by Dave Simmons

Created on: April 21, 2008

I'll be trying very hard to veer away from Space Opera in this article, as opposed to actual science fiction; Star Wars, as an example, is no doubt extremely famous, but to me, it fails to really challenge perception in the way good science fiction should. You could easily replace the setting with, say, medieval Japan, and keep the storyline intact (Arguably, this is the exact reverse of what George Lucas did anyhow).

So, in no particular order, ten of the most famous characters.

The Terminator - The original 1984 movie became a cult classic, and has been followed up with several successful sequels, and is arguably the film which (along with Conan the Barbarian) firmly cemented Arnie as a big movie star. Terminator dealt with interesting concepts in time travel and the creation of paradoxes, as well as how technology might overrule society some day, and the central character has become hugely iconic.

Mr. Spock - You couldn't really get away with not mentioning Star Trek in an article like this, and every one of the crew is firmly imprinted in the mainstream zeitgeist. Mr. Spock stands out from the rest in that really, he was the first 'alien' character that people took to.

Robbie the Robot - Forbidden Planet, Lost in Space, Gremlins, and numerous other appearances have made this enormous, clunky robot instantly identifiable to the public.

The Doctor (Doctor Who) - Sometimes, 'popular' isn't just 'Popular in the US'. Doctor Who, as a whole, is the longest running science fiction series in the world, by far. Even counting just the pre-2005 revival run, it has more episodes than Star Trek and all its spinoffs put together. The series has enjoyed some success in the US over the years, but in its native Britain, it's a national institution.

HAL 9000 - Clark and Kubrick's insane computer have become the quintessential model for all that followed it. 2001 - A Space Odyssey was ahead of its time by decades, and still stands up well today in terms of plot and effects.

The Martians (War of the Worlds) - Set the tone for the vast majority of alien invasions ever since it was written. Huge, terrifying alien war machines enslaving the world, yet brought down by the simplest of things on the planet.

Gort (The day the Earth Stood Still) - I really wasn't intending to make this a list of robots, but they do seem to stick in the mind so much more... The publicity stills from the film, with the giant steel figure outside the flying saucer which has landed near the White House have burned themselves into the public's consciousness for decades.

Godzilla - Not the best of special effects in the originals, but there as yet undiscovered tribes of pygmies in South America who know who Godzilla is. They might not understand the message of the dangers of atomic testing, but they sure enjoy the fight scenes.

Arthur Dent - I couldn't really write this without mentioning the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy at some point. Arthur has become the Everyman of scifi over the years, the person who readers are meant to identify with in the strange, amusing adventures he is thrown into.

Mulder and Scully - Cop out at the end, two people at once, I know. But let's face it, when it comes to paranormal investigations, these are going to be the names that spring to most people's minds...

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