HeroismWhen the “Villain” is Right

The main antagonist in Deus Ex Umbra, Adhara, is a woman on a quest for justice for marginalized people—especially women and girls. I said antagonist, right? Her actions and thoughts become an issue for my superheroes as she’s willing to go to extremes to enact justice. One beta reader remarked, “Adhara is right” and another said she reminded her of Killmonger from Black Panther. When I received that comment, I knew I wrote her the right way. But man, writing a “villain” who is right is difficult. How do I justify my heroes opposing her? 

Hope. 

When so much injustice is going on in the world, it’s easy to lose hope. It’s easy to want to become the nastiest version of yourself so that the people who wronged us or oppress others feel the pain they inflict. But for every wrong that must be eliminated, we must hold onto our hope so that we can build something better. I held onto this message as Adhara loses her hope, but our heroes cling onto theirs. 

In fact, my heroes strongly believe in the redemption of others. Some of it is because they are confronting their inner demons. If they don’t grant grace to people, how should they expect the same? However, in many discourses in an effort to preserve the status quo, people easily offer a redemption arc to those who haven’t done the work on themselves or in building hope. They’ll do the right thing because there is some selfish benefit. Adhara is right in that not everyone deserves a redemption arc. That’s on them. To get forgiveness, one has to show remorse and commit to restoring the community they harmed. 

So, that’s how I write a “villain” who is right. Though not everyone should receive forgiveness, Adhara tends to have an either/or mentality when it comes to people who are willing or unwilling participants in an unjust system. The Patron Saint and the Silver Spirit, however, leave room for hope and redemption, because each day is a new one to do the right thing.