How can you leave out
Sherlock Holmes's
nemesis Professor Moriarty, one of the first such characters, and probably the
inspiration for such later ones as
Rhas al Ghul,
Dr. Evil,
Hannibal Lecter,
Emperor Palpatine and
Richard Nixon?
My theory on the stupid hero idea is that a stupid hero is easier for the audience to empathize with than a smart one. I mean, which would get more applause, watching Obi Wan Kenobi somersault out of the pit, through the air, grab a lightsaber, and bisect Darth Maul, or watching him think about his situation for three seconds, then use The Force to give ol' Darth a massive embolism?