Let's Glorify Guy some More

So by now, we all know that originally, Guy was created as Hal's alternate, and then during his coma, placed upon a shelf for a few years, although Hal showed up every so often to say hello. It wasn't until the original Crisis on Infinite Earths storyline came around, that Steve Englehart decided to bring Guy out of his coma, completely change his personality by playing off of his original brain damage and use Guy as practically a villain that he really became...interesting.

So...so very very interesting.



For one thing, that is one outstanding superhero outfit. It's not typical for one thing, no underwear on the outside, no cape. It's not even that typical of the standard Green Lantern costume, which he did wear, albeit briefly. It's more like a uniform than anything else, with the military-style stripe down the pant legs, the boots that are REAL boots, and the jacket with the collar. Frankly I love it, it is distinctive and unique, while still being immediately recognizable as a Green Lantern and it suits him to a T.



Secondly, there is that attitude. No one can smirk quite like Guy Gardner, nor defeat AND totally humiliate his opponent at the same time. He may be rude, he may be crude, obnoxious, loud, intemperate, lewd and brain-damaged, but by God, he's efficient...at least when it comes to hitting or blowing things up. I admire efficiency




Thirdly, Guy is completely and totally unafraid. Of anything. To the point of lunacy.



And he can certainly take a punch.

Frankly, I think that Batman got lucky here. Guy had taken OFF his ring, and although an athlete, Guy certainly wasn't at Batman's level as a fighter. Plus there was that whole childish/brain-damaged thing going on there. At this point Guy just didn't have a whole lot of experience either. Which is why Bats was smart to take him out quickly.



He's also...funny.

Think about it. Booster and Beetle are funny too, but it wouldn't have been NEARLY as amusing in the old JLI without Guy. Let's face it, Guy wasn't afraid to take a pratfall, and while he was often the butt of the joke, he occasionally managed to perpetrate any number of them on his own. Guy was funny as an out-of-control Manchild, as a sweet and prim, bonked-on-the head character, as a yellow-ringed lunatic, as Warrior, and as he is today, he always has the best lines in the dialogue.

And finally...



Guy is HOT!

In an unconventional sort of way, but that just adds to his appeal, in my book. Sure, Hal and Kyle are pretty, Alan is distinguished, and John is handsome. Guy is...quirky. He's got big ears, and he used to have that ridiculous haircut, and his nose isn't classical, and he's got a long jawline and a big chin, but he does have purty purty eyes, and dammit, he's distinctive! There are plenty of other red-headed characters out there, but you never mistake Wally or Roy or Ralph for Guy.

He's Guy Gardner, and he's proud of it.