Crafting A Good Super Villain

When creating a villain one has to look at certain categories. These categories, to me, is what I believe crafts a good super villain.

A Goal

It doesn't matter if you're a well intention extremist or a for the evuls kind of villain. An established goal is what defines a memorable villain. For instance take Darkseid. The Real Darkseid mind you. His goal in life was to target the anti-life equation. And he will go through anyone to achieve that obstacle.

A goal is what establish a villain and, if done well, helps establish the villain as a truly memorable one.

Fear Factor

An imposing villain is also a key formula. A villain who isn't threatening and is nothing but a joke...Well you'd get this kind of villain

Yeah. Not so imposing. Especially when compared to these guys.

Having any Tom, Dick, and Harry just outright stare a villain down with little to no fear isn't what I'd consider an awesome scene. Cause if nobody is fearing the villain then either the person not afraid is a psychopath or you are doing something wrong!!!

Charisma

A good charismatic villain can come a long way. A charismatic villain is the sort that gains respect from not just the minions working for said villain but even respect from other villains and maybe even the superhero community. For instance...David Xanatos.

The guy pisses charisma. He's the guy whom is the textbook example of crafting a magnificent bastard. It also helps that he doesn't follow the usual villain tropes. Put it this way, he's a Malcolm Merlyn done right.

Now lets take a look at the bad example. MCU's Thanos. When you have even your underlings defying you then you not only lack in intimidation but also lack in charisma.

So these, to me, are the three key elements of what makes a good villain. If a person follow those elements well enough then one can not only create a good villain but even a memorable one.