Gloved Fist of Doom



When the Big Bad wants to flex his power, he shoves his hands into big (usually black) gloves with an upward thrusting motion, then makes an evil fist (although a clawed semi-fist, as if clutching something unseen, is sometimes also done). Putting on the gloves can be optional; the character can make this move even if they're already wearing the gloves. For extra points, we get a scrunchy-leathery-rubbery sound effect as the fist is clenched.

Pretty much a Mad Scientist staple, but the fisted glove is also a trope of megalomaniacs in general, showing off their power.

Could also be an Evil Hand. When it's a Mad Doctor performing it, it might also include a Glove Snap. When the heroes do it, it's a Bicep Polishing Gesture. Compare Milking the Giant Cow. Not related to a Fist Pump. Not to be confused with Giant Hands of Doom. Also not to be confused with the Power Fist. Or the Black Power Fist.

Anime & Manga

 * When Colonel Roy Mustang in the manga and Brotherhood anime version of Fullmetal Alchemist there is a scene of him putting on his trademark "ignition gloves" in the classic evil fashion, complete with a closeup of the flame transmutation circle.
 * Sakura Haruno of Naruto inverts the trope, usually with a nice Glove Snap to go with it. She's one of the good guys, but if she uses this gesture then beware.

Comic Books

 * This is practically a prerequisite for anyone who puts on the Infinity Gauntlet, both villain AND hero alike.

Film

 * The prototypical Mad Scientist, Rotwang, in Metropolis (though he never does quite close his fist; his hand was said to have been prosthetic). Possibly the Ur Example and Trope Maker.
 * Darth Vader does this so often he comes close to being the Trope Codifier. "If you only knew the power of the Dark Side..." "Luke, join me..."
 * For bonus Gloved Fist of Doom, there was a kids' EU novel titled "The Glove of Darth Vader" and it was about the eponymous glove as a Memento MacGuffin. Presumably the bad guy made this gesture some more after he found it.
 * Actually, it really was an Gloved fist of Doom. It burned and eventually drove whoever wore it insane. Naturally the bad guys wanted it anyway.
 * Street Fighter. General M. Bison (Raul Julia) in an upward motion as he exclaims, "Pax Bisonica!"
 * He also does a double-fisted one when he shouts, "". He was almost as fond of this move as Darth Vader.
 * Boromir does this at least once while contemplating the power of the Ring.
 * As does the Witch-King during the lead-up to his dramatic reveal in Return of the King.
 * Who Framed Roger Rabbit. While in the Acme factory, Judge Doom pulls on a large rubber glove before putting a Toon shoe in the Dip. (Watch it here, 4:00-5:20. He doesn't make the fist, but he does put it on menacingly.
 * Of course, it is perfectly reasonable for the judge to don menacing gloves since
 * Syndrome does it in The Incredibles, with a (reversing the trope with white gloves).
 * Jaffar in Aladdin makes the move - sans gloves - when he turns into a genie. "ULTIMATE COSMIC POWER!"
 * Jaffar in Aladdin makes the move - sans gloves - when he turns into a genie. "ULTIMATE COSMIC POWER!"

Live Action TV

 * Gwendolyn Post, the evil Watcher, does this after putting on the magical power glove in Buffy the Vampire Slayer 'Revelations'.

Video Games

 * Shockingly, Yuna does this in a moment of rebelliousness in Final Fantasy X-2.
 * Magus in Chrono Trigger adjusts his gloves like this while charging a spell. There is no discernible reason why he would need to do this, but damned if it doesn't look cool.
 * Ansem / Xehanort's Heartless ends his "Darkness is the heart's true essence" speech in the first Kingdom Hearts with one of these.
 * City of Heroes' first expansion--City of Villains--had boxart that featured President Evil Lord Recluse in the open-fisted pose. Moreover, Nazi-inspired villain (and M. Bison-lookalike) Reichsman raises a gloved fist in the middle of a fight before punching the ground with enough force to knock out Player Characters' Hit Points and Endurance. Gloved Fist of Doom, indeed.
 * Illidan Stormrage does this in the opening cinematic of War Craft III: The Frozen Throne. He's conjuring up a storm to summon minions from the bottom of the sea.

Web Original

 * Doctor Steel does this near the beginning of The Dr. Steel Show,, and is sometimes depicted that way in his propaganda art and photos.
 * Dr. Horrible does it at least once, at the end of the Sing-Along Blog, Symbolically, they look just like Captain Hammer's gloves.

Western Animation

 * Cobra Commander often does this.
 * Dr. Drakken does this in Kim Possible, often two-fisted.

Real Life

 * Recent studies have shown that clenching one's fist in this manner does indeed increase one's sense of power and increase willpower. Especially if you're thinking evil thoughts while doing so. (see: Schubert, T.W., & Koole, S.L. (2009). The embodied self: Making a fist enhances men’s power-related self-conceptions. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 45, 828–834.)
 * Benito Mussolini loved to do this gesture during speeches photo