Helmut Kohl

Helmut Kohl is a German politician, and was Chancellor of Germany from 1982 to 1998. He appeared in the Club Nintendo comic "Donkey Kong in: Banana Day 24". Although he is never given a name in the comic, his appearance and some of his traits and statements heavily imply that he is a caricature of the actual politician.

In the story, he is seen in the White House together with the President of the United States. They have come together to discuss the problem of suddenly dropped temperatures all over the world. Both of them know that this phenomenon is caused by a giant UFO that is pulling the Earth away from the sun, but they cannot bring themselves to inform the public. Donkey Kong and some of his friends, who have noticed that it is snowing in their jungle, enter the White House, calling for an explanation. Finally, the politicians agree to inform them, and put a space shuttle at their disposal so they can carry on negotiations with the aliens. The mission succeeds, and when the saviors of mankind return to Earth and are being hailed by the people, Kohl together with the President uses the chance to put himself in the limelight.

Compared to the President, Kohl takes a back seat most of the time and does not appear as resolute as his associate. Yet he is very frightened of the climate change, however especially of personal consequences such as paying heating costs and getting in trouble with his wife who has booked a vacation to the Caribbean and does not want to put on ski clothes there.

Allusions to the Actual Person Helmut Kohl

 * Kohl has his trademark glasses, his bald patch, and a round face.
 * He mentions that he is going to get in trouble with Hannelore if nothing is done against the climate change.
 * He also expresses his hope for the Kongs discovering a "saumagen colony" in space. Saumagen is a German dish made popular by Kohl.