The Toxic Avenger (1984) – Justice Is Coming… in a Mop Bucket.

He was a nobody. Now he’s a mutant mop-wielding legend

The Toxic Avenger (1984) is a cult-classic blend of horror, comedy, and radioactive revenge that redefined low-budget superhero cinema. Campy, gory, and proudly outrageous, it tells the tale of how a bullied weakling becomes a deformed—but heroic—monster who cleans the streets with more than just disinfectant.

Set in the fictional crime-infested town of Tromaville, New Jersey, the story follows Melvin Ferd, a scrawny, awkward janitor at a local gym. Constantly tormented by sadistic jocks and mocked by everyone around him, Melvin's life changes forever when a prank goes horribly wrong—sending him flying into a vat of toxic waste.

Instead of dying, Melvin is transformed into a hideously mutated, super-strong creature known as The Toxic Avenger—Toxie, for short. With a mop in hand and a heart of gold, he sets out to rid Tromaville of corrupt politicians, thugs, and anyone else who dares prey on the innocent.

Equal parts grotesque and hilarious, the film combines over-the-top violence, slapstick comedy, and grindhouse-style gore with surprising moments of heart. Toxie may be covered in boils, but he’s the first truly ugly superhero you’ll cheer for. Directed by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz, The Toxic Avenger spawned sequels, cartoons, comic books, and now, a modern remake—proving that good guys can come from the most toxic places.