The Wicked Witch of the West from 'The Wizard of Oz' has a complex back story. She was angry because Dorothy's house fell on her sister. She was already powerful in the land of Oz, but her desire for revenge against Dorothy, who she saw as an interloper, made her a feared villain. She used her magic to try and stop Dorothy from reaching the Wizard and going back home.
One of the well - known horror villains based on true stories is Ed Gein. He inspired characters like Norman Bates in 'Psycho' and Leatherface in 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre'. Gein was a grave robber and murderer who had a very disturbed mind. He made things out of human body parts, like masks and furniture. Another is Richard Ramirez, the 'Night Stalker'. His brutal crimes of burglary, rape, and murder in California during the 1980s were truly terrifying. His satanic - like behavior and appearance, with long hair and a menacing look, made him a real - life horror figure that could easily be a horror movie villain.
It's hard to say for sure, but many would consider Thanos to be one of the biggest villains. His quest for power and his actions in the Infinity Saga had a huge impact.
For many female villains, it's often a sense of being wronged that makes their stories interesting. Take Cersei Lannister from 'Game of Thrones' for example. She was constantly underestimated and mistreated in a male - dominated world. Her father used her as a pawn in political games, and her husband was cruel. This led her to become power - hungry and vengeful, which is a very engaging story arc.
There's also Bellatrix Lestrange from the 'Harry Potter' series. She is a Death Eater and is responsible for multiple murders. Her loyalty to Voldemort and her pure - blood supremacist beliefs drive her to kill without remorse. Her character shows how ideology can play a role in the actions of fictional female serial killers.
Brutus from 'Julius Caesar' is a very notorious betrayer. He was so close to Caesar, seen as a friend, yet he took part in the assassination plot. His actions were driven by his belief that Caesar was becoming too powerful, but his betrayal was still a huge shock. Then there's Iago from 'Othello'. Iago manipulates Othello into believing his wife Desdemona is unfaithful, all out of his own jealousy and spite, which ultimately leads to tragic consequences.
In 'The Killing Joke', the main villain is obviously the Joker. His maniacal laugh and his attempts to drive Commissioner Gordon insane are central to the story. In 'A Death in the Family', again it's the Joker who plays the key villain role by murdering Robin. And in 'Sinestro Corps War', Sinestro is the main bad guy, leading his fear - based army against the Green Lanterns.
One of the most famous thieves in world stories is Arsene Lupin. He is a fictional gentleman thief created by Maurice Leblanc. Lupin is known for his charm, intelligence, and elaborate heists. Another is Robin Hood, who stole from the rich to give to the poor in English folklore, making him a heroic kind of thief in the eyes of many.
The Joker is probably one of the most popular. His chaotic and unpredictable nature makes him a great character to explore in fanfiction. Writers can come up with all kinds of crazy scenarios for him. Harley Quinn is also very popular. Her relationship with the Joker and her own journey of self - discovery are often the focus of fanfictions. Another popular one is Bane. His physical strength and strategic mind are interesting to write about, especially in battles against Batman. And then there's Catwoman, who has that alluring and complex personality that draws in readers and writers alike.
Thanos has a compelling origin. He comes from a planet where overpopulation led to its destruction. This experience made him believe that in order to save the universe, he had to eliminate half of all life. His origin shows how his extreme solution was born out of a traumatic past, which makes his character more complex than just a simple 'bad guy'.
Ghosts are very common villains in horror stories. They can haunt a place and terrify the living with their apparitions and strange noises. Another typical villain is the serial killer. These are often human but with a twisted and murderous mind. And then there are demons. Demons bring a sense of pure evil and often possess people or create chaos in the story.