- "Call us bad guys, call us villains, call us whatever you like -- though I prefer "anti-heroes" myself. We may not be the ones you want marrying your daughter, but we have this to say for ourselves -- when everything goes to Hell -- we're the ones -- maybe the only ones -- that are certain to survive. Why, you ask? Because unlike the "good" guys, we're willing to do whatever it takes to survive."
- ―Captain Cold
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| Supervillain | |
| Classification: | Vocation |
| Associated franchises: | DC Universe DC Animated Universe DC Extended Universe DC Television Universe Marvel Universe Marvel Cinematic Universe |
| Associated programs: | Arrow Batman: The Animated Series Justice League Unlimited Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman |
| Associated comics: | Action Comics Vol 1 Avengers Vol 1 Batman Vol 1 Captain America Vol 1 Fantastic Four Vol 1 Supergirl Vol 1 Superman Vol 1 Wonder Woman Vol 1 |
| Character examples: | Brainiac; Cheetah; Doctor Doom; Green Goblin; Joker; Magneto |
| Related articles: | Assassin; Burglar; Criminal; Super-hero; Thief; Warlord |
Supervillains are individuals gifted with either great skills or superhuman abilities that use them to satisfy their own amoral ambitions. In most cases, the motive of a supervillain is personal gain, whether it be for wealth, power or material goods. In other cases, a supervillain may act to satisfy a sociological or psychological need. Supervillains act outside of the accepted laws of society and infrequently concern themselves with the well-being of others. By and large, they're just dicks.
There are several factors that separate a supervillain from your run-of-the-mill antagonist; not the least of which includes a colorful costume which projects a sense of formidability as well as allows them to maintain some measure of a secret identity. Supervillains do not regularly concern themselves with secret identities however, as most of them have criminal records and their real names are a matter of public record. Many supervillains possess fantastic powers that set them apart from the average ne'er-do-well. There a wide range of such abilities including superhuman strength, durability and reflexes, the ability to project beams of energy, flight, mental powers, mysticism, etc.
The antithesis to a supervillain is of course a superhero. Superheroes demonstrate similar skills and ambitions, but always operate for the benefit of humanity.