History Main / ResurrectTheVillain

If the attempt is successful, regardless of the resurrectors' intent or their connection with the villain, the villain's typical reaction is that of someone being suddenly woken up from a deep sleep magnified 1,000 times — that is, not pretty. You will almost (''almost'') never find a villain [[ComplainingAboutRescuesTheyDontLike who is grateful someone went to all that trouble to bring them back]]. This is probably because, more likely than not, he CameBackWrong, and his new form is not a pleasant one. Resurrectors beware — if they don't try to kill you outright, you'll end up working for a BadBoss and learning to BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor before gasping, "MyGodWhatHaveIDone!" Even in the best cases, expect the villain to be [[EvilerThanThou rudely]] [[PretenderDiss dismissive]] of whoever brought them back.

Compare and contrast BreakingOutTheBoss, a presumably much simpler mission to release an imprisoned villain from their prison. SubTrope of SeeksAnothersResurrection. If the previous villain is pulling strings to get himself resurrected, this overlaps with HijackedByGanon. Can also overlap with ClimacticBattleResurrection. If things have gotten bad enough that it's the ''heroes'' considering bringing their ArchEnemy back from the dead [[EnemyMine to join up with them]], you've probably hit the GodzillaThreshold.

If the attempt is successful, regardless of the resurrectors' intent or their connection with the villain, the villain's typical reaction is that of someone being suddenly woken up from a deep sleep magnified 1,000 times — that is, not pretty. You will almost (''almost'') never find a villain [[ComplainingAboutRescuesTheyDontLike who is grateful someone went to all that trouble to bring them back]]. This is probably because, more likely than not, he CameBackWrong, and his new form is not a pleasant one. Resurrectors beware — if they don't try to kill you outright, you'll end up working for a BadBoss and learning to BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor before gasping, "MyGodWhatHaveIDone!" Even in the best cases, expect the villain to be [[EvilerThanThou rudely]] [[PretenderDiss dismissive]] of whomever brought them back.

** ''VideoGame/ZeldaIITheAdventureOfLink'' and ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOracleGames'' both have this as the main plot. He CameBackWrong in the latter and serves as the TrueFinalBoss, but he only comes back in the former during a GameOver.

New villains who don't have a history with the old villain typically either want one of two things. There are the up-and-comers who want a coach — they know they don't quite cut it, and they need someone with experience at this "evil" business to show them the ropes; someone who's better at {{Evil Plan}}ning to help them get started. Then there are the {{Smug Snake}}s who are more confident. They don't want a coach — they want a servant. Sure, that has-been was nothing compared to ''them'', but he still had some impressive powers and skills that could be useful. This latter type of villain will bring the old BigBad back under the assumption he can be controlled or otherwise made to follow along with ''their'' plans and ''their'' agenda, lending them the intel, powers, or skills they need but understanding he's no longer in charge or calling the shots. The majority of the time, [[EvilIsNotAToy this is the wrong assumption]].

* ''VideoGames/WarcraftIII'': Kel'thuzad is encountered and quickly killed off by Arthas during the human campaign. The first half of the Undead campaign involves the now-undead Arthas bringing him back to (un)life as a lich so he can open the portal that will allow the Burning Legion to invade.

* The whole final season of ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' is about Lex Luthor attempting to bring back Brainiac. In "[[Recap/JusticeLeagueUnlimitedS3E12Alive Alive]]" he appears to succeed... except it's Darkseid who comes back instead.

* ''WesternAnimation/SuperRobotMonkeyTeamHyperForceGo'': In the Season 3 finale, [[BigBad Skeleton King]] is killed when his head is severed from the [[EldritchAbomination Dark One Worm]], which he had merged with in the previous season's finale; afterwards, it's retrieved by [[TheDragon Mandarin]]. Late in Season 4, after he and [[WickedWitch Valeena]] have resolved their power struggle, they set out on a quest to use the head and other remnants of the Skeleton King's power to resurrect him, finally succeeding in the season finale. [[CutShort And then the series got cancelled without resolving the resulting cliffhanger.]]

* A complicated example occurs in ''Series/LegendsOfTomorrow'', in which Damian Darhk is resurrected by the Cult of Mallus to carry out Mallus' will, and he doesn't seem to mind being TheDragon until his [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes daughter gets more involved with Mallus' plans]]. Damian had been part of the BigBadDuumvirate in the previous season, but due to the time travel nature of the show, he doesn't meet his demise until the fourth season of ''Series/{{Arrow}}'' (which he was also the BigBad of). Also, unlike his previous appearance on the show, where he was a BadassNormal, he ends up getting back all of his [[MindOverMatter dark magic]] from Arrow, which obviously makes him a much more lethal threat than the last time the Legends faced him.

When the previous BigBad has been killed -- not exiled, not imprisoned, not trapped in another dimension, not [[SealedEvilInACan sealed in a supposedly inescapable can]], but physically, truly, 100% killed -- new or remaining villains who aren't satisfied with merely {{Avenging The Villain}} or [[DragonAscendant carrying on the villain's evil legacy]] may decide to just bring the villain himself BackFromTheDead.

New villains who don't have a history with the old villain typically either want one of two things. There are the up-and-comers who want a coach -- they know they don't quite cut it, and they need someone with experience at this "evil" business to show them the ropes; someone who's better at {{Evil Plan}}ning to help them get started. Then there are the {{Smug Snake}}s who are more confident. They don't want a coach -- they want a servant. Sure, that has-been was nothing compared to ''them'', but he still had some impressive powers and skills that could be useful. This latter type of villain will bring the old BigBad back under the assumption he can be controlled or otherwise made to follow along with ''their'' plans and ''their'' agenda, lending them the intel, powers, or skills they need but understanding he's no longer in charge or calling the shots. The majority of the time, [[EvilIsNotAToy this is the wrong assumption]].

If the attempt is successful, regardless of the resurrectors' intent or their connection with the villain, the villain's typical reaction is that of someone being suddenly woken up from a deep sleep magnified 1,000 times -- that is, not pretty. You will almost (''almost'') never find a villain [[ComplainingAboutRescuesTheyDontLike who is grateful someone went to all that trouble to bring them back]]. This is probably because, more likely than not, he CameBackWrong, and his new form is not a pleasant one. Resurrectors beware -- if they don't try to kill you outright, you'll end up working for a BadBoss and learning to BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor before gasping, "MyGodWhatHaveIDone!" Even in the best cases, expect the villain to be [[EvilerThanThou rudely]] [[PretenderDiss dismissive]] of whomever brought them back.

[[folder:Fan Fic]]

[[folder:Film -- Live Action]]

* ''Series/DoctorWho'': In "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E17E18TheEndOfTime The End Of Time]]", the Master, who had seemingly died permanently in "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E13LastOfTheTimeLords Last Of The Time Lords]]," is resurrected by the [[{{Cult}} Disciples of Saxon]]. However, the ritual is sabotaged by his former wife, Lucy, and as a result, he [[CameBackWrong comes back wrong]] with a rapidly-diminishing life force and a [[BigEater ferocious]] [[HorrorHunger appetite]].

[[/folder]]

''Of darkness tonight!''\\

-->-- '''Ushari and the hyenas''', '''''WesternAnimation/TheLionGuard''''', "The Rise of Scar"

** Following Ganon's death in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZelda1'', his followers attempt to resurrect him with Link's blood during ''VideoGame/ZeldaIITheAdventureOfLink'', which is why Link is constantly beset by monsters. GameOver means the bad guys succeed.

* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkBetweenWorlds'': As part of his plans, the BigBad Yuga resurrects the ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast A Link to the Past]]'' incarnation of Ganon [[spoiler:and then, in an ironic inversion of HijackedByGanon, somehow [[FusionDance absorbs him]] to become Yuga-Ganon]].

->''We just need fire and a roar for our surprise''
->''Then we'll make [[Disney/TheLionKing Scar]] rise''
->''We will make Scar rise''
->''Let's bring back a legend''
->''A legend''
->''To help our fight''
->''Let's bring back a legend''
->''A legend''
->''Of darkness tonight!''

''Fanfic/PastSins'': A version of Nightmare Moon (defeated and basically destroyed in the second episode of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'') is reincarnated by a cult.

Fortunately for the heroes, destroying an entity that's been magically resurrected from the dead [[UndeathAlwaysEnds tends to be easier than killing him in the first place]] (not to mention it [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman doesn't carry the same moral baggage]]). Sometimes this will be justified with SummoningSickness, when the very act of returning to life [[WorfHadTheFlu leaves the villain temporarily weakened]]. Nonetheless, the length of time the villain remains resurrected can range from [[BackForTheDead a few seconds]] to [[ArcVillain an entire story arc]].

When the previous BigBad has been killed -- not exiled, not imprisoned, not trapped in another dimension, not [[SealedEvilInACan sealed in a supposedly inescapable can]], but physically, truly, 100% killed -- new or remaining villains who aren't satisfied with merely {{Avenging The Villain}}'s death or [[YouCannotKillAnIdea carrying on the villain's evil legacy]] may decide to just bring the villain himself BackFromTheDead.

New villains who do this typically either want one of two things. There are the up and comers who want a coach -- they know they don't quite cut it, and they need someone with experience at this evil thing to show them the ropes, someone who's better at {{Evil Plan}}ning to help them get started. Then there are the {{Evil Genius}}es who are more confident. They don't want a coach -- they want a servant. Sure, that has-been was nothing compared to ''them'', but he still had some impressive powers and skills that could be useful. This latter type of villain will bring the old BigBad back under the assumption he can be controlled or otherwise made to follow along with ''their'' plans and ''their'' agenda, lending them the intel, powers, or skills they need but understanding he's no longer in charge or calling the shots. (The majority of the time, it's the wrong assumption.)

If the attempt is successful, regardless of the resurrectors' intent or their connection with the villain, the villain's typical reaction is that of someone being suddenly woken up from a deep sleep magnified 1,000 times -- that is, not pretty. You will almost (''almost'') never find a villain who is grateful someone went to all that trouble to drag them up out of the grave. This is probably because, more likely than not, he CameBackWrong, and his new form is not a pleasant one. Resurrectors beware -- if they don't try to kill you outright, you'll end up working for a BadBoss and learning to BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor before gasping, "MyGodWhatHaveIDone!"

The good news for the heroes is, destroying an entity that's been magically resurrected from the dead tends to be easier than killing a living person the first time (not to mention doesn't carry the same moral baggage). Nonetheless, the length of time the villain remains resurrected can range from a few seconds to an entire arc.

* ''Series/SenkiZesshouSymphogear'': The villain of season 1, Finé, is an ancient priestess who can [[FamilialBodySnatcher take over the bodies of her descendants]]. The villains of season 2 are a group of three such descendants whom Finé had [[RaisedAsAHost gathered as "spare bodies"]], and whose leader Maria is in the early stages of takeover. [[spoiler:In fact Maria has ''no'' potential to become Finé, and is simply trying to distract the OpportunisticBastard MadScientist in their employ from noticing that the other two descendants are starting to show some of Finé's powers.]] In the end, [[spoiler:Finé is never resurrected - after seeing her two potential vessels try to MercyKill each other [[DyingAsYourself before she can take over]], she manifests in spirit form to tell them that she no longer has any interest in opposing the heroes, then [[HeroicSacrifice sacrifices herself]] to heal their wounds]].

Compare and contrast BreakingOutTheBoss, a presumably much simpler mission to release an imprisoned villain from their prison. SubTrope of SeeksAnothersResurrection. If the previous villain is pulling strings to get himself resurrected, this overlaps with HijackedByGanon. Can slooverlap with ClimactiBattleResurrection. If things have gotten bad enough that it's the ''heroes'' considering bringing their ArchEnemy back from the dead [[EnemyMine to join up with them]], you've probably hit the GodzillaThreshold.

Hurray, the heroes have killed the BigBad! Not exiled, not imprisoned, not trapped in another dimension, not [[SealedEvilInACan sealed in a supposedly inescapable can]], but physically, truly, 100% killed. [[TheEndOrIsIt But don't celebrate just yet]] because it turns out your remaining enemies aren't satisfied with merely {{Avenging The Villain}}'s death or [[YouCannotKillAnIdea carrying on the villain's evil legacy]] -- a few seasons or installments later, they decide to bring the villain himself BackFromTheDead!

New villains who do this typically either want one of two things. There are the up and comers who want a coach -- they know they don't quite cut it, and they need someone with experience at this evil thing to show them the ropes, someone who's better at {{Evil Plan}}ning to help them get started. Then there are the {{Evil Genius}}es who are more confident. they don't want a coach -- they want a servant. Sure, that has-been was nothing compared to ''them'', but he still had some impressive powers and skills that could be useful. This latter type of villain will bring the old BigBad back under the assumption he can be controlled or otherwise made to follow along with ''their'' plans and ''their'' agenda, lending them the intel, powers, or skills they need but understanding he's no longer in charge or calling the shots. (The majority of the time, it's the wrong assumption.)

Compare and contrast BreakingOutTheBoss, a presumably much simpler mission to release an imprisoned villain from their prison. SubTrope of SeeksAnothersResurrection.

* * ''Series/DoctorWho'': In "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E17E18TheEndOfTime The End Of Time]]", the Master, who had seemingly died permanently in "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E13LastOfTheTimeLords Last Of The Time Lords]]", is resurrected by the [[{{Cult}} Disciples of Saxon]]. However, the ritual is sabotaged by his former wife, Lucy, and as a result, he [[CameBackWrong comes back wrong]] with a rapidly-diminishing life force and a [[BigEater ferocious]] [[HorrorHunger appetite]].

New villains who do this typically either want one of two things. There are the up and comers who want a coach -- they know they don't quite cut it, and they need someone with experience at this evil thing to show them the ropes, someone who's better at {{Evil Plan}}ning to help them get started. Then there are the {{Evil Genius}]es who are more confident. they don;t want a coach -- they want a servant. Sure, that has-been was nothing compared to ''them'', but he still had some impressive powers and skills that could be useful. This latter type of villain will bring the old BigBad back under the assumption he can be controlled or otherwise made to follow along with ''their'' plans and ''their'' agenda, lending them the intel, powers, or skills they need but understanding he's no longer in charge or calling the shots. (The majority of the time, it's the wrong assumption.)

-->'''Ushari and the hyenas''', '''''WesternAnimation/TheLionGuard''''', "The Rise of Scar"

Hurray, the heroes have killed the BigBad! Not exiled, not imprisoned, not trapped in another dimension, not [[SealedEvilInACan sealed in a supposedly inescapable can]], but physically, truly, 100% KilledOffForReal. [[Series/MontyPythonsFlyingCircus The villain is stiff, bereft of life, resting in peace, and pushing up daisies.]] Sure, that doesn't instantly solve ''all'' their problems -- there are probably still a lot of minions to round up and put on trial, lots of damage to clean up, and there will probably be friends, family, or followers determined to [[AvengingTheVillain avenge the villain]] or [[YouCannotKillAnIdea passing on his ideals]], but at least the villain himself is out of the picture for good. No matter what problems they still have to deal with, one thing is for sure -- they ''never'' have to worry about this particular baddie causing trouble ever again, right? Right...?

Wrong!

Congratulations! Your remaining enemies aren't satisfied with merely getting revenge for the villain's death or carrying on the villain's evil legacy -- they decide to bring the villain himself BackFromTheDead!

Why would anyone ''want'' to bring back someone who made a career out of doing bad, evil things? Actually, there are many reasons. Maybe the villain was their lover, parent, or other beloved figure (EvenEvilHasLovedOnes, after all). Maybe they didn't know the villain personally but don't think he was that bad a leader; they think he was onto something, that his plan for TakingOverTheWorld was a great idea, and everyone (or at least the resurrectors) will be betetr off if he's allowed to complete it.

In fact, the resurrectors are usually villains themselves. Sometimes, they're up and comers who know they don't quite cut it. They need someone with experience at this evil thing to show them the ropes, someone with better at {{Evil Plan}}ning to help them get started. The fact that their chosen mentor's dead status means they ''lost'' to the heroes never leads to the logical conclusion that maybe they're not the best pick for your hero-fighting team -- dead or not, they were the best, or at least the best you can hope for, and if anyone can help you, it's the hero's old ArchEnemy.

Alternately, the new villains might see themselves as the masters and the old villain as inferior (he was defeated, and as severely as possible, after all). But he nevertheless still had some impressive powers and skills that could be useful. This type of resurrectors don't want a coach -- they want a servant. These villains will bring the old BigBad back under the assumption he can be controlled or otherwise made to follow along with ''their'' plans and ''their'' agenda, lending them the intel, powers, or skills they need but understanding they're no longer in charge or calling the shots. (The majority of the time, it's the wrong assumption.)

If the attempt is successful, regardless of the resurrectors' intent or their connection with the villain, the villain's typical reaction is that of someone being suddenly woken up from a deep sleep magnified 1000 times -- that is, not pretty. You will almost (''almost'') never find a villain who is grateful someone went to all that trouble to drag them up out of the grave. This is probably because, more likely than not, he CameBackWrong, and his new form is not a pleasant one. Resurrectors beware -- if they don't try to kill you outright, you'll end up working for a BadBoss and learning to BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor before gasping, "MyGodWhatHaveIDone"

# The resurrected villain ''must'' have been active and significant during the timeline of the story, series, or franchise whom the audience actually got to meet and watch die, not a legendary figure in a {{backstory}}.
# The villain must be physically KilledOffForReal.
# An individual or individuals must actively, intentionally do (or try to do) something to bring the villain BackFromTheDead, which is 100% possible in the context of the story. (This is not some generic ghostly manifestation that requires no action by anybody in order to happen.) The attempt does ''not'' necessarily have to be successful.

Compare and contrast BreakingOutTheBoss, a presumably much simpler mission to release an imprisoned villain from their prison.