The Art of Following Unlikable Characters

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 characters need to be likable to be worth following? Can a story about terrible people still offer insight without being misunderstood? And what responsibility, if any, does an audience have when engaging with these kinds of narratives? Join us for a deeper-than-usual conversation about comics, storytelling, and the uneasy space between fiction, interpretation, and audience response.

💬 Join the discussion: Do you think audiences sometimes misinterpret villain-centric stories as aspirational? Where is the line for you?

👍 Like the video if you enjoy comic discussions and narrative deep dives

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Click the link for Dylan's radio show!: http://www.bouncedigitalradio.co.uk

Click the link for Dylan's Twitch stream: http://Twitch.tv/spookylaroux

Click the link for Jon's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/bigjonbowski/

Click the link for Corey's show "Large Old Cup": https://open.spotify.com/show/2YHMppnl9inQevwLIxR64f