# The Art of Following Unlikable Characters

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-smark-avengers-6814210/the-art-of-following-unlikable-characters
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-smark-avengers-6814210/the-art-of-following-unlikable-characters.md
Podcast: [The Smark Avengers](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-smark-avengers-6814210)
Published: 2026-06-12T21:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://rss.com/podcasts/thesmarkavengers/2873979
Audio file: https://content.rss.com/episodes/256222/2873979/thesmarkavengers/2026_05_31_23_19_54_f667b75d-e8e8-4e52-b721-ec33aeac0045.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-smark-avengers-6814210/episodes/the-art-of-following-unlikable-characters
Duration seconds: 3876

## Resource

Why do some of the most compelling stories ask us to spend time with people who are difficult—or even outright horrible—to understand? With Jon unavailable for this episode, Corey and Dylan sit down for a wide-ranging discussion on one of storytelling’s most uncomfortable but fascinating ideas: following unlikable or morally questionable characters as protagonists. The conversation is sparked by Corey’s recent reading of Odin #1 from Image Comics, which follows an investigative journalist embedded with a group of young neo-Nazis lost in the wilderness. From there, the discussion expands into comics and beyond, exploring how writers navigate empathy, discomfort, and moral distance. 📚 Topics discussed include: What makes an unlikable or villainous character compelling to follow The difference between understanding a character and endorsing their actions How writers build empathy without excusing harmful behavior Antiheroes, villain protagonists, and morally gray storytelling in comics When storytelling becomes meaningful exploration versus uncomfortable glorification A significant part of the conversation also turns toward audience interpretation, as Corey and Dylan discuss concerns about how some readers/viewers may identify too strongly with unsavory characters, particularly when those characters embody unchecked power, dominance, or influence. They explore how certain stories can be misread—or intentionally reinterpreted—in ways that reflect a desire for control or superiority rather than the narrative’s intended critique, and why that tension matters in modern storytelling. Along the way, they question where the line is between engaging with complex fiction and projecting real-world values onto characters who are meant to be cautionary or critical examples. Do charac…

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## Transcript

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