History Main / DarkMistress

[[quoteright:349:[[Franchise/{{Batman}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_rossjokerharley.png]]]]

* ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBrothers'': Dr. Girlfriend. She was previously TropeNamer for good reason: her character is a keen exploration and {{Deconstruction}}. She is introduced as The Monarch's girlfriend, but it's quickly clear that she's also his HypercompetentSidekick. Other savvy villains question why she's playing second-fiddle when she's fit to be a supervillain in her own right. The answers to that question are discovered as the show progresses and her character develops.

* ComicBook/HarleyQuinn from ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' is in an [[DomesticAbuse abusive]] [[MadLove relationship]] with ComicBook/{{the Joker}}. It's a connection she can never quite shake off even when ComicBook/PoisonIvy shows her she can be a supervillain without him, and Batman shows her she doesn't have to be a supervillain at all. In fact, it seems that whenever Harley isn't Joker's Dark Mistress, she's Ivy's. In the Franchise/DCAnimatedUniverse it's only after [[spoiler:Joker dies]] that she's finally able to get out of it.
* In ''ComicBook/CaptainAmerica'', there was the relationship between Mother Night and the ComicBook/RedSkull. The Skull being who he is, was horribly abusive to her even though she was completely loyal to him.
* ComicBook/{{Thanos}}'s love interest is the AnthropomorphicPersonification of [[TheGrimReaper Death]], though [[AboveGoodAndEvil she isn't a villain]].
* ''Franchise/SpiderMan''

* The Golden Age ''ComicBook/WonderWoman'' [[ComicBook/WonderWoman1942 Vol 1]] presents an example with "[[CaptainColorbeard Captain Redbeard]]" who secretly serves as the public face of his wife Nifta's criminal organization, with him being knowingly set up to take the fall for her plans and actions while she--until they find themselves facing Wonder Woman--manages to seem like an innocent civilian unaware of her husband's activities despite being the mastermind and actively involved in carrying out her plots.

%%* Miss Tessmacher and Kitty Kowalski from the ''Film/{{Superman}}'' movies.

** After she's dumped by The Monarch, she makes a brief attempt to be her own supervillain: Lady Au Pair (and her Murderous Moppets). She doesn't seem confident or happy in the role, not just because of the breakup, but because she's not enthusiastic about her theme/gimmick.
** She then reunites with an OldFlame, Phantom Limb, to become his villain-mistress Queen Etherea. We see how [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain ineffectual]] The Monarch is without her beside him as the voice of reason. Dr. Girlfriend doesn't fare much better either, as Phantom Limb reminds her why she left him in the first place: Limb is a tedious UpperClassTwit who simply wishes to have her prance around his mansion in skimpy outfits, as opposed to The Monarch, who treasures her intelligence and is enthralled by her "heat incarnate". With The Monarch, she is second-in-command; with Phantom Limb, she serves drinks to house guests.

** In later seasons she rises to a high rank in the Guild. Meanwhile, The Monarch loses his wealth (and with it most of his [[WhereDoesHeGetAllThoseWonderfulToys Wonderful Toys]]). This means she now far outclasses him in power and villainy, but never dominates or disrespects him for it. Theirs might be the healthiest relationship in the show.

Depending on her skill set, she might actually be a valued member of the villain's criminal organization, in which she might overlap with TheBaroness or DarkChick. If not, expect much grumbling from [[EvilMinions his underlings]] about why the boss even bothers to keep her around.

->''"Ursa: the only feeling you showed was for your vicious general. Your only wish: to rule at his side."''

* ''LightNovel/DemonKingDaimao'': Played with. Fujiko Etou ''wants'' to be this to Akuto, as becoming the queen to the reigning Demon King is her sole ambition in life. However, Akuto is an AntiAntichrist who despite being destined to be the Demon King [[BadPowersGoodPeople only wants to use his powers for good]].

%%* Mirage from ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles''. Does a HeelFaceTurn.

->''"Ursa: the only feeling you showed was for your vicious general; your only wish: to rule at his side."''

The villain's paramour is almost always defined [[SatelliteCharacter in terms of]] her ([[MenActWomenAre it’s usually a her]]) [[SatelliteLoveInterest relationship to the villain]]. The role she plays in the plot, however, depends a great deal on how her character is defined. She may be [[LadyMacbeth just as evil as he is and actually share his goals]]. She could be [[TheDitz a ditz]] who doesn't really like evil things but just isn't bright enough to realize she's in a relationship with a very bad person. In stories where the villain is allowed to be sympathetic on some levels (GreyAndGrayMorality, PunchClockVillain, etc.), she might love him for his better qualities.

Depending on her skill set she might actually be a valued member of the villain's criminal organization, in which she might overlap with TheBaroness or DarkChick. If not, expect much grumbling from [[EvilMinions his underlings]] about why the boss even bothers to keep her around.

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[[caption-width-right:350:A match made in hell.]]

* In ''Literature/HarryPotter'', Bellatrix Lestrange ''wants'' to be this to the BigBad Voldemort, but remains an IgnoredEnamoredUnderling, as Voldemort doesn't have time for that kind of nonsense. Bellatrix actually has a husband named Rodolphus, but they married out of BlueBlood tradition [[ArrangedMarriage rather than love]], and Rodolphus is [[SatelliteCharacter mentioned only briefly]] in the books and AdaptedOut of the movies. ''Theatre/HarryPotterAndTheCursedChild'' reveals that [[spoiler:Voldemort and Bellatrix had a daughter named Delphini Riddle]].

* ''VideoGame/FireEmblem''

** Princess Ishtar of the [[VideoGame/FireEmblemJugdral Jugdral series]]. As the fiancee of the evil Prince Julius, she fights the protagonists despite a case of [[MyMasterRightOrWrong My Lover Right or Wrong]] and partially knowing Julius, despite caring for her in his {{yandere}} ways, is using her.

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* On ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}},'' Fox starts out as this to Xanatos, but their relationship quickly evolves into more of an UnholyMatrimony. Their love for each other (and eventually their new baby, Alexander) is a major aspect of their eventual [[HeelFaceTurn Heel Face]] ''[[HeelFaceTurn Half]]'' [[HeelFaceTurn Turn]] into an AntiVillain couple.

* In ''Literature/HarryPotter'', Bellatrix Lestrange ''wants'' to be this to the BigBad Voldemort, but remains an IgnoredEnamoredUnderling, as Voldemort [[VillainousAromanticAsexual doesn't have time for that kind of nonsense]]. Bellatrix actually has a husband named Rodolphus, but they married out of BlueBlood tradition [[ArrangedMarriage rather than love]], and Rodolphus is [[SatelliteCharacter mentioned only briefly]] in the books and AdaptedOut of the movies. ''Theatre/HarryPotterAndTheCursedChild'' reveals that [[spoiler:Voldemort and Bellatrix had a daughter named Delphini Riddle]].

* Sarevok in ''Videogame/BaldursGate'' has Tamoko, who shows up as the penultimate battle in the game. She can be talked out of it, but canonically she dies during the fight.

* ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands 2}}'' has Nisha, the girlfriend of Handsome Jack and a tyrant who rules Lynchwood with an iron fist.

->''"Ursa: the only feeling you showed was for your vicious general; your only wish to rule at his side."''

-->-- '''Kryptonian Council''', ''Film/SupermanII''

->''"Ursa--the only feeling you showed was for your vicious general; your only wish to rule at his side."''

%%

* ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'': Falia Flowers falls for Euron Greyjoy and seems to share some of his sadism, using her position with Euron to get revenge on her father, stepmother and half-sisters, who she claims treated her like dirt for being an illegitimate child. In ''The Winds of Winter'' excerpt, she turns out to be a subversion. While she wants to be Euron's salt wife [[note]]in the Iron Islands, a man can have a rock wife or principal wife and any number of salt wives[[/note]], she learns the hard way that Euron cares nothing for her: once he gets her pregnant, he cuts her tongue out and ties her to the Silence's prow to die]].

* ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'': Falia Flowers falls for Euron Greyjoy and seems to share some of his sadism, using her position with Euron to get revenge on her father, stepmother and half-sisters, who she claims treated her like dirt for being an illegitimate child. In ''The Winds of Winter'' excerpt, she turns out to be a subversion. While she wants to be Euron's salt wife [[note]]in the Iron Islands, a man can have a rock wife or principal wife and any number of salt wives[[/folder]], she learns the hard way that Euron cares nothing for her: once he gets her pregnant, he cuts her tongue out and ties her to the Silence's prow to die]].

* In ''Film/Madhouse1974'', film star Paul Toombes (Creator/VincentPrice) plays a character named Dr. Death. Paul is annoyed when the producer insists on giving Dr. Death a pretty assistant, and even more annoyed at how unprofessional the actress (who happens to be sleeping with the producer) is.
* In ''Film/TheBigHeat'', TheDragon's girlfriend starts out as the ditzy type, ignoring her boyfriend's vicious tendencies. Until he turns on her, that is.

* Kanae from ''Anime/RevolutionaryGirlUtena''. ''Heavily'' deconstructed: her parents barely care about her [[spoiler: and her mom cavorts with her fiance]], it's clear that Akio is only engaged to her to gain control of Ohtori, she's shown as incredibly nervous about their relationship and her dealings with his ''very'' odd younger sister Anthy, [[spoiler: she cracks BADLY once given enough prodding by [[ManipulativeBastard Mikage]] and [[CreepyChild Mamiya]]]], and ultimately [[spoiler: it's implied that Akio and Anthy are slowly poisoning her.]]
* [[PrincessClassic Princess Charlotte]] from ''{{Manga/Berserk}}'' is [[SatelliteLoveInterest head over heels]] [[LoveAtFirstSight in love]] with Griffith, who turns into the series BigBad in an [[MoralEventHorizon EPIC WAY]]. Yet [[NaiveEverygirl she still remains in the dark]] about all of the [[HorribleJudgeOfCharacter horrific actions he has done]] as well as his true nature. While she's not a big plot device in the story, Charlotte is still of importance to Griffith--not so much as a love interest, but as a MealTicket to the throne of Midland. And holy shit, [[BreakTheCutie does the story break her]].

* ''LightNovel/DemonKingDaimao'': Played with. Fujiko Etou ''wants'' to be this to Akuto, as becoming the queen to the reigning Demon King is her sole ambition in life. However, Akuto is an AntiAntichrist who despite being destined to be the Demon King [[BadPowersGoodPeople only wants to use his powers for good]].

** Another example comes from Doc Ock and his lover Stunner.
** And Norman Osborn and Lily Hollister.
* In ''ComicBook/CaptainAmerica'', there was the relationship between Mother Night and the ComicBook/RedSkull. The Skull being who he is, was horribly abusive to her even though she was completely loyal to him.
* ComicBook/{{Thanos}}'s love interest is the AnthropomorphicPersonification of [[TheGrimReaper Death]], though [[AboveGoodAndEvil she isn't a villain]].

* Miss Tessmacher and Kitty Kowalski from the ''Film/{{Superman}}'' movies.
** To Lex Luthor, not each other.
* Viper from ''Film/{{Doomsday}}'', her death making Sol even more AxCrazy.
* Mirage from ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles''. Does a HeelFaceTurn.
* In ''Film/GIJoeTheRiseOfCobra'' it's clear Destro wants or even sees {{The Baroness}} as this, but she's having none of it.

* Darth Vader ''wants'' Padmé Amidala to [[WeCanRuleTogether be this for him]] in ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'', but when she finally realises her husband has turned to the Dark Side, she makes it plain she's [[SubvertedTrope not keen]] on the idea of being his Empress (she fell in love with him while he was still [[FallenHero Anakin Skywalker]] and she even attempts to turn him back to the Light Side). [[NotGoodWithRejection Vader]] [[IfICantHaveYou doesn't take]] [[KickTheMoralityPet this well.]] Tragically, Vader actually [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone deeply regrets]] harming her in a blind rage and is distraught when he is told she died because of him, apparently killing their unborn child too (though we know this [[LukeIAmYourFather isn't actually true]]).

* Irma in ''Literature/BulldogDrummond'' is probably this, although she doesn't seem to actually do anything except lounge about on the villain's sofa being glamorous. Irma does more things in the later books, and in the fifth, TheFemaleOfTheSpecies, she becomes the Big Bad in her own right.
* ''Literature/LeftBehind'': When Hattie Durham is introduced to BigBad Carpathia, she's extremely enamored of him. She kind of sours on him when he has her put in a women's prison after she gets pregnant (with his child).

* In ''Series/DoctorWho'', Lucy Saxon is an unusual example. She's not just The Master's companion and girlfriend.; she's his ''wife''. She insists that she's to stand by him for better or for worse at first, even though he's evil. Later, their relationship becomes more empty. Eventually it becomes clear that the Master doesn't care about her, and even becomes emotionally, physically, and even (it is strongly implied) sexually abusive. By the end, she's well past blind, doe-eyed admiration. In fact, sometimes it seems she ''loathes'' him for how he's broken her spirit. So it's not surprising when [[spoiler: she fatally shoots him, while giving a vacant look.]]
* ''Series/{{Heroes}}'' featured Danko's mistress, who didn't seem to know he was a villain but broke it off with him when she found out what a complete psycho he is.

* Stefan and Damon were the male versions of this for Katherine when they were human in ''Series/TheVampireDiaries''
* Reverend Steve Newlin becomes this to EvilOverlord Russell Edgington in Season 5 of ''Series/TrueBlood''

* In ''Series/GameOfThrones'', Ramsay Snow has several girlfriends, but his favourite is Myranda, a kennelmaster's daughter at the Dreadfort who he [[ChildhoodFriendRomance grew up around.]] She is just as much as a sadistic psycho as he is; she gleefully helps him torture people and accompanies him while he [[HuntingTheMostDangerousGame hunts down girls he gets bored with]]. She actually persuaded him to kill one girl because she was [[ClingyJealousGirl jealous of her.]] She even hoped that Ramsay would marry her someday, which Sansa Stark mocks her for because she's lowborn and offers him no lands or titles. When she finds out he's intending to marry Sansa, she's not happy, but Ramsay tells her to quit whining because he finds it boring and she [[ImpliedDeathThreat knows what happens to girls who bore him]]. Myranda herself never seems ''that'' intimidated though - Ramsay states that she was one of the few people who was never afraid of him - and they continue their relationship. [[spoiler: After she's killed, Ramsay actually seems a bit upset about it...then orders her body be fed to the dogs so as not to waste good meat, indicating she wasn't really as important to him as she thought]].

* Both ''VideoGame/{{Overlord}}'' games play this trope very straight, with the evil player character getting the chance to actually choose between several mistresses who pledge themselves to you, ranging from relatively normal women with inexplicable crushes on you, to extremely narcissistic yet beautiful women who enjoy the power and attention.

** Princess Ishtar of the [[VideoGame/FireEmblemJugdral Jugdral series]]. As the fiancee of the evil Prince Julius, she fights the protagonists despite a case of [[MyMasterRightORWrong My Lover Right or Wrong]] and partially knowing Julius, despite caring for her in his {{yandere}} ways, is using her.
* ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands 2}}'' has Nisha, the girlfriend of Handsome Jack and a tyrant who rules Lynchwood with an iron fist.
* ''VideoGame/BioshockInfinite'': Lady Comstock, at first. She took on a new philosophy based on Comstock's religion, where sins are basically raw divinity and must be tempered into virtues. Despite her insane husband planning a campaign of city-razing. It took a while, but eventually the hypocrisy got to her and she called her husband out; BIG mistake.

* Excella Gionne, from ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil5''. The CEO of a major multinational corporation, she is a valid threat in her own right and overlaps with TheBaroness. Unfortunately for her, she made the mistake of attaching herself to [[BigBad Wesker]] and believes that they will rule the world together. The moment she's [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness no longer useful to him]], he deals with her [[ChronicBackstabbingDisorder in his usual fashion]].

* On ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}},'' Fox starts out as this to Xanatos, but their relationship quickly evolves into more of an UnholyMatrimony. Their love for each other (and eventually their new baby, Alexander) is a major aspect of their eventual [[HeelFaceTurn Heel Face]] ''[[HeelFaceTurn Half]]'' [[HeelFaceTurn Turn]] into an AntiVillain couple.
* Perhaps meant to be parodied on ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb,'' where MadScientist Dr. Doofenshmirtz ''tries'' to get a girlfriend, but it never works out, even when he once met a girl [[UnholyMatrimony as evil as he is]]. He's also divorced [[MadScientistsBeautifulDaughter with a child]], though his ex-wife apparently never found out what he did for a living.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddparents'': [[EvilTwin Anti-Cosmo]] has Anti-Wanda. It's a slight variation, as the two ''are'' explicitly married.
* In ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'', [[DesignatedEvil Plankton]] has a computerized wife named Karen, who serves primarily as a voice of sense he never listens to.
* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'':
** Averted by Azula. She may be a brilliant [[TheChessmaster chessmaster]] and a highly skilled {{Manipulative B|astard}}itch, but she is too unfamiliar with ''everyday'' social skills to form a relationship. The one guy who could have been closer to her was driven away by her loud declaration of WeCanRuleTogether.
** Played with in the relationship between Zuko and Mai. He's former main antagonist (on the cusp of a HeelFaceTurn), and she's the DarkActionGirl who came along on the villainous ride because she was bored and had nothing else to do. In the end, though, she is one of the few positive things Zuko has to turn his back on when he leaves the Fire Nation. They even share a cheesy scene where they both agree how they hate just about everything...except each other.
* ''WesternAnimation/CaptainPlanetAndThePlaneteers'' has a {{Gender Flip}}ped example, sort of--female MadScientist Dr. Blight, whose seems to be positively flirting with her computerized [[TheDragon Dragon]], MAL, in many episodes. (They often call each other "MAL baby" and "Doctor Dearest"...)
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'':
** [[BombThrowingAnarchists The Red Lotus]] is led by [[WarriorPoet Zaheer]], while [[HavingABlast P'Li]] is his girlfriend. The two clearly care about each other, especially since [[spoiler:her death was enough to eliminate his last earthly tether and activate his ability to fly]].
** GenderFlipped in the final season: [[TheConqueror Kuvira]] is the BigBad, while [[AntagonisticOffspring Bataar Jr.]] is her fiancé and devoted second-in-command.

* Bellatrix Lestrange from ''Literature/HarryPotter'' very clearly wishes she was Voldemort's mistress, but Voldemort really doesn't have time for that kind of nonsense. Bellatrix is married, with her husband [[SatelliteCharacter being mentioned only briefly]] and [[Film/HarryPotter the movies]] cutting him out entirely, but she probably wouldn't mind cheating on him, being evil and all, especially since WordOfGod is that it's a loveless marriage. In fact, [[spoiler: as of ''Theatre/HarryPotterAndTheCursedChild'', it is revealed that she ''did'', at least once, later giving birth to Voldemort's illegitimate daughter Delphini Riddle.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender''.

* Averted in ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender''. Azula may be a brilliant [[TheChessmaster chessmaster]] and a highly skilled {{Manipulative B|astard}}itch, but she is too unfamiliar with ''everyday'' social skills to form a relationship, so much that the one guy who could have been closer to her was driven away by her loud declaration of WeCanRuleTogether.
** Toyed with in the relationship between Zuko and Mai though. He's former main antagonist (on the cusp of a HeelFaceTurn), and she's the DarkActionGirl who came along on the villainous ride because she was bored and had nothing else to do. In the end, though, she is one of the few positive things Zuko has to turn his back on when he leaves the Fire Nation. They even share a cheesy scene where they both agree how they hate just about everything...except each other.

* In ''WesternAnimation/HarleyQuinn2019'' the theme continues with Harley breaking free of the Joker and going solo, a process with a lot of hiccups and uyps and downs.