James King is portrayed as cruel in "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers through his actions and behavior towards the protagonist, Steve Harmon. He is a violent and dangerous criminal who is willing to harm others to get what he wants. Throughout the novel, James King shows no remorse for his actions and is depicted as a ruthless individual who does not think twice about hurting others. His lack of empathy and regard for human life makes him a truly cruel character in the story.
