Completely off topic: Is villainy fun?

November 16, 2010—I went to see "Megamind" in 3D last week. Loved the movie. But it started me thinking... why is it that villains are always so happy?

It isn't just the Joker I'm thinking about. Villains are always smiling, always happy, always laughing—"Mwa-ha-ha-ha!" Just look at all these happy, evil faces:

Wicked Witch of the West	Lex Luthor
Snidely Whiplash	Richard Nixon
Emperor Palpatine	Evil
Cruella de Ville	Doctor Evil
Adolf Hitler	Galaxhar
Killer Klown	Jack Nicholson
Maleficent	Satan

See what I mean? Happy, carefree people... er... beings, obviously living rich, fulfilling lives.

What about the heroes—are they happy? Well, when was the last time you saw Superman smiling? Batman? Iron Man?

Jeez, what a bunch of sourpusses!

So I have to ask: What do villains know that we don't know?

P.S.—There's one hero who breaks the mold: Errol Flynn's Robin Hood is clearly having a great time.

What's his secret? He doesn't take himself too seriously. That's an example I ought to follow more often. It's good to stop every once in awhile, chuckle ruefully, and mutter, "Jeez, Baird, you are so full of it!" I should do it more often.

I guess this post is a start. ;-)