Category: PHB Specials

Howdy Poptropicanos, it’s LJ starting up a brand-new series here on the PHB called ImPOPtu!—a Poptropica version of Mad Libs. Longtime players and followers of Poptropica might recall Poptropica’s release of an official Mad Libs book over a decade ago. (You can check it out under the miscellaneous section on our merchandise page.) I’m here to revive this concept and to hopefully carry it on.

What are Mad Libs: Mad Libs is a well-known word-based game characterized by stories interspersed with multiple blank spaces. These blanks can be filled with various types of words, including adjectives, nouns, and names.

How to play: Players are tasked with filling in the blanks without any prior exposure to the story. Once filled, the final story is read aloud, often resulting in humorous and occasionally absurd outcomes. That’s it! Are you ready for a laugh?

Below, you will find three completely random (and incomplete) stories inspired by Poptropica, all thought up by me. As noted earlier, the arrangement of events and the selection of some characters are determined by you at random. So, what are you waiting for? Discover the entertaining tales you’ll come up with!

Story 1: Betty Bites the Dust

After years of confinement in the infamous prison on [#1-Poptropica island], Betty Jetty finally managed to escape. With a burning desire for revenge against those who she felt had wronged her, she reached out to her old ally, [#2-Poptropica character]. Together, they devised a cunning scheme. [same character as before] arrived equipped with a remarkable [#3-gadget/tool] capable of [#4-gerund] anything in their path. As they made their way to the heart of the island, they created chaos to capture the authorities’ attention and set them into a [#5-adjective] trap. The island erupted into turmoil once the trap proved successful, with terrified citizens fleeing and [#6-plural noun] collapsing around them. Just when Betty and her accomplice believed victory was within their grasp, a formidable team of superheroes known as The [#7-2nd adjective] Action Force intervened. World Guy wielded the elements, Elf Archer showcased her incredible marksmanship, Gold Face unleashed his super [#8-abstract noun], and K-Man utilized his flight & telekinetic abilities. The ensuing battle was nothing short of [#9-adjective], with explosions and fierce collisions shaking the very ground. Ultimately, The [2nd adjective] Action Force triumphed, harnessing their enhanced powers to defeat the two evildoers. The citizens of [same island as before] erupted in cheers as the villains were escorted back to prison—sentenced to [#10-number] years behind bars. Once again, The [2nd adjective once more] Action Force had proven that, in any case, heroes would always rise to defend the innocent and that good would always win against evil.

Story 2: Comic Book Shop Flop

Ned Noodlehead, the owner of the comic book shop, couldn’t believe his bad luck. First, a group of [#1-plural noun, living] came in and accidentally knocked over a stack of rare [#2-2nd plural noun], causing a domino effect and turning his store into a chaotic mess. Then, a famous comic book artist, known for his [#3-adjective] personality, stopped by to sell his latest work. But instead of paying in cash, he offered to trade his artwork for a rare first edition [#4-noun]. Ned, being the [#5-2nd adjective] man he was, declined, causing the artist to throw a [#6-2nd noun] and storm out of the shop. To top it all off, a real-life [#7-3rd noun] convention was being held right outside his store, causing a traffic jam and deterring potential customers. But just when Ned thought his day couldn’t get any worse, a group of [#8-3rd plural noun, living] landed in front of his shop, claiming to be fans of his store and asking to take a picture with him. As Ned [#9-simple past tense verb] for the photo, he couldn’t help but smile, realizing that even with all the chaos, his comic book shop was still a place of [#10-emotion] and magic for people of all ages.

Story 3: The Concert Caper

Hip Hop, the [#1-superlative adjective] new teen popstar, was in a race against time. Due to a miscommunication with his [#2-noun], he was about to miss the final concert of his world tour on the other side of Poptropica. In a desperate attempt to make it on time, Hip Hop resorted to hitchhiking. He caught a ride on the back of a majestic [#3-2nd noun], but unfortunately, couldn’t communicate directly to give directions to the concert venue. After a long trip, the [2nd noun again] landed on Cryptids Island, where the majestic being’s destination awaited. Hip Hop, [#4-adjective] and running out of time, jumped off the anomaly and stumbled upon Harold Mews, a famous [#5- career] lurking about. After a brief chat, Harold, generously offered to take Hip Hop to his concert in his helicopter for free. As they flew over a couple of islands, they caught the attention of [#6-Poptropica character], a notorious villain who was hiding in the waters below. With a blast from a pyro bazooka, they brought down the helicopter, causing it to crash into the water before fleeing the scene while [#7-gerund]. But Harold, being a prepared adventurer, had survival supplies on hand, and together with Hip Hop, they made their way to the coast of the neighboring island, Monkey Wrench. There, Hip Hop met Amelia, a fearless adventurer who was taking a break from her thrilling escapades. With only one night left till the concert, Hip Hop begged Amelia to take him in her plane, as she was the only one who could get him there on time. After some convincing, Amelia agreed to help, but under the condition that she got free [#8-plural noun] and a front-row seat to the concert. Hip Hop, desperate and determined, agreed to her demands. With time to spare, they landed [#9-adverb], and Hip Hop made it to his concert on Backlot Island with a few hours to spare. And as he took the stage and performed for his adoring fans, Hip Hop couldn’t have made it without the help of his unlikely friends and their [#10-2nd adjective] abilities.

I think it would be really cool to have a comments section showcasing everyone’s diverse outcomes, so please share yours below! I just love imagining the game characters in a variety of scenarios.

Thank you all for reading, and I look forward to chatting with you again soon. Until then, pop on! 🍀