History SoYouWantTo / CreateARoguesGallery

* '''DarkChick''': Simply put, the [[SmurfettePrinciple token girl]], as most rogues in the gallery are men. A source of {{Fanservice}}, because EvilIsSexy. She may come in a few different flavours:

* Characters/BatmanRoguesGallery: Often considered one of the greatest comic book rogue galleries, it's ensemble includes fan favorites like [[Characters/BatmanTheJoker Joker]], [[Characters/BatmanThePenguin Oswald "Penguin" Copplepot]], and [[Characters/BatmanTheRiddler Edward "Riddler" Nygma]]. Even the female members of its ensemble like [[Characters/CatwomanSelinaKyle Selina "Catwoman "Kyle]], [[Characters/BatmanPoisonIvy Pamela "Poison Ivy" Isley]], and [[Characters/HarleyQuinnTheCharacter Harleen "Harley Quinn" Quinzel]] became protagonists in their own right.

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* '''LongRunners'''. It's hard to invent thirteen or twenty different villains and if you manage it well, it can be a pity to discard them after their story arc. Rogues gallery allows you to return and recycle the same set villains without appearing boring. Conversely, a story with ''only one'' notable villain group appearing practically [[MandatoryLine every episode]] gets stale unless a LensmanArmsRace is involved, which makes "SoLastSeason" [[UpToEleven become]] "So Last ''[[ItOnlyWorksOnce Episode]]''."

* '''EvilCounterpart''': A character whose powers, background etc. are similar to hero's, but who decided to go into crime instead of crimefighting. He possesses similar - or identical - powers and perhaps even MO as the hero and usually uses the same color scheme. NotSoDifferent speech is optional.

* '''Stories of Improper Genre'''. A disaster movie - or series of disaster movies - doesn't have a rogues' gallery - unless hurricanes, tornadoes, [[DisasterScavenger scavengers]], [[VideoGame/DisasterDayOfCrisis rogue military forces]] and so on are your rogues. Neither does a SliceOfLife series. Keep that in mind and ask yourself - in the world that you've created, with the heroes and plots you have, would a gallery of rogues be even remotely feasible?

* '''Stories of Improper Genre'''. A disaster movie - or series of disaster movies - doesn't have a rogues' gallery - unless hurricanes, tornadoes and so on are your rogues. Neither does a SliceOfLife series. Keep that in mind and ask yourself - in the world that you've created, with the heroes and plots you have, would a gallery of rogues be even remotely feasible?

* '''Classic mythology''': This villain takes inspiration - or is a member of - a classic pantheon. This is a very wide cathegory - you can base entire RoguesGallery on characters from Classic or Norse mythology. This character has a mythological beast/god's name and likely uses symbols associeted with it.

* '''Animals''': Just as there are many {{Animal Themed Superbeing}}s, so are supervillains. However, while heroes usually use animals associated with goodness or power (ComicBook/{{Batman}} being an exception), the villains theme themselves after [[BigCreepyCrawlies insects]] or {{reptiles|AreAbhorrent}}.

* '''PunchClockVillain''': They are only working for the gallery for their livelihood, and may not even be evil to begin with. Chances are that they're very likely to be AntiVillain themselves. A common position for amoral BountyHunter and mercenaries. However, [[AvengingTheVillain if their friends are killed by the heroes]]...

* '''Angel''': On the flip side, some villains may instead wear white and uses an angelic motif as a symbol of their power and authority over the world, bonus point for being VillainWithGoodPublicity. However, LightIsNotGood, what's clean at the outside can be very corrupt beneath their skin.

** '''FemmeFatale''' is the feminine counterpart to EvilGenius. While EvilGenius uses his wits, FemmeFatale employs her feminine wiles. She generally tries to seduce the hero, but for what purpose varies: perhaps she wants to assassinate him while he's defenseless (eg. in bed), perhaps she wants to rob him or attempts to make him do a FaceHeelTurn. She might be more anti-heroic than actively villainous and if hero tries a HighHeelFaceTurn, you have a subplot of DatingCatwoman ready to go.

RoguesGallery is a set of memorable [[RecurringCharacter Recurring Characters]] who return from time to time to torment the heroes. Having the set of baddies to pick from as you wish is certainly helpful. This page is here to help you achieve it.

* '''episodic series''', in which heroes battle MonsterOfTheWeek after MonsterOfTheWeek. Recurring rogues provide familiarity and give you opportunity to include story arcs without actually changing the basic formulae of your series - not to mention that, if you create TV or film series, it means you have to find and pay less actors.
* '''longrunners'''. It's hard to invent thirteen or twenty different villains and if you manage it well, it can be a pity to discard them after their story arc. Rogues gallery allows you to return and recycle the same set villains without appearing boring. Conversely, a story with ''only one'' notable villain group appearing practically [[MandatoryLine every episode]] gets stale unless a LensmanArmsRace is involved, which makes "SoLastSeason" [[UpToEleven become]] "So Last ''[[ItOnlyWorksOnce Episode]]''."
* '''stories with very powerful heroes/many heroes''', where one villain simply wouldn't be a match against the good guys. Then you can give every hero a tailored villain and preserve the feeling of equality.

* '''one-shots and single episodes'''. Stuffing three villains into 40 pages/120 minutes work will not do much except for confusing your viewers and drowning your work in chaos of characters competing for screen time.
* '''stories with definite BigBad'''. They are about the Hero fighting against the BigBad. He might have some [[TheDragon dragons]], but all in all, the story focuses on Hero vs Villain struggle and introducing extra elements only draws viewers/readers' attention away from this main conflict.
* '''stories of improper genre'''. A disaster movie - or series of disaster movies - doesn't have a rogues' gallery - unless hurricanes, tornadoes and so on are your rogues. Neither does a SliceOfLife series. Keep that in mind and ask yourself - in the world that you've created, with the heroes and plots you have, would a gallery of rogues be even remotely feasible?

* '''ArchEnemy''': Your hero's worst nightmare. The most dangerous of the lot by a long shot, he's the one who comes the closest to killing them and is relentless in his pursuit of the hero. He might be responsible for death of hero's parent, spouse, lover, friend or child and/or has a personal grudge against the hero. If someone is to form a LegionOfDoom of your rogues, it will be him.

* '''FallenHero''': This villain used to occupy the same position as the hero, or perhaps had similar powers. However, something made him turn. Perhaps the stress has broken him. Perhaps he became HeWhoFightsMonsters. Perhaps he was furious that [[DudeWheresMyRespect people he saved didn't respect him]]. In any case, now he's in the Team Bad Guys and the hero must stop him. The additional plus of this villain is that he represents the dark side of the hero.

* '''BadassNormal''': Among characters who are geniuses, superpowered, thematic and crazy, this villain stands out as someone strangely ''mundane''. Maybe he's a DirtyCop, or a chief of a criminal organization. He may be AffablyEvil, even beloved by the community. Regardless, he can still fight the hero on even terms.
* '''IneffectualSympatheticVillain''': The comic relief in your story, this villain just can't do things right. More often than not, he's a ButtMonkey PlayedForLaughs, a CardCarryingVillain and someone so terrifyingly bad and being... bad that not even other villains treat him seriously. Of course, when he [[TookALevelInBadass takes a level in badass]]...

* '''Magic''': This villain is a sorcerer or sorceress and uses magic against the hero. He can work for demonic entity or try to TakeOverTheWorld with his powers. He's likely to use BloodMagic and creepy symbols.

* '''{{Foil}}''': A polar opposite of your hero. If the hero is MakingASplash, this villain is PlayingWithFire. If the hero is a FragileSpeedster, this villain is a MightyGlacier.

** '''DarkActionGirl''' is the most likely to give our hero a good beating and force him to abandon the WouldntHitAGirl rule. Somehow, she's the rarest female character in the RoguesGallery - likely because the galleries are already choke full of fighting men.
** '''FemmeFatale''' is the feminine counterpart to EvilGenius. While EvilGenius uses hit wits, FemmeFatale employs her feminine wiles. She generally tries to seduce the hero, but for what purpose varies: perhaps she wants to assassinate him while he's defenseless (eg. in bed), perhaps she wants to rob him or attempts to make him do a FaceHeelTurn. She might be more anti-heroic than actively villainous and if hero tries a HighHeelFaceTurn, you have a subplot of DatingCatwoman ready to go.

* '''Clown''': MonsterClown is a classic, and this villain milks it for all it's worth. He wears clown's make-up. His gadgets, hideout and minions are props and members of CircusOfFear. Whenever he appears on-screen, you can bet on CreepyCircusMusic to show up.
* '''Corporation''': CorruptCorporateExecutive by day, villain by night. Or perhaps both at the same time. This villain rules over a MegaCorp, wears all the best suits and has a ''lot'' of money. You better explain why he runs any illegal operations, though, because otherwise you have a fine case of CutLexLuthorACheck on your hands.
* '''Animal''': Just as there are many {{Animal Themed Superbeing}}s, so are supervillains. However, while heroes usually use animals associated with goodness or power (ComicBook/{{Batman}} being an exception), the villains theme themselves after [[BigCreepyCrawlies insects]] or {{reptiles|AreAbhorrent}}.

** '''FemmeFatale''' is the feminine counterpart to EvilGenius. While EvilGenius uses hit wits, FemmeFatale employs her feminine wiles. She will generally try to seduce the hero, but for what purpose varies: perhaps she wants to assassinate him while he's defenseless (eg. in bed), perhaps she wants to rob him or attempts to make him do a FaceHeelTurn. She might be more anti-heroic than actively villainous and if hero tries a HighHeelFaceTurn, you have a subplot of DatingCatwoman ready to go.

* '''MadScientist''': A cousin to MadDoctor, the Scientist is much crazier. He's shunned by scientific community for breaking the human rights and general {{squick}}iness of his experiments. The second most likely source of NightmareFuel, the MadScientist hides behind monsters or machines he created and would likely obtain more specimens for his experiments.

* '''EvilGenius''': The smartest one of the lot. If your hero's main gimmick is punching stuff, he's a threat the hero is unused or unprepared to. Instead of charging the hero head-on, he makes use of hero's weaknesses, blind points and flaws to lay a hit. Instead of attacking him directly, he might strike at his finances or headquarters. Probably next to nothing in terms of sheer physical power.

* '''FallenHero''': This villain used to occupy the same position as the hero, or perhaps had similar powers. However, something made him turn. Perhaps the stress has broken him. Perhaps he became HeWhoFightsTheMonsters. Perhaps he was furious that [[DudeWheresMyRespect people he saved didn't respect him]]. In any case, now he's in the Team Bad Guys and the hero must stop him. The additional plus of this villain is that he represents the dark side of the hero.

* '''SympatheticIneffectualVillain''': The comic relief in your story, this villain just can't do things right. More often than not, he's a ButtMonkey PlayedForLaughs, a CardCarryingVillain and someone so terrifyingly bad and being... bad that not even other villains treat him seriously. Of course, when he [[TookALevelInBadass takes a level in badass]]...

Or, who most {{Rogues Galler|y}}ies have in their ranks.

* ArchEnemy: Your hero's worst nightmare. The most dangerous of the lot by a long shot, he's the one who comes the closest to killing them and is relentless in his pursuit of the hero. He might be responsible for death of hero's parent, spouse, lover, friend or child and is the most likely to provide the readers/viewers with NightmareFuel. A must.
* EvilGenius: The smartest one of the lot. If your hero's main gimmick is punching stuff, he's a threat the hero is unused or unprepared to. Instead of charging the hero head-on, he makes use of hero's weaknesses, blind points and flaws to lay a hit. Instead of attacking him directly, he might strike at his finances or headquarters. Probably next to nothing in terms of sheer physical power.
* TheBrute: The biggest and most physically powerful of the lot. The opposite of the EvilGenius - he will attack the hero head-on and he will strike him with all his might. Provides plenty of action scenes for the punching-type hero, but will be a big threat for a GuileHero. Not known for his brains.
* DarkChick: Simply put, the [[SmurfettePrinciple token girl]], as most rogues in the gallery are men. She may come in a few different flavours:
** TheBaroness likely has some henchmen and/or works as TheDragon for another type of villain. She loves torturing the hero's loved ones and friends and may be close to the ArchEnemy in terms of danger she poses.
** DarkActionGirl is the most likely to give our hero a good beating and force him to abandon the WouldntHitAGirl rule. Somehow, she's the rarest female character in the RoguesGallery - likely because the galleries are already choke full of fighting men.
** FemmeFatale is the feminine counterpart to EvilGenius. While EvilGenius uses hit wits, FemmeFatale employs her feminine wiles. She will generally try to seduce the hero, but for what purpose varies: perhaps she wants to assassinate him while he's defenseless (eg. in bed), perhaps she wants to rob him or attempts to make him do a FaceHeelTurn. She might be more anti-heroic than actively villainous and if hero tries a HighHeelFaceTurn, you have a subplot of DatingCatwoman ready to go.
* EvilCounterpart: A character whose powers, background etc. are similar to hero's, but who decided to go into crime instead of crimefighting. He possesses similar - or identical - powers and perhaps even MO as the hero and usually uses the same color scheme. NotSoDifferent speech is optional.
* {{Foil}}: A polar opposite of your hero. If the hero is MakingASplash, this villain is PlayingWithFire. If the hero is a FragileSpeedster, this villain is a MightyGlacier.
* AxCrazy: This one's mad, and murderous. All semblance of sanity is gone and the hero can't negiotiate with him - he can only try to stop him. Those villains are usually over the top, and often have a PowerBornOfMadness, making them even harder to fight.
* MadDoctor: A medical professional gone wrong. He may've been a surgeon, a psychologist, whatever - but now, for whatever reason, he uses the art designed to save lives to take them instead. The most likely to have DarkAndTroubledPast, which works as a FreudianExcuse for his evilness.
* MadScientist: A cousin to MadDoctor, the Scientist is much crazier. He's shunned by scientific community for breaking the human rights and general {{squick}}iness of his experiments. The second most likely source of NightmareFuel, the MadScientist hides behind monsters or machines he created and would likely obtain more specimens for his experiments.
* BadassNormal: Among characters who are geniuses, superpowered, thematic and crazy, this villain stands out as someone strangely ''mundane''. Maybe he's a DirtyCop, or a chief of a criminal organization. He may be AffablyEvil, even beloved by the community. Regardless, he can still fight the hero on even terms.

''work in progres''

* All members of FiveBadBand, although perhaps not working in concert:
** ArchEnemy: Your hero's worst nightmare. The most dangerous of the lot by a long shot, he's the one who comes the closest to killing them and is relentless in his pursuit of the hero. He might be responsible for death of hero's parent, spouse, lover, friend or child and is the most likely to provide the readers/viewers with NightmareFuel.
** EvilGenius: The smartest one of the lot. If your hero's main gimmick is punching stuff, he's a threat the hero is unused or unprepared to. Instead of charging the hero head-on, he makes use of hero's weaknesses, blind points and flaws to lay a hit. Instead of attacking him directly, he might strike at his finances or headquarters.
** TheBrute: The biggest and most physically powerful of the lot. The opposite of the EvilGenius - he will attack the hero head-on and he will strike him with all his might. Provides plenty of action scenes for the punching-type hero, but will be a big threat for a GuileHero.

RoguesGallery doesn't work in all types of shows. What it ''does'' work in, though, is:

However, there are some stories in which RoguesGallery just plain doesn't work. Those are:

* '''stories of improper genre'''. A disaster movie - or series of disaster movies - doesn't have a RogueGallery - unless hurricanes, tornadoes and so on are your rogues. Neither does a SliceOfLife series. Keep that in mind and ask yourself - in the world that you've created, with the heroes and plots you have, would a gallery of rogues be even remotely feasible?

** ArchEnemy: Your hero's worst nightmare. The most dangerous of the lot by a long shot, he's the one who comes the closest to killing them and is relentless in his pursuit of the hero. He might be responsible for death of hero's parent, spouse, lover, friend or child and is the most likely to provide the readers/viewers with NightmaterFuel.

* '''stories with definite BigBag'''. With have the Hero fighting against the BigBad. He might have some [[TheDragon dragons]], but all in all, the story focuses on Hero vs Villain struggle and introducing extra elements only draws viewers/readers' attention away from this main conflict.

* Don't take the above too far - make your rogues a diverse group. If your main theme is "fire", the hero's opponents shouldn't be all {{Flying Brick}}s who like PlayingWithFire.
* AesopAmnesia is your enemy and ItOnlyWorksOnce should apply to every rogue. If they menace your hero on regular basis, they should remember what happened the last time they tried. How often can they fall for the same trick, really?

* '''one-shots and single episodes'''. Stuffing three villains into 40 pages/120 minutes work will not do much except for confusing your viewers and drowning your work in chaos of characters competing for screen time.

* '''longrunners'''. It's hard to invent thirteen or twenty different villains and if you manage it well, it can be a pity to discard them after their story arc. Rogues gallery allows you to return and recycle the same set villains without appearing boring.