“Dark Specter 2” is a sequel (obviously), but I’m already looking forward to where it goes next.

The short film follows up-and-coming villain Dark Specter (Bruce Nachsin), who must fight the town’s beloved superhero Vibraboom (Mark Iverson) in an attempt to rob a bank. After Vibraboom is successfully destroyed, Dark Specter—whose real name is Bertrand—comes home to his kind and supportive mother (Judy Nazemetz) on the verge of senility. In his pursuit of a life of villainy, he decides to use his powers for good so as to allow his mother to have the best life possible in her final years—even if it means he has to rob a bank to do so.

This episode of the “Dark Specter” series has a kitschy charm to it, with a nod at its own humor in over-exaggerating superhero tropes and cliches. But aside from the comedy, the story is touching, and the film’s protagonist isn’t even as much of an antihero as he would normally be. I’m a fan of stories that show the supposed “villain’s” perspective, and it’s easy to empathize with Dark Specter, an average guy who got beat up at school as a child and grew up to fight the insufferable, almost jocky superheroes that society adores.

For a low-budget film that runs less than 10 mins, the production values are put to use well, keeping it campy when appropriate. Despite some visual aesthetic shakiness, the main (and most important) point of “Dark Specter 2” is never lost, and I hope this villain has a happy ending.