Strong Bad

In the original The Homestar Runner Enters the Strongest Man in the World Contest book, as well as many of the early cartoons, Strong Bad mainly served as the antagonist to Homestar Runner. The two would frequently compete against each other in competitions, with Strong Bad often cheating. As the series drew away from competition-based stories and became more character-driven, Strong Bad became less of a villain; although he still dislikes Homestar and often tries to prank him, he mostly just views him as dim-witted and irritating. The two have been known to occasionally get along, however.

Along with his physically intimidating but mentally limited big brother Strong Mad and his yellow lackey The Cheat, Strong Bad represents the self-proclaimed criminal 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 he is highly prone to exaggerating his alluring qualities—especially with regards to women. Strong Bad also "rules" an area of the fictional universe called Strong Badia.{{cite web| title=Strong Bad Email #90, colonization |publisher=homestarrunner.com |url=http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail90.html|access-date=September 18, 2008}}{{cite web|title=Strong Bad Email #11, i rule |publisher=homestarrunner.com |url=http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail11.html|access-date=September 18, 2008}} 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. Besides Strong Badia, he and The Cheat enjoy hanging out at a stick known as "The Stick".

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Strong Bad would mock the spelling and grammar of those who wrote to him, usually while typing with boxing gloves on an outdated computer. The question of how he types with boxing gloves on has become a running gag due to the frequency of emails concerning it, and seems to annoy Strong Bad. 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" or "New 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.{{cite web |author=Chapman, Matt |author2=Chapman, Mike | year=2003| title=Strong Bad Email 79 "the process" |format=SWF |work=homestarrunner.com |url=http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail79.html |access-date=December 19, 2006}} As of 2022, there are 209 Strong Bad emails. Although the animations were initially brief, they gradually grew to establish numerous catchphrases and running gags. His most used catchphrase was "Holy Crap!" and other variations on this theme (example: "What the crap?"), though he now parodies even this in his responses to emails.

Trogdor the Burninator is an original character created by Strong Bad in the 58th Strong Bad Email, titled "dragon". The cartoon features Strong Bad giving an Ed Emberley-inspired drawing tutorial{{cite speech |title=Homestar Runner: Games Games Games! |first1=Matt|last1=Chapman|first2=Mike |last2=Chapman |author-link=The Brothers Chaps |date=April 8, 2018 |location=Boston, Massachusetts |url=https://www.twitch.tv/videos/248154119 |access-date=May 16, 2024 }} to the viewer, illustrating a fire-breathing serpent with incongruous details including stick-figure feet and a single, large muscular arm. His fire-breathing destruction is referred to with the term "burnination".

The Trogdor character became very popular, with merchandise featuring the dragon consistently being the best-selling in the store.{{cite web |last1=Goldstein |first1=Ben |title=Mike Chapman: Homestarrunner Co–creator |url=http://www.giantmag.com/issue_05/movies_homestarMike.aspx |website=Giant Magazine |publisher=Giant Magazine, LLC. |access-date=16 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051018084350/http://www.giantmag.com/issue_05/movies_homestarMike.aspx |archive-date=18 October 2005|date=May 2005 |url-status=dead}} Trogdor was featured on several games on the website, and accompanied by a memorable song in his first appearance. He featured as the main antagonist of the final episode of Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People, "8-Bit is Enough".{{cite web |title=Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People Episode 5: 8-Bit Is Enough |url=http://www.telltalegames.com/strongbad/8bitisenough |website=Telltale Games |access-date=16 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208101622/http://www.telltalegames.com/strongbad/8bitisenough |archive-date=8 December 2008 |url-status=dead}} In 2018, board game Trogdor!! The Board Game{{cite web|url=http://trogdorboardgame.homestarrunner.com/|title=Trogdor!! The Board Game webpage|year=2018|access-date=August 16, 2019}} was funded via a Kickstarter campaign.{{cite web |last1=Rose |first1=Victoria |title=Trogdor co-op board game, based on beloved Homestar Runner dragon, fulfills Kickstarter goal |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/7/17/17581818/trogdor-homestar-runner-board-game-kickstarter |website=Polygon |access-date=16 May 2024 |date=17 July 2018}}

References to Trogdor have appeared throughout pop culture, with the "Trogdor" theme featured as a bonus song in Guitar Hero II{{cite web|title=Full Guitar Hero II setlist with twenty-four bonus tracks|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/25/full-guitar-hero-ii-setlist-with-24-bonus-tracks/|publisher=Joystiq|first=Christopher|last=Grant|access-date=January 15, 2009}} and the dragon being mentioned in the finale of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.{{cite web |last1=Goldstein |first1=Rich |title=Homestar Runner, Trogdor the Burninator, and the Birth of the Internet |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/homestar-runner-trogdor-the-burninator-and-the-birth-of-the-internet |website=The Daily Beast |access-date=16 May 2024 |language=en |date=22 April 2014}}

On May 15, 2025, a reference to Trogdor, the iconic character from the web series Homestar Runner, was included in the video game Legion TD 2. A new Secret Card titled "The Flaminator" was introduced, featuring artwork depicting Trogdor with his signature single beefy arm and prominent eyebrows. The card includes the caption: "Flaminating the countryside, flaminating the peasants!" — a direct reference to the original Trogdor song.

A recurring element of Homestar Runner is the re-imagining of the cast and world of the cartoon into a different genre. Variations of Strong Bad feature prominently in many of these series, such as the 1930s-themed "Old-Timey Strong Bad",{{cite web |title=Parsnips A-Plenty |url=https://homestarrunner.com/toons/parsnips-aplenty |website=Homestar Runner |access-date=16 May 2024 |language=en |date=21 October 2002}} the comic book superhero "Strong Badman",{{cite web |title=Strong Bad Email #29, superhero name |url=https://homestarrunner.com/sbemails/29-superhero-name |website=Homestar Runner |access-date=16 May 2024 |language=en |date=27 May 2002}} or the anime-styled "Stinkoman".{{cite web| title=Strong Bad Email #57, japanese cartoon |publisher=homestarrunner.com |url=http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail57.html|access-date=September 18, 2008}}

Many elements of Homestar Runner spun off from Strong Bad Emails, such as cartoon series Teen Girl Squad or characters Trogdor the Burninator and Homsar.

File:The Brothers Chaps 2008 (cropped).JPG (L-R): Matt (voice of Strong Bad) and Mike Chapman (co-creator of Strong Bad).]]

{{seealso|Homestar Runner#History}}

Along with several other Homestar Runner main characters, Strong Bad debuted in the 1996 parody children's book The Homestar Runner Enters the Strongest Man in the World Contest.{{cite web |author1=Chapman, Matt |author2=Zobel, Craig |author1-link=The Brothers Chaps |author2-link=Craig Zobel |title=The Homestar Runner Enters the Strongest Man in the World Contest |url=https://old.homestarrunner.com/book1.html |website=HomestarRunner.com |publisher=Harmless Junk, Inc. |access-date=16 May 2024 |date=July 1996}} The storybook focuses on friends The Homestar Runner and Pom-Pom entering a strongman competition, opposed by the cheating Strong Bad.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2003/06/59261?currentPage=2 |title=HomestarRunner Hits a Homer |access-date=September 19, 2008 |last=Dean |first=Kari Lynn |date=June 23, 2003 |magazine=Wired}}

Seeking to design an obvious villain, inspiration came from "evil" masked wrestlers such as Mil Máscaras, Mr. Wrestling II, and most prominently the "Strong Bads" team from the NES video game Tag Team Wrestling.{{cite web |last1=Berry |first1=Robert |title=AN INTERVIEW WITH HOMESTAR RUNNER CREATORS, THE CHAPMAN BROTHERS (FROM 2001) |url=http://retrocrush.com/archive2/homestar/ |website=retro CRUSH |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303130845/http://retrocrush.com/archive2/homestar/ |archive-date=March 3, 2018 |date=2001 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 16, 2024 }}{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5016138/lunchtime-with-the-brothers-chap-strong-bads-creators-speak-and-eat|title= Lunchtime With The Brothers Chap: Strong Bad's Creators Speak And Eat |date= June 13, 2008 |access-date=September 20, 2008 |publisher=Kotaku}} Strong Bad was therefore drawn as a stereotypical luchador, with a red-and-black mask, boxing gloves, tights, and going shirtless.

A few photocopies of the small, handmade book were distributed among friends, there was no serious attempt to publish or otherwise capitalize on it.{{cite web |last1=Scott |first1=Kevin |title=Homestar Runner Interview |url=http://members.shaw.ca/kevinscott/Homestar/ |website=Kevv's Spot |access-date=16 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030813005743/http://members.shaw.ca/kevinscott/Homestar/ |archive-date=13 August 2003 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last1=Winkie |first1=Luke |title=An Oral History of Homestar Runner, the Internet's Favorite Cartoon |url=https://gizmodo.com/an-oral-history-of-homestar-runner-the-internets-favor-1791519879 |website=Gizmodo |access-date=16 May 2024 |language=en |date=24 January 2017}} Strong Bad would not be revisited for several years; in 1999, the brothers wanted to learn to use Flash and returned to the Homestar Runner characters as an outlet to do so.

The earliest Homestar Runner cartoons revolved around the titular Homestar Runner taking part in athletic competitions, opposed by the villainous Strong Bad. The Brothers Chaps soon decided to instead focus on humorous moments taking place between competitions, which allowed for Strong Bad to be developed further in cartoon series like "Marzipan's Answering Machine" and "Strong Bad Email".{{cite web |last1=Carriveau |first1=Derrek |title=Legion Interviews Mike Chapman of Homestarrunner.com |url=http://www.legionstudios.com/interviews/views/homestar/homestar.html |website=Legion Studios |publisher=Legion Studios, Inc. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030202085605/http://www.legionstudios.com/interviews/views/homestar/homestar.html |archive-date=February 2, 2003 |date=2002 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 16, 2024 }}

Strong Bad quickly became the site's breakout character, with Mike Chapman noting that fans seemed to enjoy "how he rags on everyone, but isn't very threatening." The Brothers Chaps decided to give him his own segment, Strong Bad Email (abbreviated as "sbemail") beginning in 2001;{{cite news |last=Ydstie |first=John |date=May 8, 2005 |title=Strong Bad Walks in Footsteps of Darth, Lex, J.R. |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4634837 |work=All Things Considered |publisher=National Public Radio |access-date=September 20, 2008}} originally established as a brief, advice column-like format merely featuring Strong Bad typing at a computer, the format quickly evolved to more complex mini-cartoons.{{cite web |last1=Carlson |first1=Jay |title=The Inkhole Exclusive Interview with Homestar Runner Co-Creator Matt Chapman |url=http://www.theinkhole.com/homestar1.htm |website=The Inkhole |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041011153811/http://www.theinkhole.com/homestar1.htm |archive-date=October 11, 2004 |page=2 |url-status=dead}} "Strong Bad Email" became a runaway success for the website: by early 2002 Strong Bad was already receiving hundreds of emails a day, peaking at eight thousand daily emails in the summer of 2003 before leveling off to two thousand a day.

Strong Bad started off with a prominent Mexican accent and a deep voice, which gradually transitioned into a more gruff and less-accented voice with more vocal range.{{cite AV media |people=Chapman, Matt; Chapman, Mike |date= |title=strongbad_email.exe Disc Five {{pipe}} "Accent" |type=DVD |publication-date=June 5, 2007 |publisher= Harmless Junk, Inc. }}

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". 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." 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." Johnny Dee, a reviewer from The Guardian, 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."{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2008/sep/06/email.internet |title=Internet review: Strong Bad Emails |access-date=September 21, 2008 |last=Dee |first=Johnny |date=September 6, 2008 |work=The Guardian}}

Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People is a point-and-click adventure game based on Homestar Runner and starring Strong Bad. The game was created by Telltale Games in partnership with The Brothers Chaps, and released for both the Nintendo Wii's WiiWare service and Microsoft Windows,{{cite web |title=Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People: Season 1 on Steam |url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/8340/ |publisher=Steam |access-date=January 7, 2009}} later ported to PlayStation 3 as a PSN download and to OSX. It was released in an episodic format, with five episodes comprising the first season. No serious discussions or pre-production on a second season had taken place{{cite web |last1=Newheiser |first1=Mark |title=Matt Chapman, Mike Chapman, Mark Darin - Homestarrunner, Telltale Games - Interview |url=http://www.adventureclassicgaming.com/index.php/site/interviews/439/ |website=www.adventureclassicgaming.com |publisher=Adventure Classic Gaming |access-date=17 May 2024 |date=23 December 2008}} prior to Telltale's closure in 2018.

Telltale Games also featured Strong Bad as a character in Poker Night at the Inventory. Released November 22, 2010,{{cite web |url=http://www.telltalegames.com/community/blogs/id-714 |title=A Release Date. Poker Night Has One |date=November 18, 2010 |access-date=November 24, 2010 |publisher=Telltale Games |archive-date=November 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120140931/http://www.telltalegames.com/community/blogs/id-714 |url-status=dead }} the game features Strong Bad alongside other video game characters (Tycho from Penny Arcade, Heavy from Team Fortress 2, and Max from Sam & Max) as computer-controlled opponents playing Texas hold 'em poker against the player. Telltale CEO Dan Connors described the game as "exploring the idea of what video characters do when they're not 'on the clock' in the games we play."{{cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |title=Team Fortress 2's Heavy Finally Playable In... A Poker Game |work=Kotaku |publisher=Gawker Media |date=September 2, 2010 |url=http://kotaku.com/5629057/team-fortress-2s-heavy-finally-playable-in-a-poker-game}} Matt Chapman provided input on the writing for Strong Bad.{{cite magazine | url = http://www.gamepro.com/article/previews/216419/pax-2010-poker-night-at-the-inventory/ | title = PAX 2010: Poker Night at the Inventory | first = Will | last = Herring | date = September 6, 2010 | magazine = GamePro | publisher = GamePro Media | access-date = September 6, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100912023617/http://www.gamepro.com/article/previews/216419/pax-2010-poker-night-at-the-inventory/ | archive-date = September 12, 2010 | url-status = dead}}

Strong Bad Sings (And Other Type Hits) is a 2003 album featuring new or re-recorded songs from the Homestar Runner site. Although many songs are performed by Strong Bad, other bands and characters from Homestar Runner are featured as well.

Spoken word lines from Strong Bad were featured on the Shellac song "Genuine Lulabelle", from the album Excellent Italian Greyhound.

Strong Bad makes a guest appearance on The Aquabats{{'}} 2011 album Hi-Five Soup!, providing vocals on the song "Pink Pants!".{{cite web |url=http://www.ampmagazine.com/7404/the-aquabats-reveal-art-and-tracklisting-for-new-album/ |title=The Aquabats reveal art and tracklisting for new album |date=December 2, 2010 |author=Casey, Justin |work=AMP|access-date=January 5, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111074040/http://www.ampmagazine.com/7404/the-aquabats-reveal-art-and-tracklisting-for-new-album/ |archive-date=January 11, 2011 }} On July 14, 2012, Matt Chapman appeared onstage at an Aquabats concert in San Diego in character as Strong Bad, joining the band in a performance of "Trogdor".{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2MlS5UeLaQ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523191555/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2MlS5UeLaQ| archive-date=2014-05-23 | url-status=dead|title=The Aquabats Super Trogdor Cameo Dragon Fight!!! - SDCC |publisher=YouTube |date=July 14, 2012}}

A three-volume Homestar Runner soundtrack was released to music streaming platforms on April 10, 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/return-to-2003-with-two-decades-worth-of-homestar-runne-1842840286|title=Homestar Runner has just released 20 years of its music|website=The A.V. Club|date=April 13, 2020 |access-date=December 1, 2021}} All songs are credited to "Strong Bad", despite the fact that many are purportedly performed by other fictional characters or are simple instrumental pieces, as a result of limits on formatting compilation albums.{{Cite tweet |user=StrongBadActual|number=1171907866246225920 |title=There were weird limits on compilations and various artists albums so I just took credit for it all myself.}}

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.

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.homestarrunner.com/vcr-sb|Character video on official website}}
• [http://www.hrwiki.org/index.php/Strong_Bad Strong Bad] at Homestar Runner Wiki
• [https://www.twitter.com/@StrongBadActual Strong Bad] on Twitter

{{Homestar Runner}}

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