History PunchClockVillain / WesternAnimation

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan'': The Shocker started out like this; he was a {{Hired Gun|s}}, who seemed fairly honorable. After his initial defeat, his grudge against Spider-Man seemed rooted in his wanting to do the job he was paid to do.
** Also, Sandman, who maintains his lack of a villainous nature from the comics. He's only in it for a "big score", not all the vindictive vendettas most of the other villains have (he often says how much he hates revenge), and generally tries not to hurt anyone (except Spiderman and the cops) when on a job. This becomes even more clear in a recent episode, where he, while waiting for a contact, helps a kid get rid of some bullies, and, after accidentally setting an oil tanker on fire in a fight with Spider-Man, helps save the crew, and almost kills himself containing the explosion.

** ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'': Mixmaster and Scrapper worked for Megatron because he had the better oil, and because he didn't try to scare them off. They really had no vested interest in Megatron's cause, and were only really motivated to fight when Starscream [[BerserkButton shot their oil]]. With their construction worker theme, it wouldn't be surprising if they ''used'' an actual punch clock. Furthermore, they started out as friends to Bulkhead, one of the Earth team Autobots, and in "Human Error, Part 2", [[spoiler:Scrapper joined up with Sari's group of Substitute Autobots to break Soundwave's brainwashing of the "first-string" Autobots]].
*** Swindle from the same series is more of a [[TheBarnum lovably sleazy]] ConMan who'll sell you anything you need if the price is right [[HonestJohnsDealership and you don't look too closely at the clauses]]. Selling to Decepticons and criminals makes him rich; if he could rip off the Autobots instead for similar profits, he would. It just so happens the good guys don't pay well enough to keep Swindle on the straight and narrow, but he holds no ill will about it. The lore heavily implies that Swindle actually defected from the Autobots, but many of the Decepticons resent him more than the Autobots do precisely ''because'' he's motivated by greed rather than loyalty to the cause. Swindle seems to hardly notice or care about this animosity either.

* ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice2010'' has a strange example in [[spoiler:Lobo]]'s cameo: he arrived on Earth searching for his mark, beated up the guards, Batgirl and Wondergirl because they were in the way, showed Batgirl and Wondergirl that the guy they were protecting actually was [[spoiler:an alien spy]], and then left with his mark and no ill feelings.

* {{Lampshade|Hanging}}d in ''WesternAnimation/{{Archer}}'' with this exchange:
-->'''Archer:''' Are you even really gay?\\

** ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'': ComicBook/HarleyQuinn is a frightening example. She's AffablyEvil and really doesn't have any reason to kill, but she will do it, and sadistically so, just because ComicBook/TheJoker or ComicBook/PoisonIvy [[PsychoSupporter ask her to]]. The Joker is Harley's love interest and Ivy is her best friend. Harley is willing to do almost anything to keep them happy. (She apparently draws the line at having her pets endangered, though.)

* ''WesternAnimation/CowAndChicken'': One episode has Chicken trying to confront a bully on the weekends. The bully says he only bullies on the weekdays and spends the weekends helping the poor.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBrothers'' is partially built around this trope:

** Ruthless businessman [[XanatosGambit Xanatos]] himself, oddly enough. He is TheChessmaster, but he is also [[AffablyEvil rather friendly to the gargoyles]] and seems to enjoy partaking in clichés that won't actually hurt him, like EvilLaughter or {{Death Trap}}s (for someone he does not particularly want to kill).
* ''WesternAnimation/GIJoe'': Hinted at, when the heroes search a [[Characters/GIJoeCobra COBRA]] office and one of them, reading some documents, remarks "Hey, they've got a dental plan!"
** Later played straight in a profile book, where it is revealed that the vast majority of Cobra's blueshirt grunts were perfectly ordinary people who simply wanted a better life. In the comics, the organization has a habit of recruiting personnel from cities with failed economies and a high-rate of unemployment. When the organization offers steady jobs and regular salaries to the chronically unemployed, they come off looking as saviors.

** ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'': Mixmaster and Scrapper worked for Megatron because he had the better oil, and because he didn't try to scare them off. They really had no vested interest in Megatron's cause, and were only really motivated to fight when Starscream [[BerserkButton shot their oil]]. With their construction worker theme, it wouldn't be surprising if they ''used'' an actual punch clock.
*** Furthermore, they started out as friends to Bulkhead, one of the Earth team Autobots, and in "Human Error, Part 2", [[spoiler:Scrapper joined up with Sari's group of Substitute Autobots to break Soundwave's brainwashing of the "first-string" Autobots]].

** ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'': Bud Gleeful knowingly and semi-willingly assists in Gideon's evil schemes, and is a bit of a jerk to Stan (who reciprocates this energy), but otherwise is completely friendly, affable and jolly.