Vicious

Victor is the anti-hero protagonist of Vicious. Unlike traditional heroes who are motivated by altruism or idealism, Victor is motivated by personal vendetta and jealousy. In appearance, Victor is inconspicuous and almost looks “like an old-fashioned photo” (17). Victor doesn’t draw attention unless he tries to, which correlates to his EO power. Victor controls pain, both his own and that of others. For much of the book, he dials down his own pain level to the point that he has no sense of touch or sensation, which makes him invisible, in a way, and inures him to experiences beyond his own mind, emphasizing his selfish motivations. Before his death, Victor constantly wanted to be seen, specifically by Eli. Following his death and the development of his power, Victor wants to blend into the background. Taking his ability to feel away reflects his desire to be free of the pain (physical and emotional) of his life before death.

Victor’s ability to take away other people’s pain, specifically Sydney’s and Dominic’s, indicates Victor’s growth from selfish avenger to a more caring individual. Still, Schwab portrays Victor as morally ambiguous: He takes Sydney’s pain because he feels responsible for her safety, and he doesn’t want her to hurt.