Monsters, Dragons, and Villains of Movies, Myth, and Literature

Introduction

The earliest tribes of prehistoric humans were convinced there was something dangerous out there in the dark, and there have always been monsters and villains in every culture ever since. Humankind's natural curiosity draws us to the unknown, and so primitive Man told stories around the fire about bizarre creatures and dangerous spirits. Ancient peoples, from Greece to Norway, scared each other with sagas involving terrible monsters in epic struggles between good and evil. Heroes did battle against horrible creatures and, with the help of the gods, usually triumphed.

Fear is a deep and powerful emotion. Fans of horror who seek out villains and monsters face their deepest fears, and it is true we need to understand evil to know how to protect ourselves against it. We also need reassurances that good will win out in the end. Villains and monsters allow ordinary people to rise to the occasion and show the best in themselves by defeating those dark forces that threaten their lives and their values.

Vampires, ghosts, zombies, cannibals, creatures risen from the grave, wild beasts, and strange forces of nature all allow us to explore the dark side of our imaginations and confront our fear of death. Every monster's story contains a lesson in how to deal with those who try to harm us. Whether the evil is hiding in the dark ready to pounce or hunting us down, there are methods for conquering what scares us.

One of the best things about villains and monsters is that they entertain us. They provide us with the excitement of being frightened and they do things that we would never do. They remind us of the difference between right and wrong. But some people fear they might not recognize evil. This book is a guide to some of the greatest villains and monsters throughout history. Inside lurk the creatures that people fear most. The awful beast, the remorseless killer, the supernatural, and the just plain wicked are at their most enjoyable when they can be safely shut away in a book.