Table of Contents

Part VI

25. Sephiroth (Final Fantasy)

[Sephiroth]

Why I Like Him: It is with a heavy heart that I put Sephiroth on this countdown because I feel personally he's one of the most overrated villains of all time. He's a good and proper villain though, with a great look and feel to him that is uniquely his own. He is a master combatant, and he does a splendid job of attacking his enemies mentally as well as physically. He ultimately falls short each time, though, which attributes to his placement on the countdown.

"On your knees. I want you to beg for forgiveness." —Sephiroth

24. The Shade (DC Universe)

[The Shade]

Why I Like Him: A villain for the sake of being a villain, the Shade is truly one of my favorite villains of all time. The man is immortal, and pretty darn impervious to most everything, and therefore chooses a life of crime mostly just because he's bored. He is educated, intelligent, witty, and well mannered. It's unfortunate that the heroes they've had him square off against in the past really weren't all that great (Jay Garrick as the Flash and various incarnations of Starman) because with a really good push I think the Shade could be one of the best villains of all time. In recent days he's gotten a re-write working mostly with heroes, but he still has a sinister edge to him and a coolness that has made him the remarkable character he is over time.

"...and as he noted there are perhaps many different greys of Shade, if you'll pardon my pun." —The Shade

23. The Phantom (The Phantom of the Opera)

[The Phantom]

Why I Like Him: One of the great classic villains, the Phantom has been around longer then many of the characters listed on this countdown. A cold blooded killer, an arrogant extortionist, a master of sword play, and a true student of theatre the Phantom really does have alot going for him even though he does redeem himself (for the most part) in the end. A good number of villains on this list may be forgotten in 50 years, but I can almost guarantee you that the Phantom will be a legend for decades and centuries to come.

"You will curse the day you did not do....all that the Phantom asked of you!" —The Phantom

22. Magus (Chrono Trigger)

[Magus]

Why I Like Him: You can argue all you want, this man is a blackhearted sonuvabitch and belongs where he is on the countdown. Killing, ruining lives, ruining kingdoms in fact...all for what? All those innocent lives, all those dead human and Mystics so he could get revenge on the entity that ruined his life. You can hardly blame him, it's towards a semi-noble end....but the steps he takes to achieve that end are amoral at BEST, and unforgiveable at worst. Magus's choice in clothing and weaponry along with his demeanor and dialogue all make him a compelling choice for this countdown.

Magus: Unimaginable is the power of Lavos. Anyone who dares to oppose it... meets certain doom. At this rate, you too, will meet a hideous fate. Just like that poor fool, Crono!

Frog: You dare to insult him?

Magus: He's history! Play with fire and you get burned.

21. Saruman (The Lord of the Rings)

[Saruman]

Why I Like Him: I don't think anyone would deny Saruman's position here. There are literally pages and pages of written word of the misdeeds and sinister acts of the lord of Orthanc, so I'm going to try to keep this short. Saruman used his knowledge of power and of the world in Sauron's service to exploit the weaknesses of the world of men. Creating abominations, turning nations against each other, killing all those that would get in his way, Saruman was nearly able to hand the world over to Sauron in a nice neat little package. A paramount of evil, Saruman is one of those icons that belongs in a league of his own, and so it's fitting that we use him to breach entry into the countdown's top twenty.

"Radagast the Brown! Radagast the Bird-tamer! Radagast the Simple! Radagast the Fool! Yet he had just the wit to play the part I set him. For you have come, and that was the purpose of my message. And here you shall stay, Gandalf the Grey, and rest from your journeys. For I am Saruman the Wise, Saruman the Ring-maker, Saruman of Many Colours!" —Saruman