Kilowog | |
---|---|
![]() Kilowog, as depicted in Green Lantern Corps: Recharge #3 (December 2005). Art by Patrick Gleason | |
Publication information | |
Publisher | DC Comics |
First appearance | Green Lantern Corps #201 (June 1986) |
Created by | Steve Englehart Joe Staton |
In-story information | |
Full name | Kilowog |
Species | Bolovaxian |
Place of origin | Bolovax Vik |
Team affiliations | Green Lantern Corps Rocket Red Brigade Justice League Justice League Europe |
Partnerships | Hal Jordan Guy Gardner John Stewart Kyle Rayner Razer |
Notable aliases | Dark Lantern |
Abilities | Use of power ring grants:
Bolovaxianite physiology:
|
Kilowog is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character is a member of the Green Lantern Corps. [1]
The character appeared in the 2011 Green Lantern film, voiced by Michael Clarke Duncan.
Kilowog first appears in Green Lantern Corps #201 and was created by Steve Englehart and Joe Staton. [2]
A towering alien with a brutish cross of porcine and bull-doggish appearance, Kilowog is renowned throughout the Green Lantern Corps as the primary trainer of the Corps' newest recruits. [3] The Guardians of the Universe recruited Kilowog, a gifted genetic scientist, from the planet Bolovax Vik, located in Space Sector 674. Kilowog was trained by Lantern Ermey (reference to Gunnery Sergeant R. Lee Ermey), who would often use the word "poozer", which means "useless rookie" (a word Kilowog would later adopt, albeit in a friendlier way). In the middle of a particularly arduous training session, Ermey had Kilowog and his fellow rookies help stop an attack on a group of Lanterns, one of whom was the future renegade Sinestro. Ermey, fatally wounded in battle, commended Kilowog on his abilities, telling him that he had the makings of a great leader. [4] In addition to serving with distinction as the Green Lantern of that sector, Kilowog also began to spend extensive periods of time on the Green Lantern Corps' home planet of Oa instructing new recruits on how to handle and best utilize their power rings. In this capacity, Kilowog acted as the first trainer to a young Hal Jordan, the ring-recruited successor to the slain Abin Sur of Ungara, the Green Lantern of Space Sector 2814. Kilowog and his new recruit helped the Guardians confront Abin Sur's murderer, the hive mind interstellar malefactor known as Legion.
During the Crisis on Infinite Earths (referred to as a "great crisis"), Bolovax Vik was destroyed. This was a powerful blow to the giant Green Lantern, as his race lived a highly communal lifestyle, and to be alone was one of the worst things imaginable. Owing somehow to this genetic similarity to and affinity for each other that all Bolovax Vikians possessed, Kilowog was able to rescue the entire population of his homeworld (billions of beings) by storing their collective life essences within his ring upon that world's annihilation.
The Crisis saw the immortal Guardians ethically divided (a faction of six Guardians broke away from the majority, deciding to follow the example of their estranged brethren the Controllers and create their own Green Lanterns to directly combat the Anti-Monitor, but five of them were killed shortly after they chose their first and only recruit, Guy Gardner of Earth) and their ranks depleted for the first time in millions of years (only 22 of the 36 Guardians survived). The Corps as well suffered hundreds of casualties. The Guardians then decided to end their direct leadership of the Corps, and left for another dimension with their former mates, the Zamarons.
Before leaving, the Guardians informed the remaining Green Lanterns that the Corps was now theirs to administer; they were no longer bound by their former assignment to one particular Space Sector and could deploy themselves as they saw fit. Adrift following the destruction of his Sector and the end of his role training new Green Lanterns for the Guardians, Kilowog relocated to Earth with his former pupil Jordan and the group of Green Lanterns that had decided to make their base there. They ultimately became the Green Lantern Corps of Earth. While his appearance at first frightened most humans, Kilowog briefly became a celebrity following his defeat of the villain Black Hand on live television in a battle over Anaheim Stadium. [5]
This goodwill was soon squandered, though, when he was approached by a KGB agent and invited to live in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, as the society of Bolovax Vik was somewhat similar to a communist system. During his time in the USSR, Kilowog was instrumental in the creation of the Soviet Union's first super-powered force, the Rocket Red Brigade. [6] Kilowog ultimately became disenchanted with the U.S.S.R. and the flawed communist nations of Earth.
While adventuring with the Green Lantern Corps of Earth, Kilowog found a world in Space Sector 872 which would make a suitable "Bolovax Vik II". Moved to action, he tapped into his ring and reconstituted the entire population of his world, some 16 billion beings. No sooner had he done this, though, than the world was obliterated by the renegade Green Lantern Sinestro, and all 16 billion Bolovax Vikians were permanently killed. The trauma of this drove Kilowog temporarily insane, but he was helped back to his senses by fellow Green Lantern Arisia, to whom he confessed his love. He was also supported by other Green Lanterns, who made an effort to be near him, as they knew Kilowog's race enjoyed being in crowds.
Shortly after this adventure, the Corps was finally and completely destroyed when they voted as a body to execute the captured Sinestro for crimes against the universe; this set in motion a chain of events that led to the dissolution of almost all power rings. Around this time, Kilowog is allowed to be one of the honor guard at Superman's funeral. [7]
When the Corps began to expand again, Kilowog returned to Oa to train the new generation of Green Lanterns. During the Emerald Twilight arc, numerous Green Lanterns were sent to stop the supposedly insane Hal Jordan. The very last Green Lantern to oppose Jordan was Kilowog himself, on Oa. He attempted to prevent his old pupil from entering and absorbing the power of the Great Battery itself, which destroyed the Corps. Kilowog was disintegrated with a blast by Jordan's ring, leaving nothing but a seared skull and ashes, and a shaken but undeterred Jordan stole the energies of the Great Battery. The remaining guardians sacrificed themselves by merging their life forces into the final green lantern ring. The only Guardian left to bestow the ring was Ganthet. [8]
The enigmatic being known as Dark Lantern seemed strangely familiar to those closely acquainted with the legacy of the Green Lantern Corps when he first made his presence known on Earth.
He was created by some of the remaining Green Lanterns who had lost their rings when Hal Jordan went mad. Based on Xudar, they called themselves the "Brotherhood of the Cold Flame". Boodikka was one of their number. They tapped into arcane forces and based on the unusual nature of the Bolovax Vik afterlife[ citation needed ], they converted the soul of Kilowog into the Dark Lantern to send him after Jordan.
When Jordan became the Spectre, he convinced his old friend Tom Kalmaku to help correct his sins against the Green Lantern Corps. Kalmaku used Hal's old power ring to rebuild Oa and the Great Battery as shown in Green Lantern Legacy: The Last Will and Testament of Hal Jordan. This allowed the vengeful spirit of Kilowog to rest. Soon after this, though, his spirit was recalled to life by Kyle Rayner and Ganthet. [9]
After the reformation of the Corps, Kilowog retakes the role of Green Lantern drill sergeant, training new recruits under the Guardians of the Universe. In the Infinite Crisis storyline, Kilowog, along with Kyle Rayner, played a key role in the Rann–Thanagar War and its aftermath.
In Superman/Batman #30 (2007) Kilowog is deeply affected by a force that has turned most of the superpowered aliens allied with Earth hostile against all humans. He, or the force controlling him, attempts to violently sway Superman into hating all humans, but a confused Man of Steel does not fall for it. It is later revealed that Kilowog and other alien heroes are being affected by Despero and an alien armada. The threat is swiftly neutralized by Superman and Batman.
Once again, in Green Lantern Corps (vol. 2) #11 (2007) Kilowog is pushed, apparently from a Despotellis-infected Mogo, into a xenophobic hate against the Guardians and the Corps, acting with imagery of his dead people. Kilowog fell victim to the deception.
During the Sinestro Corps War , Kilowog was on the front line during the battle of Mogo. When the conflict moved to Earth, Kilowog battled his Sinestro Corps counterpart, Arkillo. Kilowog defeated the villain and removed his ring. After the war's climax, Kilowog was seen on Mogo, eating dinner with energy constructs of his family members.
During the 2009 "Blackest Night" storyline, Oa is invaded by a swarm of black power rings, that turn all the deceased Lanterns in the Oan crypt into Black Lanterns, who promptly attack the living Lanterns. [10] Kilowog is attacked by the reanimated Ermey, who berates him for not preventing his death, and for saving the life of Sinestro, citing the deaths Sinestro had caused as being Kilowog's fault. He also torments Kilowog over the death of the current class of Green Lantern rookies, whom Ermey himself has just slain. [11] Gaining the upper hand, Ermey attempts to rip out Kilowog's heart, but is interrupted by the announcement that Black Lanterns' rings have reached one hundred percent power. Subsequently, the Black Lanterns are given new instructions: to devour the Central Power Battery. Ermey departs for his new objective, joined by the rookie Lanterns he had just killed. Kilowog then joins his fellow Green Lanterns in their attempt to protect the Central Power Battery. [12]
In 2011 storyline "War of the Green Lanterns", Kilowog and Arissa accompany Guy Gardner on a mission to the 'unexplored sectors'. The three defeat a powerful telepath. They also avenge the death of several Lanterns, a concept Kilowog is becoming increasingly unable to process. [13]
When Krona launches his attack on the Green Lantern Corps by infecting the power battery with Parallax, Kilowog is the only alien Lantern not to fall under Krona's influence due to his past experience with the entity. [14] However, Krona quickly deduces the reasons for his greater resistance, forcibly placing a new ring on Kilowog's finger to bring him under his control. [15]
Following the war, Kilowog briefly attempts to resign from the Corps after the Guardians discharge Hal Jordan and allow Sinestro to at least provisionally remain a Lantern, but is convinced to rethink his decision by Salaak due to the obvious upheaval the Corps will have to undergo in future due to the destruction of Mogo. Kilowog instead retires from his duties as a drill instructor, which is taken over by the robotic GL 'Stel'. [16] [17]
In 2011 DC Comics cancelled its entirely line of monthly comics, and restarted it with 52 new titles, featuring a rebooted continuity, an endeavor called the New 52. In this new continuity, Kilowog is back to being drill instructor of the Green Lantern Corps, and is part of the team that breaks John Stewart out of prison when the Alpha Lanterns sentence him to death. [18] He and Salaak have also uncovered the Guardians' plans regarding the Third Army. [19] Later when the Guardians attempt to lure their Green Lantern members to Oa under a fake inoculation treatment for the Third Army so they would be assimilated into it, Kilowog by then had secretly contacted trusted members within the corps and assembled them into a small army to face the Guardians. By having the now powerless Guy Gardner serve as a distraction, Kilowog used the opportunity to seize control of the Central Power Battery and not only freed the Lantern members the Guardians immobilized, but also ended the communication blackout allowing him to warn the approaching members of the Guardians deceit. [20]
Kilowog stays with the Lanterns through the destruction and overthrow of the Guardians. He accepts the leadership of Hal Jordan. Despite knowing use of the lantern power endangers the universe, Kilowog volunteers to fight back when the actions of the 'New Gods' endangers all ring wielders. [21]
![]() | This article needs to be updated.(May 2021) |
As a Green Lantern, Kilowog possesses the same power ring and power battery used by all GLs. The Great Power Battery, located on Oa, is the repository for billions of years' worth of willpower in energy form. This energy has been harnessed and focused by the Guardians and is tapped by each GL's power battery. This in turns feeds it to their individual power rings. By applying willpower and concentration, the ring is literally able to accomplish anything of which the wielder can conceive, and is therefore as limited or limitless in abilities as the wielder. In Kilowog's case, he has shown an affinity for creating astoundingly complex machinery using the ring. In terms of combat, Kilowog tends to eschew the "giant boxing glove" fighting style of Hal Jordan and mainly uses his ring to fly and to absorb any enemy's attacks long enough for him to get close enough to batter them into unconsciousness.[ citation needed ]
According to the 2005 miniseries Green Lantern: Rebirth, Kilowog's ring is the only one that Hal Jordan knows of that makes a sound when being used. [22]
In addition to his power ring, Kilowog possesses the natural super strength and durability of his species, as well as a powerful intellect that surpasses many of his fellow corpsmen. Under mind control, Kilowog even manages to combine all of these abilities to easily hold his own against Superman.[ citation needed ]
Kilwog appeared in various Elseworlds tales: including JLA: The Nail , [23] its sequel, [24] Batman: In Darkest Knight , [25] and Superman: Last Son of Earth . [26]
In the alternate timeline of the Flashpoint event, Kilowog is killed by Nekron. [27]
In an alternate future where the Earth is controlled by Nazi supermen, Kilowog is one of the thousands of Green Lanterns to participate in a rescue mission. All who participate are slain. [28]
In an alternate universe ruled by evil versions of the 'Planetary' heroes, Kilowog's corpse is one of many Green Lanterns on display in the Planetary headquarters. [29]
In the alternate universe of Earth One , Kilowog is a scientist living on Bolovax Vik, one of the few independent planets left in explored space, at the fringes of the Manhunter's sphere of influence. He is the latest in a long line of self-proclaimed Green Lanterns and protectors of Bolovax, he wears a homemade uniform and carries a power ring and battery passed down through the centuries following the destruction of the Corps. When Hal Jordan crashlands on Bolovax, Kilowog treats his wounds and gives him some basic lessons in the history of the Green Lanterns and the use of his power ring. The Homeguard, the military of Bolovax, attempt to arrest and destroy Jordan for fear that he will bring the Manhunters to their world, but the point is rendered moot when the Manhunters attack anyway. The two pseudo-Lanterns are unable to beat the Manhunter invasion force, and Jordan escapes with an unconscious Kilowog, and the two of them decide to seek out the few remaining ring bearers in the galaxy to help fight off the assault on Bolovax. After multiple failed attempts, the two are separated when Jordan is captured by a Manhunter slave ship and taken to Oa. Kilowog is the first to respond to Jordan's distress call, and joins him in nominating Arisia for leader of the new Green Lantern Corps. After the Central Power Battery is liberated, Kilowog and Jordan successfully fight of the stragglers of the Manhunter force on Bolovax.
The Green Lantern Corps is a fictional intergalactic law enforcement agency and superhero team appearing in comics published by DC Comics. They patrol the farthest reaches of the DC Universe at the behest of the Guardians, a race of immortals residing on the planet Oa. According to DC continuity, the Green Lantern Corps have been in existence for three billion years. Currently operating amongst the 3600 "sectors" of the universe, there are 7204 members. Each Green Lantern is given a power ring, a weapon granting the use of incredible abilities that are directed by the wearer's own willpower.
The Guardians of the Universe are a race of extraterrestrial superhero characters appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with Green Lantern. They first appeared in Green Lantern #1, and were created by John Broome and Gil Kane. The Guardians of the Universe have been adapted to a number of films, television programs, and video games.
Guy Gardner, one of the characters known as Green Lantern, is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, usually in association with the Green Lantern Corps, of which he is a member. For a time in the late 1980s and early 1990s, he was also a significant member of the Justice League. Gardner's original design is based on actor Martin Milner.
Thaal Sinestro is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, particularly those featuring Green Lantern. Created by John Broome and Gil Kane, Sinestro is a former Green Lantern Corps member who was dishonorably discharged for abusing his power. He is the archnemesis of Hal Jordan and founder of the Sinestro Corps.
The Manhunters are a fictional race of extraterrestrial robots that appear in titles published by DC Comics.
Harold"Hal"Jordan, one of the characters known as Green Lantern, is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created in 1959 by writer John Broome and artist Gil Kane, and first appeared in Showcase #22. Hal Jordan is a reinvention of the previous Green Lantern, who appeared in 1940s comic books as the character Alan Scott.
Parallax is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, primarily as an enemy of the Green Lantern Corps. It is the embodiment of the emotion of fear, and serves as the power source for the Sinestro Corps.
Salaak is a fictional comic book superhero, an extraterrestrial from the planet Slyggia, and a member of the intergalactic police force known as the Green Lantern Corps, who appears in DC Comics. Physically, he has pinkish orange skin and four arms.
Katma Tui is a comic book superhero, an extraterrestrial from the planet Korugar, and a member of the intergalactic police force known as the Green Lantern Corps. She is the Green Lantern successor of the supervillain Sinestro and the predecessor of Sinestro's daughter, Soranik Natu.
John Stewart, one of the characters known as Green Lantern, is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams, and first appeared in Green Lantern #87. Stewart's original design was based on actor Sidney Poitier and was the first African-American superhero to appear in DC Comics.
"Emerald Twilight" is a 1994 comic book story told in Green Lantern #48–50, written by Ron Marz, drawn by Darryl Banks and published by DC Comics. The story introduced a new Green Lantern, Kyle Rayner, who gained a significant fan following.
Arisia Rrab is a superheroine appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, usually those featuring the Green Lantern Corps, an intergalactic police force of which she is a member. Arisia is a humanoid alien with golden-yellow skin, hair and eyes, and has pointed, elven ears.
Boodikka is a character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, and a member of the Green Lantern Corps. Her name is a play on the ancient British warrior-queen Boudica.
The Sinestro Corps, occasionally known as the Yellow Lantern Corps, is a supervillainous group and analog to the Green Lantern Corps in the DC Universe. They are led by Sinestro, and derive power from the emotional electromagnetic spectrum of fear.
The many incarnations of the DC Comics superhero Green Lantern have appeared in numerous media over the years.
"Blackest Night" is a 2009–10 American comic book crossover storyline published by DC Comics, consisting of an eponymous central miniseries, written by Geoff Johns and penciled by Ivan Reis, along with a number of tie-in issues. Blackest Night involves Nekron, a personified force of death who reanimates deceased superheroes and seeks to eliminate all life and emotion from the universe. Geoff Johns has identified the series' central theme as emotion. The crossover was published for eight months as a limited series and in both the Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps comic titles. Various other limited series and tie-ins, including an audio drama from Darker Projects, were published.
Green Lantern: First Flight is a 2009 American animated superhero film based on the DC Comics Green Lantern mythology. Centering on the first mission of Hal Jordan, the first human inducted into the Green Lantern Corps, the film was written by veteran DC Comics animation collaborator Alan Burnett, produced by Bruce Timm and directed by Lauren Montgomery. The fifth film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies released by Warner Premiere and Warner Bros. Animation, the film was released on home media on July 28, 2009, and made its US broadcast premiere on Cartoon Network on January 16, 2010.
Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters is an action video game, the first based on DC Comics' Green Lantern. The game is a tie-in/sequel to the film Green Lantern, which opened in theaters on June 17, 2011. The game features 3D visuals on the Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, providing TriOviz Inficolor 3D for standard televisions and stereoscopic 3D for dedicated 3DTVs.
Green Lantern: Earth One is a series of original graphic novels published by DC Comics as part of the Earth One line. The series is written by Gabriel Hardman and Corinna Bechko, with art by Hardman. Volume One of the series was released on March 20, 2018, while Volume Two was released on August 11, 2020.