Rating: 
Summary: One of my favorite books of the year
Review: "Become a ray of darkness in an otherwise unbearably sunny day." I read that quote, and knew I immediately had to buy this book. What followed was several hours of extremely satirical humor. This book takes all the classic villain stereotypes and runs with them, showing you how to become Ming the Merciless or The Wicked Witch of the West. Since this has been a lifelong dream of mine, I quit my job and took up residence at my local dark castle. Well, not really. I'd also like to mention the artwork by James Dignan. Has he done anything else? If not, someone snatch him up, he's great!
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite books of the year
Review: "Become a ray of darkness in an otherwise unbearably sunny day." I read that quote, and knew I immediately had to buy this book. What followed was several hours of extremely satirical humor. This book takes all the classic villain stereotypes and runs with them, showing you how to become Ming the Merciless or The Wicked Witch of the West. Since this has been a lifelong dream of mine, I quit my job and took up residence at my local dark castle. Well, not really. I'd also like to mention the artwork by James Dignan. Has he done anything else? If not, someone snatch him up, he's great!
Rating: 
Summary: Uninspired, unfunny
Review: Basically a series of uninspired riffs listing traits/habits of pop culture villains. Only the most obvious insights here; few are funny even for grade school kids. Author labors to fill out various sub-headings and you find yourself skimming from heading to heading to find something fresh and funny. No luck. If you haven't been living in a cave for 50 years nothing here seems original. Book is padded out with lame drawings and other filler. Inoffensive but utterly bland.
Rating:
Summary: BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Develop your inner darkness
Review: 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
Rating:
Summary: Develop your inner darkness
Review: 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 sure ain't cheap.)
Rating: 
Summary: A Very Good Reference
Review: Having just discussed taking over the world with my friend, we found this book. I laughed the moment I saw the cover illustration with the evil laugh bwah ha ha. The section on having a career as a movie horror villain was enough to buy the book for alone. It's a hilarious piece of writing with very great drawings and excellent use of fellow evil-doers' quotes. A book that quotes C. Montgomery Burns, Darth Vader, and Keyser Sose is a very good reference. Buy this book and have a good laugh. If you don't have the money to buy it, do as it says and start an "evil lemonade stand" to raise it so you can.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Good Reference
Review: Having just discussed taking over the world with my friend, we found this book. I laughed the moment I saw the cover illustration with the evil laugh bwah ha ha. The section on having a career as a movie horror villain was enough to buy the book for alone. It's a hilarious piece of writing with very great drawings and excellent use of fellow evil-doers' quotes. A book that quotes C. Montgomery Burns, Darth Vader, and Keyser Sose is a very good reference. Buy this book and have a good laugh. If you don't have the money to buy it, do as it says and start an "evil lemonade stand" to raise it so you can.
Rating:
Summary: Uninspired, unfunny
Review: I don't know what the below reviewer is talking about. This book is absolutely hilarous! The comedy style is dry and biting, and the illustrations are great. I particularly liked the section on evil henchmen - winged monkeys or ninjas? There's also plenty of lairs, careers, and even fashion. You get the feeling that Darth Vader and Ming the Merciless would have this book on their coffee table. Get it if you have a sense of humor, otherwise you should probably stay away.
Rating:
Summary: Intelligent and Witty.
Review: I don't know what the below reviewer is talking about. This book is absolutely hilarous! The comedy style is dry and biting, and the illustrations are great. I particularly liked the section on evil henchmen - winged monkeys or ninjas? There's also plenty of lairs, careers, and even fashion. You get the feeling that Darth Vader and Ming the Merciless would have this book on their coffee table. Get it if you have a sense of humor, otherwise you should probably stay away.
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