 Dr. Fiction interviews Loki of The Avengers, who represents a school of villainy in which the villains have relatable vulnerabilities--unhappy childhoods, secret fears, and more. Question: What makes a vulnerable villain so effective? DR. FICTION
Welcome back to the Dr. Fiction show, where we are interviewing representatives of the ten schools of villainy. Today, we move on to our sixth of ten guests: Loki of The Avengers, from the School of Vulnerable Villainy. Welcome, Loki. LOKI Bow before me, mortal. I am a god! DR. FICTION Actually, there’s only one God, and I’m pretty sure He doesn’t dress like that. The horned helmet especially. LOKI Oh. That was on sale at Villains Warehouse, which was having a wildlife-themed Weekend Special. Queen Amidala snagged the impressive horned headdress. You know--the one with the pigtails that make her look like a bison. I was so disappointed that she got there first—and she isn’t even a villain! DR. FICTION I’m so sorry to hear that. However, I do think the extravagant horned helmet is a good look for you. LOKI (pleased) Thank you! I rather like the look myself. It seems more god-like. DR. FICTION Tell me, Loki, are deity complexes common results of your school’s training? LOKI No, that’s mostly a specialty of the Academy of Cackling Homocidal Maniacs, but I am told that delusions of grandeur do frequently arise from secret insecurities. DR. FICTION I understand that this is very personal for you, but would you mind sharing those insecurities and how they have impacted your career? LOKI I am a Frost Giant, but I was stolen as a baby and raised in Asgard. I believed myself to be Thor’s brother until I discovered the truth by accident. Then I understood why our father always favored Thor and never considered me for the kingship. All I ever wanted was for my father to be proud of me... (sniffs) DR. FICTION There, there. Have a tissue. LOKI Thank you. (blows nose loudly) DR. FICTION And how did you deal with that devastating revelation? LOKI Now that I know the truth, I shall create my own empire and my own identity, apart from those who still claim to be my family. Unfortunately, none of them understand my need for self-exploration. They keep interrupting my plans to rule earth. They are all very selfish. DR. FICTION Do you wish for people to understand you or to fear you? LOKI To understand me. No, to fear me. No… (pauses and looks confused) DR. FICTION You seem to be very conflicted. LOKI That’s why so many people say that I am a very relatable villain. I hang the audience between two emotions—sympathy for my plight and outrage at my atrocities. You could say that we are some of the most popular villains in the greater School of Villainy. DR. FICTION Your use of the word “popular” begs the question: Who else joins you in the school? LOKI My favorite colleague is a household name by now. Long John Silver (popularized by his biographer Robert Louis Stevenson) has baffled readers for one and a half centuries. He even baffled the heroes who oppose him. One minute, he pulls on your heartstrings—the cripple who is struggling to do the right thing, despite a bad beginning. The next minute, he yanks your heartstrings right out—the schemer who is playing both ends against the middle and willing to do whatever necessary to come out on top. Ah! It’s masterful. I have so much to learn from him. I wonder if I should cut off my leg too? Do you think it would up the pathos factor? DR. FICTION It seems a little extreme to me. Certainly, your traumatizing childhood secret qualifies you amply as a Vulnerable Villain. LOKI Thank you. You don’t know how much that means to me. Now, if you excuse me, I am due for my next dose of Zoloft. DR. FICTION I wouldn’t dream of keeping you! Folks, that was Loki from the School of Vulnerable Villainy. Return next time to listen in on our interview with a representative from the School of Schmoozers.
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