience could accept a concept like that even today. But I think they did throw a few hints at it in the movie.