Boy,
he must've done something
really bad to have this comin'.
It is almost an official duty of an
Action Hero to deliver sardonic one-liners. And what better time to produce one than just before the execution of the other official duty - kicking ass?
Common variations on this trope include:
- A form of comic subversion in which the one-liner is stupid or silly. This has the potential to stall or confuse the opponent.
- A form of comic subversion in which the outcome of the intended ass-kicking fizzles, negating the one-liner or at least failing to justify it.
- A Catch Phrase or Battle Cry that may have started as a one-liner, or may work as one to some degree.
Chew Bubblegum is a particularly popular example. See also
Badass Boast,
Badass Creed,
In the Name of the Moon, and
My Name Is Inigo Montoya. Contrast
Pre-Mortem One-Liner, which is often used to
end a fight.
Examples:
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Professional Wrestling
- CM Punk, a true comic fan, has been using the Thing's catchphrase "It's clobberin' time!" throughout his career. Right as he comes through the curtain, he stops on the stage and delivers the line right before his match. [1]
Religion
Theater
- Shakespeare's action scenes often use Pre-Asskicking One-Liners — like Macbeth and Henry IV Part 1.
- Macbeth: "Lay on, Macduff, and damn'd be him who first cries, 'Hold! Enough!'"
- Henry V, "God for Harry! England and Saint George!"
- Several from Romeo and Juliet:
Tybalt: What, drawn and talk of peace?! I hate the word. As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. Have at thee, coward!
Mercutio: Come sir, your passado.
Romeo: This shall determine that.
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street: BENJAMIN BARKER!
Toys
Visual Novels
