Victor "Vic" Criss is a minor antagonist of the Stephen Multiverse.
Serving as a major antagonist of the novel IT, its 1990 miniseries, its 2017 film adaptation IT: Chapter One, and a posthumous antagonist of IT: Chapter Two. He is also a mentioned antagonist in 11/22/63.
He is one of Henry Bowers' friends and the co-leader of the Bowers Gang.
1958[]
Among the Bowers gang, Vic was probably the most intelligent member, being one of the 2 bullies to have defined morals. He was also most likely the second-in-command of Henry's gang due to being the smarter of Henry's two best friends. Vic, Peter Gordon, and possibly Belch were the only people among the group who were aware of Henry's deteriorating sanity and became more reluctant to hang around him as the summer progressed. His appearance, according to the book, he had an Elvis Pompadour with a shirt that had a popped collar and engineer boots.[1]
The First Strike (The Barrens)[]
On the last day of school, Victor, alongside his other friend Belch Huggins, help Henry ambush and attack Ben Hanscom. It was that day Vic had realized how crazy his friend was.[2] Although both Victor and Belch initially enjoy tormenting Ben he soon becomes shocked as Henry begins carving his name on Ben's belly with a Buck knife. Before Henry is able to finish, Ben kicks Henry in the stomach and flees into the Barrens. While Victor, Belch and Henry search for him they encounter Bill Denbrough and Eddie Kaspbrak. The three bullies then break the dam they had been working on and soon leave, losing interest in looking for Ben. Vic was the one who suggested that they should break their dam down and says "It was a real baby damn, believe me. You're better off without it."
Strike Two (The Rockfight)[]
As the summer progressed on, Vic becomes more aware and worried of Henry's eroding sanity. However, he still continues to hang around Bowers, and even aids him in his "private war" against the Loser's Club. In early July, Vic joins Henry in a violent rock fight against the Losers, being the second one to flee away from the brawl (even though he had done the most damage to the Losers, being the least emotionally involved).
Tracker Brothers (Joining the Losers)[]
Though this was never fully elaborated, Vic at one point of the novel nearly approached the Losers into joining them. In early August, he approached Bill Denbrough, Richie Tozier, Beverly Marsh, Stan Uris, Mike Hanlon, Eddie Kaspbrak and Ben Hanscom one day at the Tracker Brothers, warning them of Henry's deteriorating sanity.
Death[]
In mid-August, Victor and Belch reluctantly follow Henry down into the sewers of Derry, where the Losers were. While chasing the Losers under Derry, Vic and Belch both ultimately meet their end at the hands of It, who appears as the Frankenstein monster, decapitating and killing Vic.
In the Miniseries, he is sent by Henry to go alone to chase the Losers, he gets down a staircase where he hears the deadlights coming closer and closer until the appear out of vents, he crawls backwards up the steps in fear until the deadlights kill him as he screams.
In the 2017 film, a deleted scene reveals Henry slit his and Belch’s throat while in the sewer. Without a mention in the 2019 film it is unknown if this is still intended to be canon without further information. However, in the scene where Henry is washed into the Barrens, there is a dismembered corpse that appears to be wearing the shirt Belch was wearing in his deleted death scene. When Henry emerges fully, there looks to be a blonde-haired corpse behind him that could be Vic, though the corpse wasn't wearing the same clothes he was on that day. This could be an error or another unnamed It victim.
The "Reunion" (Juniper Hill)[]
Nearly thirty years later, It appears in the shape of Victor and convinces Henry into going back to Derry to kill the remaining Losers. Henry notes on how his rotting friend has strong a resemblance to the Frankenstein Monster.
In the IT (1990 miniseries), this role is taken by Belch Huggins.
In IT: Chapter Two (film), this role is taken by Patrick Hockstetter.
Appearances[]
- IT
- It (miniseries)
- 11/22/63 (mentioned)
- It: Chapter One (2017 film)
- IT Chapter Two (2019 film) (flashback)
Quotes[]
- "Yeah, eat it you little bitch!"
- ―Vic to Mike Hanlon
Trivia[]
- Due to his death scene in the 2017 film being cut, it's unknown if Vic and Belch are canonically dead in the films universe, he may have been alive in the final cut. However, in the scene where Henry is washed into the Barrens, there is a dismembered corpse with him that appears to be wearing the shirt Belch was wearing in his deleted death scene. When Henry emerges fully, there seems to be a blonde-haired corpse behind him that could be Vic.
- He seems to be Henry's closest friend along with Belch Huggins.
- He is more sadistic in the 2017 film.