Sci-Fi heroes and villains are a dime a dozen, but some are so beloved that they have fan-based groups and conventions to discuss them. These photos show the “best of the best” heroes.

Cameron tops the list, as the beautiful cyborg guardian of Sarah and her son John Connor, in the television series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. A Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television, was given to Summer Glau for her portrayal of the less-than-human machine.

Speaking of machines, the top ranking car, with an almost-human computer module as its driving force, is the black Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, that Sci-Fi aficionados know and love as the original KITT—the super car from Knight Rider.

Buck Rogers is a popular classic Sci-Fi hero that introduced space exploration to the masses, beginning in 1928.

Buck’s world-saving adventures were found in most forms of media, including novels, comic books, movies, radio, television and even video games.

Britain’s BBC introduced Doctor Who, with the alien “Doctor”and his spaceship TARDIS in 1963. Dr. Who has been designated by The Guinness Book of World records to be the longest running Sci-Fi series to ever grace television screens.

Flash Gordon, is the futuristic space savior who defended the universe like Buck Rogers, and also like Buck, has been immortalized in novels, comics, movies and television.

Logical Captain Jean-Luc Picard, commander of the USS Enterprise, is the second most loved Star Trek hero. He brilliantly ordered the warp jump, known as the Picard Maneuver, which allowed them to destroy the Ferengi.

And of course the most prestigious and well-loved hero of all time, in my opinion, is Captain Kirk from the original Star Trek series. He also must be duly noted or Trekkies everywhere might come searching for me. Even the town of Riverside, Iowa, the future birthplace of Captain Kirk , has a plaque to prove that he is their chosen “son.”

What do these beloved heroes have in common? They are saviors of their individual universes, loved ones or the warped world—and we love them for it.