Pop culture is full of pirates: those dashing hunks and feisty maidens who sail the seven seas, hunt treasure, and break the hearts of landlubbers everywhere. However, not all pirates pillage Earth. Some swashbuckle amongst the stars.
Here’s a list of a few lesser-known space pirates you might want to consider when planning your next interstellar vacation.
Brak from Space Ghost
This animated super villain and space pirate might not be terribly fearsome in his current animated glory, but rest assured; he’s been aiming for cosmic domination since 1966. While he might have turned into more of a talk show host and less of an evil corsair, Brak is not a space pirate you want to mess with.
Han Solo from Star Wars
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Han Solo is a wildly popular character, but he is often overlooked in more pedestrian pirate roundups. Han Solo flies a ship he won in a dodgy game of chance, and is basically a space outlaw. He’s not just any space pirate; he’s the ultimate space pirate.
The Orions from Star Trek
These scurvy aliens almost killed Spock when they hijacked a shipment of medicine. You know you’re villainous when you threaten everyone’s favorite Vulcan. If you’re out and about in the galaxy, avoid these thieving alien bastards.
Auto from WALL-E
Auto is a robot, a mutineer, and a total jerk. Triple threat. After all, what’s more piratelike than to declare mutiny on your own captain while simultaneously tasering some adorable robots? Auto is worse than Captain Hook.
Captain Shakespeare from Stardust
Everyone knows cross-dressing pirates are to be feared most.
The Doctor from Doctor Who
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Yep, another well known character, but a pirate nonetheless. He stole his ship, a hallmark of any good pirate, and basically wanders around time and space doing whatever he wants.
Starbuck from Battlestar Galactica
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Kara Thrace has all the qualities of a space pirate and then some. She’s got moxie. She’s an unmatched pilot. Boy howdy, does she hate authority. Plus, Starbuck does some serious damage with that stolen Cylon Raider.
Saffron from Firefly
Not only is Saffron a well-endowed con artist and Mal’s not-so-lovely wife, but, yep, she’s a pirate. Also, technically, Reavers and the entire crew of the Serenity could probably be counted as space pirates.