The My Favorite Martian Bloghop

It's been quite some time since I participated in a bloghop around these parts (unless you count the Insecure Writers Support Group), but this one seemed right up my alley, so I thought I'd join in the fun. Hosted by The Geek Twins, the My Favorite Martian bloghop asks its participants to delve deep into the collective mind of the science fiction genre, grasping across literature, film, comic books, video games, or any other medium home to alien reverie. Thus, I am tasked with the practically inconceivable burden of choosing one alien character from the entire genre that I feel embodies the awesomeness it has on offer.

Worse yet, the alien being of my choosing does not actually have to be a Martian. This widens my pool of characters to choose from considerably. I mean, the Star Trek universe alone contains something like four hundred (!) different species of alien life. How am I ever going to choose one race, let alone one character within that race, from all of science fiction as my favorite alien? Impossible, I say! It cannot be done! And yet, I must. Toward which corner of the multiverse should I cast my gaze?

Warp Speed, Engage

We've already mentioned the wide selection that Star Trek has on offer, and I am definitely a fan of Gene Roddenberry's universe. Who doesn't love Mr. Spock, after all? He's more than just a pointy-eared space elf; he's a walking battlefield. Beneath his cool exterior, his human and Vulcan halves are constantly at war with each other, an endless struggle between logic and emotion. If that's not fascinating, what is? Then again, that might actually be a good reason not to choose our favorite Vulcan science officer for this entry, as I'm sure someone else will.

So who else among the Trekian droves? Klingons are an interesting species, if not a little Orcish. The "proud warrior race" thing has grown a little stale these days, but our Klingon friends were one of the early archetype examples, so they get a perpetual pass, in my book. And then you have Lt. Worf, who has his own duality conflict going on, having been raised by puny humans. But you know, he's just not doing it for me today either—afraid not, Mr. Worf. Your mating rituals intimidate me.

Damn you for being human, Picard! You'd have made this so much easier if you'd had a rubber forehead like the rest of the cast. I'm afraid I must turn my search to another universe.

May The Force Be With You

The next obvious choice would have to be Star Wars then, wouldn't it? Like our previous candidate, Lucas's universe comes ready-made with hundreds of alien species to choose from. And having rejected Trek, it's only right that I give the galaxy far, far away equal consideration, since they've been at each other's throats for decades. Can the rebel forces sway my heart in their battle against the Sith?

As diverse as the Star Wars cast of aliens is (technically every character is an alien, even the humans), there's really only a couple of characters that spring immediately to mind as worthy candidates for this bloghop. The first would have to be Yoda. I'm pretty sure this Jedi Master was responsible for the entire development of my moral compass as a child. But alas, I'm afraid he suffers from the same problem that keeps Spock from taking it home. You're just too popular, little guy.

Then you have my next favorite alien in the Star Wars universe, Chewbacca, whose Wookie language I make a point in practicing every morning as I get out of bed. He, too, comes dangerously close to "obvious choice" territory though. And on top of that, as cool as it would be to have a giant man-bear-dog-thing in your company, a large part of Chewy's appeal is dependent on his proximity to Han Solo. Take his scoundrel buddy status away, and he's just a speck of fluff amidst a sea of furballs.

There Can Be Only One

I'm running out of options here, not to mention reaching the upper limits of my length threshold on this blog, and still I've yet to choose my favorite alien! If the overpopulated galaxies of Star Trek and Star Wars don't yield results, where can I turn? Alien? Stargate? The Thing? Mass Effect? Argh!

That's it, I can tarry no longer. There has to be an alien out there that represents a worthy pinnacle of awesomeness—one alien character who outshines all the rest in every way. I must choose! The answer is just outside my grasp. Yes! I can feel it!

The winner is . . .

PIZZA THE HUT!

I can't believe it took me so long. Has a more tragic, compelling character ever been written? May we all aspire to such greatness.