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*Strong Sad (younger brother)
*Strong Sad (younger brother)
*Strong Mad (older brother)
*Strong Mad (older brother)
*The Cheat (pet)
*The Cheat (sidekick)
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'''Strong Bad''' is a fictional character from ''[[Homestar Runner]]'', a series of animated [[Adobe Flash|Flash]] videos, who is inspired by "The Strong Bads" from the video game ''[[Tag Team Wrestling]]''. He is voiced by [[The Brothers Chaps|Matt Chapman]], the principal [[Voice acting|voice actor]] and co-creator of the series. Strong Bad enjoys pranking the other characters of the series, along with his ever-diligent lackey pet The Cheat and his older brother Strong Mad.<ref name="c page">{{cite web |url=http://www.homestarrunner.com/vcr_sb.html |title=Strong Bad's Character Video |access-date=September 18, 2008 |first1=Matt|last1=Chapman|first2=Mike |last2=Chapman |publisher=[[Homestar Runner|homestarrunner]].com}}</ref> Strong Bad first became popular due to his own segment on the Homestar Runner website, called “Strong Bad Emails”.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://media.www.redandblack.com/media/storage/paper871/news/2003/10/24/Variety/Homestarrunners.Antics.Provide.Entertainment.For.Its.OnLine.Fans-2577573.shtml |title=Homestarrunner's antics provide entertainment for its on-line fans |access-date=September 18, 2008 |last=Taylor |first=Lauren |date=October 24, 2003 |publisher=Red and Black |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113180832/http://media.www.redandblack.com/media/storage/paper871/news/2003/10/24/Variety/Homestarrunners.Antics.Provide.Entertainment.For.Its.OnLine.Fans-2577573.shtml |archive-date=January 13, 2009 }}</ref> The ''Strong Bad Email'' series grew to be so popular that six [[DVD]]s 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/vel05/2007/08/podcasts.html |title=Podcasts |access-date=September 18, 2008 |last=Miller |first=Aaron |date=August 23, 2007 |work=[[Courier-Journal]]}}</ref>
'''Strong Bad''' is a fictional character from ''[[Homestar Runner]]'', a series of animated [[Adobe Flash|Flash]] videos, who is inspired by "The Strong Bads" from the video game ''[[Tag Team Wrestling]]''. He is voiced by [[The Brothers Chaps|Matt Chapman]], the principal [[Voice acting|voice actor]] and co-creator of the series. Strong Bad enjoys pranking the other characters of the series, along with his ever-diligent lackey pet The Cheat and his older brother Strong Mad.<ref name="c page">{{cite web |url=http://www.homestarrunner.com/vcr_sb.html |title=Strong Bad's Character Video |access-date=September 18, 2008 |first1=Matt|last1=Chapman|first2=Mike |last2=Chapman |publisher=[[Homestar Runner|homestarrunner]].com}}</ref> Strong Bad first became popular due to his own segment on the Homestar Runner website, called "Strong Bad Emails".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://media.www.redandblack.com/media/storage/paper871/news/2003/10/24/Variety/Homestarrunners.Antics.Provide.Entertainment.For.Its.OnLine.Fans-2577573.shtml |title=Homestarrunner's antics provide entertainment for its on-line fans |access-date=September 18, 2008 |last=Taylor |first=Lauren |date=October 24, 2003 |publisher=Red and Black |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113180832/http://media.www.redandblack.com/media/storage/paper871/news/2003/10/24/Variety/Homestarrunners.Antics.Provide.Entertainment.For.Its.OnLine.Fans-2577573.shtml |archive-date=January 13, 2009 }}</ref> The ''Strong Bad Email'' series grew to be so popular that six [[DVD]]s 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/vel05/2007/08/podcasts.html |title=Podcasts |access-date=September 18, 2008 |last=Miller |first=Aaron |date=August 23, 2007 |work=[[Courier-Journal]]}}</ref>


Strong Bad was originally created to be the main antagonist of the series but since then has become less of a villain and more of an [[antihero]]. However, he is still occasionally referred to as an antagonist, due to the pranks that he, Strong Mad, and The Cheat play on the other characters, and his insulting of his brother Strong Sad.<ref name="limit">{{cite web |url=http://article.nationalreview.com/269685/everybody-to-the-limit/peter-wood |title=Everybody to the Limit |access-date=September 18, 2008 |last=Wood |first=Peter |date=August 27, 2003 |work=[[National Review Online]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129170338/http://article.nationalreview.com/269685/everybody-to-the-limit/peter-wood |archive-date=January 29, 2013 }}</ref> He seems to be a character influenced by the [[United States|American]] popular culture trends of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, such as [[heavy metal music]] and the [[Second generation of video game consoles|second]] and [[Third generation of video game consoles|third-generations]] of [[video games]] and [[video game consoles]].<ref name="limit" /> 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.<ref name="limit" />
Strong Bad was created to be the main antagonist of the series but since then has become less of a villain and more of an [[antihero]]. However, he is still occasionally referred to as an antagonist, due to the pranks that he, Strong Mad, and The Cheat play on the other characters, and his insulting of his brother Strong Sad.<ref name="limit">{{cite web |url=http://article.nationalreview.com/269685/everybody-to-the-limit/peter-wood |title=Everybody to the Limit |access-date=September 18, 2008 |last=Wood |first=Peter |date=August 27, 2003 |work=[[National Review Online]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129170338/http://article.nationalreview.com/269685/everybody-to-the-limit/peter-wood |archive-date=January 29, 2013 }}</ref> He seems to be a character influenced by the [[United States|American]] popular culture trends of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, such as [[heavy metal music]] and the [[Second generation of video game consoles|second]] and [[Third generation of video game consoles|third-generations]] of [[video games]] and [[video game consoles]].<ref name="limit" /> 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.<ref name="limit" />


Strong Bad has been one of the most popular characters in the series and has been well-received. In 2021, ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' declared Strong Bad an icon. In a tribute, they note that "Strong Bad Email was far and away the most popular segment on Homestar Runner" and the series and character have "remained a "massive comedic influence" on others.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/animation-cartoons/22371710/strong-bad-email-homestar-runner |title=Strong Bad...thank you |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=April 13, 2021 |access-date=November 14, 2022 }}</ref> Segments have been spun off of his emails, including "Teen Girl Squad", a comic drawn by Strong Bad about four teenage friends,<ref>{{cite web |year=2002 |title=Strong Bad Email #53, comic |work=homestarrunner.com |url=http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail53.html|access-date=September 18, 2008}}</ref> and "20X6", an [[anime]]-style cartoon featuring Japanese versions of the characters, such as Strong Bad's counterpart, "Stinkoman".<ref>{{cite web |year=2002 |title=Strong Bad Email #57, japanese cartoon |work=homestarrunner.com |url=http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail57.html|access-date=September 13, 2016}}</ref>
Strong Bad has been one of the most popular characters in the series and has been well-received. In 2021, ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' declared Strong Bad an icon. In a tribute, they note that "Strong Bad Email was far and away the most popular segment on Homestar Runner" and the series and character have "remained a "massive comedic influence" on others.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/animation-cartoons/22371710/strong-bad-email-homestar-runner |title=Strong Bad...thank you |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=April 13, 2021 |access-date=November 14, 2022 }}</ref> Segments have been spun off of his emails, including "Teen Girl Squad", a comic drawn by Strong Bad about four teenage friends,<ref>{{cite web |year=2002 |title=Strong Bad Email #53, comic |work=homestarrunner.com |url=http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail53.html|access-date=September 18, 2008}}</ref> and "20X6", an [[anime]]-style cartoon featuring Japanese versions of the characters, such as Strong Bad's counterpart, "Stinkoman".<ref>{{cite web |year=2002 |title=Strong Bad Email #57, japanese cartoon |work=homestarrunner.com |url=http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail57.html|access-date=September 13, 2016}}</ref>


==Role in ''Homestar Runner''==
==Role in ''Homestar Runner''==
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.
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 (Homestar Runner)|The Cheat]], Strong Bad represents the self-proclaimed criminal element in the series. Many shorts concern the various [[practical joke]]s and [[scam]]s 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.<ref name="c page" /> Strong Bad also "rules" an area of the fictional universe called Strong Badia.<ref>{{cite web| title=Strong Bad Email #90, colonization |publisher=homestarrunner.com |url=http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail90.html|access-date=September 18, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Strong Bad Email #11, i rule |publisher=homestarrunner.com |url=http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail11.html|access-date=September 18, 2008}}</ref> 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".
Along with his physically intimidating but mentally limited big brother [[Strong Mad]] and his yellow lackey [[The Cheat (Homestar Runner)|The Cheat]], Strong Bad represents the self-proclaimed criminal element in the series. Many shorts concern the various [[practical joke]]s and [[scam]]s 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.<ref name="c page" /> Strong Bad also "rules" an area of the fictional universe called Strong Badia.<ref>{{cite web| title=Strong Bad Email #90, colonization |publisher=homestarrunner.com |url=http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail90.html|access-date=September 18, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Strong Bad Email #11, i rule |publisher=homestarrunner.com |url=http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail11.html|access-date=September 18, 2008}}</ref> 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 Email===
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 egg (virtual)|Easter eggs]]) are displayed when the user clicks on a word or picture either during the email or after it has concluded.<ref>{{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}}</ref> As of 2022, there are 209 Strong Bad emails. Although the animations were initially brief, they gradually grew to establish numerous [[catchphrase]]s and [[running gag]]s, as well as spin-offs like Trogdor the Burninator, [[Teen Girl Squad]], and even characters like Homsar and Senor Cardgage. Originally, 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.<ref name="npr" />
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 egg (virtual)|Easter eggs]]) are displayed when the user clicks on a word or picture either during the email or after it has concluded.<ref>{{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}}</ref> As of 2022, there are 209 Strong Bad emails. Although the animations were initially brief, they gradually grew to establish numerous [[catchphrase]]s and [[running gag]]s. 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.<ref name="npr" />


====Trogdor====
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 and big green eyes. Strong Bad designed this character in the email "japanese cartoon", when someone asked what he would look like as a Japanese cartoon.<ref>{{cite web| title=Strong Bad Email #57, japanese cartoon |publisher=homestarrunner.com |url=http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail57.html|access-date=September 18, 2008}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.homestarrunner.com/parsnips.html |title=Parsnips for Plenty |access-date=September 20, 2008 |publisher=homestarrunner.com |archive-date=November 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104153603/http://www.homestarrunner.com/parsnips.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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<ref name="PAXeast">{{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 }} </ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{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}}</ref> In 2018, board game ''Trogdor!! The Board Game''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trogdorboardgame.homestarrunner.com/|title=Trogdor!! The Board Game webpage|year=2018|access-date=August 16, 2019}}</ref> was funded via a [[Kickstarter]] campaign.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
==Character==


References to Trogdor have appeared throughout pop culture, with the "Trogdor" theme featured as a bonus song in ''[[Guitar Hero II]]''<ref>{{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}}</ref> and the dragon being mentioned in [[Chosen (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|the finale]] of ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]''.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
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===Creation===
[[File:BrothersChaps.JPG|thumb|Matt and Mike Chapman, creators of Strong Bad with Puppet Homestar]]


===Spinoffs===
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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.honestgamers.com/systems/content.php?review_id=6936&platform=NES&abr=NES&gametitle=Tag+Team+Wrestling |title=Tag Team Wrestling (NES) |access-date=September 19, 2008 |last=Hamilton |first=Rob |date=April 4, 2008 |publisher=Honest Gamer}}</ref> When [[The Brothers Chaps]] 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."<ref>{{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}}</ref> Along with most of the main characters of the website, Strong Bad debuted in the Brothers Chaps' children's book entitled ''The Homestar Runner Enters the Strongest Man in the World Contest''. In this story, The Homestar Runner, 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.<ref name="wired">{{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 (magazine)|Wired]]}}</ref> The concept for this began in 1996 when both of The Brothers Chaps 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.<ref name="wired"/> This hand-drawn book was the only incarnation of Strong Bad for a while. 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 four years later in 2000.<ref name="wired"/>
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 [[Golden age of American animation|1930s-themed]] "Old-Timey Strong Bad",<ref>{{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}}</ref> the [[American comic book|comic book]] [[superhero]] "Strong Badman",<ref>{{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}}</ref> or the [[anime]]-[[Manga iconography|styled]] "Stinkoman".<ref>{{cite web| title=Strong Bad Email #57, japanese cartoon |publisher=homestarrunner.com |url=http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail57.html|access-date=September 18, 2008}}</ref>


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.
===Development===
The website was originally meant to revolve around the titular Homestar Runner, 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).<ref name="npr">{{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}}</ref> According to Mike Chapman, "...He'd already become everybody's favorite character."<ref name="wired"/> In the children's book and very early stages of the website, Strong Bad looked significantly different from 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.<ref name="orig">{{cite web |url=http://www.homestarrunner.com/firstbook.swf |title=Original Book |access-date=September 13, 2016 |publisher=[[Homestar Runner|homestarrunner]].com}}</ref> 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".<ref name="orig"/> This idea of Strong Bad being an antagonist lasted for a short while in the early toons, but changed as the focus of the cartoons shifted from athletic competitions to the interactions between characters. 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.


==Reception==
==Character==
[[File:The Brothers Chaps 2008 (cropped).JPG|thumb|[[The Brothers Chaps]] (L-R): Matt (voice of Strong Bad) and Mike Chapman (co-creator of Strong Bad).]]
⚫
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".<ref name="npr"/> 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&nbsp;... 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."<ref name="limit"/> 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.&nbsp;... 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."<ref name="limit"/> 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&nbsp;... and the undoubted star of surreal cartoon site Homestar Runner."<ref name="guardian">{{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]]}}</ref>
⚫
===Creation===
{{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''.<ref name="orig">{{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}}</ref> The storybook focuses on friends The Homestar Runner and Pom-Pom entering a [[Strength athletics|strongman competition]], opposed by the cheating Strong Bad.<ref name="wired">{{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 (magazine)|Wired]]}}</ref>
==Spin-offs==


Seeking to design an obvious villain, inspiration came from "[[Heel (professional wrestling)|evil]]" [[Lucha libre|masked wrestlers]]<ref name="UMFM"/> such as [[Mil Máscaras]], [[Mr. Wrestling II]], and most prominently the "Strong Bads" [[Tag team|team]] from the [[NES]] video game ''[[Tag Team Wrestling]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Berry |first1=Robert |title=AN INTERVIEW WITH HOMESTAR RUNNER CREATORS, THE CHAPMAN BROTHERS (FROM 2001) |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303130845/http://retrocrush.com/archive2/h |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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> Strong Bad was therefore drawn as a stereotypical luchador, with a red-and-black mask, boxing gloves, tights, and going shirtless.<ref name="orig"/>


A few photocopies of the [[zine|small, handmade book]] were distributed among friends, there was no serious attempt to publish or otherwise capitalize on it.<ref name="UMFM">{{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}}</ref><ref name="io9">{{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}}</ref> Strong Bad would not be revisited for several years; in 1999, the brothers wanted to learn to use [[Adobe Flash|Flash]] and returned to the ''Homestar Runner'' characters as an outlet to do so.<ref name="wired"/><ref name="UMFM"/>
Trogdor the Burninator is an original character created by Strong Bad in Strong Bad Email #58, titled Dragon. Strong Bad begins by giving a dragon drawing tutorial in which the character is drawn from the letter "S" and features numerous "consummate V's" used in constructing Trogdor's "teeth, spineties [sic], and angry eyebrows".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail58.html|title=Strong Bad Email #58, dragon |year=2003|access-date=September 13, 2016}}</ref> 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 thatched-roof cottages". Trogdor eventually got a Flash game on [[Homestar Runner|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]]''.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He is featured as the main antagonist of the final episode of ''[[Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People]]'', ''8-Bit is Enough''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telltalegames.com/strongbad/8bitisenough|title=Telltale Games - Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People - 8-Bit Is Enough webpage|year=2008|access-date=October 26, 2010}}</ref> He later got his own board game, ''Trogdor!! The Board Game''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trogdorboardgame.homestarrunner.com/|title=Trogdor!! The Board Game webpage|year=2018|access-date=August 16, 2019}}</ref> He is also mentioned in the final episode of ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' as a supposed character in a ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]''-style tabletop game. Trogdor is briefly shown in the 2014 video "[[Word Crimes]]", sketched onto a notepad cover.<ref>{{cite AV media |author-last=Yankovic |author-first=Al |editor-last=Heather |editor-first=Jarrett |year=2014 |title=Word Crimes |language=en |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gv0H-vPoDc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/8Gv0H-vPoDc| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|access-date=October 24, 2014 |time=1:38 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> In episode 11 of season 2 of the Syfy original series ''[[The Magicians (U.S. TV series)|The Magicians]]'', entitled "The Rattening",<ref>{{cite web|title=IMDb: The Magicians |website = [[IMDb]]|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6285258/?ref_=ttep_ep11}}</ref> the protagonists Quentin Coldwater and Julia Wicker make an uneasy pact with a dragon to enter the Underworld, whom their friend and high king Eliot later refers to disparagingly as "Trogdor".


==In other media==
===Development===
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,<ref name="io9"/> which allowed for Strong Bad to be developed further in cartoon series like "Marzipan's Answering Machine" and "Strong Bad Email".<ref name="LegionMike">{{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=http://web.archive.org/web/20030202085605/http://www.legionstudios.com/interviews/views/homestar/homestar.html |archive-date=February 2, 2003 |date=2002 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


Strong Bad quickly became the site's [[breakout character]],<ref name="wired"/> with Mike Chapman noting that fans seemed to enjoy "how he rags on everyone, but isn't very threatening."<ref name="LegionMike"/> The Brothers Chaps decided to give him his own segment, Strong Bad Email (abbreviated as "sbemail") beginning in 2001;<ref name="npr">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="inkhole">{{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}}</ref> "Strong Bad Email" became a runaway success for the website: by early 2002 Strong Bad was already receiving hundreds of emails a day,<ref name="LegionMike"/> peaking at eight thousand daily emails in the summer of 2003 before leveling off to two thousand a day.<ref name="inkhole"/>
===''Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People''===
{{main|Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People}}


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.<ref>{{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. }}</ref>
⚫
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 [[Microsoft Windows]].<ref name="steam">{{cite web |title=Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People: Season 1 on Steam |url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/8340/ |publisher=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |access-date=January 7, 2009}}</ref> Later on, the game was ported on the [[PlayStation 3]] as a [[PlayStation Network|PSN]] download. It was released in an episodic format for both, with five episodes for its first season.<ref name="steam"/> A second season was in discussion if the first season sold well, however with Telltale's collapse in 2018 and a general decline in popularity of Homestar Runner in general this will most likely not be coming to fruition.<ref name="ignnintendopodcast">{{cite web |title=Nintendo Voice Chat Podcast, Episode 31 |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/938/938638p1.html |publisher=[[IGN]].com |access-date=January 7, 2009 |date=December 15, 2008 |archive-date=December 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219071309/http://wii.ign.com/articles/938/938638p1.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Reception==
===''Strong Bad Sings and Other Type Hits''===
⚫
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".<ref name="npr"/> 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&nbsp;... 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."<ref name="limit"/> 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.&nbsp;... 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."<ref name="limit"/> 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&nbsp;... and the undoubted star of surreal cartoon site Homestar Runner."<ref name="guardian">{{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]]}}</ref>
{{main|Strong Bad Sings (And Other Type Hits)}}
''[[Strong Bad Sings (And Other Type Hits)]]'', an album featuring songs from ''Homestar Runner'', was released in 2003. The album featured several songs "performed" by other characters. The partner cartoon features Strong Mad forgetting lyrics to his favorite songs.


===Other media===
==In other media==
===Video games===
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."<ref>{{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}}</ref> The game was released on November 22, 2010.<ref>{{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]]}}</ref>


⚫
''[[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]],<ref name="steam">{{cite web |title=Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People: Season 1 on Steam |url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/8340/ |publisher=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |access-date=January 7, 2009}}</ref> later ported to [[PlayStation 3]] as a [[PlayStation Network|PSN]] download and to OSX. It was released in an episodic format, with five episodes comprising the first season.<ref name="steam"/> No serious discussions or pre-production on a second season had taken place<ref>{{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}}</ref> prior to Telltale's closure in 2018.
⚫
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".<ref>{{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 (magazine)|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 }}</ref>


Telltale Games also featured Strong Bad as a character in ''[[Poker Night at the Inventory]]''. Released November 22, 2010,<ref>{{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]]}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{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}}</ref> Matt Chapman provided input on the writing for Strong Bad.<ref name="gamepro preview">{{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}}</ref>
⚫
In 2011, Matt Chapman joined the production team of [[The Hub (TV channel)|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".<ref>{{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}}</ref>


===Music===
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."<ref name ="Tattoo Books Online">{{cite book |title=Basic Fundamentals of Modern Tattoo, 1ed | date = March 2009 | isbn = 978-0-615-28147-6 |page= 14|url=http://www.TeachMeToTattoo.com |website=TattooBooksOnline.com |access-date=January 3, 2009| last1 = Jordan | first1 = C. R. | publisher = Tattoo Books Online }}</ref>
''[[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 (band)|Shellac]] song "Genuine Lulabelle", from the album ''[[Excellent Italian Greyhound]]''.
Strong Bad makes an unofficial appearance in the second ''[[Robot Chicken]]'' episode of Season 9 titled "Hey, I Found Another Sock".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34w4KBBQ0_w|title=Robot Chicken - Homestar Runner sketch - YouTube|website=youtube.com|access-date=November 12, 2023}}</ref>


⚫
Strong Bad makes a guest appearance on [[The Aquabats]]{{'}} 2011 album ''[[Hi-Five Soup!]]'', providing vocals on the song "Pink Pants!".<ref>{{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 (magazine)|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 }}</ref> 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".<ref>{{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}}</ref>
On April 10, 2020, Strong Bad's official Twitter account, @StrongBadActual, tweeted the following: "I just dropped 3 volumes, 180 tracks of background music, jingles, and songs from 20 years of <nowiki>http://HomestarRunner.com</nowiki>! Shuffle these nuggets onto your day like croutons on a life salad! Out now on all your fav music streamins!" According to an article published by The A.V. Club, "For now, anyone desperate to live in the past for a while can listen to the first three volumes through a bunch of different platforms, including Spotify, YouTube, and, if you want to buy them, iTunes." The official Twitter page also noted in a subsequent Tweet that the music is not available on Bandcamp.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

A three-volume ''Homestar Runner'' soundtrack was released to music streaming platforms on April 10, 2020.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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.}}</ref>

===Other media===
⚫
In 2011, Matt Chapman joined the production team of [[The Hub (TV channel)|The Hub]] series ''[[The Aquabats! Super Show!]]'' as a writer and director. In the 2012 episode [[List of The Aquabats! Super Show! episodes|"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.


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 00:19, 17 October 2024

Strong Bad
Homestar Runner character
First appearanceThe Homestar Runner Enters the Strongest Man in the World Contest
Created byMatt and Mike Chapman
Craig Zobel
Voiced byMatt Chapman
In-universe information
Family
  • Strong Sad (younger brother)
  • Strong Mad (older brother)
  • The Cheat (sidekick)

Strong Bad is a fictional character from Homestar Runner, a series of animated Flash videos, who is inspired by "The Strong Bads" from the video game Tag Team Wrestling. He is voiced by Matt Chapman, the principal voice actor and co-creator of the series. Strong Bad enjoys pranking the other characters of the series, along with his ever-diligent lackey pet The Cheat and his older brother Strong Mad.[1] Strong Bad first became popular due to his own segment on the Homestar Runner website, called "Strong Bad Emails".[2] The Strong Bad Email series grew to be so popular that six 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]

Strong Bad was created to be the main antagonist of the series but since then has become less of a villain and more of an antihero. However, he is still occasionally referred to as an antagonist, due to the 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 2021, Polygon declared Strong Bad an icon. In a tribute, they note that "Strong Bad Email was far and away the most popular segment on Homestar Runner" and the series and character have "remained a "massive comedic influence" on others.[5] Segments have been spun off of his emails, including "Teen Girl Squad", a comic drawn by Strong Bad about four teenage friends,[6] and "20X6", an anime-style cartoon featuring Japanese versions of the characters, such as Strong Bad's counterpart, "Stinkoman".[7]

Role in Homestar Runner

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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.[1] Strong Bad also "rules" an area of the fictional universe called Strong Badia.[8][9] 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 Email

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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.[10] 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.[11]

Trogdor

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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[12] 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.[13] 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".[14] In 2018, board game Trogdor!! The Board Game[15] was funded via a Kickstarter campaign.[16]

References to Trogdor have appeared throughout pop culture, with the "Trogdor" theme featured as a bonus song in Guitar Hero II[17] and the dragon being mentioned in the finale of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.[18]

Spinoffs

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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",[19] the comic book superhero "Strong Badman",[20] or the anime-styled "Stinkoman".[21]

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.

Character

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

Creation

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See also: 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.[22] The storybook focuses on friends The Homestar Runner and Pom-Pom entering a strongman competition, opposed by the cheating Strong Bad.[23]

Seeking to design an obvious villain, inspiration came from "evil" masked wrestlers[24] such as Mil Máscaras, Mr. Wrestling II, and most prominently the "Strong Bads" team from the NES video game Tag Team Wrestling.[25][26] Strong Bad was therefore drawn as a stereotypical luchador, with a red-and-black mask, boxing gloves, tights, and going shirtless.[22]

A few photocopies of the small, handmade book were distributed among friends, there was no serious attempt to publish or otherwise capitalize on it.[24][27] 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.[23][24]

Development

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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,[27] which allowed for Strong Bad to be developed further in cartoon series like "Marzipan's Answering Machine" and "Strong Bad Email".[28]

Strong Bad quickly became the site's breakout character,[23] with Mike Chapman noting that fans seemed to enjoy "how he rags on everyone, but isn't very threatening."[28] The Brothers Chaps decided to give him his own segment, Strong Bad Email (abbreviated as "sbemail") beginning in 2001;[11] 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.[29] "Strong Bad Email" became a runaway success for the website: by early 2002 Strong Bad was already receiving hundreds of emails a day,[28] peaking at eight thousand daily emails in the summer of 2003 before leveling off to two thousand a day.[29]

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.[30]

Reception

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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".[11] 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."[31]

In other media

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Video games

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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,[32] 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.[32] No serious discussions or pre-production on a second season had taken place[33] 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,[34] 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."[35] Matt Chapman provided input on the writing for Strong Bad.[36]

Music

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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!".[37] 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".[38]

A three-volume Homestar Runner soundtrack was released to music streaming platforms on April 10, 2020.[39] 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.[40]

Other media

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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.

References

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  1. ^ a b Chapman, Matt; Chapman, Mike. "Strong Bad's Character Video". homestarrunner.com. Retrieved September 18, 2008.
  2. ^ Taylor, Lauren (October 24, 2003). "Homestarrunner's antics provide entertainment for its on-line fans". Red and Black. Archived from the original on January 13, 2009. Retrieved September 18, 2008.
  3. ^ Miller, Aaron (August 23, 2007). "Podcasts". Courier-Journal. Retrieved September 18, 2008.
  4. ^ a b c d e Wood, Peter (August 27, 2003). "Everybody to the Limit". National Review Online. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2008.
  5. ^ "Strong Bad...thank you". Polygon. April 13, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  6. ^ "Strong Bad Email #53, comic". homestarrunner.com. 2002. Retrieved September 18, 2008.
  7. ^ "Strong Bad Email #57, japanese cartoon". homestarrunner.com. 2002. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  8. ^ "Strong Bad Email #90, colonization". homestarrunner.com. Retrieved September 18, 2008.
  9. ^ "Strong Bad Email #11, i rule". homestarrunner.com. Retrieved September 18, 2008.
  10. ^ Chapman, Matt; Chapman, Mike (2003). "Strong Bad Email 79 "the process"" (SWF). homestarrunner.com. Retrieved December 19, 2006.
  11. ^ a b c Ydstie, John (May 8, 2005). "Strong Bad Walks in Footsteps of Darth, Lex, J.R." All Things Considered. National Public Radio. Retrieved September 20, 2008.
  12. ^ Chapman, Matt; Chapman, Mike (April 8, 2018). Homestar Runner: Games Games Games! (Speech). Boston, Massachusetts. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  13. ^ Goldstein, Ben (May 2005). "Mike Chapman: Homestarrunner Co–creator". Giant Magazine. Giant Magazine, LLC. Archived from the original on October 18, 2005. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  14. ^ "Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People Episode 5: 8-Bit Is Enough". Telltale Games. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  15. ^ "Trogdor!! The Board Game webpage". 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  16. ^ Rose, Victoria (July 17, 2018). "Trogdor co-op board game, based on beloved Homestar Runner dragon, fulfills Kickstarter goal". Polygon. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  17. ^ Grant, Christopher. "Full Guitar Hero II setlist with twenty-four bonus tracks". Joystiq. Retrieved January 15, 2009.
  18. ^ Goldstein, Rich (April 22, 2014). "Homestar Runner, Trogdor the Burninator, and the Birth of the Internet". The Daily Beast. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  19. ^ "Parsnips A-Plenty". Homestar Runner. October 21, 2002. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  20. ^ "Strong Bad Email #29, superhero name". Homestar Runner. May 27, 2002. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  21. ^ "Strong Bad Email #57, japanese cartoon". homestarrunner.com. Retrieved September 18, 2008.
  22. ^ a b Chapman, Matt; Zobel, Craig (July 1996). "The Homestar Runner Enters the Strongest Man in the World Contest". HomestarRunner.com. Harmless Junk, Inc. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  23. ^ a b c Dean, Kari Lynn (June 23, 2003). "HomestarRunner Hits a Homer". Wired. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  24. ^ a b c Scott, Kevin. "Homestar Runner Interview". Kevv's Spot. Archived from the original on August 13, 2003. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  25. ^ Berry, Robert (2001). "AN INTERVIEW WITH HOMESTAR RUNNER CREATORS, THE CHAPMAN BROTHERS (FROM 2001)". retro CRUSH. Archived from the original on March 3, 2018.
  26. ^ "Lunchtime With The Brothers Chap: Strong Bad's Creators Speak And Eat". Kotaku. June 13, 2008. Retrieved September 20, 2008.
  27. ^ a b Winkie, Luke (January 24, 2017). "An Oral History of Homestar Runner, the Internet's Favorite Cartoon". Gizmodo. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  28. ^ a b c Carriveau, Derrek (2002). "Legion Interviews Mike Chapman of Homestarrunner.com". Legion Studios. Legion Studios, Inc. Archived from the original on February 2, 2003.
  29. ^ a b Carlson, Jay. "The Inkhole Exclusive Interview with Homestar Runner Co-Creator Matt Chapman". The Inkhole. p. 2. Archived from the original on October 11, 2004.
  30. ^ Chapman, Matt; Chapman, Mike (June 5, 2007). strongbad_email.exe Disc Five | "Accent" (DVD). Harmless Junk, Inc.
  31. ^ Dee, Johnny (September 6, 2008). "Internet review: Strong Bad Emails". The Guardian. Retrieved September 21, 2008.
  32. ^ a b "Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People: Season 1 on Steam". Steam. Retrieved January 7, 2009.
  33. ^ Newheiser, Mark (December 23, 2008). "Matt Chapman, Mike Chapman, Mark Darin - Homestarrunner, Telltale Games - Interview". www.adventureclassicgaming.com. Adventure Classic Gaming. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  34. ^ "A Release Date. Poker Night Has One". Telltale Games. November 18, 2010. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
  35. ^ McWhertor, Michael (September 2, 2010). "Team Fortress 2's Heavy Finally Playable In... A Poker Game". Kotaku. Gawker Media.
  36. ^ Herring, Will (September 6, 2010). "PAX 2010: Poker Night at the Inventory". GamePro. GamePro Media. Archived from the original on September 12, 2010. Retrieved September 6, 2010.
  37. ^ Casey, Justin (December 2, 2010). "The Aquabats reveal art and tracklisting for new album". AMP. Archived from the original on January 11, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
  38. ^ "The Aquabats Super Trogdor Cameo Dragon Fight!!! - SDCC". YouTube. July 14, 2012. Archived from the original on May 23, 2014.
  39. ^ "Homestar Runner has just released 20 years of its music". The A.V. Club. April 13, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  40. ^ @StrongBadActual (September 11, 2019). "There were weird limits on compilations and various artists albums so I just took credit for it all myself" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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