Superbad.

I'm writing a research paper about supervillains.

The superhero genre is a huge favorite of mine. I didn't even collect comics as a kid. Sure, my dad sometimes got me one, or let me pick one out, but it wasn't a regular thing until early high-school when I subscribed to Amazing Spider-Man. And even that wore off after awhile. Since then, though, I've really come back to the whole comic book fan-boy life. I've seriously followed JSA, JLA, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, even Young Justice, for crying out loud. I've read Watchmen, Powers, Rising Stars, Preacher, Lucifer, Sandman...the list really goes on. I seem to prefer DC and Vertigo to Marvel brand justice.

The first meeting for this class had us writing a list of ten things that fascinate us. Comics made the list. Then we got a bit more specific. What's interesting about them?

Bad guys.

My paper asks the question "Why do we like these characters?" We obviously do--some of the most despicable just keep coming back for plot after plot. They're stopped, but they're not done--they're jailed, shelved until they can come back out for more mayhem.

The supervillains are usually the ones acting on the world. They threaten the vigilantly guarded status quo. They're bold that way. Some even want to change the world for the better--it's just that the changes risk too much. Some want to rule--to be in charge, to be dominant. Some are just freaking smart. These are all traits that readers young and old can think are desirable.

The other side is that supervillains are the evil we know, and also the evil we know will be beaten. They're terrorists, evil dictators, serial killers and drug pushers--and we know--we're sure, that by the time the story wraps up, justice will prevail. No matter how many issues the story runs, the bad guys will lose. That's at least a little reassuring consciously. Think about how much better it is if you're not thinking directly at it?

Our stories change. Supervillains haven't been around all that long, as far as human history goes. Moriarty and Fantomas are the best examples of the beginning of their new world order. They've never really been limited to the fan-boy limbo of comic book culture, as opposed to their do-gooder counterparts (until recently). So, long live bold, colorful evil. Long live monolouges, cackling, maniacal laughter and doomsday devices.

Long live the supervillain.

~j