It's a universal truth that a story is only as strong as its villain. What would Batman be without Joker, Harry Potter without Voldemort, or Star Wars' Luke Skywalker without Darth Vader? Supervillains like these often shine even when paired with forgettable heroes. But what makes a supervillain super? A dark past, evil quirks, and a different mindset and appearance can certainly help, yet I think what makes them most memorable is when readers can see their side of the coin, and yes, secretly love them.

Readers are drawn to villains because most, if not all, have displayed the characteristics that make up a villain. Villains embody rebellion; for one, the term 'anti-social' means to act or think in a manner indifferent to society's morals, codes, and rules. And, are we not living in a society that is crumbling, a society in which, for centuries now, the rich have become richer and the poor have become poorer? Who needs a forgettable hero when a supervillain is the embodiment of breaking or destroying such a system? Carl Jung urges people to be in touch with their dark sides, and Freud's theories prove humankind's fascination with darkness. It is easy to see why readers are so drawn to a villain in a good and thought-provoking action novel or story.

It is one thing to point out a psychological reason for a villain to be considered a supervillain. Yet, I would like to expand and give ideas to describe the anatomy of a supervillain or their key ingredients. Readers will relate to the villain's motivation, to what drives them beyond being “just evil”. Although the Joker character in Batman is most likely a pathological liar, he claims that his father was responsible for the scars next to his mouth: “Why so serious, son?” Psychologically, his father motivated him to cross the line of being bad or even being evil to something beyond that. It's also plain to see that in their own stories, villains are the heroes. What do they symbolize, as in what do they stand for? Chaos, greed, revenge? Villains also elevate the protagonists, forcing them to grow.

Once the psychological supervillain has been created, it is worthwhile to make them super memorable. I mentioned quirks, clothing, and general appearance earlier, and there are countless other ways to make them stick in a reader's mind. Most important is their backstory. A troubled past will resonate with readers and give the character depth. Good writers know how to make characters as strong as possible, thinking in terms of not only appearances, but their motivations, personality traits, and even possible illnesses, including, at times, but not limited to, mental conditions.

Supervillains don’t just fill pages; they linger in readers’ minds long after the book ends. Writers should think of their villain as the shadow that makes the light of their hero shine brighter. One has to experience darkness to appreciate the light, but yes, at times these lines become blurry, and darkness and light are not always miles apart. Sometimes the villain is simply the hero who lost hope.