# Who is the more iconic SciFi character? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** actor-characters\ **Created:** [August 25, 2022, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356 "2022-08-25T21:44:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356/41 "2022-08-26T17:38:00Z")
Heh, not related to any of these characters, but the most recent issue of the magazine _Worlds of Interior_ has a cover shot of a fireplace mantel with an Imperial Stormtrooper helmet on it. In the story inside, the homeowner said his mother saw it and asked him why he had a vacuum cleaner on his mantle. ---
**Author:** ![Moonrise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonrise/32/14764_2.png) [@Moonrise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonrise)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356/42 "2022-08-26T18:09:38Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > But in Rogue One when Vader made his entrance at the end, people lost their _shit_. This. > [@Horatius](#): > > Plus, he’s the only one you can identify _instantly_ just by beginning to hear him breathe. There was one trailer, they didn’t even need to _show_ him, they just added the sound at the end of the trailer. And this. ---
**Author:** ![HorribleMutantBoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/258eb7/32.png) [@HorribleMutantBoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HorribleMutantBoy)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356/43 "2022-08-26T18:33:38Z")
Voted Vader Star Wars being a much larger franchise than Star Trek which seems to still be somewhat limited to nerdier groups. Show any person a picture of Spock and Vader I’d be tempted to say that _everybody_ knows who Vader is, Spock not so much. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356/44 "2022-08-26T18:36:20Z")
I voted Darth Vader, but Spock would have been my 2nd choice. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356/45 "2022-08-26T19:19:14Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Yeah, I think that Perry Rhodan is primarily a German phenomenon. I don’t understand it though, I’ve never met anyone who reads it. I don’t know who these people are (yes I know, nerds, but I am a German nerd myself). In the '70s Forry Ackerman had a series of Perry reprints for Ace, that went to slightly over 100. I had the first 50 and found the last 50 for 5 cents each in a thrift store. And I have one German issue. But I wouldn’t consider him that iconic. Just not that far from a stereotype. Atlan however … ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356/46 "2022-08-26T19:20:22Z")
Sounds like the ones I had. I picked up the bulk of them at a Flea Market in the mid to late 80s. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356/47 "2022-08-27T00:53:03Z")
I’m not even nominated? Earth-shattering kaboom on the way. Voted for Vader in the video-centric poll, but including books I would propose R. Daneel Olivaw. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356/48 "2022-08-27T00:58:16Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Darth Vader is the greatest villain in the history of film. A Dr. Lecter called, he wants to have you over for dinner to discuss your opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.E](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.e/32/8932_2.png) [@Mr.E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.E)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356/49 "2022-08-27T01:23:35Z")
I chose to interpret “Iconic” as “most visually distinct and recognizable” so it’s hard to pick anyone other than the two meter tall man dressed in all black with a bright red glowing sword. If a 6 year old child drew each one of these characters, which one would be the easiest to recognize? I’d also put Luke Skywalker, with white desert robes and bright blue lightsaber, and both C-3PO and R2-D2 ahead of anyone else on this list. Star Wars falls short in a lot of places, but iconic imagery is not one of them. Now, if you asked me who the most compelling, or the most interesting, character on this list is, I’d say Spock. Star Trek puts him to good use exploring humanity, and inhumanity, and the limits of both logic and emotion. Also, I wouldn’t kick Leonard Nimoy out of bed for eating crackers. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356/50 "2022-08-27T01:37:01Z")
> [@HorribleMutantBoy](#): > > Star Wars being a much larger franchise than Star Trek which seems to still be somewhat limited to nerdier groups. It’s also worth noting that Star Wars became big via a medium which people had to directly pay money for - movies. The Star Trek flagship products came into your home for free, on TV. It wasn’t until Star Wars proved you could make a lot of money with a Sci-Fi movie that Trek took the dive into seeing who would pay to see it. These days, there’s a more even balance between movies and TV for both, but in the beginning? Star Wars compelled lots of people to pay money to see it. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356/51 "2022-08-27T02:01:34Z")
> [@velomont](#): > > I’d be tempted to say HAL 9000 I’m sorry, Dave. I’m afraid I can’t let you say that. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356/52 "2022-08-27T17:09:33Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > > [@Chronos](#): > > > > Darth Vader is the greatest villain in the history of film. > > A Dr. Lecter called, he wants to have you over for dinner to discuss your opinion. [We’d be honored if you could join us.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x2Q9bdl3T8) ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356/53 "2022-08-27T18:11:33Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Darth Vader is the greatest villain in the history of film. That puts him well ahead of anyone else on the list. Being a villain doesn’t automatically make you an iconic sci-fi character. Hannibal the Cannibal was a great villain. ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356/54 "2022-08-27T18:12:36Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > > [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > > > > [@Chronos](#): > > > > > > Darth Vader is the greatest villain in the history of film. > > > > A Dr. Lecter called, he wants to have you over for dinner to discuss your opinion. > > [We’d be honored if you could join us.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x2Q9bdl3T8) I’m having an old friend for dinner. ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356/55 "2022-08-27T18:15:59Z")
> [@HorribleMutantBoy](#): > > Show any person a picture of Spock and Vader I’d be tempted to say that _everybody_ knows who Vader is, Spock not so much. Fascinating. I’d beg to differ with that assessment. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356/56 "2022-08-27T19:37:25Z")
> [@Biffster](#): > > Being a villain doesn’t automatically make you an iconic sci-fi character. Hannibal the Cannibal was a great villain. It’s not the “villain” part of that that’s relevant; it’s the “greatest in history” part. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2022, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356/57 "2022-08-27T19:45:46Z")
> [@Biffster](#): > > > [@msmith537](#): > > > > > [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > > > > > > [@Chronos](#): > > > > > > > > Darth Vader is the greatest villain in the history of film. > > > > > > A Dr. Lecter called, he wants to have you over for dinner to discuss your opinion. > > > > [We’d be honored if you could join us.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x2Q9bdl3T8) > > I’m having an old friend for dinner. Be careful not to choke on your aspirations. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2022, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356/58 "2022-08-28T15:57:58Z")
I shall incur the eternal wrath of the masses here and admit I am unimpressed by Darth Vader. Maybe if I was 12 when Star Wars came out. I was 12 when Star Trek came out (TOS) and we middle school girls just crushed on Mr. Spock 😍 So Mr. Spock it is! ---
**Author:** ![Galactus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galactus/32/3581_2.png) [@Galactus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galactus)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2022, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356/59 "2022-08-28T16:29:10Z")
Spock is my favorite Sci-fi character, but Darth Vader is more visually iconic. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2022, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356/60 "2022-08-28T20:30:51Z")
> [@Biffster](#): > > > [@HorribleMutantBoy](#): > > > > Show any person a picture of Spock and Vader I’d be tempted to say that _everybody_ knows who Vader is, Spock not so much. > > Fascinating. I’d beg to differ with that assessment. For people 40+ years old, I’d agree pretty much everyone would recognize Spock. But among my kids’ friend groups (high school age), maybe half would recognize him. And all of them know Darth Vader. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-more-iconic-scifi-character/970356.md?page=4)