rdfs:comment | - Evil may be cool, but it's also dumb. Bad guys in general refuse to take the most sensible, direct route to their goals, and go about doing (why sugarcoat it?) pretty idiotic things that heroes can exploit, or worse, sabotage themselves. This really is an indefensible character flaw of the villains, usually used by writers to make sure the not that much smarter good guys win. Really, if someone Cut Lex Luthor a Check everyone would be so much better off... It might even reach the point that villains will admire each other's evilness. Examples of Evil Is Stylish include:
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abstract | - Evil may be cool, but it's also dumb. Bad guys in general refuse to take the most sensible, direct route to their goals, and go about doing (why sugarcoat it?) pretty idiotic things that heroes can exploit, or worse, sabotage themselves. This really is an indefensible character flaw of the villains, usually used by writers to make sure the not that much smarter good guys win. Really, if someone Cut Lex Luthor a Check everyone would be so much better off... Except... Evil Is Stylish. Sure, the Joker has had more than one opportunity to simply shoot Batman and kill him... but where's the art in that? The Riddler could easily get away with any one of his crimes if he didn't leave clues... but it's just so much fun to taunt the police and assorted heroes with everything they need to stop him and finding them unable to (he's also got an obsessive mental condition). While many villains have evolved into more pragmatic methods, the true arch-villains, the ones that make the paper and are most memorable, are the ones that make Evil Stylish. They'll pattern their crimes to follow their own theme, leave clues, and insist on ethical standards and being oddly gentlemanly about it all. Somehow, perhaps in spite of these theatrical methods and knowingly imposing these limitations on themselves, these villains are more formidable for it, proving that even left handed they can force heroes to dance to their tune if they want to save Gotham. Plus, following this self imposed villainous code sometimes affords them a degree of Karmic Protection that goes a long way towards justifying Joker Immunity. So what if they get foiled? They'll still have funds from a successful Plan B. Those upstart new villains who Trash Talk about being so much more effective? They still have a similar (or worse!) success rate as these theme villains, and none of the pizzaz to show for it. In fact, these old school black hats may even mock, advise against, or foil such Genre Savvy villains for daring to try these uninspired tactics... especially if it looks like they'll work. It might even reach the point that villains will admire each other's evilness. From a more authorial perspective, this also makes for a better story on many levels. Kids will enjoy reading about Batman's clever detective skills, and enjoy the inevitable foiling to follow. While more mature audiences can appreciate villains purposely giving into or trying to resist their Chronic Villainy. Compare Contractual Genre Blindness, Sanity Has Advantages. Caused by and results in Jerkass Dissonance. Related to Combat Aestheticist. See also Stock Evil Overlord Tactics. Contrast No-Nonsense Nemesis and Industrialized Evil. Not to be confused with Villainous Fashion Sense or Man of Wealth and Taste. Examples of Evil Is Stylish include:
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