History Main / TheSmartGuy

* ''WebComic/MagickChicks'': [[StudentCouncilPresident Faith]] recognized [[{{meganekko}} Sandi's]] talents as a {{technopath}}, when she was young, and [[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/she_looks_out_for_us helped her learn to properly control her abilities.]] Now, she's so adept at her gift that she can [[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/forces_of_darkness mentally project multiple holo-screens at once]]; with each containing separate bits of data, including video feeds. What's more, the cast page of the comic's print edition describes her as "a living {{Google}}", which is why Faith is chose her as her personal secretary and is genuinely surprised whenever Sandi ''[[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/the_dollar_store can't]]'' find intel on something.

* ''WebComic/MagickChicks'': [[StudentCouncilPresident Faith]] recognized [[{{meganekko}} Sandi's]] talents as a {{technopath}}, when she was young and [[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/she_looks_out_for_us helped her learn to properly control her abilities.]] Now, she's so adept at her gift that she can [[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/forces_of_darkness mentally project multiple holo-screens at once]]; with each containing separate bits of data, including video feeds. What's more, the cast page of the comic's print edition describes her as "a living {{Google}}", which is why Faith is chose her as her personal secretary and is genuinely surprised whenever Sandi ''[[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/the_dollar_store can't]]'' find intel on something.

* While not intelligent to a superlative degree, Chip from the web fiction serial ''DimensionHeroes'' proves on several occasions that his reservoir of book knowledge can prove beneficial in making it out of various tight spots the heroes get into.

In an ensemble cast, the Smart Guy is usually the last character to have a LoveInterest if they even bother to give him one at all. He may or may not be {{asexual}}. He may also explicitly be said to have no luck with women (we are frequently showed just one instance of this as a pretext to at least answer the question and to completely avoid the romance issue afterwards) and that's often cruelly played for laughs, especially when the Smart Guy's feelings are unrequited. When present, the shoehorned love interest character is often little more than an uninspired female version of himself (a sterotypical Nerd Girl variant), or close to it. Often, this relationship does not last for a number of reasons (a convientent pretext for the smart guy to avoid future romances) or the love interest falls victim to the ChuckCunninghamSyndrome. Invariably, because smart and well rounded characters are difficult to write, this allows writers to avoid having to develop the Smart Guy character beyond his basic fuctional role.

In an ensemble cast, the Smart Guy is usually the last character to have a LoveInterest if they even bother to give him one at all. He may or may not be {{asexual}}. He may also explicitly be said to have no luck with women (we are frequently showed just one instance of this as a pretext to at least answer the question and to completely avoid the romance issue afterwards). When present, the shoehorned love interest character is often little more than an uninspired female version of himself, or close to it. Often, this relationship does not last for a number of reasons (a convientent pretext for the smart guy to avoid future romances) or the love interest falls victim to the ChuckCunninghamSyndrome. Invariably, because smart and well rounded characters are difficult to write, this allows writers to avoid having to develop the Smart Guy character beyond his basic fuctional role.

The Smart Guy is the guy in a FiveManBand whose focus is on intellectual pursuits. This is TheTeam member who will always be prepared, sometimes CrazyPrepared. They will be at the computer doing RapidFireTyping. Expect some [[SesquipedalianLoquaciousness fancy talk]] and TechnoBabble from this character. Because their role is about ideas, plans, and being MissionControl, they often [[NonActionGuy leave the action stuff to the others.]]

* Some incarnations have TheSmartGuy be less of a genius, and more of a DeadpanSnarker; a wisecracking, street-smart {{Trickster}} who has traded in strength for intelligence, and uses his guile and wits to outwit his foes.

* IronMan and [[{{Ant-Man}} Hank Pym]] usually share this role in ''Comicbook/TheAvengers'', with slightly different fields. (one being the GadgeteerGenius in the PoweredArmor, the other being a more [[HollywoodScience comic booky scientist]] with his [[MinovskyPhysics Pym Particles]])

'''Sokka:''' So I'm the ''only'' one who can ''ever'' come up with a plan? That's a lot of pressure.

* Sweden from ScandinaviaAndTheWorld.

* In SonicTheComic TheSmartGuy role in Freedom Fighters is taken by Porker Lewis and after Porker leaves the role is taken by [[TeenGenius Tekno]], in the Chaotix Crew the role is taken by [[GeniusBruiser Vector the Crocodile]].

* In modern or sci-fi settings, The Smart Guy often has great skill with technology and engineering, in order to build and repair devices for TheTeam. The GadgeteerGenius, MadScientist, and TheProfessor will often fill this role. If they're the protagonist, they'll be a ScienceHero. In such cases, The Smart Guy will rarely have good tactical skills, and may lack in common sense as well. Quite often they're an alien, cyborg or robot. If all of the characters are using guns, the Smart Guy may be the [[SniperRifle sniper]].

* The [[Literature/TheBible Biblical prophet]] Daniel (aka Belteshazzar)]] was a brilliant scholar and a top-notch administrator.

* IronMan and [[{{Ant-Man}} Hank Pym]] usually share this role in ''Comicbook/TheAvengers'', with slightly different fields. (one being the GadgeteerGenius in the PoweredArmor, the other being a more [[ComicBookScience comic booky scientist]] with his [[MinovskyPhysics Pym Particles]])

* [[TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles Donatello]], he who does machines, pretty much defines this trope.

In an ensemble cast, the Smart Guy is usually the last character to have a LoveInterest if they even bother to give him one at all. He may or may not be {{asexual}}. He may also explicitly be said to have no luck with women (we are frequently showed just one instance of this as a pretext to at least answer the question and to completely avoid the romance issue afterwards). When present, the shoehorned love interest character is often little more than an uninspired female version of himself, or close to it. Often, this relationship does not last for a number of reasons (a convientent pretext for the smart guy to avoid future romances) or the love interest falls victim to the ChuckCunninghamSyndrome. Invarialby, because smart and well rounded characters are difficult to write, this allows writers to avoid having to develop the Smart Guy character beyond his basic fuctional role.

Sometimes the Smart Guy is more street savvy then they appear. If this is the case it usually makes The Smart Guy physically as well as mentally capable. This isi the path of the BadassBookworm. They remain firmly planted as the Smart Guy, but are just as ready to fight as everyone else. The results are often impressive, and usually have the advantage of surprise. Who expects the little guy with glasses to be an asskicker?

The Smart Guy is the guy in a FiveManBand whose focus is on intellectual pursuits. This is the team member who will always be prepared, sometimes CrazyPrepared. They will be at the computer doing RapidFireTyping. Expect some [[SesquipedalianLoquaciousness fancy talk]] and TechnoBabble from this character. Because their role is about ideas, plans, and being MissionControl, they often [[NonActionGuy leave the action stuff to the others.]]

Sometimes the Smart Guy is more street savvy then they appear. If this is the case it usually makes The Smart Guy physically as well as mentally capable. This can be done by making the Smart Guy and TheBigGuy one and the same, effectively defying the two stereotypes to the utmost extreme. (see GeniusBruiser). Then there is the path of the BadassBookworm. They remain firmly planted as the Smart Guy, but are just as ready to fight as everyone else. The results are often impressive, and usually have the advantage of surprise. Who expects the little guy with glasses to be an asskicker?

In rare cases, the Smart Guy may also be a BoisterousBruiser.

* In modern or sci-fi settings, The Smart Guy often has great skill with technology and engineering, in order to build and repair devices for the band. The GadgeteerGenius, MadScientist, and TheProfessor will often fill this role. If they're the protagonist, they'll be a ScienceHero. In such cases, The Smart Guy will rarely have good tactical skills, and may lack in common sense as well. Quite often they're an alien, cyborg or robot. If all of the characters are using guns, the Smart Guy may be the [[SniperRifle sniper]].

* In fantasy settings, he'll usually be [[SquishyWizard skilled at magic]], particularly of the offensive variety, in which case he serves as the team's [[AnAdventurerIsYou "nuker"]]. His WeaponOfChoice tends to be a MagicWand, a SimpleStaff, or [[MagicStaff both in one package]]. Alternatively, he may prefer a [[KnifeNut easily manageable dagger]]. Or, if magic is the de facto power of the age, the Smart Guy will probably use a sword or a gun.
* In a {{Superhero}} setting, or any one with superpowers that don't quite fall under magic, The Smart Guy is often a BadassNormal with SuperIntelligence, or has [[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway relatively weak powers]] to offset their brilliance (and increasingly often will find [[HeartIsAnAwesomePower ways to utilise apparently useless powers to great effect]]). He could also achieve PsychicPowers after reaching BrainCriticalMass. Or conversely, they'll be the ones in the PoweredArmor (in this case, if the armor lends enough muscle, they might be a GeniusBruiser or BadassBookworm who doubles as TheBigGuy).
* Some incarnations have TheSmartGuy be less of a genius, and more of a DeadpanSnarker; a wisecracking, street-smart {{Trickster}} who has traded in strength for intelligence, and uses his guile and wits to outwit his foes. This type may well be TheLancer if roles are overlapping, or the TokenEvilTeammate.

His knowledge will allow him to [[EnemyScan find enemy weaknesses]] and to serve as MrExposition in order to explain plot points to the less intelligent members of the band (and the audience).

The Smart Guy archetype is often unfairly vilified in shows where DumbIsGood. Other times, he's not so much the Smart Guy as the ''Smartass'' Guy. The Smartass Guy will occur in a team with a [[GeniusBruiser Big Smart Guy]]. The team doesn't need another brainy guy so much, and since Big Smart Guys tend to be {{Gentle Giant}}s, adding a DeadpanSnarker just seems natural. Appropriately, The Smartass Guy will probably be the "sneaky Lancer" type mentioned above.

* In most incarnations of the ''JusticeLeagueOfAmerica'', {{Batman}} is a mix of The Smart Guy and TheLancer.

* Lucius Fox in ''Film/TheDarkKnightSaga''. He basically runs Wayne Enterprises, either invents or improves upon most of Batman's tech, and can come up with an antidote to Scarecrow's fear gas in the span of a night.