History Main / BadassBookworm

Their physical abilities might result from applying their genius to [[AwesomenessByAnalysis solve physical challenges like they were math problems]]. Their attention to detail might also result in a DiagnosisFromDrBadass. While some badass bookworms are [[MusclesAreMeaningless surprisingly strong]], others might be WeakButSkilled, relying on flawless technique or [[SquishyWizard supernatural abilities]]. Sometimes a bookworm can lack any special physical traits, but has access to an ImpossiblyCoolWeapon or [[MoreDakka enough firepower]] to make toe-to-toe combat, as they say, academic. A favorite weapon of the bookworm might even be [[ThrowTheBookAtThem what's always close at hand.]]

* BadassBookworm/WebOriginal

[[folder:Toys]]
* ''Toys/{{BIONICLE}}'':
** Nuju is a crabby seer/stargazer with his head in the clouds, but can be rather scary when in battle. It turns out that his Ice power is the one thing that the mighty Morbuzakh plant is afraid of, and while he and the rest of the Toa Metru are being suffocated by its tendrils, he manages to get away and rescue the others using basic physiology. He also has a lot of [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments hilariously sarcastic one-liners]] that nobody else in the series could pull off.
---> '''Nuju:''' "Whatever it is, leave it. If you can't leave it, then take it back out with you. If it's too heavy to carry back out, then how did you get it in here in the first place?"
** Mutran and Chirox can also count as this, being that they are both mad scientists responsible for several of the more destructive Rahi (animal) species in the world - Chirox’s in particular are described as “adding nothing to the ecosystem beyond death and destruction”. Chirox is also a devastating warrior, even after being rendered completely blind by the [[MacGuffin Mask of Life’s]] explosion of power.

Note this is a different {{trope}} from the typical SecretIdentity superhero like early Peter ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' Parker, as no one suspects the nerd to be the superhero. See also NerdActionHero. Often overlaps with DorkKnight. BookDumb is ''sometimes'' the EvilCounterpart to this trope, as they're badass but idiotic in academics. Compare CowardlyLion.

* BadassBookworm/ReligionAndMythology

* BadassBookworm/{{Toys}}

Elderly examples are often {{Old Master}}s who have spent decades contemplating philosophy and punching trees in half. Another common type is the AdventurerArchaeologist, who spends as much time studying in the University as that type does evading the poison-tipped arrows of angry natives. If the bookworms are [[GeniusDitz a bit ditzy]] or [[DitzyGenius talented but lack common-sense/etc]], expect them to be CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass. If they prefer not to fight, doing so only when they must, then they have MinoredInAsskicking. They are ''very'' likely to wear SpecsOfAwesome. In a FiveManBand specializing in Brains, a Badass Bookworm might as well be TheBigGuy.

Note this is a different {{trope}} from the typical SecretIdentity superhero like early Peter ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' Parker, as no one suspects the {{nerd}} to be the superhero. See also NerdActionHero. Often overlaps with DorkKnight. BookDumb is ''sometimes'' the EvilCounterpart to this trope, as they're badass but idiotic in academics. Compare CowardlyLion.

These characters are quiet, smart, and seemingly physically unimposing, but with HiddenDepths of formidable physical and practical skills. They are BrainsAndBrawn, with brains dominant, if not quite StrongAndSkilled.

The trope is the converse of GeniusBruiser. A Badass Bookworm looks like your standard geek, but then displays a surprising amount of physical prowess, whereas a GeniusBruiser looks big, strong, and tough, then unexpectedly shows off an intellectual side. See MuggleWithADegreeInMagic if their bookworm side is what's making them impressive.

Elderly examples are often {{Old Master}}s who have spent decades contemplating philosophy and punching trees in half. Another common type is the AdventurerArchaeologist, who spends as much time studying in the University as that type does evading the poison-tipped arrows of angry natives. If the bookworms are [[GeniusDitz a bit ditzy]], expect them to be CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass. If they prefer not to fight, doing so only when they must, then they have MinoredInAsskicking. They are ''very'' likely to wear SpecsOfAwesome. In a FiveManBand specializing in Brains, a Badass Bookworm might as well be TheBigGuy.

The trope is the converse of GeniusBruiser. A Badass Bookworm looks like your standard geek, but then displays a surprising amount of physical prowess, whereas a GeniusBruiser looks big, strong and tough, then unexpectedly shows off an intellectual side. See MuggleWithADegreeInMagic if their bookworm side is what's making them impressive.

Note this is a different {{trope}} from the typical SecretIdentity superhero like early Peter ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' Parker, as no one suspects the {{nerd}} to be the superhero. Overlaps with DorkKnight. BookDumb is ''sometimes'' the EvilCounterpart to this trope, as they're badass, but idiotic. Compare CowardlyLion.

!!Examples:

* [[BadassBookworm/AnimatedFilms Film — Animated]]
* [[BadassBookworm/LiveActionFilms Film — Live-Action]]