When it comes to villains, there are ones like Sauron and Kronos(from PJ) who are seem like a primal or unstoppable force and there are ones like Galbatorix(from the inheritance cycle) who are weak at first or are traitors etc- But the question is which kind is better and more popular Type A or B?
I agree with Megan, a character who is highly complex that the reader by the end doesn't know exactly what to make is great. I also agree with Megan that Snape is one of all time favourite characters :)
doesn't matter Snape was a great character
That's why he was so complex. The entire time you're thinking he's a villain - a bad guy, who's quite frankly not very nice. He does his best to make the protagonist's (Harry) life hell - but it was all a lie, he was the greatest hero in the entire book. He was damaged and emotionally complex and that is what - in my opinion - makes the perfect villain.
I always loved Snape though, so perhaps I'm bias...