5. Albus Dumbledore ('Harry Potter' series)
The wise, old and comforting headmaster of Hogwarts, who like every adult in 'Harry Potter', hides dark secrets and a tragic past. Dumbledore is both revered and treated with suspicion in the magical community - a famous wizard who's good at his job, but as a person is shrouded in mystery. What are his real intentions? His motives? What does this wise centurion mentor know? Unlike a lot of old wizard mentors in other fantasy series - such as Gandalf and that f%&!*ing manipulative arsehole from the 'Dark is Rising' books - Dumbledore is never mean, never loses patience, and he never explodes into anger - he's too clever to show fear or any weakness to his enemies (as you can probably tell, I'm referring to the Dumbledore from the books, not the films; and I prefer Richard Harris's portrayal over Michael Gambon's). Dumbledore helps Harry in any way he can, even when it looks like he's abandoned him, or is using him as a means to an end. He's a cool, wise old wizard, with a wicked sense of honour and humour. Unlike Severus Snape, he deals with life's hardships through kindness and understanding, so that no one else should have to suffer as he did. He is the grandfather Harry never had: Showing him it's okay to be human, to never give up on love in the face of utter tragedy, never give in to greed and selfishness, lest one should turn out like Voldemort. Plus, it's canon that Albus Dumbledore is homosexual. What positive representation! A complicated yet simple and lovable wizard and teacher, Dumbledore also (unwittingly) has an army of youngsters who believe in him. So watch out, every generation!
4. Arnold Rimmer ('Red Dwarf')
One of the greatest sitcom characters ever written, and one of the funniest in sci-fi comedies. Lister comes close, but I'd always thought Rimmer to be the most interesting character. He is such a loser, but is enough of a selfish, cowardly, weaselly prat (a right smeghead!) that you don't pity him. He can't really blame his abusive childhood for the way he is - he needs to get better on his own, no excuses. Rimmer is bitter and friendless, for understandable reasons, and his smugness and self-delusions about his skills - believing his ambition to be an officer was unfairly taken from him - make him all the more entertaining to watch. Other characters know too well how insufferable he can be, so that helps. And in the rare moments when Rimmer manages to shine and show what he is capable of without his insecurities getting in the way, it is a wonderful treat to behold. Another thing to take into account about him is that, for the majority of 'Red Dwarf', he is dead. A hologram, alone with the last man in the universe, Lister, and an evolved life form, the Cat. Which gives the audience more reason to pity him, and an excuse for him to be a bigger smeghead. You just can't take you eyes off Rimmer when he is onscreen, and can't help but laugh at every one of his absurd, brilliantly-written lines of dialogue. I guess you also can't resist admiring his tenacity - despite all his failures, and his current situation and state of being, he never gives up his dreams, even when they're absolutely fruitless. It shows how valuable he is to the show when he leaves for one season, and the quality suffered immediately. Arnold Rimmer - smug, self-centered, deluded, cynical, bitter, cowardly, but a fantastic laugh. Things on 'Red Dwarf' would indeed be so much grimmer without Rimmer!
3. Han Solo ('Star Wars')
The original space rogue, and no other has been able to replicate his success since. Characters like Captain Mal Reynolds from 'Firefly' and Captain Jack Harkness from 'Doctor Who' and 'Torchwood' obviously owe their inspiration from Han Solo. But they are nowhere near as charming, likable or well-written as him. Han is even more likable than Captain James T. Kirk! Han isn't a captain - he isn't anyone important in-universe, just a thief and a scavenger - but he has the charisma and common sense of one. He's a cynic who acts like he is too good to do good, that he can be nothing more than an outlaw and a rogue who plays by his own rules. But he proves he does have a good heart time and again. He holds no infuriating double standards - everyone from women to aliens is equal to him. Han's romance with Princess Leia steams with some of the best chemistry ever put to celluloid. Leia isn't just a princess to him, in spite of his banter and insults. He knows she is not a weak woman needing a man to take charge of a rebellion: He recognises her as a general and capable leader, and that is ultimately why he falls in love with her. He respects her choices - as shown in 'The Return of the Jedi' when he thinks Leia has feelings for Luke, and he's okay with that, for it's how she feels and he won't treat her like his property. He loves her that much. Han Solo is cool and rugged and did I mention charming? A lot of his charm does come from Harrison Ford's semi-improvised performance. What else need I say? It's Han Solo - bad and good to the bone.
2. Atticus Finch ('To Kill a Mockingbird')
An adult man who sets an example to us all: About how humanity can do better, always. He isn't a Jesus figure or a king in any sense. Atticus is a poor widower, a single father, and a lawyer in a morally-backward and racially-bigoted small town in the American Deep South in the 1950s. He doesn't back down from anything; not from taking the case of a black man accused of raping a white woman. He knows the man is innocent and will go out of his way to prove it, no matter what anyone around him thinks. Atticus knows he needs to set a positive example to his two motherless children, Jem and Scout, and will persevere in his convictions to do what is simply right. He believes in brains over brawn, and compassion, in order to make the world a better place for his children. Changing the society and culture of a small town is one step towards equality growing in other areas. Atticus Finch is a saint, and imperfectly human enough to be believable as a role model to everyone. He's everyone's dad, or he should be, and it's an injustice that he's only fictional. I do NOT want to get into how his character is written and bastardized in the "sequel", 'Go Set a Watchman' - taking into account the shady business of its publication and that author Harper Lee never wanted it to see the light of day in the first place, I don't consider it canon. Let's never taint the impact Atticus Finch has had both in fiction and in real life. He's an icon; an important one. He's whom we should set the standard for true equality, even if he leans towards the White Saviour trope. When he fails, he doesn't fall. Atticus will keep on going, since the fight for equality is long and arduous. It's dangerous, and he's all-too aware of it, but this warm, kind, loving father will risk anything for a brighter future for his kids.
And my number 1 favourite male character of all time is:
1. Edmund Blackadder ('Blackadder' series)
A sitcom character who's lasted throughout history. Blackadder is essentially the biggest bastard in the world - selfish, arrogant, greedy, and possessing no empathy whatsoever. Yet he is the most entertaining and oddly relatable bastard ever created from one time period to another. It's hard to explain why. It has to do with how he is the smartest and most cunning (cunning plans are his strategy!) out of everyone else around him, who are mad and stupid and he is sick of being stuck with them. He's a straight man - the only sane one - evoking sympathy and pathos when he deserves none. Blackadder, in his first appearance, was very different to how he is known now - a sniveling pathetic coward whom the future Blackadder incarnations would mock. Now he is every cynic's dream! Similar to a live-action version of Daffy Duck. And who knows, maybe if he did get his way and was given a chance to succeed, he might turn out to be a better person in a not-so-stupid, progressive world. Rowan Atkinson is so talented an actor and comedian, he gives an irresistible warmth and charm to Blackadder's wonderfully devious creation. Edmund Blackadder is proof that through the perfect actor and ingenious comedy writing, even the most detestable character can be so likable and endearing you sort of wish he'd succeed in his selfish schemes, continuously foiled by no fault of his own. One of the funniest leads ever put to film or television, I never get tired of watching Blackadder.
That's that, another list done! Stay tuned for more to come.
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