'Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West' by Gregory Maguire is also among the top. It reimagines the story of the Wicked Witch from 'The Wizard of Oz'. Here, the witch, Elphaba, is presented as a complex character with her own beliefs, desires, and a backstory that makes her more than just a one - dimensional villain. She's a victim of circumstance in many ways, which makes the novel a thought - provoking exploration of villainy.
A great villain - centered novel is 'Vicious' by V.E. Schwab. It tells the story of two former friends, Victor and Eli, who both develop extraordinary abilities. However, their feud and the morally ambiguous actions they take in the pursuit of power and revenge turn them into villains in their own ways. The book delves deep into their motives and the thin line between hero and villain.
One of the best villain novels is 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde. In this novel, Dorian Gray's hedonistic and immoral actions as he succumbs to the temptations of vanity and pleasure make him a complex and fascinating villain. His actions gradually corrupt his soul while his portrait bears the physical marks of his depravity.
Some of the top villain - centered graphic novels include 'Lex Luthor: Man of Steel'. It offers a different perspective on Superman's arch - nemesis, showing his intelligence and his own view of himself as a hero. 'Harley Quinn: Mad Love' is also a great one as it focuses on Harley's relationship with the Joker and her transformation into a villain. 'Thanos Rising' is essential for fans of the Marvel universe. It details the origin of Thanos, one of the most powerful and feared villains in the cosmos, exploring his motives and his journey to becoming the threat he is.
One of the best villain stories is that of the Joker in 'The Dark Knight'. His chaotic and unpredictable nature makes for a great villain story. He challenges Batman not just physically but also morally, with his actions forcing the city and its heroes to question their values.
One of the best is 'The Killing Joke'. It delves deep into the Joker's psyche and his relationship with Batman. Another great one is 'Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth', which offers a really dark and twisted look at the inmates of Arkham, including many of Batman's most notorious villains. And 'Hush' also stands out, with a great mystery involving Batman's villains working together in a complex plot against him.
Magneto has a very impactful origin story. As a Holocaust survivor, he witnessed the worst of humanity's inhumane treatment. This led him to believe that mutants, like himself, needed to be in a position of power to protect themselves from the same fate. His experiences of discrimination and hatred against mutants due to their differences made him into a villain who was willing to go to extreme lengths to safeguard mutantkind. Well, it's also arguable that he's an anti - hero in some aspects.
Magneto's back story is also compelling. Being a Holocaust survivor, he witnessed the worst of humanity. His experiences made him determined to protect mutants at all costs. He saw mutants as the next step in evolution and was willing to go to extreme lengths, including becoming a villain in the eyes of some, to ensure their survival and dominance. His past of persecution shaped his extreme views.
One of the best villain origin stories is that of the Joker. In some versions, he was a failed comedian who endured a series of tragic events. His wife's death, his own disfigurement, and the constant rejection from society drove him insane, turning him into the chaotic and unpredictable Joker. His origin shows how a normal person can be broken by life's hardships and become a symbol of anarchy.
One great 'villain Deku' story could be one where he turns against his friends due to a misunderstanding about hero society. He might start using his intelligence and powerful quirk in devious ways, like creating chaos during hero - villain battles to expose the flaws in the system.
One of the best is the relationship between Maleficent and Stefan in 'Maleficent'. Their love turned into a bitter feud. Once they were childhood friends and in love, but Stefan's ambition led him to betray Maleficent, which then made her into the 'villain' we know, yet the root of it was their love story.
Well, 'The Darkling' from 'Shadow and Bone' series is really popular. His character is both alluring and villainous. His relationship with Alina is a mix of power play and attraction. It's a complex relationship that keeps readers hooked.
A great villain in fantasy novels often has great power. For example, Sauron in 'The Lord of the Rings' has an army of orcs and his own dark magic. His power makes him a huge threat to the protagonists. Another factor is their motivation. Voldemort in 'Harry Potter' wants to rule the wizarding world and is willing to kill anyone who stands in his way. His clear and evil motivation makes him a great villain.