Now, I will explain in detail my evil plan ...

Tom Hiddleston makes a wonderfully villainous Loki, don't you think?

I've been re-reading the "Infinity Gauntlet" comics in preparation for the next Marvel Avengers movie. Something that occurs to me is how fun it is to listen to the villain explaining their plans in excruciating detail. For one, as the reader, it lets me anticipate what the heroes are fighting against, and, for another, gives me even footing regarding the plot. Sure, it's silly for the villain to "monologue," yet there's a reason so many villains do it. Without such information, the audience is constantly playing catch-up and that is only fun in certain circumstances (such as mysteries). In comics, the audience must know the stakes or they will lose interest (and stop buying the comic books, which only provide small pieces of story in every issue).

As an author, villain monologues are a complete blast to create. There's nothing quite like having the big bad guy pontificate while believing the hero is completely at their mercy. Sure, it always ends up going wrong, but there's still a lot of fun in the process. This trope is so common, that the Avenger's movie, "Age of Ultron" actually has the villain making fun of the concept of explaining his evil plan. I laughed.

Oddly, when the hero explains their plan, nobody minds. Of course, the hero is usually working from a point of adversity, whereas the villain is causing the calamity. Yes, it's all grandstanding for the audience--basically breaking the 4th wall to show off--though I've seen it used with terrifying effect. In those occasions, knowing the plan actually sets the audience on the edge of a knife, not sure what will happen.

So, it's not always a crime to let the villain explain their plan ... it just typically goes awfully awry.

- M