The Sparkle Valley Villains - Which is the Most Relatable? Smortzle Versus The Beast

While the Queen of Mean (Ivana) in Book 1 is relatable with her jealousy and rigid pride, the Smortzle and The Beast (IT) seem to particularly resonate with modern-day (adult) struggles.

The Smortzle

The Smortzle: The Relatable Ego

The Smortzle is relatable because he represents Anxiety-Driven Greed.

• We "hoard" - status, money, followers, etc to make us feel safe.

• Like the Smortzle, we use "magic canes" (technology, control, schedules, trackers) to manage our fear of being "not enough."

• Many of us are part of the "Burnout Culture" - working non-stop to control a world that feels unstable and without foundation.

The Beast (IT): The Relatable Crisis of Meaning

The Beast is perhaps the most "modern" villain because it represents Digital Nihilism and Numbness.

• Information Overload: We're constantly told that "nothing is true," that everything is just an algorithm, The Beast nullifies are our personal stories. They don't matter.

• We're numb: Many people feel disconnected from any joy or purpose. The Beast is that voice in your head that says, "Why bother? It's all fake anyway. "It's all just a simulation."

Inzos (the Beast's helpers) being sucked into the chasm

So which villain is the most relatable? Most people would probably say the Smortzle is the most relatable on a day-to-day level (i.e. the ego). But it's the Beast who you relate to (and detest) when you're thinking "big picture" (i.e. the existential crisis). It's the Beast who keeps you up at night.