Doctor Who: EVERY Version Of The Cybermen Explained

9. The CyberKing (First Appearance: 2008)

The largest members of the Cyberman family are CyberKings: dreadnought class ships resembling giant Cybermen.

CyberKings are built for front line combat, with each part having a different function. The mouth houses the command centre, while the chest contains a massive Cyber-factory, capable of converting millions.

Meanwhile, the arms provide weaponry – the right arm incorporating a cannon, the left arm incorporating a blaster.

The existence of CyberKings was originally speculated by Mickey Smith, who suggested that one might be inside the Daleks’ Void Ship.

Following this, the Cybermen that escaped to Victorian London constructed a CyberKing from a base under the River Thames, using local workhouse children as slaves.

The resulting unit was possibly more rudimentary and mechanical in design than ordinary CyberKings, appearing to be powered by steam.

As host, the Cybermen chose former workhouse matron Mercy Hartigan, who proved to be more stubborn than expected, resisting the effects of Cyber conversion and retaining her emotions. 

Hartigan hoped to create a new breed of Cybermen in her image, refusing the Tenth Doctor’s offer of salvation.

Only by severing the link between her and the Cybermen was he able to thwart the CyberKing, transporting it into the Void before it could do any more damage.