10 Nerdy Comic Characters That Are Unexpectedly Buff & 10 That Are Slight But Strong
10 Nerdy Comic Characters That Are Unexpectedly Buff & 10 That Are Slight But Strong
Have You Ever Asked Yourself "Why Is This Nerdy Inventor So Buff?"
If you've ever read a Marvel comic and questioned why the science nerd is bulging with muscles under his lab coat, this article is for you. There are so many characters like this it has us wondering if the graphic artists even know how to draw a regular physique. Then of course you remember all the incredibly powerful, regular-looking, or even scrawny characters in the DC and Marvel Universe. This list dives into both ends of the spectrum: 10 nerdy or awkward characters who turn out to be unexpectedly buff, and 10 slight ones who prove that raw power isn’t always about size.
1. Alfred Pennyworth
Alfred Pennyworth is best known as Bruce Wayne's loyal butler but it's revealed in multiple timelines that he's trained in combat as a former British special forces operative. While the primary depiction of Alfred is of a slender old man, depictions of his younger self reveal a shockingly muscular build.
Manfred Werner / Tsui on Wikimedia
2. Mr. Fantastic
As a man whose superpower is being ultra stretchy, many people think of Mr. Fantastic as being skinny as a pole and indeed, he is often depicted as slim and wiry. However, if he can change his size at will, there's no reason why he wouldn't make himself hunky. In early Jack Kirby art, in the Ultimate Fantastic Four comics, and MCU casting, he's always insanely muscular.
3. Blue Beetle
Jaime Reyes a.k.a. Blue Beetle gets enhanced strength from his armor, but this kid is already almost always depicted as extremely fit for an "average teenager," even without his armor. He may not have Hulk-like muscles, but that boy has some very defined abs and pecks for a nerdy inventor.
4. Beast
The funny thing about Beast is that before he mutates into a big blue monster, he's already an incredibly beefy guy. During all those busy days in the lab, we're not sure how he finds the time to put in all those hours at the gym.
5. Plastic Man
Like Mr. Fantastic, Plastic Man is also super stretchy and often thought of as skinny and lanky. The depiction of Plastic Man isn't consistent but there are times when he looks super jacked, either to match the physique of his opponent or just randomly, because he feels like it.
6. The Question
Vic Sage a.k.a. The Question is an investigative journalist who becomes a faceless vigilante. He's streetwise, slick, trained in hand-to-hand combat, oh, and he's also unexpectedly ripped for a journalist, depicted with broad shoulders, a Y-frame, and when shirtless, defined abs.
William Tung from USA on Wikimedia
7. Mysterio
Mysterio is a nerdy tech guy who's into special effects and illusions. Why, then, would he be so muscular? He's designed with a broad chest, thick arms, and tight muscles, and when he takes off his suit, he's got well-defined muscles despite never physically fighting.
8. The Riddler
The Riddler's power lies not in his physical might but in his mind. Early depictions always show him as scrawny, but over time, it seems The Riddler started hitting the gym. Especially in the more modern comics like Zero Year, he has a defined jaw and a six-pack.
Greenway Productions on Wikimedia
9. The Joker
The Joker's typical physique is tall, skinny, and almost sinewy, but some artists have taken certain liberties with their depiction of him. In Batman: Endgame when he engages in a brutal fistfight with Batman, he's drawn with a wide chest and strong arms to match Batman's physique.
10. Robin
Robin is associated with being young and having a small build compared to Batman. However, the original depiction of Robin as Nightwing is of an agile, ripped teenager with a gymnast's build.
Now that we've talked about the comic book characters that are unexpectedly buff, let's go over the powerful ones without being physically imposing.
1. Dr. Strange
Everyone knows Dr. Strange's power is not in his stature but in his magical abilities. He's Earth's wise, calm magical protector, but clearly, he doesn't have time to go to the gym. He's always depicted as lean, sometimes toned, but other times, more wizardy and less muscular.
2. Squirrel Girl
Squirrel Girl is a bit of an unconventional superhero and while she doesn't have her mainstream movie (yet) she's an unexpectedly powerful and likable heroin in the Marvel Universe. She's agile, and although she has the physique of a regular girl, she has superhuman strength.
PopCultureGeek.com on Wikimedia
3. Hit-Girl
Hit-Girl from the Kick-Ass comics is known for her brutal efficiency despite her small size. She's typically portrayed as a young girl around the age of 11 and her strength lies more in her ruthlessness than her muscles or size.
4. Pixie
Pixie from the X-Men comics is petite but agile with a fairy-like appearance. She has insect-like wings and pink hair, and even though she does not appear intimidating, she can be a surprisingly formidable opponent, especially when she sprinkles her pixie dust.
5. Bat-Mite
Bat-Mite is an imp from the fifth dimension who is a huge fan of Batman. He's little and unassuming, but because he's from another dimension, he has limitless reality-warping powers beyond the comprehension of three-dimensional beings.
6. Spider-Man
Spider-Man was just a nerdy, skinny high school kid when he was bitten by the spider that gave him his powers. He's such a popular superhero because he struggles with everyday problems and insecurities, as such, he's never depicted as overly muscular or imposing.
7. Professor X
Professor X's enormous strength comes from his mind. He's one of the most powerful telepaths on earth but he's also a paraplegic, and so, his body is incredibly frail.
8. Kid Flash
Kid Flash is the kid version of The Flash. He can run at speeds exceeding the speed of sound and even light and he also has a super speedy brain and can create vortexes, but because he's a kid, he isn't very big or imposing.
9. Nightcrawler
Nightcrawler is instantly recognizable for his demonic appearance. While he's super agile and acrobatic, his build is very lean, designed more for being stealthy and quick than for brute strength.
10. Raven
Raven is one of the most gothic characters in the DC universe. She's often hooded with a quiet and mysterious demeanor, but her powerful emotions can unleash her demonic side. She can fight, teleport, and do magic, but she's typically depicted as relatively small.
