In comics: Lex Luthor, Darkseid, the Joker, Dr. Doom, Magneto, the Green Goblin.
In Books: Sauron, King Haggard, Rhett Butler, Voldemort
In Movies: Darth Vader, Ming the Merciless, Maleficent
They are characters we all know, and dislike. They are the reason for the story. The reason the plot moves ahead towards its end. No story of any quality can exist without these most important of characters. They are the reason for heroes to exist.
The antagonist, the 'bad guy'
The Villian
[cues Evil Laugh in the background]
I have my own ideas on what makes a good story and a good villian. I wanted to post a few to pay homage to these vital characters and see what other people felt would be grand moments of victory for the villians, even if transitory.
I offer one of my favorite moments from over the years. In a Kim Possible story by WesUAH called
The Fallen
"That… that's enough, Mr. Stoppable," he gasped. "I'll tell you what you want to know. In fact, I'll do one better. I'll give her back to you."
His heart leapt. Could it be true, was it finally over? Had he actually won?
'KP, I guess I didn't loose you after all.'
DeLong noted the hopeful tears that had sprung up in Ron's eyes. He said nothing, but got to his feet and headed towards a section of the wall. He'd built the facility for ease of concealment; all the equipment that the main room contained was housed in seamless recesses in the walls. One only had to know where to touch in order to open the bays, but there was enough wall space that it would be very hard for a random snooper to find anything.
DeLong knew where to look; he placed his right hand on a section of wall, and there came a hissing sound as a large drawer extended from the wall. He reached in, pulled out something, and then threw it at Ron's feet.
It was Kim's battle suit, burnt, torn, and bloodied.
"What… the hell…" Ron whispered, his face changing in the blink of an eye from hopefulness to something terrible and full of rage.
"I said I was going to give her back to you," DeLong replied. "That blood is all that remains."
Then the rage left his face, despair claimed him, and he dropped to his knees and gathered the suit up in his arms.
"KP…" he whispered, fighting back tears and not succeeding. Hope left him.
"So this is what it look likes when hope dies," he heard DeLong whisper. "I find that I do enjoy the sight of it."