Bad To The Bone
You Can’t Make A Villain Without Breaking A Few Eggs
So I’m a Star Wars nerd (shocking I know). As I was blessed to cut my teeth on the Original Trilogy before the whole “proper order in which to watch” argument broke out, the undisputed badass of Star wars villainy was (and let’s be honest: still is) Darth Vader. He wore all black and was an honest to gods space-wizard who’d trapped the space-princess in the evil space-castle. Game on.
Yup that’s all four year old me needed to know to deduce that he was bad news (that tiny mind would later be blown when it realized the voice of Vader was also that of the wise Mufasa).
Even now, with two more trilogies, expanded universe movies, books, comics and videogames, Vader still remains the iconic Star Wars villain. One might be so bold as to ask: why? He wasn’t the head honcho in the Empire or even the ultimate threat to Luke’s journey as a Jedi. Why, then do we see Vader on almost every item of Star Wars merchandise instead of the emperor’s wrinkled scrotum-esque visage?
My guess? Vader had one of the best story arcs in villain history.
It’s no secret that George Lucas followed the Monomyth cycle when developing Luke’s journey. That part has been analyzed to death.
But Vader? Let’s discuss.
In brief, Vader’s character arc can be broken down into digestible chunks the same as Luke’s. I’m no cinematic critic or analytical genius, but, for your consideration:
A New Hope: The Fallen Knight.
The movie wastes no time in establishing Vader as the villain, establishing in it’s opening scenes both his authority and access to a fearsome, seemingly overwhelming horde of faceless Stormtroopers. He also instantly demonstrates his indifference to killing when he personally CRACKS A FOOLS NECK when the poor bastard won’t answer his questions. He then, of course, captures Princess Leia (see space wizard comment above). It’s revealed he was once a member of the good guys (IE Jedi) but betrayed them, making him space-Judas. The film plays on this evil betrayer theme further when he kills the protagonist’s mentor. Vader is (spoilers!) thwarted at the end of the film- but only barely, leaving our heroes relieved and exulted.
And things had been going so well
The Empire Strikes Back: The Tempting Authority
Vader is an overwhelming presence from the outset, and keeps the protagonists on their back foot for the entire film, leaving the heroes (and the audience) wondering if the victory in the previous movie had been a fluke.
Vader out maneuvers our heroes at every turn, drawing Luke into a trap to reveal a more personal connection and to tempt him into abandoning his hero’s journey in exchange for power. Not only was the revelation of Vader being Luke’s father incredible (protagonist’s mentor apparently betrayed hero when he claimed Vader killed his father), but as a whole Vader also left our group of heroes shattered at the end of the movie with one of them possibly murdered/executed a la carbonite and with another maimed at Vader’s hand.
The Return of the Jedi: The Redeemed Savior:
Ah the choice and redemption that made it all come together; while Jabba the Hutt and the rescue of Han Solo was the primary obstacle at the beginning of the film, Vader was set to double down on the threat from A New Hope (rebuilding the Death Star). Now, however, Luke has matured enough to challenge Vader on not only a physical but emotional and theological level, cutting through the machine to reach the heart of the man; when Luke lays down his sword to accept death rather than betray his principles (rejecting temptation to blossom into a full Jedi), he is attacked by the Emperor. Vader listens to his son’s cries and chooses to listen to the good within him, sacrificing himself to kill the focus of evil in the universe, redeeming his “jedi self” via the protagonist (which in itself helps Luke progress in his journey as a Jedi) while truly becoming the Chosen One Obi-Wan wanted him to be.
It’s the culmination of both their journeys as Vader sees himself in his son and makes the choice he should have so long ago.
Oh mine heartstrings doth be plucked
So, what are some main character-growth points you can take away from Vader to make your villain better?
1. Always threatening.
Even when your hero wins there should be the threat of a counter punch. Your hero may have bloodied the villains’ nose but they should be having to look over their shoulder ever after. Hell, have the villain win every once and awhile. If your protagonist mops the floor with them every time they meet they aren’t much of a threat are they?
2. Personal connection.
The protagonist and the antagonist need to develop a relationship. Obviously Vader and Luke have a father/son thing going for them, but a hero has to know his villain even if it’s only on the superficial level of “that guy on the hill over there I’ve been hearing so much about wants to take my stuff. What a dick.” If you don’t establish that relationship then whenever you’re protagonist and antagonist clash there won’t be an evolution to either character and your audience will have a hard time distinguishing (or caring) about the fight more than any other they’ve seen in your book. It’s your main villain! Make them stand out! If you’re doing your job right, the reasons your characters hate the villain should be expressed well enough to make your readers hate them too (good, good let the hate flow through you)
3. The Climax (always important to deliver here fellas)
What is your villain’s arc? How have they evolved as a character through their interactions with your protagonist? Do they find redemption like Vader? Do they reject the light and try to consume the protagonist like the Emperor? Do they end up marrying the protagonist and start a family with a white picket fence and golden retriever (don’t worry she’s a rescue so it’s fine)? You need to know these things. The end is just as important as the beginning and your readers haven’t been following this journey you’ve taken them on just to get a tease. Otherwise you’ll be in violation of Author Rule #96: Never blue-ball your readers.