A handful of antagonists act as the calculating masterminds behind the scenes that employ heavy hitters to do their dirty work.

Source: https://www.cbr.com/invincible-villains-marvel-avengers/

As they move to identify the masterminds and financiers of the violent uprising that invited many parallels with the January 6, 2021 storming of the US Capitol, Brazilian authorities on Friday also tightened the screws on a former Bolsonaro minister.

Source: https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/14/brazils-bolsonaro-to-be-investigated-in-jan-8-riot-probe/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=brazils-bolsonaro-to-be-investigated-in-jan-8-riot-probe

In 1884, the U.S. Supreme Court weighed in on the issue and found that cameras served as tools that an artist could use to give an idea visible form; the “masterminds” behind the cameras, the court ruled, should own the photographs they create.

Source: https://fortune.com/2023/06/16/generative-a-i-copyright-law/

MANILA, Philippines — A panel of prosecutors has indicted Marvin Miranda, tagged as one of the masterminds in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and eight others.

Source: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1752978/casting-director-in-degamo-slay-case-gets-indicted-for-murder-raps

Police say he was one of the masterminds of the operation.

Source: https://www.9news.com.au/national/taylors-hill-updates-hunt-continues-for-those-involved-in-shooting-death-of-melbourne-man/8a268c05-257b-4df8-8b26-10779394ecef

The "masterminds" who decided that giving their employees useless, custom bills with their own faces on it was basically the same as giving them a raise, right?

Source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/angelicaamartinez/petty-people-reddit

The two alleged escape masterminds appeared alongside other accused in the matter.

Source: https://www.heraldlive.co.za/news/2023-08-08-watch-dr-nandipha-laughs-with-thabo-bester-in-court/