When It Comes to Western Villains, John Wayne Never Faced a Menace Quite Like This

John Wayne was positioned as a cultural superhero long before superheroes were a tangible genre in Hollywood. He wasn't just a cowboy actor, but a crusader for the mythological image of America as the land of truth, justice, and self-preservation. Therefore, many villains in his films tend to come off as unmemorable and limp, since their only purpose is to be obstacles for Wayne to righteously shoot down. Mainly due to how supernova Wayne was as a star, most actors weren't comparatively big enough to plausibly challenge him on-screen, and that's why Lee Marvinis a unique presence in Wayne's filmography. His raucous turn as the titular baddie in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is the only time Wayne ever squared off with someone who stood toe-to-toe with him and didn't get instantly blown off the screen.