#SuperVillains

[writingwithcolor]

What Makes an Ethnic Villain "Ethnic" or "Villainous?" How Do You Offset it?

anonymous asked:

Hello WWC! I have a question about the antagonist of my story. She is (currently) Japanese, and I want to make sure I’m writing her in a way that doesn’t associates [sic] her being Asian with being villainous.  The story is set in modern day USA, this character is effectively immortal. She was a samurai who lost loved ones due to failure in combat, and this becomes her character[sic] motivation (portrayed sympathetically to the audience). This story explores many different time periods and how women have shown valor throughout history. The age of the samurai (and the real and legendary female warriors from it) have interested me the most, which is why I want her to be from this period.  The outfit she wears while fighting is based on samurai armor, and she wears modern and traditional Japanese fashion depending on the occasion. She acts pretty similar to modern day people, though more cynical and obsessed with her loss. She’s been able to adapt with the times but still highly values and cherishes her past.  She is the only Asian main character, but I plan to make a supportive Japanese side character. She’s a history teacher who knows about the villain and gives the protagonists information to help them, but isn’t involved in the main plot otherwise.  Are the way I’m writing this villain and the inclusion of a non-antagonist Japanese character enough to prevent a harmful reading of the story, or is there more I should do?

Why Does Your Villain Exist?

This makes me feel old because David Anders plays a villain with this kind of backstory in the series Heroes starring Masi Oka. 

I think you want to think about what you mean when you say: 

Villainous (In what way? To whom? To what end?)

Harmful (What tropes, narratives and implications are present?)

I’m relatively infamous in the mod circle for not caring too much about dimensions of “harm”. The concept is relative and varies widely between people and cultures. I don’t see much value in framing motivations around “What is less harmful?” I think for me, what matters more is: 

“What is more true?” 

“Are characteristics viewed as intrinsic to background, or the product of experiences and personal autonomy?”

“Will your portrayal resonate with a large audience?”

“What will resonate with the members of the audience who share the backgrounds your characters have?” 

This post offers additional questions you could ask yourself instead of “is this okay/not okay/harmful.” 

You could write a story where your antagonist is sly, sadistic, violent and cold-blooded. It may not be an interpretation that will make many Japanese from combat backgrounds feel seen or heard, but it’s not without precedent. These tropes have been weaponized against people of Japanese descent (Like Nikkei Japanese interned during World War II), but Japan also brutalized a good chunk of Asia during World War II. See Herge’s Tintin and The Blue Lotus for an example of a comic that accurately showcases the brutality of Japan’s colonization of Manchuria, but also is racist in terms of how Japanese characters are portrayed (CW: genocide, war, imperialism, racism).

You could also write a story where your character’s grief gives way to despair, and fuels their combat such that they are seen as calculating, frigid and deeply driven by revenge/ violence. This might make sense. It’s also been done to death for Japanese female warriors, though (See “Lady Snowblood” by Kazuo Koike and Kazuo Kamimura here, CW: sexual assault, violence, murder and a host of other dark things you’d expect in a revenge story). 

You could further write a story where your antagonist is not necessarily villainous, but the perceived harm comes from fetishizing/ exoticizing elements in how her appearance is presented or how she is sexualized, which is a common problem for Japanese female characters. 

My vote always goes to the most interesting story or character. I don’t see any benefit to writing from a defensive position. This is where I'll point out that, culturally, I can't picture a Japanese character viewing immortality as anything other than a curse. Many cultures in Japan are largely defined by transience and the understanding that many things naturally decay, die, and change form.

There are a lot of ways you could conceivably cause harm, but I’d rather hear about what the point of this character is given the dilemma of their position. 

What is her purpose for the plot? 

How is she designed to make the reader feel? 

What literary devices are relevant to her portrayal?

(Arbitrarily, you can always add more than 1 extra Japanese character. I think you might put less pressure on yourself with this character’s portrayal if you have more Japanese characters to practice with in general.) 

- Marika. 

When Off-Setting: Aim for Average

Seconding the above with regards to this villainess’s story and your motivations for this character, but regardless of her story I think it’s also important to look specifically at how the Japanese teacher character provides contrast. 

I agree with the choice to make her a regular person and not a superhero. Otherwise, your one Asian character is aggressively Asian-themed in a stereotypical Cool Japan way (particularly if her villain suit is samurai-themed & she wears wafu clothing every so often). Adding a chill person who happens to be Japanese and doesn’t have some kind of ninja or kitsune motif will be a breath of fresh air (well, more like a sigh of relief) for Japanese readers. 

A note on characterization—while our standard advice for “offset” characters is to give your offset character the opposite of the personality trait you’re trying to balance, in this case you might want to avoid opposites. You have a villainess who is a cold, tough “don’t need no man” type. Making the teacher mild-mannered, helpful, and accomodating would balance out the villainess’s traits, but you’ll end up swinging to the other side of the pendulum towards the Submissive Asian stereotype depending on execution. If avoiding stereotypes is a concern, I suggest picking something outside of that spectrum of gentleness to violence and making her really boring or really weird or really nerdy or a jock gym teacher or…something. You’re the author.

Similarly, while the villainess is very traditionally Japanese in her motifs and backstory, don’t make the teacher go aggressively in either direction—give her a nice balance of modern vs. traditional, Japanese vs. Western sensibilities as far as her looks, dress, interests, values, etc. Because at the end of the day, that’s most modern Japanese people. 

Sometimes, the most difficult representation of a character of color is making a character who is really average, typical, modern, and boring. 

- Rina

#writeblr #Japanese #Japanese women #Villain #antagonist #tokenism #characterization #representation #stereotypes #immortality #superheroes #supervillains #asks

[the-modern-typewriter]

May I request a supervillian x villian where the villian begs the supervillian to let them go save their sidekick.

"Don't," the supervillain said, warning.

The villain's fingers curled, nails digging into the end of the armchair. The soft material was threadbare from years of them digging their claws in watching the news, from reason or another, but they'd never...

"I promised I'd protect them," the villain said.

"It's a trap."

"I have to go. I promised."

"And I promised I'd protect you." The supervillain stopped behind them, a looming shadow. It felt icy cold where their shadow fell, raising the hair on the villain's arms. It didn't frighten them though.

"Then protect my heart." It was a whisper.

The supervillain's fingers curled around the villain's throat, tilting their attention away from the corporate horror on the screen and onto the supervillain. Even knowing that their sidekick was in trouble, knowing that every second they sat there was a day where their sidekick could be hurting, they couldn't help but focus on the supervillain.

They were like that. They absorbed everything, whether the villain wanted it to or not.

The supervillain stroked their thumb over the villain's pulse, forcibly slowing it, calming it.

The villain exhaled a broken breath.

"Please," they said again, even as they sagged against the chair, fists unspooling.

"Say you pull this off, say you get them back without getting yourself caught." The supervillain's head tilted, studying them. "Do you think it won't happen again?"

The villain swallowed.

"Loving anything too fiercely in this game is a weakness." The supervillain's eyes blistered into them. "If you go, all it proves is that your sidekick is a target they can hit and hit and hit again until it either no longer gets a reaction from you or there's nothing left. It saves nothing. It protects nothing. Do you understand?"

It made sense. The villain knew that it made sense, but everything inside of them still screamed.

The supervillain's grip tightened a fraction, biting.

The villain's air stuttered.

"Please," they said again. "I'm - I'm asking."

"That's not what you're doing."

"I'm begging. Please."

It was all they could say. There was no logic to the decision, no grand strategic argument. They could say that not going made their enemies believe they could do what they want, take what they want, without consequence, but...

The supervillain sighed. They leaned down to press a kiss atop the villain's head, letting go of the villain's throat.

"No," the supervillain said.

The villain's stomach bottomed out. It crumpled. It compacted, roiling, like so much garbage. Their vision swam as they gasped.

"I said I'd protect you," the supervillain said. "You're not going anywhere." They straightened, battle-gear shrouding them in an instant, transforming them from the villain's sometimes-lover to something else entirely. "I'll take care of this."

The villain twisted, eyes wide.

The villain returned an agonising two hours later, with the villain's sidekick terrified in tow.

The villain stood.

The sidekick flung themselves into the villain's arms, clinging to them for dear life, shaking all over.

The villain met the supervillain's gaze above their sidekick's shoulder, taking in the blood splattered their armour; none of the supervillain's own. They wrapped their arms slowly around their sidekick.

The supervillain smiled, full of teeth.

"The only proper reaction to someone finding a weakness, love," they said, "is to obliterate them. Don't let this happen again."

Then, once again, they were gone.

#villain x villain #villain x supervillain #supervillains #villains #writing #story #short story #creative writing #writeblr

[theshadowrealmitself]

You know how apparently people will dump a ton of personal info about themselves onto cashiers?

Imagine being a cashier and this one weirdly familiar stranger starts doing that to you with sorta vague details but not vague enough as you slowly put together that this is your arch nemesis out of costume

#no fandom #superheroes #superheroes and supervillains in general #supervillains

[cryyon]

Pearl’s sheet is a bit more messy but I think if I tried to make a really nice ref sheet for her I’d perish after making so many for the other three so!! sketchy it is!! also a lil bit of info on the Architects villain group is that, unlike irl, pearl is the founder, mumbo is co founder. They formed the group together a little bit after mumbo/inventor was classified as a villain, pearl/lune was the one to offer mumbo the proposition. Grian joins last and its just them three, I don’t have plans on scar joining but maybe that will change. I would’ve done a proper lil comic bit but im rewriting the bits of planning i have... ALSO Rendog’s hero name is Sirius!! Theres a bit of lore between him, grian/poultry man and mumbo/inventor but that might change a bit? Because its very easy to make Ren the corrupt/bad guy imo bc of his whole king arc in season 9 of hermitcraft. Also a little pic of grian, mumbo and scar cuddling. Probably well after they find out each other’s identities n stuff. Another small note about them is that they’re incredibly loyal to each other.

#hermitcraft #hermitcraft au #superheros #supervillains #pearlecentmoon #grian #cuteguy grian #hotguy gtws #goodtimeswithscar #my art #hermitcraft art #hermitcraftart

[machetelanding]

#whose line is it anyway #comedy #sketch comedy #tv shows #drew carey #colin mochrie #scenes from a hat #batman #the penguin #superheroes #supervillains #comic books #dc comics #1990s

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

BEDTIME FUEL FOR SUPERHEROIC IMAGINATIONS -- ACTION COMIX!

PIC INFO: Resolution at 657x1000 -- Spotlight on a PPG pin-up by the mighty John Byrne, when bedtime stories spark the imagination into superheroic action, from "DC The Powerpuff Girls Issue 25," the twenty-fifth [special editon] issue of the "The Powerpuff Girls" comic-book series, published by DC Comics on May 1, 2002.

EXTRA INFO: British-born American comic book artist/writer/publisher John Byrne has worked on nearly every major American superhero, and some of his most notable works include: "The Uncanny X-Men," "Fantastic Four," "The Sensational She-Hulk," "The Avengers," "Captain America," "Superman," "Jack Kirby's Fourth World," and more.

Source: https://viewcomiconline.com/the-powerpuff-girls-issue-25.

#The Powerpuff Girls #Powerpuff Girls #PPG #John Byrne DC #John Byrne Art #DC #Powerpuff Girls Comics #Bubbles #Blossom #Buttercup #Cartoon Network #Townsville #Mojo Jojo #Supervillains #PPG Villains #Pin-up girls #DC Comics #Professor Utonium #2002 #Sci-fi Art #Pin-ups #John Byrne #Sci-fi #Kidcore #Cartoons #Animation #PPG Supervillains #Pin-up Art #Blossom Bubbles Buttercup #Superheroes

[neverevan]

man I love villains...

so you've got a gay little plan to destroy the world? do you have a speech about being abandoned by society? about being betrayed by your family and friends? about your way too romantic bond with the hero?

tell me more babygirl

#cherik #magneto #hannigram #hannibal #joker #batman #loki #venom #black adam #jim moriarty #sheriarty #frieza #dbz #seriously the list goes on #villains #supervillains

[flexingtyger99]

Plastic Man vs. Bane

#plastic man #bane #dc #dc comics #dcu #dc universe #comic books #superheroes #comic art #art #funny #comics #patrick o’brian #justice league #supervillains

[michimonie]

The Color Wheel challenge, but with Darkwing Duck villains. I made this a few months ago, but even then it was a little after people stopped doing this challenge, lol. Better late than never?

It was a long process deciding who would be in it and what color everyone would be, but this seemed like the best combination I could come up with.

Extra note: I know Solego isn't just a DW villain, he was in a 5 issue crossover series, but hey, DW did get the final blow in.

#darkwing duck #darkwing #duck #ducktales #supervillains #quackerjack #megavolt #negaduck #solego #liquidator #taurusbulba #taurus bulba #darkwarrior duck #bushroot #fearsome four #fearsome five

[zmtn]

It's here!! The TTRPG I made! I designed, formatted and illustrated this supervillain RPG, please take a look!

The Playtest Edition of Together We'll Be Unstoppable is up on itch right now!

#ttrpg #indie ttrpg #tabletop rpg #supervillains #tabletop roleplaying #artists on tumblr #together we'll be unstoppable

[celestiallights515]

Snippet 1

At this point, I've given up trying to only post things I think other people will be happy with, considering it's been, like, a year. So enjoy.

Henchman staggered down the ally, dragging the back of their hand along their cheek as their foot sent ripples along a puddle, rain falling as a mist over the slumbering city. Street lights sent weak rays splashing across the exposed brick walls as movements sent spikes of pain through Henchman's body. They shivered, clutching a flannel to their shoulders that was at least one size too big.

Quick footsteps drew their attention behind them, towards the entrance off the street and away from the deadly silent streets on the other side. Nothing but empty night air met them, and Henchman set their jaw, turning back around and shaking off the adrenaline that shot through their system at the idea of another confrontation. Their prior meeting with Hero them in enough pain as it was.

"Evening."

Henchman leaped half a foot in the air, holding back a startled yelp as they came face to face with Villain, one eyebrow raised at their response. "What are you doing here?" Their voice was far too squeaky, the words far too callous. Villain stalked towards them, eyes already set on the darkening bruise on the side of Henchman's cheekbone.

"I saw the news," Villain answered, still focused on the already-midnight bruise. "I was wondering where you'd gone. No note, no mention, just keys on your desk and phone left on silent." Villain pauses, eyes narrowing as they scanned the rest of Henchman's body. "Then, of course, Right Hand shows me a clip of the news and a certain blondie trying to take down a hero that's been a thorn in my side for far too long. I figured you might run off this way."

"I was only trying to help, boss."

"By throwing yourself into combat unprepared. I wasn't aware you'd developed a death wish. I could've sent you to the cellar to satiate that; you needn't go searching for death at the hands of a hero I despise already."

Henchman floundered for a moment, mouth opening and closing like a fish, humiliation burning their cheeks hotter than any fire. "I don't--I didn't--"

"Are you hurt anywhere else?" Villain demands, cutting Henchman off sharply.

A short, hesitant, mendacious* shake of their head. Villain's eyes call Henchman on their lie, but their mouth stays shut until:

"I'll have Medic check you out at HQ then. Let's go." They offer one hand and Henchman hesitates once more. Another inquisitive look from the Villain as a car passes by the ally, illuminating Villain's eyes and the look of fury within them.

"I really--"

Villain reaches for Henchman's hand before they get the chance to finish, and within the length of a heartbeat, they're standing in the middle of the infirmary of Headquarters, Villain's angry footsteps and overly stiff posture leaving them to contemplate just how badly they messed up.

Part Two

#heroes and villains #villain #henchmen #hero/villain snippet #villain x henchman #villain x right hand #snippet #writing snippet #superheroes #supervillains #Choose your own adventure

[blessed-pineapple-cruncher]

i love enemies to lovers, especially superhero/villain edition, but i gotta say my absolute fav-sub genre is hero falls for villain first, doesnt wish to 'redeem' them

they might then:

outright defect to villain side

bonus if villain is unaware of former-heros feelings and is just '???'

try to subtly aid villain

just fucking loose it. just absolutly go batshit and turn traitor, declaring their undying love to a villain who is so fucking confused. just sabatoage and murder all their allies in a grandious, horrific display of their feelings

bonus is villain is freaked out

try to sweetly court villain. villain either does NOT understand what courting is, or thinks the hero is tricking them - they are not

becomes just so creepy and obsessive. practically stalks villain, uses hero info to further their goals, announces their intentions to villain who is terrified

and perhaps my absolute top tier favourite:

defects and proceeds to be 10x scarier and more dangerous than any other villain

everyone thinking 'oh my god wtf' and 'oh so tyhey were holdingh back as a hero' and 'wtf'

anyways i feel that the hero <3-> villain is far too underutilised within the hero x villain genre. i dont want redemption i want unhinged-former-heros!

#im begging people if they know of a book #or show or movie or comic or whatevr #with any of these things #hero towards villain #please tell me #im desperate #enemies to lovers #hero x villain #heros #superheros #supervillains #i just want a corruption-from-love arc

[blanddcheadcanons]

Arkham Asylum has group therapy sessions, where all the supervillains gather and do all sorts of activities. Sometimes they do boardgame night (monopoly is banned after an incident involving Income Tax), educate each other in their respective professions, or do expressive art.

During expressive art, mostly everyone has different things they paint or draw, whether the topic is "something you love" or "something you hate" or "something that pleases you". Ivy often draws corporations that dump toxic waste for hate, flowers for love, and the botanical gardens for what pleases her, as an example.

Joker however draws Batman for every single topic. Each and every single painting looks exactly the same, as if he practiced the brushstrokes to the last detail for a whole year. There's no diversity between them all. It's as if he put them in a photocopier.

Joker has been banned from Expressive Art.

‎

#joker #arkham asylum #supervillains #poison ivy #pamela isley #batman #bruce wayne

[machetelanding]

Arthur Adams

#poison ivy #artwork #fan art #batman #superheroes #supervillains #comic books #dc comics #dc universe #sexy #hot

[theshadowrealmitself]

If I were to become a superhero, I’d make that alter my life 24/7, would never return back to my civilian life, the supervillain finally uncovers my secret identity after a career of evil of trying just to find out I was declared missing over a decade ago at the start of my hero career. I live in my hero lair.

#no fandom #superheroes #supervillains #superheroes and supervillains in general

[natfoe]

#shego #dr drakken #kim possible #supervillains #cartoon #fanart #disney #character art