Doctor Who: EVERY Version Of The Cybermen Explained

In some cases Cybermen squads answer to a more senior Cyberman, the most common example being a Cyber Leader.

This was true for many types of Cybermen, including the original Mondasian variants, whose leader, Krail, was indistinguishable from his comrades.

Beginning with the creatures’ attack on Nerva Beacon during the Cyber-Wars, Cyber Leaders were distinguished by black handlebars (and, in some cases, ‘ear muffs’).

Leaders were subsequently encountered by the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Doctors, all assisted by Cyber Lieutenants, who didn’t look any different to a regular Cybermen.

Cyber Leaders also operated during the Battle of Canary Wharf. By this point it was possible for a standard Cyberman to be upgraded to Leader when the previous Leader died (though quite how their handlebars changed from silver to black isn’t clear).

The Cyber Leader encountered by the Tenth Doctor in Victorian London had a more embellished helmet, with additional black detailing and an uncovered brain (a feature previously reserved for a more senior rank).

The same was true of the Leader who headed up the Twelfth Cyber Legion, as encountered by Rory Williams – but not the one that was part of the Pandorica Alliance, who simply had the standard black handlebars.