Being Bad Never Felt So Good
Newsarama, that authority on all things comic book-related, resurrected a weekly feature known as I [Heart] Comics this summer. From June 7th through Labor Day, certain comic bloggers and creators have been asked to write a feature about something in comics/graphic novels that they truly love. Back in June, I was honored when they asked me to contribute to this weekly event and chose to write on what makes a good villain. It's because I'm a bad man. Really. So, in light of sharing my nerdy passion, feel free to go and read the piece over at Newsarama's blog, and don't be afraid to voice your opinion about YOUR favorite villain!
I [Heart] a Good Villain [Newsarama]
Boy of Tomorrow
Posted to Miscellany on 8 August 2007
· Comments (2)
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great article, mike! if i'm going to put in my two cents about villains, then certainly the best one out there is obviously the joker (though magneto is a relatively close second). in fact, i've argued on several occasions that one of the reasons batman works so well and so convincingly is that he's got the most compelling and diverse rogues gallery in the medium.
i think your factors about what goes into a good villain are good, but for me it's always been about the writer more than the character. you can have the best character in the world and it'll still fall flat in the hands of a bad writer. the joker is perhaps the best example of this - he's a terrific character for several reasons: iconic imagery (your point number 1), a "chicken and the egg" relationship with batman, &c. he's also crazy. this makes him a bit of a blank slate for writers, which i think only adds to his appeal. he's not necessarily bogged down with a particular history (like magneto is) which will influence his motivations. his motivation is simple: he's crazy.
what i'm saying is, i've read plenty of batstories that have involved the joker and just been comically preposterous and horrible. and then i've read some (killing joke, arkham asylum, batman #663, &c.) that have really been smart.
you're spot on with what goes into making a great character. but even the greatest characters can be made low...
oh grats BOT that was a great article and I'm so glad you got to post it on Newsarama (I love that site almost, but not quiet as much as i love this one)
yay again for BOT being back on board!