Dr. Kilroy

Dr. Kilroy (or Professor Kilroy), also known as various other names including Dr. Charles Lightning, Professor Articus, and Professor Titus, is a Minifigure from the Adventurers theme introduced in 1998.
== Description ==
In most of his appearances, Dr. Kilroy wears a white buttoned shirt, a red bowtie, suspenders, and dark green pants; this is his consistent outfit in the Egypt, Jungle, Dino Island, and China subthemes. He always wears a white pith helmet. His face is printed with large glasses and white muttonchops. Unlike Johnny Thunder, Pippin Reed, and Lord Sam Sinister, his face print remains unchanged in the Orient Expedition subtheme.
In India, Dr. Kilroy wears a green vest over his usual white shirt; his pants retain their usual green color in 7418 Scorpion Palace, but are changed to white in 7411 Tygurah's Roar. In Mt. Everest, he wears a dark grey jacket, earth orange gloves, and black pants.
When portrayed as a human in the Time Cruisers comic, Prof. Articus is initially depicted with a mustache and a full beard. His later appearance as Professor Titus has muttonchops more in line with the minifigure's printing, although his pith helmet is changed to tan.
== Name ==
As with all other Adventurers Egypt characters, Dr. Kilroy has used a variety of names in different regions, and has even changed names multiple times over the years.Sam Sinister Switcheroo: The History of LEGO Adventurers Names
In Denmark, the character was originally named Professor Kilroy (abbreviated as Prof. Kilroy), as seen in 1998-2000 Danish catalogs.LEGO Katalog 1998 Catalog2000 Denmark catalog - Page 62 In international English media, such as interactive puzzle books The Curse of the Mummy and The Lost Temple,Curse of the Mummy (Lego Story Puzzles): 9781862087002: Amazon.com: BooksThe Lost Temple - An Interactive Puzzle Book - Page 2 LEGO Adventures! Magazine,LEGO Adventures! Magazine Issue 3 June 1999 - Pages 2 and 4 The Ultimate LEGO Book, 5774 LEGO Island 2: The Brickster's Revenge, and 5784 Soccer Mania, he is also known as Doctor Kilroy (abbreviated as Dr. Kilroy). This name is directly translated in Japan as キルロイ博士1280 キルロイ博士のマイクロコプターBrickLink - Gear Gstk037: Lego Sticker Sheet, Adventurers Sheet of 11 (4324846) [Sticker Sheet:Adventurers:Dino Island - BrickLink Reference Catalog] and in Russia as Доктор Килрой.Homemade Magazine 9/2000 - Page 15Homemade Magazine 7/2001 - Page 18 It is also used throughout LEGO.com, including the LEGO Shop, the Dinosaurs website,Ask Dr. Kilroy the Minifig Handbook, The Restless Mummy, and The Lost Treasure of Ancient Greece. "Professor Kilroy" is alternatively used in some sources, such as UK,UK 2000 catalog - Page 57 Polish,Polish 2000 catalog - Page 57 and GermanGerman 2000 catalog - Page 57 catalogs in 2000 and the Game Boy Color version of 5730 LEGO Island 2: The Brickster's Revenge; this is also reflected by the alternative Russian translation Профессор Килрой.Homemade Magazine 4/2001 - Page 19
In North America, the character was originally named Dr. Charles Lightning in LEGO Mania Magazine January/February 1998.LEGO Mania Magazine January/February 1998 - Page 2 This name is retained in later issues of LEGO Mania Magazine for subsequent subthemes.LEGO Mania Magazine January-February 1999 - Page 2LEGO Mania Magazine September-October 2000 - Page 2 In 1998-2000 Shop At Home catalogs, he is simply referred to as Dr. Lightning.Shop At Home Spring 1998 - Page 2Shop At Home January 1999 - Page 2
In the 1998 United Kingdom catalog and in Bricks 'n' Pieces March/April 1998, he is simply called The Professor most of the time.1998 UK catalog, page 2Bricks 'n' Pieces March/April 1998 - Pages 2-3 The latter also refers to him as Dr. Charles Kilroy in the comic, despite otherwise changing the North American names from its LEGO Mania Magazine counterpart.Bricks 'n' Pieces March/April 1998 - Page 9
In Germany, the character was originally named Professor Articus (abbreviated as Prof. Articus) in LEGO World Club Magazine March/April 1998LEGO World Club Magazine March/April 1998 - Page 4 as well as in the audio drama Die Jagd nach dem Pharaonenschatz Susanne Schindler-Günther ‎– Die Jagd Nach Dem Pharaonenschatz (1998, Cassette) | Discogs and in the Time Cruisers comic's coverage of the Egypt subtheme.LEGO World Club Magazine March/April 1998 - Page 12
A Swedish print ad names this character Professor Påläst.
In French Canadian Shop At Home catalogs, the name "Dr. Lightning" is translated as Dr. Éclair.Shop At Home Winter 1999 - Pages 8-9
When the Time Cruisers comic covered the Dino Island subtheme in 2000, he is called Professor Titus in both the EnglishWorld Club Magazine Number 2 2000 - Page 16 and GermanWorld Club Magazine Number 3 2000 (German) - Page 13 translations. This is an odd exception at the time; not only does it contradict the comic's earlier use of Prof. Articus, but also most other sources during the Dino Island theme either retained Dr. Charles Lightning or Dr. Kilroy as his name.
Beginning in 2000 with the Dino Island subtheme, the name "Dr. Kilroy" would see the greatest international use, replacing region-specific names such as Professor Articus in Germany and eventually replacing Dr. Charles Lightning in North America as well in 2001. Finally, it was cemented as his definitive name across all Orient Expedition media. Although its spelling is largely consistent, it is alternatively spelled Dr. Killroy on My LEGO Network.
== Background ==
Professor Kilroy is a famous archaeologist and an expert on everything from ancient cultures to dinosaurs. Despite his age, Dr. Kilroy is willing to follow any adventure, no matter how dangerous or where it may lead. His intellect solves as many riddles as Johnny Thunder's bravery and physical strength. He is a brilliant scientist with extensive knowledge of artifacts and archaeology, but he is a little absent-minded and forgetful.
Dr. Kilroy is Johnny Thunder's uncle and taught him everything he knows. By extension, Dr. Kilroy would be the uncle-in-law of Ameila and a relative of Josh Thunder. In the Time Cruisers comic, Prof. Articus is revealed to be the brother of Prof. Cyber; therefore, this would also make him related to Tim Timebuster. In 5542644 Die Jagd nach dem Pharaonenschatz, Professor Articus has a pet Indian cobra named Kleopatra.
In the interactive puzzle books, Dr. Kilroy works at the National Museum along with his friend Alex Botnik. However, according to the Orient Expedition audio drama Die Suche nach dem Goldenen Drachen, he works in the London Museum and is a former colleague of Dr. Giovanni.German LEGO Adventurers Audio Dramas
On LEGO.com, both the Dinosaurs and Orient Expedition websites have pages for fans to submit questions to Dr. Kilroy. In the latter, his consistent wardrobe is discussed; he explains that he always wears a pith helmet to keep his head warm and protect him from rocks knocked about by Johnny,LEGO.com Orient Expedition - Ask Kilroy Archive and he wears the same clothes every day because it is difficult to do laundry in the Himalayas.LEGO.com Orient Expedition - Ask Kilroy
Dr. Kilroy theorized about a primitive "missing link" between bricks and minifigures. After LEGO City scientists discovered proto-minifigures from 1975, Dr. Kilroy proposed that they communicated by hopping and occasionally falling over. When questioned further about the "proto-fig" and its lack of facial features, Dr. Kilroy ran away while exclaiming that his baby T. rex was hungry.LEGO.com LEGO Club : News & Extras - LEGO® News Extra: Prehistoric Minifigure Discovered!
=== Time Cruisers ===
Prof. Articus has been searching for the portal to the dimension Armeron, although he is too old to make the journey himself. Articus and Miss Lovely find the Pharaoh's Forbidden Ruins but are confronted by Mr. Hates and Sly Boots. After Pharaoh Ramses forces the villains to flee, Articus requests that the mummy open the portal to Armeron, and Tim Timebuster goes in his stead.
The character later appears in the comic as Professor Titus, a time-traveling adventurer who has gone back in time to study a dinosaur egg. Tim's arrival in this timeline allows Titus to take an egg from the nest of a distracted T-Rex. He panics when Ingo starts playing with the egg, which is snatched by a Pteranodon. After retrieving the egg, Johnny Thunder and Professor Titus watch as a Baby Tyrannosaurus Rex hatches.
=== LEGO Racers ===
Dr. Lightning makes a cameo in LEGO Racers. In Circuit 2 and Circuit 5, Dr. Lightning and Johnny Thunder can be seen flying the Expedition Balloon over the Amazon Adventure Alley race course.
=== LEGO Island 2 ===
In the PC and PS1 versions of LEGO Island 2: The Brickster's Revenge, Dr. Kilroy appears as a major character on Adventurers' Island. In the game, he also speaks with a slight stutter and an English accent. It is revealed that Dr. Kilroy is a friend of the Infomaniac, and he eagerly helps their mutual friend Pepper Roni. He owns a Desert Speedster, which he loans to Pepper in order to reach the oasis. He is prone to heat exposure from being in the desert, requiring the adventurers to take the cooler Sea Plane so he can recover. In the jungle, Dr. Kilroy is able to speak with a T-Rex, learning that Mr. Hates has captured the dinosaurs.
In the Game Boy Color version, Prof. Kilroy has a much smaller role. He appears in the desert of Adventurers' Island, where he excitedly talks about his new magnifying glass. He is also depicted in a collectible trading card.
In the Game Boy Advance version, Dr. Kilroy only appears as a collectible trading card.
=== Soccer Mania ===
In 5784 Soccer Mania, Dr. Kilroy is the goalie for the Adventurer Explorers team. After the player beats the Adventurer Explorers in the story mode, he can be added to their custom team; this marks his only playable appearance in a video game. His stats (out of a maximum of 272) are 240 speed, 128 shooting, 128 passing, 128 tackling, and 240 goalkeeping.Soccer Mania ALL Character Stats (Official Numbers) - Game Discussion - Rock Raiders United
In the Game Boy Advance version, Dr. Kilroy is the basic player on the Adventure team, who is gradually replaced by the star player Johnny Thunder as The Quest mode continues.
=== My LEGO Network ===
Dr. Killroy is a Rank 6 Networker on My LEGO Network. He is friends with Bur O Crat, Digger, and Jen Juniper, and can be friended by users who are at least Rank 4. He works with Digger and the Dino Team to excavate the Jeweled Triceratops, which is the Masterpiece required to achieve Rank 5. He often travels with Jen Juniper on his expeditions and, in his free time, he helps her in her greenhouse.
== LEGO Description ==
== Gallery of Variants ==
== Appearances ==
* 1280 Microcopter
* 5904 Adventurers Mini Copter
* 2879 Desert Expedition
* 2995 Adventurers Car
* 5909 Treasure Raiders
* 5913 Dr. Kilroy's Car
* 5934 Track Master
* 5948 Desert Expedition
* 5956 Expedition Balloon
* 5958 Mummy's Tomb
* 5975 T-Rex Transport
* 5976 River Expedition
* 5978 Sphinx Secret Surprise
* 5987 Dino Research Compound
* 5988 Pharaoh's Forbidden Ruins
* 7411 Tygurah's Roar
* 7415 Aero Nomad
* 7418 Scorpion Palace
* 7419 Dragon Fortress
* 7423 Mountain Sleigh
* 9377 Adventurers combined set
=== Audio Drama Appearances ===
* 5542644 Die Jagd nach dem Pharaonenschatz
* 4215473 Die Suche nach dem Goldenen Drachen
=== Book Appearances ===
* The Curse of the Mummy - An Interactive Puzzle Book
* The Lost Temple - An Interactive Puzzle Book
=== Comic Appearances ===
* Time Cruisers
=== LEGOLAND Appearances ===
* Dino Safari
* Johnny Thunder and the Pharaoh's Crown
* Laser Raiders
* Lost Kingdom Adventure
=== Online Game Appearances ===
* The Great Dino Quest
* The Restless Mummy
* The Lost Treasure of Ancient Greece
* The Great Mountain Chase
* The Quest For The Golden Dragon
* My LEGO Network
=== Video Game Appearances ===
* LEGO Racers 
* 5730 LEGO Island 2: The Brickster's Revenge 
* 5774 LEGO Island 2: The Brickster's Revenge 
* 5775 LEGO Island 2: The Brickster's Revenge 
* 5777 LEGO Island 2: The Brickster's Revenge 
* 5784 Soccer Mania
* 5785 Soccer Mania
* 5786 Soccer Mania
== Behind the Scenes ==
Just as Johnny Thunder is inspired by Indiana Jones, Dr. Kilroy is likely inspired by Professor Henry Jones Sr. from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Both characters are professors who are older relatives of the main hero (Johnny Thunder's uncle and Indiana Jones's father, respectively) and help them on their adventures.
The front cover of the preliminary design document for the unreleased LEGO Adventurers video game depicts a minifigure with Dr. Kilroy's clothing and the Infomaniac's face. The document lists a character named Professor Fitz Bricksworthy, which is presumably intended to be Dr. Kilroy.LEGO DIG: Inhouse Preliminary Design : Mindscape : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
A document describing the storyline of the Dino Island subtheme includes a character profile goes into greater detail than what is described in official publications, including Dr. Kilroy's Cambridge education and Pippin Read being one of his students.LEGO Dino Island: Brief Description
The LEGO Island 2 Design Document Revision Number 1.01 describes Dr. Kilroy abstaining from the cut Tribal Celebrations sub-game, and specifies that he was able to communicate to the T-Rex using "an ancient language".LEGO® Island 2: Design Document - Revision 1.01
In the January 12, 2001 LEGO Media Adventurers Island Character Document for LEGO Island 3 (which would later become 14556 Island Xtreme Stunts), Dr. Kilroy is listed as one of the characters in the Valley.LEGO® Island 3: Adventurers Island Character DocumentHowever, he does not appear in any capacity in Island Xtreme Stunts.
== Notes ==
* Dr. Kilroy's original North American name, Dr. Lightning, is part of the trend of naming the Adventurers heroes after stormy weather. This trend continues with Pharaoh's Quest, including Dr. Kilroy's spiritual successor Professor Archibald Hale.
* Dr. Kilroy is used frequently in LEGOLAND Windsor promotions, such as for the Minifigure Badges. There is a model of him outside the Dino Safari ride in Adventure Land.
* In 5542644 Die Jagd nach dem Pharaonenschatz, Professor Articus is voiced by Günther Lüdke. In 5774 LEGO Island 2: The Brickster's Revenge, Dr. Kilroy is voiced by Carl Kingston, who also voices Mr. Hates, Cedric The Bull, Red Greenbase, and Technician Bob in the same game.LEGO Island 2: Cast List
* The Curator in 10326 Natural History Museum is based upon Dr. Kilroy, especially his appearance in 7415 Aero Nomad and 7423 Mountain Sleigh.LEGO Icons Natural History Museum | Designer Video However, it is unclear whether the Curator is canonically Kilroy himself or merely an homage since this is never explicitly confirmed; LEGO Designer Chris McVeigh describes the Curator as looking "a little familiar"Hands-On with the NEW LEGO Modular Museum of Natural History! and the instruction booklet says that fans of a 1990s LEGO theme may recognize the Curator.
== Gallery ==
Lego mania magazine jan feb 1998 adventurers bios.jpg|Bio in the January-February 1998 LEGO Mania Magazine
Articuslovely2.png|Prof. Articus in Time Cruisers
Killroy LR1.png|Dr. Lightning's cameo in LEGO Racers
Thundertitus1.png|Professor Titus in Time Cruisers
drk1.png|Dr. Kilroy in LEGO Island 2
LSM Kilroy.jpg|Dr. Kilroy in Soccer Mania
OE dr kilroy.png|Dr Kilroy's bio on the Orient Expedition website
Dinokilroy.jpg|Dr. Kilroy model in Adventure Land
Johnny Thunder and the Pharaoh's Crown.jpg|Dr. Kilroy in Johnny Thunder and the Pharaoh's Crown
== References ==
Category:Minifigures introduced in 1998
Category:Adventurers Egypt Minifigures
Category:Adventurers Jungle Minifigures
Category:LEGO Island Minifigures
Category:Adventurers Minifigures
Category:Adventurers Dino Island Minifigures
Category:Orient Expedition minifigures