#denshi sentai denjiman | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

chojin-cu-chulain · 6 months

Text

Morphinverse timeline (updated)

Autumn 1977: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 1 (Himitsu Sentai Goranger Season 1)

Autumn 1978: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 2 (Himitsu Sentai Goranger Season 2), Masked Rider Season 1 (Kamen Rider Season 1)

Autumn 1979: Power Rangers Royal Flush (JAKQ Dengekitai), Masked Rider Season 2 (Kamen Rider Season 2)

Autumn 1980: Power Rangers World Strike (Battle Fever J), Masked Rider Tri (Kamen Rider V3)

Autumn 1981: Power Rangers Shine Force (Denshi Sentai Denjiman), Masked Rider Crosser (Kamen Rider X)

Autumn 1982: Power Rangers Nature Fist (Taiyou Sentai Sun Vulcan), Masked Rider Repton (Kamen Rider Amazon)

Autumn 1983: Power Rangers Five Star (Dai Sentai Goggle V), Maksed Rider Voltar (Kamen Rider Stronger)

Autumn 1984: Power Rangers Mega Assault (Kagaku Sentai Dynaman), Masked Rider Soar (Skyrider)

Autumn 1985: Power Rangers Star Force (Chodenshi Bioman), Masked Rider Supremo (Kamen Rider Super 1)

Autumn 1986: Power Rangers Mythic Fury (Dengeki Sentai Changeman), Masked Rider Alpha (Kamen Rider ZX)

Autumn 1987: Power Rangers Giga Strike (Choshinsei Flashman)

Autumn 1988: Power Rangers Solaris Crusade (Hikari Sentai Maskman)

Autumn 1989: Power Rangers Beast Assault (Choju Sentai Liveman)

Autumn 1990: Power Rangers High Octane (Kouskou Sentai Turboranger)

Autumn 1991: Power Rangers Sonic Warriors (Chikyu Sentai Fiveman)

Autumn 1992: Power Rangers Sky Partrol (Chojin Sentai Jetman)

Autumn 1993: Power Rangers Dino (Kyoru Sentai Zyuranger)

Autumn 1994: Power Rangers Thunder (Gosei Sentai Dairanger), VR Troopers Season 1 (Chojinki Metalder, Jiku Senshi Spielban)

Autumn 1995: Power Rangers Ninja (Ninja Sentai Kakuranger), VR Troopers Season 2 (Uchu Keiji Shaider, Jiku Senshi Spielban, Kyoju Tokusou Juspion, Uchu Keiji Gavan, Uchu Keiji Sharivan), Masked Rider Bio (Kamen Rider Black), Karato, and the Mega Patrol Season 1 (Kidou Keiji Jiban, Tokkei Winspector, Tokkyu Shirei Solbrain)

Autumn 1996: Power Rangers Zeo (Choriki Sentai Ohranger), VR Troopers Season 3 (Uchu Keiji Shaider, Jiku Senshi Spielban, Kyoju Tokusou Juspion, Uchu Keiji Gavan, Uchu Keiji Sharivan), Masked Rider Bio Solar (Kamen Rider Black RX, Shin Kamen Rider, Kamen Rider ZO, Kamen Rider J), Karato and the Mega Patrol Season 2 (Tokusou Robo Janperson, Tokusou Exceedraft, Blue Swat), Big Bad Beetle Borgs (Jukou B-Figther)

Autumn 1997: Power Rangers Turbo (Gekisou Sentai Carranger), Beetle Borgs Metalix (B-Fighter Kabuto), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Next Mutation, Ninjaman (Sekai Ninja Sen Jiraiya)

Autumn 1998: Power Rangers in Space (Denji Sentai Megaranger), Beetle Borgs Season 3 (B-Robo Kabutack), Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog

Autumn 1999: Power Rangers Lost Galaxy (Seju Sentai Gingaman), Beetle Borgs Season 4 (Tetsuwan Tantei Robotack), Mystic Knights Battle Thunder

Autumn 2000: Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue (Kyukyu Sentai GoGoV)

Autumn 2001: Power Rangers Time Force (Mirai Sentai Timeranger), Masked Rider Gilgamesh *(Kamen Rider Kuuga)

Autumn 2002: Power Rangers Wild Force (Hyakuju Sentai Gaoranger), Masked Rider Orpheus (Kamen Rider Agito)

Autumn 2003: Power Rangers Ninja Storm (Ninpu Sentai Hurricanger), Masked Rider Draco (Kamen Rider Ryuki)

Autumn 2004: Power Rangers Dino Thunder (Bakuryu Sentai Abaranger), Masked Rider Code 555 (Kamen Rider Faiz)

Autumn 2005: Power Rangers S.P.D. (Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger), Masked Rider Spade Ace (Kamen Rider Blade)

Autumn 2006: Power Rangers Mytic Force (Mahou Sentai Magiranger), Masked Rider Echo (Kamen Rider Hibiki)

Autumn 2007: Power Rangers Operation Overdrive (GoGo Sentai Boukenger), Masked Rider Horn (Kamen Rider Kabuto)

Autumn 2008: Power Rangers Jungle Fury (Juken Sentai Gekiranger), Masked Rider Chrono (Kamen Rider Den-O)

Autumn 2009: Power Rangers RPM (Engine Sentai Go-Onger), Masked Rider Knightmare (Kamen Rider Kiva)

Autumn 2010: Power Rangers Samurai (Samurai Sentai Shinkenger), Masked Rider Omega (Kamen RIder Decade)

Autumn 2011: Power Rangers Megaforce (Tensou Sentai Goseiger), Masked Rider Duo (Kamen Rider Double)

Autumn 2012: Power Rangers Legendary Voyage (Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger), Masked Rider Medanimal (Kamen Rider OOO)

Autumn 2013: Power Rangers Beast Morphers (Tokumei Sentai Go-Buster), Masked Rider Astro (Kamen Rider Fourze)

Autumn 2014: Power Rangers Dino Charge (Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger), Masked Rider Mystic (Kamen Rider Wizard)

Autumn 2015: Power Rangers Imagination Express (Ressha Sentai Toqger), Masked Rider Seed Samurai (Kamen Rider Gaim)

Autumn 2016: Power Rangers Ninja Steel (Shuriken Sentai Ninninger), Masked Rider Pursuit (Kamen Rider Drive)

Autumn 2017: Power Rangers Wild Crusaders (Dobustu Sentai Zyohger), Masked Rider Spirit (Kamen Rider Ghost)

Autumn 2018: Power Rangers Cosmic Fury (Uchu Sentai Kyuranger), Masked Rider Jump (Kamen Rider Ex-Aid)

Autumn 2019: Power Rangers Night Robbers vs Power Rangers United Patrol (Kaito Sentai Lupinranger vs Keisatsu Sentai Patranger), Masked Rider Mix Master (Kamen Rider Build)

Autumn 2020: Power Rangers Dino Fury (Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger), Masked Rider Monarch (Kamen Rider Zi-O)

Autumn 2021: Power Rangers Crystal Cruisers (Mashin Sentai Kiramager), Masked Rider Andro (Kamen Rider Zero One)

Autumn 2022: Power Rangers Mighty Morphbots (Kikai Sentai Zenkaiger), Masked Rider Story Knight (Kamen Rider Saber)

Autumn 2023: Power Rangers Cyber Safari (Avataro Sentai Donbrothers), Masked Rider D.N.Avenger (Kamen Rider Revice)

Autumn 2024: Power Rangers Royal Swarm (Ohsama Sentai Kingohger), Masked Rider Revulpe (Kamen Rider Geats)

#power rangers #vr troopers #masked rider #beetleborgs #teenage mutant ninja turtles #mystic knights #super sentai #kamen rider #metal hero #fan fiction #alternate universe

12 notes · View notes

twistedtummies2 · 2 years

Text

Top 15 Portrayals of the Evil Queen

If you know me well by now, then you know that I absolutely love fairy-tales, and the many different ways they can be reinterpreted. The villains of fairy-tales are a big part of why they remain so indelible and so often reimagined. While the Big Bad Wolf is arguably the most archetypal and popular among such characters, there is at least one other antagonist who might be considered the ultimate fairy-tale bad guy…rather, bad gal. I am of course referring to Snow White’s nemesis, the Evil Queen. The Queen is one of the more intriguing villains in fairy-tales: so obsessed with her own vanity is she that, in her quest to become The Fairest in the Land, she will not only resort to trying to murder her own angelic stepdaughter, but she is also willing to make herself seem uglier to achieve her goal. With the aid of her oracular Magic Mirror, she is an almost omniscient force in the tale of Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, and one of the most cunning baddies in the canon of the Brothers Grimm. More often than not, in numerous adaptations, the Queen is treated as the nominal star of the show, even beyond Snow White herself: this is the part handed to particularly reputable actresses, this is the role that typically gets the most focus (even more than the Dwarfs, let alone Snow White herself), and this is the character that audiences appear to look forward to seeing in action more than any other. The Queen is usually my personal favorite character in many of these adaptations, as well, so I think it’s time I give her some proper credit! So, with that said, grab an apple to snack on (make sure it isn’t poisoned), and allow me to share My Top 15 Portrayals of the Evil Queen!

15. Monica Belucci, from The Brothers Grimm (2005).

This movie is a hot mess, but it’s kind of a fun hot mess. “The Brothers Grimm” tells the story of the titular characters - hyper-fictionalized versions of the actual Brothers Grimm themselves, who are here depicted as con-artists who end up being roped into solving a series of strange disappearances in a small town. The things they encounter on the way end up being the inspirations for some of their most famous fairy-tales. Case in point: the evil force behind all of these kidnappings and vanishings is a being known as “The Mirror Queen.” Long ago, the Queen was a good ruler, famed for both her beauty and her fairness of spirit…but she became vain and selfish, essentially suffering from good ol’ fashioned “I Am The Hype Syndrome,” as I like to call it. When a terrible plague swept over the land, the Queen hid herself away in a tower a-la Rapunzel, and used a mysterious spell to make herself immortal. However, she did not gain eternal youth; her beauty only visible in her reflection. The Queen now must consume the life’s blood of twelve young girls in order to gain the eternal youth and beauty she craves. It is this callous, arrogant witch queen who becomes the inspiration for Snow White’s evil stepmother in the Brothers’ fictional stories. The movie, as a whole, is kind of all over place, but I always found this take on the Evil Queen to be wonderfully unsettling.

14. Queen Hedrian, from Denshi Sentai Denjiman.

“Denjiman” is an early entry in the Super Sentai franchise. For those who don’t know, Super Sentai - in a nutshell - is the Japanese version of Power Rangers: basically, “Power Rangers” takes footage and costumes from the different Sentai programs, and then changes the story, characters, and most of the actors to make it more “Americanized.” Generally speaking, most Sentai programs are a bit darker and more adult than Power Rangers can be, but both follow the same basic idea of costumed protagonists fighting rubber-suited monsters in giant mechs. The main antagonist of this series was none other than the Evil Queen, here called Queen Hedrian. The Queen is the ruler of the sinister Vader Clan (keep your Star Wars jokes to yourself). Years before the story of the series begins, Hedrian sought to conquer the kingdom of Denzi, but was repelled by our Snow White character, referred to as “the Princess of Denzi.” Although the Queen managed to destroy the kingdom, the Princess escaped, and managed to make her way to Earth with some refugees. In the show, the Queen finds her way to Earth, and the protagonists are revealed to be distant relatives of the Princess and her fellow escapees, with powers granted by their bloodline. They must now prevent their world from sharing the same fate as that of their ancestors. Hedrian’s vanity is so insanely intense, she desires to be the only beautiful thing in the entire cosmos: she can’t stand the idea of anyone or anything being more beautiful than herself, so the only way to ensure nothing overcomes her is for herself and her Vader Clan to be the only living things in the entire universe. While at times humorous in her campy antics, this Queen is nevertheless a monstrously evil opponent; while later, more modern Sentai baddies are content to simply injure and incapacitate victims, Hedrian not only kills people frequently, but also with HORRIFIC brutality. Seriously, some of the ways she mercilessly slaughters her victims in the show seem like scenarios straight out of a horror story. Even after her defeat, this Evil Queen would still not be finished, as she returned as a major antagonist in a later Sentai series, “Sun Vulcan.” (A rarity among Sentai antagonists.) If Hedrian looks familiar, it’s because her actress, Machiko Soga, would also return to play a completely different wicked witch in another show: Bandora in “Zyuranger,” a.k.a. Rita Repulsa in the original Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers. I guess she had a particular type!

13. Charlize Theron, from Snow White and the Huntsman.

I’m not really a big fan of this movie (and I haven’t seen the sequel, in case anyone was curious), but I do, without shame, admit that I rather like the film’s take on the Evil Queen. Here named Queen Ravenna, this merciless monarch is a dark enchantress, who - at a young age - suffered great loss due to a cruel and ambitious king. The tragedies of her youth caused Ravenna to become a cold-blooded and heartless woman, obsessed with her own power and exceptionally vain. She seduces the good King Magnus - Snow White’s father - and eventually kills him after they marry, thus becoming ruler of the land. After locking Snow White in a tower, Ravenna begins to consume the youth and lifeforce of various people around the kingdom, using her magic to remain beautiful and young forever. It’s implied she has lived for a hundred years or more…but a prophecy that one of “fairest blood” (three guesses who that is) ultimately leads to the wicked queen’s downfall. While I had mixed feelings about some of the liberties this film took with the original story, and I’m not a fan of Kristen Stewart as Snow White, Theron’s performance as Ravenna is truly wonderful. She’s easily one of the most menacing and wonderfully icy versions of the Queen ever put to the silver screen. To be blunt, she makes this movie.

12. Majorina, from Smile! Pretty Cure (a.k.a. Brooha, from Glitter Force).

“Smile! Pretty Cure” (or “Glitter Force,” as its known in the English Dub version) is a “Magical Girl” anime with a fairy-tale motif. The motif is most clearly expressed through its villains, the Bad End Generals, who are all different villains from fairy-tales. First, there’s the Big Bad Wolf: in Japan he’s called Wolfrun, in English he’s called Ulric. Then there’s Akaoni, who in the Japanese version is the Oni Chieftan from the folktale of Momotaro; in the English version, the character is renamed “Brute,” and instead is indicated to be the Troll from The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Finally, there is Majorina (or Brooha, as she’s called in Glitter Force), who, of course, is the Evil Queen from Snow White. The trio work together (along with an original villain, a dark jester) to try and resurrect an evil emperor, so they can, of course, take over the world. There’s a bit of sympathy with the Generals, as their evil plans are born from bitterness. They’re tired of being loathed and feared, and see the world as an unforgiving and cruel place. They basically just want their own happy endings. For most of the series, instead of appearing as a radiant sorceress, Majorina takes the form of a dwarfish hag. She can only take on her true, more glamorous form for limited periods of time, and thus only becomes the beautiful queen we all know and love to hate when she needs to unleash her power to the fullest. I guess if I had to be stuck looking like a diseased munchkin for the majority of my life, I’d be sour about it, too.

11. Vanessa Redgrave, from Faerie Tale Theatre.

“Faerie Tale Theatre” was a television series from the 1980s, hosted by Shelley Duvall, which featured major celebrity actors in televised productions of various classic fairy-tales. The episodes were done in a deliberately theatrical, stage-play-esque style, hence the title of the series. In the episode based on “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” legendary actress Vanessa Redgrave tackled the role of the Evil Queen. This is a master class in how to be about as over-the-top as any performer CAN be, and yet somehow make things work: there is nothing even remotely subtle about Redgrave’s Queen, but that’s kind of what makes her fun. She still captures all the glamor and unhinged danger the character requires, but there’s also a great deal of humor to the character, and Redgrave’s bombastic, flamboyant performance helps to balance the menace and the comedy beautifully. This is one of the first versions I think of when I think of the Evil Queen: it’s melodrama of the absolute highest order, sometimes to a hysterical degree, but that’s part of the charm. As utterly insane as this portrayal may be, there’s certainly never a dull moment whenever the Evil Queen is onscreen…this may partially be due to the fact Vincent Price, of all people, plays the Magic Mirror, but I digress.

10. Diana Rigg, from Snow White (1987).

This was the fifth in a series of movies collectively called “Cannon Movie Tales”: a collection of low-budget musicals based on famous fairy-tales, released between 1986 and 1989. I haven’t seen all of these films, but the quality of them seems to range from “meh” to “bleh.” Snow White is on the upper end of the scale in “meh” territory, and a big part of what holds the film above the water is Diana Rigg’s inimitable performance as the Queen. Rigg’s Evil Queen is a decidedly campy take on the character, but the actress is able to bring a certain amount of dignity and even a bit of a creepy presence to the role. Donning a variety of grandiose costumes, each more over-the-top than the last, and with her own villain song to boot (not a very good one, mind you, but Rigg - no stranger to musical theatre - sells it as best she can), she is by far the best part of the story. Her Magic Mirror is a wonderfully unnerving take on the device as well, surrounded by gargoyle-like faces and with a strange spinning glass pane. SPOILER ALERT: Rigg also gets a surprisingly brutal death scene. Towards the end of the film, she becomes so enraged that she flings a makeup jar at the Magic Mirror. This causes the mirror to slowly crack and break apart. As it cracks, first her outfit starts to fall apart at the seams...then she starts to age, turning into a REAL hag. Finally, as the Mirror ultimately shatters, she EXPLODES into dust. It’s actually pretty freaky, and it’s just another part of what makes Rigg’s vainglorious Queen such a show-stealer.

9. The Version from “Grimms Notes: The Animation.”

This twelve-episode anime (apparently meant to be the first season of a longer show, but it doesn't look like a second season will be out anytime soon) is based on the (now defunct) video game "Grimms Notes." The plot revolves around a group of adventurers who have the power to transform themselves into fairy-tale characters, and use their abilities to combat evil. As they go on their merry way, they encounter these different fairy-tale characters, and either help them or do battle with them, depending on the scenario. My favorite episode by far is the Snow White story, and a big part of the reason why comes from the Evil Queen. In the universe of "Grimms Notes," there isn't just one Evil Queen or Snow White: there have been many through the generations. After being fed the poison apple, each Snow White is forced by fate to arrange the death of their own mother. It's this act of revenge that sets up their eventual change into the next Evil Queen, and the vicious cycle continues. The “Snow White” episode has the cycle being threatened, as the current Evil Queen discovers the time has come to play out her story, and tries to arrange the death of her own daughter...but no matter what she tries, Snow White not only fails to die, but never once comes to hate her own mother. The idea of combating one’s fate is a constant throughout Grimms Notes, but nowhere is it more powerful than the Snow White episode, and through the character of the Evil Queen. I unfortunately couldn't find a credit for the Queen's voice actress, but whoever it is, they do a bang-up job, bringing the right amount of sinister regality and tragic vulnerability to the part.

8. Dianne Wiest, from The 10th Kingdom.

Given the real name of “Christine White,” this is one of the more sympathetic portrayals of the Evil Queen out there, though she still remains a powerful and dangerous foe. In this absolutely MAMMOTH-sized miniseries, it is not Snow White that the Queen seeks to destroy, but rather a different young woman: in fact, she isn’t even the same Evil Queen we all know. It is revealed that an aged hag, simply called “The Swamp Witch,” was the original Queen, and it was she who tried to assassinate Snow White. Christine became a student of the Witch, and took her place as the Evil Queen of the fairy-tale world. Cold and calculating, she is a regal but absolutely bloodthirsty woman who has no qualms about killing anybody who gets in her way, including her own daughter, Virginia. While her backstory is tragic - a twisted story of betrayal and subterfuge - she is nevertheless a terrifying figure, with many minions and much magic to help her on her quest to destroy her enemies and regain power over the kingdom she lost many, many years ago. All the same, you feel sort of bad for her when she is ultimately defeated, and it’s worth pointing out that she is buried with respect and dignity, despite her cruel misdeeds, once she meets her final fate. It’s a rather different take on the character, but it’s a great one nonetheless.

7. The Queen of Fables, from DC.

Most people will (in my opinion, unfortunately) know of this character thanks to her appearance as a major antagonist in the “Harley Quinn” animated comedy series. I am not a fan of that series, and I am especially not a fan of its depiction of this character. I know the show is largely meant to be an adult humor parody, but all the same, it’s just not my thing, and it legitimately bothers me that the chances are high that most mainstream audiences will only know of the Queen of Fables for that specific rendition. So I will ignore that series and focus on the comics: in the comics, the Queen of Fables - real name Tsaritsa - is a recurring adversary of the Justice League, and especially of Wonder Woman. She is, indeed, the legendary Evil Queen who tormented Princess Snow White. Instead of being killed at the end of their conflict, however, the Queen was imprisoned in a magical book, only to be released centuries later. Upon being set free, the Queen seeks revenge against Wonder Woman - whom she believes to be the reincarnation of her fabled nemesis - leading to a myriad of conflicts with the JLA. The Queen has the power to bring to life various figures from fairy-tales, turning characters from classic fantasy into hideous beings of reality. From Big Bad Wolves to Candy-House Witches, she can make every danger the world of make-believe can offer up into horrifying truth. I absolutely love this villainess in the comics; in my opinion, she’s one of the most underrated villains in the DC Universe. I think there’s a lot of untapped potential for this character, and the motifs and concepts of her world, along with her marvelously grandiose personality, can make for some very fun story material if handled properly. It’s honestly shocking to me that the Harley Quinn series, so far, is the only real time she’s made it to anything BESIDES the comics, and like I said, that version does NOT do this diabolical enchantress any justice. If you haven’t read any of her stories in the comics, look them up; trust me, you will not regret it.

6. Anne Francine & Charles Hall, from Snow White Live!

Made to save the legendary Radio City Music Hall, “Snow White Live!” (or “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Live On Stage!”, if you want to refer to it by its VERY full title) was the very first major stage production of a Disney film ever made, predating Broadway’s “Beauty and the Beast” by over ten years. It was eventually recorded for TV and released on VHS. It’s never been brought to DVD or Blu-ray, at least to date, nor even found its way to streaming services, but you CAN find the VHS recording on YouTube, if you look for it. Some of you may call bull on this one, since it’s basically just a stage version of the Disney Villain, but I feel I just HAVE to give this Queen her own separate rank. The character is played by not one, but two performers. Anne Francine - a veteran Broadway actor of the time, most recognizable onscreen for her roles in the film “Crocodile Dundee” and the T.V. show “Harper Valley PTA” - portrays the Queen herself. Francine plays the character up in the style of an old-fashioned Shakespeare villain, with wide, dramatic gestures and a booming voice. She also gives the Queen a sort of vicious wit, in contrast to the relatively straight-faced and sneering Queen from the film. Lesser-known actor Charles Hall (who also voices the Magic Mirror), plays her when she transforms into the Witch. Hall spends much of the time howling like a hyena, but manages to bring some genuine menace into the role, his old crone feeling truly unhinged. Both pay homage to the original, but also bring their own sense of style to the role(s). The show overall is pretty good, and I would love to see it brought back in some manner; I don’t think the rights or the script have ever been released for more widespread productions, which is a shame. Whether it works for Broadway or even just for some local community/school theater spaces, it would be a truly fantastic spectacle to revive. Till that time, if any, these two particular performances remain a powerful reminder that even the most iconic of portrayals can be reimagined in fun ways.

5. Miranda Richardson, from Snow White: Fairest of Them All.

Richardson’s character - named Queen Elspeth - is a more sympathetic take on the Evil Queen. In this film, it’s revealed that Elspeth was once a homely peasant girl, who longed to be beautiful, and to live a life of luxury. Thanks to a wish-granting being simply called “The Green-Eyed One,” she was transformed into a beautiful woman, and later gained the favor of the King, becoming his bride and, thus, the Queen. While over-the-top in her vanity, descending into outright childish immaturity, you can understand why Elspeth acts the way she does; someone who lived a large portion of her life being scorned, unwanted, and poor can’t help but flaunt what she’s now got, and preen over her newfound beauty. At first, she actually does try to be a proper mother to Snow White...but when the young lass is declared the Fairest of Them All, she is unable to accept the idea that anyone could be more beautiful than herself. Her vanity and her bitterness thus spiral out of control, driving her to insanity, leading to the events of the story we know so well. While the overall adaptation gained mixed reactions in its time, most agree this is one of Richardson’s best performances, mixing humor and deranged theatricality with icy cold civility and real drama. It’s one of the most layered takes on the Queen out there, and definitely worthy of placement in the top five.

4. Vil Schoenheit, from Twisted Wonderland.

Voiced by Hiroki Aiba…and based on the man’s resume, I think this is perfect typecasting. (Seriously, look him up, WOW.) For anybody not in the loop, “Twisted Wonderland” is a mobile game which takes place at a school of black magic, originally founded by seven of the great Disney Villains…among them, naturally, the Evil Queen. (In the game, she’s referred to as “The Fairest Queen,” but details, details.) Throughout the game, we encounter several characters who are based on these same villains (and others). Vil Schoenheit is the head of Pomefiore, the dorm founded by the Evil Queen, and the character based directly on her. So…yeah, he (yes, he) is technically not THE Evil Queen, but he’s a character based on the fairy-tale figure, clearly filling out the exact same basic role: much like Christine White from the 10th Kingdom, I say he counts. Vil is a hyper-talented and artistic fellow: a professional model, singer, dancer, and actor, as well as skilled in photography and having his own line of beauty products. He’s one of Night Raven College’s most popular and wealthy students, and he bloody well knows it. While thoroughly vain, Vil isn’t treated as a figure of fun, which I find appreciable: he, much like the original Evil Queen of Disney mythology, is a commanding, dominant figure of icy composure, as strong and as imposing as he is gifted. As the game’s main story goes on, Vil becomes a more complex and tragic figure, as we learn about what really drives his obsession with personal perfection, and realize that - for all of his many talents and skills - there are still gaps in his life that he longs to see filled. Like all the other characters at the school, unlike the villain he’s based on, Vil is not a pure evil monster…but don’t misconstrue that to mean he can’t be dangerous. He’s a very skilled fighter and dark wizard with a particular fondness for poisons. Taking him lightly might be the last thing you ever do.

3. Sigourney Weaver, from Snow White: A Tale of Terror.

Unlike Diana Rigg, Miranda Richardson, or even Vanessa Redgrave - all of whom I thought were perfect casting options for this character - when I found out Sigourney Weaver played the Queen in this cult classic 1997 television film, I sort of tilted my head. I mean...Ripley as the Evil Queen? That’s not exactly a casting choice I’d imagine. However, Weaver actually received an Emmy nomination for the role, and it was well-earned. Called “Lady Claudia” in this adaptation, she, like Richardson and Wiest before her, is another more sympathetic take on the character. Snow White is just as much to blame for her transformation into the Evil Queen as her own flaws, as Claudia actually tries VERY hard to be a good mother and caring wife, but when her stepdaughter resents her and her husband neglects her, she begins to spiral into insanity, becoming more vain and power-hungry as time goes on. Even a large part of her plan is sympathetic, as she not only wants to kill Snow White (given the real name “Lilli” in this version), but have a child of her own; a child who will love her and whom she can love in return. You can understand why she does everything she does, and even, to an extent, agree with her motivations. It’s ultimately the extremes she takes things to that make her a villain, as it is with so many great villains. When she becomes the Witch, Weaver is absolutely unrecognizable in the makeup, and is arguably one of the most frightening takes on the old crone out there; fitting for a dark fantasy/horror film reworking of the tale. She easily steals the show, as the Queen so often does, and is a major part of what makes this particular version so renowned. If you’re a fairy-tale fan like me, and don’t mind some blood and horror, you’ll get a real kick out of this one.

2. Lana Parilla, from Once Upon a Time.

Well, I can’t very well talk about the Evil Queen without mentioning dear Regina, can I? Arguably the most popular character in the show, Regina Mills is one of the most sympathetic takes on the Evil Queen I’ve yet to encounter. While decidedly the villain of the first season of the show, and responsible for many of the problems that the characters of the series face throughout its run, from the second season onwards, Regina became less of a villain and more of an anti-hero...and, by the time the show ended, she was more or less outright a hero. That’s a big step for a character literally called the Evil Queen to make, but the series pulled it off nicely! Sassy, sharp, yet devilishly sinister, she was a sparky, fresh new take on the character, and her transition from villain to heroine was probably the most believable of many of the other characters who underwent similar arcs. Regina, you see, didn’t just become the Evil Queen for one or two reasons; there were a lot of reasons she became so wicked, and even once she became the most powerful and evil character in the Enchanted Kingdom, there were still spots of goodness in her that couldn’t be destroyed. As such, her change took a lot of time and effort - on both her part and that of the other characters - but you could understand why she took the steps she did, good or bad, all along the way, and you genuinely wanted to see her come out on top. For all these reasons and more, Lana Parrilla’s performance in the role definitely deserves high marks. She has become one of the most iconic portrayals of the character to date, and it’s not hard to figure out why.

1. The Disney Version.

I mean...how could this not be my favorite? When people think of Snow White, it’s hard not to think of the classic Disney film, and as a result, when people think of the Evil Queen, it’s just as hard not to think of this one (originally played by Lucille LaVerne). I am no exception. I could go on and on into why this version is so good, and what makes this Evil Queen the best of the bunch, but I think it all comes down to just one word: menace. This Queen is a menace. Despite ostensibly being from a “kid’s film,” few other Evil Queens are quite as intimidating as the one portrayed by LaVerne in the original film. As the Queen, not only is LaVerne’s powerful voice already imposing enough, but the animation REALLY helps a lot; the way she moves, the way she stares, the overall design. It’s actually relatively minimalistic compared to pretty much all the rest on this list, but it is extremely effective, making her feel intensely calculating and as powerful as anything. And when she becomes the Witch? Yeah, it’s over the top, but it never goes too far; it keeps things in just the right place, so that the old crone never feels like a joke or a caricature; there’s a mixture of strength and frailty to the animation that is fascinating to watch, and LaVerne’s ferocious performance sells it all the more. She is one of the most iconic villains not just in Disney, not just in animation, but in cinema as a whole, and for very good reason. It’s not surprising that this character has become one of the ruling figures of the Disney Villains lineup, with no sign of her iconography fading. Anytime the Disney Villains get together in any way, it’s hard NOT to find the Queen among their ranks, usually in a position of high acclaim. The fact several other versions on this list are essentially reinterpretations of this one specific incarnation only further proves her staying power. In short, it’s no surprise the Disney Version is My Favorite Evil Queen. Case closed.

HONORABLE MENTIONS INCLUDE…

Tamsin Grieg (as Miss Maclahose), from Revolting Rhymes.

Patricia Medina, from Snow White and the Three Stooges.

Judy Parfitt (as Queen Lillian), from The Charmings.

Eleanor Audley, from The Railroad Hour (1953).

32 notes · View notes