Lord Hater, often referred to simply as “Hater,” reigns as the chief commander of the Hater Empire in the Disney Channel’s animated series, “Wander Over Yonder.” Once hailed as the most formidable villain in the Yonder galaxy, his reputation sees shifts over time.
Stationed aboard his iconic Skullship, he commands a dedicated army of one-eyed beings known as Watchdogs.
Among them, Commander Peepers stands out as his most trusted lieutenant. Notably, Wander and Sylvia count themselves as his prime adversaries.
Lord Hater: The Heart (and Hate) of “Wander Over Yonder”
There are countless antagonists in the world of animation, but none quite as paradoxically lovable as Lord Hater from “Wander Over Yonder.”
At first glance, he appears to be your typical villain, fueled by dreams of universal conquest and a petulant desire for dominance. But as viewers, we quickly realize there’s more beneath the surface.
Unlike many other animated antagonists, Lord Hater isn’t a one-dimensional character. His frequent emotional outbursts, vulnerabilities, and comical infatuation with dominating the universe give him a depth that’s hard to find elsewhere. He’s both the antagonist and, at times, the comic relief, creating a character dynamic that’s truly engaging.
A Relatable Villain in Disguise
Let’s be real: We’ve all had a Lord Hater moment. Who hasn’t been frustrated by a persistent obstacle or felt overshadowed by someone seemingly better at everything? In Lord Hater’s case, it’s the ever-optimistic Wander, whose boundless energy and knack for making friends makes Hater’s villainous endeavors seem, well, a bit futile.
This constant juxtaposition between Wander and Lord Hater is where the magic happens. It’s relatable. We’ve all met someone who, no matter what we do, seems to be one step ahead, making our efforts seem insignificant.
It’s this vulnerability, this feeling of inadequacy, that makes Lord Hater not just a villain, but a character we can empathize with.
From Rivalries to Unlikely Friendships
The dynamic between Wander and Lord Hater isn’t just about competition but also the blurred lines between rivalry and friendship. There are moments when Lord Hater’s facade cracks, revealing a character capable of growth and change.
Throughout the series, Lord Hater and Wander share moments of genuine connection. While Hater is often quick to revert back to his villainous ways, these moments of vulnerability showcase his potential for change.
These glimpses into Lord Hater’s softer side, juxtaposed against his classic villain persona, make him a standout character.
Personality
Lord Hater is a power-driven, volatile dictator with a disdain for being undermined, even by his henchman, Peepers. He craves galaxy domination and sees Wander, his optimistic antithesis, as a primary obstacle, often prioritizing Wander’s destruction over his plans.
When Emperor Awesome threatened his quest for universal control, Hater swiftly redirected his fury, decimating Awesome’s Fist Fighter army and beating him in a flash.
While renowned as a dreaded galactic tyrant, Hater’s immaturity often surfaces. He’s quick to petulance, resembling a child more than a cosmic villain.
Episodes like “The Rager” spotlight his childlike squabbles with Peepers, and “The Date” reveals his atrocious table manners, especially around Sylvia disguised as Lin.
He’s notably awkward around women, becoming tongue-tied and often blundering. His longing for a girlfriend hints at underlying loneliness, and he’s often flustered in the presence of attractive women.
Lord Hater’s Powers and Abilities
Electrokinesis: Lord Hater has the ability to generate and manipulate electricity. He often uses this power to shoot lightning bolts from his hands as a form of attack.
Superhuman Strength: He possesses considerable physical strength, allowing him to perform feats like easily overpowering others and smashing through obstacles.
Teleportation: Lord Hater can teleport, which aids him in quickly moving from one place to another.
Force Fields: He can create protective force fields around himself or others.
Energy Blasts: Beyond his standard lightning bolts, Hater can unleash concentrated energy blasts.
Levitation: He has the ability to levitate, often seen when he’s in a particularly menacing or triumphant mood.
Telekinesis: On a few occasions, Lord Hater has demonstrated the ability to move objects with his mind.
Durability: Lord Hater is exceptionally resistant to harm, enduring physical damage that would severely injure or incapacitate others.
Intimidation: Though not a “superpower” in the traditional sense, Lord Hater’s reputation and demeanor often strike fear into the hearts of many across the galaxy, making it a significant part of his arsenal.
Leadership: Despite his flaws, Lord Hater successfully leads a vast army of Watchdogs and manages the operations of a massive spaceship, showcasing his ability to command and control on a large scale.
Relationships With other Characters
Lord Hater’s relationship with Wander is one of the show’s central dynamics. Wander, with his boundless optimism, often becomes an annoyance to Hater, leading to numerous clashes. While Hater views Wander as his arch-nemesis, Wander approaches their relationship with a mix of naivety and a genuine desire to be friends, often unintentionally foiling Hater’s plans in the process.
As Wander’s loyal steed and best friend, Sylvia often finds herself at odds with Lord Hater. She’s fiercely protective of Wander and has no qualms about taking on Hater directly. Their relationship is generally adversarial, driven by mutual distrust.
Commander Peepers:
Serving as Lord Hater’s right-hand man, Commander Peepers is devoted and loyal, helping to further Hater’s ambitions of galactic domination.
Their relationship is multifaceted: while Peepers often plays the role of the more rational and organized counterpart to Hater’s impulsiveness, there are also moments of genuine camaraderie between them. However, there are times when Hater’s arrogance and impulsivity strain their relationship.
Emperor Awesome:
Another central antagonist in the series, Emperor Awesome is a rival to Lord Hater. Both vie for control of the galaxy, leading to constant competition. Their relationship is characterized by mutual disdain and one-upmanship.
Lord Dominator:
Introduced later in the series, Lord Dominator becomes a significant figure in Hater’s life. Initially, Hater develops a crush on Dominator, unaware of her true identity as a villain even more powerful than him. As the story unfolds, their relationship evolves from one of infatuation (on Hater’s part) to rivalry.
The Watchdogs:
These cycloptic minions make up the bulk of Lord Hater’s army. While they are loyal to Hater and carry out his orders, their relationship is more of a typical dictator-subordinate dynamic. Hater often disregards their well-being in his pursuits, while they, for the most part, follow him out of fear and allegiance.
Appearances
Season 1
- “The Greatest”
- “The Picnic”
- “The Fugitives” (mentioned)
- “The Pet”
- “The Good Deed”
- “The Prisoner”
- “The Little Guy”
- “The Bounty”
- “The Birthday Boy”
- “The Day”
- “The Brainstorm”
- “The Fancy Party”
- “The Void” (brief minor appearance & appeared in the animatic)
- “The Gift 2: The Giftening”
- “The Date”
- “The Buddies”
- “The Stray”
- “The Big Job” (appeared in the animatic only)
- “The Helper”: (brief minor appearance & appeared in the animatic)
- “The Funk”
- “The Enemies”
- “The Rider”
- “The Gift”
Season 2
- “The Greater Hater”
- “The Big Day”
- “The Breakfast”
- “The Fremergency Fronfract”
- “The Boy Wander”
- “The Wanders” (mentioned only)
- “The Axe”
- “The Loose Screw” (mentioned only)
- “The It”
- “The Cool Guy”
- “The Rager”
- “The Good Bad Guy”
- “The Battle Royale”
- “The Matchmaker”
- “The New Toy”
- “The Eye on the Skull Ship”
- “The Bad Hatter”
- “The Hole…Lotta Nuthin’
- “The Show Stopper”
- “The Cartoon”
- “The Family Reunion” (photo)
- “The Rival”
- “My Fair Hatey”
- “The Legend” (mentioned)
- “The Bad Neighbors”
- “The Party Poopers” (mentioned)
- “The Waste of Time” (archival footage)
- “The Search for Captain Tim”
- “The Sick Day”
- “The Robomechabotatron”
- “The End of the Galaxy”
Lord Hater Is A Silly Subjugator
Quick Facts
Character Design: Lord Hater’s character design is reminiscent of a skeletal being. His electrifying green color powers and iconic lightning bolt emblem accentuate his electric-themed powers.
Voice Actor: Lord Hater is voiced by Keith Ferguson. Ferguson has also lent his voice to other notable characters in various animations, like Blooregard “Bloo” Q. Kazoo in “Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends.”
Character Inspiration: Series creator Craig McCracken has mentioned that the character of Lord Hater was partly inspired by certain older, angry rock stars who couldn’t let go of their past glory. This fits with Hater’s characterization as someone who’s obsessed with being the “greatest in the galaxy.”
Musical Talent: In the episode “The Big Day,” Lord Hater plays the keytar during the “Here Comes Wander Now” song.
Dance Moves: Lord Hater is shown to have a specific victory dance that he performs whenever he feels he’s achieved something significant. It’s both comical and endearing.
Soft Side: Despite his villainous demeanor, Lord Hater has displayed a softer side, especially when he has a crush on Lord Dominator. It showcases the multi-dimensionality of his character.
Video Game Appearance: Lord Hater appears as a playable character in the game “Wander Over Yonder: The Galactic Rescue.”
Rivalries: Beyond Wander, Lord Hater is shown to be highly competitive, often obsessing over rankings and lists that showcase the “Greatest in the Galaxy,” especially when he’s not on top.