Who is the most iconic character in as sci-fi book or series?

THE DEBATE IS ON!

Last week we started a poll asking you to submit your votes for the most EPIC character in a sci-fi book or series.

Hundreds of you voted on over 50 characters that were submitted to the debate.

Today, we've parred the list down to 10 as determined by the majority of you, and now we want to find out who comes out on top. Register your vote below, and duke it out in the comments.

Who do you think is the MOST ICONIC CHARACTER in a sci-fi BOOK or SERIES?
27 replies
  1. Keith
    Keith says:

    It has got to be Hal-9000 ! Everyone knows what that character sounds like; even non science fiction fans. I know it’s hard to believe but there are a few misguided people out there who prefer other genres. Maybe that’s what Hal was really afraid of? “I’m afraid Dave. I’m afraid.”

    Reply
    • Phillip McCurry
      Phillip McCurry says:

      Much as I have my own personal faves and much as I wanted to vote for them, this is for the most “iconic”, so I had to vote for the one most of my friends would say.

      Reply
    • Brad
      Brad says:

      More people know who HAL is than any of the others. Even people who don’t like sci-fi know who HAL is so that seems most iconic to me.

      Reply
  2. Eleanor Forman
    Eleanor Forman says:

    Is this a joke?
    McCaffrey’s PERM series?
    Dr. Susan Calvin: AZIMOV?
    Perry Rodan in the PRRY Rodan series?

    Reply
  3. Graham
    Graham says:

    I would have thought that HAL is known more widely by sci-fi fans, if only from seeing the 1969 film.
    If I were to choose anyone from the Foundation books, I would have said Hari Seldon who is omnipresent throughout.

    Reply
    • Michael
      Michael says:

      Issac Asimov and his Foundation Series is what got me into Sci Fi. I picked up a bunch of his books for 10 cents each at a school fair and started reading. I was a Sci Fi buff from that moment on…

      Reply
  4. Michael
    Michael says:

    Issac Asimov and his Foundation Series is what got me into Sci Fi. I picked up a bunch of his books for 10 cents each at a school fair and started reading. I was a Sci Fi buff from that moment on…

    Reply
  5. Greg Michael
    Greg Michael says:

    I had to go with Wiggins. Simply because that series is the advanced student ‘bible’ for lack of a better term. Every AP student I have ever met has read the series.

    Reply
  6. Rod
    Rod says:

    For those who can remember, Earl Dumarest from ECTubb’s early 70’s to early 80’s series was one of my favorites. And, while Odd Thomas is not exactly SciFi, it’s definitely not a simple thriller.

    Reply
    • Graham
      Graham says:

      What amazes me is how many books exist in that series – I would have said that they definitely come under the heading of science ficxtion.

      Reply
  7. Theo Hall
    Theo Hall says:

    As great as all those characters are… Sgt Sorilla Aida from Evan Currie’s Hayden War series stands out to me.

    Reply
  8. Neill
    Neill says:

    Leto Atriedes II from the Dune series is the most “epic” protagonist in the genre. Read the Dune saga, read the the first three Pern novels, read the hitchhikers guide. Arthur dent is comic relief (the protagonist is the mice who built Earth), Lessa and the legend of moretta are the real heroes of mcaffreys novels, and Paul muad’dib may have been the big boy of Dune but his boy was the big boy of the entire series and the most epic protagonist of any sci-fi novel

    Reply
  9. Neill
    Neill says:

    Leto Atriedes II from the Dune series is the most “epic” protagonist in the genre. Read the Dune saga, read the the first three Pern novels, read the hitchhikers guide. Arthur dent is comic relief (the protagonist is the mice who built Earth), Lessa and the legend of moretta are the real heroes of mcaffreys novels, and Paul muad’dib may have been the big boy of Dune but his boy was the big boy of the entire series and the most epic protagonist of any sci-fi novel/series

    Reply
  10. Fred
    Fred says:

    Honor Harrington! As an exploration of character and courage, Weber at his best is unsurpassed…his moments of action and conflict are totally engrossing…if only he would not bury the good stuff in quite so much context and “world building”.

    Reply
  11. Gary
    Gary says:

    I’m the person who put up the original list item for Honor Harrington. I’m glad to see so many other people also agree she’s the most iconic 🙂

    Reply
  12. Bryan Bremner
    Bryan Bremner says:

    To me Science Fiction is about the scientist, and especially the ones who change the world or the universe because of their science and their actions. Hari Seldon never forgets his science and his actions are courageous while pushing his scientific goals.

    Reply
  13. Chip G. Younkin
    Chip G. Younkin says:

    Lazarus Long, Arthur Dent, Hari, Ender are all iconic characters. I voted for R. Daneel Olivaw because of his shadow or actual presence in so much of Asimov’s different series. The original Foundation Series was published the year of my birth.

    Reply
  14. AndromedanTravellor
    AndromedanTravellor says:

    U all are in the know except i think the most epic is Edgar Rice Burroughs series, “John Carter of Mars” series….
    This was what got me introduced and addiced to sci-fi in the first place, Ann McCafferty is also quite the writer in her series…
    However its nice to know all you guys out in the ether are still kickin it an havin fun!!!

    AndromedanTravellor

    Reply

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