A Study In Villainy

Antagonists are generally very strong characters, which is why I chose to focus my study on the design and conceptualisation of them particularly.

Many characters are based and found in the mythology of several different cultures around the world, which is stressed through the universal human understanding of character archetypes. A simple example would be the use of the popularised horned demon or devil, which while perhaps bearing no relevance to religion , or more specifically christianity, carries heavy negative connotations universally. Even more interestingly are the existance of monomyths; mytholigical or religious characters or narratives that share the same patterns globally.

Although this may bear no relevance to my honours project, I still find it interesting, as it loops back to Jungian Psychology, which although minor, is one of the focuses of my study.

I wish to explore what makes a good antagonist. What elements, if any, of design, development through narrative, historical reference, mythology, archetypes, parameters and methodoligies, bear relevance and consequence to the design of a brilliant antagonist?

For this, I will explore several character archetypes and personifications of ideas and concepts commonly found in cultural mythology, and with any luck design characters successfully so to portray these factors and traits visually.

However, I would also like to touch upon the complexities of this.

Take Batman, for example.

The very array of villains in the Batman universe is vast and numerous. Most super villains in comic books draw their lust for power from their super human powers, elevating themselves above normal human beings by inflating their own ego, beleving themselves to be akin to a god. (Boring)

Although some villains in the Batman universe fit this criteria, the expansion and development of the characters and exploration of Batmans past led the writing team to explore more into the human psyche, shining light upon the fragile mental state of the majority of the villains, ultimately shaping the Batman universe into one of the more interesting comic book universes.

This is where I bring in you know who.

Forget The Dark Knight. The Joker is possibly the best example of archetypal imagery in comic book villainy.

The Joker is essentially Batman’s shadow, reflecting deeper issues of his own psyche; his complete opposite and repressed inner self. The focus and common themes of both characters problems with obsession and mental issues reveals this. Essentially, it wouldn’t take much for Batman’s character to become much like The Joker. This makes them both the perfect combination. One simply could not exist without the other.