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Total Sci-Fi LET THE COUNTDOWN COMMENCE W
elcome to the ultimate personality clash. Welcome to a Top 100 where talking cars are pitted against green monsters; where robot trucks jostle for position with alien superheroes; where cyborg killers battle it out with post-apocalyptic revolutionaries. Welcome to the Top 100 Greatest Sci-Fi Characters ever. What makes a great sci-fi character? It’s impossible to construct a formula. How do you compare a droid with a cop? A mutant with a supercomputer? Yet despite the mind-boggling list of characters – and different types of characters – the genre has to offer, certain names do crop up again and again when you ask sci-fi fans to name their favourites. Some characters – for reasons that can’t be measured or gauged or predicted – have the essential magic ingredient to capture the imagination. The greatest of them are the ones even your mad aunt – who’s lived all her life in a locked attic with only an army of cats and a subscription to Reader’s Digest for company – can name. While genre boundaries are always tricky to define, we tried as far as possible to stick with predominantly sci-fi characters as opposed to predominantly fantasy characters. Even though there were cyborgs and aliens in Buffy, 99% of the beings she fought were supernatural, so she’s not here. And while Thor and Batman may not necessarily be SF in themselves, they clearly exist in SF-dominated universes. But hey, sci-fi fans could argue these things for an eternity. Someone has to make the decision of what to include before then. Which is what we did. So, um, sorry Buffy. And Doc Brown, who’s at number 101…
Dave Gol d er, EDITOR
The 100 GREATEST sci-fi characters OF ALL TIME | 3
THE 100 GREATESt SCI-FI CHARACTERS OF ALL TIME
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Contents Sci-Fi’s Greatest Characters 100 Mork 99 Davros 98 Walter Bishop 97 Sarah Manning 96 Bender 95 Mace Windu 94 KITT 93 Delenn 92 Khan 91 John Crichton 90 Morpheus 89 Catwoman 88 Sapphire 87 Katniss Everdeen 86 Baymax 85 Chewbacca 84 Lady Penelope 83 G’Kar 82 Londo 81 Avon 80 Aeryn Sun
7 7 8 8 9 9 10 12 12 13 14 14 15 15 16 16 17 18 19 20 20
79 Servalan 78 WALL-E 77 Caesar 76 Seven-Of-Nine 75 Marvin 74 River Tam 73 The Fantastic Four 72 The Master 71 Worf 70 Neytiri 69 Number Six (Battlestar Galactica) 68 Gene Hunt 67 Bill & Ted 66 Groot 65 Roy Batty 64 Professor Bernard Quatermass 63 Gort 62 Darth Maul 61 Barbarella
4 | The 100 GREATEST sci-fi characters OF ALL TIME
21 21 22 24 24 25 26 27 30 30 31 32 34 34 35 35 36 36 37
128
60 Captain Jack Harkness 59 Kryten 58 Thor 57 Kiera Cameron 56 Starbuck 55 Black Widow 54 Rose Tyler 53 Mal Reynolds 52 Dave Lister 51 Arnold Rimmer 50 Frankenstein’s Monster 49 HAL 48 Data 47 Sarah Jane Smith 46 Professor X 45 Optimus Prime 44 Uhura 43 Robby the Robot 42 Magneto
38 39 40 42 43 44 45 46 48 49 50 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57
41 Steve Austin 40 Number Six (The Prisoner) 39 Godzilla 38 Maria 37 The Predator 36 Judge Dredd 35 ET 34 Flash Gordon 33 Hulk 32 Obi-Wan Kenobi 31 Rick Deckard 30 Yoda 29 Nick Fury 28 Peter Venkman 27 C-3PO 26 Boba Fett 25 Neo 24 Luke Skywalker 23 Captain America 22 Sarah Connor
58 59 60 64 64 65 66 68 72 73 74 76 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85
37 Editor Dave Golder Art Editor Rebecca Shaw
142
Production Editors Rhian Drinkwater, Simon Withers Contributors
Tara Bennett, Jane Crowther, Steven Ellis, Ryan Gilbey, James Lovegrove, Joseph McCabe, Richard Matthews, Michael Molcher, Jayne Nelson, Jamie Russell, Nick Setchfield
COVER ILLUSTRATION
Extras & Special Features KITT Car 10
We explore all the special features on the most pimped ride ever
Gender’s Game 28
104 21 The Joker 20 Marty McFly 19 Mad Max 18 Wolverine 17 Mulder & Scully 16 Jean-Luc Picard 15 Wonder Woman 14 R2-D2 13 RoboCop 12 Iron Man 11 Batman 10 Princess Leia 9 Spider-Man 8 Ellen Ripley 7 The Terminator 6 James T Kirk 5 Superman 4 Darth Vader 3 The Doctor 2 Spock 1 Han Solo
87 88 90 92 94 98 100 102 104 108 110 112 114 116 120 124 126 128 130 134 138
Sci-Fi characters who have undergone gender reassignment. There are loads more than just the Master!
Ashes To Ashes 33
As it would have been if there had been a comic strip adaptation of the show back in the ’80s
Thor: Actor Interview 40
Chris Hemsworth on playing a god in a sci-fi world
Mal Reynolds: Actor Interview 46
Nathan Fillion on keeping the universe shiny
The Origins Of Godzilla 60
A look back at the film that created the legend
The Origins Of Flash Gordon 68
He saved every one of us, in comics as well as on film
The Red Dress Total Film and SFX would like to thank the following picture libraries: Allstar, Kobal, Rex and BBC.
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RoboCop Vs Judge Dredd 106
Who is the greatest law enforcer of the future?
The Future Star Of Star Wars 142
Who will become the iconic characters in the new Star Wars trilogy that kicks off with The Force Awakens?
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The 100 GREATEST sci-fi characters OF ALL TIME | 5
Biodata
Biodata
100
First appearance Doctor Who “Genesis Of The Daleks” (1975) Portrayed by Michael Wisher; David Gooderson; Terry Molloy; Julian Bleach (pictured) Best moment Coming over all orgasmic when he responds to the Doctor’s theoretical question about whether he would release a virus that could kill all life in the universe – of course he would! Known to say “That power would set me up above the gods! AND THROUGH THE DALEKS, I SHALL HAVE THAT POWER! ” Why he’s GREAT He’s the creator of the Daleks and his body appeared to be kept alive as much by pure hatred as by the lifesupport tech in his wheelchair. He’s only appeared a handful of times in the show over 40 years, but his status as the new Dr Frankenstein has been truly cemented in the public psyche.
Mork
He is the egg-man
99
Davros The Daleks’ daddy
BBC, KOBAL
First appearance Happy Days (1978) But Mainly in Mork & Mindy (1978-1982) Portrayed by Robin Williams Best moment Mork trying to get a chicken egg to fly Known to say “Nanu nanu”, “Shazbot” Why he’s GREAT Mork from Ork started life as a one-off character in a dream episode of Happy Days. The lunatic energy of then-unknown Robin Williams (a producer quipped that he was the only alien who auditioned for the role) resulted in the dream aspect being retconned and Mork getting his own show. For four seasons Mork flatshared with Mindy and reported back to his boss Orson on the ways of Earthlings. It was basically an excuse for Williams to take his observational comedy and ad-libbing to bizarre extremes, but it worked brilliantly.
The 100 GREATEST sci-fi characters OF ALL TIME | 7
98
THE 100 GREATESt SCI-FI CHARACTERS OF ALL TIME
Walter Bishop Double trouble
97
Sarah Manning Clone ranger
8 | The 100 GREATEST sci-fi characters OF ALL TIME
Biodata First appearance Fringe (2008) AKA Walternate Portrayed by John Noble Best moment A trippy, Monty Python-style animated dream sequence Known to say “Titanium tetrachloride… you sly temptress” Why he’s GREAT There are two sides to Walter Bishop, literally. In our world he’s the crazy old professor whose brains have been fried by drugs and personal tragedy. This can make him as much of a hindrance as a help to the Fringe team and their investigations. Then there’s Walter on an alternate Earth (“Walternate”) – the ruthless US Secretary of Defense, totally in command of all his faculties as well as a much more sinister Fringe division. They don’t really get on that well…
Biodata First appearance Orphan Black (2013) AKA Beth, Helena, Tony, Alison, loads more Portrayed by Tatiana Maslany Best moment Transgender Tony kissing his clone sister’s half-brother Felix Known to say “Get your shit together, you silly tit” Why she’s GREAT This isn’t just a placing for Manning, but her various clones as well, all played by the amazing Tatiana Maslany. Manning is an opportunistic former street kid who takes on the life of a rich cop who looks identical to her after she sees the cop commit suicide. Next thing she knows, she’s bumping into lots more identical women, some of whom are very dangerous indeed. It’s a wonderfully bonkers, endlessly twisting show that’s quickly become the cult hit of the 2010s.
Biodata First appearance Futurama (1999) AKA Bender Bending Rodríguez, Bending Unit 22, unit number 1,729, serial number 2716057 Voiced by John DiMaggio Best moment Either his conversation with God when he’s floating through space or his pimp strut from court Known to say “Bite my shiny metal ass” Did you know? Matt Groening says the idea for Futurama came to him while listening to “Robot Blues” by The Incredible String Band Why he’s GREAT Futurama’s potty-mouthed, lecherous, cigar smoking ’bot was the Homer Simpson of Matt Groening’s sci-fi sitcom. Lewd, crude and irritating to know, he occasionally lets slip a more thoughtful, caring side that suggests his usual belligerence is a front.
Biodata
96
First appearance Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) Portrayed by Samuel L Jackson Best moment Beheading Jango Fett Known to say “We must move quickly if the Jedi Order is to survive” Did you know? Mace Windu had a purple lightsaber because Samuel L Jackson asked George Lucas to give him one. Jackson wanted Mace to be easily spottable in the arena fight scene in Attack Of The Clones. Why he’s GREAT Mace Windu was a name before he was a character. George Lucas considered making him the narrator of the original trilogy or Leia’s brother. Eventually he became “the second baddest Jedi in the universe next to Yoda” (Samuel L Jackson’s words) in the prequel trilogy.
Bender He’s 40% pure sci-fi goodness
95
Mace Windu Adding some serious cool to the Jedi council
The 100 GREATEST sci-fi characters OF ALL TIME | 9
THE 100 GREATESt SCI-FI CHARACTERS OF ALL TIME You know you wanted one…
C o n v e r t ib l e R o o f (from 1985 onwards)
W in c h
In a compartment behind the tail-light plate.
S m o k e S c r e e n / O il J e ts Under the rear bumper.
B o d y Pa n e l s
Made from “Tri-Helical Plasteel 1000 molecular bonded shell” armour coating. This is finished with Pyroclastic Lamination, a thermal-resistant layer that can withstand temperatures of up to 800°C.
H i g h -T r a c t i o n D r o p D o w n s Hydraulically raise KITT’s chassis for better traction when driving off-road.
Tyres
KITT can deflate and reinflate his tyres.
T r a c t i o n S p ik e s T w o -W h e e l S k i D r i v e
94
K.I.T.T. The car’s the star
H
e was the ultimate KITT car, a ride so pimped that Q would be jealous. KITT started life as the high tech, four-wheeled steed of Michael Knight (David Hasselhoff) in the ’80s series Knight Rider. Part Pontiac, part cylon (at least that’s what you have to assume from the little red light that went back and forth on his bonnet) KITT could even talk. Together man and car took on the bad guys each week where “direct action might provide the only feasible solution” as long as that direct action involves lots of revving, leaping and burning rubber. Here’s our guide to the (ridiculous number of) special features on the original ’80s car.
10 | The 100 GREATEST sci-fi characters OF ALL TIME
Flame Throwers G r a p p l in g H o o k
Biodata Pa r a c h u t e S e l f -T in t in g W in d o w s
Microscanners
Tiny audio and visual sensors embedded into the grooves of KITT’s body enable KITT to visually track anything around him.
Et y m o t i c E q u a l i z e r Enables KITT to hear.
First appearance Knight Rider (1982) Full name Knight Industries 2000 (1982 series); Knight Industries 3000 (2008 series) Portrayed by A 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with the voice of William Daniels (1982 series); a 2008-2009 Ford Shelby GT500KR with the voice of Val Kilmer (2008 series) Best moment KITT colliding in mid-air with his evil twin, KARR Known to say “When you’re one-of-a-kind, companionship does not compute” Did you know? William Daniels, the voice of the original KITT, played Dustin Hoffman’s character’s dad in The Graduate
H e a d l i g h ts
KITT’s headlights can flash red and blue like police lights, and he has a siren too.
Anamorphic Equalizer
KITT’s front-mounted scan bar enables KITT to “see”, including in X-ray and infrared. This is KITT’s most vulnerable area.
O l fa c t o r y S e n s o r
R o tat in g L i c e n c e P l at e
Enables KITT to smell.
F ir e E x t in g u i s h e r
K.I.T.T. FEATURES (2000 model)
• Super Pursuit Mode – pimped up from 1985 conversion onwards.
•
KITT was essentially an advanced
• Alpha Circuitry – never fully explained. • Electromagnetic hyper-vacuum disc brakes give a 14-foot braking distance • KITT is powered by the Knight Industries turbojet with modified
supercomputer on wheels. The “brain”
afterburners and a computer controlled
of KITT was the Knight 2000
eight-speed turbodrive transmission.
microprocessor which is the centre of a “self-aware” cybernetic logic module that allowed KITT to think, learn, communicate and interact with humans.
•
KITT’s reaction time is one
•
KITT’s memory capacity is 1,000
nanosecond. megabits (125MB – you can get more memory on a cheap MP3 player these days).
• • Voice Synthesizer – KITT can speak
Goes from 0-60mph in two seconds.
fluently in a number of languages.
• • Ultramagnesium Charges – useful Silent Mode – for stealth work.
for diverting heat-seeking missiles.
•
Microwave jammer – for knocking out
•
Surveillance Mode – multi-purpose
electronic systems. tracker (bordering on magic).
at 70mph.
• Vacuum – KITT can expel all breathable air from the driver compartment.
• • Medical Scanner – including
• Sub Zero – KITT can release
•
• Sleep Gas – KITT can release a gas
Bomb Sniffer.
cryogenic gases and “flash freeze” the driver compartment.
an electrocardiograph (ECG).
Fuel Processor – enables KITT
to run on any combustible liquid.
• • Seat Ejection System. • Ultraphonic Chemical Analyser • Interior Oxygenator – useful if KITT Voice Stress Analyser.
is submerged underwater.
•
Third Stage Aquatic Synthesizer –
enables KITT to drive on water.
into the interior of the car that renders people inside unconscious.
• Comm link to maintain remote contact with the driver.
• KITT is programmed to protect his
designated driver at all costs, as well as all human life.
• Homing device.
KOBAL
Tear Gas Launcher
The 100 GREATEST sci-fi characters OF ALL TIME | 11
THE 100 GREATESt SCI-FI CHARACTERS OF ALL TIME
Biodata
Khan
Grudge dread
Delenn Minbari Ambassador
12 | The 100 GREATEST sci-fi characters OF ALL TIME
93 92
First appearance Star Trek “Space Seed” (1967) AKA Khan Noonien Singh Portrayed by Ricardo Montalbán (original Star Trek, The Wrath Of Khan), Benedict Cumberbatch (Star Trek Into Darkness) Best moment Stalking the Enterprise through the Mutara Nebula. Known to say “Let them eat static.” Why he’s GREAT He was the power-crazy, genetically engineered superhuman survivor of the Eugenics Wars awoken from suspended animation by Captain Kirk. They didn’t get on. Kirk marooned him and his mates on Ceti Alpha V, hoping that’d be the last he’d see of them. No such luck. Years later Team Khan seizes control of a Federation ship and tracks down Kirk for a deadly reunion. In an alternate universe he looks like Sherlock Holmes.
Biodata First appearance Babylon 5 (1994) Portrayed by Mira Furlan Best moment Venting her righteous indignation at the Minbari Grey Council. Known to say “Only one human captain has ever survived battle with a Minbari fleet. He is behind me. You are in front of me. If you value your lives, be somewhere else!” Why she’s GREAT Delenn wasn’t so much the Earth-mother of Babylon 5 as the universe-mother. Her race – the Minbari – believed the entire universe was sentient and everything in it a part of something larger, all connected. She started the series bald, like all Minbari, but underwent a transformation to become a human hybrid. This mean she suddenly had lustrous locks and could fall in lust with the new Captain, Sheridan.
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