The Villain Thread

[DuctTapeJedi]

I just thought it would be fun to have a thread celebrating bad guys. My first two choices are, admittedly, mainstream.


My three favorite villains:

Spoiler: Any other answer would be wrong

Darth Vader is an obvious choice for best villain. He's an absolute classic. Saying anything else would imply a lack of faith, which would warrant a 'force-choke.'

Spoiler: The Joker

Fun fact: There wasn't supposed to be a pause in the explosion, but Heath Ledger maintained his character through the hiccup, as it had to be done in one take for obvious reasons.

Spoiler: Best Twist on the Princess Trope

You've got to love Princess Azula. Far too many female villains rely more on their sex appeal and skimpy outfits to get what they want, instead of just going on their own abilities.[footnote]I'll forgive you, Satsuki. It's not your fault.[/footnote] Azula will have none of that nonsense, preferring to shoot people with lightning instead.

Azula's entire personality is perfectly demonstrated in one of her first lines in the series.

(In response to her captain's statement that "The tides won't allow us to come into the harbor")
Azula: "Why don't you spend a little less time trying to please the tides, who have already made up their minds to kill you, and a little more time focusing on me, who is still just mulling it over."

So who are your favorite baddies?

 

[JoJo]

I approve of this thread. Got to agree with Darth Vader, he's a classic and genuinely menacing. Other that him, another favourite of mine is

Spoiler

He's so smooth, stereotypically 'evil' and entertaining to watch, though I do wonder what his name was before he got a scar. The third, well who do you expect? Hint, look to the left of this post ;-)

 

[Eamar]

Ooo yes

Ok, first choice just to get it out the way:

Spoiler: Why yes, I am an unashamed fangirl. Problem?

Other than that, I've always been a massive fan of this guy:

Spoiler

He's just so much fun. It's kind of a shame the Genie (understandably) overshadows everyone else in the film, because to me Jafar is the all-time greatest Disney villain. Also, he's far and away the most competent person in Agrabah. It's not his fault he's surrounded by idiots...

 

[Neuromancer]

Spoiler: Any other answer would be wrong

Darth Vader is an obvious choice for best villain. He's an absolute classic. Saying anything else would imply a lack of faith, which would warrant a 'force-choke.'

Ah, but at first he did what he did for love. And then redeemed himself... hardly the villain of villains, he is. Palpatine on the other hand is much more deserving of such a title, at least in the Star Wars universe.

Anyhow, among my favourites would be:

Spoiler: Jon Irenicus

There is hardly a western RPG villain that can match his presence. He is the man that made BG memorable for me. It wasn't the scale of the world, the side quests, Minsc or Edwin. Every time Irenicus had a scene he stole the spotlight. David Warner's truly amazing perfomance also helped immensely drive home how much of a threat Irenicus is.

Spoiler: Luca Blight

I could go on about Luca Blight, like perhaps just how much effort it takes to even kill him (and how awesome a boss fight he makes) but I'll just leave this vid here to sum things up.

Spoiler: Frollo

Out of all the Disney villains, he is the most human. Also, the fact that he has Tony Jay as his voice actor and the best Disney song help solidify him as my iconic Disney villain.

He's so smooth, stereotypically 'evil' and entertaining to watch, though I do wonder what his name was before he got a scar. The third, well who do you expect? Hint, look to the left of this post ;-)

According the Lion King novels, it was Taka, which is Swahili for dirt.

 

[Tom_green_day]

Handsome Jack from Borderlands 2.
The guy from The A-Team film. Can't remember the name but he was fun to watch.

 

[Euryalus]

Pain from Naruto Shippiden was an amazing villain. He... I'm not really even sure how to explain it. He had gravitas I guess.

Look up his theme song on youtube even. It's amazing! It's called girei.

Other than pain I love the Prophet of Truth from Halo 2 and 3. He's coniving, clever, charismatic, and believes what he's doing is right beyond a shadow of a doubt... but it's neither a selfless "right" or a selfish "right". It's very much both.

 

[Rooster893]

Spoiler

I absolutely love Doctor Doom. His magnificence as a villain can be summed up from one quote in Marvel vs. Capcom 3:

"This applause shall continue for another hour. The first to stop clapping shall be executed."

Spoiler

Ah, The Scarecrow. I feel if I was to ever turn into a villain, it'd definitely be like him. I'd want to make others suffer how I did... that's no excuse for his actions, but I get why he does it. Plus, Fear Gas is awesome.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

The best villains are the ones you don't notice until it's too late.

Spoiler

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

Is it to soon?

Spoiler

I like Mr. I Am Death.

Well as long as everyone else is listing their favorite Disney villains, I have to say this one.

Spoiler

Dragon form aside Maleficent is probably one of the most intimidating, competent and formidable of the Disney villains. That and she's so evil, she cursed a newborn child to death, all because she wasn't invited to the party.

 

[Tireseas_v1legacy]

Spoiler: For first, I've got to go with Sarah Kerrigan, the Queen of Blades (primal form)

Spoiler: Next is the guy who topped the AFI's top 50 Villains by a mile, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, although I personally prefer the rebooted version more, as he has more style than Hopkins defining character

Spoiler: Finally, you've got to go with essentially evil Batman, Hush

 

[FalloutJack]

My personal choice for villain is myself, of course. I have a massive ego to manage, after all. That being said, there are some others that have not been mentioned that I wish to...

Gankutsuou (The Count of Monte Cristo) features the futuristic retelling of a classic tale of revenge, and the Count is badass.

Batman The Animated Series, of course, has a wide menagerie of great villains done very well

Alucard of Hellsing - despite being protagonist - is a fucking villain and you know it. You need only look to London for proof.

Red Skull done by Hugo Weaving was also great. Hell, he does well with alot of his roles.

And let us not forget...The Master. All of him.

 

[Shanahanapp]

I'm honestly surprised no one's mentioned Light Yagami yet. It's hard to write a character who gradually descends into becoming a complete psychopath and keep the audience interested in them while you can hear all of his thoughts.

Also Saren from Mass Effect. Maybe a little stereotypical ("Join me and we can save this galaxy!") but I do like how he isn't just evil, in a way he's a bizarro version of Shepard, trying to achieve the same thing with remarkably different methods. Leads to an interesting part of the ending to Mass Effect 3 as well.

 

[Ratty]

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.

Also I can't wait to see them put Shuma-Gorath in one of the MMU movies, since he's basically Marvel's take on an unfathomable Lovecraftian monstrosity. Though I know they'll probably do Dormammu first since he's Strange's "designated arch-enemy" pretty much.

On that note

Spoiler: What is a hero without a good villain?

Also

Ooo yes

Ok, first choice just to get it out the way:

Spoiler: Why yes, I am an unashamed fangirl. Problem?

I'll admit I'm a post-movie convert but he is so much fun I find it impossible not to be a fan.

 

[stormeris]

Well for me it would definitely be

Spoiler

The Scarecrow

Especially this one. It's easily my favorite design of him.

Other then him, i'd like to mention

Spoiler

The Master from Fallout

Especially liked that he wasn't completely insane and that he can see reason, sort of, if you convince him that his plans will fail

 

[RedDeadFred]

Handsome Jack -I loved how he was always checking up on you. It's like he was your jerk companion throughout the game. I hated him quite a bit after two major events but despite that, I was still sad when I finally put him down.

Scar -He has the most badass song in the history of villains.

Petyr Baelish -He quietly makes his way from nothing to being one of the most powerful men in Westeros. Nobody really seems to notice this because he plans everything out so perfectly that it's only natural for titles and wealth to fall into his lap. He is constantly playing multiple people and you never know when he'll stab one of them in the back so that he can get a leg up.
I highly recommend reading this: http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/51015-the-mad-genius-of-petyr-baelish/ as it delves into the mad genius of his character and why he's probably the top player in the game of thrones.

 

[Scarim Coral]

The two I can think of are Bio Brando from Jojo's Bizzare Adventure and Dr Doom from Fantastic Doom. I like Dio for somewhat over the top (you should see his entrance in the Phantom Blood manga/ anime!) and Dr Doom is that despite he is a monach of his own country, he still craved more powers and turelyy believed he can solved the worlds problems. Granted what I loved about the both of them is that they both ego maniac in a good way.

 

[Angelous Wang]

Villains are my favourite characters, I have so many favourites far more than Heroes, so here is 10 off the top of my head in no real order:

Darth Vader (Star Wars)
Joker (Batman)
Ultraman (DC alt-Superman)
Black Adam (DC)
Darksied (DC)
Magneto (Marvel)
Sabretooth (Marvel)
Sephiroth (FF7)
The Conqueror (The Last Remnant)
Regnier (Kingdom Under Fire)
Reaver (Fable)

 

[Vegosiux]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again;

Spoiler: This guy

One of the few villains I consider done "right", avoiding the tired old cliches. I mean, the guy never gets fazed, and always manages to get something out of the situation, even if his main plans fail. Plus, he treats competent underlings with respect, same for his enemies (and occasionally, he'll politely ask to team up because you know, enemy of my enemy).

 

[Lost In The Void]

I'm honestly surprised no one's mentioned Light Yagami yet. It's hard to write a character who gradually descends into becoming a complete psychopath and keep the audience interested in them while you can hear all of his thoughts.

I liked Death Note when it was very cat and mouse between Light and the investigator [its been a while since I attempted to get through the show] but once that was over, god damn did that show get dull. Note I haven't actually made it past the halfway mark so it could get better again.

Favourite Villain?

Spoiler: Wanna Make a Contract?

 

[nuttshell]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again;

Spoiler: This guy

One of the few villains I consider done "right", avoiding the tired old cliches. I mean, the guy never gets fazed, and always manages to get something out of the situation, even if his main plans fail. Plus, he treats competent underlings with respect, same for his enemies (and occasionally, he'll politely ask to team up because you know, enemy of my enemy).

That twisted little...you...you are right, he was a really awesome villian! I also liked the more tragic and bitter Demona.

Hmmm...someone likely not mentioned:

Spoiler: Jesse Blue

just because he had more style than all the Star Sheriffs combined.