Who or What is the most iconic SciFi character? - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

Tabitha · 11th February 2003, 11:41 AM

Have you ever read those facts that tell you things like "Michael Jackson is the most recognisable man on the planet - kids in the most remote parts of the planet without tv's recognise him". I have heard these kind of phrases attached to a lot of different people, and I guess it is part of what makes someone an icon.

SciFi is full of iconic characters, but I wonder who is the most iconic of them all, which character is the most recognisable around the world, which stories have embedded themselves in our psyches?

For my money I think I would probably go for The Terminator, as portrayed by Arnie. But there are a lot of other good choices out there, from TV to movies and even comics.

Feel free to suggest more and I will add them in.

[edit- maybe I should have started this thread when I had a better bunch of suggestions, I branched out into fantasy & comics to complete my list

]

sidewinder · 11th February 2003, 12:19 PM

for me it would have to HAL 9000

triffid · 11th February 2003, 12:47 PM

Could you have made the choice any harder Tab?

.

I don't think I could choose a single character above all the others. I take it that when you say the most iconic, you mean that even somone not into scifi would recognise the character? If that is what you mean then the in my humble opinion the shortlist would be as follows.

The Terminator
Spider-Man
Superman
Captain Kirk
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Darth Vader
Batman
Harry Potter

I don't think HAL 9000 or Ripley have had as much media attention as the rest of that list, each have also been at the forefront of massive merchandising pushes

.

Tabitha · 11th February 2003, 02:55 PM

I think I confused the matter by using the word 'iconic', but yes, I was wondering about the most recognisable characters that had penetrated popular culture way beyond their genre. But I think there is a bit more to it than simple recognition, and this is what I was trying to get across with 'iconic', for example, you hear heavy mechanised breathing and you think of Darth Vader - even his silhouette is instantly recognisable. Much more so than Luke or Leia, or even Han. Perhaps Yoda almost rivals him, but not quite IMO.

Phrases spoken by the characters or other trademarks that are in heavy use, those kind of things. "Hasta La Vista, baby", "I'll be back" :O

I did originally put Potter in, but I am not sure if he quite merits the same attention as some of the others - ask me again in ten years

triffid · 11th February 2003, 03:05 PM

Ahhhh, in that case....

VADER

nic · 11th February 2003, 07:39 PM

I always used to associate "scifi" with space and the future. Therefore I vote Captain Kirk.

Mariel · 11th February 2003, 10:33 PM

I'd have to say either Captain Kirk or Darth Vader. Those two are pretty popular. I think I'll vote Vader.
I thought about voting for Superman or Spiderman, but I'm more likly to think of comic books then Scifi with those two.
:blpaw:

angelle myst · 12th February 2003, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by triffid
Ahhhh, in that case....

VADER

Ditto to that

I put Vader

xxx

timdgreat · 13th February 2003, 06:33 PM

definatly going with Vader:rolly2:

Quill · 14th February 2003, 08:26 AM

I gotta go with Darth Vader, too.

Tabitha · 14th February 2003, 09:29 AM

Maybe we ought to move this one over to the Star Wars forum

Nah, to be honest I though The Terminator would be making a better showing against Vader, but I was pretty sure it would be a two horse race.

imported_Data · 14th February 2003, 08:49 PM

I would say that it's definatly either Kirk or Vader. Both are more readily recognizable than any other scifi character. And as Kirk isn't getting any votes, I think I'll go with him.

timdgreat · 14th February 2003, 08:49 PM

well we could move it

, i get the Terminator, i mena every one knows about the lines Ill be back, but still i say Vader:rolly2:

EmilyH · 22nd February 2003, 02:32 PM

Most people I know associate Sci-fi with Trek, so I also picked Captain Kirk.

Of course, some people can't tell the difference between Star Trek and Star Wars. Go figure.

Dave · 24th February 2003, 09:52 PM

>>>>Splitting thread so that you can do your ST vs SW thing?

I'm actually surprised that it hasn't happened before here yet, there are whole forums dedicated to it.

I've been thinking on this for some time.

It has to be between Darth Vader and Kirk, that's certain.

Among SciFi fans it probably has to be Vader, if only because he is recognisable even from the shadow he casts!!!

But among the more general population it is definitely Kirk. Even people who have never read a SciFi book, watched a SciFi film or a SciFi TV show, have heard of James T Kirk.

I'm still sitting on the fence.

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11th February 2003, 11:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
Tabitha Save Angel! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 3,586	Who or What is the most iconic SciFi character? Have you ever read those facts that tell you things like "Michael Jackson is the most recognisable man on the planet - kids in the most remote parts of the planet without tv's recognise him". I have heard these kind of phrases attached to a lot of different people, and I guess it is part of what makes someone an icon. SciFi is full of iconic characters, but I wonder who is the most iconic of them all, which character is the most recognisable around the world, which stories have embedded themselves in our psyches? For my money I think I would probably go for The Terminator, as portrayed by Arnie. But there are a lot of other good choices out there, from TV to movies and even comics. Feel free to suggest more and I will add them in. [edit- maybe I should have started this thread when I had a better bunch of suggestions, I branched out into fantasy & comics to complete my list ]

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11th February 2003, 12:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
sidewinder High Summoner Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: mars Posts: 223	for me it would have to HAL 9000

11th February 2003, 12:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
triffid Wasteland wanderer. Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In a pot. Posts: 188	Could you have made the choice any harder Tab? . I don't think I could choose a single character above all the others. I take it that when you say the most iconic, you mean that even somone not into scifi would recognise the character? If that is what you mean then the in my humble opinion the shortlist would be as follows. The Terminator Spider-Man Superman Captain Kirk Buffy The Vampire Slayer Darth Vader Batman Harry Potter I don't think HAL 9000 or Ripley have had as much media attention as the rest of that list, each have also been at the forefront of massive merchandising pushes .

11th February 2003, 02:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tabitha Save Angel! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 3,586	I think I confused the matter by using the word 'iconic', but yes, I was wondering about the most recognisable characters that had penetrated popular culture way beyond their genre. But I think there is a bit more to it than simple recognition, and this is what I was trying to get across with 'iconic', for example, you hear heavy mechanised breathing and you think of Darth Vader - even his silhouette is instantly recognisable. Much more so than Luke or Leia, or even Han. Perhaps Yoda almost rivals him, but not quite IMO. Phrases spoken by the characters or other trademarks that are in heavy use, those kind of things. "Hasta La Vista, baby", "I'll be back" :O I did originally put Potter in, but I am not sure if he quite merits the same attention as some of the others - ask me again in ten years

11th February 2003, 03:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
triffid Wasteland wanderer. Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In a pot. Posts: 188	Ahhhh, in that case.... VADER

11th February 2003, 07:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
nic Stomping Turnips Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Just outside Newcastle, England Posts: 2,579	I always used to associate "scifi" with space and the future. Therefore I vote Captain Kirk.

11th February 2003, 10:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
Mariel I teach, therefore I rule Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 558	I'd have to say either Captain Kirk or Darth Vader. Those two are pretty popular. I think I'll vote Vader. I thought about voting for Superman or Spiderman, but I'm more likly to think of comic books then Scifi with those two. :blpaw:

13th February 2003, 06:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
timdgreat For the Emperor Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Alexandria VA, USA(Washington DC u idiots) Posts: 3,090	definatly going with Vader:rolly2:

14th February 2003, 08:26 AM	#10 (permalink)
Quill VKP Riskbreaker Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Undercity West Posts: 97	I gotta go with Darth Vader, too.

14th February 2003, 09:29 AM	#11 (permalink)
Tabitha Save Angel! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 3,586	Maybe we ought to move this one over to the Star Wars forum Nah, to be honest I though The Terminator would be making a better showing against Vader, but I was pretty sure it would be a two horse race.

14th February 2003, 08:49 PM	#12 (permalink)
imported_Data 'meba Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Alaska Posts: 360	I would say that it's definatly either Kirk or Vader. Both are more readily recognizable than any other scifi character. And as Kirk isn't getting any votes, I think I'll go with him.

14th February 2003, 08:49 PM	#13 (permalink)
timdgreat For the Emperor Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Alexandria VA, USA(Washington DC u idiots) Posts: 3,090	well we could move it , i get the Terminator, i mena every one knows about the lines Ill be back, but still i say Vader:rolly2:

22nd February 2003, 02:32 PM	#14 (permalink)
EmilyH MN Sci-fi Fan Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Eagan, MN, USA Posts: 529	Most people I know associate Sci-fi with Trek, so I also picked Captain Kirk. Of course, some people can't tell the difference between Star Trek and Star Wars. Go figure.

24th February 2003, 09:52 PM	#15 (permalink)
Dave Wherever I Am, I'm There Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Greater London Posts: 13,780 Blog Entries: 1	>>>>Splitting thread so that you can do your ST vs SW thing? I'm actually surprised that it hasn't happened before here yet, there are whole forums dedicated to it. I've been thinking on this for some time. It has to be between Darth Vader and Kirk, that's certain. Among SciFi fans it probably has to be Vader, if only because he is recognisable even from the shadow he casts!!! But among the more general population it is definitely Kirk. Even people who have never read a SciFi book, watched a SciFi film or a SciFi TV show, have heard of James T Kirk. I'm still sitting on the fence.