Posted by The Professor on February 27, 1998 at 23:06:28:
First of all - Let's thank Mike Berro often for this absolutely wonderful Jack Vance Site. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate enjoy the opportunity to converse with all of the wonderful intelligent people I have met here.
Thanks, Mike!
I don't remember reading any suggestion that Vance's Villains are totally in a class themselves. I think they are. Other writers have trouble inventing more evil magicians, nasty dragons, insane pretenders to the throne, rehashed dinasours machines etc. Not very original are they?
My contention is that Vance Villains are more varied, more horrid & frightening, complex, and far more original than any other writers (although Aldridge's Yellow Leaf is in this class). Just think of the 5 Demon Princes, each one unique in his way.
Who are your favorite villains, and why do you think they are so effective?