Rational Man
Explanation
The Joke
A superhero called "Rational Man" fights crime using logic and evidence-based reasoning. Unfortunately, his methods — while technically correct — are completely ineffective because criminals and bystanders don't respond to rational arguments. Rational Man defeats no villains but publishes several well-cited papers on optimal crime reduction strategies.
The Humor
The comic satirizes the limits of rationality as an approach to messy real-world problems. Being right is not the same as being effective. Rational Man's arguments are impeccable; his results are nonexistent. This is a commentary on how rationalist and "effective altruist" communities can sometimes prioritize being correct over being useful.
Context
"Rational Man" has appeared in multiple SMBC comics. The character embodies the gap between theoretical and practical reason — knowing the right answer and being able to implement it are very different skills. It's also a send-up of superhero conventions, where punching things is more effective than publishing papers.