Hello world! I'm MaryannTheConqueror, though if we're going on a Poptropican-name basis also Smart Bubbles! I am an aspiring professional artist and writer, as well as a self-proclaimed geek. I love games, from Stardew Valley to Genshin Impact, and of course our nostalgic pal Poptropica! You can find me on Instagram, YouTube (which I need to use more), and Tumblr..
DIRECTOR D. and MADEMOISELLE MOREAU are in their office, waiting during another break between patients.
MOREAU
So, what’s taking so long? We have them, let’s go.
DIRECTOR D.
They’ve been tightening security even more than usual, and it doesn’t help that any of the helicopters have to be permitted by the computers in that “off-limits” upper floor.
MOREAU
Ah yes, Jupiter’s lab. Hasn’t Black Widow entered many highly-guarded museums before? She ought to be able to do something.
DIRECTOR D.
I asked her, and…
CUT TO BLACK WIDOW laughing for a solid few seconds, before answering dead-faced.
Hello Poptropicans! We have a bit of store-related news, as well as some more fanart features on Instagram and the August costume contest!
Naturally with the Olympics hype there is bound to be some sports-related goods up, and this month in the Poptropica Store is the new Speedy Cycler costume. There are also several classic costumes and more recent ones, including the Spring Floral Dress, Barbarian Warrior, and the epic Acidic Dinosaur!!! 🦖
You have no clue how much I wanted this to be my Poppies outfit
Speedy Cycler. Cool but is it a NEON DINOSAUR?
The Creators also included a reference to a certain… let’s just say a speedy cycling incident in their blog post.
On the subject of costumes, the Monthly Costume Contest has returned for August! So, if you ever get a good idea that you would like to see in-game, don’t be afraid to show off your creativity! It’s quite epic to see fan-made creations in game, and it’s always good to practice your drawing and design skills!
In case you missed it earlier, Creators also posted a video on their official YouTube channel featuring past submissions from July’s contest:
To conclude, here are four fantastic fanarts shared on the Creators’ Instagram stories. We have one very impressive Pop OC, and three great colored pages from the Poptropica fan-produced coloring book!
The COVID-19 pandemic may have cancelled many events, but better late than never on the recent 2020 Tokyo Olympics! Its return makes this next Island Flash-back quite appropriate for the sportful season…
Poptropolis Games!!
An official poster made for the island’s re-release
From a fandom standpoint, this island doesn’t seem to be as well-known or well-loved on the surface. There’s little fanart of characters or scenes compared to others such as Counterfeit or Monster Carnival. But look a little deeper and you will see how much this island has incorporated itself into fandom culture and events!
Concept sketches for the island’s scenery
Power Lifting, Poptropolis Games
Even after disappearing from the official game, fans continue to identify themselves by the Poptropolis Tribes. A year ago, the PHB hosted the 2020 Tribal Tournament, in which community members could win points for their respective tribes!
Concept art
Octopus Volleyball, Poptropolis Games
Another noteworthy thing is the music: the Poptropolis theme is easily one of my favorites from the game. Hear it below, and more on the PHB’s Behind the Scenes page! (You can also hear it on composer Jeff Heim’s “Poptropica Demo Reel 1” starting at about 43 seconds.)
A bit of trivia for those who were not playing during or before 2012: This island was originally released as a “classic” island with no sound, and came out in June of that year, timed near the London Olympics. To many a player’s surprise, the island “sank” and was removed in early 2013, but eventually was “risen” after an event that encouraged players to help “dig up the games.”
“PHB Poptropolis Games Banner” by Gentle Dolphin on DeviantArt
So let’s dig up the games again! Poptropolis Games and other classic islands were rendered unplayable in the Flash-Haxe transition, but it should not go to waste! Let the Creators know what you appreciate about the island to encourage them to preserve it!
We are halfway through the year, and this series! I probably should get this post finished ASAP because I finished a workout earlier and will probably be sore in the morning.
One thing that helps many people get through the long, hot summer months is doing art! And it just so happens that there’s a Poptropica Island centered around that–along with a mystery that only you can solve. July’s Island is…
Counterfeit!!!
Counterfeit Island is one that a lot of people from the pre-Haxe days loved and remembered. The story revolved around a museum in an idyllic French city, and the thief who planned to ruin it all. (Plus, check out our Pop Places IRL take on the setting!) Of course, I think we can all agree that the Black Widow is the most remembered aspect of this island, like many other villains. 🕷
Sadly, there was little concept art to be found this time. I scoured the Daily Pop archives, but as Counterfeit was released before its creation and they never uploaded past art for it later, I only managed to find this sketch from an old Creators’ Blog post.
Concept art for the design of the secret puzzle to the museum
That doesn’t take away from the impressive design work though! While simplistic, it’s also chic with a lovely bright color palette and great designs of the locations such as the museum and the Black Widow’s lair.
This island should be brought back for those cool spider designs on the bunker walls alone.
Unlike its more fantastical and less educational predecessor Astro-Knights, Counterfeit includes many famous paintings with information on art history, as well as the art forgery that collectors and museums have to deal with.
(Small reminder that using the name “Inspector Veuvre Noire” in a FRENCH TOWN should prove that we would be a lot safer from these villains if only the all the other NPCs didn’t have a single shared brain cell.)
Before I say my closing words, I would also like to showcase this Skullduggery fanart for our previous Island Flash-back made by Dangerous Dragon! Thank you so much for your participation in this, DD! 😁
Now comes your turn, Poptropicans! Let’s remind the Creators why this island became so memorable, and why the efforts that went to create it should not go to waste! Encourage them to preserve their past stories and the potential they held!
As some of you have noticed, there was no Island Flash-back in May. Mostly because of IRL things getting in the way and my poor planning. I’m sorry, as I did say this would be a monthly thing, and I’ll try to be more consistent in the future! To make up for this, TWO islands will be announced, one for May and one for June…
While not the most popular, both of these islands have their fans! Skullduggery (2010) is known for its iconic villain, Captain Crawfish, as well as its focus on trading and travelling over action and boss fights. On the other hand, Twisted Thicket (2012) is most remembered for its references to Norse mythology and its beautiful scenery and designs!
Twisted Thicket Island
Skullduggery Island
🌳 Twisted Thicket was very much a story about environmentalism, though the fantasy elements helped the point feel more natural rather than forced (as is common in children’s media with moral messaging).
The island is on a medium difficulty level, balancing the twisted and dangerous forest with fun puzzles and, once again, amazing scenery. The Poptropica Creators have consistently gone above and beyond with their art design, even with such a simple art style!
Rare Bog: But will it be a rattlin’ bog?
Wicked Woods: Don’t get off the beaten path here.
🏴☠️ Skullduggery revolved heavily around an archipelago map, where you could travel to other mini-islands within the island’s storyline using a boat. (The same feature was later to get around Hemlock Harbor in Ghost Story Island.)
While Skullduggery’s main plot is about the evil pirate Captain Crawfish threatening the peaceful islands, the focus of the gameplay is on trading goods and basic economics of saving for bigger and better ships, until you can finally buy the beautiful Phoenix Warbird. The Creators’ Blog has an interesting series of articles on the design process for this ship! Though some players found the cycle of trading and buying and selling tedious, others found it to be an educational experience, unique from that of previous islands.
Sea Power: The stormy seas of Skullduggery Island began as a simple sketch.
An early sketch of the Phoenix Warbird, dated from April 2010.
To wrap up, I’m going to showcase some awesome past fan art for these two islands that are no longer in the official game. And let’s encourage the Creators to preserve these stories with more!
🏝 Poptropica Help Blog 🗺 