Yes, exactly. Victor and Reed were like high school boys who really-really liked each other, but didn't understand what to do about that, so it all went horribly wrong. I've seen that play out, in school; it's why I wrote up Antimatter and Stalwart Stan.

But suddenly this gets me thinking, remember the jock-turned-soldier who used to pick on Reed, and even in the movie they still hated each other? That's one of the guys Victor killed. Maybe that wasn't just a random villain move against someone in his way. Maybe it was a really sick love-note: "Hi Reed, can't stop for chums because I'm busy taking over the world, but remember that guy who used to give you a swirly every day after gym? I made him not a problem anymore."