10 Of The Most Badass Animated Characters Around

These badass heroes and heroines eat bullets for breakfast and scoff in danger's big, dumb face. Tune into the boldest, baddest brother around with the season finale of Black Dynamite, tonight at 11:30, only on Adult Swim.

1. Black Dynamite, "Black Dynamite"

Black Dynamite / Via blackdynamite.tv

Who's super cool, knows kung-fu, and is ready to school any dope-peddlin' fool dumb enough to step up and get smacked down by the meanest mother around? Blaxploitation sensation Black Dynamite is back in an all-new animated series on Adult Swim, boasting the same brand of super-fly insanity that once rocked and socked the silver screen.

2. Brock Samson, "The Venture Bros."

Cartoon Network / Everett Collection

True story: if you open any Webster's Dictionary to the word "manly," it'll just show a picture of Venture Bros. bodyguard Brock Samson. Smoking three cigars. While riding a shark. And wrestling a polar bear. At the same damn time.

3. Aeon Flux, "Aeon Flux"

MTV / Everett Collection

Acrobatic ultra-assassin Aeon Flux might not have the most consistent mortality rate, but there's a reason that this svelte, pistol-packing super-soldier is the scourge of the fascist police state of Bregna. But for all her bodacious badassery, this slender siren always doesn't stand a chance against her fiercest enemy: a gentle breeze.

4. Wolverine, "X-Men: The Animated Series"

Jason / CC BY-ND http://2.0 / Flickr: jasmic

Of all the portrayals that this claw-wielding Canuck has seen over the years, nothing matches the unmetered animosity and gravel-voiced gruffness of his X-Men: The Animated Series iteration. Protip: turn a blind eye to every time Logan pines for Jean "Marvel Girl" Grey like a lovesick schoolboy and his badass-ity is increased about tenfold.

5. Scarlett, "G.I. Joe"

Loren Javier / CC BY-ND http://2.0 / Flickr: lorenjavier

Crossbow-equipped secret agent Shana O'Hara -- codename Scarlett -- was a pioneering name for animated heroines in the 1980s. This fiery redhead easily held her own against the unchecked testosterone of her Joe compatriots, played a crucial role in toppling terrorist organization Cobra's weekly schemes, and still took time out of her busy schedule to teach anonymous youths how to water-ski. Now that's what we call a real American hero.

6. Turanga Leela, "Futurama"

20thCentFox / Everett Collection

True, it's not tough to look like the galaxy's biggest badass when you spend your weekdays bumming around with the putzy Planet Express crew, but one-eyed aviator Leela (pictured above fighting William Shatner in hand-to-hand combat, natch) is never above busting out some outstanding aerial manuevers -- or a more traditional boot to the face -- if that's what it takes to save the day.

7. Samurai Jack, "Samurai Jack"

Cartoon Network / Everett Collection

During a grisly battle with sinister shape-shifting shadow Aku, this steely samurai prince was unstuck in time and plunged into a surreal, dystopian future. Armed with nothing but his trusty blade and fierce determination, Jack was like a time-trotting, kimono-clad Clint Eastwood, and remains one of the most fearless animated heroes around.

8. Goliath, "Gargoyles"

Buena Vista Pictures / Everett Collection

Unbearably sunny disposition notwithstanding (but seriously, this guy's colder than the stone he once slumbered in) the millennia-old leader of the Manhattan Clan is one of New York City's premiere protectors, and that's coming from a city that includes pretty much every big-screen badass to date.

9. "Archer"

FX Networks /Everett Collection

Much like Leela above, super-spy Archer's inimitable abilities exist both on and off the battlefield in this case, the International Secret Intelligence Service. The goofy guy to straight man (and begrudging ex-beau) Lana, Archer's quick to quip and even quicker to spray any enemies in his path.