Top 30 villains in television history

Photo Credit: NBC

21. Sylar

Heroes only has one truly great season, but part of that is because of Sylar’s villainy. Not only is he a danger to any humans who cross his path, he’s the worst nightmare of any of the protagonists. From the get-go, he’s developed as a cannibal who “eats” the brains of the other super-powered people. Of course, by the end of the series, this is played off a bit as a joke with Sylar claiming it’s disgusting when Claire ask him if he plans to chow down on her brains.

Nonetheless, he becomes a monster that fuels nightmares as a man constantly lurking in the shadows as he hunts down people who already fear for their life.

While he was raised as an average watchmaker, the consistent assertion from his mother that he was “special” drove him to shed his former identity, Gabriel Gray, when he gained his powers. He eventually gains a thirst to get stronger which includes tracking down his fellow powered individuals to strip them of their powers and murder them. However, over time he gains a weird obsession with Claire Bennett.

Their unique relationship expertly highlights how a protagonist and antagonist can mirror each other. Sylar makes the connection first, going back to their similar childhoods and shared insecurities to demonstrate just how equal they could possibly be. Ultimately, he existed to show how all of the “heroes” had potential to be “villains” and that the truly terrifying message he left Heroes’ fans with.