Loading...
Loading...
Descent and Return in Science Fiction and Fantasy
by Valerie Estelle Frankel
This fascinating literary analysis explores how complex villains develop in popular science fiction and fantasy stories, examining what drives characters like Loki and Killmonger to make difficult choices. Perfect for young writers, creative thinkers, and passionate fans, this book reveals the storytelling secrets behind some of fiction's most compelling antagonists and how their journeys differ from traditional hero narratives.
The villain's journey is rare in popular culture--most characters are fully-formed tyrants with little to no story arc. However, a few particularly epic series take the time to develop complex villains, including Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Smallville, Babylon 5, Game of Thrones, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Increasingly, villains' origin stories have found new popularity through films like Wicked, Maleficent, and Despicable Me, alongside shows starring serial killers and Machiavellian schemers. This book examines the villain's decline and subsequent struggle toward redemption, asking why these characters are willing to cross moral lines that "good" characters are not. The first half follows characters like Loki, Jessica Jones and Killmonger through the villain's journey: an inverse or twisted version of scholar Joseph Cambell's hero's journey. The remainder of this book examines the many different villainous archetypes such as the trickster, the outcast, the tyrant, or the misunderstood hero in greater detail. Written for writers, creators, fans, and mythologists, this book offers a peek into the minds of some of fiction's greatest villains.
McFarland
248
9781476644912
2021-12-08
Prices may vary. We may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.