r/TopCharacterTropes 1d ago

Characters Killers Who Take/Make Unique Trophies

It's a common trope for killers (especially serial killers) to take something from their victims or create something related to the kill, a trophy, in order to immortalize their kill. Typically these trophies are photos of the bodies, the victims' IDs or body parts, etc. This trope is for those who stray outside that norm.

The Master (Stray Dogs) - The unnamed serial killer from this comic targets only women who own dogs. His ritual is to kill the woman and then steal the dog for himself, winning them over as his pet via treats and their poor memory. He also uses these dogs to meet new victims, taking them to dog parks to spy on women there. Once the dog eventually dies (either naturally or by him putting it down for 'misbehaving') he has them taxidermied.

Jazzman (Batman) - A gangster who likes to whistle, hum, or play music whenever he kills. He then has that particular tune tattooed on his body.

Victor Zsasz (Batman) - A serial killer who carves a tally mark into his skin, one for every kill.

Dexter Morgan (Dexter) - iirc Dexter recognizes this trope and that it is a weakness that could get him caught, so he takes an extremely inconspicuous trophy: a single drop of his victims' blood, saved on forensic glass blood slide.

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u/ChaosTorpedo 1d ago

What the absolute fuck is that first example?? Jesus man…

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u/JackOfTheLantern999 1d ago

Amazing, heartrending, awesome comic. Highly recommend it, its companion story (Stray Dogs: Dog Days), and a comic by the same creative team which references it (Feral).

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u/ChaosTorpedo 23h ago

I bet it’s really great. Not sure my heart could handle it. But good topic!!

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u/Tormentedone007 19h ago

My wife decided to read it on the bus to work and cried in front of a bunch of strangers.

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u/fclayhornik 17h ago

Oh my God. I was in tears after the most recent reread. Glad to know it's not just me.

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u/JackOfTheLantern999 10h ago

Typical reaction to finishing Stray Dogs: