History Main / CommandingCoolness

* In the ''CommandAndConquer'' games, [[NonEntityGeneral the player]] is referred to as a "Commander" by subordinates and superiors alike. There are exceptions: in the ''[[CommandAndConquerGenerals Generals]]'' incarnations, the player holds the title of "General", while in ''[[CommandAndConquerRedAlert Red Alert]]'''s USSR faction (from Red Alert 2 onwards), the player is a "Comrade-General".

* In the ''CommandAndConquer'' games, [[NonEntityGeneral the player]] is referred to as a "Commander" by subordinates and superiors alike. There are exceptions: in the ''[[CommandAndConquerGenerals Generals]]'' incarnations, the player holds the title of "General", while in ''[[CommandAndConquerRedAlert Red Alert]]'''s USSR faction, the player is a "Comrade-General".

** In VideoGame/MassEffect2, during Tali's loyalty mission, the Quarians refer to Shepard as "Captain". A dialogue option is available to give Shepard's actual rank, but the Quarians (mostly) stick with Captain, as it accurately reflects the cultural role the character is taking by speaking up for Tali.
** The Quarians also point out that as Commanding Officer of the ''Normandy'', Shepard ''is'' TheCaptain in all-but-name.

* The rank of Lord Commander in ''{{Warhammer 40000}}''. None moreso than Lord Commander Dante, Chapter Master of the BloodAngels.

* Commander Shepard, the PlayerCharacter of the MassEffect series.
** In MassEffect2, during Tali's loyalty mission, the Quarians refer to Shepard as "Captain". A dialogue option is available to give Shepard's actual rank, but the Quarians (mostly) stick with Captain, as it accurately reflects the cultural role the character is taking by speaking up for Tali.

In science fiction, commanders usually have their traditional position as executive officer. Some works will have commander as a general staff rank, along with the title or rank (or both) of the supreme leader of military forces. See also ColonelBadass.

* In ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'', [[SmugSnake Zhao]] is initially greeted as Captain Zhao by [[CoolOldGuy Iroh]], but smugly corrects him by pointing out he's been promoted to Commander (presumably promoted; "Captain" usually outranks "Commander" in the Navy, but he was definitely acting like it was a promotion...it's probably because [[RuleOfCool "Commander" sounds cooler]], plus that way there's a close equivalence in Fire Navy and Army ranks, with Lieutenants and Captains in both, Colonels and Generals in the Army, and Commanders and Admirals (of which Zhao becomes one of a few appearances later) in the Navy.

** Either that or 'Force Commander' actually refers to the senior Space Marine officer in charge of a campaign, regardless of how many Chapters are present.

* Commander JamesBond, at your service. Mentioned while he banters with Xenia Onatopp in {{Goldeneye}}.

* Commander William Adama of the ''BattlestarGalactica''. Enough said.

** Many of the villainous alien captains (Romulans, Klingons, Tholians, etc) are given the "Commander" title, presumably to avoid TheGoodCaptain trope while keeping the coolness.

* In ''AvatarTheLastAirbender'', [[SmugSnake Zhao]] is initially greeted as Captain Zhao by [[CoolOldGuy Iroh]], but smugly corrects him by pointing out he's been promoted to Commander (presumably promoted; "Captain" usually outranks "Commander" in the Navy, but he was definitely acting like it was a promotion...it's probably because [[RuleOfCool "Commander" sounds cooler]], plus that way there's a close equivalence in Fire Navy and Army ranks, with Lieutenants and Captains in both, Colonels and Generals in the Army, and Commanders and Admirals (of which Zhao becomes one of a few appearances later) in the Navy.

* Commander Taylor, leader of TerraNova.

* Commander Carter-A259 in HaloReach, who holds the naval rank of Commander.

* The rank of Lord Commander in ''{{Warhammer 40000}}''. None moreso than Lord Commander Dante, Chapter Master of the Blood Angels.

* The rank of Lord Commander in ''{{Warhammer 40000}}''.