The Most Incompetent Sidekicks in Pop Culture
The Most Incompetent Sidekicks in Pop Culture
Pop culture is replete with villains and their equally memorable sidekicks. While some sidekicks are memorable for their cunning and loyalty, others are simply a source of endless frustration. This article explores the most incompetent sidekicks in various forms of media, from films and TV series to comics and video games. We’ll also look at the few standout examples that turn the job of sidekick into an art form.
The Worst Sidekicks
Sidekicks don’t always live up to their noble-sounding role. Here are some of the most incompetent sidekicks in pop culture, starting with a few examples from Supergirl and Batman: The Animated Series.
Supergirl
In Supergirl season six, the character Mitch serves as a sidekick, but he’s far from competent. Instead of performing his duties effectively, Mitch serves more as a human motivational poster, which, surprisingly, works well for the show’s retro vibe. While this approach isn’t ideal, it does serve the show's aesthetic and narrative purposes.
Batman: The Animated Series
Turning to the feeling of utter incompetence, the Storm Troopers stand out. These characters can't even fire their laser guns properly and are easily defeated by a group of teddy bears armed with rocks and sticks in the forest. It’s hard to imagine a more incompetent group of minions.
Batman
Another example of the unimaginatively incompetent sidekick is Dick Dastardly’s Minions. Punch Judy, the sidekick of Batman in the 1989 film, is a standout because of his name alone. While not as detailed as these examples, the simplicity of "Punch Judy" somehow makes his incompetence palpable.
The Most Competent Sidekicks
Now, let’s look at some of the most competent sidekicks in pop culture. These sidekicks flawlessly perform their duties and often elevate the stories they're a part of.
Ra#39;s al Ghul in Arrow
One of the most competent and memorable sidekicks of his era is Ra#39;s al Ghul, the villain from the Arrow series. The League of Assassins is comprised of some of the most capable henchmen and henchwomen in the world of superheroes.
Judge Lackey in the Judge Dredd Universe
In the Judge Dredd universe, Judge Lackey stands out as the epitome of incompetence. He's known as the boot-licking subordinate of Chief Judge Cal Caligula. The plot revolves around Cal from an alternate timeline who seeks to take over Mega City 1, with Lackey being part of his evil and corrupt army. Lackey’s level of incompetence is so remarkable that his name speaks for itself; "Lackey" by definition means someone who is thoughtless and incapable of fulfilling their role, and it is simply inappropriate given Lackey's position in the story.
Conclusion
A sidekick’s performance or lack thereof can significantly impact a story. While some sidekicks are competent and enhance the narrative, others bring little to no value other than to highlight the villain’s strength. Judging incompetence can be subjective, but it’s clear that some sidekicks stand out more than others. For those who appreciate the unique aspects of pop culture, the list of incompetent sidekicks is not only entertaining but also provides a valuable critique of the stories they’re a part of.