10 Villains That Are More Popular Than Their Hero Counterparts

Every protagonist needs a formidable antagonist - someone who takes the danger to the next level and challenges the hero to be better. Sometimes, however, these villains end up being more than just fearsome and become iconic personalities in their own right.

Hannibal Lecter

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When you have a TV series and two films named after you, you know you’re the MVP. This holds true for everyone’s favorite cannibal, Hannibal Lecter. While he may put us off a steak dinner when he appears, he’s still one of fiction’s most menacing and intellectual villains.

We’ve seen his brutal side and we’ve witnessed his cunningness. Whichever method he chooses to employ, he always outmaneuvers Clarice Starling, Will Graham, and Jack Crawford. His game of human chess is already predetermined, with him coming out on top every single time.

His most recent outing, Hannibal, might’ve ended prematurely, but that hasn’t stopped his fans from demanding its return. One thing’s for sure: this isn’t the last we’ve seen of Hannibal the Cannibal.

Dracula

There was a time when vampires didn’t sparkle or act like emo teenagers. A time when the mere mention of the name Dracula struck fear into the hearts of people everywhere. It’s an era that many wish we could return to, ridding our minds of Stephenie Meyer’s bastardization of the creatures of the night.

When you think of popular vampires, you’d struggle to think of a name more popular than Dracula. In fact, the Count is so famous that over 200 films have featured him in a major role. Only Sherlock Holmes can claim to have more films based after him.

Abraham Van Helsing has long been considered Drac’s biggest adversary, yet he plays second fiddle to his bloodsucking nemesis on numerous occasions. There might be many pretenders to his throne, but Count Dracula still remains the one and only coffin king.


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Author
Sergio Pereira
SERGIO PEREIRA is a speculative fiction writer from Johannesburg, South Africa. He has a strong interest in comic books, film, music and comedy. When he's not reading or writing, he enjoys a game of Pro Evolution Soccer, watching football, catching up on films, and playing with his dog. His short stories have appeared in various magazines and anthologies, such as Devolution Z, Death Throes, Centum Press's 100 Voices, and Tales from the Lake: Vol. 3 from Crystal Lake Publishing.