How to Write The Equal Archetype: Evil Twins Who Match The Hero
Villains come in all shapes and sizes. Some are larger-than-life threats, while others challenge the hero in deeply personal ways.
One of my favorite villain archetypes is The Equal (or ‘Evil Twin’) – a character who shares the hero’s strengths, intelligence, or skills but twists them into something destructive.
Think of General Zod to Superman, or Moriarty to Sherlock Holmes. These villains force the hero to question their own choices and blur the line between good and evil.
Let’s break down The Equal archetype, how they function in stories, their strengths, weaknesses, and some iconic examples.
What Is an Archetype?
Archetypes are recurring character types, symbols, or themes found across different cultures and throughout history.
They reflect fundamental aspects of human nature, which is why they form the foundation of many literary characters.
While hero archetypes represent positive traits like bravery, self-sacrifice, and perseverance, villain archetypes explore darker qualities such as greed, corruption, or the hunger for power.
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What Is The Equal Archetype?
Some villains want world domination. Others seek revenge. But The Equal is different.
They are more than an obstacle for the hero to overcome. In fact, they’re a reflection of what the hero could become under different, more negative circumstances.
They often share the hero’s skills, intelligence, or background but make vastly different moral choices.
The conflict between them is personal and ideological rather than purely external.
The hero must confront their own beliefs and choices, making the battle psychological as well as physical.
This archetype raises thought-provoking questions:
What truly separates a hero from a villain?
What if the hero made different choices?
At what point does a hero become the very thing they fight against?
Examples of The Equal in Fiction
General Zod (Superman) – A fellow Kryptonian who shares Superman’s abilities but seeks domination rather than protection.
Moriarty (Sherlock Holmes) – A criminal mastermind who matches Holmes’ intelligence but uses it for chaos.
Killmonger (Black Panther) – A revolutionary with the same passion for protecting his people as T’Challa, but with an extremist approach.
Strengths of The Equal Archetype
Equal archetype characters are fun to write, for quite a few reasons! Here are the top ones:
1. They Make Conflict Personal
Unlike villains who act as external threats, The Equal strikes on an intimate level.
Because they are so similar to the hero, every battle feels like a battle of identity as well as morality.
Example: Inspector Javert (Les Misérables) relentlessly pursues Jean Valjean, not out of personal hatred, but because Valjean’s transformation challenges Javert’s rigid worldview of justice.
2. Force the Hero to Confront Themselves
Since The Equal shares the hero’s skills or background, they serve as a dark reflection of what the protagonist could have become.
This makes the hero’s inner conflict just as intense as the external fight.
Example: Roy Batty (Blade Runner) is a rogue replicant who forces Deckard to question what it truly means to be human.
3. They Push the Hero to Their Limits
By being so evenly matched, The Equal forces the hero to evolve and grow in ways they wouldn’t if faced with a lesser foe.
The hero often emerges stronger, but not without paying a price.
Example: Neil McCauley vs. Vincent Hanna (Heat) – Two men obsessed with their craft, locked in a battle that ensures neither can walk away unchanged.
Weaknesses of The Equal Archetype
As great as this villain type is, they do come with certain weaknesses that can make them one – dimensional if not handled well.
1. Obsession with the Hero
Sometimes The Equal exists only to challenge the hero, lacking a strong independent motivation. This can make them feel less fleshed out.
Example: Robert Angier vs. Alfred Borden (The Prestige) – Their rivalry becomes so consuming that it leads to their mutual destruction.
2. Too Similar to the Hero
If their differences aren’t clearly defined, The Equal can come across as redundant within the story’s world. Without the hero, their purpose is incomplete.
Example: Yellowjacket (Ant-Man) – A villain with nearly identical abilities to Scott Lang but with less depth, making him feel more like a plot device than a unique character.
3. Their Immorality and Selfishness
While The Equal might be brilliant or skilled, their lack of compassion is often their downfall.
Example: Rene Belloq (Raiders of the Lost Ark) – A rival archaeologist to Indiana Jones, but his greed and lack of ethics lead to his demise.
How to Write a Great Equal Villain
Let’s get into how you can create your own equal archetype villain for your story!
1. Define Their Ideology Clearly
A great Equal villain isn’t just a copy of the hero—they have their own worldview that clashes with the protagonist’s beliefs.
Make sure their philosophy is logical and even partially justifiable. This raises the stakes for both characters.
Tip: Give your Equal a strong reason for their actions. Maybe they were once on the hero’s side but became disillusioned. Maybe they believe they’re the real hero.
Their motivations should make the reader question who’s actually right.
2. Personal Relationship with the Hero
For The Equal to truly work, their connection to the hero must run deeper than just rivalry.
Perhaps they were former friends, family, or even past versions of each other. The closer their bond, the more emotional the conflict.
Tip: Show moments where the hero and The Equal could have been allies under different circumstances.
This creates emotional tension and makes their battles feel tragic rather than just action-packed.
3. Challenge the Hero’s Growth
The Equal should force the hero to confront their flaws and grow stronger. Whether through ideological debates, moral dilemmas, or intense showdowns, their battles should push the hero to the edge and demand change.
Tip: Make The Equal’s final challenge something that forces the hero to change who they are. Maybe the hero has to make a sacrifice or accept a truth about themselves to win.
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Iconic Examples of The Equal
Here are some well-known hero-villain pairs that fit The Equal mold:
Saruman (The Lord of the Rings) – Once Gandalf’s equal in wisdom and power, but corrupted by ambition.
Red Grant (From Russia with Love) – A highly skilled assassin who matches James Bond’s expertise, making for one of the most intense Bond rivalries.
Gabriel Yulaw (The One) – A literal mirror image of the hero, seeking to destroy alternate versions of himself to gain power.
Why The Equal Works So Well
The best Equals balance similarity with contrast. Their personal stakes, intellectual battles, and mirroring of the hero’s journey create tension that lasts beyond the final fight. When done right, they:
Challenge the hero on a deeper level than other villains.
Make the hero’s growth more meaningful by pushing them beyond their limits.
Leave a lasting impact on the story and audience.
What’s Your Favorite Equal?
What’s your favorite example of The Equal archetype in books, movies, or video games? Is there a villain you think could have been done better? Let’s talk about it in the comments!
Don’t forget to download my free villain character development workbook – it will help you develop a fully-fleshed out villain character for your own stories!
