10 Things you didn't know about the Cybermen

In case you didn't know a new series of Doctor Who is soon to be appearing on our screens in April and this last week a trailer was finally dropped on us. Series 10 is to be the final outing of the 12th Doctor Peter Capaldi and Showrunner Steven Moffat and if that trailers anything to go by its going to be a belter.

As well as showing us tantalising glimpses of new elements for this series there were a few familiar elements too. One of those was an unfamiliar sighting of a Cybermen - don't worry your eyes did not deceive you it was a Cyberman, trust me I know these things. If you thought to yourself " I didn't know Cybermen could like that" don't worry readers here at WhatCulture we're here to help with 10 facts that you didn't know about Doctor Who's second most popular monster. So without further ado lets release the facts;

1. The First Cyberman Story Concluded With The Death of the First Doctor

Yes indeed readers, after three magnificent years at the controls of the TARDIS William Hartnell departed the show in 1966. In order to send him off on a high the production team put their collective heads together to come up with a brand new monster for The Doctor to face on his swan song.

Script editor Gerry Davis and scientific adviser Kit Pedler were inspired by cybernetics and would explore the concept before applying a science fiction twist. The result was the Cybermen gracing our screens for the very first time and the show finally striking lightning twice and gaining a monster like the Daleks that would reappear many times in the future.

Although the Cybermen themselves were not responsible for The Doctors first death this adventure took its toll on the Time Lord. This meant that the first era of Doctor Who ended with two milestones the first regeneration and the first appearance of the Cybermen.


2. The First Cybermen Design Was Not The Traditional Cybermen Design

Think Cybermen think blank metallic faces, however that's not the case with their appearance. A few elements such as the height, chest unit and head handles were present on the first outing - they were humongous but they were present but nothing else was. Instead of the silver steel viewers would become so familiar with the Cybermen had a distinct cloth helmet, rubber suit and silver painted boots.

But wait readers theres more, the iconic modulated voices were also still yet to come. While the iconic robotic sound was a few stories away the Cybermen in this story had a high campy staccato voice that sounded far more human than machine. However this more simplified Cybermen is perhaps more in keeping with the original concept these for the silver giants.

The much more well known design was just around the corner arriving in their second story and this design would not be revisited until 2017 and this coming series.


3. They Were The First Aliens On The Moon!

Yes indeed dear readers, nearly two years before Neil Armstrong and Edwin 'the Buzzmeister' Aldrin Doctor Who beat them to it. Lo and behold in 1967's 'The Moonbase' who did he find there plotting another attempt to take over the Earth? The newly designed Cybermen fresh with their silver plated faces and more stream lined style.

While the show would revisit the moon over the years this was the first occasion. An iconic aspect of the Cybermen is their iconic metallic march along with the cybernetic clanking which the New series has added in recent years. This story is the first time we saw this and that silent march across the lunar landscape would forever be embedded in the minds of viewers at the time.

Certainly other monster in Doctor Who would use the moon be it Ice Warriors, Spiders and even be revealed to be an egg but the Cybermen would be the first monsters to place their flag on the surface.


4. They Were The Fist Monsters To Be Fought by Unit

Readers may be aware of the current incarnation of Unit fronted by Kate Stewart and Osgood who have appeared with the Eleventh and Twelfth  Doctors but their history goes back a lot further. Back in 1968 colour TV was on the way and opposed to travelling alien worlds Doctor Who was experimenting with bring the aliens to Earth on a more regular basis. Hence the creation of Unit in their originally more military guise to assist the Doctor.

Originally popping up in 'The Invasion' this lengthy story would see Patrick Troughtons Doctor investigating the company 'International Electromatics' only to discover it was a front for the Cybermen. The silver giants would enter the story late breathing more life turning this story from one of international corporate subterfuge to one of invasion.

Again an iconic story, Unit and the Cybermens appearance here would set the template for the majority of stories from the first half of the 1970's and see the show enter its second decade.


5. They Didn't Appear As The Villains During The Jon Pertwee Era

Now this one is a bit of a shocker that even long time fans of the show are unaware of. We've already established that the Cybermen arrived right at the end of the First Doctor era, they turned up multiple time during the Second Doctor era but they failed entirely to turn up and terrorise the Third Doctor during Jon Pertwees era. The Third Doctor spent most of his time trapped on Earth and as the Cybermen had already attempted to take on the present day and Unit in the previous era the production team didn't use them.

They do appear in this era - in a blink and you miss them cameo but the silver giants wouldn't reappear until Tom Baker reared his head.

The Third Doctor would finally get to take on the Cybermen in a sequence during 'The Five Doctors' that was so memorable a generation would forever associate the silver haired Doctor with arch silver nemesis.


6. Gold

Weaknesses, everyone has them! Daleks have staircases, Angels you look and Sontarans can be taken out with a blow to the back of the neck but how do you take down a Cybermen? During their early years The Doctor had used a wide variety of tactics to take them out including gravity, radar and nail varnish remover - yes you did read that last one correctly! In the mid 1970's the production team decided it was finally time to give the Cybermen a weakness and what did they choose?

Gold! Not the chart topping hit from Spandau Ballet the glittery yellow metal favoured by jewellers everywhere. This would manifest itself in a number of ways from arrows, gold dust clogging up their breathing apparatus and nearly being wiped out with the wonderfully named glitter gun.

This is something that has largely been ignored since the show came back in 2005. However if they Cybermen get to big for their boots expect to see Peter Capaldi heading for the nearest Harvey Nichols to stock up on ammo.


7. Word Of Mouth

As we've already covered the Cybermen are one of Doctor Who's longest running villains but there were periods of the show where they didn't appear. The really good thing about writing a race or a character off is that you get to bring them back. Hell, virtually every other cliffhanger from 'Lost' involves a character reappearing.

However in 1983 the production team did what many people think would be impossible today - they brought them back without the fans or the viewers finding out in advance!

How was this done? Studio observation galleries were closed, Cybermen were confined to the studio where they could be kept a secret, their name was taken off the title and even a Radio Times cover was turned down. The first time the Great British public found out the Cybermen were back was when they popped up at the climax of episode one.

And what was the end result? Everyone was talking about it! Fans, school kids, parents the papers! By going with no publicity the show had generated the most publicity it had in years.


8. Spare Parts

Ask 100 Doctor Who fan to name their ten favourite stories and you will no doubt get 100 different lists. One story that will no doubt pop up a lot is Genesis of the Daleks where the show tackled the origin of the Daleks. After watching it you may get the idea to dig out the story where we get the Cyberman origin, don't bother looking for it as you wont find it.

Bizarre as it may seem the Doctor Who never tackled the origin of the Cybermen. The first time we got a glimpse into their origin was during the 'wilderness' years when the show was off the air. The audio company Big Finish, released the story 'Spare Parts' which saw the Fifth Doctor witness the birth of the Cybermen.

This story would go on to become so well regarded that when Russell T Davies decided to bring them back he set 'The Rise of the Cybermen' in an alternate universe so 'Spare Parts' would still stand as an origin story.


9. You've Got Me Feeling Emotions

One of the key features about the Cybermen is that technology has done away with emotion. However to the eagle eyed observer this isn't often the case, from their early appearances to most recent emotions have often been on display.

Season 8 saw a number of characters being cyber converted including companion Clara's love interest Danny Pink. Not only did he retain his humanity he showed a range of emotions including love and shock, he also uses his army skills to command the Cyber army.

During Season 2 during David Tennants era on the show the Cybermen would convert members of Torchwood including Yvonne Hartman. One of the most memorable moments from this story is the post conversion Hartman crying through her emotionless face.

During the classic run of the show the Cybermen were at their most emotional when facing Tom Bakers Fourth Doctor. Tom Baker was able to antagonise them as easily as a schoolboy and set the tone for future confrontations where the Cybermen would show a distinct touch of smugness when confronting The Doctor.


10. They Killed Adric

As we touched on earlier 1983's Earthshock saw the triumphant return of the Cybermen with a shock return as the surprise villains. However the producer of the time John Nathan-Turner, wanted the story to have more of impact. How did he choose to do this? By killing off Adric, a companion whose time of the show crossed over from the Fourth to the Fifth Doctor.

Again like the reappearance of the Cybermen this was kept under wraps and nobody knew about it until broadcast. The production team were so determined to keep it a secret they even hired the actor - Matthew Waterhouse for the next story where he appeared as a hologram. The viewers of the time were being treated to shocks right left and centre, a companion hadn't been killed since the 1960's.

Repercussions of this would be carried over into the next story and into future seasons as Doctor Who looked to cast off its cosy image and carry on into the 1980's with a more gritty feeling. But for the Cybermen the death of Adric would be the moment that catapulted them back into the public consciousness.
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The DVD Archives: Star Trek Voyager Season 2

My watch through of Star Trek Voyager continues and strap yourselves in and prepare for my thoughts on season 2;

The 37's: Interesting start to the second series and a good coda of reminding the viewers of the journey to Earth. Shame none of the guest characters joined the crew. 7/10

Initiations: A rather fun examination of the Kazon with Chakotay getting a lot to do. 9/10

Projections: A very very enjoyable episode and a good way to get the Doctor out of sickbay. One of those episodes where you'll never forget watching it for the first time. 10/10

Elogium: One of those strange science/life form stories that were about at the start of last season. Alright episode. 5/10

Non Sequitur: Harry Kim is the main character in another dull episode. 0/10

Parturition: A fun episode with lots of character stuff. 6/10

Persistence of Vision: A very good story that gets darker, the crew being taken out one by one would become a trope with this being one of the best examples. 10/10

Twisted: More fun science as the inside of the ship is twisted out of shape, a personal favourite. 10/10

Tattoo: Dull but worthy. 5/10

Cold Fire: A big episode, with elements of the story reaching a climax and Voyagers one known escape route crashing in on their heads. 8/10

Manoeuvres: A strange episode that doesn't quite gel, I can't decide if Chakotay is acting out of character. 8/10

Resistance: A strong episode with Janeway getting in some good character beats while separated from the crew. 10/10

Prototype: A fantastic episode with the robots coming across as a well defined alien race. 10/10

Alliances: Interesting but I can't help feeling the end is telegraphed and lacking. 4/10

Threshold: This is just muck. -10/10

Meld: A very very interesting twist on the Vulcan mind meld. 10/10

Dreadnought: Blatant reworking of Prototype but still a good-un. 8/10.

Death Wish: Lots of fun with Q and surprisingly very deep. 10/10

Lifesigns: The Vidiians are one of the most interesting aliens in Star Trek, I wish they would appear more often. 9/10

Investigations: The conclusion of an ongoing plot is tied up well with an interesting use of Neelix. 9/10

Deadlock: An interesting and fascinating episode which includes a few swerves. 10/10

Innocence: A rather good episode about alien culture. 7/10

The Thaw: A really dark story with The Clown being one of the most memorable one off characters in Star Trek. 9/10

Tuvix: Outstanding episode showing this show is more than shooting monsters of the week. 10/10

Resolutions: A lot of interesting things going on and rarely on the show there isn't enough time for everything. Perhaps this should have been two episodes long. 8/10

Basics: Very good stuff, with a slow build as its all about the pay off of the crew being stranded. 8/10


The difficult second season is an improvement, theres the odd duff episode but the show is growing in courage.

10 Reasons Why You Should Be Reading IDW's Transformers

Unless you've been hiding in a cave for the last ten years you can't help but have noticed the Michael Bay directed Transformers franchise which has become a fixture in the cinemas in recent time. These films have made such an impact that the big red truck and small yellow sports car have re-emerged as staples in popular culture.

However the average cinema goer may be unaware of is that like the heroes of DC and Marvel these films are based on characters from the world of comics. That's right, Optimus Prime and his cohorts have been having panel based adventures since the 1980's which are still going in the present day.

Readers of a certain age may have a fond memory of a time when their toy collections were front and centre of Marvels comic empire. Marvel may not be the current home of our Cybertronian friends but the comics are enjoying a rich vain of form in their new home comics publisher IDW.

While the most well known face of The Transformers at present time is the film franchise here are ten reasons why you should be reading IDW's Transformers titles.


10. Optimus Prime

Whenever the transformers show up be it in a cartoon or a film one thing is certain, Optimus Prime is going to make an appearance. He's the leader of the heroic Autobots and the poster boy for the Transformers in all forms. Unless Optimus makes an appearance a lot of people aren't interested, the Transformers without Optimus Prime is like the Avengers without Captain America or Iron Man.

For anyone whose interest solely rests on Optimus IDW have put him centre stage of his self titled ongoing series. Given his own status quo, Optimus has been moved away from most of the other Transformers and placed on Earth much like the films. So for the reader looking for some Earth based action featuring the leader of the Autobots this is tailor made for you.


9. New and Neglected Characters

One of the many things that can put readers off picking up a new title is the thought of characters with back stories that go back years. We've all been there, a writer that you like moves to a title that's been going for years and you worry that the opening arc may involve an issue from five years ago that you have no interest in reading.

That's not the case with "More than Meets the Eye" and "Lost Light." While there are a few well known characters the majority of the cast is made up of  new and  neglected characters with little back story along with older characters that have been given a fresh twist.

Examples include;

 Tailgate who fell down a hole and took six million years to climb out leaving him with no knowledge of whats happened to Transformer kind in the intervening millennium.

Swerve who fed up with his career as a metallurgist decides to open a bar on the ship and becomes the proprietor.

Rung the wonderfully timid psychologist who finds himself joining the 'Lost Light' and a ship full of deranged bots in need of his services.


8. World Building

Be it computer role playing games or fictional lands on TV like Westeros in Game of Thrones we all love a well built world to explore. Since ending the Autobot Decepticon war writer of "Robots in Disguise" John Barber has done a lot of work in rebuilding a new Cybertron. Much of the title has been focused on what happens to a war torn planet after the war ends and RiD answers this.

The Autobots, Decepticons and neutrals have come together and formed a new society. There are many twists and turns to read as the Transformers try to live together in peace. Things get distinctly political isn't as action orientated as readers might expect.

On top of Cybertron a number of lost colonies have been added into the mix. This adds many an interesting twist as some of the colonies have branched off in different directions including becoming more religious. The title "Till All Are One" focuses on the colonies coming together and also has a political scene.


7. Here Come the Girls 

Back in the days of the original TV series there were no female Tranformers until Arcee was introduced in the movie. Feeling tokenistic she was given a pink colour scheme and placed in a double act with the human Daniel so she could be all motherly towards him.

Things have changed, we have many a female Transformer thanks to IDW. For a while Arcee was the only regular character of female persuasion but during "The Dark Cybertron" crossover more female characters were introduced including Windblade the leader of Caminus. Even better the women aren't limited to the one book as they have been introduced into the casts of all the ongoing titles.


6. The Crazy Gang

Transformers has always been known for its mix of characters from the noble to the villainous. However there are a number of characters that can best be summed up as crazy. Yes indeed there are a number of subgroups in the Transformers and a number of the crazier ones are going strong.

The majority of the Dinobots have been supporting characters in "Robots in Disguise" and the Autobot equivalent of the Suicide Squad The Wreckers have had two well received limited series. To counterpoint this IDW have created two Decepticon squads that are pretty far out, the scavengers and Decepticon Justice Division.

This shows that while the Transformers universe has been humanised there is still a lot of crazy to go around.


5. Arcee

Some may be surprised to see Arcee's name on this list. To most Arcee was the pink female Transformer who was Daniels surrogate mother in the Movie and third season of the cartoon. Well IDW has thrown all of that out of the window and replaced it with not only something different but the polar opposite.

If Transformers could be compared to the X-men the current version of Arcee is Wolverine. She's on the side of the angels but she does the things most of the other Autobots don't know about. Like Wolverine she lurks in the shadows and has arguably become the breakout character.


4. Shades of Grey

There has always been a number of constants in the Transformers universe with the main one being Autobots are good and Decepticons are bad. This isn't quite the case anymore, now that the war is over the Transformers status-quo is in flux. Some bots have thrown away their badges and moved on with life but not so others.

On the Decepticon Soundwave has tried to set up a peaceful commune and Misfire has developed a protective bond with a brain damaged Grimlock, neither actions can be described as evil. On the other side of things Prowl has become a Machiavellian figure with plots wrapped up in plots including using Arcee as an assassin.


3. The Combiners

One thing already mentioned in this list is sub groups, which most Transformers were member of be it Insecticons or Triple Changers. A number of those groups were combiners where a team of five or six transformers would combine into a larger and more powerful robot.

IDW has taken this concept and pushed it in a powerful direction. Mostly in the "Robots in Disguise" John Barber has made the ability to combine a pivotal one to Transformers. We have seen how this ability affects the individual as well as the team, one of the highlights in recent years has been Prowl joining the Constructicons in forming Devastator and how this has affected Prowl, the Constructicons and Devastator himself.


2. James Roberts

James Roberts is without doubt the creative sleeping giant of comics and has been for some time - in my opinion he is this generations Chris Claremont. Since breaking into IDW's creative team on "Last Stand of the Wreckers" he has become the sole writer on "More That Meets the Eye" and its follow up volume "The Lost Light."

His choice of cast for his ongoing title is so brave, containing so many characters who can best be described as ignored or unloved. As a result people now care about Ultra Magnus and Swerve, one a character that could only be described as dull and the other someone who had never actually done anything in or out of a Transformers title.

Roberts isn't afraid to drip feed the reader of character information or plot. Quite often an issue will hit that ties up a thread that feels like its two issues old but was actually set up two years previously. Everything from the long ranging arcs to the done in one issues are magnificent, if you pick one title to follow make it one penned by James Roberts.


1. Megatron is an Autobot

Your eyes do not deceive you, after the "Dark Cybertron" crossover Megatron did the unthinkable and defected to the Autobots. The events leading up to this were strong, the reasons behind it were somewhat sneaky but by far the best aspect of this arc is seeing the effect it has had on the Lost Light which he now commands.

Megatrons inclusion of the book signals the start of "season two of mtmte where he is among a number of new cast additions. This one plot thread is systematic of IDW's Transformers, nothing is predictable, shocking events happen and not every cast member reacts to it in a possible way.

There you have What Cultures ten reasons to be reading IDW's Transformer titles.