History IneffectualSympatheticVillain / WesternAnimation

* Gargamel in ''WesternAnimation/TheSmurfs'' (and pretty much most ''Smurfs'' villains except Balthazar).

* Dr. Eggman on ''WesternAnimation/SonicBoom'' takes this trope and runs with it, to the point where Amy actually pities him., now being a villain who is AffablyEvil and has civil interactions with Sonic and company when they're not fighting, every other episode he's in an EnemyMine situation with them, and he now has his CardCarryingVillain tendencies exaggerated. Similar to his ''Adventures of Sonic'' counterpart, he does almost outwit Sonic on a few occasions though, keeping him NotSoHarmless.

* Lucius Heinous VII on ''WesternAnimation/JimmyTwoShoes''. Despite literally ruling Miseryville, the main characters either don't fear him or don't respect him. He desperately tries to be the BigBad, but fails horribly. He is pretty much an incompetent version of {{Satan}}. Though, while he's largely ineffective, the fact that he keeps people like [[EnfanteTerrible Heloise]] and [[DrillSergeantNasty Molotov]] under his thumb is probably a sign that he's doing something right.

* Rippen in ''WesternAnimation/PennZeroPartTimeHero'' is a bitter, misanthropic man who both acts as a CardCarryingVillain in his part-time job and calmly terrorizes children as an art teacher. He also has a [[ButtMonkey ridiculously awful daily life]], a [[WellDoneSonGuy genuinely pitiful family background]], and a few rare but poignant moments of [[PetTheDog petting the dog]] that make him surprisingly likable, or at least kind of pathetic.

** Arguably, every villain in ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible'' is like this, aside from Shego, who's the only one with any amount of competence or fighting ability.

* ''WesternAnimation/AngelaAnaconda'': Nanette Manoir may come off as this, since, while she is an AlphaBitch, her actions are rather tame and in-line with what would be expected of kids her age. Angela, meanwhile, fantasizes about humilating her, tormenting her or even sometimes ''killing her'' in the most brutal ways she can think of.

** Of the primary villains of the [[WesternAnimation/CareBears1980s earlier series]], No-Heart and his niece Shreeky don't count. No-Heart was a legitimately powerful and evil sorcerer who had a habit of blasting Beastly with lightning bolts whenever he screwed up; and while Shreeky never actually did anything evil, she was a SpoiledBrat with a voice so loud that she made ''No-Heart'' wince. Mr. Beastly, No-Heart's primary lacky, definately fits somewhere between here and ButtMonkey. In the one episode that Beastly had, with him in the spotlight, him infuriates No-Heart by breaking No-Heart's crystal amulet (which is the source of his shapechanging spells), then breaks No-Heart's throne (something he ''knows'' No-Heart will be livid about), get turned into a horrific mishmash of animals while using No-Heart's broken amulet to catch some of the Care Bears, then be blackmailed into letting the Care Bears go after they tape-record him chanting a litany of "I care" to break the broken spell and be turned back to normal, and then, when No-Heart arrives, having calmed down due to finding an even more powerful crystal, he sits on his crudely repaired throne...and it breaks to pieces. Meaning more electroshocking for Beastly.

** Of course, after his ArrogantKungFuGuy resume is firmly established and he has shamelessly brutalized the entire rest of the cast, others see this as simple Kharmic retribution. Pride goeth before the fall, after all, and a HumiliationConga was really no less than Tai Lung deserved at that point.

** Most of the RoguesGallery for the show act as this or mere petty bullies. The foes used in the two part specials are the only notable exceptions, and even then their [[SmugSnake detrimental arrogance]] and the often humiliating manner they are taken out almost makes you pity them.

** Granted a lot of Robotnik's harmless streak is implied to be solely because of [[InvincibleHero Sonic]]. Many episodes show Sonic encountering civilians that have been [[BewareTheSillyOnes successfully terrorized or enslaved by Robotnik without his help]], while in other episodes he actually manages to pull off cunning plans that temporarily [[NotSoHarmlessVillain despose of his foe]]. His henchbots Scratch and Grounder however, were definitely incompetent, [[NiceJobFixingItVillain often destroying their own schemes]] before Sonic even got the chance to stop them.While Robotnik could at least genuinely cook up a malicious plan every now and then, his duncebot's Wile E Coyote-esque traps hardly ever worked on anyone but themselves. At one point he claims [[BlatantLies that he purposely made his robots dumb, so they would be too incompetent to ever consider betraying him]] in a rather inconvincing tone.

-->'''Plankton:''' Alright Krabs! Now hand over the secret formula!\\

* On ''WesternAnimation/UglyAmericans'', there was Twayne Boneraper, a demon who has only managed to claim one soul his entire career, that of a sick cat. His crowning moment of incompetence came when he ensures an utterly incompetent and unelectable politician to become mayor in return for his soul. It's such an EpicFail that he winds up in an infernal court, accused of not worthy of being a demon. (Although, as LaughablyEvil as he is he ''did'' murder all seven of his brothers, one of whom was the general of Hell's army, so he may have a darker nature underneath than his behavior suggests.)

*** Doctor Killinger's fourth episode, ''The Doctor Is Sin'', makes a pretty persuasive argument that Rusty Venture himself is this. Killinger spends much of the episode giving Venture Industries "efficiency" training, with the true aim of turning Doctor Venture into a real, Guild-bonded supervilain.

* ''WesternAnimation/XMenEvolution'': Toad and the rest of the Brotherhood, at least by Season two. At first, they were at least even with the X-Men, and were able to over power them in one episode, [[ButtMonkey except for Toad]]. But slowly, each one got more and more Pathetic. Pietro became more cowardly, Blob became more dumb, and Avalanche went through massive character Derailment. In season 3, they were bested by only ''Two X''-Men, one being the weakest member. It was why the Acolytes were introduced, who were definitely ''not'' this.
** Usual, given that this is the reason why they're so popular, with people playing up the ineffectual sympathetic part, and ignoring the vilain part.

* Tom, from ''WesternAnimation/TomAndJerry'', was so ineffectual and sympathetic that, in many cartoons, one failed to see how Jerry was even a victim. Particularly JustForFun/{{egregious}} examples, in fact, would cite that he wanted nothing more than to leave Jerry in peace, and Jerry could not stop [[DesignatedHero antagonizing him and trying to ruin his life.]] Often, the shows started with Jerry trying to steal Tom's milk, break into a safe/refrigerator/ship that Tom was guarding or just being a [[JerkAss dick in general]]. Granted, sometimes Tom's methods can get [[DisproportionateRetribution a bit extreme]], he's just trying to protect his property or [[PunchClockVillain doing his job]].

** One of the episodes involves a highly convoluted plot by the League...to make the pizza delivery boy late so that their food will be free!

* ''WesternAnimation/CaptainNTheGameMaster'': Mother Brain's two henchmen, Eggplant Wizard and King Hippo, suck at their jobs and constantly screw up. At one point she even fires them.

** Of course this all gets flipped on it's head once we learn his BackstoryHorror. At that point, not only is the sympathetic part taken to whole new levels, but the protagonists start treating him better and he develops into the TokenEvilTeammate.

** When that didn't work, they point the Cute King towards the one person he has any chance of defeating. [[spoiler: The Ice King. ''And he does.'']]

* While he started off as a badass and a walking CrowningMomentOfAwesome, by the end of ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda'', [[BigBad Tai Lung]] had become this due to a combination of FreudianExcuse, SympathyForTheDevil, revealing his StartOfDarkness and WellDoneSonGuy status, and an EtTuBrute from his past. This may have something to do with the HumiliationConga and KickThemWhileTheyAreDown which some viewers see in the final battle--it certainly can't be denied that what had once been a chillingly effective villain seemed rather pathetic and easily defeated, Po's [[BeYourself understanding of the Dragon Scroll]] notwithstanding.

* ''WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder'': Series "[[BigBadWannabe main]]" antagonist Lord Hater fell into this after the series premier, going from fearsome tyrant to whining man-child whose only major goals consist of being recognized by the people of the universe, for better or for worse, and destroying his nemesis, titular Wander. At his core, he just wants to be respected, but is so distracted by Wander that he comes off as a joke to everyone instead. [[spoiler: Come the second season and the series' [[BiggerBad true]] main antagonist enters the picture, and Hater embraces his role as this for the better...[[HeelFaceRevolvingDoor or not]]...]]

* ''CaptainNTheGameMaster'': Mother Brain's two henchmen, Eggplant Wizard and King Hippo, suck at their jobs and constantly screw up. At one point she even fires them.

** WesternAnimation/DaffyDuck, initially just a ScrewySquirrel or AntiHero, eventually evolved into one for WesternAnimation/BugsBunny and Western Animation/SpeedyGonzales.

* ''WesternAnimation/WackyRaces'' Dick Dastardly. It wasn't for nothing that he had a whole trope [[DickDastardlyStopsToCheat named after him]].Nobody really takes him seriously. He couldn't beat himself in solitaire even if he cheated.
* ''WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder'': Series "[[BigBadWannabe main]]" antagonist Lord Hater fell into this after the series premier, going from fearsome tyrant to whining man-child whose only major goals consist of being recognized by the people of the universe, for better or for worse, and destroying his nemesis, titular Wander. At his core, he just wants to be respected, but is so distracted by Wander that he comes off as a joke to everyone instead. [[spoiler: Come the second season and the series [[BiggerBad true]] main antagonist, and he embraces his roll as this for the better...[[HeelFaceRevolvingDoor or not]]...]]

** Despite her first few appearances [[TheDreaded striking absolute horror]] into the Crystal Gems, Peridot seems to amount to this, being not much of a match for the Crystal Gems even with substantial technological advantages- and without anything to hide behind, all of her revealed abilities are mostly there to help her run away. She also has the attitude of a high-strung desk worker more than a potentially world-destroying supervillain, which makes even her moments of NotSoHarmlessVillain harder to take seriously.
** There's also the Ruby Squad, who really, really aren't cut out for enforcers of Homeworld's fascist regime. They're small, adorable, not that bright, and in over their heads. [[spoiler: though two later episodes show they're dangerous in their own way.]]

* In [[Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon Disney's]] ''Aladdin'' sequel ''Disney/AladdinTheReturnOfJafar'' and [[WesternAnimation/AladdinTheSeries the TV series]], there's [[PunnyName Abis Mal]]. His patheticness is particularly compounded by being an {{expy}} of the legendary loser, George Costanza, on ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'', since Jason Alexander plays both roles.
** He does get at least one NotSoHarmlessVillain moment in [[RecycledTheSeries the series]], in which he gets a hold of another lamp and wishes that the protagonists get smashed like bugs. When told that genies can't kill, he has a moment of brilliance and asks for the protagonists to be turned into bugs so that ''he'' can smash them like bugs.
*** He also went back in time and rewrote Agrabah's history in one episode so that he could be Sultan.
** Aladdin also occasionally had to deal with an inept thief named Amin Damoola (nicknamed "Butterfingers"). The only time Butterfingers was a serious threat was when he was using magical artifacts supplied by Mozenrath, who had essentially replaced Jafar as Aladdin's main nemesis.
*** Made even more pathetic by the fact that, in order to get those magical toys (which Mozenrath actually refers to as junk from his closet) Butterfingers has to deliver the Sultan-Turned-Gold-Statue by a timed deadline or become Mozenrath's slave. The kicker is, as stated during one of Mozenrath's scenes in the episode, the evil wizard doesn't really care which scenario happens. This is just spring cleaning for him.

* Dr. Reginald Bushroot of ''WesternAnimation/DarkwingDuck''. He mutated himself in an attempt to impress a girl. When that went [[FailureIsTheOnlyOption about as well as expected]], most of schemes throughout the series involved trying to grow a companion or feed his plants. He certainly seemed like [[AffablyEvil a nice enough guy]] most of the time, only turning violent when Darkwing tried to stop his plans.
** It should be noted though that for all his [[AntiVillain sympathetic qualities]], Bushroot is one of the few villains who is known to have successfully committed murder. Granted his victims were the jerk doctors who made fun of him, but as the other prominent villain in this category is KnightOfCerebus Taurus Bulba, this is still a rather shocking feat.

* Like Tom above, ''WesternAnimation/DonaldDuck'' can sometimes come off this, especially when he crosses paths with ''WesternAnimation/ChipAndDale''. Sometimes Donald ''does'' start the fight, other times he just ends up getting picked on and losing.

* Tom, from ''WesternAnimation/TomAndJerry'', was so ineffectual and sympathetic that, in many cartoons, one failed to see how Jerry was even a victim. Particularly {{egregious}} examples, in fact, would cite that he wanted nothing more than to leave Jerry in peace, and Jerry could not stop [[DesignatedHero antagonizing him and trying to ruin his life.]] Often, the shows started with Jerry trying to steal Tom's milk, break into a safe/refrigerator/ship that Tom was guarding or just being a [[JerkAss dick in general]]. Granted, sometimes Tom's methods can get [[DisproportionateRetribution a bit extreme]], he's just trying to protect his property or [[PunchClockVillain doing his job]].

* Note that in the ''WesternAnimation/SonicSatAM'' series that was aired around the same time, Robotnik is...very much not harmless. ''[[VillainWorld At all.]]'' Snively though is a reedy and sneering little man who is always consumed by his Uncle Robotnik's quite massive shadow. [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking Also, he's a baldy.]] [[spoiler: However, he turns out to be a NotSoHarmlessVillain when he manages to slip out before his uncle is killed, and return as a TheEndOrIsIt cliffhanger for a season that we will never receive.]]
** [[spoiler:Nope, he was still going to retain this role. [[WordOfGod In one interview with screen-writer Ben Hurst]] regarding the third season that never arrived, it was revealed that Snively was going to take a shot at becoming the new BigBad, only to be shortly upstaged by Ixis Naugus, and would later make a HeelFaceTurn and join the Freedom Fighters.]]

* Plankton from ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants''. After a while, you just start to feel sorry for the guy, especially when compared to how heinous Mr. Krabs' actions to get more money have become. It's more prominent in the [[SeasonalRot post-movie episodes]], where he could easily be one of the Trix Rabbit's drinking buddies. Granted, he gets a NotSoHarmlessVillain moment in the movie, but still...
** Most of the time, it seems that he just wants some manner of success. In the cruel YankTheDogsChain episode "Plankton's Regular", after getting just ''one'' regular customer, he immediately stops trying to steal the Krabby Patty secret formula. Mr Krabs and Spongebob still found it necessary to "thwart" him.
*** Plankton himself [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] this in one episode:

* The battle droids in ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'', an entire ''army'' of Ineffectual Sympathetic Villains.
** Until they start gunning down unarmed pacifist, cracking open escape pods so the helpless people on board will die in space, and {{Zerg Rush}}ing that is.

* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'': Despite her first few appearances [[TheDreaded striking absolute horror]] into the Crystal Gems, Peridot seems to amount to this, being not much of a match for the Crystal Gems even with substantial technological advantages- and without anything to hide behind, all of her revealed abilities are mostly there to help her run away. She also has the attitude of a high-strung desk worker more than a potentially world-destroying supervillain, which makes even her moments of NotSoHarmlessVillain harder to take seriously.
** There's also the Ruby Squad, who really, really aren't cut out for enforcers of Homeworld's fascist regime. They're small, adorable, not that bright, and in over their heads.

** Dr. Drakken never gets the respect he thinks he should have; he always fails his capers, sometimes even without the help of Team Possible. He often gets mistaken for the more respected Dementor and, at the end of the series, he is outright told how much of a failure of a villain he has been (despite having come closer to [[TakeOverTheWorld taking over the world]] than any of his peers, and ending up with [[spoiler: much of the credit for saving the world from the AlienInvasion)]]. If it wasn't for his [[TheDragon Dragon]], Shego, he wouldn't be a villain at all.

** Aladdin also occasionally had to deal with an inept thief named Amin Damoola (nicknamed "Butterfingers"). The only time Butterfingers was a serious threat was once, when was using magical artifacts supplied by Mozenrath, who had essentially replaced Jafar as Aladdin's main nemesis.

** Most of them are of the NotSoHarmlessVillain type. It's shown that the reason OSI and such tolerate the supervillains' stupid games is that it keeps them from committing real crimes or blowing up cities. (Those who don't play the game have to deal with SPHINX.) The Monarch, in particular, is a special case. When he was taken off of Dr. Venture, he was unhappy with the normal game and proceeded to kill 5 heroes in a short time.

** WesternAnimation/DaffyDuck, initially just a ScrewySquirrel or AntiHero, eventually evolved into one for BugsBunny and Western Animation/SpeedyGonzales.

* Dr. Reginald Bushroot of ''WesternAnimation/DarkwingDuck''. He mutated himself in an attempt to impress a girl. When that went [[FailureIsTheOnlyOption about as well as expected]], most of schemes throughout the series involved trying to grow a companion or feed his plants. He certainly seemed like a nice enough guy most of the time, only turning violent when Darkwing tried to stop his plans.
** It should be noted though that for all his sympathetic qualities, Bushroot is one of the only villains to have successfully committed murder. Granted his victims were the jerk doctors who made fun of him, but as the other villain in this category is KnightOfCerebus Taurus Bulba, this is still a rather shocking feat.

* The titular organization of ''WesternAnimation/EvilConCarne''. While Hector's plans are genuinely evil, when they end up being utterly pathetic when acted them out. In fact, in one episode, Hector and his army are defeated by angry children and a Fred Rogers {{Expy}}.

* Tabaqui from the 2012 CGI adaptation of ''WesternAnimation/TheJungleBook'' fits this like a glove. He's Shere Khan's faithful henchman who often tries to trick and manipulate Mowgli in hopes Shere Khan eats him and gives him scraps but he's such a NervousWreck and the butt of slapstick humor that more often then not, he comes across as a JerkassWoobie.

*** In the comic-turned-episode "Mad Love", Harley did manage to succeed in trapping Batman. Batman's only hope was to have her inform The Joker, who he knew would free Batman because ''[[TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou it wasn't HIM that defeated Batman!]]'' Batman even admitted that Harley came closer to killing him than the Joker ever did. Harley also suggested [[WhyDontYouJustShootHim just shooting Batman]], instead of elaborate death traps. Ironically, at the end of the episode, [[spoiler:Harley almost succeeded in killing Bats with an elaborate death trap, while the ''Joker'', who previously slapped Harley for even suggesting such a thing, tried simply shooting him...and failed.]]
** "The Man Who Killed Batman" was focused around Sidney Debris AKA "Sid the Squid", a nebbish and meek bumbling mob underling who dreams of being a bigshot. He gets his wish when Batman is apparently killed and his gang believes Sidney did it. Unfortunately, as Sid finds out, that reputation comes with a price... [[spoiler:The episode has a happy ending for Sid, however. He still goes to jail, but Batman lets everyone keep believing that he almost killed Batman and made a fool out of the Joker, turning Sid into a celebrity in prison.]]
** ALL of the "villains" from "Make 'em Laugh", though they're only villains [[spoiler:because they were brainwashed by The Joker.]] They're all pretty ineffective, but most notably is the "Condiment King". Even '''Batman''' takes pity on the guy.
--> '''Police Radio:''' Suspect is a male costumed extremist armed with what appears to be a... ''ketchup'' gun.
--> '''Batman:''' It's gonna be one of those nights.
* ''WesternAnimation/Ben10AlienForce'': though he ''does'' becomes a threat on occasions (he was actually dangerous in his first two appearances), [[EvilTwin Albedo]] was this from the beginning and becomes more so as the story goes on. He is doomed to be trapped in a human body he despises, and all he wants is getting his original form back. As a matter of fact, when he finally gets his form back in one episode, he makes it clear he has no more reason to fight Ben, and prepares to leave Earth... [[YankTheDogsChain only to immediately revert to human form]].
* King Max from ''WesternAnimation/TheBiskitts'', is like a royal version of Gargamel.

** Dark-Heart from the second ''WesternAnimation/{{Care Bears|Movie II A New Generation}}'' film could qualify too. While he was an effective villain at first, all that went out the window when he almost fell on the side of the boat as a human. Then later on he was little more than a generic SmugSnake who was won over by ThePowerOfFriendship. The Nostalgia Critic said it best.

* The titular organization of ''WesternAnimation/EvilConCarne''. While Hector's plans are genuinely evil, when they end up being utterly pathetic when acted them out. In fact in one episode, Hector and his army are defeated by angry children and a Mr. Rogers {{Expy}}.

* ''WesternAnimation/FriskyDingo'''s Killface is a pseudo-cultured, incompetent supervillain whose plans are often derailed by trivial matters and lacks knowledge of common subjects (it's a revelation to him that P.C. stands for "personal computer"). He's still more likable than "hero" Xander Crews, though.

* On ''WesternAnimation/GoldieAndBear'', TheBigBadWolf, a.k.a. "Big Bad.", is this with a heavy dose of JerkWithAHeartOfGold. Sure, he's regularly a pest to both the Three Little Pigs and Little Red Riding Hood. However, he schemes are rarely effective and when they do work, he's often regretful. He's also shown several redeeming qualities, including being willing to try niceness and being apologetic and helpful after realizing that he's acted like a jerk.
* ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'''s [[spoiler:bumbling time traveler Blendin Blandin]], in his second appearance as an antagonist. Made more sympathetic by the fact that he's mostly right: the kids did ruin his life, and stealing the time machine and intentionally ruining the past were objectively crappy things to do.
* Skeletor in ''WesternAnimation/HeManAndTheMastersOfTheUniverse1983''despite having a face that Standards & Practices must have had fits over, was so ineffective that the writers felt sorry for him. One stated in an interview that part of the reason they wrote a few EnemyMine episodes was that it was the only way they were allowed to have Skeletor come out ahead for once. He was so feeble at villainy, in fact, that the show resorted to two replacement villains: King Hiss of the Snake-Men, and Hordak, who suffered severe VillainDecay after his introduction. Neither were exactly scary themselves, but miles ahead of Skeletor.

* Voltar and the ''WesternAnimation/LeagueOfSuperEvil''. Guy is just so very motivated and happy about every plan or scheme he thinks up, no matter how trivial, that you just have to root for him. I mean, how many villains are ecstatic about throwing an 'EVIL' barbeque and not inviting their uncaring neighbors?

** [[WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes Elmer Fudd]], who was so ineffectual that WesternAnimation/BugsBunny [[DesignatedHero sometimes came off as a bully when beating him]]. Because of this, Yosemite Sam was introduced as a [[KnightOfCerebus more threatening and less sympathetic foe]]. Though [[{{Jerkass}} less sympathetic]], Sam wasn't that much more threatening after a [[VillainDecay few cartoons]]. Following this, Marvin the Martian was created, who, despite having super advanced planet-obliterating technology at his will, was only ''slightly'' more formidable.

** WesternAnimation/DaffyDuck, initially just a ScrewySquirrel or AntiHero, eventually evolved into one for WesternAnimation/BugsBunny and WesternAnimation/SpeedyGonzales.

* [[DeathbringerTheAdorable Killgore]] from ''WesternAnimation/MyLifeAsATeenageRobot'' is an odd example, in that he's ineffectual BECAUSE he's so sympathetic. People are finding him too cute (being that he is a wind-up toy) to see him as a threat, including his self-declared nemesis Jenny. However, he also proves to be a NotSoHarmlessVillain, as he's quite capable of going to extreme lengths, such as somehow managing to rebuild the deadly Armageddroid, to prove he's dangerous.

** The episode "Owl's Well That Ends Well" involves the usually-good dragon cub Spike [[TemporarilyAVillain temporarily becoming a villain]], but definitely of the "ineffectual sympathetic" variety, [[TheWoobie with the emphasis on "sympathetic".]] For context, when an owl named [[UnknownRival Owlowicious]] shows up to do some of the work Spike had been typically doing for the girls, Spike ends up getting less attention from them than before, and in turn, [[GreenEyedMonster resents the owl a fair bit]]. After being scolded by Twilight for lying about a book not being there, he thinks the owl set him up, and in turn, tries to do the same to the owl, by planting a fake dead mouse with [[ABloodyMess ketchup blood]] in Twilight Sparkle's room; he gets caught in the act. [[spoiler:After running away, ending up encountering a dragon while gone, and then being saved from the dragon by Twilight and the owl, he apologized for the way he was behaving and is back to being one of the good guys.]]

* Sandman in ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan'' can never quite get his big score. Before his superpowers, Spider-man jokes about how many times he's been caught. After, he can actually fight Spidey, but then proceeds to forget or be unable to keep his take when he escapes down the drain. He also gets a couple of PetTheDog moments when it's revealed that while he cares a lot about the Big Score, he doesn't really want to hurt anybody (other than Spider-man, of course).

--->'''Control Freak:''' ''The Puppet King?! They fought him ONCE!!''

* Tom, from WesternAnimation/TomAndJerry, was so ineffectual and sympathetic that, in many cartoons, one failed to see how Jerry was even a victim. Particularly {{egregious}} examples, in fact, would cite that he wanted nothing more than to leave Jerry in peace, and Jerry could not stop [[DesignatedHero antagonizing him and trying to ruin his life.]] Often, the shows started with Jerry trying to steal Tom's milk, break into a safe/refrigerator/ship that Tom was guarding or just being a [[JerkAss dick in general]]. Granted, sometimes Tom's methods can get [[DisproportionateRetribution a bit extreme]], he's just trying to protect his property or [[PunchClockVillain doing his job]].

*** Doctor Killinger's fourth episode, ''The Doctor is Sin'', makes a pretty persuasive argument that Rusty Venture himself is this. Killinger spends much of the episode giving Venture Industries "efficiency" training, with the true aim of turning Doctor Venture into a real, Guild-bonded supervilain.

** He also managed to defeat the five main characters ''by himself'' on one occasion after getting fed up with being treated like garbage. [[spoiler:Only not really. He beat the entire team of ''villains'' on his own, mistaking them for the kids.]]