This one's directed at GMs? Do you find it easier to create NPC villains or NPC heroes? How does your approach differ when developing an evil villain vs. a good hero? Or, are there ways that it doesn't make much of a difference which side of the law a character happens to be on?

Personally, I find it easier to create villains, as I don't have to worry about them stealing the PC's thunder, during the course of play. But, as a campaign develops, it becomes easier for me to create NPCs, for characters to interact with.

I come up with a name, and work on it from there.  I don't usually roll anything for NPCs. I just assign them based on how powerful the players are when I make them up.

If I really like them, then I turn them good.  But this is before I use them.    Once they are used,  I try to be consistant with them.   They go up a level every few times I use them so that they can stay a threat to the players.

  I have always found it easier to create the villains, simply because you can write that first story around the main villain. This establishes them and any odd bits become part of their character. I try and make my villains as straight as possible, pumping them up with inventions as I go
Like take a water based villain:
  Put him up against a team without swimmers and he becomes extra dangerous even if he doesn't really have any  offensive abilities.
Surround him with thugs and maybe an underwater lair and bam! instant super crime lord.

  A hero on the other hand may show up in any campaign at any time, so the hero has to be a little more well rounded. I tend to watch the hero's training and weaknesses more.

Usually villains but I have found at times when I am randomly rolling up characters that sometimes the side that they were intended to be on isn't really the side that I want them on anymore... although anti-heroes and misunderstood villains make for interesting story bits.

One thing that I would like to incorporate more down the road with future releases are "villains" that are not exactly evil but rather drawn towards a cause that conflicts with the basic order and justice for all. Or heroes that may present a major problem due to prejudice issues.

Yes,  That is one reason I always liked Magneto better than Dr. Doom.  Marvel played him more gray.

There were times that they tried it with Dr. Doom.  Trying to show how a dictatorship is the most effecient form of government but wouldn't ever truly move him to gray.

Aren't we waiting to hear more about that group?????