How to be the Super Villain of the story.
Hello friends,
Superheroes are known for their altruism, their sense of justice, their willingness to sacrifice themselves to save others. The super villain, on the other hand, has none of these characteristics. Supervillains are self-serving and egoistic characters that can range from evil masterminds hellbent on world domination to mischievous tricksters with an unusual sense of humor. But regardless of their motives and actions, all super villains have at least one thing in common: they’re the antagonist (or villain) of a superhero story.
That doesn’t mean that every super villain is evil or has malicious intentions — there are plenty of antagonists that aren’t necessarily bad guys — but it does mean that a super villain is the opposite of the protagonist in terms of morality and intentions.
They don’t have to be completely unredeemable; even if the super villain has nefarious plans we can understand why they would want them. However, this doesn’t make them any less antagonistic towards the hero.
So today, lets get you set up to be the Super Villain.
Why the world needs super villains
Nobody likes the idea of an evil mastermind taking over the world, but what about an antagonist with a more personal story? Super villains are, more often than not, the source of conflict in the story. They test the protagonist’s ideals and morals and are there to make things difficult.
This provides a challenge for the heroes, who, without a super villain to defeat, don’t have a purpose. This is why the world needs super villains — they create a story worth telling.
Know Your Why
Before you begin to create a super villain, you have to understand why they want to do it in the first place. What is their motivation for taking over the world? What is the motivation for destroying the city? Why does this character want to cause so much trouble and pain? Super villains want something, even if it’s just to watch the world burn.
This is their why. It is the reason for their actions and it’s what makes your super villain unique from all the other super villains in the world.
Be Self Serving and Egoistic
Super villains don’t go into villainy for the good of others; they do it for themselves. They are in it for the power, the money, the fame, or whatever “it” is that drives them.
This makes them undeniably selfish, even if it is understandable why they would want something. This is what makes reading a super villain so interesting. We can understand their motivations but we don’t agree with their means of achieving them. Egoism is a particularly important word to keep in mind because it drives home the fact that your super villain, or you as the super villain only cares about themselves.
You’re a Trickster, So Trick Everyone
Tricksters are known for their cleverness, lying, and mischievousness. If your super villain shares these traits, you have a pretty good start to your character.
As a trickster, your super villain doesn’t always have to be forthright with their plans. They can be sneaky and lie in order to get what they want. This cunning aspect of the trickster is useful for both you and the protagonist. It makes for a more interesting story, and if done well, can throw off the hero’s perception of reality.
Be Confident and Strong, But Play Weak
A confident super villain knows what they want and how to get it. They aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, whether it be by killing or manipulating others. Confidence and strength are important traits to a super villain because they make them more believable.
No one would believe a super villain that is constantly nervous and hesitant. However, don’t overdo the confidence. Super villains are supposed to be intimidating, but not so much that they become predictable. Playing weak and meek gives you the opportunity to switch up your actions and keep the story ... urmmm life... interesting.
Take Advantage of the Dark and Hidden Places
If your super villain is an evil mastermind bent on destroying the world,you will probably going to have a secret lair of some sort where they can plot away from prying eyes. If they don’t have a lair, they probably have some other guise that they use to stay hidden away while they plan their next move.
Villains have been hiding in shadows since the beginning of time, and it’s still an excellent way to hide. Keeping your super villain hidden not only adds an air of mystery, but it also makes it easier to escape when the cops come knocking.
Don’t Be Afraid to Get Dirty (And Bruised)
When you’re living as a super villain, you have to understand that it’s a dirty job. Your superpower might be mind control or turning into water, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get bruised in a fight with the hero.
In fact, there’s a good chance you’ll get hurt. Villains get their hands dirty, sometimes literally, and sometimes metaphorically. As a super villain, it doesn’t have to be an actual murderer to be a super villain. If you commit crimes and break laws, then you are a super villain. This goes both ways, though. Don’t be afraid to get hurt in the story. The hero will probably get the upper hand at some point, just like they do to every super villain.
Takeaway
Being a super villain isn’t easy. You have to be ruthless, cunning, and willing to get hurt. And that’s only if you’re the “good” super villain fighting against the “bad” super villains. You also have to have a good reason for your actions and be willing to stand by them no matter what. Being a super villain is a lot of work, but it’s also an incredibly rewarding experience.
What are your thougths about being a Super Villain?
- Would you like to be the Super Villain?
- Have you been a Super Villain?
- What would your take over the world plan be?
Cheers and thanks for reading!
:D
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