Avon (Paul Darrow) was always my favourite character from the Liberator (and later Scorpio) crew. When I first watched the series, I'd have said he was my favourite overall, nowadays (and twenty years later), Travis I has taken that place in my fan psyche. However, talk to anyone who remembers Blake's 7 (and who is not necessarily an "active" fan), and almost without fail they mention Avon!

Why do so many people like Avon ? There is no one easy answer here, and I certainly don't want to try and speak for anyone else. I can give my own reasons, and maybe you will agree with some of them, doubtless you will have different reasons of your own! I liked Avon for his wicked smile (especially when he had outwitted or outmaneuvred someone), his cutting logic, the wonderful repartee with Vila, and the way he would stand up and disagree with Blake (he wouldn't necessarily "win", but it made for some wonderful scenes). There are many (myself included) who also find Avon attractive, and discussion of this and various costumes often crops up on the Blake's 7 mailing lists!

The character of Kerr Avon (to give him his full name) is introduced in the second episode, "Space Fall". Blake meets Avon on the prison ship "London", as they are despatched to the penal colony Cygnus Alpha. Avon agrees (reluctantly) to help Blake and the others take over the ship. At this point, Avon has just been convicted after almost pulling off a massive computer fraud, and is established very early on as a computer expert, capable of reprogramming and "hacking" into systems.

Avon appears to have a strong dislike of trusting others, and a well-developed sense of self-preservation. He would have dearly loved to have cut and run right at the beginning, as evidenced in Cygnus Alpha, where he and Jenna discover the treasures aboard the Liberator. Avon's pursuit of wealth, so rudely interrupted when he was caught embezzling the Federation banking system, has a chance of success here, but he is already bound to the others whether he likes it or not.

Episode : "Aftermath" (C1)

A very fetching outfit, the shirt has slightly baggy sleeves which drape nicely. Makes a change from just seeing the outer jackets and tops. A similar black shirt can be seen near the beginning of Voice from the Past, but is rapidly covered up by a grey leather jerkin. Boo.

Episode : "Terminal" (C13)

Flamboyant (for Avon) leather outfit, comprising a black leather jacket with silver details and plenty of large metal studs; a fairly plain black leather (?) tunic top underneath, and black trousers. Very spiffing pair of highly-studded gloves too. This outfit made many appearances in season four. All leather, all of the time (phew).

Episode : "Deliverance" (A12)
Also seen in "Orac" (A13) and "Star One" (B13).

Avon always looked wonderful in silver or white, especially offset with a black top underneath. He also wore white/silver outfits in "Shadow" (B2) (now with added white planet outfit!).

Episode : "Shadow" (B2)
Tunic also seen in "Horizon" (B4) and "Gambit" (B11), and "Children of Auron" (C7).

Again with a black polo-neck top underneath, offsetting the silver nicely. This outfit is also known as "Silver Alpha". Black and/or white/silver seem to be the most successful colours used for Avon's costumes, I always preferred him in these rather than some of the drab colours chosen in other episodes. I now also have a picture of the white outfit worn on the planet (hurrah). These white ensembles were worn by Blake, Avon, and Jenna, and had a loose tunic top, belted, with matching white trousers. All three looked absolutely great in them.

Episode : "Warlord" (D12)

Both Avon and Soolin wore these outfits, ordinarily a greyish overall wouldn't make it into a favourite costumes list, but the two-tone design of these, along with the pale, shiny epaulettes and collar worked very well. I also think he suits v-neck collars, or in this case a slightly unbuttoned flightsuit (ahem).

Episode : "Weapon" (B3)
Also seen in "Pressure Point" (B5), "Countdown" (B9), and "Dawn of the Gods" (C4).

Last but not least, no gallery of Avon's costumes would be complete without the famous "Lobster Suit". I can take or leave the padded top, however the very snug red leather trousers are most flattering!