Worldly character in science fiction (8)
I believe the answer is:
earthman
'worldly character' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'science fiction' is the wordplay.
'science' becomes 'earth science' (earth science is a kind of science).
'fiction' becomes 'man' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'earth'+'man'='EARTHMAN'
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for earthman that I've seen is " Human (sci-fi)".)