But he's a killer and completely insane. Not likable traits but he's a remarkably likable character. Mortiarty, however, isn't the only villain whom I've ended up liking just a little too much. This my list of my favorite villains.
Heath Ledger as the Joker in The Dark Knight.
But this is on everyone's list. And there's a reason for it.
He's got so little regard for human life that he doesn't even care about his own. And that's what makes him so scary, but somewhat more respectable. Like, if you're going to kill a bunch of people the least you can do is not be a whiny baby about your own death. Of course, Heath Ledger was... awesome. And how quotable is this guy? The answer: really quotable. You can judge how good a villain is by how often you quote them. So judging from internet memes, this guy is the best of the best.
Sylar in Heroes
I started watching Heroes for Zachary Quinto, who plays Sylar, and I was not disappointed by what I found. His deal on the show is that he kills other "heroes" or "specials" for their abilities and he's obsessed with doing so. And somehow, he's really charismatic while doing so. One of my favorite lines (in the whole series) comes when he's in the car with this kid (Luke Campbell for those who know what's up) and the kid says something like, "You're a serial killer." Sylar denies it. The rather bold response: "You have a pattern, target specific people and keep mementos." "Okay, technically I'm a serial killer."
Oh, Sylar, you charmer. Honestly, the only reason I stuck around to the end was this guy. He was just captivating. It doesn't hurt that he's dead sexy, but it was more than that. He was certainly the most well developed character on the show, maybe a little overused, but hey - he was a hit. He had his bouts of remorse, his rare occurrences of mercy, his dark childhood, his thirst for greatness. And I really loved the creepy clock ticking sound effect that was associated with Sylar.
Plus, when he became a shape-shifter and he started messing with everybody even more than he usually did? Oh, the end of season 3 was awesome. At least five times during every episode I just sat there, shaking my head, fondly saying, "Freaking Sylar..."
The Master from Doctor Who
I thought the Master was very entertaining to watch. Plus, similarities between protagonist/antagonist abound. The Doctor didn't even dislike him that much, I mean he was pretty torn up when he "died." A villain whom the hero doesn't want to die? That is pure gold because it never ends, and when it does, if it does, it's not an entirely happy ending. More like sobbing over his corpse.
But when he put that gas mask on and they were all like, "What gas?" "This gas." It's great when a villain can cause death and destruction while maintaining a sense of humor. And the drum beat thing? So sick. Plus, he sort of resembles a meerkat, especially when he made his "Master race."
I'm thinking for the Master to Peter Capaldi's Doctor... Benedict Cumberbatch. Make it happen, Moffat. I know you have the power to make it happen.
Can we just talk about Moriarty from Sherlock now?
Okay, good. Moriarty is adorable while also being sort of slimy and creepy; definitely insane but really, really smart; scheming and conniving but for no actually good reason; and he has that same unnerving disregard for his own life that all the best villains have. I like intellectual badasses better than physical badasses, and Moriarty is definitely in the former group. As a consulting criminal, he organizes and plans crimes, but has someone else execute them. He doesn't like to get his hands dirty. And this way, no one ever gets to him.
Plus, how fun is it when there are similarities between the protagonist and the antagonist? It's really fun. And Sherlock and Moriarty are "just alike." I love their mind games and their downright flirting - it's way better than throwing punches. Except here's a pro tip: Don't flirt like Moriarty. Don't strap people in bombs to get his attention. I mean, it kind of worked in this case, but it's generally a bad strategy.
And, like all the best villains, he gave himself a new name. (Because his name is actually Richard Brook, not James Moriarty.) Is he quotable? Please stand by while I recite the last ten minutes of the Great Game. And I carve IOU into apples all the time now. I've gotten really good at it.
In summary:
Qualities of Good Villains
1. Similarities to protagonist
2. Associated with some sort of sound or symbol
3. Sense of humor or just really entertaining insanity
4. Interesting back story
5. Either not afraid of death (Moriarty, Joker) or WON'T FREAKING DIE ALREADY (Sylar, Master)
6. Renames himself (check, check, check and check)
7. He's got that stare. You know the stare. Serial killer eyebrows help, too... cough, Zachary Quinto.
8. You will be quoting him until the day you die
9. He becomes your favorite character a little too quickly (Sylar, Moriarty...)
10. If you had to die, you could think of much worse ways to do it than by his hand
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