R.G. Male's Dark Corners


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    April 17, 2013

    Fine Upstanding Villains

    It can be difficult sometimes to write villains that are mean, nasty and vile outside of their chosen evil operating styles. Yes they murder, terrorise, violate, and torture, but then what? Do they have home lives where they slap everyone around? Do they join clubs to abuse minorities verbally and in only small physical ways? Is Grandma in shackles in the basement? There are certainly a number of options.

    There is nothing wrong with villains who seem like perfectly well-adjusted members of society. It's often a nice contrast to make their villainy all the worse. It allows them to hide in plain sight. It creates a lot of tension when they betray everyone around them with their evil. If they are partnered to someone (or a part of a team) who is really decent the betrayal is all the deeper and harder to swallow.

    Even villains should aspire to be greater than themselves. Any two bit thug can mug the helpless with a gun, or join a bunch of others to throw a 90 pound weakling around that any one of them should be able to handle alone. It's easy to be pissant and cowardly. But where's the pride, the false honour, and the thrill of self-empowerment? Put that ego to use for your villains.


    Music: Ruiner by NIN.
         Nine Inch Nails: Downward Spiral Or get MP3s.

    • Tags: betrayal, evil, society, villain.


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