Category: PHB Series

Community Creations

Community Creations: April 2021

Spotted Dragon
community-creations-logo

Hello once again everyone! Spotted Dragon here bringing you the April recap for Community Creations! April’s theme was Bugs (and the featured work is not in any particular order). Be sure to check out all the featured artists!

No clue what’s going on? Go see our intro post.

Top 5 Picks

Computer Bugs Are Different From Regular Bugs by Noisy Snowball

Alright guys, you know I’m a sucker for a good pun. And this pun is right on the nose! Er, perhaps I should say “antennae” in this case? Anyway, I love the humor in this submission. What would you do if you were shrunk to the size of an insect?!? The variety of the bugs here is quite dynamic and the frustrated expression of the Poptropican really sells the joke. And given the recent “buggy” comparisons we’ve been able to make with Mocktropica recently, the theme is certainly apropos. Find the artist in the comments and on Discord!

Anansi by Sporty Boa

Not only does this submission relate well to our bugs theme, but it is also quite appropriate for the recent debut of Fairy Tale Island. This folktale trickster and god of stories is from the the Ashanti tradition in Africa and is most commonly depicted as a spider. I love how unique and representational this tale is, as well as the personality put into the design. The colors are playful and thematic, and seem to work really well with a Poptropican style! Find the artist here on the PHB and on Discord. Be sure to check out the Fairy Tale Island contest winners too for more cool art!

Poptropica Bugs by 12345rose18

Aw, cute! Who said bugs had to be creepy crawlies? The adaptation of the bee and ladybug into Poptropica costumes is perfectly executed. I can really see these as being available in the store! More than that, I appreciate the combination of traditional and digital art that the artist chose to incorporate. The colors are great and the design really stood out to me. Find their DeviantArt here.

Ain’t it Buggy by Silver Horse

Alright, let’s get into a costume submission now! Obviously this outfit screams BUG! Yikes! Don’t worry, I’m sure your room is mostly bug free at the moment… hopefully. Ahem, anyway, I love the combination of items used in this design. Though the Virus Hunter body may be an obvious choice, its pairing with the yellow eyes, green skin, antennae, and lack of mouth really sell it. You’re making my skin crawl over here! Find the artist in the comments and on Discord.

Binary Bard & Butterfly by icecream

You butter believe this submission should be featured! The smooth line-art and coloring really caught my eye here. I love the gentleness of the scene and the expression on Binary Bard’s face. And who doesn’t love an alliterative title? The delicate butterfly makes this a more subtle fit in our theme, but still a perfect one. Well executed! Find the artist in the comments and on Discord.

Honorable Mentions

  • Black Widow as a Spider by Dangerous Dragon
  • Everything is Bugging me Today by Invisible Ring
  • Harry Potter Poptropica Spinoff: Aragog Scene by Smart Icicle
  • Butterfly Floating Island by AdventurersNHunters

Bah humbug! Time sure flies, but we’re unfortunately nearing the end of our post. Can you bee-lieve how great those submissions were? I think the Nightcrawlers would be proud. Hope all my puns didn’t bug you too much. 😉

May: How Do I Participate?

Community Creations is a cool series for anyone in the Poptropica community to join in on. To sum up what it’s about, it’s basically a chance to show off your artwork, creepy fan-fics, Pop clubhouses, costumes, and anything else that pops into your mind.

If we really like the piece you submit, we will feature it here on the PHB! As long as it relates to that month’s theme. So what is May’s theme? May’s theme is…

Robots!

In today’s modern age, we are no longer strangers to rapidly growing technology. And in the world of Poptropica, robots are similarly no strange occurrence. Plus, if we’re being honest, robots are simply… cool! So perhaps robots (the more fun side of technology) make an appropriate theme when considering that many of us are wrapping up online school pretty soon (the more boring side of technology, at times).

Whether it be those hosting contests on Game Show Island, or Sprocket flying on Steamworks, or the mechanical Merlin from Astro-Knights, or… well, you get the point… they’re everywhere in Poptropica! Even Quippy has become a memorable Poptropica bot. So, let’s get to creating some robots of your own this month!

Go Go Robot: Just some of the ideas that would eventually become the Steam Robot costume in the Poptropica Store.
  • Comment below with a link to whatever you’ve created, email it to the PHB team on our Contact page, OR share it with me (SydVC aka Spotted Dragon) on DeviantArt, Twitter, or Discord.
  • Results: I will feature 5 of the submissions as well as some honorable mentions.
  • Limitations: Nothing NSFW, and make sure you relate to both the theme and Poptropica.
  • Due Date: I will take any entries before the end of this month. Submit as many things as you’d like!

I will be sure to let you know I have seen your creation. While quality counts, I’m mainly looking for something to simply catch my eye, so don’t be afraid to join in!

So what are you waiting for? Go make something awesome!

~SD

Pop Protips

Pop Protip: Play the old islands with Flashpoint 🏝🔦 (Windows and Mac)

Slanted Fish

Are you wondering why the Poptropica map doesn’t have more islands than it does? If you’re an older player, you may recall a time when Poptropica had wayyy more islands on the map—more than 40, even! Where did they all go, and how can you play them again?

Continue reading “Pop Protip: Play the old islands with Flashpoint 🏝🔦 (Windows and Mac)” →
Fanfiction, The Villain Saga, Uncategorized

“The Villain Saga” – Episode 1, Part 3

Agent Bubbles

(See previous)

INT. EREWHON LUNCH ROOM – SAME DAY

DIRECTOR D. and MOREAU are watching the prisoners from outside the lunchroom, through the window. Inside, the GUARDS are leading the three to their table.

MOREAU

What if we just told them who we actually are? Perhaps they would work better with a bit of fear pushing them.

DIRECTOR D.

Do you really think we can intimidate them? They may be desperate, but I doubt they’d all be willing to obey our every command if they felt they were being used.

MOREAU pinches her forehead.

MOREAU

If only one of them could keep them in line for us…

As if almost on cue, more (real) prison guards enter the hall, leading an older man dressed as a pirate, just as the AGENTS leave the lunch room.

EREWHON GUARD 1

Hey, is there any chance we can add him? He slept past lunch and we couldn’t do much about it.

One of the AGENTS shares a concerned glance with D. and MOREAU.

MOREAU

(Points at the window, towards the three)

…I don’t think it would be safe to put him in with them.

The PRISONER chuckles, leaning towards her, showing yellowed (and one real gold) teeth. MOREAU backs away.

CRAWFISH

I believe I can handle them m’dear!

DIRECTOR D. turns to the AGENT.

DIRECTOR D.

Let him in.

D. and MOREAU watch intently as the pirate is led into the room. Surprisingly, the other prisoners do not protest his seating at their table. One of the GUARDS hand CRAWFISH a tray of food before leaving. CRAWFISH practically starts drooling, and ties a cheap napkin to his shirt as though he were about to begin a 5 star feast.

DR. HARE picks at his food.

DR. HARE

I understand that this place has limited vegetarian options but…why are the mashed potatoes green?

BLACK WIDOW

If you think that’s bad, I think I chipped a tooth on the bread here once.

The COOK (Note: The same chef who served Myron Van Buren in Survival Island) enters from the kitchen, scowling.

COOK

Is that complaining about the food I hear?

DR. HARE

Unsurprisingly yes-

CRAWFISH

Ah, don’t listen to ‘em! This is delicious!

(He turns to the COOK, aware of who she is but just playing.)

Give my thanks to the cook.

The COOK chuckles, and gives him an extra serving before walking off. CRAWFISH starts to chow down, while the rest look at him in confusion.

DR. HARE

You actually like that stuff?

CRAWFISH

Compared to the months of maggot infested biscuits I had to endure, this is heaven!

MORDRED

I had to endure months—years—ages without anything. Without the brilliance of my cybernetics I most certainly would have perished of hunger!

(Somewhat to himself)

Per aspera…

BLACK WIDOW

Oh here we go again with the sob story.

MORDRED glares at her, but once again his grin hasn’t faded. WIDOW doesn’t back away but loses some of her boldness.

MORDRED

I don’t want your pity, I want the world’s punishment for what happened—

CRAWFISH stands, slamming both hands on the table.

CRAWFISH

Enough! I’m certain everyone here has a horrible tale to tell, but can I have a meal in peace?

MORDRED

Who are you to order me around?

CRAWFISH turns to him, his tone suddenly becoming more cautious.

CRAWFISH

I was simply making a suggestion for your own good, sir.

Pause. MORDRED nods, and the tension in the room settles a little as they all get back to eating. We look back at DIRECTOR D and MOREAU, who are so interested in the prisoner’s behavior that they don’t notice a shadowed DR. JUPITER lurking behind them.

DIRECTOR D.

He—he’s a leader.

MOREAU

Of course he is. Even evil pirates don’t want to face a mutiny.

DIRECTOR D.

Yes, but he knows how to work with them! Mademoiselle, I believe we’ve found the ones who can work for us.

The camera follows JUPITER leaving them, both “psychologists” still not even suspecting his presence. He turns down a corner, before mumbling to himself with a faint smile.

DR. JUPITER

As have I, friends. As have I.

FADE OUT.

END OF EPISODE 1.

And here we are! I’m just as excited to see where this goes as some of you are, and I’m happy so many of you have expressed interest in this series!

Of course, I can’t have a Villain Saga post without mentioning the amazing recent additions to the comic GEAR made!

Castori honorem ~ Maryann/Smart Bubbles

Free Membership Giveaways

PHB Membership Giveaway: April 2021

Slanted Fish

Hey Poptropicans, we’re approaching the end of the month, which means it’s time to announce another lucky Poptropican to win our monthly membership giveaway! 🎁

You might recognize April’s winner as he frequently guest posts and comments on the PHB: it’s Dangerous Dragon! Congrats, DD—enjoy the shiny world of member gifts, special store items, and Haxe’s one exclusive island, Time Tangled. You’ll have new things to write about!

Perks of membership include extra store items and monthly gifts.

If you’re not a member, you still have the chance (or many chances, in fact): the PHB is hosting a giveaway every month, and it’s easy to enter! Just comment on the Free Poptropica Membership page and leave at least two other comments around the PHB within the month to be entered into that month’s giveaway.

We’ll announce a winner sometime in the final week of each month. If you don’t win, you can always try again for the next month! Full details »

Congrats again to DD, and as always, keep on popping on! 🐉

~🐠

Pop Fan Artist Spotlights

🎨 Pop Fan Artist Spotlight: Gear

LJ

Howdy doodly Poptropicans, it’s LJ with the latest Pop Fan Artist Spotlight! Today’s artist I want to showcase is Gear. Gear often shares her illustrations (and more recently, mood boards) on the PHC and even illustrates for Maryann’s The Villain Saga series. How cool is that?

According to her, she thinks it’s thrilling that her art reaches a wide audience; in fact, she wants to become a Poptropica creator one day! Storyboarding and character design are two of her most favorite things and you can really see that passion manifest itself into her work. I find that each piece tells its own story (figuratively and literally) and that’s something I really appreciate when it comes to art. Check out this very diverse gallery (you can click the images to see them in their full glory):

Seriously, I think the various styles Gear’s able to produce really speaks to the talent she has as an artist. You have a more professional style that almost looks identical to the game, a chibi kind of style that reminds me of an old arcade game, and some semi realism thrown in there as well. I love it! What do you think? You can follow her on Instagram to see more @capax_infini.

And with that concludes this showcase! I hope you enjoyed this look into a Poptropica fan’s artwork. If you’ve made any Poptropica fan art of your own, we’d love for you to share it on our We-Love-Poptropica DeviantArt gallery. Also, don’t forget to check out all the other artists we’ve featured on the PHB. It’s a sight for sore eyes, for sure.

Thanks for reading as always and I’ll talk to you soon. Pop on!

– LJ 🍀