SolarWinds, a leading provider of powerful and affordable IT performance management software, today announced that its 2015 Bracket Battle will feature the most evil of villains from movies, comics and more. Hosted on thwack.com, SolarWinds online IT pro community, this bracket-based, March Mayhem-style competition will commence on March 23, when 33 infamous individuals begin the battle to rip worlds apart and crush each other until only one rises as victor.

These head-to-head, villain-versus-villain matchups will pique the imaginations of classic comic enthusiasts, horror movie fanatics and science-fiction fans alike as the most cunning and depraved villains who have tried to rule Middle-earth, Castle Greyskull, Asgard, London and beyond draw their weapons. On this thwack® battlefield, however, it is the IT community who will decide which villains will be foiled again and which single scoundrel will, in the end, rule them all.

There's no need to wait for the scheming to begin, however, so start thinking now:

• Do you want to be part of the Dharma Initiative or Sky Net?
• Will your weapon of choice be a lightsaber or wand?
• Does He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named have the power to survive a battle with the most traitorous of fathers?
• Can the Clown Prince and Dr. Fava Bean survive the call to exterminate them?

The matchups may be decided by a landslide or come down to a single deciding vote, so all wannabe villains should pick their nemeses and start formulating devious plots to defeat them now. Players can join forces with fellow thwack members on Twitter®, Facebook® or other communities to share their malicious plans for world domination using their chosen villains' wicked strengths and vindictive attitudes. Participants are encouraged to use #EvilLaugh or #SWBracketBattle to connect with other members of their infamous leaders' evil armies.

Who will claim the title of the most malevolent villain of all time? There can only be one...mwuh huh huh huh ha!

The Details

• All 2015 SolarWinds Bracket Battle events will take place on thwack
• The announcement of initial matchups for viewing only will be on March 18
• Voting for the play-in game, in which two villains will battle for the right to play in the main bracket, will occur March 23
• Voting on round one will begin March 25 at 10:00 a.m. CDT and will last until March 29 at 11:59 p.m. CDT
• Voting on round two will begin March 30 at 10:00 a.m. CDT and will last until April 1 at 11:59 p.m. CDT
• Additional rounds will be announced via the SolarWinds Geek Speak blog and the champion villain will be crowned April 13