Some years ago in a Marvel Comics poll, a certain "bright green ghost with big eyes, no legs who excretes a lot of ectoplasmic slime," ranked as America's second favorite ghost. While Casper, "the friendly ghost" placed first, Slimer is and will always remain my favorite ghost. My fascination with the silver screen hero originated from my first viewing of "The Real Ghostbusters" cartoon in sixth grade.

Slimer's history is as amazing as the ghost itself. The original role of Dr. Peter Venkman in the movie "The Ghostbusters," was slated for John Belushi, but he died soon after he agreed to it. Bill Murray later stepped in and made the role famous.

The movie's director, Ivan Reitman, however, felt that something was missing with Belushi's absence. Reitman told his art staff to draw a ghost that resembled Belushi and they came up with the sketch of Slimer minus color. Reitman then tried many colors for Slimer - blue, red, orange, etc., but they were contrary to his liking. Finally, Reitman decided to use green because "green fully captured the character of Belushi." He said Slimer's creation was a tribute to our "Animal House" hero.

The classic scene where Slimer slimes Murray in a hotel corridor made Slimer a big hit in America and across the globe. Everyone remembers the hot dog-eating, wine-drinking green ghost in addition to the gigantic Stay-Puff Marshmallow Man and the rest of the goofy Ghostbusters crew. Reitman later decided to produce a TV animated series called "The Real Ghostbusters" that immortalized these memorable movie characters. Reitman also volunteered as Slimer's voice for the cartoon.

In fact, the Slimer in the cartoon is more children-friendly than the one in the film. My friend Brian Glanz says, "Of course everyone loves Slimer. He's so cute!" Slimer's silly antics out-shone the Ghostbusters in the cartoon. Children cared more for Slimer than for the four Ghostbusters. Slimer turned out to be one of the most successful cartoon characters as shown in several TV magazine polls. As a result, the TV studio decided to re-launch the cartoon, making Slimer the lead character and delegating the Ghostbusters as supporting personnages. The series was retitled "Slimer & The Real Ghostbusters" and became an immense success.

Throughout the past decade marketing executives have recognized Slimer's potential by affixing his likeness on candies, stuffed dolls, toothpaste, alarm clocks, wristwatches, stickers and silk-screened glasses. My brother and I have fallen victim to the hysteria by collecting these numerous Slimer-centered products. Moreover, Slimer extended his national fame in the early 90s when supermarket drink aisles were hit with Hi-C Ecto-Cooler beverages. Comic book companies even held annual Slimer drawing competitions awarding kids who drew the cutest Slimer. Even now, there are numerous Slimer items up for auction on the eBay website. Internet users can even surf the net for the many pages exclusively devoted to the greenest ghost of all time!

Even if Casper is the friendliest ghost, Slimer must be the happiest. What I like about Slimer is his brutal honesty and straight-forwardness. He gorges himself on food without worrying about embarrassing himself. He sticks up for himself by using his great temper. When he is wrongly accused, he pleads innocence by diligently proving he has done nothing wrong. And although he is at times criticized by Dr. Venkman, he shows no remorse by admitting his faults. I've always cherished this unique philosophy of life and have adopted it as my personal moral compass.

Moreover, Slimer's gospel of happiness reminds me of how he brought me delight and fun in my relatively short childhood. I will always remember the long-lasting effects that this ghost has on me. I will also look forward to watching the re-runs of the breathtaking Ghostbusters cartoon and its mascot.

E-mail me at henry@henrychung.net