Well, a great villain can also be one who creates a sense of dread. Consider Dracula from Bram Stoker's novel. His very nature as a vampire, his ability to turn others into his kind, and his dark allure all contribute to the feeling of dread that surrounds him, making him an excellent villain.
Appearance can also play a role in making a villain the best in fiction. Look at Hannibal Lecter in 'The Silence of the Lambs'. His calm and refined appearance, while being a serial killer, is a contrast that makes him all the more disturbing. And then there's the element of mystery. A villain like Keyser Söze in 'The Usual Suspects'. We don't really know who he is until the end, and that mystery keeps us on the edge of our seats and makes him a very effective villain.
A great villain graphic novel often has a well - developed villain character. For example, if the villain has a complex backstory like the Joker in 'The Killing Joke', it makes the story more engaging. The art style also matters. In 'Sin City: The Hard Goodbye', the noir - like art adds to the overall atmosphere of the villainous deeds. And the plot should be centered around the villain in a meaningful way, not just as an afterthought.
A character can be the villain if they have immoral or unethical motives. For example, if they want to steal, kill, or deceive just for their own gain.
Well, for me, a great villain in fiction has to be really menacing. Like Darth Vader in 'Star Wars'. His deep voice, his black suit, and his powerful Force abilities make him look super scary. And he has a clear goal of ruling the galaxy.
In my opinion, Voldemort from the 'Harry Potter' series is a great villain. He is extremely powerful and his actions are driven by his thirst for power and pure - blood supremacy. He doesn't hesitate to kill, and his very existence strikes fear into the hearts of many in the wizarding world.
A great villain in fiction often has a complex backstory. For example, Magneto from the X - Men series. He was a Holocaust survivor, which shaped his views on mutants and humans. His experiences led him to believe that mutants should be the dominant species, which is a more nuanced view compared to just pure evil. This backstory makes him a more three - dimensional and interesting villain.
A tragic accident or experiment gone wrong can create a great villain origin. Take Dr. Octopus from Spider - Man. The experiment on his mechanical arms malfunctioned and fused with his body, driving him mad and turning him into a villain due to his new - found, uncontrollable power.
Well, for me, a great villain in fiction has to be really intimidating. Like, they should make the hero or the characters around them scared just by being there. For example, Hannibal Lecter in 'The Silence of the Lambs'. His intelligence and his creepy, cannibalistic nature are what make him a great villain.
A character is a biblical villain in the Christmas story if they oppose the central figure of Jesus. For example, Herod. He felt threatened by the news of the newborn king and took extreme and cruel measures to try to eliminate the threat, which shows his villainous nature.
The complexity of their motives. A villainous main character can be interesting when their reasons for being bad aren't straightforward, making us question our own notions of good and evil.