Member Gifts, Social Media, Store, Survival Island, Zomberry Island

I spy with my private eye some Poptropica news 👁️🔍

Gentle Dolphin

Greetings, Poptropicans! We at the PHB apologize for the lack of news coverage these past couple of weeks. We have been preoccupied by Poppies planning and your fantastic fanfictions. Luckily, we uncovered some juicy updates and memes. Here is what we found:

We began our investigation on Home Island. While we didn’t see anything new outside, we found that Adventure Outfitters had changed its display for July. This month’s display features the return of old costumes (including Maryann-favorite Acidic Dinosaur🦖), as well as some summer clubhouse decorations. 🏖️👕🏡

We then took to the skies and surveyed the islands below. Some quick investigating revealed that Survival Episode 3: Distress Signal is now available to all players! 🏔️📻 There are two more episodes that have yet to reappear on desktop, but you can play them now on Steam or with AS3 Flashpoint.

That can’t be all, right? We turned our focus to social media and found a few notable posts. The first post is a news report covering how a brave Poptropican named Courageous Bean thwarted the hare-brained scientist, Dr. Hare, who is now in prison for treason and tax evasion. We reached out to Courageous Bean for more information, but they unfortunately never replied to our message.

How about Dr. Hare? Our only clue is this image of him writing messages to music sensation Taylor Swift. Perhaps he is convincing her to bail him out of prison? Poptropica’s police department might want to keep an eye on the situation.

This next bit of news resonated with us detectives. July’s member gifts give members the ability to become private eye investigators. Members can now don a stylish Private Eye outfit, wield a magnifying glass, and ride around on a scooter. 🔍🛵

Our last discovery might be the juiciest of them all. It has been suggested that Zomberry Island‘s blueberry smoothies might have predicted McDonald’s Grimace Shake. Pop Creator Jonathan Pitcher shared his fondness toward Grimace, so there is a connection between these deadly drinks. 🫐🥛

And with that, our investigation has come to a close. We hope you appreciate what we found. We will always cover Pop news as long as Pop keeps going.

Thank you for reading, and have a good day!

—Gentle Dolphin 🐬

Pop Places IRL

Pop Places IRL: Twisted Thicket 🌳

Purple Paw

Hey there, everyone! Welcome to my first participation in Pop Places IRL. Bid adieu to sunlight, because today we’ll be exploring the deep, dark jungles of Twisted Thicket–and its counterparts in real life (IRL). Let’s get started!

Although its country is never stated, Twisted Thicket takes place in the European region of Scandinavia, encompassing Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Not only is this shown through the various Scandinavian mythological creatures introduced, but in the quaint seaside town we land in. The colorful, narrow architecture accurately resembles Scandinavian villages IRL. As for the names of the buildings, a smorgasbord is a traditional Swedish buffet, and the Fjording is actually a real shop at Epcot in Florida that offers authentic Norwegian souvenirs.

Smögen, Sweden (look photo.com)
The Fjording (wdwkingdom.com)

Scandinavia’s rich with dense, fantastical forests, similar to this island’s main event. Just the kind of place you’d expect to find fairies flitting about…

Kinn, Vestland (commons.wikimedia.org)

…but unfortunately, the swarm of dryads we meet aren’t friendly. Poptropica definitely took some liberties portraying these little forest fairies, but they’re very common in multiple mythologies. Dryads are often visualized closer to the appearance of the Elf Queen, as humanoid women rather than firefly-size stingers.

The elves and trolls are also notable creatures in Norse mythology–enough to elicit three whole realms for themselves, known as Alfheim, Svartalfheim, and Jotunheim, respectively.

Trolls (fineartamerica.com)

Next up in our woodland-traversing trials is the Nøkken in the Bioluminescent Bog. This may be the creature that differs most from its mythological counterpart, being shown as a distinctly wolf-like animal rather than a shapeshifter, and having its original powers of alluring song swapped for invisibility. Its glowing eyes and malicious intent, however, remain the same.

As for the Nøkken’s naturally lit home, bioluminescent plants and especially fungi aren’t uncommon in dark, marshy places.

Bioluminescent mushrooms (thoughtco.com)

After outrunning the goblins–who stay true to their roots as tiny, cap-wearing creatures–we’ll land in front of an enormous tree whose branches aren’t visible. This tree parallels Yggdrasil, the Tree of Life and heart of the Nine Worlds in Norse cosmology.

The five runes needed to enter this tree in-game are named after relevant terms in Scandinavian languages, such as nackrosor meaning “night rose” or “water lily” and dokkalfar (“dark elf”).

Yggdrasil (worldhistory.org)

After absorbing the powers of our newfound forest friends, Burt Diamond and his ruthless construction crew are defeated. This deforestation, unfortunately, is a very prevalent issue IRL as well. Let’s save the real woodland dwellers next!

And with that, we’ve come to the end of today’s tour. It’s worth noting this isn’t the only time Norse mythology’s been referenced in Pop: it serves as the basis of Realms as well! Were you already familiar with Scandinavia and its mythology? Better yet, have you been there before? Let me know down in the comments below!

Don’t let the Nøkken pounce,

~💜

Poppies

🏆 Poppies 2023: Nomination Round 📝

Slanted Fish

Smile and wave, Poptropicans… here come the Poppies! 🥳🏆😍

The Poppies are our annual Poptropica fan awards, hosted here on the Poptropica Help Blog for all to join in the fun. From nominating to voting to the blue carpet party, it’s going to be a full month of celebrations — marking the ninth year of the awards and the PHB’s 15th birthday! ✨

To kick things off, the nomination round is open for one week from now until Saturday, July 8. We’ll be waiting for your noms in the comments!

Continue reading “🏆 Poppies 2023: Nomination Round 📝” →
Community Creations

Community Creations: June 2023

Spotted Dragon
community-creations-logo

Hello once again everyone! Spotted Dragon here bringing you the June recap for Community Creations. June’s theme was Cryptids, so be sure to check out all the featured artists!

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

Top 5 Picks

Harold Mews by PompadourCoco

Of course, Harold Mews is a key character on Cryptids Island, kicking off the player’s search for cryptic evidence. I’m really drawn to the sketchy style in how Mews is, well, drawn here. There is a simultaneous kindness and weariness in his eyes. 👀 The soft tones also make for a wonderful color palette. Find her Instagram here.

One is Older, One is Younger by Serious Heart (virtualdragonalmond)

The half-and-half composition of this work is quite compelling, along with the pairing of image and text. It’s fun to see these contrasting sides collide! There’s a lot of energy in how all the details are arranged as well. Find their DeviantArt here.

Framed Cryptids by PegaKid

Based on the popular Barbie and Ken mugshot meme, this submission demonstrates a lot of creativity. I love how the pairings match the poses of the original meme, and how the backgrounds show the ridiculous, wide variety of heights of the characters. Such a fun way to portray the cryptids of Poptropica! Find her Instagram here.

The Most Mythical by Silver Sword

“There! I spot it! The dragon, from red,
“Maybe I should feed it” I thought, but maybe it shouldn’t be fed.
Amelia’s unicorns, caught my eye,
So many, the next time I look at them I might die.
A Bigfoot was then standing in my way,
But then I thought, “maybe I won’t play Cryptids island today”
“Ahhhhhhh!” I screamed, when I saw Nessie
“I want your name” she hissed, “it’s fox, Messy!”

This short poem is full of fun references and details. From your typical cryptids like Nessie and Bigfoot, to other creatures like Amelia’s unicorns, there’s many interesting mentions. I love the rhyming and playful tone of the writing, along with the reoccurring use of dialogue. Find the author in the comments section.

Mothman Comic by Lune

Anyone who has played through Cryptids Island knows the horror of finding the Jersey Devil… But nonetheless, we survived! The humor in this back and forth banter between the player and Harold Mews is super fun, and makes me wonder what it would be like to find other cryptids, like Mothman, in Poptropica. Find the artist in the comments section or on the PHC Discord.

Honorable Mentions

Cryptid Explorer by Young Rider
Mutant Monster by Young Rider
Mer-Goblin by Magic Poptropican
Nessie Selfie by PegaKid
Cryptids Makeup by Magic Kid
Annie and Harold Redraw by sleepybiker
Cryptids (Loch Ness Monster) by Smart Icicle and Bronze Socks

All your work, as always, is unbelievable! You’ve really shown proof of your talent this month. 😉

July: 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 July’s theme? July’s theme is…

 Throwback! 

This month, we’re doing something super special with Community Creations. For the first time ever, we will be revisiting some old themes. “Throwback” means that any of the previous Community Creations themes will be accepted!

Miss a month that you really wanted to participate in? Now’s your chance! Here’s a quick comprehensive list of all our previous themes:

  • Shipping
  • Nature
  • OCs
  • Fairy Tales/Myths
  • Poptropica Worlds
  • Literature
  • Fashion
  • School
  • Halloween
  • Heartwarming
  • Winter/Holidays
  • Crossovers
  • Colorful
  • Historical
  • Humor
  • Heroes
  • Under the Sea
  • Blogs & Fans
  • Science
  • Music
  • Villains
  • Food
  • Celebration
  • Magic
  • Pets/Animals
  • Gaming
  • Action & Combat
  • Houses & Architecture
  • Pride
  • Tech & Social Media
  • Movies & TV
  • Seasons/Weather
  • Inktober
  • Steampunk
  • Opposites
  • Time Travel
  • Memes
  • Hobbies
  • Staying Home
  • Wild West
  • Monochromatic
  • Classic Islands
  • Tribes
  • Masks
  • Monsters
  • Pirates
  • Fire & Ice
  • Doctors
  • Pretty in Pink
  • Ancient Egypt
  • Bugs
  • Robots
  • LGBTQ+
  • Fancy
  • Flight
  • Punk
  • Ghosts & Ghouls
  • Sweet & Sour
  • Goofball
  • Arabian Nights
  • Comics
  • Going Green
  • Zomberry
  • Jade Scarab
  • Carnival
  • Cosplay
  • 80s
  • Survival
  • Feeling Blue
  • Royalty
  • Grapple Pap
  • Puzzling
  • Thievery
  • Lucky
  • Reality TV
  • Outer Space
  • Cryptids

You’ve quite literally got years of options to choose from. If you have ever thought about participating in Community Creations, I recommend you do it now more than ever!

  • Submit: 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, Tumblr, Discord, OR the PHB’s Instagram.
  • Results: Next month, I will feature 5 submissions that stood out to me the most as well as some honorable mentions.
  • Limitations: Just make sure you relate to both the theme and Poptropica (and nothing NSFW or otherwise inappropriate).
  • 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

Fanfiction, Guest Posts

Fanfic: Zombies, Zombies, ALWAYS ZOMBIES! 🧟 Ep. 7: Lightning and Thunder (and Cake)

Slanted Fish

Hey Poptropicans, this is a guest post by Magic Kid. Enjoy!

Okay, okay, okay, and we’re back again! (Catch up with the previous chapter here, or start from the beginning here.)

We now know something much more dark and serious is going on, and a new Poptropican has joined the team. They have just escaped from a zombie invasion that paraded the last remaining survivors… and Bosko (I’m so sorry, guys!). But do not fear, because CJ (Shrink Ray Island) gave Jazzy Hawk an idea that could save them all. At least, it could save them all unless the zombies get them first. Prepare for adventure!

Warning: I am not a safety expert (quite the opposite, in fact)! So do not try any of this stuff IRL, because quite frankly, the result will not be satisfactory.

Over and Out!

ZOMBIES, ZOMBIES, ALWAYS ZOMBIES!

A Zomberry Series

Episode Seven: Lightning and Thunder (and Cake) 

Going to Time Tangled Island is a piece of cake. That is, if the cake rains hard sprinkles of rain and brings winds.

And if you put the cake in the freezer. And some thunder booms loudly. Oh, and the lightning striking dangerously close to the blimp. 

It is not a very pleasant slice of cake, metaphorically speaking. And anyway, I should stop comparing the weather to cake.

Jazzy Hawk

Time Tangled Island should be due south! And anyway, we should be there soon!

Witty Toothpick

I sure do hope soon!

Icy Stone

What do you even want at Time Tangled?

Toothpick glances at Hawk, silently asking if they should share their (well, CJ’s) plan with an outsider.

Hawk isn’t sure. Icy Stone doesn’t exactly give off “I’m A Bad Guy Ready To Turn You To The Zombies” vibes, but doesn’t exactly seem like someone they should trust immediately. 

A split second after Icy Stone asked the question, Hawk does the smallest shake of his head, and Toothpick notices.

Toothpick

Oh, well, we need to stop by Leonardo’s Workshop to, uh, pick up some supplies.

If Icy Stone finds this suspicious, she doesn’t show it. 

Thunder booms again, louder than before.

Clumsy Bird

Uhhh, we should probably land soon.

Hawk

Oh, what the ocean? We can make it to the island! We can make it!

He says “we can make it” twice as though to will the storm to let them make it. They are now shouting over the rain, which is thundering down and down and then—

Birdy

OW!

A large chunk of hail hits her head.

Birdy (continued)

Hail?! Are you kidding me?!

Hawk is at the wheel keeping it from spinning, drenched.

Hawk

HAIL THE HAIL!

Pick

THAT’S NOT FUNNY RIGHT NOW— OH CRUD!

Icy Stone

What?

Hawk turns around and he sees it too. There is a massive dark gray storm cloud with forks of lighting shooting out of it. And they are heading right towards it.

Birdy

CRICKEY! Down down down! 

Hawk is at the wheel, which starts spinning uncontrollably, violently. 

Hawk 

That’s what I’m trying! Birdy, you get that rope and pull it down. Pick, let the air out of the blimp balloon part thingy. And—

Pick

WHAT?! YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT?!

Hawk

Just do it, we’re right above Time Tangled, alright? 

Birdy pulls the rope, and it turns the motor off. Pick unscrews a secured cap, and slowly the yellow blimp begins to deflate. They’re going down, down, slowly at first, but getting faster and faster.

Toothpick is as pale as the moon. 

Hawk grabs some things from the secret compartment and hands one to each person.

Hawk

Parachutes! Get your stuff, put them on! This is our stop!

Toothpick looks on the verge of a nervous collapse.

Icy Stone

What the heck? What are you doing?

Hawk

The storm is too strong… we’ll repair the blimp when we get there, if the blimp is repairable… Everyone got the parachutes on?

They all nod.

Hawk

Okay, only release your parachutes when I say, okay? We can’t release them too high or the storm will blow us away. Ready?

They are 100 feet from the ground.

Toothpick

Ready.

75 feet.

Clumsy Bird

YEAH! LET’S DO THIS!

50 feet.

Icy Stone

Yep. Let’s go.

20 feet.

Hawk
NOW JUMP AND GO!

They all jump off the crashing blimp and open the parachutes just in time. But despite their parachutes, they thunder to the ground, not noticing what is wrong with Time Tangled Island. Not noticing the ashes around them.

And not noticing the helicopter fly over them, a grin flashing through the tinted glass window.

But at least they are safe… for now.

TO BE CONTINUED

(Wasn’t that a piece of cake?)

Hope you enjoyed this guest post by Magic Kid. If you did, you might also enjoy their Pop Quiz: Which Pop Character Are You? post.

The Poptropica Help Blog welcomes interesting Poptropica insights from anyone in the Poptropica community with thoughts to share. Interested in writing for the PHB? We’d love to hear from you!