Imo the answer is Palpatine from star wars everyone praises Vader and how amazing he is, and he is a great villain especially in the comics and books
But Palpatine is easily one of the best villains to ever do it
Firstly let's not forget he created Darth Vader by taking advantage of the Hate, Fear and Loniness in Anakin's heart without Palpatine there would be no Vader
Secondly- he was was able to infiltrate the senate so deeply by the time they figured him out it was way to late he already has his clone Army and he already had Anakin at his side
Thirdly- speaking of manipulation, he manipulated the world and created a war just so the jedi army will make the clone troopers just so he can use said clones to wipe out the Jedi via Order 66
Palpatine is by far one of the greatest villains to ever do it and I feel he doesn't get the respect he deserves
He pretty much single handedly took over the galaxy and put the jedi order onto the endangered species list
But Palpatine is easily one of the best villains to ever do it
Firstly let's not forget he created Darth Vader by taking advantage of the Hate, Fear and Loniness in Anakin's heart without Palpatine there would be no Vader
Secondly- he was was able to infiltrate the senate so deeply by the time they figured him out it was way to late he already has his clone Army and he already had Anakin at his side
Thirdly- speaking of manipulation, he manipulated the world and created a war just so the jedi army will make the clone troopers just so he can use said clones to wipe out the Jedi via Order 66
Palpatine is by far one of the greatest villains to ever do it and I feel he doesn't get the respect he deserves
He pretty much single handedly took over the galaxy and put the jedi order onto the endangered species list