Archetype:Dark Lord

Dark Lord
Sauron (Tolkienverse), the Enemy of the Free-Peoples of Middle-Earth and Dark Lord of Mordor.
Archetype of:	Embody the Dark Lord archetype.

"We take what we desire because we can. We can because we have power. We have power because we are Sith."

― A Sith Proverb (Star Wars)

"How many times must we face your kind? Would-be conquerors and master races, so full of your own superiority you will not see reason or hear the voice of sanity?!"

― Martian Manhunter (DC Comics)

"I am power unlike any you have known: absolute, infinite, and unrelenting. You have no choice but to prepare for a long dark future as my subjects - and my slaves."

― Darkseid, Superman: The Animated Series, "Apokolips...Now! (Part 2)"

"A gift can often be a curse. Give someone wings, and they may fly too close to the Sun. Give them the power of prophecy, and they may live in fear of the future. Give them the greatest gift of all, powers beyond imagination, and they may think they're meant to rule the world."

― Charles Xavier (X-Men: Apocalypse)

"The people of the world are builders. But look into their hearts, and you will find they also have the power to destroy. I am that power. I am destruction. And I WILL destroy you."

― Makuta Teridax (Bionicle)

"I have gathered the will to return under no name but my own, to champion withered Tevinter and correct this Blighted world. Beg that I succeed, for I have seen the throne of the gods, and it was empty."

― Corypheus (Dragon Age Inquisition)

"If that's the case, how should I, as a "Sage", live my life? When I first saw the Hero, I knew what I had to do. As the wisest person, to guide the Hero and fight together, and after destroying the Demon King, I will correct this absurd world. To give all humans a way of life worthy of their blessings. To manage the world and embody the will of the supreme god Demis. I was not born for a trivial purpose in the world, such as reviving my family's name. My father's dreams, my dead brother whose face I never knew, are just miscellaneous matters that add no meaning to my life. I was born to rule the world and become the wisest emperor."

― Ares Srowa (Shin no Nakama janai to Yuusha no Party wo Oidasareta node, Henkyou de Slow Life suru Koto ni shimashita)

The archetype for characters best described as a Dark Lord. This page is not a power, but instead the definition of a character trope that generally has powers. Opposite to True Hero.

Also Called

• Dark King/Queen
• Dark Lady
• Dark Master
• Evil Overlord/Overlady

Properties

The user is a Dark Lord, a being of darkness usually seeks to rule or destroy the universe around them. A powerful evil being who viciously rules over lesser evil beings and desire to rule their respective existence and corrupt as well as destroy everything they touch. They possess malevolent abilities and often command fiendish minions. These individuals also love to seduce others to join their side and then use them for their own hellish purposes. Anyone can be a Dark Lord; some are human, many have demonic natures and certain holders of the title are actually manifestations of the Devil himself.

Note: Not all Dark Lords are considered to be evil, hate-filled, or satanic-like, some of them may have use the power of Dark Lord for benevolent means. And they don’t have to literally be called Dark Lords In-Universe, as long as they resemble or act like one.

Associated Powers

• Blood Power: In all its power, blood, by its concept, can produce endless life energy in its form that can reach even to its supernatural natures, can grant its user a wide variety of powers, including being its own catalyst for blood magic.
• Blue Blood: The Dark Lord can be characters often play more active roles, than their regal superiors, many with great purpose, dignity and elegance that comes with their title. (Varies)
• Boundless Influence/Overwhelming Influence: Dark lords have influence over their subjects, army's and even the world.
• Curse Physiology: Some user's physiology may be cursed.
• Dark Heart: Dark Lords have the most corrupted of hearts and some may not have hearts at all
• Dark Power: users possess an extraordinary dark power; a primordial element of cosmic balance that derives all abilities even to its source of darkness. In all its power darkens by its concept can produce endless levels of illumination that come from mundane and esoteric/supernatural nature all of which can oppose all things light.
• Devil Soul: Some may have become Dark Lords via satanic possession, thus becoming either vessels or literal manifestations of the original Dark Lord.
• Dark Deity Soul: Some may have dark divine possession, thus becoming literal in dark godhood.
• Dark Divinity: Some Dark Lords possess immense dark divine powers.
• Dark Science: Wield all types of Dark and Neutral sciences.
• Divine Slayer: May have training/ability to slay divine entities.
• Emotional Infection: Some users are capable of inducing and tainting multiple beings with the most destructive emotions.
• Esoteric Power: Use various and powerful esoteric abilities.
  • Esoteric Psionics: Users can utilize esoteric energy or force to grant themselves psychic abilities like extrasensory perception, telepathy, telekinesis, etc.
• Genius: the user has a nearly unrivaled intellect that allows them to create plots and schemes that benefit them.
• Immortality: Some users gain eternal life.
• Invulnerability: Users are usually impervious to conventional attacks and weaponry.
• Magic/Dark Arts/White-Dark Arts: Wield all types of Dark and Neutral magic.
  • Anger Magic: Use magic to induce anger in others.
  • Apocalyptic Magic: Master the most Apocalyptic magic.
  • Chaos Magic: Master the most chaotic magic.
  • Corruption Magic: Use magic to corrupt others.
  • Curse Magic: Use magic to cast curses.
  • Dark Alchemy: Use magic to create Dark elixirs and potions.
    • Ultimate Alchemy: Use immensely powerfully alchemy.
  • Death Magic: Use magic to unleash death.
  • Demonic Magic: Master hellish magic.
    • Sin Magic: Use magic to make others commit unforgivable sins.
    • Hell-Fire Magic: Use magic to manipulate Hell-Fire.
  • Destruction Magic: Use magic to unleash destruction.
  • Entropy Magic: Use magic to unleash entropy.
  • Fear Magic: Use magic to strike fear.
  • Inner Beast Magic: Use magic to unleash inner beasts.
  • Madness Magic: Use magic to induce insanity.
  • Necromancy: Use magic that revolves around the dead
  • Nether Magic: Master the essence that flows through the realms of the living and the dead.
  • Nightmare Magic: Use magic to bring the worst nightmares to life.
  • Occultism Mastery: Users, either innately or through training, are masters of occult phenomena and all their myriad forms, allowing them to perceive and understand occultism like no other and learn and master virtually any effect and school of occultism with outstanding ease.
  • Pain Magic: Use magic to inflict pain.
  • Possession Magic: Use magic of possession.
  • Shadow Magic: Use magic to unleash darkness.
  • Void Magic: Use magic to create a void of nothingness.
  • War Magic: Use magic to wage war.
• Master of All: excelling at virtually everything which adds on to their position of power.
• Malefic Authority: Have authority over dark entity and beings
• Necro Power: have unlimited control over necromantic power.
• Nigh-Omnipotence: Dark Lords tend to possess God-like powers.
  • Dark Energy Manipulation: Control dark energy.
  • Darkness Manipulation: Many users wield vast dark powers.
  • Absolute Psionics: Dark Lords are known to have many mental abilities.
    • Astral Manipulation
    • Extrasensory Perception
    • Psychic Power
    • Telekinesis: Manipulate any/all forms of matter mentally.
    • Teleportation
    • Telepathy: Send thoughts as messages across great distances.
      • Mental Manipulation: Control the minds of virtually anyone.
  • Dark Force Manipulation/Negative Forces Manipulation/Nether Manipulation
  • Curse Manipulation
  • Energy Manipulation
    • Omni-Energy Manipulation
  • Dark Chi/Aura Manipulation
• Self-Resurrection: Even if destroyed, users can return to life.
• Magic Power: Possess immense and great magic power.
  • Magical Psionics: The user can use magical forces/powers to stimulate or simulate psychic powers.
• Setup Fighter: user is a master of traps and unfair fighting that gives them an advantage.
• Transcendent Mortal Physiology: user a human of incredible power.
• Transcendent Monster Physiology: Some users may be a monster of immeasurable power.
• True Power: Some users may have untapped power within themselves.
• Unfreedom Manipulation: Some Users can manipulate and take the freedom of their subjects and servants make them obey their will regardless of what they ask.
• Warrior Ruler: the dark lord will often be a warrior of great status.

Relationships

• Dark God: The Dark Lord may be a Deity of immense dark powers.
• Tyrant: The Dark Lord is naturally connected to Tyranny. The story's placement of Dark Lords is common to be tyrants of their worlds.
• Ruler: Dark Lords typically, as the name suggests, lord over others.
• The Devil/Satanic Entity: The Devil has served as the main inspiration for many Dark Lords, and often Satan is depicted as a Dark Lord himself.
• Antichrist: The Antichrist is described as a Dark Lord-esque figure.

Variations

• Assailant
• Dark Father
• Demon King

Flaws/Weaknesses

• Will be opposed by Benevolent forces.
• True Hero has more than what it takes to defeat the Dark Lord.
• Can be blinded by pride and vanity.
• Might be equal or in servitude to a more powerful being (another Dark Lord, a Transcendent Demon or a Satanic Figure).
• Redemption voids the power.

Example Characters

See Also: Evil Overlord.

Anime/Manga/Manhwa

• Eren Yeager (Attack on Titan); after becoming the Founding Titan
• Naga (Bakugan: Battle Brawlers)
• Barodius (Bakugan: Battle Brawlers)
• Dharak (Bakugan: Battle Brawlers)
• Wiseman/Coredegon (Bakugan: Battle Brawlers)
• The God Hand (Berserk)
  • Femto/Griffith
• The Dark Triad (Black Clover)
  • Dante Zogratis
  • Vanica Zogratis
  • Zenon Zogratis
• Lucifero (Black Clover)
• Lucius Zogratis (Black Clover)
• Sosuke Aizen (Bleach)
• Yhwach (Bleach)
• Satan (Blue Exorcist)
• Aion (Chrono Crusade)
• Muzan Kibutsuji (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba)
• Ryo Asuka (Devilman Crybaby)
• Several Digimon (Digimon series)
• King Piccolo (Dragon Ball)
• Garlic Jr. (Dragon Ball Z)
• Frieza (Dragon Ball series)
• Lord Slug (Dragon Ball Z)
• Cooler (Dragon Ball Z)
• Babidi (Dragon Ball Z)
• Super Buu (Dragon Ball Z)
• Janemba (Dragon Ball Z)
• Goku Black (Dragon Ball Super)
• Future Zamasu (Dragon Ball Super)
• Moro (Dragon Ball Super)
• Dark Kings (Super Dragon Ball Heroes)
  • Mechikabura
  • Fu
  • Demigra
• The Black King (Drifters)
• Vearn (Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai)
• Dwight Hardvelt (The Executed Sage is Reincarnated as a Lich)
• Hades/Precht Gaebolg (Fairy Tail)
• Zeref Dragneel (Fairy Tail)
• Acnologia (Fairy Tail)
• Mard Geer Tartaros (Fairy Tail)
• Alucard (Hellsing)
• Leaders of the Old Satan Faction (Highschool DxD)
  • Creuserey Asmodeus
  • Katerea Leviathan
  • Shalba Beelzebub
• Naraku (Inuyasha)
• DIO Brando (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure series)
• Kars (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part II: Battle Tendency)
• Ryomen Sukuna (Jujutsu Kaisen)
• Kenjaku (Jujutsu Kaisen)
• Ragyō Kiryūin (Kill La Kill)
• Akuma Shogun (Kinnikuman)
• Ryner Lute (The Legend of the Legendary Heroes); via Alpha Stigma
• Queen Esmerelda (Magical Witch Punie-chan)
• All For One (My Hero Academia)
• Tomura Shigaraki (My Hero Academia)
• Obito Uchiha (Naruto)
• Madara Uchiha (Naruto)
• Kaguya Ōtsutsuki (Naruto)
• Sasuke Uchiha (Naruto)
• Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki (Naruto)
• Isshiki Ōtsutsuki (Boruto: Naruto Next Generations)
• Jura (Boruto: Two Blue Vortex)
• Blackbeard/Marshall D. Teach (One Piece)
• Kaidou (One Piece)
• Big Mom (One Piece)
• Boros (One Punch Man)
• Lord Orochi (One Punch Man)
• Lucia Raregroove (Rave Master)
• Queen Beryl (Sailor Moon)
• The Demon King (The Seven Deadly Sins)
• Dark Oak/Lucas (Sonic X)
• The Anti-Spiral (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann)
• Midora (Toriko)
• Joie (Toriko)
• Acacia (Toriko)
• Neo (Toriko)
• Various Characters (TYPE-MOON)
• Yami Bakura (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
• Yami Marik (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
• Zorc, The Dark One (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
• Nightshroud (Yu-Gi-Oh! GX)
• Zarc (Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V)

Comics

• Darkseid (DC Comics)
• Trigon (DC Comics)
• Lucifer Morningstar (DC Comics)
• The Batman Who Laughs (DC Comics)
• Ultraman (DC Comics)
• Barbatos (DC Comics)
• The Other/Lucrezia Mongfish (Girl Genius)
• Jamis (The Iluvian Cycle)
• Thanos (Marvel Comics)
• Dormammu (Marvel Comics)
• Kang the Conqueror (Marvel Comics)
• Mephisto (Marvel Comics)
• Surtur (Marvel Comics)
• Hela (Marvel Comics)
• Morgana Le Fay (Marvel Comics)
• En Sabah Nur/Apocalypse (Marvel Comics)
• Nathaniel Essex/Mister Sinister (Marvel Comics)
• Uma (Marvel Comics)
• Naga Sadow (Star Wars Legends)
• Exar Kun (Star Wars Legends)
• Darth Krayt (Star Wars Legends)
• Oroku Saki/Shredder (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Cartoons

• Ozai (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
• Vaatu (The Legend of Korra)
• Unalaq (The Legend of Korra); as the Dark Avatar
• Vilgax (Ben 10 series)
• Aggregor (Ben 10: Ultimate Alien)
• Makuta Teridax (Bionicle)
• Pariah Dark (Danny Phantom)
• Viren (The Dragon Prince)
• Aravos (The Dragon Prince)
• Van Kleiss (Generator Rex)
• Black Knight (Generator Rex)
• Ke-Pa (Kung Fu Panda: Legend of Awesomeness)
• Jindiao (Kung Fu Panda: Paws of Destiny)
• White Bone Demon (Kung Fu Panda: Paws of Destiny)
• The Overlord (Lego Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu)
• The Dark Lord (Animator vs Animation)
• Lord Garmadon (Lego Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu)
• Various villains (My Little Pony)
• Emperor Belos/Philip Wittebane (The Owl House)
• Emperor of the Night (Pinocchio and the Emperor of The Night)
• HIM (Powerpuff Girls)
• Aku (Samurai Jack)
• Megatron/Galvatron (Transformers)
• Unicron (Transformers)
• The Fallen/Megatronus (Transformers)
• Night Master (Yin Yang Yo!)
• Lord Darkar (Winx Club)

Religion/Folklore/Mythology

• Seven Princes of Hell (Abrahamic Religion)
  • Lucifer/Satan
• Izanami-no-Mikoto (Shinto Mythology)
• Chernobog (Slavic Mythology)
• Angra Mainyu/Ahriman (Zoroastrianism)

Literature

• Kronos (Camp Half-Blood Chronicles)
• Arawn Death-Lord (The Chronicles of Prydain)
• Horned King (The Chronicles of Prydain: The Book of Three)
• Cthulhu (Cthulhu Mythos)
• Crimson King (Dark Tower)
• Shadow Lord (Deltora Quest')
• Count Dracula (Dracula)
• Kludd/Metal Beak (Guardians of Ga’Hoole)
• Nyra (Guardians of Ga’Hoole)
• Tom Riddle/Lord Voldemort (Harry Potter)
• Ineluki the Storm King (Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn)
• Darth Bane (Star Wars Legends)
• Darth Plagueis (Star Wars Legends)
• Lumiya (Star Wars Legends)
• Darth Caedus (Star Wars Legends)
• Melkor/Morgoth (Tolkienverse)
• Sauron (Tolkienverse)
• Galbatorix ("The Inheritance Cycle")

Live Television/Movies

• Jafar (Aladdin); after wishing to become a sorcerer
• The Horned King (The Black Cauldron)
• The Master (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
• The Source of All Evil (Charmed)
• Satan (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina)
• Darkseid (DC Extended Universe)
• Mandrake (Epic)
• Chernobog (Fantasia)
• The Night King (Game of Thrones)
• King Ghidorah (Godzilla/Monsterverse)
• Battra (Godzilla)
• Xiliens (Godzilla)
• Hades (Hercules)
• Drago Bludvist (How to Train Your Dragon 2)
• Kai (Kung Fu Panda 3)
• The Lord of Darkness (Legend)
• Dormammu (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
• Agtha Harkness (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
• Wanda Maxminoff/Scarlet Witch (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
• Morgana Pendragon (Merlin)
• King Ghidorah (MonsterVerse)
• Dark Ones (Once Upon a Time)
  • Rumplestiltskin
• The Black Fairy (Once Upon a Time)
• Davy Jones (Pirates of the Caribbean)
• Blackbeard (Pirates of the Caribbean)
• Lord Zedd (Power Rangers series)
• Dark Spector (Power Rangers In Space)
• Master Org (Power Rangers Wild Force)
• Lothor (Power Rangers Ninja Storm)
• Octomus the Master (Power Rangers Mystic Force)
• Master Xandred (Power Rangers Samurai)
• Serrator (Power Rangers Samurai)
• Pitch Black (Rise of the Guardians)
• Volcazar (Ronal the Barbarian)
• Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)
• Dark Lords of the Sith (Star Wars)
  • Darth Sidious/Emperor Sheev Palpatine
  • Darth Maul
  • Count Dooku/Darth Tyranus
  • Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader
• Morgana Le Fay (The Sorcerer's Apprentice)
• Lucifer (Supernatural)
• Gunmar (Tales of Arcadia)
• General Morando (Tales of Arcadia)
• Morgana (Tales of Arcadia)
• Queen Bavmorda (Willow)

Video Games

• Yuuki Terumi (Blazblue)
• Dracula Vlad Tepes (Castlevania)
• Soma Cruz (Castlevania)
• Gabriel Belmont/Dracula (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow)
• Lords of Shadow (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow)
• Satan (Castlevania: Lords of Shadow)
• Uka Uka (Crash Bandicoot)
• Jedah (Darksiders)
• The Chosen Undead (Dark Souls)
• Lord of Hollows (Dark Souls III)
• Mundus (Devil May Cry)
• Argosax (Devil May Cry 2)
• Vergil/Urizen (Devil May Cry)
• Diablo (Diablo)
• Davoth/Dark Lord (Doom Eternal)
• Corypheus (Dragon Age)
• Various Villains (Dragon Quest)
• Father (Fallout 4)
• Garland (Final Fantasy)
• Chaos (Final Fantasy/Dissidia)
• Emperor Mateus (Final Fantasy II)
• Cloud of Darkness (Final Fantasy III)
• Golbez (Final Fantasy IV)
• Zemus (Final Fantasy IV)
• Exdeath (Final Fantasy V)
• Kefka Palazzo (Final Fantasy VI)
• Sephiroth (Final Fantasy VII series)
• Ultimecia (Final Fantasy VIII)
• Yu Yevon (Final Fantasy X)
• Various Villains (Final Fantasy XI)
• Caius Ballad (Final Fantasy XIII-2)
• Various Villains (Final Fantasy XIV)
• Ardyn Izunia (Final Fantasy XV)
• Ultima (Final Fantasy XVI)
• Medusa (Kid Icarus)
• Hades (Kid Icarus: Uprising)
• Ansem, Seeker of Darkness (Kingdom Hearts)
• Master Xehanort (Kingdom Hearts)
• Thirteen True Darknesses (Kingdom Hearts)
• Orochi (The King of Fighters)
• Saiki (The King of Fighters)
• Otoma=Raga (The King of Fighters)
• Void Termina (Kirby Star Allies)
• Veigo (League of Legends)
• Mordekaiser (League of Legends)
• Jericho Swain (League of Legends)
• Aatrox (League of Legends)
• Malefor (The Legend of Spyro)
• Demise (The Legend of Zelda)
• Ganon/Ganondorf (The Legend of Zelda)
• Ghirahim (The Legend of Zelda)
• Zant (The Legend of Zelda)
• Shao Kahn (Mortal Kombat)
• Shang Tsung (Mortal Kombat)
• Shinnok (Mortal Kombat)
• Quan Chi (Mortal Kombat)
• Wizeman (NiGHTS)
• Overlords (Overlord)
• Dark Lord (Ragnarok)
• Various Demon Lords (Shin Megami Tensei)
  • Lucifer
  • Beelzebub
  • Jezebel
  • King of Bel
  • Abel
• Lord Kaos (Skylanders)
• Black Doom (Sonic the Hedgehog)
• Nightmare (Soul Calibur)
• Darth Revan (Star Wars Legends)
• Darth Malak (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic)
• Darth Traya (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II)
• Darth Nihilus (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II)
• Darth Sion (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II)
• Vitiate/Valkorion/Tenebrae (Star Wars: The Old Republic)
• M. Bison (Street Fighter)
• Tabuu (Super Smash Bros. Brawl)
• Dharkon (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)
• Emperor Antares (Swords & Sandals)
• Kazuya Mishima (Tekken)
• Ogre (Tekken)
• Azazel (Tekken)
• Gul'dan (Warcraft series)
• Sargeras (Warcraft series)
• Kil'jaeden (Warcraft series)
• Archimonde (Warcraft series)
• Old Gods (Warcraft series)
• The Lich King (Warcraft series)
• Deathwing (Warcraft series)
• Zovaal the Jailer (Warcraft series)
• Malos (Xenoblade Chronicles 2)
• Z (Xenoblade Chronicles 3)

Tabletop Games

• Bane (Dungeons & Dragons/Forgotten Realms)
• Vecna (Dungeons & Dragons/Forgotten Realms)
• Orcus (Dungeons & Dragons/Forgotten Realms)
• Horus Lupercal (Warhammer 40K)
• Ezekyle Abaddon (Warhammer 40K)
• The Chaos Gods (Warhammer 40K)

Web Animation/Comics

• The Shadow (Ordeal)
• Thanatos (Ordeal)
• Kaine (Ordeal)
• Future Che (Ordeal)
• God of Darkness (RWBY)
• Salem (RWBY)

Gallery

Anime/Manga/Manhwa

Barodius (Bakugan: Battle Brawlers)

Dharak (Bakugan: Battle Brawlers)

The God Hand (Berserk)

Yhwach (Bleach) is the son of the Soul King, Progenitor of the Quincy race, and the Emperor of the Wandenreich, whose goal is to reshape the worlds into his own image.

Aion (Chrono Crusade)

Lucemon Falldown Mode (Digimon), the leader and strongest of the Seven Great Demon Lords.

Piedmon (Digimon Adventure) was the leader of the Dark Masters and sought to subjugate the entire Digital World.

Myotismon (Digimon Adventure) considered it his destiny to conquer the digital and human worlds.

Frieza (Dragon Ball series) is the tyrannical and dreaded Emperor of most of the Seventh Universe, as well as one of the strongest mortals in the entire multiverse.

Fu (Dragon Ball Heroes)

Mechikabura (Dragon Ball Heroes)

Lucia Raregroove (The Rave Master), the one chosen by the Five Mother of All Dark Brings and sought to destroy the Parallel World and return to the Real World.

Lucas/Dark Oak (Sonic X)

A disgraced fallen noble who happened to be born with the Blessing of Sage, Ares Srowa (Shin no Nakama janai to Yuusha no Party wo Oidasareta node, Henkyou de Slow Life suru Koto ni shimashita) became obsessed with world domination to rule the world.

Comics

Dormammu (Marvel Comics)

Surtur (Marvel Comics)

Mephisto (Marvel Comics)

Umar (Marvel Comics)

Morgan Le Fay (Marvel Comics)

Thanos (Marvel Comics)

En Sabah Nur/Apocalypse (Marvel Comics)

Nathaniel Essex/Mister Sinister (Marvel Comics)

Hela (Marvel Comics)

Cyttorak (Marvel Comics)

Darkseid (DC Comics)

The Hell Lords (Marvel Comics) are various dark beings who rule over their own dark realms.

Trigon (DC Comics)

Yuga Khan (DC Comics)

Richard Swift/The Shade (DC Comics)

Circe (DC Comics)

Naga Sadow (Star Wars Legends), Master Sith Alchemist and Dark Lord of the Sith who took the Sith Empire to the brink of galactic domination in the Great Hyperspace War.

Exar Kun (Star Wars Legends), a former Jedi Knight who fell to the Dark Side, assumed the mantle of Dark Lord of the Sith, and waged a destructive war against the Jedi Order, and the Galactic Republic during the era of the Old Sith Wars.

Darth Krayt (Star Wars Legends), founder and leader of the One Sith. He rebuilt the Sith Order and kept its existence hidden from the Jedi by cloaking their presence on Korriban.

Shredder (TMNT Comics)

Despite not being an evil and cruel person, Jamis (The Iluvian Cycle), for some unknown reasons was chosen by the God of Evil to take on the mantle as the next Knight of Darkness, one whose job is to lead evil to prevail over their battle against the forces of good.

Cartoons

Jafar (Aladdin)

Vilgax (Ben 10)

Aggregor (Ben 10)

Horned King (Black Cauldron)

Lord Tirek (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

King Sombra (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Grogar (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Lord Garmadon (Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu)

The Storm King (My Little Pony: Friendship of Magic)

Aku (Samurai Jack)

Malecifent (Sleeping Beauty)

Literature

Melkor/Morgoth (Tolkienverse), the First Dark Lord of Middle-earth, he was the greatest and most powerful of the Ainur created by Eru Ilúvatar, but rebelled against his creator out of pride and envy. He corrupted the First Great Music of the Ainur and sought to take control of Arda for himself.

Lord Voldemort/Tom Marvolo Riddle (Harry Potter) believed in blood purity, and would inflict all manner of horrors upon Muggles, Mudbloods and their allies.

Cthulhu (Cthulhu Mythos)

The Shadow Lord (Deltora Quest) scourge of the Isle of the Four Sisters and Enemy of the people of Deltora.

Darth Bane (Star Wars), The Sith'ari, and the Dark Lord of the Sith who was responsible for creating the Rule of Two.

Darth Plagueis (Star Wars), Dark Lord of the Sith obsessed with Eternal Life, he experimented with ways to cheat death and create new life from the Midi-chlorians and instructed Darth Sidious.

Lumiya (Star Wars Legends), Force-sensitive Dark Lady of the Sith.

Kronos (Percy Jackson and the Olympians), the ancient Lord of the Titans.

Video Games

Dracula (Castlevania), a Vampiric Dark Lord who declared war against mankind and God Himself.

Davoth (Doom Eternal) the Dark Lord of Hell.

Ganon/Ganondorf (The Legend of Zelda Series) is an ancient evil that is reborn time and time again.

Corypheus (Dragon Age) was an ancient Tevinter Magister who planned to achieve apotheosis and rule his newly conquered world forever.

Should the Chosen Undead (Dark Souls) refrain from linking the first flame, the Age of Fire ends, the Age of Dark begins and the Chosen undead becomes the Lord of Dark.

An unkindled who willingly accepts the dark sign and usurps the first flame becomes the Lord of Hollows (Dark Souls III).

Mundus (Devil May Cry) the Prince of Darkness, the Emperor of the Demon World.

Argosax the Chaos (Devil May Cry) the only Demon God powerful enough to challenge Mundus's throne besides the heroic Sparda.

unlike his late father and brother, Vergil (Devil May Cry) walked the path of evil in pursuit of power...

...and upon separating his human side, he completely became the Dark Lord known as Urizen.

Belial Aensland (Darkstalkers) an S+ class demon lord and original ruler of Makai before his passing.

Jedah Dohma (Darkstalkers) an S+ High noble demon of Makai.

Emperor Mateus (Final Fantasy II)

Shinnok (Mortal Kombat) a fallen Elder God who became the dark lord of the Netherrealm...

...and after immersing in the Jinsei Chamber became a true demon god.

Black Doom (Sonic the Hedgehog)

Darth Malak (Star Wars Legends), Dark Lord of the Sith during the Jedi Civil War.

Darth Nihilus (Star Wars Legends), Dark Lord of the Sith during the era of strife following the Jedi Civil War.

Wizeman (NiGHTS)

The Lich King (Warcraft series), is leader of the Undead Scourge.

A more benevolent Dark Lord, Father (Fallout 4) headed the Institute. For years the Institute instilled fear, suspicion and disbelief within the Commonwealth populace. But Father believed it was all for the good of mankind, regardless if the Sole Survivor agrees or not?

M.Bison (Street Fighter)

Movies

Lord of Darkness (Legend)

Wanda Maximoff (Marvel Cinematic Universe) thanks to succumbing to grief and being corrupted by the Darkhold became the dreaded Scarlet Witch.

Darth Sidious/Emperor Palpatine (Star Wars), Dark Lord of the Sith of the Rule of Two, his entire life was the culmination of a thousand-year plan to overthrow the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic from within, to forever subdue the Galaxy under his tyrannical rule.

Darth Maul (Star Wars) Palpatine's first apprentice and one of the formidable Sith Lord to ever live.

Count Dooku (Star Wars), a former Jedi Master who fell to the Dark Side of the Force and became a Dark Lord of the Sith, known as Darth Tyranus.

Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader (Star Wars) was the Galaxy's most well-known and feared Dark Lord of the Sith, serving as the Emperor's right-hand and chief enforcer over a decade as he hunted down and killed any and all Jedi survivors, enforced the will of the Galactic Empire as he destroyed rebellions and subjected entire star systems through military conquest.

Queen Bavmorda (Willow)

Religion

Lucifer/Satan (Biblical Abrahamic Religion history) is the most famous, and most infamous, Dark Lord in existence.

Mammon (Biblical Abrahamic Religion history)

Asmodeus (Biblical Abrahamic Religion history)

Beelzebub (Biblical Abrahamic Religion history)

Belphegor (Biblical Abrahamic Religion history)

Izanami-no-Mikoto (Shinto Mythology) became the first ever Dark Lady, after sampling the food of Yomi which monsterized her.

Chernabog (Slavic Religion)

Angra Mainyu (Zoroastrianism)

Videos

Examples & Feats

The Lord of the Rings - Opening Scene - Battle of Dagorlad 4K-2

The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug - The Enemy Revealed - Gandalf vs. Sauron - HDR - 4K - 5.1 --2

STAR WARS™- The Old Republic™ - 'Return' Cinematic Trailer

STAR WARS™- The Old Republic™ - 'Deceived' Cinematic Trailer-2

The Tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise- scene from Star Wars Episode 3 Revenge of the Sith 720p-2

Palpatine Reveals Himself

Superman vs Darkseid

World of Warcraft- Wrath of the Lich King Cinematic Trailer

ROGUE ONE Movie Clip - Krennic Visits Darth Vader Scene -4K ULTRA HD- 2016

Doom Eternal – The Dark Lord- No Damage - Nightmare - PS5-2

The Legend of Zelda- Twilight Princess HD - The Dark Lord Ganondorf's Execution Cutscene-2

The Lich Returns 1080p - Adventure Time Distant Lands-2

Fall - The Lich's Speech - Adventure Time-2

The Scarlet King - SCP-001 Animation

Fights

STAR WARS™- The Old Republic™ - 'Return' Cinematic Trailer

STAR WARS™- The Old Republic™ - 'Deceived' Cinematic Trailer-2

Star Wars- The Phantom Menace (Episode I) - Obi-Wan & Qui-Gon vs Darth Maul 4K-2

AOTC- Count Dooku vs Obi Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker & Yoda

Darth Maul & Savage Opress VS Darth Sidious-2

(HD 1080p) Mace Windu vs. Darth Sidious & Anakin Skywalker-2

Master Yoda VS Darth Sidious-2

Obi-Wan Kenobi vs Darth Vader Full Fight Scene Part 6 Finale Episode 6 Season 1 2K HD-2

Darth Vader's rage - Star Wars- Rogue One -Ending scene-

Sauron VS Lich King (Lord of the Rings VS World of Warcraft) - DEATH BATTLE!-2

Darth Vader VS Doctor Doom (Star Wars VS Marvel) - DEATH BATTLE!-2

Shao Kahn VS M. Bison (Mortal Kombat VS Street Fighter) - DEATH BATTLE!

Ganondorf VS Dracula (Zelda VS Castlevania) - DEATH BATTLE!-2

Magneto VS Darth Vader (Marvel VS Star Wars) - DBX-2

Analysis & Discussions

Morgoth- The Origins of Melkor - Tolkien Explained

Morgoth- Battles for Beleriand - Tolkien Explained

Morgoth- The War of Wrath - Tolkien Explained-2

Naga Sadow (Legends) - Star Wars Minute

Darth Malgus (Legends) - Star Wars Explained-2

Darth Plagueis (Legends) - Star Wars Explained-2

The Gruesome Origins of the Dark Lords of the Sith - Sith History -1

Why these Two BRUTAL Sith Lords Hated Each Other More than the Jedi-2

Why the Sith Lord who Invented the Double-Bladed lightsaber puts Modern Sith to SHAME-2

How One Planet-Eating Sith Lord Made Palpatine Look like a MEME - The Story of Darth Nihilus-2

The Sith who was LITERALLY too Angry to Die-2

The DISTURBED Planet Even Yoda Feared-2

Why Having two Sith was so much BETTER than Having an Army of Sith-2

The Peaceful Sith Who Simply Wanted to Make the Jedi Obsolete (Weirdest Sith Grand Plan)-2

A Study on Evil Incarnate- The Detailed Journal of Sheev Palpatine & his Ascent to Darth Sidious

Anakin Didn't 'Turn' into Darth Vader, He Always was Him- Star Wars Character Analysis

Why Anakin’s Slaughter of the Separatist Council was SO much more Important than you Think

The Reason Darth Vader Was Happy He Lost to Obi-Wan - Star Wars Explained

How Vader and Boba Fett Fought Each Other in LIGHTSABER Combat! (Legends)

Darth Caedus (Legends) Featuring Dash Star - Star Wars Minute

You Know Nothing About Kaguya..-2