How to Be a Villain: Evil Laughs, Secret Lairs, Master Plans, and More!!!

by Neil Zawacki

Book Overview

A delightfully evil gift, How to Be a Villain is a step-by-step guide to joining the forces of darkness. Because, though villains may never win, they sure have more fun, hatching master plans for... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0811846660
• Release Date: February 2003
• Publisher: Chronicle Books
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.79 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.3" x 0.9" x 5.0"

Customer Reviews

Not Just For Evil Doers

Are you a brand new Superhero who's just hooked up with the archenemy of your dreams? Then this book is for you. 'How to Be an Evil Villain' will help you understand your new nemesis and predict his/her preference in secret lairs and evil master plans, not to mention the tactics they will most likely use against you.

Develop your inner darkness

Have you ever felt like society has given you a bum steer, bad rap, raw deal, and, in general, the short end of the stick? Do people not afford you the respect and adulation you so richly deserve? Well, what to do? Random acts of violence? Sure, that's fun for awhile, but it will probably end you up in the hoosegow with unfavorable new friends whose main pastime is putting the screwgee to the new meat. In 'How to Be a Villain: Evil Laughs, Secret Lairs, Master Plans, and More!!!' Neil Zawacki, with suitable illustrations provided by James Dignan, presents a very thorough, informative, and witty guidebook to evil villainy and all its' facets. Chapter one gets you started by detailing the concept of evil, spelling out the benefits, and provides a helpful evil quiz to help determine if this path is for you. Also included is a guide for choosing a suitable evil name, help in defining your motives, and even aid in choosing your own, distinct evil laugh. I prefer the wail of the banshee, but to each his/her own. Chapter two deals with methods of mayhem, focusing on careers in evil. Mad scientist? Despot Dictator? Televangelist? Supreme ruler of the planet? It's all here. Also included is assistance in determining goals and objectives for whatever path you choose. In chapter three, we learn about the forces of good, examining the 'good mentality', hero types and their weaknesses, as it's important to know your enemy. When Captain Goody Two Shoes comes knocking, you'll be prepared to handle this clown in style. The fourth chapter details the tools of the trade, with an in-depth look into evil lairs, a henchman guide (winged monkeys or evil ninjas? So many choices), evil hardware (doomsday devices, secret death rays, matter transmuters, orbit mind control lasers, it's all here), and even a handy guide for evil fund raising as this stuff can be fairly costly. And, of course, there are fashion tips for the appropriate evil look and helpful advice for an evil makeover. You've got the motive, the look, knowledge of your enemy, a suitable lair, lackeys, tools of the trade, and a proper evil name, but just how do you go from disgruntled fry cook to Evil Supreme Dictator of the Earth? That's where the last chapter comes in, providing detailed instructions for developing an evil plan, even including a handy evil plan generator. So I say, for those of you pouring over old episodes of the 60's camp classic Batman, trying to cull secrets and tips, rejoice! Our time is nigh! Bwahahhahahahaha! (one suggestion from one who knows, when choosing evil lackeys to do you're bidding, avoid winged monkeys as they cool for awhile but so dang messy! And winged monkey feed sure ain't cheap.) Cookieman108

Now I Can Rule the Known World!

I saw this on a "Staff Picks" shelf at a local bookshop yesterday evening and, as I was going to meet some friends...er, lackey henchmen...for a drink I figured I'd buy it, since I was early and bookless. I probably should have stolen it, because that would be the evil thing to do, but I didn't want the hassle. Regardless of the method of acquiring it, I found this little book side-splittingly funny, as did my newly recruited minions. In a perfect send-up of the Dr. Evil/Mr. Blofeld style of villain, this book offers valuable advice on finding the perfect hideout, just the right wardrobe and developing a maniacal laugh that suits you (not to mention catchy slogans and jingles to keep your perfidiousness in the public consciousness). Also included are tips on putting together your master plan of evil, just in case you haven't really put a lot of thought yet into why and how you intend to either control or destroy the world. This little volume is a quick read, and a must for those contemplating global domination...

BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!

For those of you who, for whatever reason, have not let your evilness out, this book is for you! A lot of evil-doers start out not knowing the evil trade, well don't worry about that, this book will get you started. Wondering where you should base your evil operations? How to defeat that darned do-gooder? well wonder no more!Seriously though, this book is well worth the small price. It's surprisingly witty and funny. Perhaps some angry old hag, will take this book seriously and hate it, but if you look at as a joke it'll put a smile on your face.

Such fun

Suffering from a bad case of cabin fever and needing an escape from the news, I went out and blundered across this book at a book store ... The cover art snagged my attention and the daffy illustrations and chapter and section headings within persuaded me to buy it at once. I could just see Dr. Evil referencing this book on a daily basis as he takes on Austin Powers yet again. It's that kind of fun.