10 ridiculous comic book superhero sidekicks (Fat Man? Really?)
It's not uncommon for a superhero type to take a young lad or lass under their wing. (Even Spider-Man just got himself a sidekick!) A lot of sidekicks have gone on to be classics, loved and revered in the comic community. Then there are ... the others.
Here are 10 of the most over-the-top sidekicks ever to grace comics.
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On his own, Plastic Man was a slapstick-style superhero, but Woozy Winks took Plas to the next level. First appearing in Police Comics #13, Woozy was based on the comedy stylings of Lou Costello and the look of Hugh Herbert. While good-natured for a criminal, he was so goofy and inept that, for a time, he required a superpower that literally caused nature to protect him whenever he got himself into danger.
As if giving Billy Batson (Captain Marvel) a twin sister (Mary Marvel) wasnât a little silly on its own, Fawcett Comics unveiled the utterly ridiculous Uncle Marvel in 1943âs Wow Comics #18. Actually named Dudley H. Dudley, Uncle Marvel isnât even related to the Batsons! Heâs a con man who the Batsons thought was such a âlovable old fraudâ that they let him stick around and be their manager.
Acting as sidekick to original Green Lantern, Alan Scott, Charles âDoibyâ Dickles first appeared in All-American Comics #27 in June of 1941. He may have just been an old Brooklyn cabbie (his slogan was âSoivice that don't make youse noiviceâ) but he was handy with a pipe wrench and would eventually go on to marry alien Princess Raima of Myrg. No, really.
Starring alongside golden-age hero Mister America, Bob Daley was destined for this list. In Action Comics #42 he appears wearing a lampshade on his head and calling himself Fat Man. Need we say more?
You might think that simply by being the sidekick to a delusional sometimes-villain who wears a bug suit might automatically make you a candidate for this list. Cheeks, however, was so much more than that. Appearing in 1985, heâs not even really a âheâ so much as a âtoy.â Thatâs right, Cheeks is a toy in a superhero costume that Ambush Bug thinks is alive. That really happened.
All-American sweetheart Jimmy Olsen is on the weirdo list? You bet your sweet bippy he is! Heâs married a gorilla, traveled in time, becomes pals with Hitler, gained elastic powers, and turned into a giant turtle boy. Plus, he spends an inordinate amount of time dressed as a lady. Are you kidding? Jimmy Olsen is the king of this list!
Oh, Etta. Bless. Appearing as an emaciated woman in a hospital in Sensation Comics #2, Miss Candy shows up shortly thereafter having grown considerably. Sheâs Wonder Womanâs BFF (Big Fat Friend), and boy, was that played up. Even though she helped fight the Nazis, she is most known for eating a lot of candy and having catch phrases like âFor the love of chocolate!â
In the '60s, Batman and Robin faced a backlash (batlash?) because of accusations that they were in a homosexual relationship. To combat this, two characters were created to act as female foils for the dynamic duo. Batwoman and the original Batgirl, Betty Kane. Thatâs right. Appearing first in Batman #139, Betty was created for the sole purpose of saying âHey! Robin ain't gay, all right?!â
Arthur is a Jewish accountant who dons a moth costume (but looks more like a rabbit) and fights crime. First appearing in 1989âs The Tick #4, he plays sidekick to Ben Edlundâs titular hero. What makes Arthur so odd is that heâs so utterly normal that itâs baffling that he fights crime with arguably the wackiest hero in comic book history.
The '90s were an abomination for comics. Cathy Webster, aka Free Spirit, is a perfect example of that. Appearing first in Captain America #431, she was given super strength through mutagenic radiation but brainwashed to hate men. And when you hate men, you wear skin-tight revealing outfits and hooker boots, right? Right?!