History Sandbox / MagnificentBastardDrafts

* ComicBook/LexLuthor has been frustrating Superman with his scientific acumen and brilliant intellect since the 1940s, and has run the gamut from DiabolicalMastermind to MadScientist to CorruptCorporateExecutive to PresidentEvil and back, surviving every setback and always running the Man of Steel close. Firmly established as the leader of Earth's supervillain community, Luthor has led numerous incarnations of the Injustice Gang, Legion of Doom, and Secret Society of Supervillains, and has taken all-comers, emerging victorious over the likes of Brainiac, General Zod, Grodd and Vandal Savage to claim the title of Superman and one of DC Earth's most deadly villains, even briefly becoming a PhysicalGod. Every bit as unstoppable as his archenemy, Luthor has proven time and again that his incredible mind is more than a match for Superman's physical might.

* ''Manga/Vinland Saga'': Askeladd Olafson introduces himself to the audience sacking a fort and robbing it of its riches with a series of clever schemes, barely shedding a drop of blood. Leader of a group of Viking raiders, Askeladd was born the son of a slave and a lord. Murdering his father years later after his mother's death, Askeladd framed one of his brothers after ingratiating himself to his family. Playing the cutthroat court of King Sweyn with clever gambits, Askeladd has the caretaker of the weak prince Canute murdered to build Canute into an ideal candidate for the throne. Also driven by his desire to protect his maternal homeland of Wales, Askeladd finds himself briefly outplayed by Sweyn who demands he kill Canute or see Wales invaded by the Danes. Askeladd instead chooses to kill Sweyn and allow Canute to kill him, achieving all his goals posthumously by making Canute a beloved, respected King and knowing the young man will forge Askeladd's ideal kingdom and defend Wales out of gratitude.

* ''Gargoyles'': David Xanatos is a charming, suave man who always thinks ten steps ahead. Having revived the Gargoyles in modern day, Xanatos befriends them while manipulating them into stealing technology for him while pretending to be an innocent party. After being defeated and sent to prison, Xanatos sets up further plans to make himself look like a model citizen while securing an early parole for his lover Fox, while constantly tricking the Gargoyles into handling problems for him. Even his own wedding shows Xanatos's endless capacity for maintaining an advantage: warping himself and all the wedding guests into the past, Xanatos ends the adventure by having a rare coin set aside to be sent to himself a thousand years in the future when it will be worth a fortune, allowing him to kick start his own career. Rarely at a loss for a contingency and never losing his smile, Xanatos is rarely ever one-upped in series and often proves his boast that nothing is beyond his capacity to control.
* ''Vinland Saga'': Askeladd Olafson introduces himself to the audience sacking a fort and robbing it of its riches with a series of clever schemes, barely shedding a drop of blood. Leader of a group of Viking raiders, Askeladd was born the son of a slave and a lord. Murdering his father years later after his mother's death, Askeladd framed one of his brothers after ingratiating himself to his family. Playing the cutthroat court of King Sweyn with clever gambits, Askeladd has the caretaker of the weak prince Canute murdered to build Canute into an ideal candidate for the throne. Also driven by his desire to protect his maternal homeland of Wales, Askeladd finds himself briefly outplayed by Sweyn who demands he kill Canute or see Wales invaded by the Danes. Askeladd instead chooses to kill Sweyn and allow Canute to kill him, achieving all his goals posthumously by making Canute a beloved, respected King and knowing the young man will forge Askeladd's ideal kingdom and defend Wales out of gratitude.

* ''Film/DieHard'': The diabolical Hans Gruber is the mastermind behind the scheme to steal hundreds of millions in bearer bonds from the Nakatomi building. Meticulously orchestrating his operation: Hans shows his brilliance by constantly outmaneuvering the police and federal agents; and his charisma by remaining level headed as his plan is disrupted and in his dealings negotiating with the hostages. When caught unarmed by John [=McClane=], Hans is instantly able to improvise with an American accent to pretend he is a hostage and almost throw off suspicion, nearly tricking [=McClane=] into giving Hans an opportunity to kill him. Though utterly ruthless in the name of his avarice, Hans is an iconic villain because of his wit and charm, setting the stage for countless action villains to follow.

* ''Film/DieHard'': Hans Gruber is the mastermind behind the scheme to steal hundreds of millions in bearer bonds from the Nakatomi building. Meticulously orchestrating his operation: Hans shows his brilliance by constantly outmaneuvering the police and federal agents; and his charisma by remaining level headed as his plan is disrupted and in his dealings negotiating with the hostages. When caught unarmed by John [=McClane=], Hans is instantly able to improvise with an American accent to pretend he is a hostage and almost throw off suspicion, nearly tricking [=McClane=] into giving Hans an opportunity to kill him. Though utterly ruthless in the name of his avarice, Hans is an iconic villain because of his wit and charm, setting the stage for countless action villains to follow.

* ''Videogame/MegamiIbunrokuPersona'': SEBEC Mikage-cho branch head Takahisa Kandori creates the DEVA system intending to use it [[AGodAmI to become God]]. When Kandori accidentally ends of manifesting Maki Sonomura's mind into the entire town of Mikage-cho, he manipulates Aki, the manifestation of Maki rage, into trusting him and using Aki to reach his goal of becoming God. Getting resurrected to help with the plans of Nyarlathotep in [[VideoGame/{{Persona 2}} the sequel]], Kandori becomes one of the highest ranking members of the New World Order despite his lack of interest in advancement. When confronted by the heroes, Kandori allows himself to be beaten so that he may "experience" death, [[FaceDeathWithDignity graciously accepting his fate]]. A mere human who managed to become a God because of his own intelligence, Kandori stands out as a true genius in the [[Franchise/ShinMegamiTenseiPersona Persona franchise]] and is easily one of its most diabolical.

* ''Film/DieHard'': Hans Gruber is the mastermind behind the scheme to steal hundreds of millions in bearer bonds from the Nakatomi building. Meticulously orchestrating his operation, Hans shows his brilliance by constantly outmaneuvering the police and federal agents and his charisma by remaining level headed as his plan is disrupted and in his dealings negotiating with the hostages. When caught unarmed by John [=McClane=], Hans is instantly able to improvise with an American accent to pretend he is a hostage and throw off suspicion. Though utterly ruthless in the name of his avarice, Hans is an iconic villain because of his wit and charm, setting the stage for countless action villains to follow.

* ''Franchise/LupinIII'': The titular Lupin the III [[TheChessmaster creates intricate heist plans]], anticipating the efforts of his enemies to capture him, consistently proving he is the greatest thief to ever live. Lupin is a VillainProtagonist who is avoiding arrest, assassination, or traps at least OnceAnEpisode. Inspector Zenigata, who is always trying to capture him, is often left in the dust, screaming Lupin's name while the VillainOfTheWeek is left tied up to go to prison.

* ComicBook/{{Sinestro}} is Hal Jordan's personal nemesis, and both a [[FallenHero former Green Lantern]] and planetary dictator. Convinced that the Green Lanterns have failed in their mission of bringing order and security to the universe, Sinestro formed his own Sinestro Corps, and led them into a war against the Green Lanterns, who were only able to defeat Sinestro by resorting to lethal force--the very result the renegade Lantern had been aiming for. Since then Sinestro has changed allegiances multiple times, always with the intention of bringing his vision of stability to the DCU, whether it wants it or not.

* ComicBook/Sinestro is Hal Jordan's personal nemesis, and both a [[FallenHero former Green Lantern]] and planetary dictator. Convinced that the Green Lanterns have failed in their mission of bringing order and security to the universe, Sinestro formed his own Sinestro Corps, and led them into a war against the Green Lanterns, who were only able to defeat Sinestro by resorting to lethal force--the very result the renegade Lantern had been aiming for. Since then Sinestro has changed allegiances multiple times, always with the intention of bringing his vision of stability to the DCU, whether it wants it or not.

* Sinestro is Hal Jordan's personal nemesis, and both a [[FallenHero former Green Lantern]] and planetary dictator. Convinced that the Green Lanterns have failed in their mission of bringing order and security to the universe, Sinestro formed his own Sinestro Corps, and led them into a war against the Green Lanterns, who were only able to defeat Sinestro by resorting to lethal force--the very result the renegade Lantern had been aiming for. Since then Sinestro has changed allegiances multiple times, always with the intention of bringing his vision of stability to the DCU, whether it wants it or not.
* The Mandarin is ComicBook/IronMan's {{archenemy}}, his mental and physical superior, and one of the few people who Tony Stark genuinely fears. With looted alien technology at his disposal, and a worldwide network of agents prepared to do his bidding, Mandarin has nearly brought down both the American and Chinese governments, requiring Iron Man to ally with the Chinese Communist leadership and its super teams in order to stop him. Infiltrating SHIELD during the "Extermis" storyline and Iron Man's own mind during "The Long Way Down" and "The Future" Mandarin has a proven ability to turn up in places he should not, and deal incalculable damage while there.

* ComicBook/DoctorDoom has been Marvel's go-to BigBad since the 1960s, and with good cause. An EvilSorcerer, MadScientist, and tyrannical despot, Doom is respected and feared throughout Marvel's supervillain community, with both a Norse God and the Devil seeing him as someone to step lightly around. While many villains want to TakeOverTheWorld, Doom is one of the few who can actually pull it off, and at times he's reached well beyond even that goal, grasping for godhood with both hands. Capable of punching well out of his weight class, Victor Von Doom is the most dangerous man in the Marvel Universe and always bears watching.

* ComicBook/RasAlGhul is Batman's most powerful foe, and the only one to be his intellectual peer. Having lived for centuries, Ra's and the secret societies he controls have accumulated wealth to rival nations, and can purchase influence accordingly. Never short on hidden bases and armies of henchmen, Ra's has brought Gotham City to its knees, and has even challenged the Justice League of America, incorporating Batman's own failsafes into his plot to destroy the JLA. A master planner who pays attention to every little detail, Ra's exemplifies the fact that time is less meaningful when you can afford to wait--and Ra's can afford to wait a long, long time.
* The Mandarin is ComicBook/IronMan's {{archenemy}}, his mental and physical superior, and one of the few people who Tony Stark genuinely fears. With looted alien technology at his disposal, and a worldwide network of agents prepared to do his bidding, Mandarin has nearly brought down both the American and Chinese governments, requiring Iron Man to ally with the Chinese Communist leadership and its super teams in order to stop him. Infiltrating SHIELD during the "Extermis" storyline and Iron Man's own mind during "The Long Way Down" and "The Future" Mandarin has a proven ability to turn up in places he should not, and deal incalculable damage while there.
* Sinestro is Hal Jordan's personal nemesis, and both a [[FallenHero former Green Lantern]] and planetary dictator. Convinced that the Green Lanterns have failed in their mission of bringing order and security to the universe, Sinestro formed his own Sinestro Corps, and led them into a war against the Green Lanterns, who were only able to defeat Sinestro by resorting to lethal force--the very result the renegade Lantern had been aiming for. Since then Sinestro has changed allegiances multiple times, always with the intention of bringing his vision of stability to the DCU, whether it wants it or not.

* Sinestro is Hal Jordan's personal nemesis, and both a [[FallenHero former Green Lanter]]n and planetary dictator. Convinced that the Green Lanterns have failed in their mission of bringing order and security to the universe, Sinestro formed his own Sinestro Corps, and led them into a war against the Green Lanterns, who were only able to defeat Sinestro by resorting to lethal force--the very result the renegade Lantern had been aiming for. Since then Sinestro has changed allegiances multiple times, always with the intention of bringing his vision of stability to the DCU, whether it wants it or not.

* ''Franchise/LupinIII'': The titular Lupin Saigan the III [[TheChessmaster creates intricate heist plans]], anticipating the efforts of his enemies to capture him, consistently proving he is the greatest thief to ever live. Lupin is a VillainProtagonist who is avoiding arrest, assassination, or traps at least OnceAnEpisode. Inspector Zenigata, who is always trying to capture him, is often left in the dust, screaming Lupin's name while the VillainOfTheWeek is left tied up to go to prison.

* ''Videogame/MegamiIbunrokuPersona'': SEBEC Mikage-cho branch head Takahisa Kandori creates the DEVA system intending to use it [[AGodAmI to become God]]. When Kandori accidentally ends of manifesting Maki Sonomura's mind into the entire town of Mikage-cho, he manipulates Aki, the manifestation of Maki rage, into trusting him and using Aki to reach his goal of becoming God. Getting resurrected to help with the plans of Nyarlathotep in [[VideoGame/{{Persona 2}} the sequel]], Kandori becomes one of the highest ranking members of the New World Order despite his lack of interest in advancement. When confronted by the heroes, Kandori allows himself to be beaten so that he may "experience" death, [[FaceDeathWithDignity graciously accepting his fate]]. A mere human who managed to become a God because of his own intelligence, Kandori stands out as a true genius in the [[Franchise/ShinMegumiTenseiPersona Persona franchise]] and is easily one of its most diabolical.

* Videogame/MegamiIbunrokuPersona: SEBEC Mikage-cho branch head Takahisa Kandori creates the DEVA system intending to use it [[AGodAmI to become God]]. When Kandori accidentally ends of manifesting Maki Sonomura's mind into the entire town of Mikage-cho, he manipulates Aki, the manifestation of Maki rage, into trusting him and using Aki to reach his goal of becoming God. Getting resurrected to help with the plans of Nyarlathotep in [[VideoGame/{{Persona 2}} the sequel]], Kandori becomes one of the highest ranking members of the New World Order despite his lack of interest in advancement. When confronted by the heroes, Kandori allows himself to be beaten so that he may "experience" death, [[FaceDeathWithDignity graciously accepting his fate]]. A mere human who managed to become a God because of his own intelligence, Kandori stands out as a true genius in the [[Franchise/ShinMegumiTensaiPersona Persona franchise]] and is easily one of its most diabolical.

* Videogame/MegamiIbunrokuPersona: Takahisa Kandori is the present the head of the Mikage-cho branch of SEBEC. He creates the DEVA system with the intention of using it to become God, while he accidentally ends up manifesting Maki Sonomura's mind into the entire town of Mikage-cho, he manages to manipulate Aki, the manifestation of Maki rage into trusting him and reach his goal of becoming God, allowing himself to die after realizing that he had already fulfil his dream. Being resurrected to help with the plans of Nyarlatotept in the sequel, he manages to become of the highest ranking members of the New World Order despite his lack of interest. A mere human that managed to become a God because his own intelligence, Kandori stands out as the first Chessmaster of the franchise and one of its best.

* ComicBook/LexLuthor has been frustrating ComicBook/{{Superman}} with his [[OmnidisciplinaryScientist scientific acumen]] and [[EvilGenius brilliant intellect]] since the 1940s, and has run the gamut from DiabolicalMastermind to MadScientist to CorruptCorporateExecutive to PresidentEvil and back, surviving every setback and always [[NearVillainVictory running the Man of Steel close]]. Firmly established as the leader of Earth's supervillain community, Luthor has led numerous incarnations of the Injustice Gang, LegionOfDoom, and Secret Society of Supervillains, and has taken all-comers, emerging victorious over the likes of ComicBook/{{Brainiac}}, General Zod, Grodd and ComicBook/VandalSavage to claim the title of Superman and DC Earth's [[BigBad biggest bad]], even briefly becoming a PhysicalGod. Every bit as unstoppable as his {{archenemy}}, Luthor has proven time and again that his [[SuperIntelligence incredible mind]] is more than a match for Superman's physical might.
* ComicBook/DoctorDoom has been Marvel's go-to BigBad since the 1960s, and with good cause. An EvilSorcerer, MadScientist, and [[TinTyrant tyrannical despot]], Doom is respected and feared throughout Marvel's supervillain community, with both a [[ComicBook/{{Loki}} Norse God]] and [[ComicBook/{{Mephisto}} the Devil]] seeing him as someone to [[VillainCred step lightly around]]. While many villains want to TakeOverTheWorld, Doom is one of the few who can actually pull it off, and at times he's reached well beyond even that goal, grasping for [[AGodAmI godhood]] with both hands. Capable of punching [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu well out of his weight class]], Victor Von Doom is the most dangerous man in the Marvel Universe and always bears watching.

* Sinestro is Hal Jordan's personal nemesis, and both a [[FallenHero former]] ComicBook/GreenLantern and planetary dictator. Convinced that the Green Lanterns have failed in their mission of bringing order and security to the universe, Sinestro formed his own Sinestro Corps, and led them into a war against the Green Lanterns, who were only able to defeat Sinestro by resorting to lethal force--the very result the renegade Lantern had been aiming for. Since then Sinestro has changed allegiances multiple times, always with the intention of bringing his vision of stability to the DCU, whether it wants it or not.

* Takahisa Kandori is the present the head of the Mikage-cho branch of SEBEC. He creates the DEVA system with the intention of using it to become God, while he accidentally ends up manifesting Maki Sonomura's mind into the entire town of Mikage-cho, he manages to manipulate Aki, the manifestation of Maki rage into trusting him and reach his goal of becoming God, allowing himself to die after realizing that he had already fulfil his dream. Being resurrected to help with the plans of Nyarlatotept in the sequel, he manages to become of the highest ranking members of the New World Order despite his lack of interest. A mere human that managed to become a God because his own intelligence, Kandori stands out as the first Chessmaster of the franchise and one of its best.

* ''Literature/SixOfCrows'': VillainProtagonist Kaz Brekker is a gangster, conman, bank robber, blackmailer, and all around criminal prodigy who uses his extensive knowledge of Ketterdam's secrets to shame richer and more respected men and women into helping him with his schemes. Whether its bluffing gunmen into backing down with fictitious threats against their families, arranging breakouts from the two most heavily guarded prisons in Ketterdam and Fjerda respectively, or running a con on the entire government of Ketterdam that drags in King Nikolai of Ravka as coconspirator, Kaz proves to [[TheDon Pekka Rollins]], [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Jan Van Eck]], and all his other competitors that he is the true kingpin of Ketterdam.

* ''Franchise/LupinIII'': The titular Lupin the III [[TheChessmaster creates intricate heist plans]], anticipating the efforts of his enemies to capture him, consistently proving he is the greatest thief to ever live. He's a VillainProtagonist who is avoiding arrest, assassination, or traps at least OnceAnEpisode. Inspector Zenigata, who is always trying to capture him, is often left in the dust, screaming Lupin's name while the VillainOfTheWeek is left tied up to go to prison.

* ''Franchise/LupinIII'': The titular Lupin the III [[TheChessmaster creates intricate heist plans]], anticipating [[BatmanGambit the efforts of his enemies to capture him]], consistently [[VisionaryVillain proving he is the greatest thief to ever live]]. He's a VillainProtagonist who is avoiding arrest, assassination, or traps at least OnceAnEpisode. Inspector Zenigata, [[SympatheticInspectorAntagonist who is always trying to capture him]], is often left in the dust, screaming Lupin's name while the VillainOfTheWeek is left tied up to go to prison with [[AffectionateNickname Pops]].

* ''Literature/SixOfCrows'': VillainProtagonist Kaz Brekker is a gangster, conman, bank robber, blackmailer, and all around criminal prodigy who uses his extensive knowledge of Ketterdam's secrets to shame richer and more respected men and women into helping him with his schemes. Whether its bluffing gunmen into backing down with fictitious threats against their families, arranging breakouts from the two most heavily guarded prisons in Ketterdam and Fjerda respectively, or running a con on the entire government of Ketterdam that drags in King Nikolai of Ravka as coconspirator, Kaz proves to [[TheDon Pekka Rollins]], [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Jan Van Eck]], and all his other competitors that he is the true kingpin of Ketterdam.

''Literature/SixOfCrows'': VillainProtagonist Kaz Brekker is a gangster, conman, bank robber, blackmailer, and all around criminal prodigy who uses his extensive knowledge of Ketterdam's secrets to shame richer and more respected men and women into helping him with his schemes. Whether its bluffing gunmen into backing down with fictitious threats against their families, arranging breakouts from the two most heavily guarded prisons in Ketterdam and Fjerda respectively, or running a con on the entire government of Ketterdam that drags in King Nikolai of Ravka as coconspirator, Kaz proves to [[TheDon Pekka Rollins]], [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Jan Van Eck]], and all his other competitors that he is the true kingpin of Ketterdam.