Heroes: 20 to 11
Don't worry, everyone: I'll make a SPECIAL off-Friday to post to give you my top ten heroes tomorrow.
20. Colonel Fedman Kassad (Hyperion series, by Dan Simmons): Kassad was the greatest warrior in the history of the Hegemony of Man. A FORCE Marine, Kassad was known as the "Butcher of South Bressia" for the total war-like way he defeated the Ousters on the planet Bressia. He was the only human to ever beat The Shrike in single combat. He was also devoted to his love, Moneta, and to protecting the human race. Kassad was such a complete warrior that it was his spirit that was used in creating the galaxy's ultimate killing machine: The Shrike. As Kassad laughingly put it, "I conquer my enemy; I destroy him; and then I become him."
19. T-101 (Terminator 2 & 3, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger): Cyberdyne Systems Model 101, The Terminator. Sent back in time to protect the hero of the future, John Connor. Masterfully played by Arnold as a robot with a soul, The Terminator was one of the coolest characters of all time. Hasta la vista, baby.
18. Arcades Sabboth (Elder Dragon Legend from Magic: The Gathering card series): Another of the Elder Dragon Legends, Arcades Sabboth is one of my favorite pictures from any of the Magic series. He is also one of the most powerful cards in the game.
17. Roland of Gilead (The Dark Tower series, by Stephen King): Roland Deschain is The Last Gunslinger, the last ruler of the land of Gilead to stand in protection of The Light. A decendent of King Arthur, Roland is on a quest to protect the Dark Tower--the nexus of all realities in the Stephen King universe--from those who would seek to destory it.
16. Samurai Jack (Samurai Jack cartoons, Cartoon Network): Long ago in a distant land, Evil Incarnate--a sorceror named Aku--flung a young Samurai into the future, where Aku had established control of the world. The Samurai--who quickly acquired the name Samurai Jack--possesses a magical sword that is the only thing that can harm Aku. Jack fights tireless to find a way back to his past, so he can undo the evil future that is Aku.
15. Aragorn, son of Arathorn (Lord of the Rings, by JRR Tolkein): The heir of Isildur, The King of Gondor, Chieftan of the Dunedain, Leader of the Fellowship of the Ring, Aragorn is the first great king in the age of man. He has no peer in battle, and is a wise, just, and generous king.
14. Batman (DC Comics): Batman is in some ways the opposite of Superman: while Superman is the ideal that we all strive for, Batman is the pinacle of human achievement. He is an example of the best of what we can be--and the worst of what can happen to us on the way there. Batman doesn't have the inherent nobolity of Superman, nor the physical skills. He is tirelessly devoted to his craft, and uses every bit of his being--mind, body, resources--in order to accomplish his goals. In the end, however, the reason I like Batman more than Superman is because, as I mentioned earlier, Batman is willing to get his hands dirty. In some ways, it's not Superman's fault: he has to be the ideal we've given him. But I've always identified more with Batman and others we'll see later on the list, the heroes who always fight for good, truth, and justice, and are willing to do whatever is necessary in order to fight for those ideals. There's no holding back with them.
13. Voltron (Voltron cartoon/comic series): Voltron, Defender of the Universe, is a giant robot that could be formed by combining 5 robot lions. Voltron fought to protect the planet Arus from the evil King Zarkon, his son Lotor, and the witch Hagar, who would create giant Robeasts to try to defeat Voltron. Each lion was piloted by a different human. One of the few drawbacks to Voltron was it inspired the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Yes, I'm embarrased to say that.
12. Grimlock (Transformers): Grimlock was the leader of the Dinobots, and was the strongest Autobot behind only Optimus Prime. Orignally selfish, haughty, and stupid, Grimlock grew to be an effective leader of the Dinobots, someone who truly cared about the people he was to protect, and one of the best warriors the Autobots had. Grimlock is featured front center in the picture below.
11. Shinobi (Shinobi video game series): Shinobi was the code name for Joe Musashi, a ninja who originally had to save the children from the Oboro clan who were being kidnapped by Zeed. This game, orignally released on the SEGA Master System, led to a score of games on several different systems. I'm pretty sure Shinobi was the first console video game I ever played, and remains one of my all time favorites. Shadow Dancer: Revenge of Shinobi for the SEGA Genesis is one of my favorite games of all time.
20. Colonel Fedman Kassad (Hyperion series, by Dan Simmons): Kassad was the greatest warrior in the history of the Hegemony of Man. A FORCE Marine, Kassad was known as the "Butcher of South Bressia" for the total war-like way he defeated the Ousters on the planet Bressia. He was the only human to ever beat The Shrike in single combat. He was also devoted to his love, Moneta, and to protecting the human race. Kassad was such a complete warrior that it was his spirit that was used in creating the galaxy's ultimate killing machine: The Shrike. As Kassad laughingly put it, "I conquer my enemy; I destroy him; and then I become him."
19. T-101 (Terminator 2 & 3, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger): Cyberdyne Systems Model 101, The Terminator. Sent back in time to protect the hero of the future, John Connor. Masterfully played by Arnold as a robot with a soul, The Terminator was one of the coolest characters of all time. Hasta la vista, baby.
18. Arcades Sabboth (Elder Dragon Legend from Magic: The Gathering card series): Another of the Elder Dragon Legends, Arcades Sabboth is one of my favorite pictures from any of the Magic series. He is also one of the most powerful cards in the game.
17. Roland of Gilead (The Dark Tower series, by Stephen King): Roland Deschain is The Last Gunslinger, the last ruler of the land of Gilead to stand in protection of The Light. A decendent of King Arthur, Roland is on a quest to protect the Dark Tower--the nexus of all realities in the Stephen King universe--from those who would seek to destory it.
16. Samurai Jack (Samurai Jack cartoons, Cartoon Network): Long ago in a distant land, Evil Incarnate--a sorceror named Aku--flung a young Samurai into the future, where Aku had established control of the world. The Samurai--who quickly acquired the name Samurai Jack--possesses a magical sword that is the only thing that can harm Aku. Jack fights tireless to find a way back to his past, so he can undo the evil future that is Aku.
15. Aragorn, son of Arathorn (Lord of the Rings, by JRR Tolkein): The heir of Isildur, The King of Gondor, Chieftan of the Dunedain, Leader of the Fellowship of the Ring, Aragorn is the first great king in the age of man. He has no peer in battle, and is a wise, just, and generous king.
14. Batman (DC Comics): Batman is in some ways the opposite of Superman: while Superman is the ideal that we all strive for, Batman is the pinacle of human achievement. He is an example of the best of what we can be--and the worst of what can happen to us on the way there. Batman doesn't have the inherent nobolity of Superman, nor the physical skills. He is tirelessly devoted to his craft, and uses every bit of his being--mind, body, resources--in order to accomplish his goals. In the end, however, the reason I like Batman more than Superman is because, as I mentioned earlier, Batman is willing to get his hands dirty. In some ways, it's not Superman's fault: he has to be the ideal we've given him. But I've always identified more with Batman and others we'll see later on the list, the heroes who always fight for good, truth, and justice, and are willing to do whatever is necessary in order to fight for those ideals. There's no holding back with them.
13. Voltron (Voltron cartoon/comic series): Voltron, Defender of the Universe, is a giant robot that could be formed by combining 5 robot lions. Voltron fought to protect the planet Arus from the evil King Zarkon, his son Lotor, and the witch Hagar, who would create giant Robeasts to try to defeat Voltron. Each lion was piloted by a different human. One of the few drawbacks to Voltron was it inspired the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Yes, I'm embarrased to say that.
12. Grimlock (Transformers): Grimlock was the leader of the Dinobots, and was the strongest Autobot behind only Optimus Prime. Orignally selfish, haughty, and stupid, Grimlock grew to be an effective leader of the Dinobots, someone who truly cared about the people he was to protect, and one of the best warriors the Autobots had. Grimlock is featured front center in the picture below.
11. Shinobi (Shinobi video game series): Shinobi was the code name for Joe Musashi, a ninja who originally had to save the children from the Oboro clan who were being kidnapped by Zeed. This game, orignally released on the SEGA Master System, led to a score of games on several different systems. I'm pretty sure Shinobi was the first console video game I ever played, and remains one of my all time favorites. Shadow Dancer: Revenge of Shinobi for the SEGA Genesis is one of my favorite games of all time.
Labels: Heroes and Villains
posted by Michael Pondrom at 7:54 AM
1 Comments:
I haven't seen him on the list yet but I hope Ender (from the Orson Scott Card book series) is on the list. He should be in the top 10 anyway
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