Victor Criss
Victor Criss, often called Vic, is a key member of the gang of bullies led by Henry Bowers that terrorizes the Losers' Club in Derry, Maine, during the summer of 1958. He is a physically imposing boy, with a pompadour slicked back with Brylcreem and a habit of wearing engineer boots with cleats that drag and tap on the pavement. He is a sixth-grader, a year ahead of Henry, and is often found in the company of Belch Huggins and, later, Patrick Hockstetter. While he shares Henry's cruelty, Victor is portrayed as being less overtly insane, possessing a degree of self-preservation and unease that Henry lacks.
Role in the Gang and the Rockfight
Victor is a willing participant in the gang's bullying, joining Henry in chasing Ben Hanscom into the Barrens on the last day of school and later helping to corner Eddie Kaspbrak, which results in Eddie's broken arm. He is present during the apocalyptic rockfight in the gravel-pit, where he proves to be a formidable opponent, using his skill as a fastball pitcher to inflict damage on the Losers. However, his loyalty is tested when Bill Denbrough, after taking several hits, advances on him with a rock and a look of murderous intent. Victor, seeing the genuine danger, backs down and retreats, a decision that marks him as less fanatical than Henry. He also shows unease during the gang's pursuit of Mike Hanlon, and he is visibly shocked when Henry throws an M-80 firecracker at Mike, a potentially lethal act.
Unease and the Final Confrontation
Victor's growing unease with Henry's escalating violence is a recurring trait. He is present when Henry carves an 'H' into Ben Hanscom's stomach, and he is one of the boys who helps Henry chase Beverly Marsh with a switchblade. His fear of Henry's father, the insane Butch Bowers, is also a factor in his continued association with the gang. This fear and unease culminate in the sewers under Derry, where the gang chases the Losers. In the darkness, Victor is the first to see the entity's true form, screaming "Frankenstein! It's Frankenstein!" before the creature tears his head off. His death is a pivotal moment, demonstrating the lethal reality of the horror the Losers are facing and marking the end of Henry's gang.
Narrative Role and Thematic Significance
Victor Criss serves as a foil to both Henry Bowers and the Losers. He represents the ordinary bully who is drawn into extraordinary evil, lacking the pure, psychotic drive of Henry but also lacking the moral courage to break away. His death underscores the theme that the evil in Derry is indiscriminate, consuming not only its intended victims but also its own servants. His character illustrates the spectrum of complicity, showing that even those who are not the primary instigators of violence can be destroyed by the forces they choose to follow.
