Heroic Comedic Sociopath: Difference between revisions

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{{trope}}
{{trope}}
[[File:surrender_7805.gif|link=The Order of the Stick|right]]
[[File:surrender 7805.gif|link=The Order of the Stick|right]]


{{quote|'''Belkar:''' So, I did what I always do--murder people horribly--but because I killed the people everyone else wanted me to kill, I get presents instead of prison time?
{{quote|'''Belkar:''' So, I did what I always do--murder people horribly--but because I killed the people everyone else wanted me to kill, I get presents instead of prison time?
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The Heroic Comedic Sociopath is a very ''special'' sort of comic relief who works toward a positive, morally affirming goal whilst being as evil as possible along the way. He differs from most [[Anti-Hero]] archetypes in that he's never ineffectual or angsty - he loves what he does for a living. His punishment, at worst, is that he may be on the receiving end of some [[Comedic Sociopathy]]. Far more often he's dealing out [[Comedic Sociopathy]] and [[Crosses the Line Twice|Crossing the Line Twice]] at such a rate that he quickly becomes a [[Ensemble Darkhorse|fan favorite]]. (Note that it is nearly always a ''he''; female Heroic Sociopaths are rare.)
The Heroic Comedic Sociopath is a very ''special'' sort of comic relief who works toward a positive, morally affirming goal whilst being as evil as possible along the way. He differs from most [[Anti-Hero]] archetypes in that he's never ineffectual or angsty - he loves what he does for a living. His punishment, at worst, is that he may be on the receiving end of some [[Comedic Sociopathy]]. Far more often he's dealing out [[Comedic Sociopathy]] and [[Crosses the Line Twice|Crossing the Line Twice]] at such a rate that he quickly becomes a [[Ensemble Darkhorse|fan favorite]]. (Note that it is nearly always a ''he''; female Heroic Sociopaths are rare.)


A Heroic Comedic Sociopath can and will eat the souls of jaywalkers, swindle old ladies, detonate buildings, punt puppies into traffic, and steal candy from babies all in broad daylight with a hundred witnesses present, in the funniest way possible. The [[Karma Houdini]] is a natural part of his being -- not because he's too [[Badass]] to be captured, but because it's [[Rule of Funny|hilarious]]. Being cranked up to the top and played for laughs as he is, the Heroic Comedic Sociopath is so fun, evil and invincible that the audience naturally cheers for him and his wacky antics. At the same time, he serves as [[Wish Fulfillment]]: a fantasy for the audience. Anyone who has wanted to give the boss what they deserve can wish they were like the Heroic Comedic Sociopath, or had a Heroic Comedic Sociopath ally to sic on said boss.
A Heroic Comedic Sociopath can and will eat the souls of jaywalkers, swindle old ladies, detonate buildings, punt puppies into traffic, and steal candy from babies all in broad daylight with a hundred witnesses present, in the funniest way possible. The [[Karma Houdini]] is a natural part of his being—not because he's too [[Badass]] to be captured, but because it's [[Rule of Funny|hilarious]]. Being cranked up to the top and played for laughs as he is, the Heroic Comedic Sociopath is so fun, evil and invincible that the audience naturally cheers for him and his wacky antics. At the same time, he serves as [[Wish Fulfillment]]: a fantasy for the audience. Anyone who has wanted to give the boss what they deserve can wish they were like the Heroic Comedic Sociopath, or had a Heroic Comedic Sociopath ally to sic on said boss.


At this point you may be wondering why actually good characters in the story put up with him. While he may be a monster in other circumstances, he's ''our'' monster. Sometimes the other heroes have protection from the Heroic Comedic Sociopath's hijinks -- it might be a [[Restraining Bolt]], or the fact that the heroes combined can stand up to him. Failing that, they may be in some way endearing to him. Or possibly the Heroic Comedic Sociopath just finds the heroes amusing enough to see the advantage of not pestering them too much, or may just find it more fun to target the bad guys instead. Other times, they don't have that luxury and are stuck with an "ally" as disrupting to them as to their enemies.
At this point you may be wondering why actually good characters in the story put up with him. While he may be a monster in other circumstances, he's ''our'' monster. Sometimes the other heroes have protection from the Heroic Comedic Sociopath's hijinks—it might be a [[Restraining Bolt]], or the fact that the heroes combined can stand up to him. Failing that, they may be in some way endearing to him. Or possibly the Heroic Comedic Sociopath just finds the heroes amusing enough to see the advantage of not pestering them too much, or may just find it more fun to target the bad guys instead. Other times, they don't have that luxury and are stuck with an "ally" as disrupting to them as to their enemies.


Compare [[Sociopathic Hero]], for when this kind of behavior is not [[Played for Laughs]]. See also [[Token Evil Teammate]]. Heroic Comedic Sociopaths are often, but not always, [[Nominal Hero|Nominal Heroes]].
Compare [[Sociopathic Hero]], for when this kind of behavior is not [[Played for Laughs]]. See also [[Token Evil Teammate]]. Heroic Comedic Sociopaths are often, but not always, [[Nominal Hero]]es.
{{examples}}
{{examples}}


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* [http://www.redmeat.com/redmeat/meatlocker/milkmandan.html Milkman Dan] from Max Cannon's ''[[Red Meat]]'', author-proclaimed "Booze-fueled paragon of pointless cruelty and wanton sadism". Especially noticeable in his repeated pestering of [[Bratty Half-Pint]] Karen.
* [http://www.redmeat.com/redmeat/meatlocker/milkmandan.html Milkman Dan] from Max Cannon's ''[[Red Meat]]'', author-proclaimed "Booze-fueled paragon of pointless cruelty and wanton sadism". Especially noticeable in his repeated pestering of [[Bratty Half-Pint]] Karen.
* Sebastion O. from the comics of same name is a complete [[The Dandy|dandy]] and more interested in filling the void of a dull life (and getting revenge on the people who put him in Bedlam) than any form of kindness. Also one of his best friends is a pederast.
* Sebastion O. from the comics of same name is a complete [[The Dandy|dandy]] and more interested in filling the void of a dull life (and getting revenge on the people who put him in Bedlam) than any form of kindness. Also one of his best friends is a pederast.
* Princess Lucinda, of her own comic and the second volume of ''[[Witch Girls Tales]]'', on those occasions when she's not being played as an outright [[Villain Protagonist]]. Yes, she actually ''is'' being played for laughs, despite what some might tell you -- the ''Witch Girls'' franchise has tended toward [[Black Comedy]].
* Princess Lucinda, of her own comic and the second volume of ''[[Witch Girls Tales]]'', on those occasions when she's not being played as an outright [[Villain Protagonist]]. Yes, she actually ''is'' being played for laughs, despite what some might tell you—the ''Witch Girls'' franchise has tended toward [[Black Comedy]].
* Hit Girl of ''[[Kick-Ass]]''.
* Hit Girl of ''[[Kick-Ass]]''.
* Several main characters of ''[[Sin City]]'' can come across as this, especially Marv: A lot of the quite horrible things he performs with his usual boyish enthusiasm seems to be played for (somewhat reluctant) laughs.
* Several main characters of ''[[Sin City]]'' can come across as this, especially Marv: A lot of the quite horrible things he performs with his usual boyish enthusiasm seems to be played for (somewhat reluctant) laughs.
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== Films -- Live Action ==
== Films -- Live Action ==
* A good portion of protagonists from [[Quentin Tarantino]] films, such as The Bride from ''[[Kill Bill]] Vol. 1/2'' could qualify as this trope. And then there's ''[[Inglourious Basterds]]'', which is completely based around the trope.
* A good portion of protagonists from [[Quentin Tarantino]] films, such as The Bride from ''[[Kill Bill]] Vol. 1/2'' could qualify as this trope. And then there's ''[[Inglourious Basterds]]'', which is completely based around the trope.
* Chev Chelios from the ''[[Crank]]'' films, who may indeed suffer some hijinks but causes the majority of them -- among other things, he {{spoiler|steals a motorcycle from a cop then taunts him by doing donuts in the middle of an intersection, while wearing nothing but a hospital gown and his socks and shoes, after injecting himself with five times the recommended dose of Epinephrine (adrenaline).}}
* Chev Chelios from the ''[[Crank]]'' films, who may indeed suffer some hijinks but causes the majority of them—among other things, he {{spoiler|steals a motorcycle from a cop then taunts him by doing donuts in the middle of an intersection, while wearing nothing but a hospital gown and his socks and shoes, after injecting himself with five times the recommended dose of Epinephrine (adrenaline).}}
* ''[[The Mask (film)|The Mask]]'' in his film and cartoon incarnations is an id-dominated maniac who is liable to act on everything that Stanley Ipkiss represses and it's all [[Played for Laughs]]. He also isn't actually that villainous when compared to the actual villains of said film and cartoon. His [[The Mask (comics)|comics incarnation]], meanwhile, is a pure-up [[Villain Protagonist]].
* ''[[The Mask (film)|The Mask]]'' in his film and cartoon incarnations is an id-dominated maniac who is liable to act on everything that Stanley Ipkiss represses and it's all [[Played for Laughs]]. He also isn't actually that villainous when compared to the actual villains of said film and cartoon. His [[The Mask (comics)|comics incarnation]], meanwhile, is a pure-up [[Villain Protagonist]].
** It also helps that so many of the characters who get picked on by The Mask are [[Asshole Victim|Asshole Victims]]. In fact, in the movie it often seems as if Edge City is ''swarming'' with all kinds of pests, weirdos, bullies, and all-around [[Jerkass|Jerk Asses]] whose only purpose in life is to drive Stanley to impossible levels of madness and inspire him to wreak creatively ghoulish destruction as The Mask. Fittingly enough, it is eventually revealed that the titular mask is an Old Norse archaeological find in which is trapped the spirit of the mischievous demon Loki.
** It also helps that so many of the characters who get picked on by The Mask are [[Asshole Victim]]s. In fact, in the movie it often seems as if Edge City is ''swarming'' with all kinds of pests, weirdos, bullies, and all-around [[Jerkass|Jerk Asses]] whose only purpose in life is to drive Stanley to impossible levels of madness and inspire him to wreak creatively ghoulish destruction as The Mask. Fittingly enough, it is eventually revealed that the titular mask is an Old Norse archaeological find in which is trapped the spirit of the mischievous demon Loki.
** Among Stanley's most outrageous actions as The Mask:
** Among Stanley's most outrageous actions as The Mask:
*** Folding a balloon into a tommy gun and chasing off some (unarmed) muggers with it (by firing wildly into the air).
*** Folding a balloon into a tommy gun and chasing off some (unarmed) muggers with it (by firing wildly into the air).
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* [[The Acts of Caine|Caine of Garthan Hold]] skirts the line of this. Well, maybe dances on it. Okay, he does a full soft-shoe number up and down with Broadway routines and a full stage orchestra in the background.
* [[The Acts of Caine|Caine of Garthan Hold]] skirts the line of this. Well, maybe dances on it. Okay, he does a full soft-shoe number up and down with Broadway routines and a full stage orchestra in the background.
* Meursault in ''[[The Stranger]]'', if you go for the [[Alternate Character Interpretation]].
* Meursault in ''[[The Stranger]]'', if you go for the [[Alternate Character Interpretation]].
* [[The Jeeves|Jeeves]] of ''[[Jeeves and Wooster (novel)|Jeeves and Wooster]]'' constantly throws people--''especially'' his employer--under the bus in order to further his [[Zany Scheme|Zany Schemes]]. Since most of the said schemes ultimately benefit the people involved, he gets away with it.
* [[The Jeeves|Jeeves]] of ''[[Jeeves and Wooster (novel)|Jeeves and Wooster]]'' constantly throws people--''especially'' his employer—under the bus in order to further his [[Zany Scheme]]s. Since most of the said schemes ultimately benefit the people involved, he gets away with it.




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== Theater ==
== Theater ==
* [[Cyrano De Bergerac]]: Deconstructed by Cyrano: Possessing severe [[Mommy Issues]] and a [[Martyrdom Culture|strange upbringing]], Cyrano's actions are a cry for acceptance from the rest of the world, delivered the only way his broken mind knows how. Cyrano is a rare example that is not a [[Karma Houdini]]. When Cyrano is sad, he bullies annoying people and picks up the occasional [[Sword Fight]]. When Cyrano is happy, he searches for various [[Asshole Victim|Asshole Victims]] to kill. He kills [[One-Man Army|eight thugs paid to ambush one of Cyrano’s friends]]) as he lampshades this in Act I Scene VI:
* [[Cyrano De Bergerac]]: Deconstructed by Cyrano: Possessing severe [[Mommy Issues]] and a [[Martyrdom Culture|strange upbringing]], Cyrano's actions are a cry for acceptance from the rest of the world, delivered the only way his broken mind knows how. Cyrano is a rare example that is not a [[Karma Houdini]]. When Cyrano is sad, he bullies annoying people and picks up the occasional [[Sword Fight]]. When Cyrano is happy, he searches for various [[Asshole Victim]]s to kill. He kills [[One-Man Army|eight thugs paid to ambush one of Cyrano’s friends]]) as he lampshades this in Act I Scene VI:
{{quote|'''Le Bret:''' Now you'll be calm, I hope?
{{quote|'''Le Bret:''' Now you'll be calm, I hope?
'''Cyrano''' ''(beside himself for joy):'' Calm? I now calm?
'''Cyrano''' ''(beside himself for joy):'' Calm? I now calm?
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* ''[[Cox and Combes Washington]]'', albeit heavy on the sociopath and light on the heroic part.
* ''[[Cox and Combes Washington]]'', albeit heavy on the sociopath and light on the heroic part.
** Well, he did save the children... but not the British children. In fact, at one point he goes to save the children from a burning school before he realises it's a ''British'' school and proceeds to push the building off a cliff.
** Well, he did save the children... but not the British children. In fact, at one point he goes to save the children from a burning school before he realises it's a ''British'' school and proceeds to push the building off a cliff.
* A common attribute of ''[[Protectors of the Plot Continuum]]'', especially those in the Department of Floaters, the Department of [[Mary Sue|Mary Sues]], and the Department of Geological Aberrations. Given that the last two are [[Murder Is the Best Solution|Assassins]] and [[Destructive Saviour|Pyros]], and they are all volunteers, this should not be particularly surprising.
* A common attribute of ''[[Protectors of the Plot Continuum]]'', especially those in the Department of Floaters, the Department of [[Mary Sue]]s, and the Department of Geological Aberrations. Given that the last two are [[Murder Is the Best Solution|Assassins]] and [[Destructive Saviour|Pyros]], and they are all volunteers, this should not be particularly surprising.
* Sarge of ''[[Red vs. Blue]]''.
* Sarge of ''[[Red vs. Blue]]''.
** ''"I love blood and violence! I've got a boner for murder!"''
** ''"I love blood and violence! I've got a boner for murder!"''
* Mr. Popo from ''[[Dragon Ball Abridged]]''. He is able to control an ancient Namekian starship just by saying his name to it -- not because of any programming, but because ''it knows better''.
* Mr. Popo from ''[[Dragon Ball Abridged]]''. He is able to control an ancient Namekian starship just by saying his name to it—not because of any programming, but because ''it knows better''.
* Near the end of V3 of ''[[Survival of the Fittest]]'', Dominica Shapiro [[Heel Realization|realizes that she has become this]] {{spoiler|just before she throws herself at the terrorists guns a-blazing in a bid to keep the escaping students safe, and to have some fun in the meanwhile.}}
* Near the end of V3 of ''[[Survival of the Fittest]]'', Dominica Shapiro [[Heel Realization|realizes that she has become this]] {{spoiler|just before she throws herself at the terrorists guns a-blazing in a bid to keep the escaping students safe, and to have some fun in the meanwhile.}}
* The "anti-walkthroughs" featured on [[IT-HE Software|it-he.org]] make the protagonists of the ''[[Ultima]]'' series, ''[[Thief]]'', ''[[Deus Ex]]'' and ''[[Elder Scrolls]]'' into these, partially for sake of [[Sequence Breaking]] and partially for the pure fun of [[Video Game Cruelty Potential]].
* The "anti-walkthroughs" featured on [[IT-HE Software|it-he.org]] make the protagonists of the ''[[Ultima]]'' series, ''[[Thief]]'', ''[[Deus Ex]]'' and ''[[Elder Scrolls]]'' into these, partially for sake of [[Sequence Breaking]] and partially for the pure fun of [[Video Game Cruelty Potential]].