Underestimation of characters due to "goofiness"

I have noticed that many people tend to underestimate characters because of their inherent silliness. I myself used to do this all the time, for example I used to think the Flash rogues were worthless.

However even seemingly goofy or stupid characters can be legitimately powerful.

Take Toyman for example.

At first you think "This guy's gimmick is making exploding dolls, how is he supposed to be a threat to Superman?"

Then you realize he's one of the most brilliant robot scientists on earth, and has created things like nanotech, etc. Also he usually doesn't directly confront Superman but instead uses plans to distract him by going after civilians.

Another good example is Stilt-Man.

He's a guy who walks around on stilts, ridiculous right?

It turns out his stilts are actually a form of powered exoskeleton that gives him super strength, and he has an arsenal of weapons like knockout gas, electrical shocks, laser guns, etc.

What other characters seem silly at first but are actually legitimately dangerous?

Charles Xavier. Try explaining to someone that he's actually really powerful because of his brain and the company he keeps and people don't seem to get it.

deadpool i would think

Vulture seems like such a lame character because of how he's treated but really a guy who can drain you life-force is pretty threatening.

Originally posted by willRules
Charles Xavier. Try explaining to someone that he's actually really powerful because of his brain and the company he keeps and people don't seem to get it.

Did you try mentioning the telepathy?

Half the members of the Great Lakes Avengers would qualify, even if we exclude Squirrel Girl (who could be a poster child for this thread).

Silver Surfer

The dude is basically.. GOD, and what he do: energy blast.

Actually I think the silliness of Surfer comes from the fact that he's a naked silver guy who rides a surfboard through space

Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
Did you try mentioning the telepathy?

He has telepathy? 😕 I thought he just put his fingers over his temples in an attempt to force hair out of his head 😐

Originally posted by Bouboumaster
Silver Surfer

The dude is basically.. GOD, and what he do: energy blast.

That's called CIS or PIS, depending on the situation. No one underestimates him.

Originally posted by willRules
He has telepathy? 😕 I thought he just put his fingers over his temples in an attempt to force hair out of his head 😐

A lot of people make that mistake.

Plastic Man comes to mind

Originally posted by Symmetric Chaos
A lot of people make that mistake.

It's a mistake? 😕

Deadpool.

Not so much in the early days, but nowadays. People always remark on how they forget he was so badass, fast and one of Marvel's most formidable combatants. He's become more of an annoyance to people until they realise he's a legit threat.

-AC

Originally posted by Endless Mike

What other characters seem silly at first but are actually legitimately dangerous?

Spellbinder

The best non-magical illusionists in the DCU.

It looks like someone threw up Hot Wheels racetrack decals all over him.

Originally posted by Doctor-Alvis
It looks like someone threw up Hot Wheels racetrack decals all over him.

Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
Deadpool.

Not so much in the early days, but nowadays. People always remark on how they forget he was so badass, fast and one of Marvel's most formidable combatants. He's become more of an annoyance to people until they realise he's a legit threat.

-AC

Stilt-Man never posed any kind of threat to anyone but himself.

I can come up with a list of grossly underestimated characters pretty easily though:
Squirrel Girl
Bullseye
Mr. Fear/Larry Cranston
Purple Man
Mutant Zero/Typhoid
Crossbones
Living Laser
Black Tarantula
Sienna Blaze

Originally posted by Endless Mike
Actually I think the silliness of Surfer comes from the fact that he's a naked silver guy who rides a surfboard through space

Originally posted by Endless Mike
Actually I think the silliness of Surfer comes from the fact that he's a naked silver guy who rides a surfboard through space