Cyberman: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Cybermen variants.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Two types of Cyberman: [[Cyberman (Mondas)|Mondasian Cybermen]] and [[Cyberman (Pete's World)|Cybermen from Pete's World]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Invasion]]'', ''[[The Age of Steel]]'')]]
{{Infobox Species
:''This article is an overview of the concept of the Cyberman. You may be looking for [[Cyberman (disambiguation)|more specific versions]], including [[Cyberman (Mondas)|those from Mondas]] and [[Cyberman (Pete's World)|those from Pete's World]]''
|image= [[File:Cybermen_Silver_Nemesis.jpg|250px]]
'''Cybermen''' were a "race" of [[cyborg|cybernetically]] augmented [[humanoid]]. They varied greatly in design, with different factions throughout [[time]] and [[space]]. The two major groups, from which all other known versions derived, were the [[Cyberman (Mondas)|Mondasian Cybermen]], which originated on the planet [[Mondas]] [[Earth]]'s [[twin planet]] in [[the Doctor]]'s U[[universe|niverse]] – and the [[Cyberman (Pete's World)|Cybermen]] created by [[Cybus Industries]], which originated on Earth in [[Pete's World|an alternate universe]].
|Species name = Cyberman
|aka=
|type= [[Cyborg]]s (originally [[near-human]])
|affiliation= The [[Cyber-Force]]
|origin= [[Mondas]]
|appearances= [[Cybermen (Mondas) - List of Appearances|Full list of Appearances]]
|mentions= <ul><li>[[BFA]]: ''[[The Sirens of Time]]''</li><li>[[BFA]]: ''[[Prison in Space]]''</li><li>[[CC]]: ''[[The Glorious Revolution]]''</li><li>[[MA]]: ''[[Who Killed Kennedy]]'' (indirect)</li><li>[[DW]]: ''[[Mawdryn Undead]]''</li><li>[[DW]]: ''[[The Ultimate Foe]]''</li><li>[[DW]]: ''[[Battlefield]]''</li><li>[[DW]]: ''[[Dalek (TV story)|Dalek]]''</li><li>[[DW]]: ''[[Rise of the Cybermen]]'' / ''[[The Age of Steel]]''</li><li>[[TW]]: ''[[Cyberwoman]]''</li><li>[[DW]]: ''[[Time Crash]]''</li><li>[[SJA]]: ''[[Enemy of the Bane]]''</li><li>[[SJA]]: ''[[Death of the Doctor]]''</li></li>[[AG]]: ''[[The Hexford Invasion]]'', ''[[Survivors in Space]]''


Despite the different origins, there were similarities between both groups of Cybermen, and there were groups that shared the characteristics of both. For the most part, they lacked individuality or names. Cybermen had no emotions and viewed them as a weakness. They frequently attempted to physically and mentally re-engineer [[human]]s and other [[humanoid]]s into Cybermen, via a process called "[[cyber-conversion]]" or "[[upgrade|upgrading]]".
|individuals  = <ul><li>[[Cyber-Controller]]</li><li>[[Cyber-Leader]]</li><li>[[Cyber-Lieutenant]]</li><li>[[Regos Krang]]</li><li>[[Kroton (Cyberman)|Kroton]]
}}
:''For a general overview of Cyberman types, see [[Cyberman|here]]. For other uses of Cyberman, see [[Cyberman (disambiguation)|here]].''
The '''Cybermen''' of [[the Doctor]]'s [[universe]], sometimes known as [[Normal Space]], were a race of artificially modified [[near-Human]]s which originated from the [[planet]] [[Mondas]], [[Earth]]'s [[twin planet]].


== Cybermen of Mondas ==
The Cybermen took it as their primary aim to conquer the universe, converting where possible to boost their numbers. Fear of such conversion was prevalent on many worlds, and so the Cybermen came to be feared. ([[DW]]: ''[[Attack of the Cybermen]]'')
{{Main|Cyberman (Mondas)}}
These Cybermen were originally a wholly organic species of [[near-Human]]s who originated on [[Earth]]'s former twin planet, [[Mondas]]. Mondas drifted into the outer solar system. To survive, the natives of that world adapted by turning themselves into cyborgs. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet]]'') Eventually, all of the Mondasians underwent cyber-conversion. ([[BFA]]: ''[[Spare Parts]]''). Many of them left Mondas and ultimately developed into separate groups without connection to one another.


[[File:Cybermen Silver Nemesis.jpg|thumb|180px|left|Mondasian Cybermen on [[Earth]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[Silver Nemesis]]'')]]
== Characteristics ==
Nearly all were silver save for one black variety (for stealth) surviving in the [[London sewers]] ([[DW]]: ''[[Attack of the Cybermen]]''). They had exposed circuitry and tubing which may have contained hydraulic fluids for motion, covering a rubber or mylar-like outer skin. The [[CyberMondasian]]s which the [[First Doctor]] met on the [[Snowcap]] base in [[December]] [[1986]] had undergone a less radical conversion and still retained biological hands; it is possible these Cybermen were prototypes. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet]]'') They were similar in design to the earliest CyberMondasians which the [[Fifth Doctor]] would later encounter on Mondas. ([[BFA]]: ''[[Spare Parts]]'') All other Cybermen were entirely covered by their metallic suits. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Moonbase]]'' onwards)
=== Variants ===
The Cybermen were [[cyborg|cybernetically]] augmented [[humanoid]]s. Though they varied greatly in design through time, the various versions of the Cybermen had several things in common. Nearly all were silver in colour, with the exception of a black variety which existed in the [[London sewers]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[Attack of the Cybermen]]'', et al.)


These Cybermen had several major weaknesses. The most notable was the element [[gold]]. Gold, being non-corrosive, choked their respiratory systems. ([[DW]]: ''[[Revenge of the Cybermen]]'') 20th century guns barely phased Cybermen, though explosives and bazooka shells could take them down. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Invasion]]'', ''[[Silver Nemesis]]'') [[UNIT]] would develop gold-tipped rounds for Cybermen. ([[DW]]: ''[[Battlefield]]'') In later centuries, the Cybermen would take hits from laser guns and energy weapons: at close range, this could destroy them. ([[DW]]: ''[[Earthshock]]'')
[[File:Cyberm1_tenth_planet.jpg|left|thumb|A CyberMondasian. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet]]'')]]
Cybermen also exhibited exposed circuitry and tubing, covering a rubber or mylar-like outer skin. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet]]'') Cybermen frequently attempted to increase their numbers by [[cyber-conversion]].


In [[2011]], a group of similar Cybermen were encountered by the [[Eleventh Doctor]] and [[Craig Owens]] in [[Colchester]]. They were based in a crashed ship which the Doctor claimed had been crashed for "centuries." They resembled the [[Cyberman (Pete's World)|Cybus Cybermen]] physically, but their chest logo featured a simple circle instead of the [[Cybus Industries|Cybus]] logo. ([[DW]]: ''[[Closing Time (TV story)|Closing Time]]'')
The [[CyberMondasian]]s which the [[First Doctor]] met on [[Snowcap Base]] in [[December]] [[1986]] had undergone a less radical conversion and still retained biological hands. It is possible these Cybermen were prototypes, or at least an early model. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet]]'')


In the [[51st century]], the Doctor encountered Cybermen, organised into Cyber Legions, who were a major power in space, possessing at least twelve fleets. The [[Twelfth Cyber Legion]] was devastated in order to blackmail them into handing intelligence to the [[Eleventh Doctor]] during the build-up to the [[Battle of Demon's Run]]. ([[DW]]:''[[A Good Man Goes to War]]'').
All other Cybermen were entirely covered up in their metallic suits. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Moonbase]]'' onwards) However, some partial conversions were known to exist that still held human features, for example, [[Tobias Vaughn]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Invasion]]'')


== Cybermen designed by John Lumic ==
Cybermen of the [[CyberFaction]] invaded Earth before 1986 and so they co-existed with the CyberMondasians, "MK I" versions. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Invasion]]'')
{{Main|Cyberman (Pete's World)}}
[[File:Cybermen_in_France.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The Cybermen in [[France]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[Army of Ghosts]]'')]]
These Cybermen originated in [[Pete's World|another universe]], where they were created by [[John Lumic]], the owner of [[Cybus Industries]]. His Cybermen believed that all of humanity must be "upgraded" to cyber-form so that information would never be lost and that the humans' physical and emotional weaknesses were abolished.


[[Cyber-conversion]] usually involved removing the [[brain]] of the subject painfully and placing it within a suit of armour. Once complete, the new Cybermen had a special implant which prevented them from feeling emotions. If the implants were disrupted, the Cybermen entered into a traumatic state caused by the pain of the conversion. This inevitably resulted in an agonising death from the overload of emotions. ([[DW]]: ''[[Rise of the Cybermen]]'' / ''[[The Age of Steel]]'').
Many versions of Cybermen such as those from the CyberFaction and [[CyberTelosian]]s were slim, but with the [[CyberNeomorph]]s in the 26th century the standard was to have bulkier, more imposing forms. ([[DW]]: ''[[Earthshock]]'') Cybermen like this also existed in the [[1980s]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[Silver Nemesis]]'')


The cyber-suit was constructed from bulletproof steel. This exo-structure appeared thicker and heavier than that of the Cybermen of Mondas – though a comparison of the strengths of the two body types was never performed. A chest plate with the Cybus Industries logo housed a "heart of steel", the function of which is unclear, and the emotional inhibitor chip. The brain was contained within the head. Artificially grown nervous tissue was threaded throughout the body so the Cyberman responded like a fully biological organism. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Age of Steel]]'') Without a brain inserted, the cyber-suit was a robot. Even when disembodied, the various parts of the suit – arm, head and torso – had sufficient processing capacity to pursue and attack a human target. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Pandorica Opens (TV story)|The Pandorica Opens]]'')
The CyberMondasians (MK I) had a quavering voice which put certain inflection on certain syllables in a seemingly random, sing-song manner. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet]]'') Later Cybermen spoke in more of a monotone, emphasiseng their lack of emotion. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Moonbase]]'')


These alternate Cybermen showed no vulnerability to [[gold]].
=== Conversion ===
[[Cyber-conversion]] was the process by which compatible beings were physically and mentally altered into becoming Cybermen. As this was a necessary process for the Cybermen to increase in number, it was carried out at various locations. ([[DW]]: ''[[Attack of the Cybermen]]'')
Partial conversions did occur and often allowed the host to take on several features of the Cybermen. For example, Tobias Vaughn's torso was immune to gunfire. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Invasion]]'')


== Cybermen of Unknown Origin ==
=== Vulnerabilities ===
[[File:Cybermen(BloodoftheCybermen).jpg|thumb|left|200px|Cybermen found in ice ([[VG]]: ''[[Blood of the Cybermen]]'')]]
[[File:Damaged_by_gunfire.jpg|thumb|Some Cybermen (MK VII CyberNeomorphs) could be damaged (but not killed) by ordinary gunfire. ([[DW]]: ''[[Silver Nemesis]]'')]]
While in the Arctic, the Doctor encountered Cybermen that greatly resembled the Cybus-made Cybermen, and were said to be brains in metal shells like the Cybus creations, but also had certain characteristics common to the Cybermen of Mondas. For instance, they used [[Cybermat]]s, they recognised the [[Eleventh Doctor]] as a [[Time Lord]], and they had advanced spacefaring capabilities.


This unnamed group of Cybermen was buried under the ice in the [[Arctic Circle]] and had been for tens of thousands of years after being hit by a temporal storm. An excavation began to awaken the army, commanded by a [[Cyber-Lord (Blood of the Cybermen)|Cyber-Lord]], releasing [[Cybermat (Blood of the Cybermen)|Cybermats]] which in turn created [[Cyberslave]]s. The [[Eleventh Doctor]] arrived on [[4 May]] [[2010]] and stopped their awakening. He blew up their base and returned them to stasis. ([[VG]]: ''[[Blood of the Cybermen]]'') The Doctor acquired a chest plate from one of these Cybermen and kept it in the TARDIS drawing room. ([[VG]]: ''[[TARDIS (video game)|TARDIS]]'') The Doctor also kept the Cyberman head in the drawing room.([[VG]]:[[The Gunpowder Plot]])
Cybermen had a number of major weaknesses, of which the most notable was the element [[gold]]. Gold, having a non-corrosive nature, choked their respiratory systems, a property exploited by the [[glittergun]] weapon used during the [[Cyber-Wars]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[Revenge of the Cybermen]]'', ''[[Earthshock]]'', ''[[Silver Nemesis]]'')
On occasion, the mere touch of gold seemed toxic to them, with gold coins or gold-tipped arrows able to destroy them. ([[DW]]: ''[[Earthshock]]'', ''[[Silver Nemesis]]'') Gold also blocked their sensors and caused the [[cybermat]]s to malfunction. ([[DWN]]: ''[[Revenge of the Cybermen (novelisation)|Revenge of the Cybermen]]'')


== Notes ==
Other weaknesses of the Cybermen included the combination of solvents known as [[Polly Cocktail]] ([[DW]]: ''[[The Moonbase]]'') and excessive levels of [[radiation]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet]]'')
* The [[Ninth Doctor ]]was the only incarnation of The Doctor not to have an adventure with Cybermen as an enemy


Cybermen affected by the [[Cerebration Mentor]], an emotion enhancing device, went "mad", although this could be because they either put too much fear into it, or simply because the fear caused the robotic parts to malfunction. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Invasion]]'').


{{Cyberman variants}}
20th century guns could damage Cybermen, but were incapable of killing them with any degree of effect. Explosives and bazooka shells were capable of taking them down easily. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Invasion]]'', ''[[Silver Nemesis]]'') [[UNIT]] developed gold-tipped rounds to combat Cybermen. ([[DW]]: ''[[Battlefield]]'') At close range, attacks with energy and laser weapons were capable of killing Cybermen. ([[DW]]: ''[[Earthshock]]'')
 
[[Raston Warrior Robot]]s counted Cybermen among the many beings they could kill. Although only equipped with javelins and blades, the level of technology encompassed in the robots allowed them to easily destroy a number of Cybermen on their own. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Five Doctors]]'')
 
== Technology ==
The Cybermen forces in [[2526]] employed the use of the Cyberlance, a powerful hand-held cutting weapon. They also made use of the Cyberscope, an observation device that allowed Cyber commanders to both view the battlefield remotely and access a computer database (containing, among other data, information on their race's encounters with [[the Doctor]]). ([[DW]]: ''[[Earthshock]]'')
 
Should the Cybermen have succeeded in acquiring [[time travel]], they would have been mighty enough to crush the [[Draconian]]s, the [[Sontaran]]s, and even the [[Dalek]]s. ([[WC]]: ''[[Real Time (webcast)|Real Time]]'')
 
=== Weapons (Short Range) ===
[[File:Cyb_gun1.jpg|thumb|left|Cyberman Mark IV with a gun. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Invasion]]'')]]
During their attack on Earth in [[1986]], Cybermen carried large hand-held energy weapons. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet]]'')
 
On the [[Moon]] in [[2070]], Cybermen possessed the power to generate [[Electro Attack|arcs of electricity]] from their hands which had the power to stun and disable. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Moonbase]]'')
 
In the [[21st century]], the Cybermen who attacked [[Space Station W3]] had death rays built into their chest units. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Wheel in Space]]'')
 
The Cybermen encountered by [[UNIT]] in the late 20th century had displayed these same built-in weapons as well as also carrying large rifles for medium distance combat on the streets of [[London]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Invasion]]'')
 
The Cybermen who attacked the [[Nerva Beacon]] had their weapons built into their helmets. They were activated with the touch of a hand. ([[DW]]: ''[[Revenge of the Cybermen]]'')
 
Over time, the Cybermen came to favour the hand-held [[cyber-gun]] over the inbuilt weapon. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Invasion]]'' onwards)
 
=== Weapons (Other) ===
[[File:500px-Cybermenmoon.jpg|thumb|right| Two Cybermen (Mk II) use a cannon. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Moonbase]]'')]]
In the 20th century, the Cybermen invasion fleet had a megatron bomb that could destroy all life on Earth. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Invasion]]'')
 
In [[2070]], the Cybermen possessed a cannon which could operate in vacuum. They used this on the surface of [[the Moon]]. Due to its apparent weight, two Cybermen were needed to operate it. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Moonbase]]'')
 
Cybermen in [[2526]], the invaders of [[Voga]], and the Cybermen removed by [[Time Scoop]] to the [[Death Zone]] had portable [[cyber-bomb]]s that could devastate planets. ([[DW]]: ''[[Earthshock]]'', ''[[Revenge of the Cybermen]]'', ''[[The Five Doctors]]'')
 
[[Neurotrope X]] acted as a means to incapacitate humans before making an overt move. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Moonbase]]''). On some occasions they have used [[Cybermat]]s to spread the virus to the population. ([[DW]]: ''[[Revenge of the Cybermen]]'')
 
The Cybermen were strong enough to kill with their hands without any extra weaponry or electric-based attack. ([[DW]]: ''[[Earthshock]]'')
 
== Culture ==
 
Cybermen made survival their central objective. Since they could not reproduce naturally, they needed to create new members of their population by other means, via [[cyber-conversion]]. At times they tended to focus on converting the population of Earth, at other times on simply destroying it. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Tomb of the Cybermen]]'')
 
Cybermen tended toward covert activity, scheming from hiding and using human or other agents, cybermats or [[android]]s to act as their proxies until they appeared. ([[DW]]: ''[[Revenge of the Cybermen]]'', ''[[Earthshock]]'', ''[[Attack of the Cybermen]]'')
 
Throughout their history, groups of Cybermen sometimes diverged from one another and migrated through their [[Mutter's Spiral|galaxy]], resulting in several factions: ([[REF]]: ''[[Doctor Who: Cybermen]]'')
* [[CyberMondasian]]s, the original Cybermen on [[Mondas]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet]]'')
 
* [[CyberFaction]], that split off from the CyberMondasians, making [[Planet 14]] their home. ([[NA]]: ''[[Iceberg (novel)|Iceberg]]'')
 
* [[CyberTelosian]]s, originating from the CyberFaction's colonisation of [[Telos]]. ([[REF]]: ''[[Doctor Who: Cybermen]]'')
 
* [[CyberNomad]]s, groups of Cybermen that split off from the CyberFaction to explore the galaxy. ([[REF]]: ''[[Doctor Who: Cybermen]]'')
 
* [[CyberNeomorph]]s, the result of a group of CyberNomads discovering frozen CyberTelosians.
=== Individuality and emotion ===
 
Throughout their history, Cybermen, for the most part, lacked individuality or names. This was a result of their emotions being removed during the conversion process. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet]]'', et al.)
 
A few Cybermen had individual names such as [[Krang]] ([[DW]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet]]'') or [[Kroton (Cyberman)|Kroton]]. ([[DWM]]: ''[[Throwback: The Soul of a Cyberman]]'')
 
:''In the script and cast listings for [[The Tenth Planet]] the individual Cybermen had names. They were [[Krail]], [[Talon]], [[Shav]], [[Krang]], [[Jarl]] and [[Gern]].'' ([[REF]]: ''[[Doctor Who: The Encyclopedia]]'')
 
Cybermen in positions of authority included the ground level [[Cyber-Leader]] who commanded a group of ordinary Cybermen. Cyber-Leaders were sometimes aided by a [[Cyber-Lieutenant]]. Immobile [[computer]]-like [[Cyber-Planner]]s would sometimes make decisions and long term plans. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Wheel in Space]]'', ''[[The Invasion]]'') The [[Cyber-Controller]]s, who possessed enlarged craniums, had the position of highest possible authority. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Tomb of the Cybermen]]'', ''[[Attack of the Cybermen]]'')
 
Cybermen no longer possessed emotions and viewed them as a weakness. However, several of the Cyber-Leaders displayed characteristics that could be linked to emotions such as anger, amusement, and, at times, smugness. ([[DW]]: ''[[Earthshock]]'')
== History ==
=== Early history ===
Cybermen were originally a wholly organic species of [[near-human]]s who originated on [[Earth]]'s former [[twin planet]], [[Mondas]]. Mondas drifted into the outer solar system (and became an orphan planet) and to survive, the natives of that world adapted by turning themselves into cyborgs. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet]]'') Eventually all of the [[Mondasian]]s underwent forced [[cyber-conversion]]. ([[BFA]]: ''[[Spare Parts]]'')
 
:''See [[Creation of the Cybermen]] for more details''
 
:''The novelisation [[Doctor Who and the Cybermen]] would claim they originated on [[Telos]]''
 
The original [[CyberMondasian]]s retained more of their organic form and still had personal names. Another group, the [[CyberFaction]], left Mondas in the "First Divergence", possibly around [[Distant past|5000 B.C.]] ([[REF]]: ''[[Doctor Who: Cybermen]]''), and headed for [[Planet 14]]. These eventually developed into separate groups without connection with one another. ([[NA]]: ''[[Iceberg (novel)|Iceberg]]'')
 
In [[102]], the Cybermen's ships were among those that made up the fleet of [[the Alliance (The Pandorica Opens)|the Alliance]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Pandorica Opens (TV story)|The Pandorica Opens]]'') However, the Alliance was never formed after the [[Big Bang Two]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Big Bang]]'')
 
Mondas developed a drive propulsion system in place of the [[planet]]'s core to move the entire world. As the original Cybermen were limited in numbers and were continually being depleted, the Cybermen decided to invade [[Earth]].([[DW]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet]]'')
 
==== Middle history ====
===== [[20th century]] =====
The [[Seventh Doctor]] and [[Ace]] fought Cybermen in [[London]], [[1940]]. ([[PDA]]: ''[[Illegal Alien]]'') The same team would fight them in [[1950s]] [[Nevada]]. ([[DWM]]: ''[[The Good Soldier]]'')
 
[[File:Invasion.jpg|thumb|left|Cybermen Mark IV in the [[sewer]]s of [[London]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Invasion]]'')]]By [[1970]] or before, Cybermen, specifically the CyberFaction led by a [[Cyber-Planner]] ([[NA]]: ''[[Iceberg (novel)|Iceberg]]'') had established a base on the dark side of [[the Moon|Earth's Moon]]. The Cyber-Planner had contacted the industrialist [[Tobias Vaughn]], the head of the [[International Electromatics]] corporation. The Cybermen had him install mind control circuits in electrical appliances manufactured by his company, paving the way for a ground invasion. They had also grafted cybernetic arms onto several of his workers. {C
Vaughn had a Cyber-Planner installed in his office and communicated with it. The plot was uncovered by the newly formed [[United Nations Intelligence Taskforce|UNIT]] and by the [[Second Doctor]] who assisted in beating off the invasion both on the ground and from the Cyberman base on the Moon. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Invasion]]'')
 
From the mid [[1970s]] through [[1985]], Cybermen lurked in the [[London sewers|sewers below London]], awaiting another invasion, which would come in [[1986]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[Attack of the Cybermen]]'')
 
[[File:300px-Cyberman2005.jpg|thumb|A Cyberman head in [[Henry Van Statten]]'s Museum. ([[DW]]: [[Dalek (TV story)|Dalek]])]]
At some point a Cyberman's head was taken and was stored in [[Henry van Statten]]'s [[the Vault|Vault]], where he collected alien artefacts. According to its label, it was recovered from the London sewers in [[1975]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[Dalek (TV story)|Dalek]]'')
 
CyberNeomorphs in the future, having captured a [[time vessel]], knew that the [[First Doctor]] would destroy Mondas, so planned, instead, to divert [[Halley's Comet]] towards Earth. They hoped that the destruction of Earth would change the past so that Mondas survived. The [[Sixth Doctor]] was able to prevent such an act. ([[DW]]: ''[[Attack of the Cybermen]]'')
 
In [[December]] [[1986]], the [[First Doctor]] met an advance force of CyberMondasians that landed near [[Snowcap Base]] in [[Antarctica]]. This advance force was to prepare for the return of Mondas to the [[Sol system]] and the draining of Earth's energy for the use of the Cybermen. Mondas absorbed too much energy and was destroyed, as were the Cybermen on Earth who depended on Mondas for power. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet]]'') Following the destruction of Mondas, the Cyberman would make [[Lonsis]] their new home. ([[BFA]]/[[BBCR]]: ''[[Human Resources]]'')
 
Sometime post-Mondas was the "Second Divergence", early [[CyberNomad]]s left the CyberFaction in [[Sol]] to explore the galaxy. ([[REF]]: ''[[Doctor Who: Cybermen]]'')
 
In [[November]] [[1988]] a [[Cyber-fleet|fleet]] of [[CyberNomad]]s from the future was assembled to turn Earth into New Mondas now that their homeworld had been destroyed. A scouting party was sent to Earth in search of a statue made of [[validium]] called [[Nemesis]], a [[Time Lord]] weapon. There they met [[Peinforte|Lady Peinforte]], who brought many of their number down with gold-tipped arrows. ([[DW]]: ''[[Silver Nemesis]]'', [[REF]]: ''[[Doctor Who: Cybermen]]'') {C}{C {C
[[File:Cyberman_original_attack_5.jpg|thumb|left|160px|A Cyberman Mark VI in the [[TARDIS]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[Attack of the Cybermen]]'')]]
 
===== [[21st century]] =====
Roughly in the mid-[[2000s]], Cybermen from the future would use [[time travel]] to return to Earth to announce themselves to the public. They hoped to flood Earth, believing that any survivors would willingly undergo cyber-conversion. ([[DWM]]: ''[[The Flood (comic story)|The Flood]]'')
 
In [[2006]], Cybermen once more invaded the [[South Pole]] of Earth. ([[NA]]: ''[[Iceberg (novel)|Iceberg]]'') In the same year, the Cybermen on [[Lonsis]] tried to invade Earth via the [[portal]] in the main branch of [[Hulbert Logistics]]. [[Lucie Miller]] managed to destroy them by using a [[quantum crystalliser]] to make the Cybermen and their ship rapidly rust into dust. This would see the last of the original Cybermen. ([[BFA]]/[[BBCR]]: ''[[Human Resources]]'')
 
In [[2011]], a group of Cybermen were encountered by the [[Eleventh Doctor]] and [[Craig Owens]] in [[Colchester]]. They were based in a crashed ship which the Doctor claimed had been crashed for "centuries." ([[DW]]: ''[[Closing Time (TV story)|Closing Time]]'')
 
In the middle to late [[21st century]], [[Space Station W3]] was the site of a takeover by the CyberFaction. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Wheel in Space]]'')
 
By [[2070]], the Cybermen were known about and feared in several galaxies ([[DWN]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Cybermen]]'') but were considered extinct by Earth. On this year, by which time the Earth's weather was being controlled by the [[Gravitron]] installation in the [[Moonbase]], the CyberFaction planned to use the Gravitron to disrupt the planet's weather patterns and destroy all life on the planet. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Moonbase]]'') {C
Afterwards, possibly after the 21st century, the CyberFaction abandonded their home in the Sol system and journeyed into the galaxy to colonise a suitable planet. ([[REF]]: ''[[Doctor Who: Cybermen]]'')
 
===== Post-21st century =====
At somepoint, possibly in [[22nd century|2175]], the CyberFaction colonised [[Telos]], resulting in the [[CyberTelosian]]s. ([[REF]]: ''[[Doctor Who: Cybermen]]'')
 
The [[Sixth Doctor]] encountered Cybermen in [[2191]]. ([[MA]]: ''[[Killing Ground]]'')
 
The Cybermen had all but passed into legend when an archaeological expedition to the planet [[Telos]] found the [[Cyber-tomb|CyberTombs]], where hordes of Cybermen waited in [[cryogenic suspension]]. Earth's [[Brotherhood of Logicians]] intended to awaken them, believing the Cybermen would be receptive to their cause. The tomb would be sealed again ([[DW]]: ''[[The Tomb of the Cybermen]]'') and later re-activated ([[DW]]: ''[[Attack of the Cybermen]]'').
 
A CyberNomad group discovered the CyberTelosians and they united, resulting in the new [[CyberNeomorph]]s. ([[REF]]: ''[[Doctor Who: Cybermen]]'')
 
===== Cyber-Wars =====
[[File:Original_Cyberman_with_cyber-lider_Revengecybermen.jpg|thumb|[[CyberNomads]]  and a [[Cyber-Leader]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[Revenge of the Cybermen]]'')]] In [[2526]] several planets would unite in war against the Cybermen in an event called the [[Cyber-Wars]]. A force of Cybermen tried to devastate Earth using a [[Cyberbomb]] and convert the survivors. Failing this, they hoped to crash the freighter into Earth and cause an ecological disaster. Although the attempt failed, the freighter was catapulted back in time to become the "[[meteor]]" that wiped out the [[dinosaur]]s. ([[DW]]: ''[[Earthshock]]'')
 
One of the last acts of the Cybermen during this war the attempt to blow up the planet [[Voga]] in order to stop the production of [[glittergun]]s. ([[DWN]]: ''[[Revenge of the Cybermen (novelisation)|Revenge of the Cybermen]]'') In the aftermath of their failure, the Cybermen were reduced to scattered remnants, one group relentlessly hounding the remaining fragment of Voga. ([[DW]]: ''[[Revenge of the Cybermen]]'')
 
Shortly afterwards, during the [[Orion War]], humans attempted to use salvaged [[Cyber-Technology]] from ships that crashed during the Cyber-Wars to defeat the androids. This led to both sides nearly wiped out and the temporary conquest of Earth before the Cybermen resurgence was stopped. ([[BFA]]: ''[[Sword of Orion]]'', ''[[Cyberman (audio series)|Cyberman]]'')
 
=== Later history ===
On Telos, the Cybermen plotted to change history and divert Halley's Comet to Earth in order to destroy it and to save Mondas. ([[DW]]: ''[[Attack of the Cybermen]]'') At some point, Telos was shattered by an [[asteroid]] impact. ([[BFA]]: ''[[Telos (audio story)|Telos]]'')
 
Telos was not the only CyberTomb. There were dozens across the galaxy and more wars were started off. [[Bernice Summerfield]], who spoke of the Telos expedition and other tombs being discovered in the past tense, was sent to one by [[Irving Braxiatel]] in the early [[27th century]]. Braxiatel intended to use the Cybermen as a private army but was thwarted. ([[BFBS]]: ''[[The Crystal of Cantus]]'')
 
[[The Master (Tremas)|The Master]] sent [[The Graak]] to a CyberTomb populated by [[CyberNeomorph]]-[[CyberMondasian]]s to steal a [[Cybermat]]. These Cybermen were either going in- or coming out of the tombs. ([[VG]]: ''[[Destiny of the Doctors]]'')
 
Around 2875, The remaining CyberNomads from the Cyber-Wars ship finally caught up to Voga, now in orbit around [[Jupiter]]. Thier attempt to destroy it would be defeated and their caraft and themselves detroyed due to the involvement of the [[Fourth Doctor]], [[Sarah Jane Smith]], and [[Harry Sullivan]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[Revenge of the Cybermen]]'')
 
By [[3286]], the Cybermen had been thought dead for centuries. The Cybermen eventually developed into cyborgs indistinguishable visually from humans. ([[BFA]]: ''[[Real Time (webcast)|Real Time]]'')
 
[[File:Cybermen-series-6.jpg|thumb|left|Cybermen of the [[Twelfth Cyber Legion]] ([[DW]]: ''[[A Good Man Goes to War]]'')]]
By the [[51st century]], the Cybermen, organised into Cyber Legions, were a major power in space, possessing at least twelve fleets. They resembled the [[Cyberman (Pete's World)|Cybus Cybermen]] physically, but their chest logo featured a simple circle instead of the [[Cybus Industries|Cybus]] logo. The [[Twelfth Cyber Legion]] was devastated in order to blackmail them into handing intelligence to the [[Eleventh Doctor]] during the build-up to the [[Battle of Demon's Run|Battle]] of [[Demon's Run]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[A Good Man Goes to War]]'')
 
Cybermen from the far future would again use time travel and return back in time circa the [[2000s]] to convert it. They used rain that caused extreme emotions (sadness, fear, anger) in an attempt to convince the peoples of the world emotions were bad in order to accept conversion willingly. The reason they needed humans from a past era was clear to the Doctor; in the future of the Cybermen, the human genetic template had been corrupted and augmented by their interactions with varied alien races; as the Cyber-conversion protocols were keyed to human or Mondasian biology, the number of available converts dropped dramatically.
 
[[File:CyberImage39.jpg|thumb|A number of Cybermen crowd around a beaten [[Destrii]]. ([[DWM]]: ''[[The Flood (comic story)|The Flood]]'')]]The Doctor offered to regenerate for them, so they could gather the data of his regeneration and upgrade their conversion protocols to include other races, in exchange for leaving the Earth alone at the moment. While the Cybermen agreed, they betrayed him at the last moment (the Doctor was expecting this anyway). Using the fragment of the Time Vortex the future Cybership was using as a power source, the Doctor destroyed the Cyberfleet and dissolved the rain. ([[DWM]]: ''[[The Flood (comic story)|The Flood]]'')
 
=== Final evolution ===
By the [[101st century]], the Cybermen had nearly died out. Several centuries before that, they choose a [[Cyberlord|new name]] for their species and became pacifists. ([[PDA]]: ''[[Synthespians™]]'')
Transcending into pure energy, the Cybermen would ultimately redeem the whole of sentient life and become the most peace loving-species in the whole of creation, becoming purely thought with no biological presence. ([[DWM]]: ''[[The World Shapers]]'')
 
=== Undated events ===
[[File:Miniscope.jpg|thumb|left|160px|A Cyberman inside [[Vorg]]'s [[Miniscope]] ([[DW]]: ''[[Carnival of Monsters]]'')]]
 
* During the [[Gallifreyan history#The Dark Time|Dark Times on Gallifrey]], the Cybermen were excluded from the games held in the [[Death Zone]], due to the fact that the Time Lords believed they possessed an unfair advantage over other victims of the games. [[Borusa]], nevertheless, having found the [[Game of Rassilon]], transported a CyberNeomorph squadron to the Death Zone to threaten and harass the [[Third Doctor]] and [[Sarah Jane Smith]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Five Doctors]]'')
 
* A Cyberman was among the life-forms exhibited in Vorg's [[Miniscope]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[Carnival of Monsters]]'')
 
* The Cybermen were part of the [[Fifth Doctor|Supremo]]'s alliance in the war against [[Morbius]]. ([[PDA]]: ''[[Warmonger]]'')
 
* A Cyberfaction that looked like [[CyberNeomorph]]s but sounded like [[CyberMondasian]]s were once used by The Master to attack [[the Graak]] and the first seven [[The Doctor|Doctors]]. The were shown to either be coming out of or going into hybernation. ([[VG]]: ''[[Destiny of the Doctors]]'')
 
==== Other References ====
* An image of a Cyberman is one of the fears pulled from the Doctor's mind when he faces the Keller machine. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Mind of Evil]]'')
 
* During their encounter with the [[Cybermen (Pete's World)|Cybermen of another universe]], the [[Cult of Skaro]] noted their resemblence to the Cybermen from our universe although it isn't known whether the Cybermen of our world have encountered the [[Dalek]]s. ([[DW]]: ''[[Doomsday]]'')
 
=== Mysteries and discrepancies ===
[[File:Voord_Cyberman.jpg|thumb|The Doctor with one of the Voord Cybermen. ([[DWM]]: ''[[The World Shapers]]'')]]
 
* On [[Telos]], the [[Second Doctor]] seemed to have knowledge, if not foreknowledge of the Cyber-Tombs. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Tomb of the Cybermen]]'') The [[Cyber-Planner]]'s reference to having met the Doctor on [[Planet 14]] also remains obscure ([[DW]]: ''[[The Invasion]]''), though one account tries to explain this in a way which contradicts previously disclosed information about the [[creation of the Cybermen]] ([[DWM]]: ''[[The World Shapers]]'')
 
== Behind the scenes ==
 
=== Inspiration for the Cybermen ===
 
The idea from the Cybermen came from [[Kit Pedler]]'s interest in new medical advances and his fears as to where they might possibly lead. Earlier conceptions of the Cyberman design would have emphasised the "man" part of the equation, but the proposed design would have cost too much money. Indeed, the televised version of ''[[The Tenth Planet]]'' featured much more human-like Cybermen, who had human hands.
 
Prologues to certain [[Target Books]] novelisations reflect the earlier ideas about the Cybermen, which state that they perfected the science of cybernetics as a means to gain immortality. The Cybermen were the result: immortal, but at the cost of losing their humanity.
 
=== Development of the characters ===
 
The second appearance of the Cybermen in ''[[The Moonbase]]'' (pre-planned by the production team even before ''[[The Tenth Planet]]'' had aired), re-designed them rather radically, making them appear much more [[robot]]-like in appearance. The Cybermen went through another major re-design in ''[[The Invasion]]'', yet another in ''[[Earthshock]]'', and one in the comic strips in ''[[The Flood (comic story)|The Flood]]''. Various minor re-designs would take place as well. As the Cybermen stories do not appear in a chronological order, this makes their evolution rather confusing: more 'advanced' Cybermen are around at the same time as more 'primitive' ones and vice versa. This, however can be explained through time travel, though the Cybermen only captured one time ship. ([[DW]]: ''[[Attack of the Cybermen]]'')
 
=== The Brilliant Books ===
* According to ''[[The Brilliant Book 2011]],'' a non-canonical [[REF]] book; on the 30th of [[November]] in [[1879]], at Blenheim Palace, the [[Fourth Doctor]] was hunting [[Cybermat]]s, suggesting Cybermen activity.
* [[The Brilliant Book 2012]] suggested that the Cybermen in [[A Good Man Goes to War]] were Mondasion, a fact which can be alluded from differences to the Cybus Cybermen.
* According to ''[[The Brilliant Book 2012]],'' a non-canonical [[REF]] book; at one point, [[Vastra]] and [[Jenny (A Good Man Goes to War)|Jenny]] battled the Cybermen.
 
== See also ==
 
* [[Cyberman hierarchy]]
 
* [[Cyber-Wars]]
 
{{Cyberman_variants}}
{{cyberman stories}}
{{cyberman stories}}
[[de:Cybermen]]
{{season 4 aliens}}
[[bg:Сайбърмен]]
{{season 5 aliens}}
[[ru:Киберлюди]]
{{season 6 aliens}}
[[nl:Cyberman]]
{{season 12 aliens}}
{{season 19 aliens}}
{{Season 20 aliens}}
{{season 22 aliens}}
{{season 25 aliens}}
{{Series 6 aliens}}
{{NameSort}}
{{NameSort}}


[[Category:Cybermen| ]]
[[Category:Mondasian species]]
[[Category:Cybermen (Mondas)]]
[[Category:Graak enemies]]
[[Category:First Doctor enemies]]
[[Category:Second Doctor enemies]]
[[Category:Third Doctor enemies]]
[[Category:Fourth Doctor enemies]]
[[Category:Fourth Doctor enemies]]
[[Category:Second Doctor enemies]]
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[[Category:Fifth Doctor enemies]]
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[[Category:Seventh Doctor enemies]]
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[[Category:Eleventh Doctor enemies]]
[[Category:Seventh Doctor enemies]]
[[Category:The Alliance]]
[[Category:Dalek allies]]
[[Category:The Master's allies]]
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[[Category:Species]]
[[Category:Sarah Jane Smith enemies]]
[[Category:Ice Warrior enemies]]

Revision as of 02:08, 8 February 2012

For a general overview of Cyberman types, see here. For other uses of Cyberman, see here.

The Cybermen of the Doctor's universe, sometimes known as Normal Space, were a race of artificially modified near-Humans which originated from the planet Mondas, Earth's twin planet.

The Cybermen took it as their primary aim to conquer the universe, converting where possible to boost their numbers. Fear of such conversion was prevalent on many worlds, and so the Cybermen came to be feared. (DW: Attack of the Cybermen)

Characteristics

Variants

The Cybermen were cybernetically augmented humanoids. Though they varied greatly in design through time, the various versions of the Cybermen had several things in common. Nearly all were silver in colour, with the exception of a black variety which existed in the London sewers. (DW: Attack of the Cybermen, et al.)

Cybermen also exhibited exposed circuitry and tubing, covering a rubber or mylar-like outer skin. (DW: The Tenth Planet) Cybermen frequently attempted to increase their numbers by cyber-conversion.

The CyberMondasians which the First Doctor met on Snowcap Base in December 1986 had undergone a less radical conversion and still retained biological hands. It is possible these Cybermen were prototypes, or at least an early model. (DW: The Tenth Planet)

All other Cybermen were entirely covered up in their metallic suits. (DW: The Moonbase onwards) However, some partial conversions were known to exist that still held human features, for example, Tobias Vaughn. (DW: The Invasion)

Cybermen of the CyberFaction invaded Earth before 1986 and so they co-existed with the CyberMondasians, "MK I" versions. (DW: The Invasion)

Many versions of Cybermen such as those from the CyberFaction and CyberTelosians were slim, but with the CyberNeomorphs in the 26th century the standard was to have bulkier, more imposing forms. (DW: Earthshock) Cybermen like this also existed in the 1980s. (DW: Silver Nemesis)

The CyberMondasians (MK I) had a quavering voice which put certain inflection on certain syllables in a seemingly random, sing-song manner. (DW: The Tenth Planet) Later Cybermen spoke in more of a monotone, emphasiseng their lack of emotion. (DW: The Moonbase)

Conversion

Cyber-conversion was the process by which compatible beings were physically and mentally altered into becoming Cybermen. As this was a necessary process for the Cybermen to increase in number, it was carried out at various locations. (DW: Attack of the Cybermen) Partial conversions did occur and often allowed the host to take on several features of the Cybermen. For example, Tobias Vaughn's torso was immune to gunfire. (DW: The Invasion)

Vulnerabilities

Some Cybermen (MK VII CyberNeomorphs) could be damaged (but not killed) by ordinary gunfire. (DW: Silver Nemesis)

Cybermen had a number of major weaknesses, of which the most notable was the element gold. Gold, having a non-corrosive nature, choked their respiratory systems, a property exploited by the glittergun weapon used during the Cyber-Wars. (DW: Revenge of the Cybermen, Earthshock, Silver Nemesis) On occasion, the mere touch of gold seemed toxic to them, with gold coins or gold-tipped arrows able to destroy them. (DW: Earthshock, Silver Nemesis) Gold also blocked their sensors and caused the cybermats to malfunction. (DWN: Revenge of the Cybermen)

Other weaknesses of the Cybermen included the combination of solvents known as Polly Cocktail (DW: The Moonbase) and excessive levels of radiation. (DW: The Tenth Planet)

Cybermen affected by the Cerebration Mentor, an emotion enhancing device, went "mad", although this could be because they either put too much fear into it, or simply because the fear caused the robotic parts to malfunction. (DW: The Invasion).

20th century guns could damage Cybermen, but were incapable of killing them with any degree of effect. Explosives and bazooka shells were capable of taking them down easily. (DW: The Invasion, Silver Nemesis) UNIT developed gold-tipped rounds to combat Cybermen. (DW: Battlefield) At close range, attacks with energy and laser weapons were capable of killing Cybermen. (DW: Earthshock)

Raston Warrior Robots counted Cybermen among the many beings they could kill. Although only equipped with javelins and blades, the level of technology encompassed in the robots allowed them to easily destroy a number of Cybermen on their own. (DW: The Five Doctors)

Technology

The Cybermen forces in 2526 employed the use of the Cyberlance, a powerful hand-held cutting weapon. They also made use of the Cyberscope, an observation device that allowed Cyber commanders to both view the battlefield remotely and access a computer database (containing, among other data, information on their race's encounters with the Doctor). (DW: Earthshock)

Should the Cybermen have succeeded in acquiring time travel, they would have been mighty enough to crush the Draconians, the Sontarans, and even the Daleks. (WC: Real Time)

Weapons (Short Range)

Cyberman Mark IV with a gun. (DW: The Invasion)

During their attack on Earth in 1986, Cybermen carried large hand-held energy weapons. (DW: The Tenth Planet)

On the Moon in 2070, Cybermen possessed the power to generate arcs of electricity from their hands which had the power to stun and disable. (DW: The Moonbase)

In the 21st century, the Cybermen who attacked Space Station W3 had death rays built into their chest units. (DW: The Wheel in Space)

The Cybermen encountered by UNIT in the late 20th century had displayed these same built-in weapons as well as also carrying large rifles for medium distance combat on the streets of London. (DW: The Invasion)

The Cybermen who attacked the Nerva Beacon had their weapons built into their helmets. They were activated with the touch of a hand. (DW: Revenge of the Cybermen)

Over time, the Cybermen came to favour the hand-held cyber-gun over the inbuilt weapon. (DW: The Invasion onwards)

Weapons (Other)

File:500px-Cybermenmoon.jpg
Two Cybermen (Mk II) use a cannon. (DW: The Moonbase)

In the 20th century, the Cybermen invasion fleet had a megatron bomb that could destroy all life on Earth. (DW: The Invasion)

In 2070, the Cybermen possessed a cannon which could operate in vacuum. They used this on the surface of the Moon. Due to its apparent weight, two Cybermen were needed to operate it. (DW: The Moonbase)

Cybermen in 2526, the invaders of Voga, and the Cybermen removed by Time Scoop to the Death Zone had portable cyber-bombs that could devastate planets. (DW: Earthshock, Revenge of the Cybermen, The Five Doctors)

Neurotrope X acted as a means to incapacitate humans before making an overt move. (DW: The Moonbase). On some occasions they have used Cybermats to spread the virus to the population. (DW: Revenge of the Cybermen)

The Cybermen were strong enough to kill with their hands without any extra weaponry or electric-based attack. (DW: Earthshock)

Culture

Cybermen made survival their central objective. Since they could not reproduce naturally, they needed to create new members of their population by other means, via cyber-conversion. At times they tended to focus on converting the population of Earth, at other times on simply destroying it. (DW: The Tomb of the Cybermen)

Cybermen tended toward covert activity, scheming from hiding and using human or other agents, cybermats or androids to act as their proxies until they appeared. (DW: Revenge of the Cybermen, Earthshock, Attack of the Cybermen)

Throughout their history, groups of Cybermen sometimes diverged from one another and migrated through their galaxy, resulting in several factions: (REF: Doctor Who: Cybermen)

  • CyberNeomorphs, the result of a group of CyberNomads discovering frozen CyberTelosians.

Individuality and emotion

Throughout their history, Cybermen, for the most part, lacked individuality or names. This was a result of their emotions being removed during the conversion process. (DW: The Tenth Planet, et al.)

A few Cybermen had individual names such as Krang (DW: The Tenth Planet) or Kroton. (DWM: Throwback: The Soul of a Cyberman)

In the script and cast listings for The Tenth Planet the individual Cybermen had names. They were Krail, Talon, Shav, Krang, Jarl and Gern. (REF: Doctor Who: The Encyclopedia)

Cybermen in positions of authority included the ground level Cyber-Leader who commanded a group of ordinary Cybermen. Cyber-Leaders were sometimes aided by a Cyber-Lieutenant. Immobile computer-like Cyber-Planners would sometimes make decisions and long term plans. (DW: The Wheel in Space, The Invasion) The Cyber-Controllers, who possessed enlarged craniums, had the position of highest possible authority. (DW: The Tomb of the Cybermen, Attack of the Cybermen)

Cybermen no longer possessed emotions and viewed them as a weakness. However, several of the Cyber-Leaders displayed characteristics that could be linked to emotions such as anger, amusement, and, at times, smugness. (DW: Earthshock)

History

Early history

Cybermen were originally a wholly organic species of near-humans who originated on Earth's former twin planet, Mondas. Mondas drifted into the outer solar system (and became an orphan planet) and to survive, the natives of that world adapted by turning themselves into cyborgs. (DW: The Tenth Planet) Eventually all of the Mondasians underwent forced cyber-conversion. (BFA: Spare Parts)

See Creation of the Cybermen for more details
The novelisation Doctor Who and the Cybermen would claim they originated on Telos

The original CyberMondasians retained more of their organic form and still had personal names. Another group, the CyberFaction, left Mondas in the "First Divergence", possibly around 5000 B.C. (REF: Doctor Who: Cybermen), and headed for Planet 14. These eventually developed into separate groups without connection with one another. (NA: Iceberg)

In 102, the Cybermen's ships were among those that made up the fleet of the Alliance. (DW: The Pandorica Opens) However, the Alliance was never formed after the Big Bang Two. (DW: The Big Bang)

Mondas developed a drive propulsion system in place of the planet's core to move the entire world. As the original Cybermen were limited in numbers and were continually being depleted, the Cybermen decided to invade Earth.(DW: The Tenth Planet)

Middle history

20th century

The Seventh Doctor and Ace fought Cybermen in London, 1940. (PDA: Illegal Alien) The same team would fight them in 1950s Nevada. (DWM: The Good Soldier)

File:Invasion.jpg
Cybermen Mark IV in the sewers of London. (DW: The Invasion)

By 1970 or before, Cybermen, specifically the CyberFaction led by a Cyber-Planner (NA: Iceberg) had established a base on the dark side of Earth's Moon. The Cyber-Planner had contacted the industrialist Tobias Vaughn, the head of the International Electromatics corporation. The Cybermen had him install mind control circuits in electrical appliances manufactured by his company, paving the way for a ground invasion. They had also grafted cybernetic arms onto several of his workers. {C

Vaughn had a Cyber-Planner installed in his office and communicated with it. The plot was uncovered by the newly formed UNIT and by the Second Doctor who assisted in beating off the invasion both on the ground and from the Cyberman base on the Moon. (DW: The Invasion)

From the mid 1970s through 1985, Cybermen lurked in the sewers below London, awaiting another invasion, which would come in 1986. (DW: Attack of the Cybermen)

File:300px-Cyberman2005.jpg
A Cyberman head in Henry Van Statten's Museum. (DW: Dalek)

At some point a Cyberman's head was taken and was stored in Henry van Statten's Vault, where he collected alien artefacts. According to its label, it was recovered from the London sewers in 1975. (DW: Dalek)

CyberNeomorphs in the future, having captured a time vessel, knew that the First Doctor would destroy Mondas, so planned, instead, to divert Halley's Comet towards Earth. They hoped that the destruction of Earth would change the past so that Mondas survived. The Sixth Doctor was able to prevent such an act. (DW: Attack of the Cybermen)

In December 1986, the First Doctor met an advance force of CyberMondasians that landed near Snowcap Base in Antarctica. This advance force was to prepare for the return of Mondas to the Sol system and the draining of Earth's energy for the use of the Cybermen. Mondas absorbed too much energy and was destroyed, as were the Cybermen on Earth who depended on Mondas for power. (DW: The Tenth Planet) Following the destruction of Mondas, the Cyberman would make Lonsis their new home. (BFA/BBCR: Human Resources)

Sometime post-Mondas was the "Second Divergence", early CyberNomads left the CyberFaction in Sol to explore the galaxy. (REF: Doctor Who: Cybermen)

In November 1988 a fleet of CyberNomads from the future was assembled to turn Earth into New Mondas now that their homeworld had been destroyed. A scouting party was sent to Earth in search of a statue made of validium called Nemesis, a Time Lord weapon. There they met Lady Peinforte, who brought many of their number down with gold-tipped arrows. (DW: Silver Nemesis, REF: Doctor Who: Cybermen) {C}{C {C

A Cyberman Mark VI in the TARDIS. (DW: Attack of the Cybermen)
21st century

Roughly in the mid-2000s, Cybermen from the future would use time travel to return to Earth to announce themselves to the public. They hoped to flood Earth, believing that any survivors would willingly undergo cyber-conversion. (DWM: The Flood)

In 2006, Cybermen once more invaded the South Pole of Earth. (NA: Iceberg) In the same year, the Cybermen on Lonsis tried to invade Earth via the portal in the main branch of Hulbert Logistics. Lucie Miller managed to destroy them by using a quantum crystalliser to make the Cybermen and their ship rapidly rust into dust. This would see the last of the original Cybermen. (BFA/BBCR: Human Resources)

In 2011, a group of Cybermen were encountered by the Eleventh Doctor and Craig Owens in Colchester. They were based in a crashed ship which the Doctor claimed had been crashed for "centuries." (DW: Closing Time)

In the middle to late 21st century, Space Station W3 was the site of a takeover by the CyberFaction. (DW: The Wheel in Space)

By 2070, the Cybermen were known about and feared in several galaxies (DWN: Doctor Who and the Cybermen) but were considered extinct by Earth. On this year, by which time the Earth's weather was being controlled by the Gravitron installation in the Moonbase, the CyberFaction planned to use the Gravitron to disrupt the planet's weather patterns and destroy all life on the planet. (DW: The Moonbase) {C Afterwards, possibly after the 21st century, the CyberFaction abandonded their home in the Sol system and journeyed into the galaxy to colonise a suitable planet. (REF: Doctor Who: Cybermen)

Post-21st century

At somepoint, possibly in 2175, the CyberFaction colonised Telos, resulting in the CyberTelosians. (REF: Doctor Who: Cybermen)

The Sixth Doctor encountered Cybermen in 2191. (MA: Killing Ground)

The Cybermen had all but passed into legend when an archaeological expedition to the planet Telos found the CyberTombs, where hordes of Cybermen waited in cryogenic suspension. Earth's Brotherhood of Logicians intended to awaken them, believing the Cybermen would be receptive to their cause. The tomb would be sealed again (DW: The Tomb of the Cybermen) and later re-activated (DW: Attack of the Cybermen).

A CyberNomad group discovered the CyberTelosians and they united, resulting in the new CyberNeomorphs. (REF: Doctor Who: Cybermen)

Cyber-Wars

In 2526 several planets would unite in war against the Cybermen in an event called the Cyber-Wars. A force of Cybermen tried to devastate Earth using a Cyberbomb and convert the survivors. Failing this, they hoped to crash the freighter into Earth and cause an ecological disaster. Although the attempt failed, the freighter was catapulted back in time to become the "meteor" that wiped out the dinosaurs. (DW: Earthshock)

One of the last acts of the Cybermen during this war the attempt to blow up the planet Voga in order to stop the production of glitterguns. (DWN: Revenge of the Cybermen) In the aftermath of their failure, the Cybermen were reduced to scattered remnants, one group relentlessly hounding the remaining fragment of Voga. (DW: Revenge of the Cybermen)

Shortly afterwards, during the Orion War, humans attempted to use salvaged Cyber-Technology from ships that crashed during the Cyber-Wars to defeat the androids. This led to both sides nearly wiped out and the temporary conquest of Earth before the Cybermen resurgence was stopped. (BFA: Sword of Orion, Cyberman)

Later history

On Telos, the Cybermen plotted to change history and divert Halley's Comet to Earth in order to destroy it and to save Mondas. (DW: Attack of the Cybermen) At some point, Telos was shattered by an asteroid impact. (BFA: Telos)

Telos was not the only CyberTomb. There were dozens across the galaxy and more wars were started off. Bernice Summerfield, who spoke of the Telos expedition and other tombs being discovered in the past tense, was sent to one by Irving Braxiatel in the early 27th century. Braxiatel intended to use the Cybermen as a private army but was thwarted. (BFBS: The Crystal of Cantus)

The Master sent The Graak to a CyberTomb populated by CyberNeomorph-CyberMondasians to steal a Cybermat. These Cybermen were either going in- or coming out of the tombs. (VG: Destiny of the Doctors)

Around 2875, The remaining CyberNomads from the Cyber-Wars ship finally caught up to Voga, now in orbit around Jupiter. Thier attempt to destroy it would be defeated and their caraft and themselves detroyed due to the involvement of the Fourth Doctor, Sarah Jane Smith, and Harry Sullivan. (DW: Revenge of the Cybermen)

By 3286, the Cybermen had been thought dead for centuries. The Cybermen eventually developed into cyborgs indistinguishable visually from humans. (BFA: Real Time)

By the 51st century, the Cybermen, organised into Cyber Legions, were a major power in space, possessing at least twelve fleets. They resembled the Cybus Cybermen physically, but their chest logo featured a simple circle instead of the Cybus logo. The Twelfth Cyber Legion was devastated in order to blackmail them into handing intelligence to the Eleventh Doctor during the build-up to the Battle of Demon's Run. (DW: A Good Man Goes to War)

Cybermen from the far future would again use time travel and return back in time circa the 2000s to convert it. They used rain that caused extreme emotions (sadness, fear, anger) in an attempt to convince the peoples of the world emotions were bad in order to accept conversion willingly. The reason they needed humans from a past era was clear to the Doctor; in the future of the Cybermen, the human genetic template had been corrupted and augmented by their interactions with varied alien races; as the Cyber-conversion protocols were keyed to human or Mondasian biology, the number of available converts dropped dramatically.

File:CyberImage39.jpg
A number of Cybermen crowd around a beaten Destrii. (DWM: The Flood)

The Doctor offered to regenerate for them, so they could gather the data of his regeneration and upgrade their conversion protocols to include other races, in exchange for leaving the Earth alone at the moment. While the Cybermen agreed, they betrayed him at the last moment (the Doctor was expecting this anyway). Using the fragment of the Time Vortex the future Cybership was using as a power source, the Doctor destroyed the Cyberfleet and dissolved the rain. (DWM: The Flood)

Final evolution

By the 101st century, the Cybermen had nearly died out. Several centuries before that, they choose a new name for their species and became pacifists. (PDA: Synthespians™) Transcending into pure energy, the Cybermen would ultimately redeem the whole of sentient life and become the most peace loving-species in the whole of creation, becoming purely thought with no biological presence. (DWM: The World Shapers)

Undated events

A Cyberman inside Vorg's Miniscope (DW: Carnival of Monsters)

Other References

  • An image of a Cyberman is one of the fears pulled from the Doctor's mind when he faces the Keller machine. (DW: The Mind of Evil)

Mysteries and discrepancies

File:Voord Cyberman.jpg
The Doctor with one of the Voord Cybermen. (DWM: The World Shapers)

Behind the scenes

Inspiration for the Cybermen

The idea from the Cybermen came from Kit Pedler's interest in new medical advances and his fears as to where they might possibly lead. Earlier conceptions of the Cyberman design would have emphasised the "man" part of the equation, but the proposed design would have cost too much money. Indeed, the televised version of The Tenth Planet featured much more human-like Cybermen, who had human hands.

Prologues to certain Target Books novelisations reflect the earlier ideas about the Cybermen, which state that they perfected the science of cybernetics as a means to gain immortality. The Cybermen were the result: immortal, but at the cost of losing their humanity.

Development of the characters

The second appearance of the Cybermen in The Moonbase (pre-planned by the production team even before The Tenth Planet had aired), re-designed them rather radically, making them appear much more robot-like in appearance. The Cybermen went through another major re-design in The Invasion, yet another in Earthshock, and one in the comic strips in The Flood. Various minor re-designs would take place as well. As the Cybermen stories do not appear in a chronological order, this makes their evolution rather confusing: more 'advanced' Cybermen are around at the same time as more 'primitive' ones and vice versa. This, however can be explained through time travel, though the Cybermen only captured one time ship. (DW: Attack of the Cybermen)

The Brilliant Books

See also