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Strong Bad

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Strong Bad
Homestar Runner character
First appearance"The Homestar Runner Enters the Strongest Man in the World Contest"
Created byMatt and Mike Chapman
Craig Zobel
Voiced byMatt Chapman
In-universe information
FamilyStrong Sad (younger brother), Strong Mad (older brother), The Cheat (pet)

Strong Bad is one of the major characters of the Homestar Runner series of animated Flash web cartoons. He is portrayed by Matt Chapman, the principal voice actor and co-founder of the series. Strong Bad enjoys pranking the other characters of the series, along with his ever-diligent lackey pet named "The Cheat" and his older brother Strong Mad.[1] The main segment that Strong Bad is a part of is "Strong Bad Email", in which he answers emails sent to him by fans.[2] The Strong Bad Email series grew to be so popular that seven DVDs featuring the emails have been released, as well as a podcast where emails could be downloaded to digital media players, since its first episode in 2001.[3]

The character sports a red lucha libre mask with 4 laces in the back and a blue diamond in the center of his eyes. The diamond has the power to open bottle caps from "Cold Ones" and remove Homestar's hat, though he has only been seen doing this once. His eyes are green and shiny, and apparently turn grey when he is dead. Usually his mouth is a peach-colored rectangle when not speaking, and can form the shape of an "o" when using words with an "o" sound in them. He lacks a shirt (but wears certain ones on occasion), nipples, and a belly button. Strong Bad also has boxing gloves for hands, though mysteriously he can type with them in his Strong Bad Emails. He also wears black pants, along with red shoes with white soles that curve outward.

Strong Bad is sometimes referred to as the main antagonist of the series due to his pranks that he, Strong Mad, and The Cheat play on the other characters, and his insulting of his brother Strong Sad.[4] He seems to be a character influenced by the American popular culture trends of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, such as heavy metal music and the second and third generations of video games and video game consoles.[4] Since he is one of the site's most popular characters, merchandise has also spun off of Strong Bad, which includes t-shirts and sweatshirts sold by the website.[4]

Strong Bad has been one of the most popular characters in the series, and has been well received. In an article by National Review Online, Strong Bad was described as "a non-stop braggart, liar, manipulator, and egotist", but also "one of the coolest characters on the Internet and the real star of Homestarrunner.com, which may be the most popular homegrown animation in the world".[4] Segments have been spun off of his emails, including "Teen Girl Squad", a comic drawn by Strong Bad about four teenage friends.[5]

Role in Homestar Runner

Along with his physically intimidating but mentally limited big brother Strong Mad and his yellow lackey The Cheat, Strong Bad represents the self-proclaimed element in the series. Many shorts concern the various practical jokes and scams that they perpetrate. Although these are usually only slightly malevolent, Strong Bad still acts as if he is a villainous mastermind, and is highly prone to exaggerating his alluring qualities—especially with regards to women.[1] Strong Bad "rules" an area of the fictional universe called Strong Badia. It consists of a barren field, a fence, a tire, and a stop sign reading "Pop: Tire" (Pop meaning population) leaning against a cinder block. Strong Bad said he bought the property from Bubs in one email, although he originally said he ruled it since "diaper school". It was once "haunted" by the ghost of the Tandy 400, Strong Bad's first computer. Besides Strong Badia, he and The Cheat enjoy hanging out at a stick known as "The Stick".[6][7] Originally, Strong Bad hated Homestar Runner. Usually, he and Homestar would battle each other in competitions such as jumping the most jacks, holding as many grapes as they can, and doing tag-team wrestling.

Strong Bad's main role in the cartoon is in the Strong Bad Email segment, in which he answers emails sent to him from viewers. The Strong Bad Emails began as a small segment in 2001, in which Strong Bad would mock the spelling and grammar of those who wrote to him, usually while typing with boxing gloves on an outdated computer. He has parodied the question of "how do you type with boxing gloves on" which is the most asked question in the emails he receives. Most of the time a cut-away sequence is used to move the narrative beyond mere typing. Once the events of the email finish unfolding, Strong Bad wraps it up, and then "The Paper" comes down with a link to Strong Bad's e-mail address. Often, hidden animations (Easter Eggs) are displayed when the user clicks on a word or picture either during the email or after it has concluded.[8] As of 2009, there are 205 Strong Bad emails. Although the animations were initially brief, they gradually grew to establish numerous catchphrases and running gags, as well as spin-offs like Trogdor the Burninator, Teen Girl Squad, and even characters like Homsar and Senor Cardgage. An example of a Strong Bad Email reply is his take on techno, where he creates the techno song "The System Is Down." His most used catchphrase is "Holy Crap!" and other variations on this theme (example: "What the crap?"), though he now parodies even this in his responses to emails.[9] In the older SBemails, his computers are often subject to "Flagrant errors". This is sometimes caused by Homestar tampering with it, as in the SBemail "50th email."

Several "alternate versions" of Strong Bad exist in other cartoons on the website. One of these is "Stinkoman", a futuristic anime-style Strong Bad that seems to be a parody of Japanese animation. Stinkoman has no thumbs, big robot boots, a mouth that is tiny when closed but "ridiculously huge" when open, blue hair ("Gotta have blue hair!") and big green eyes. Strong Bad designed this character in the e-mail "Japanese Cartoon", when someone asked what he would look like as a Japanese cartoon.[10] For the "1936" segments on the website, Strong Bad is sometimes referred to as Sir Strong Bad, Uncle Strong Bad, or Old-Timey Strong Bad. He appears in black and white and has hair and a handlebar mustache. His face is less detailed and he has no visible mouth but his mustache moves when he talks.[11] Another version is "Strong Badman", which is basically a tall, muscular, comic book version of Strong Bad, named Strong Badman, often calling out his unseen partner "L'il Stiny" (which was Strong Bad making fun of the name of the writer of the email "Superhero Name").

Character

Creation

Matt and Mike Chapman, creators of Strong Bad with Puppet Homestar

Strong Bad was based on the "Strong Bads", a Lucha libre-style fighter team from the 1983 arcade video game Tag Team Wrestling, as the cartoon revolves largely around pop culture references.[12] When the Chapman brothers were asked about this origin, they responded, "Oh yeah, absolutely. The Strong Bads. We were just doing some dumb thing at Kinko's for friends. We weren't planning on all of this happening."[13] Along with most of the main characters of the website, Strong Bad debuted in the Chapman brothers' children's book entitled "The Homestar Runner Enters the Strongest Man in the World Contest". In this story, Homestar, Strong Bad (with a little help from The Cheat), and Pom Pom enter a strength competition, along with The Robot, Mr. Bland, Señor, and the Grape Fairie as the umpire, some characters that rarely appeared later in the series.[14] The concept for this began in 1996 when both Chapman Brothers were looking for children's books. When they did not find any to their liking, they created their own as a parody. After creating a few characters and writing a plot, they made copies of the book and attempted to sell it.[14] This hand-drawn book was the only incarnation of Strong Bad for several years. This did not succeed however, so the concept of a website with Homestar Runner and Pom Pom as the protagonists, and Strong Bad and The Cheat as the antagonists, became a reality in 2000.[14]

Development

The website was originally meant to revolve around Homestar, but Strong Bad grew in popularity after the first few months of the website, and the Chapman brothers decided to give him his own segment, Strong Bad Email, (SBEmail for short.)[9] According to Mike Chapman, "...He'd already become everybody's favorite character."[14] In the children's book and very early stages of the website, Strong Bad looked significantly different than his present day character. He had very small hands, and a plainly colored red and black lucha libre mask, contrary to the blue and green areas of the mask included in the present version of Strong Bad.[15] In the book, Strong Bad and The Cheat were defined as the main "villains" to Homestar Runner and Pom Pom, who were defined as the main "protagonists".[15] This did change, however, as each character developed its own style.[15]

Reception

Strong Bad has been received well by both critics and viewers of the website. He is considered one of the most popular characters of the website, and his Strong Bad Email segment is one of the most viewed segments of Homestar Runner. In an audio review of Strong Bad and the rest of the Homestar Runner characters, National Public Radio said "There are lots of nasty characters lurking in the shadowy corners of the World Wide Web. But Strong Bad is just awful. And he's awfully funny, too".[9] Peter Wood of National Review Online commented on Strong Bad's personality and his evil-looking appearance. He stated: "Strong Bad is probably not the guy you want to move in next door. The red and black Wrestlemania mask he wears all the time is a clue. As are the boxing gloves, which he keeps on even when he is typing sarcastic e-mails ... He is one of the coolest characters on the Internet and the real star of Homestarrunner.com, which may be the most popular homegrown animation in the world."[4] He added "Strong Bad also dabbles in other media and, like Professor Cornel West, has even recorded his own rap, 'Everybody to the Limit', which builds on the delightful typographic implosion, 'fhqwhgads'", and also said "The humor likewise combines the innocence of slapstick with sharp satire of American popular culture. ... At one point, tired of being asked how he types with boxing gloves on, Strong Bad attaches fake fingers: a shrimp, a lit birthday candle, and an action-figure toy."[4] Johnny Dee, a reviewer from The Guardian of the United Kingdom, described the humor of Strong Bad. He wrote: "Like South Park and Modern Toss, Strong Bad isn't exactly beautiful to look at but he's relentlessly funny," and added, "Strong Bad is an animated Mexican wrestler ... and the undoubted star of surreal cartoon site Homestar Runner."[16]

Spin-offs

Trogdor the Burninator

Trogdor the Burninator is an original character created by Strong Bad in the sbemail dragon; where he gives a dragon drawing tutorial in which the character is drawn from the letter "S". The character is depicted as a dragon with a large, muscled arm, which "looks really good, comin' outta the back of his neck there", who "burninates the countryside", "the peasants", and "their thatch roofed cottages". Trogdor eventually got a flash game on homestarrunner.com, and became very popular, having several pieces of merchandise made featuring him. The Trogdor theme was also featured as a bonus song in Guitar Hero II.[17] He is featured in the final episode of Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People.[18] He is also mentioned in the final episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a supposed character in a Dungeons & Dragons-style tabletop game.

In other media

Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People

Main article: Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People

A point-and-click adventure game based on Strong Bad was created by Telltale Games and released for both the Nintendo Wii's WiiWare service and the PC.[19] It was released in an episodic format for both, with five episodes for its first season.[19] A second season may be made if the first season sells well.[20]

Strong Bad is also mentioned on page 14 of CR Jordan's Basic Fundamentals of Modern Tattoo: "Thanks to Strong Bad, we know that technology is magic."[21]

Strong Bad Sings

Main article: Strong Bad Sings

Strong Bad Sings, an album featuring songs from Homestar Runner, was released in 2003. Despite the title, the album featured several songs "performed" by other characters. The partner cartoon features Strong Mad forgetting lyrics to his favorite songs.

Other media

On September 2, 2010, Telltale Games announced a new PC/Mac game called Poker Night at the Inventory. The game features Strong Bad, Tycho from Penny Arcade, Heavy from Team Fortress 2 and Max from Sam & Max. Telltale CEO Dan Connors said, "We've had the idea for some time of exploring the idea of what video characters do when they're not 'on the clock' in the games we play."[22] The game was released on November 22, 2010.[23]

Strong Bad makes a guest appearance on at least two records, including The Aquabats' 2011 album Hi-Five Soup!, providing vocals on the song "Pink Pants!". Prior to this, he appeared on the Shellac album Excellent Italian Greyhound on the track "Genuine Lulabelle".[24]

In 2011, Matt Chapman joined the production team of The Hub series The Aquabats! Super Show! as a writer and director. In the 2012 episode "CobraMan!", co-directed by Chapman, he appears onscreen as a villainous carnival worker named "Carl", who wears a wrestling mask identical to Strong Bad's and speaks in Strong Bad's voice. On July 14, 2012, Chapman appeared onstage at an Aquabats concert in San Diego in character as Strong Bad, joining the band in a performance of "Trogdor".[25]

References

  1. ^ a b Matt Chapman; Mike Chapman. "Characters: Strong Bad". Homestar Runner.com. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  2. ^ Taylor, Lauren (October 24, 2003). "Homestarrunner's antics provide entertainment for its on-line fans". Red and Black. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  3. ^ Miller, Aaron (August 23, 2007). "Podcasts". Courier-Journal. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Wood, Peter (August 27, 2003). "Everybody to the Limit". National Review Online. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  5. ^ "Strong Bad Email 53". homestarrunner.com. 2002. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  6. ^ "Strong Bad Email 90". homestarrunner.com. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  7. ^ "Strong Bad Email 11". homestarrunner.com. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  8. ^ Chapman, Matt (2003). "Strong Bad Email 79 "the process"" (SWF). homestarrunner.com. Retrieved 2006-12-19. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ a b c Ydstie, John (May 8, 2005). "NPR: Strong Bad Walks in Footsteps of Darth, Lex, J.R. (see audio interview)". National Public Radio. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
  10. ^ "Strong Bad Email 57". homestarrunner.com. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  11. ^ "Parsnips for Plenty". homestarrunner.com. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
  12. ^ Hamilton, Rob (April 4, 2008). "Tag Team Wrestling (NES)". Honest Gamer. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  13. ^ "Lunchtime With The Brothers Chap: Strong Bad's Creators Speak And Eat". Kotaku. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
  14. ^ a b c d Dean, Kari Lynn (June 23, 3003). "HomestarRunner Hits a Homer". Wired. Retrieved 2008-09-19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ a b c "Homestar Runner: Museum (see "original book")". Homestar Runner.com. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
  16. ^ Dee, Johnny (September 6, 2008). "Internet review: Strong Bad Emails". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-09-21.
  17. ^ Christopher Grant. "Full Guitar Hero II setlist with twenty-four bonus tracks". Joystiq. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
  18. ^ "Telltale Games - Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People - 8-Bit Is Enough webpage". 2008. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  19. ^ a b "Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People: Season 1 on Steam". Steam. Retrieved 2009-01-07.
  20. ^ "Nintendo Voice Chat Podcast, Episode 31". IGN.com. 2008-12-15. Retrieved 2009-01-07.
  21. ^ "Basic Fundamentals of Modern Tattoo, 1ed ISBN 978-0-615-28147-6 Page 14". TattooBooksOnline.com. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
  22. ^ McWhertor, Michael (2 Sep 2010). "Team Fortress 2's Heavy Finally Playable In... A Poker Game". Kotaku. Gawker Media.
  23. ^ "A Release Date. Poker Night Has One". Telltale Games. 2010-11-18. Retrieved 2010-11-24.
  24. ^ Casey, Justin (December 2, 2010). "The Aquabats reveal art and tracklisting for new album". AMP Magazine. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
  25. ^ "The Aquabats Super Trogdor Cameo Dragon Fight!!! - SDCC". YouTube. July 14, 2012.
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