Top Ten Bad Boys

This list was inspired by a blog post by Mette Ivie Harrison, an author I really enjoy. She has been doing a series of posts on destructive love myths, one of which was on the desire for bad boys and the hopeless aim of redeeming them. I agreed with what she had to say on this matter and decided that this week I would honor the bad boys that hold appeal, despite them not being my type ordinarily. Mostly, I think the whole bad boy swagger, cockiness bit is a bunch of BS and would tell them to take a flying leap, but sometimes...

10. Connor and Murphy MacManus from The Boondock Saints

They're crazy religious, with an emphasis on the crazy, and they're murderers. They hang out with two bit gangsters and live in squalor. The actors aren't even particularly attractive (not that they're ugly, but they're certainly not droolworthy, as they're a bit old). Even worse, they smoke! And yet, I still adore them. Why? This one's easy to explain in two reasons: 1) the accents and 2) they speak so many languages fluently (melts into a puddle on the floor during that scene every time).

9. Spike from Buffy, the Vampire Slayer

Now, when I say that I really like Spike, I am referring only to the Spike before the scene in the bathroom with Buffy. That whole incident is pretty unforgivable, even if she does forgive him, and, almost worse than that, is his incredible cheesiness afterwards. This vampire is, generally, not a good guy; he loves to fight, enjoys many ladies, is still a little bit obsessed with his insane ex, and occasionally eats people. He's not even super attractive really; he's a bit older than I like them and I don't personally have a Billy Idol. And yet, it's a rare Buffy fan who does not really love Spike, and I am no exception. Reasons for awesomeness: accent, sense of humor, and the fact that he is so capable of love, even if his heart doesn't beat anymore.

8. Pete Dunham from Green Street Hooligans
This guy is super violent and obsessed with sports. Seriously, he's in one of those crazy soccer gangs in London (that's what the movie's about). There is nothing I like about any of that. And yet, Charlie Hunnam is just too attractive for me to not still be really interested in him. So I'm not deep, so what?

7. Michael Guerin from Roswell
There is just something about Michael. He was my favorite right from the beginning. Sure, Jason Behr is more objectively attractive, but Michael, broody and grumpy, is by far more attractive. I never gave a damn about Liz and Max, but shipped Michael and Maria so hard. Broody, easily angered men are not ideal for a long term relationship, but they sure do hold a certain appeal.

6. Logan Echolls from Veronica Mars

I spent most of the first season of Veronica Mars loathing Logan Echolls. He's an overprivileged jerkwad with no consideration for others. Then, all of a sudden, I am absolutely loving him. He grows as a character a lot, and gets a bit more considerate. At heart though, he still is clearly a bad boy, ready to fight and to insult those around him. Somehow though, it totally works. Probably for the same reason Spike does. I think I might be developing a theory.

5. Wolverine from X-Men

This refers only to the Wolverine from the films, not from any of the comics. In the comics, Logan (is this a bad boy name?) is always gigantically muscular (like in those muscle man magazines) and hairy everywhere. No thanks. Hugh Jackman, though? Oh, hell yeah. No more needs to be said on the matter.

4. Charles Brandon from The Tudors

The early episodes of The Tudors come with a good amount of eye candy, whether you like men or women, but there was no question when it came to who I liked the best. Oh, Henry Cavill. He is made of so much pretty, which he is so kind as to share around. You get to see him partially dressed plenty and, oh my, is that okay with me. Not the ideal guy to take home to mom, but there are so many other things you can do...

3. Spike Spiegel from Cowboy Bebop
Another Spike. Apparently, this is another name that only bad boys carry around. Like the other Spike, he kicks some serious ass. He's also sarcastic, tall, thin and loves ladies. The only bad thing about Spike is that he is totally hung up on his ex, who really does not seem all that awesome. Despite being a bad boy and animated, I have a bit of a crush on Spike. My best guess is that it's the sense of humor that gets me.

2. Eric Northman from True Blood/The Sookie Stackhouse Series
To be truthful, I didn't really notice Eric at first. He was just the scary jerk who ran Fangtasia and wanted to steal Sookie away because she has a cool power. I was not very interested. Then he got a haircut and I went "Damn!!!" That was some seriously fine man hiding under that unattractive straight long hair, which would have been ideal if he decided to form a Viking metal band. Ever since then, I have been shipping Sookie and Eric really hard. He's hotter than Bill, stronger than Bill and he's way more charismatic. I would so go to there, even if it might result in my death (whether it was one from which I rose again or not).

1. Jess Mariano from The Gilmore Girls

I never cared for Dean. He's cute, sure, but he lacks spirit. Frankly, he's boring, and not that bright. Jess, though, I loved pretty much immediately, despite his permanent sneer, bad behavior and whininess. Rory went for another bad boy, Logan, toward the end of the show and I hate him, my general reaction to bad boys. My love for Jess isn't hard to explain: he loves books. Hot guy reading classics? Swoon.

So who have I forgotten? Anyone else want to share their favorite bad boys in pop culture?