Buzz
Advertising villains are a rarity in today’s world. Modern TV commercials have shifted to sleek, MTV-inspired montages, relatable life snippets, or documentary-style testimonials. Even iconic figures like Ronald McDonald and his crew are no longer a staple in ads.
Things were different in the past. If you grew up in the ’70s, munching on Freakies cereal while watching Land of the Lost, you’d recall how TV ads were just as quirky as the shows. Filled with animation, these commercials relied on oddball characters to peddle their products.
A common theme in these ads was the cartoon villain. Often depicted as a mischievous creature, their sole purpose was to steal the very product being advertised. As kids, we’d wonder, “Why doesn’t he just buy (X cereal/cookies/sugary drink) for himself?” This list highlights the most memorable cartoon ad villains from the past. While their animation or effects may seem outdated, their devious antics left a lasting impression. Do you remember these troublemakers?
10. The Destroyer
If you were a fan of DC or Marvel comics in the late 1970s or early 1980s, or have explored back issues from that time, you’ve likely encountered the superhero-themed ads for Hostess cupcakes, Twinkies, and similar treats. These ads were presented as one-page stories featuring a minor villain causing trouble. A superhero would then step in, using snack cakes in a clever way to thwart the villain. In one such tale, the Destroyer, consumed by despair, aimed to spread his misery by targeting the Doover Dam (yes, that’s the correct name). The Flash intervened, fixed the damage, and introduced the Destroyer to Twinkies, encouraging him to “appreciate life’s small joys.” After tasting a Twinkie, the Destroyer surrendered willingly.
9. Red Skull
This marks the second appearance of a Twinkies-related villain, but the Red Skull’s inclusion is a must due to his sheer brilliance! The Red Skull is a title used by multiple fictional supervillains in the Marvel Comics universe, all of whom are adversaries of Captain America, other heroes, and the U.S. at large. The first two versions were Nazi operatives, while the third was a Communist. In this Twinkies ad, the Red Skull attempts to wield the cosmic cube against Captain America. However, just in time, Captain America uses a Twinkie to foil his plans. As Captain America puts it, “Your cosmic cube won’t obey you because it’s too busy enjoying Hostess Twinkies.”
8. Grimace
You might be curious why McDonald’s cheerful purple mascot is listed among villains. The explanation lies in Grimace’s debut as a mischievous character who pilfered milkshakes! Originally known as the “Evil Grimace,” he sported four arms to snatch milkshakes. However, after his initial campaign, Grimace was reimagined as a friendly figure, losing two arms in the process. Often depicted as a lovable, bumbling character, his clumsy behavior served as a humorous contrast to Ronald McDonald. While Grimace is now a beloved figure, I believe it’s fitting to acknowledge his villainous origins, even as he continues to appear in a more positive light.
7. Noid
The Noid, voiced by Pons Maar, was Domino’s Pizza’s iconic antagonist during the 1980s. This red-suited, rabbit-eared troublemaker aimed to sabotage Domino’s pizzas but was always outsmarted. The advertising campaign even inspired a 1989 computer game titled Avoid the Noid, where players had to deliver pizzas within 30 minutes while dodging Noids armed with missiles and water balloons. The slogan “Avoid the Noid” became synonymous with the character, adding a playful twist to the brand’s messaging.
Bizarre fact: In 1989, Kenneth Lamar Noid, a mentally unstable individual who believed the ads targeted him personally, took two employees of an Atlanta Domino’s hostage for over five hours. After demanding a pizza, $100,000, transportation, and a copy of The Widow’s Son, Noid eventually surrendered. He faced charges including kidnapping and extortion but was acquitted due to insanity. [Source] ?
6. The Frito Bandito
If you’re not old enough to remember, the Frito Bandito was removed from television in 1971 following a congressional hearing on ethnic stereotypes in media. Despite a poll showing that over 80% of Mexican-Americans approved of the character (with only 8% disapproving and the rest indifferent), he was replaced by W.C. Frito. W.C. Frito, a forgettable substitute, lacked the charm of the original Tex Avery-designed, Mel Blanc-voiced bandit, whose sole flaw was an irresistible urge to steal Fritos.
?
5. Captain Crook
McDonaldland in the 1970s was a far stranger world, featuring apple pie trees, sentient hamburgers growing in patches, and milkshake-spewing volcanoes. This whimsical landscape changed after a lawsuit from the Kroffts (creators of H.R. Pufnstuf) led to a toned-down version of the kingdom. Alongside the Hamburglar, Captain Crook once wreaked havoc, specializing in stealing Filet-o-Fish sandwiches. However, his time as a villain was short-lived, and he was phased out quicker than the Hamburglar’s signature “Robble robble.”??
4. The Spotmaker
Dressed in a tight green leotard, the Spotmaker was one of the final memorable villains, making his last appearance around 1979. With a mischievous laugh, “Hee hee hee hee,” he danced inside a live-action dishwasher (while being a cartoon himself), splattering spots on dishes. “Do I make you unhappy?” he teased. “Embarrass you?” His reign ended when confronted with Calgonite dishwashing liquid, which acted like his ultimate weakness. ??
3. Hamburglar
The Hamburglar, arguably McDonald’s most iconic villain, was a burger thief clad in a black-and-white striped outfit, a red cape, a wide-brimmed hat, and red gloves. Initially, his dialogue consisted of repetitive mutterings of “BURGER, BURGER, BURGER,” which later evolved into childlike speech. Voiced first by Howard Morris, then by Charlie Adler and Carl W Wolfe, the character was eventually retired. His famous catchphrase, “Robble, robble,” remains memorable. In the 2000s, he briefly returned to promote regular burgers instead of Happy Meals.
2. The Cavity Creeps
Among the most menacing animated ad villains, the Cavity Creeps posed a grave threat to Toothopolis, a city located in your mouth. These dark, Hulk-like creatures wielded massive drills, making their intentions clear. Their chant, “We-make-holes-in-teeth; we-make-holes-in-teeth,” was a warning of their destructive mission. Fortunately, Crest’s fluorostat (whatever that may be) served as their ultimate weakness, saving teeth from certain doom. The Cavity Creeps remained a fixture until the early ’80s, riding the wave of popularity enjoyed by heroic cartoons.?
1. Jean La Foot
Cap’n Crunch has outlasted many cereal mascots, partly because he no longer faces adversaries. In the ’60s and ’70s, his arch-rival was Jean La Foot, a barefoot pirate with a scruffy beard who specialized in stealing cereal. His downfall was his noisy eating habits. “You can’t get away with the crunch,” the Cap’n would declare, “because the crunch always gives you away.”??
+ Duke of Doubt
Burger King’s response to McDonaldland was the Burger King Kingdom, introduced in the mid-1970s. By the late 1980s, most of its characters were phased out. However, in 2003, the Burger King mascot returned in ads, though as a masked figure rather than a fully live-action character. The Burger King’s primary foe was the Duke of Doubt, who questioned the King’s magical powers. While the Duke was intended as a villain, his over-the-top demeanor made him more comical than threatening.
Other animated ad villains, such as Demon Thirst and Baron von Redberry, have faded into obscurity. Although villains occasionally resurfaced in later years, their golden era has regrettably passed. Perhaps ad executives will one day recognize that, despite our childhood skepticism about these characters’ intentions, they achieved their ultimate goal: we ended up buying their products.
