Cybershades were a beast-like variant of Cybermen which served Mercy Hartigan and the humanoid-type Cybermen.

Biology and appearance[]

Cybershades had bronze Cyber-heads. Like their Cyberman superiors, they had piping like handlebars connected to their heads, except they angled diagonally like the ears of an animal. (TV: The Next Doctor ^[+]Russell T Davies, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2008 (BBC One, 2008).)

The Cybershades had the brains of cats or dogs and were unable to speak or obey complex commands, but could vocalise electronic snarls and growls. (WC: Monster File: Cybermen ^[+]Error: Code 2 - no data stored in variables, cache or SMW.) They seemed unable to run upright. They were only seen to run on all fours or bent over low.

The Cybershades were incredibly agile and could jump at least five metres off of the ground. They had enough strength to pull two grown men whilst still running at full speed and could scale walls and land safely when falling from great heights. A specific Cybershade designated 'Cybershade Sixteen' leapt onto the edge of a building, scaled the wall whilst tethered to both the Tenth Doctor and Jackson Lake, ran across the floor of the building on all fours (still dragging the two men), before jumping out of the window and seeming to land safely. (TV: The Next Doctor ^[+]Russell T Davies, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2008 (BBC One, 2008).)

History[]

The Cybermen first developed the Cybershades as the outcome of a wider research project, part of "their quest to achieve a state of ultimate efficiency". This led them to "experiment with various hybridization processes, fusing their technology with elements of wildlife" until they created the Cybershades, a species "capable of adapting to their environment with ruthless efficiency". (GAME: Worlds Apart ^[+]Doctor Who card games (Reality+, 2021).)

A fraction of the Cybusmen army trapped in the Void after the Battle of Canary Wharf in 2007 escaped into London some time in the 19th century. Needing extra workers, they created the Cybershades as guards and scouts, with at least sixteen Cybershades being created. When the Cybermen made contact with Miss Hartigan, the Cybershades were placed under her command. One was assigned to drive her buggy. At least one Cybershade was being hunted by Jackson Lake, but it always evaded him, even when Jackson was assisted by the Tenth Doctor.

When Miss Hartigan took control of the Cybermen as the CyberKing and entered a large, mobile Cyber-factory, at least two Cybershades accompanied her. When the Doctor gave her back her emotions, the Cybershades exploded along with her and the Cybermen. (TV: The Next Doctor ^[+]Russell T Davies, Doctor Who Christmas Special 2008 (BBC One, 2008).)

Behind the scenes[]

• The Mondasian Cybermen used a similar source to create the Cybermats, though instead of a humanoid body with an animal brain, they were insect-like bodies with animal brains.
• Cybershades were first revealed in Russell T. Davies: The Writer's Tale, where it was confirmed that they would appear in The Next Doctor.
• Only one Cybershade, Cybershade 16, was specifically referenced in the story.