Pranks

An Indeterminable Interview with Poptropica Creator, Bucky Lucas ๐Ÿซข๐Ÿ“บ

Bucky Lucas on the big screen

Hello Poptropicans! Today we have a very special surprise guest on the blog: John Jameson, a little-known Poptropica Creator with the pseudonym of Bucky Lucas!

As a longtime Poptropica technician, “Bucky” has had tons of experience and memories working on the game, and it’s our great pleasure to have him share a bit about it with us. Welcome, Bucky!

Bucky Lucas (right) from Reality TV Island

PHB: Now that Poptropica has moved to Cool Math Games, what are you working on? Are we getting any island updates?

Bucky: Oh y’know, a bit of this, a bit of that. Itโ€™s probably a little dull to get into detail here, but itโ€™s mostly keeping servers up and running. As for updates… umm… *stares off into the distance* oh, did you say something?

PHB: What’s a fun memory you have working on the Poptropica team?

Bucky: Well, there was this one time where Kory and Mitch were in the office and they were having an argument over how the Poptropica comics should go. Something about Oliverโ€™s romance sidequest with a penguin. It resulted in a bunch of coffee being spilled and the work for Survival Island nearly got destroyed, but I was able to save it in time!

A-Maze-Ing: The magistrate made it all the way to the end, but can you?

PHB: What is your favorite island?

Bucky: Iโ€™d say Fairytale Island was the best one I worked on by far, and it’s just brimming with depth! You felt it too, right?

PHB: Could you spill some tea on unreleased details about Poptropica characters? Are there any canon ships that didn’t get published?

Bucky: Well, there is Crawfishโ€™s cannon ship! Ha ha! But I assume you mean like, relationships between characters. I remember there was a discussion about having some flirting between El Mustachio Grande and Zeus during the writing of Super Villain Island, but unfortunately due to the former being cut from the story, this never came to be.

Also, apparently Princess Elyana from Astro-Knights was going to start a fantastic movie career after moving to Back Lot Island, but that was cut as well. She could have been a great example of a career woman, but she only existed to be saved by the player. Too bad, terrible story. I support womenโ€™s rights, and by the way, Iโ€™m currently single too!

Fireside Chat: The very portrait of happiness.

PHB: What is your favorite pizza topping?

Bucky: Hawaiian! I know itโ€™s technically Canadian, which is where I was born, so that makes me feel even closer to it! Itโ€™s like a cultural delicacy.

PHB: What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?

Bucky: African, European, or Brazillian?

Crane Kick: This bird didn’t make it to Red Dragon Island, but you can see it here.

PHB: Do you wear wigs?

Bucky: I will not confirm or deny.

PHB: Have you worn wigs?

Bucky: I donโ€™t even know what a wig is, but I also donโ€™t know what not a wig is.

PHB: Will you wear wigs?

Bucky: Ok, you got me. But no! Do I look like Director D?

PHB: When will you wear wigs?

Bucky: Yo, I’m not Director D. I lost that Creatorโ€™s phone number in another coffee spill.

PHB: Alright, those were some hard-hitting questions! As we wrap up, are there any final words you’d like to say to all Poptropicans?

Bucky: Oh, what’s that thing you Poptropi-people always say at the end that’s so cute? Pop up? Pop on? Well, I guess it’s time for me to pop off! That’s what the kids say, right? …Right?

Evil, Inc.: Three takes on one villain.

Okay! That certainly was… something. He really popped off there, hmm? ๐Ÿ˜œ

…And just in case you haven’t figured it out yet: April Fools! We hope you enjoyed this little session with today’s totally fictitious star. Thanks for joining us!

Castori honorem ~ Maryann/Smart Bubbles

Fanfiction, PHB Series, The Villain Saga, Uncategorized

โ€œThe Villain Sagaโ€ โ€“ Season 2, Episode 1, Part 1

(See previous)

EXT. CAPTAIN CRAWFISHโ€™S SHIP โ€œH.M.S. SEA CHICKENโ€ – MORNING

Itโ€™s the next day since the villainโ€™s escape from Erewhon prison. While thereโ€™s no storms currently overhead, the sky is patched with clouds. BLACK WIDOW is on deck, wrapping her wrists and hands with bandages and tape.

She turns to one of the masts, where an area has been marked with old paint splatters. WIDOW starts punching, rapidly striking at the pole with no apparent injury or pain to her knuckles.

CUT TO the interior of CAPTAIN CRAWFISHโ€™S cabin, which is placed near the stern. The windows are decorated with red stained glass, and crimson-hued lanterns add light to the room. Itโ€™s covered in treasure and nice furniture from his previous expeditions, including luxurious rugs, antique globes that map different โ€œdimensionsโ€ of Poptropica, and a daybed in a nook. CRAWFISH is sitting at his main desk near the windows, with some extra chairs placed out. DIRECTOR D., MOREAU, and his assistant EDWARD are all in the room.

CRAWFISH motions to the chairs.

CRAWFISH

Sit, sit all of you.

Continue reading “โ€œThe Villain Sagaโ€ โ€“ Season 2, Episode 1, Part 1”
Creators

Pitching for Poptropica’s golden days ๐ŸŒž

Hello Poptropicans! While there hasn’t been any official news from Pop lately, we did recently get a little update from a couple OG Pop Creators.

Jonathan Pitcher, former Poptropica art director, met up with Jeff Kinney, Poptropica’s founder better known for his Diary of a Wimpy Kid franchise, at StoryCon in Salt Lake City. We loved his heartfelt post on Twitter/X harkening back to the “golden days of Poptropica,” where Jeff, whom he calls “an old friend”, “directed our stories.”

StoryCon is an event that encourages and educates on writing for both young and old attendees. Guests this year included Brandon Mull (author of the Fablehaven series), Christopher Paolini (author of Eragon), and of course, Jeff Kinney. I’m certainly taking notes for if I ever attend!


The OG Poptropica Creators aren’t the only ones yearning for the good old days of the game! Our little community on the PHC, our Discord server, is still brimming with creativity. Check out these awesome fan art pieces recently shared on our server โ€” just a sample of the fun you’ll find if you join us on the Poptropica Help Chat! โœจ

Plus, stay tuned for an update on my fanfic, The Villain Saga! In case you missed it, Season 2 just kicked off last month. See you soon!

Castori honoremย ~ Maryann/Smart Bubbles

Fanfiction, PHB Series, The Villain Saga, Uncategorized

Announcing โ€œThe Villain Saga”, Season 2 (Prologue)

Four years ago (๐Ÿ˜ฐ) I announced a concept for a Poptropica TV series centered around the aftermath of Super Villain Island, styled as a multi-episode show that would continue the stories of some fan-favorite characters. After a few too many hiatuses for me to feel comfortable about, Season 2 of The Villain Saga has arrived!

Thank you everyone who has stuck with this series and contributed your own stories to the blog, it’s been amazing seeing more creatives in this community. Let Season 2 of the cross-island adventure begin!

Continue reading “Announcing โ€œThe Villain Saga”, Season 2 (Prologue)”
PHB Parties, Poppies

Recap: Poppies 2024 Awards ๐Ÿ†๐Ÿฉต๐Ÿซถ

And with that, the Poppies 2024 season comes to an end. Thank you all, PHB readers, for participating in our 10th annual Poptropica fan awards!

Like last year, we received well over 300 votes, and we appreciate all the enthusiasm. This year, the awards show was hosted by Smart Bubbles and Smart Icicle, presented for the first time with character sprites. Catch the video below, or scroll down for the list of winners!

(Also, small authorโ€™s noteโ€”thank you Fishy for your continued support!)


And the Poppies go toโ€ฆ

Poptropica Awards

Check out our Old Islands Guide to find out how you can play all the classic Poptropica adventures.

Community Awards

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees of the 2024 Poppies. Each one makes the legacy of Poptropica shine brighter! ๐Ÿฅณ๐ŸŒŸ


โ€œBest Fan Artโ€ Nominee Gallery

Check out this year’s top-tier fan art, chosen by the people:


Thanks for joining us on the blue carpet of the Poppies awards! From nominations to voting to the party, it’s been sweet celebrating Poptropica, and the PHB’s Sweet 16 birthday, with all of you! ๐Ÿฉตโœจ

Keep on poppinโ€™ on,

โ€” ๐ŸŒŸ the Poptropica Help Blog ๐ŸŒŸ โ€”