In my defence, you must admit that Kilowog is sort of the guy who tries too hard to be liked. Every subsequent retcon of the character has been designed to make him just a little more like what the average fan would call “cool”. I mean, he started as this tragic figure who Hal, John, and the rest had never heard of before. Then, because Hal is the man when it comes to GLs, Kilowog was retconned to be Hal’s trainer. Then, when the JLI became popular, his personality was completely altered and he was made Guy’s best buddy – even though in the pages of GLC they pretty much hated each other. As I said, I always react negatively when think I’m being told who I should like rather than being shown who is likeable.

God, I’m a pain in the …

What I can defend is my “artificial promotion / continuity implant” comment. I mean, Kilowog was supposedly the primary trainer of new recruits to the Green Lantern Corps, including Hal Jordan, and he wasn’t even mentioned until 1986? He was stationed on Oa for years but we never caught a glimpse of him on any of Hal’s many trips to see his little blue bosses? We saw all sorts of GLs all the time but we never saw the incredibly important Kilowog? Now, if a writer wants to introduce an important “new” Green Lantern and tell us he’s always been just as important, fine. But don’t make him the trainer of Hal Jordan. We know Hal Jordan. He’s mentioned a lot of GLs. Kilowog’s name never came up. Do writers create these “incredibly important characters from the past that we’ve never heard of” all the time? Sure. And I almost always hate ‘em!

And, I must say, I don’t really see the Ben Grimm comparison. Ben has slowly evolved over time from an angry man consumed by bitterness over his “condition”, to a wonderfully noble character who is one of the few really good people populating the Marvel Universe. Not without backsliding, mind you, and a whole slew of heart-wrenching ‘almost cures’. In short, Ben Grimm has earned my devotion – well, as much as a fictional character can.

Kilowog was introduced and shoved down my throat. “Look, he’s a really big, pink guy who says “Poozer” all the time! Fun, right?!?!? But, despite his appearance and speech pattern, he’s really smart! Clever twist, huh?!?!? And he trained Hal Jordan! Come on, you like Hal! And Hal likes Kilowog! And every other GL who has never actually mentioned him before, holds Kilowog in the highest regard! So, love him!”

Uh … no ….

Kilowog is perhaps my least favorite “artificial promotion / continuity implant” character of all time.

Shocked, I tells you.

Two-Face is the best Bat-Villain ever.

I can certainly understand Two-Face and Gordon getting a #1 vote, but Red Tornado is a surprise. I guess it’s a matter of being 12 at just the right time.