Visions of The Future- Top 5 Most Iconic Sci-fi Characters of the 20th Century

Remember way back in April, when I made a similar post about the characters of the 19th century? Well, this is like that but with 20th century characters. Sound simple? I thought so too, until I sat down to write the list.

Here is what I managed to come up with after weeding out some characters that I thought were iconic, and leaving what are,(hopefully), the legends of modern mythology.

5. The Doctor (Doctor Who)-

A character that has survived on television over a span of fifty-three years and twelve main actors certainly deserves a spot on this list. What is about the Doctor that continues to compel us? Is it the mystery? The quirkiness? The compassion? Perhaps it is that perfect blend of elements that keeps us asking the question “Doctor Who?”

4. Captain America (Marvel Comics)-

Even as the product of the Second World War, Captain America draws in readers and viewers from all generations. His belief that goodness and nobility still exist, and that there is still a right thing to do is particularly striking in an era of postmodern anti-heroes.

3. Darth Vader (Star Wars)-

I really wanted to put the entire original Star Wars crew at this spot in the list, but eventually, I settled for Darth Vader. Ultimately, the first six films are about his fall and redemption. And aside from R2-D2, no other character designs have reached quite the level of public recognition as that sinister, black mask.

2. Spock (Star Trek)-

Once again, I wanted to put the entire original crew on the list. They embody space age optimism, and the hopes and fears of the final frontier. But Spock is the most iconic, and the most, well, fascinating.

1. Batman and Superman (DC Comics)-

I tried to pick one. I really did. You can’t separate Batman and Superman, though. They represent the two sides of human nature- cynicism and hope. And yet both work together, (ideally), to fight injustice and promote peace.

I’m really interested to hear your opinions on this subject. Who do you think were the most memorable sci-fi characters of the 20th century? Who are your favorites? Take a moment to comment if you feel so inclined.

Keep on glowing in the dark,

Elora

Visions of the Future: The 1990s- Mainstream

Despite the fall of the Soviet Union, and the beginning of the end of the Communist experiment, the world of the 1990s was still rife with conflicts and tragedies. Formerly Soviet nations struggled to find order in their new freedom, and ethnic conflict in places like Rwanda and Bosnia led to mass genocide. The situation in the Middle East continued to be tense. In spite of these tumultuous events, however, the 1990s were a time of great multicultural reconciliation in other places. For example, in 1998, the Good Friday Agreement ended thirty years of violence between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland.

Computer technology was completely revolutionized with the advent of the World Wide Web, which has affected the course of education, entertainment, and social interaction ever since.

Science  Fiction:

Literature-

Kim Stanley Robinson began his award winning Mars Trilogy in 1993 with Red Mars. The novel and its sequels- Green Mars (1994), and Blue Mars (1996)- as well as an anthology set in the same universe- The Martians (1999)- describe a future history in which humans terraform and colonize mars.

Permutation City was released by Greg Egan in 1994. It explored concepts of virtual reality, and uploading human consciousness, and won the John W. Campbell and Philip K. Dick Awards in 1995.

The next year, Neal Stephenson published The Diamond Age- the story of a girl in the lowest class of society raised by an interactive book intended for an upper-class child. It won the Hugo and Locus Awards in 1996.

Mary Doria Russell won the Arthur C. Clarke and British Sci-fi Association Awards, (among others), for her 1996 novel, The Sparrow. In it, a Jesuit priest is the sole returnee from an expedition to investigate music coming from the Alpha Centauri area. She followed it up in Children of God, published in 1998.

Television-

A wildly popular television incarnation of Batman, produced by Warner Brothers, and run by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski premiered in 1992. Though it was geared towards young audiences, it held to the dark mood, and many of the important plotlines of the comic books. The show was the first in a long string of DC Comics animated shows, including Superman (1996), Batman Beyond (1999), Justice League (2001), and Justice League Unlimited (2004).

The X-Files, a crossover between science fiction, paranormal/horror, and government investigation television was first broadcast in 1993. It starred Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny as agents Dana Scully, (the skeptic), and Fox Mulder, (the believer), respectively. The two agents solved dark and mysterious cases reminiscent of shows like The Twilight Zone, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

Star Trek continued to have a strong fan base and cultural impact, as demonstrated by the two spin-off shows released in the 1990s. Deep Space Nine (1993), followed the crew of one of the Federation’s space stations; and Voyager (1995), told the story of a Starfleet ship lost in the far reaches of the Delta Quadrant.

A Star Trek-esque series, Babylon 5, started in 1994. This show, created by J. Michael Straczynski, was set on a space station that housed five different species from around the galaxy.

Farscape was a bizarre, sometimes even surrealist science fiction show that premiered in 1999. It starred Ben Browder as an astronaut catapulted to another part of the universe. He is taken aboard a living ship named Moya. Some of the main characters of the show were Character Shop designed animatronic puppets.

Movies-

The story of the original crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise was concluded in 1991 with the release of Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country. Creator Gene Roddenberry died that same year, though his vision continued on after him. A film that introduced Captain Kirk to The Next Generation’s Captain Picard, called Generations, came out in 1994, and was followed up by the first The Next Generation solo film, First Contact (1996).

Jurassic Park, directed by Steven Spielberg, stunned audiences in 1993 with incredibly realistic computer animated dinosaurs. The prehistoric eye-candy was complemented by an interesting sci-fi plot about a theme park genetically engineering dinosaurs.

In 1994, MGM  released Roland Emmerich’s Stargate. The plot revolved around an eccentric professor named Daniel Jackson, and a bitter and retired colonel named Jack O’Neil as they investigated an interstellar transportation ring discovered at an archaeological dig in Egypt. The film spawned a spinoff television show, Stargate: SG-1 (1997), that starred new actors plating Daniel Jackson and Jack O’Neill, as well as their new team members, Samantha Carter and Teal’C. The show lasted for ten years, and endeared itself to fans by its ability to make fun of itself and still remain a serious science fiction story.

Independence Day updated the type of alien invasion story found in H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds for an action-movie loving public. It was released in 1996, was directed by Roland Emmerich, and starred Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, and Mary McDonnell, (among others).

The 1990s would have missed out on having a Star Wars movie altogether, were it not for the release of the first prequel movie, The Phantom Menace, in 1999. It began the tragic tale of Anakin Skywalker, the boy who would become the man who would become both Darth Vader, and the father of Luke Skywalker.

The Matrix, released in 1999, was a mind-bending movie about virtual reality. Directed by the Wachowskis, it questioned the nature of reality, explored a myriad of spiritual themes, and pioneered “bullet time” cinematography.

Keep on glowing in the dark,

Elora

Visions of the Future: The 1960s- Opened Frontiers

The 1960s were a turbulent time. That is probably an understatement. From what people read in their newspapers and saw on their television screens, it looked like the whole world was falling to pieces. In the United States, at least, the Vietnam war and the continuing Cold War were raging on the outside, and the anti-war movement and civil rights struggles on the inside. The world was plagued by a rash of assassinations, and nuclear war continued to be a constant threat.

However, in spite of all this chaos, the arts and sciences continued to thrive. The 1960s saw an unprecedented explosion of music and popular culture, some of the icons of which continue to be popular to this day.

Exciting developments in space exploration seemed to be occurring daily. In 1961, Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut, became the first human being to visit outer space. The first real “Voyage to the Moon” was taken by “The First Men in the Moon”, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin, in 1969.

Science fiction was slowly becoming reality, as the 1960s saw the introduction of The first working laser, industrial robot, geosynchronous communications satellite, and supercomputer.

Science Fiction:

Literature-

In the year 1960, Walter M. Miller Jr. published A Canticle for Leibowitz, a post apocalyptic story in the unique setting of a Catholic monastery. The novel follows Miller’s world thousands of years, as the earth rebuilds. The monks of the monastery preserve scientific knowledge until they believe the rest of the world is ready for it. A Canticle for Leibowitz is hailed as both a science fiction and literary classic.

The next year, Polish author Stanislaw Lem released Solaris, a philosophical tale of first contact that explores the limitations of the human race. As earth tries to make contact with a sentient planet, its people realize just how inadequate their methods of communication are for the task.

Dune, held to be one of the best-selling sci-fi novels ever written, was released by Frank Herbert in 1965. It is the epic tale of a young noble struggling to control an important planet under the feudal system. It was later continued in five sequels.

The next year, science fiction alumnus Robert Heinlein continued his illustrious career with The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. It presents a believable future history in which a lunar colony stages a revolt against Planet Earth. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress received the 1967 Hugo Award.

A new sci-fi and fantasy award was established in 1966- The Nebula Awards. Overseen by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, it recognizes the best in American science fiction short stories, novellas, novelettes, and novels. The category of scripts and screenplays was added in 1974. The first novel award was given to Frank Herbert’s Dune, and the first short story award to Harlan Ellison’s “‘Repent Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktock Man”.

In 1968, Philip K. Dick published Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, a post apocalyptic classic about androids, which explores what it means to be human. Then again, what else would you explore in a novel about androids? Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep served as the inspiration for the 1982 film, Blade Runner.

Magazines and Comics-

The science fiction magazine industry was in a period of change during the 1960s, with everything from titles to editors in flux. John W. Campbell changed the name of Astounding Science Fiction to Analog Science Fact and Fiction; Frederick Pohl took over as editor for Galaxy and If magazines; and Michael Moorcock was put in charge of New Worlds in Great Britain.

The ‘60s also saw the rise of many of the great superhero teams we know today, including: The Justice League (1960), The Fantastic Four (1961), The X-Men (1963), The Avengers (1963), and The Teen Titans (1964).

Movies-

In 1960, George Pal, who had previously produced H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds, directed and produced the film adaptation of The Time Machine. It starred Rod Taylor, as the Time Traveler, and served as an exciting and culturally relevant romp into Wells’ predicted future.

Planet of the Apes, directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, starring Charlton Heston, and written in part by Rod Serling, came out in 1968. It explored themes of evolution, social acceptability of ideas, time travel, suspended animation, and post-human life, and launched a franchise which has spanned 47 years of film and television history.

The same year, an unusual collaboration between author Arthur C.Clarke and director Stanley Kubrick resulted in a film and a novel, both entitled 2001: A Space Odyssey. The story is an evolutionary history of mankind that explores humanity’s ultimate end and place in the universe. The movie, though slow-paced, and slightly psychedelic at times, is remembered for its realistic science, and groundbreaking special effects, and is considered by some to be one of the best science fiction films of all times.

Television-

If the 1930s were the decade when sci-fi magazines became popular, and 1950s were the decade when sci-fi broke into the film industry, then the 1960s were the decade when science fiction television came into its own. With new widespread access to the medium, television became an important conveyor of news, popular culture, and stories.

Most of the science fiction on television in the 1950s was in the form of anthologies, such as The Twilight Zone, (which ran until 1964), or children’s shows. It was in the 1960s that high quality, science fiction serials came into the mainstream.

In 1963, the BBC released the first episodes of a quirky family time travel show starring William Hartnell as an enigmatic character called “The Doctor”, Carole Ann Ford as his granddaughter Susan, and William Russell and Jacqueline Hill as their schoolteacher companions. The very first episode, “An Unearthly Child”, was aired twice, as its original release date was November 23rd, the day after U.S. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

Over the fifty years since its inception, Doctor Who has grown from a quirky evening seriall, to a staple of British pop culture, to a worldwide phenomenon. The show’s longevity is due in part to the clever decision to write the inevitable change of lead actors into the lore. When William Hartnell’s failing health led to his leaving the show in 1966, the authors decided that the Doctor’s race, the Time Lords, could renew their physical forms when they became damaged to the point of death. So, William Hartnell was replaced with Patrick Troughton. Today, the Doctor is on his twelfth ‘regeneration’, played by Peter Capaldi.

In January of 1966, established comic book hero Batman appeared on the small screen with his sidekick Robin in the satirical, pop art serial, Batman. This campy, moralistic show was incredibly popular, and brought several superhero and Batman tropes into the mainstream, including visible sound effects (Bam! Pow! Whamo! etc) during fight sequences, and Robin’s constant use of exclamations such as “Holy Remote Control Robot, Batman!” (There is a list of all of them on Wikipedia. You should look it up. It will brighten your day.)

Alright, guys. I’ve made it.

Later that same year, On September 8th, 1966, the first episode of a certain technicolor space exploration series aired. The episode  was called “The Man Trap”, and it starred William Shatner as Captain Kirk of the starship Enterprise, DeForest Kelley as the ship’s surgeon, and Leonard Nimoy, as the mysterious, pointy-eared first officer, Mr. Spock.

Star Trek, the creation of Gene Roddenberry, was a weekly exploration of themes about humanity through the bizarre and exciting adventures of the diverse, lovable crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise. It changed forever the way the general public saw science fiction, and inspired generations of scientists, doctors, engineers and astronauts, as well as writers, and artists.

What started out as a show that was barely able to stay on the air three seasons through fan campaigns has evolved over the past forty-nine years into a franchise consisting of six television series, ten movies (alright, fine, twelve), and numerous novel, comic book, and video game adaptations. Obviously, I have much more to say about Star Trek, and I have plans to say it next year, as I blog through The Original Series in honor of the show’s fiftieth anniversary.

The next year, 1967, saw the debut of an influential British spy science fiction show called The Prisoner. It starred Patrick McGoohan as a former secret agent trapped in a prison designed to look like a peaceful, (albeit slightly dystopian), village, and ran for 17 episodes.

Keep on glowing in the dark,

Elora