
A supervillain, supervillainess or supercriminal is a major
antagonist
An antagonist is a character in a story who is presented as the main enemy or rival of the protagonist and is often depicted as a villain.[villain
A villain (also known as a " black hat", "bad guy" or "baddy"; The New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998) – p.126 "baddy (also baddie) noun (pl. -ies) ''informal'' a villain or criminal in a book, film, etc.". the feminine form is villai ...](_b ...<br></span></div> and variant of the <div class=)
ous
stock character
A stock character, also known as a character archetype, is a type of character in a narrative (e.g. a novel, play, television show, or film) whom audiences recognize across many narratives or as part of a storytelling tradition or convention. Th ...
who possesses
superpowers. The character type is sometimes found in
comic book
A comic book, comic-magazine, or simply comic is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panel (comics), panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are often accompanied by descriptive prose and wri ...
s and is often the primary adversary of a
superhero
A superhero or superheroine is a fictional character who typically possesses ''superpowers'' or abilities beyond those of ordinary people, is frequently costumed concealing their identity, and fits the role of the hero, typically using their ...
in the same story.
Description
Supervillains are often used as
foils to present a daunting challenge to a superhero. In instances where the supervillain does not have superhuman, mystical, or alien powers, the supervillain may possess a genius intellect or a skill set that allows them to draft complex schemes or commit crimes in a way normal humans cannot. Other traits may include
megalomania and possession of considerable resources to further their aims. Many supervillains share some typical characteristics of real-world
dictators,
gangster
A gangster (informally gangsta) is a criminal who is a member of a gang. Most gangs are considered to be part of organized crime. Gangsters are also called mobsters, a term derived from ''Organized crime, mob'' and the suffix ''wikt:-ster, -st ...
s,
mad scientist
The mad scientist (also mad doctor or mad professor) is a stock character of a scientist who is perceived as "mad, bad and dangerous to know" or "insanity, insane" owing to a combination of unusual or unsettling personality traits and the unabas ...
s,
trophy hunters, corrupt
businesspeople,
serial killer
A serial killer (also called a serial murderer) is a person who murders three or more people,An offender can be anyone:
*
*
*
*
* (This source only requires two people) with the killings taking place over a significant period of time in separat ...
s, and
terrorists, often having an aspiration of
world domination
World domination (also called global domination, world conquest, global conquest, or cosmocracy) is a hypothetical power structure, either achieved or aspired to, in which a single political authority holds power over all or virtually all the i ...
.
Notable supervillains
The
Joker,
Lex Luthor,
Doctor Doom,
Magneto,
Brainiac,
Deathstroke, the
Green Goblin
The Green Goblin is the alias of several supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, the first and best-known incarnation of the Green Goblin is Norman Osborn, ...
,
Loki
Loki is a Æsir, god in Norse mythology. He is the son of Fárbauti (a jötunn) and Laufey (mythology), Laufey (a goddess), and the brother of Helblindi and Býleistr. Loki is married to the goddess Sigyn and they have two sons, Narfi (son of Lo ...
, the
Reverse-Flash,
Sinestro,
Ultron,
Thanos
Thanos () is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-artist Jim Starlin, the character first appeared in '' The Invincible Iron Man'' #55 (cover date February 1973). An Eternal– Devia ...
, and
Darkseid
Darkseid () is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer-artist Jack Kirby, the character first made a cameo appearance in ''Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen'' #134 (December 1970), before being fully in ...
are some notable male comic book supervillains that have been
adapted in film and television. Some notable female supervillains are
Catwoman,
Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn (Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel, PhD) is a fictional American character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. She was created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm for ''Batman: The Animated Series'' as a henchwoman for the ...
,
Poison Ivy
Poison ivy is a type of allergenic plant in the genus '' Toxicodendron'' native to Asia and North America. Formerly considered a single species, '' Toxicodendron radicans'', poison ivies are now generally treated as a complex of three separate s ...
,
Mystique,
Hela
HeLa () is an immortalized cell line used in scientific research. It is the oldest human cell line and one of the most commonly used. HeLa cells are durable and prolific, allowing for extensive applications in scientific study. The line is ...
,
Viper
Vipers are snakes in the family Viperidae, found in most parts of the world, except for Antarctica, Australia, Hawaii, Madagascar, New Zealand, Ireland, and various other isolated islands. They are venomous and have long (relative to non-vipe ...
, and the
Cheetah
The cheetah (''Acinonyx jubatus'') is a large Felidae, cat and the Fastest animals, fastest land animal. It has a tawny to creamy white or pale buff fur that is marked with evenly spaced, solid black spots. The head is small and rounded, wit ...
.
Just like superheroes, supervillains are sometimes members of groups, such as the
Injustice League
The following is a list of fictional criminal and terrorist organizations that have been published by DC Comics and their imprints.
0-9 100
Originally based in Metropolis (comics), Metropolis, the 100 kept a firm grip on the city's criminal un ...
, the
Sinister Six, the
Legion of Doom, the
Brotherhood of Mutants, the
Suicide Squad
The Suicide Squad is an antihero/supervillain team appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The first version of the Suicide Squad debuted in ''The Brave and the Bold'' #25 (September 1959) and the second and modern version, cre ...
, and the
Masters of Evil.
In the documentary ''A Study in Sherlock'', writers
Steven Moffat and
Mark Gatiss
Mark Gatiss (; born 17 October 1966) is an English actor, comedian, screenwriter, director, producer and novelist. Best known for his acting work on stage and screen as well as for co-creating television shows with Steven Moffat, he has received ...
said they regarded
Professor James Moriarty as a supervillain because he possesses genius-level intelligence and powers of observation and deduction, setting him above ordinary people to the point where only he can pose a credible threat to
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes () is a Detective fiction, fictional detective created by British author Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a "Private investigator, consulting detective" in his stories, Holmes is known for his proficiency with obser ...
.
One of the earliest examples is John Devil, created by
Paul Féval, père, in 1862, followed by the Machiavellian Colonel Bozzo-Corona, leader of the criminal organization
''Les Habits Noirs'', also by Féval, in 1863.
Another example of a pioneering villain is Zigomar, a character created by Léon Sazie in 1909 for the ''
Le Matin'' newspaper. Zigomar is a masked criminal wearing a red hood, leader of the "Gang of Z," who terrorized Paris with his ingenious crimes. The character's success was so great that
Victorin Jasset directed three films based on his adventures between 1911 and 1913: ''Zigomar, roi des voleurs'', ''Zigomar contre Nick Carter'' and ''
Zigomar, peau d'anguille''.
In 1911, ''
Fantômas
Fantômas () is a fictional character created by French writers Marcel Allain (1885–1969) and Pierre Souvestre (1874–1914).
One of the most popular characters in the history of French crime fiction, Fantômas was created in 1911 and appeared ...
'' emerged, created by
Marcel Allain and
Pierre Souvestre. A master of disguise and crime, Fantômas became an iconic figure in French popular culture. Filmmaker
Louis Feuillade further solidified his fame by directing five silent serials starring the character: ''
Fantômas
Fantômas () is a fictional character created by French writers Marcel Allain (1885–1969) and Pierre Souvestre (1874–1914).
One of the most popular characters in the history of French crime fiction, Fantômas was created in 1911 and appeared ...
'' (1913), ''Juve contre Fantômas'' (1913), ''Le Mort Qui Tue'' (1913), ''Fantômas contre Fantômas'' (1914), and ''Le Faux Magistrat'' (1914). After the success of the first ''Fantômas'' serial, Feuillade had been criticized for glorifying outlaws, his next serial for Gaumont, ''
Judex
Judex (real name Jacques de Trémeuse) is a fictional French vigilante hero created by Louis Feuillade and Arthur Bernède for the 1916 silent film '' Judex''. Judex (whose name is Latin for "judge") is a mysterious avenger who dresses in black ...
'', starred this time a positive hero, a mysterious avenger conceived as an honest version of Fantômas.
Judex
Judex (real name Jacques de Trémeuse) is a fictional French vigilante hero created by Louis Feuillade and Arthur Bernède for the 1916 silent film '' Judex''. Judex (whose name is Latin for "judge") is a mysterious avenger who dresses in black ...
was himself featured in various adaptations, sequels and remakes. The original ''Judex'' serial was released in the United States and appears to have been an inspiration for the American pulp character
The Shadow
The Shadow is a fictional character created by American magazine publishers Street & Smith and writer Walter B. Gibson. Originally created to be a mysterious radio show narrator and developed into a distinct literary character in 1931 by Gibs ...
, who was himself an inspiration for
Batman
Batman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in Detective Comics 27, the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on M ...
.
Fu Manchu is an archetypal evil criminal genius and mad scientist created by English author
Sax Rohmer in 1913. The
Fu Manchu moustache became integral to stereotypical cinematic and television depictions of Chinese villains. Between 1965 and 1969
Christopher Lee played Fu Manchu five times in film, and in 1973 the character
first appeared in Marvel Comics.
The
James Bond
The ''James Bond'' franchise focuses on James Bond (literary character), the titular character, a fictional Secret Intelligence Service, British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels ...
arch-villain
Ernst Stavro Blofeld (whose scenes often show him sitting on an armchair stroking his cat, his face unseen) has influenced supervillain
tropes in popular cinema, including
parodies like
Dr. Claw and M.A.D. Cat from the ''
Inspector Gadget'' animated series,
Dr. Evil and
Mr. Bigglesworth from the
''Austin Powers'' film series, or
Dr. Blowhole from the animated TV series ''
The Penguins of Madagascar''.
The overarching villain of ''
Star Wars
''Star Wars'' is an American epic film, epic space opera media franchise created by George Lucas, which began with the Star Wars (film), eponymous 1977 film and Cultural impact of Star Wars, quickly became a worldwide popular culture, pop cu ...
'', Emperor
Palpatine, leads the tyrannical
Galactic Empire, and was inspired by real-world tyrannical leaders.
See also
References
External links
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{{Authority control
Superhero fiction themes
Stock characters
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