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Vader, the Joker, Han Solo make top 10 on list of greatest movie characters

And they all beat out James Bond! How do the rankings line up with your film favorites?

Michael Franco
Freelancer Michael Franco writes about the serious and silly sides of science and technology for CNET and other pixel and paper pubs. He's kept his fingers on the keyboard while owning a B&B in Amish country, managing an eco-resort in the Caribbean, sweating in Singapore, and rehydrating (with beer, of course) in Prague. E-mail Michael.
Michael Franco
2 min read

We're not so sure how this guy is going to feel about being in the number two spot. Screenshot by Claudia Cruz/CNET

Empire, a British magazine that covers the world of film, has recently come out with its list of the top 100 movie characters of all time, and CNET readers will be happy to know that some of their favorites made it into the top 10.

Even though Tyler Durden from the film "Fight Club" punched his way to the No. 1. spot, Darth Vader was hot on his heels in the No. 2 position (and I'd totally put my money on the Dark Lord in a pugilistic showdown, wouldn't you?).

"Darth Vader is, to every child of 'Star Wars,' the supreme badass in the galaxy," says the Empire review of Mr. Number Two (no doubt trying to protect themselves from Vader's wrath when he gets the news about losing the top spot). "He is everything that scares you as a child, cutting a huge, imposing figure, wearing doom-laden black, and breathing through some kind of ominous respirator -- surely enough to give any person in their formative years the willies."

Harrison Ford did quite well too, with his Han Solo blasting to the fourth spot and his Indiana Jones whipping into slot No. 6.

Other notable geektastic winners of the poll conducted by Empire readers include Heath Ledger's Joker in the third position, and Sigourney Weaver's Ellen Ripley from "Alien," who made her appearance at No. 9 -- the highest spot claimed by a woman in the survey.

They all come in just ahead of James Bond at position 11 -- which seems like it would be some kind of treason seeing as Empire is a British magazine. (Sorry Mr. Bond, at least you were two positions above Golem).

At the very bottom of the list in the 100th position is Mel Gibson's Martin Riggs from the "Lethal Weapon" movies. And don't feel bad that you were beaten by a machine in the No. 99 spot Mel -- Hal-9000 from "2001: A Space Odyssey" really was just a little bit cooler.

Have a look at the whole list here and tell us if you agree or disagree with the rankings in the comments below.