The splinters and shrapnel would not touch him, due to Pure Awesomeness.
"Until a man is twenty-five, he still thinks, every so often, that under the right circumstances he could be the baddest motherfucker in the world. ...Hiro used to feel this way, too, but then he ran into Raven. In a way, this was liberating. He no longer has to worry about being the baddest motherfucker in the world. The position is taken."
Rule Of Cool personified.
The term originally meant "bad donkey", and was used by whites to refer to a black person who refused to know their place (like a donkey that refused to work). However, the black jazz movement embraced the term and used it positively until it became the term we know it as today.
Nowadays, Badass is an adjective used to describe a character who gets away with outright insane stunts (defusing a bomb with their teeth, conning a mob boss, getting into a firefight with the entire army, etc.) that would be VERY hard to pull off in real life, or would get the person trying it killed several times over. A Badass is a fantasy figure whom the audience roots for precisely because of how prone they are to awesome moments, to the point where they stretch or break the Willing Suspension of Disbelief. Of course, Willing Suspension of Disbelief may still be maintained depending on the mechanics of the universe.
It's notable that fans are more likely to tolerate a violent monster of a "hero" than a befuddled, cowardly Classical Antihero.
Most attempts to parody or deconstruct the Badass have turned into Misaimed Fandom — no matter how nutty the character gets (like Rorschach from Watchmen), the fans just cheer on how Badass the character is. This has led to a new trope: the Sociopathic Hero. Writers beware: Take it too far and either God Mode Sue or Jerk Sue will stride Out of the Inferno of your work.
For a child-friendly version of the Badass whose badassery is somewhat diminished by the limitations of the work, see Badbutt.
For a not so complete list of badasses see Badass of the Week.
This trope is not what you say to a Stubborn Mule. Characters that are Badass are often said to have Brass Balls.
Below are the tropes that are definite signs of a true Badass. For Sub Tropes when the character who you do not expect to be like this becomes a Badass anyway, see this index.
Action Fashionista: When they're not searching for the latest trends, they're kicking ass.
Badass Native: When the natives are restless and scrotum crushingly badass.
Badass Normal: The non-powered character in a group with superpowers, but who kicks just as much ass.
Badass Abnormal: When said ordinary, already badass person gains the power to shoot lightning bolts out of their hands and punch intangible deities in the balls.
Badass On Paper: A rare breed where the character can do badass things with out being badass.
Badass Pacifist: Won't hurt you, but will fearlessly sacrifice their lives to keep you from hurting others.
Badass Preacher: He will minister to his flock, and break you in half with his shepherd's crook if you think about hurting them.
Badass Princess: She is not one to get kidnapped. Instead, she breaks kidnappers in half.
Cultured Badass: Enjoys the finer things in life... and breaking the skulls of their foes.
Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass: Acts like an idiot or non badass, either on purpose or not, but it's just to hide how capable they are at breaking their opponents in half.
Dare to Be Badass: When someone decides to quit being normal and be a badass instead.
Lantern Jaw of Justice: That square jaw is the calling card of the one who will make you understand the meaning of the words "You will pay for your sins."
Like a Badass out of Hell: When a badass walks into Hell or a reasonable alternative, and later leaves, with a lot of kicked asses in their their wake.
Little Miss Badass: Short of stature, but not of the ability to make you die horribly for underestimating her.
Minored In Asskicking: A much more subdued version of the Badass Bookworm who doesn't actively practice their badass status, but can be if need be.
