Top 10 Lawyers in 80's & 90's Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Comics

In the 1980's and 1990's, lawyers and judges appeared in all sorts of legal dramas but the most creative portrayals came from this golden era of science-fiction, fantasy, and comics.  Here, the lawyers came in the form of aliens, robots, and superhumans or dealt with otherworldly issues.  In addition to different takes on the justice system, some of these lawyers and judges showed us a glimpse of evolved or exagerrated legal systems where summary executions or terrorist corporations are the norm.  So, without further ado, here are Mechalawyer’s Top 10 Lawyers of the 80's and 90's - as portrayed in Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Comics.

10. Ghostbusters II (1989) "The Hammer" Judge Stephen Wexler

In Ghostbusters II, the Ghostbusters are put on trial and defended by their accountant, Louis Tully, who reveals that he is also a night-school attorney.  Tully is terrible and coached extensively by Dr. Venkman.  Tully tells the Ghostbusters that the Judge, Stephen Wexler, is known as "The Hammer" and throughout the trial, Judge Wexler shows his contempt for Tully's lack of competence and Venkman's lack of seriousness through the trial.

Later, during sentencing, Judge Wexler hammers his gavel and his rage is so powerful that it unknowingly re-animates the electrocuted Scolari brothers from the exhibit of ecto-ooze in the courtroom.  The Hammer then has no choice but to release the Ghostbusters who proceed to use their proton packs to light up the ghosts and the courtroom.

9. Magic the Gathering (1993) "Demonic Attorney", Dragon Magazine issue 215's (1995) AD&D Ravenloft Masque of the Red Death "Lawyer" character kit, and Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (1986) "Judicial Champion" and "Lawyer" Advanced Careers.

So here we have a trio of fantasy lawyers from the 1980's and 1990's.  First is the Demonic Attorney from Magic the Gathering.  He argues in quite a hellacious setting with an equally demonic judge in a fire & brimstone courtroom.  It was fascinating to think that even in hell, you probably needed a good lawyer.

Next is a RPG example in the form of the "Lawyer" kit from AD&D's Ravenloft.  Another interesting take on lawyers as the Lawyer character could gain a charisma bonus in oratory encounters where they passed a proficiency check but could also be viewed as insincere if they failed their proficiency check.   I loved the description for Role-Playing: "Lawyers tend to be methodical, careful people.  They pay constant attention to the words and actions of others, while guarding their own to avoid giving away any secrets.  Whenever possible, they take the time to formulate a plan and make sure that nothing is left to chance."

Finally, from 1986's Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, we have a contrast of two legal careers for two very different legal systems on the same page.  First, is the "Judicial Champion", whose purpose is that "[i]n some parts of the Old World, trial by combat is still recognized as a legitimate legal procedure.  In such trials, the accused is pitted against a Judicial Champion."  The Judicial Champion's "legal" skills include seven different weapon categories from "Fencing Sword" and "Net" to "Flail" and "Two-handed Weapon".  Quite a deadly collection of “legal procedure” skills.

The more civilized "Lawyer[s]”, on the other hand, are "professionals, occupy a fairly high station in life and are generally respected" with skills such as "Etiquette", "Law", and "Public Speaking."  Unlike the extensive list of weapons of the Judicial Champion, the Lawyer's Trappings include the "Lawyer's Wig and Gown" and "10D6 Gold Crowns" as more refined and lucrative possessions.  The description does a nice job of explaining some of the motivations and differences in lawyers by stating "Their most prized possession is their reputation - their own reputations as Lawyers, and the reputation of their home town and its legal system.  It is this reputation, above everything else, that ensures the Lawyer a steady stream of clients and a steady stream of fees, and many Lawyers will be extremely wary of taking on a case which they are not sure they can win.  Some junior Lawyers, however, may be willing to take the risk of fighting an unusual case or one which is likely to excite public interest, for winning such a case will increase their reputaion and standing." Even back in the Old World of Warhammer, lawyers had to balance the risk versus reward of difficult cases. 

8. Batman Forever (1995) Harvey Dent (Two-Face) 

DC Comics most well-known lawyer must be former district attorney Harvey Dent from Gotham.  As we all know, Dent later becomes one of Batman's greatest villains in the form of Two-Face.  Although Batman (1989) brought us Billy Dee Williams as the character, it wasn't until Batman Forever (1995) where Tommy Lee Jones brought us the complete - and very over-the-top - Harvey Dent/Two-Face.

7. She-Hulk (1980 comic series) Jennifer Walters

Not to be outdone by DC, Marvel Comics also had its own superpowered lawyers.  Marvel's She-Hulk aka Jennifer Walters, even argued the Mutant Registration Act before the United States Supreme Court in Solo Avengers #14 (1986).  She even had to take a short recess during oral argument to pound Titania into the concrete!   

6. Daredevil (1964 comic series) and in The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989 tv movie) Matt Murdock of Nelson and Murdock

The original Daredevil comic dates back to the 60’s as well as Daredevil’s law firm of Nelson and Murdock (with Daredevil’s secret identity of blind lawyer Matt Murdock).  It wasn’t until the 1980’s, however, when we got one of the greatest crossovers in the Marvel 80’s universe when Matt Murdock is assigned as the attorney to David Banner aka the Incredible Hulk!  Lawyers all have stories of difficult clients but prepping the Hulk to deliver calm testimony has to be up there.

5. G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1983-1986 tv series) Tomax and Xamot of Extensive Enterprises

So in the world of lawyers, many lawyers fall into the two broad categories of litigators or transactionals.  The litigators are the ones you see arguing at hearings or trials or taking depositions.  The transactionals, on the other hand, don't go to court but instead handle M & As or real estate deals or other contract-based work or negotiations.  This is also sometimes referred to as corporate law or business law.  Tomax and Xamot are in this second category.  As transactionals, Tomax and Xamot have set up a corporate empire in the form of a company called Extensive Enterprises which they use as cover for the illegal activities of COBRA, a ruthless terrorist organization.

Instead of the courtroom, most of Tomax and Xamot’s legal work takes place in the Extensive Enterprises skyscraper.  In the Extensive Enterprises building, these COBRA attorneys have a grand executive suite with dual executive desks from which they conduct their latest schemes for world domination.

Even their military Filecard includes “corporate law” amongst their skills followed by this description: "Now they command legions.  But their legions wear three-piece suits and fight their battles in executive board-rooms.  These then are the most fearsome of the COBRA adversaries.  They don't fight with steel and claw, backed with muscle and honest sweat . . . They chase you with paper, wound you with your own laws and kill you with the money you loaned them."  Awesome. 

4. Judge Dredd (1985 film and 1983 comic) Judges Dredd, Hershey, and Briscoe

In the dystopian and post-apocalyptic future that was often portrayed in the 1980's and 1990's (see Blade Runner, Escape from New York, Mad Max, etc.), the world of 2000 A.D. offered its extreme legal system in the form of Street Judges who enforce the law in the chaotic Mega-Cities.

Joined by rookie Street Judges Briscoe and Hershey, Judge Dredd leads this patrol of expedited judgment and execution against the dregs of the Mega-cities.  As police, judge, jury, and executioner all in one, these Street Judges were the ultimate form of immediate judgment.

3. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) Klingon Judge, Colonel Worf, and General Chang

In the 23rd century, even the Klingons use an adversarial justice system to convict accused criminals.  In Star Trek VI, Kirk and McCoy are falsely accused of murdering the Klingon supreme chancellor Gorkon who was on a mission to broker peace between the Klingon Empire and the Federation.  As would-be presidential assassins, the trial of Kirk and McCoy becomes the trial of the galaxy as it is broadcast in real-time with full translation for viewers such as the Federation President and the crew of the Enterprise.

The Klingon Judge presided over the trial with a literal iron fist.  Instead of a measly wooden gavel, the Klingon judge hammered away with a metal sphere and gauntlet gavel that sparked as it struck.

Even in the Klingon legal system, accused alien presidential assassins are still entitled to vigorous representation and defense.  Defense counsel Colonel Worf  presented alternative theories and even had his objections to his opposing counsel’s theatrics sustained.  

Despite Colonel Worf's objections and indignation, he was outmatched by the cunning narrative presented by prosecutor General Chang.  Chang does a masterful job of confronting Kirk with "Don't wait for the translation, answer me now!"  Chang’s fiery cross-examination and subsequent verdict are even more impressive given that the actual assassin was General Chang himself!

2. Aliens (1986) Paul Van Leuwen and the Interstellar Commerce Commission hearing 

In Aliens, warrant officer Ripley awakens from a 57-year stasis, only to have to explain why she self-destructed the Weyland-Yutani corporation’s $42 million dollar vessel.  Ripley’s hearing is held before Chairman Paul Van Leuwen of the Interstellar Commerce Commission.  The hearing does not go well as the skeptical Van Leuwen finds no evidence of the alien creature Ripley described.

After Ripley’s outburst where she grabs and throws the documents in front of her, Van Leuwen calmly closes him pen and reads his findings: “It is the finding of this court of inquiry that warrant officer E. Ripley NOC14472 has acted with questionable judgment and is unfit to hold an I.C.C. license as a commercial flight officer.  Said license is hereby suspended indefinitely.  Now, no criminal charges will be filed against you at this time, and you are released on your own recognizance for a six month period of psychometric probation to include monthly review by an I.C.C. psychiatric technician.  These proceedings are closed.”

After the hearing, Ripley stops Van Leuwen and asks him to just check the planet in question.  She is stunned when Van Leuwen says he does not need to because there are already 60 or 70 families living there in what they call a “shake n’ bake” colony.  He then exits with a "do you mind?" to have Ripley move out of his way.

1. The Transformers: The Movie (1986) Quintessons 

In The Transformers: The Movie, we were introduced not only to a race of alien robotic lawyers and judges but also to their twisted form of justice through not one, but three full - albeit very short - trials!  With the five-faced Quintesson Judge and the six-tentacled Quintesson Prosecutor, these rulers of Quintessa tried and executed prisoners with a Sharkticon pit on hand for summary execution.  

In the trials, the format is simple, yet savage.  As the bound prisoners stand on a plank over the ravenous Sharkticons circling in the tank below, the Quintesson Prosecutor turns to the Quintesson judge and asks “Has the imperial magistrate reached a verdict?”  To which the Quintesson judge responds “I have.”  “Guilty or innocent?” inquires the Quintesson Prosecutor to which the Quintesson Judge replies “Innocent.”  

Just when you think the prisoner will then go free, the Quintesson Prosecutor then turns to the bailiff and announces “Feed him to the Sharkticons!” at which point the plank drops and the prisoner is dropped to his doom.  The Quintesson Judge immediately responds with gleeful laughter from all five of his faces.  Expedient and brutal.