ILLUMINATING THE GALAXY: THE LEGACY OF DC COMICS GREEN LANTERN

DC Comics' Green Lantern is a character whose legacy stretches across the vast expanse of the universe, captivating readers with tales of cosmic heroism, intricate mythos, and intergalactic adventure. From its inception, Green Lantern has evolved into a symbol of willpower, courage, and the boundless potential of the human spirit. At the heart of this captivating saga lies the influential role of Geoff Johns, a visionary writer who revitalized the Green Lantern mythos and contributed significantly to shaping the character's lore.

A Universe of Infinite Possibilities

Green Lantern, an iconic creation of Martin Nodell and Bill Finger in 1940, embarked on its journey as Alan Scott, a mystical guardian powered by a magical ring. However, it was Hal Jordan, created by John Broome and Gil Kane in the Silver Age, who propelled Green Lantern into the realm of science fiction. Jordan became a member of the Green Lantern Corps, an intergalactic peacekeeping force that harnessed the power of will through advanced technology.

The Architect of Modern Green Lantern Mythos

Geoff Johns is a name synonymous with DC Comics' resurgence, and his contributions to Green Lantern have been transformative. Johns took the helm of the series in 2004, launching "Green Lantern: Rebirth," a pivotal storyline that reintroduced Hal Jordan as the iconic Green Lantern after his fall from grace as Parallax. This marked the beginning of Johns' ambitious exploration of the emotional spectrum, a concept that expanded the Green Lantern mythos into uncharted territory.

The Emotional Spectrum and Beyond

Johns' masterstroke was the introduction of the emotional spectrum, which divided the emotional spectrum into seven distinct colors, each corresponding to a different emotion. From the power of will represented by the Green Lantern Corps to the fear-based Sinestro Corps, and the love-driven Star Sapphires, Johns intricately wove these emotions into the fabric of the universe. This concept breathed new life into the characters, creating a rich tapestry of conflicts, alliances, and exploration.

Character Evolution and Redemption

Geoff Johns' tenure saw not only the elevation of Hal Jordan's character but also the evolution of many other Lanterns. Characters like Kyle Rayner, Guy Gardner, and John Stewart received renewed depth and significance, with personal journeys that mirrored the complexity of their respective emotions. Johns masterfully navigated their struggles and triumphs, enriching the lore of the Green Lantern Corps.

Legacy Beyond the Pages

Geoff Johns' impact on Green Lantern extended beyond the comic pages. His influence extended to other media, including animated series and live-action adaptations. The intricate lore he crafted has left a lasting impression on fans, ensuring that the Green Lantern mythos remains an integral part of the DC Universe's legacy.

Conclusion

DC Comics' Green Lantern is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the vastness of imagination. From its early beginnings to the modern era shaped by Geoff Johns, the character has transcended boundaries to become a symbol of hope, willpower, and the potential for growth. As fans continue to explore the captivating tales of cosmic heroes, they owe a debt of gratitude to the visionary writers and artists who have illuminated the galaxy with the indomitable light of Green Lantern.

BATMAN DAY 2021

Holy Coloring Pages and Activity Sheets Batman! It's Batman Day! Enjoy this Caped Crusader themed activity kit courtesy of DC Comics to have a super fun time today:

 

4 Fun Facts About DC’s New Superhero Show Stargirl

Fans of superhero shows and teen dramas will be excited to hear that the new television series Stargirl has premiered on DC Universe. The series, executive produced by Geoff Johns and based off the DC Comics superhero Courtney Whitmore created by Johns and Lee Moder, is the first female-led live-action show on DC. Before you start tuning into the show, here are a few fun facts to know about this exciting new TV hero.

1. Courtney Whitmore Has Been Around for a While

While it may be the first time you’ve heard the name Stargirl, the character Courtney Whitmore has actually been around for quite some time. In fact, she first appeared in the comic book series Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. in 1999. However, her legacy goes back even further than that – all the way to the 1940s. Back in the mid-20^thcentury, DC Comics started up the Star-Spangled Kid and Stripesy comics, in which the titular kid and his chauffeur, Pat Dugan, became a superhero team to combat the Nazis. In the end, the Kid dies and Pat goes on to marry Barbara Whitmore, who later becomes Courtney’s mom.

2. Stargirl Has Numerous Abilities

Nothing draws fans into a superhero show quite like visually stunning powers and abilities, and Stargirl has more than enough to hold anyone’s interest. Some of her abilities include being able to fly, shooting blasts of energy and manipulating force fields. She’s known for her exceptional power, agility and speed. This combination of special abilities is sure to make for highly appealing special effects and dramatic visuals.

3. She Finds Her Uniform in the Basement

Courtney transforms into Stargirl after finding the Star-Spangled Kid’s uniform in the basement of her house. Initially, she dons the outfit just to annoy her stepfather, as you could imagine a typical teenager might do. Still upset with her mom for getting married to Pat, however, she decides to take on the role of the Kid herself and fight evil. Eventually, Pat makes a robotic suit, similar to the one worn by Iron Man, and teams up with her in all kinds of adventures. The two become known as Stargirl and S.T.R.I.P.E.

Courtney also finds a powerful staff to help her in her mission to fight evil and avenge the Kid’s death. With its powers, she is able to accomplish many heroic feats that will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire show.

4. She's Naturally Athletic

One interesting thing to note about this superhero that sets her apart from others is that she’s not born with innate cosmic abilities. In fact, it’s her uniform and staff that give her the abilities of flight, shooting stars and more. However, Courtney herself is very athletic, which helps improve her agility, strength and speed. She’s a trained kickboxer and gymnast and uses her athletic abilities to become an unstoppable force.

If you enjoy teen dramas, superheroes and female-led live-action shows, DC’s new series Stargirl is a show you won’t want to miss. From the character’s humble beginnings to the show’s exciting entertainment value, this is one stunning series you’ll want to start tuning into right away.

National Superhero Day Twitter Party

Join me and my buddies from the PJ MASKS crew  for a National Superhero Day Twitter Party on Friday, April 21, 2017 from 11 am - Noon EST.  I'll be co-hosting this fun online event sponsored by PJ Masks and eOne with The Toy Insider.  It promises to be a super-powered hour full of fun, trivia and giveaways.  For a chance to win a prize follow @TheToyInsider, @PJMasksUS & @Geekdad248 plus RSVP that you'll be attending in advance of the party.  Winners will be randomly selected throughout the hour and must be on the RSVP list and actively participating in the Twitter Party using the hashtag #NationalSuperheroDay to be eligible for a prize.  Prizes are available to U.S. residents only.

The Disney Junior animated television series PJ Masks follows three 6-year-olds, Connor, Amaya, and Greg, who are relatively normal kids by day. When darkness sets though they become Catboy, Owlette, and Gekko, and fight crime as the superhero team PJ Masks throughout the night.  These pint-sized heroes won't let anything stand in there way when it comes to saving the day!

Four lucky winners will win a PJ Masks Character Mask and a PJ Masks Dress Up Set during the #NationalSuperheroDay Twitter Party.   The PJ Masks Dress Up Sets feature highly detailed full-body costumes that look just like the hero outfits Catboy, Owlette, and Gekko wear in the show! The costumes comes in sizes 4-6X. Add a plastic PJ Masks Character Masks to the mix and let the imaginary superhero adventures commence.

One lucky grand prize winner will also win a PJ Masks Headquarters Playset and a full assortment of the 2-pack action figures.  The action-packed PJ Masks Headquarters Playset stands more than 2 feet tall and has three character-themed levels filled with engaging kid-powered features. The light and sound PJ Picture Player kets kids choose their mission, and then recreate the action with the high flying zip line, working elevator, surprise trap, hanging cat rings, and pop-out hatch. The excitement continues as kids launch the included Catboy figure and Cat-Car down the winding ramp and sing along to the theme song.  Click here to read The Toy Insiders review of this playset.

Of course you'll want some PJ Masks figures for kids to play with as well with this playset.  Kids can recreate their favorite scenes from the show with the articulated 3-inch PJ Masks Duet Figure sets, each featuring two 3-inch figures. The two-packs feature Catboy with mad scientist Romeo, Gekko and nighttime foe Night Ninja, and Owlette with midnight marauder Luna Girl.

 RSVP now and don't miss out on the fun on April 21 between 11 am and Noon EST. @TheToyInsider will be asking trivia questions, moderating the conversation and announcing winners throughout the hour as my fellow co-hosts @doughmesstic, @jenngaffney,  @suburbanwifedp, & @lovepeacemommy and myself provide some friendly banter.  We'll be having a SUPER time!

Disclaimer:  A Geek Daddy has been financially compensated for promoting and participating in the #NationalSuperheroDay Twitter Party

CAPTAIN PERSEVERANCE -- HOW I BECAME A SUPERHERO

A Geek Daddy is today's stop on the CAPTAIN PERSEVERANCE -- HOW I BECAME A SUPERHERO online book tour.  This super hero themed book combines the high-energy illustrations of artist Cam Aitkenhead with the inspiring text of poet Brod Bagert to show children that chores and tasks that they may consider as drudgery now with perseverance will lead to future success.  Learning long division in fourth grade, completing a fifth grade science fair entry, and trying out for band in the sixth grade are examples that the main character perseveres through to achieve the successes he wants in life and which young readers can identify with to inspire them to strive to be super themselves.  The story shares with kids an encouraging message that while life may be confusing and difficult at times these experiences provide the important building blocks in developing the skills to get you ahead in life. The Captain reminds us all that everyone struggles at things "but I've learned that PERSEVERANCE is a special kind of friend.  I'm spinning in the middle, but winning in the end."

Brod Bagert, one of America's few full-time professional poets, took some time to answer a few questions from A Geek Daddy about his career, tips for aspiring writers, and the current projects he is focused on:

How long have you been writing?

I’ve written poetry all my life, but it never occurred to me that I might actually do it for a living. Instead I became a trial lawyer and was elected twice to the New Orleans City Council. When I ultimately lost an election for higher office, I was surprised to discover that I felt a sense of relief. I was able to spend time with my children and eventually began writing poems for them to recite in their elocution programs at school. Back then, most children’s poetry was written in the voice of an adult talking to children, which made it hard for children to recite. The poems I wrote for my children were in their own voices, expressing their real feelings about actual events, each ending with a funny twist.

Pretty soon people started asking me to write poems for their children, the whole thing took on a life of its own, and before long I had closed my law office and become a full-time, professional poet. That was 24 years ago, and I’ve never looked back.   I've published 18 books of poetry -- five for adults, two for young adults and eleven for children.

What has been the greatest influence on your writing?

I learned to manage the sound of poetry from Homer. His Odyssey, in the original Greek, is possibly the most exquisitely lyrical poetry ever written. During my first two years of high school we were required to read it aloud, often memorizing the most beautiful passages. The influence was inevitable. Also in high school, translating Horace’s Ars Poetica (The Art of Poetry) shaped my basic thoughts about the nature of poetry. I also experienced specific influences from among the poets writing in English: Robert Frost for the metaphorical story, Emily Dickinson for quiet power, William Butler Yeats for flashes of lyrical magic, and Shakespeare for serious-playfulness.

A three word critique of one of my college poems by American poet Miller Williams was particularly encouraging. As he approached my desk, my poem in hand, about to begin his appraisal, I braced myself for the verbal-Armageddon to which the members of our class had become accustomed. Instead he handed me the paper and said, “Do it again.” My early work-life experiences do indeed show up in my work. When I write a poem in the voice of a child, my old lawyer’s sense of advocacy and fiduciary obligation kicks in and makes sure that I represent that child’s point of view 100 percent. And for me, in a lot of ways, a poem is like a political stump speech. If the people don’t understand what you’re trying to say, the speech won’t work. So when I write a poem I want my reader (or listener) to get it the first time through. And if they’re inclined to dig a little deeper, I want to make sure they find a gem or two with each turn of the shovel. I usually try to bury enough cool stuff to provide an English major with a few hours of happy explication, but I never—never—want to write something that might make my reader feel inadequate.

What are some of the projects you are currently focused on?

Captain Perseverance, the hero in my most recent book, is the first of three superheroes who are all members of the Grit Alliance. Next comes Major Effort, then Commander Diligence.

Also, for the last 20 years I’ve been working on an outrageously ambitious science thing I call the Muse Project. The idea is to give teachers a body of fictional performance material (poems, plays, monologues, dialogues, and songs) that teaches real science in detail, the entire science curriculum. I’ve already completed 240 of the 270 or so pieces it’ll take to cover the material and have begun brainstorming the most effective media to get it into the hands of America’s teachers.

Can a poem or picture book really make a difference in the life of a child?

Absolutely!  It's the power of the parable that great teachers have always understood.  In Captain Perseverance, children identify with the main character as he struggles with challenges he faces in school.  They experience the action of the story as though it were actually happening to them and walk away with an intellectual and emotional grasp of the power of perseverance. 

What advice would you give a writer who is starting out?

It’s probably a good idea to read "Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style" every six months, and read it out loud. Writers should be learners. Not just dabblers, but full-power seekers of eclectic of knowledge. My personal remedy for writer’s block is to use learning as a catalyst. When I learn, I think. When I think, I have something to say. When I have something to say, I write.

Find out who you are and what you want to say before you die. One of my shortest poems is a three-line piece I wrote in the middle of the night, in a cold, wet sleeping-bag, in a tent, on the shore of Glacier Bay in Alaska.

Dry Cell Battery

I write by flashlight in the dark.

The battery grows weak. 

There is little time to speak 

 (Alaska—Twenty Poems in a Journal, 1988)

Writers don’t live forever, and the writing we leave behind is what we are. Make sure what you write is how you want to be remembered. 

Now you know a bit more about the story and its author check out illustrations from the book and some interesting behind the scenes perspectives about the creation of  CAPTAIN PERSEVERANCE by clicking here.  CAPTAIN PERSEVERANCE is now available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and iBooks and keep an eye out for additional adventures featuring the Grit Alliance coming soon.

Stop by Ice Fairy's Treasure Chest on Monday, September 12th for the next stop on the CAPTAIN PERSEVERANCE online book tour.

Miraculous Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir

If you are looking for a super hero themed story that isn't dominated by male characters than Miraculous Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir may be a show you want to check out.  The adventures of teenage girl Marinette as the hero known as "Ladybug" provide for super fun in this animated TV series that has been wildly successful on Nickelodeon and is now being released on DVD beginning May 3, 2016 by Shout! Kids.  Both my seven year old daughter and son really enjoy watching the Paris-based adventures of Ladybug and Cat Noir so A Geek Daddy is sharing my kids enjoyment of the show with a C'est Magnifique giveaway courtesy of Shout! Kids. We're giving away a Miraculous Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir DVD.

UPDATE: Congrats to Tamara R from Elverta, California who won our giveaway.

Follow @Geekdad248 & RT for chance to win a MIRACULOUS TALES OF LADYBUG & CAT NOIR dvd courtesy of @ShoutFactory #ad pic.twitter.com/qxDPfn0e0y

— A Geek Daddy (@GeekDad248) April 29, 2016

To be eligible for this giveaway you must follow @Geekdad248 on Twitter and retweet our original contest tweet which is embedded above before May 6, 2016 @ 11:59 pm EST.  Must be a US  resident over the age of 18 to participate.  One entry per person and we'll randomly select someone from all eligible entries to receive a Miraculous Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir DVD featuring the first seven episodes broadcast on Nickelodeon.

Marinette and Adrien, two seemingly normal kids live what appears to be an ordinary teen life.  But when the evil Hawk Moth threatens their beloved city of Paris, they transform into the superheroes Ladybug and Cat Noir using super powers gained with the help of their magical friends.  Hawk Moth is using his evil energy to transform normal people into super villains, so our two heroes need to use all their skills to defeat him.

Becoming Ladybug is a complicated process for Marinette.  First, she needs a "Kwami" which is a tiny magical creature.  She also needs a "Miraculous" which is a magical accessory.  Combining the two transforms Marinette into a super hero, but her Ladybug powers only work for a limited time!

It is a good think that she gets a little help from her super hero sidekick, Cat Noir, even though she insists she doesn't need his help.  If only she knew Cat Noir's true identity -- Adrien, her school crush.  It will take a lot -- friendship, teamwork, and skill -- to outwit Hawk Moth.  Will Ladybug & Cat Noir be able to balance their double lives and keep Paris safe?  Will they ever find out each other's true identity? Until then there is a whole city of baddies to defeat...SPOTS ON, CLAWS OUT!

The Miraculous Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir DVD includes the television episodes "The Bubbler," "Mr. Pigeon," "Stormy Weather," "Timebreaker," "Copycat," "The Pharoah," and "Lady Wifi."  It also contains bonus features including cast and crew interviews, episode animatics, and a sing-along. CLICK HERE for information on how you can purchase this Shout! Kids DVD.



Disclaimer & Rules / FTC Notice:  A Geek Daddy Blog will be responsible for selecting the winner of this contest, but Shout! Factory is responsible for fulfillment and delivery of the prize. By participating in this contest you waive any liability towards A Geek Daddy Blog or its publisher that may arise from your involvement with this promotion. A Geek Daddy Blog hosted this contest and blog post based upon Shout! Factory providing the prize to the selected winner. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. Must be a US resident over 18 years old.  If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Prize will be delivered by UPS or FedEx so no P.O. Boxes are allowed as mailing addresses. A Geek Daddy Blog is hosting this giveaway as a benefit to our readers. Information for this post was provided by Shout! Factory. A Geek Daddy Blog did not receive any financial compensation for publishing this post but did receive one of the prizes for personal use.

DC Super Hero Girls

My daughter had some allowance money she'd saved up burning a hole in her pocket to be spent and asked if we could go to Target so she could pick out a new toy to play with.  She was really excited to discover in the toy aisle a new type of super hero action figures that cater specifically to the interests of young girls and began jumping up and down holding the toy box yelling out "Daddy can I buy it!"  My little girl hasn't been particularly interested in super heroes because of the rough and tumble nature of many of the characters that includes a big focus on fighting bad guys while she herself has a more gentle side.  On the other hand, my daughter finds the stylish appearance of  the Super Girl action figure we brought home appealing and appreciates how the character's description puts a focus on utilizing her special abilities to solve problematic situations rather than engaging in fist a cuffs battle royal with evil villains.

The Super Girl toy my daughter bought with her allowance money is part of a new effort by DC Comics, a division of Warner Brothers, to get girls aged 6 to 12 genuinely interested in super heroes.  Warner Brothers has created a multi-media / toy product lineup called DC Super Hero Girls featuring teenage versions of popular comic book characters hoping to build a young female fan base for the company's entertainment properties.  The premise of DC Super Hero Girls is that age appropriate for young audiences versions of popular male and female comic book characters such as Bat Girl, Beast Boy, Cheetah, Flash, Harley Quinn, and Wonder Woman interact in light-hearted high school themed adventures.  Warner Brothers has partnered with Mattel to create 6-inch action figures, like the one my daughter bought, as well as 12-inch action dolls depicting the DC Super Hero Girls that are currently available exclusively at Target.  The toy line will be rolled out to other major retailers beginning later in 2016.  Additionally, Warner Brothers has released a series of video shorts to tell the story of the DC Super Hero Girls that can be viewed for free at dcsuperherogirls.com website or on their youtube channel.



In addition to the toys, DC Super Hero Girls will also have an app for mobile devices, a Random House middle-grade reading level novel series, a television show on Turner Broadcasting System's Boomerang cable network, and graphic novels from DC Comics telling stories featuring these young ladies during their formative high school years as they begin to discover their full super power potential.  At this point in their lives Harley Quinn isn't a villain but rather a mischievous class clown, Bat Girl is an A student technology whiz, Super Girl is the kind-hearted girl next door and Wonder Woman is the class president go-getter.



DC Comics will also be telling the Super Hero Girls story on Free Comic Book Day.  They'll be giving out a special free issue on May 7, 2015 during this annual event at participating comic book shops.  It will feature two stories from the upcoming graphic novel DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: FINAL CRISIS. In these stories it is the day before finals...and nothing is going right for the girls. These stories show how the DC Super Hero Girls find out that fun, friendship and hard work are all part of growing up!

DC Super Hero Girls encourage young ladies to get their capes on!  As a dad I like that DC Super Hero Girls promote that super heroes aren't just a genre for the boys to enjoy plus provides the message that girls don't have to choose between being strong or feminine as they can be both. So DC Super Hero Girls gets A Geek Daddy nod of approval.



#Mattel #DCSUPERHEROGIRLS

Dynamic Mom & Pop Duo Create HeroBoys Comics & Toys

In honor of National Share Your Care Day, A Geek Daddy wanted to share with our readers some information on a KICKSTARTER campaign by a dynamic mom & pop duo who are looking to make their vision of a super hero comic book and line of toys that is age appropriate for young children a reality.  Doesn't it seem like many of the comic books, movies, television shows and toys for our kids are just rehashing and recycling characters and stories from past generations?  Wouldn't it be nice to see some new original and fresh content that today's generation of kids can embrace and call its own with less violent themes and more of an emphasis on addressing life lessons and promoting values?  Do a good deed today and support this Kickstarter campaign that brings an action figure and comic book that celebrates children's sense of adventure, imaginations, and limitless potential to life.

Like many parents today, Crissi and Ed Boland struggled when they went shopping to find toys that their little boys both wanted to play with and that were useful with promoting the positive development of their young children in the years when they are so very impressionable.  So these entrepreneurial parents created the concept of the HeroBoys - a group of "ordinary" boys brought together to do good through super powers that have been bestowed upon them by a mysterious benefactor and mentor called The Gentleman.  The comic book will be a monthly serial which begins with the HeroBoys having to overcome the challenges facing a city that has been overcome by selfishness.  Each issue will feature a story that emphasizes positive messaging regarding life lessons and provide teachable moments for parents to discuss with their children. The Boland's also plan for a unique 18" plush/plastic combination action figure to go along with the comic books so that kids can play out the adventures of their favorite HeroBoys characters.

The HeroBoys character traits were designed from the Boland's parenting experiences dealing with their sons and the children they interact with at school and play.  From my own experiences as a parent, these HeroBoys really do seem to be relatable characters for the preschool and elementary school aged kids they are meant for. I also appreciate that these HeroBoys toys combine the comforting elements of plush doll with the articulation features of an action figure for children to play with.  From reading a preview of the first issue of the comic book it appeared to be well suited to be enjoyable for both early readers and young children who may need mom or dad to read it to them.

"We wanted these comics and toys to teach honesty, loyalty, humility, compassion, and diligence," Ed Boland communicated to A Geek Daddy.  "That concept may seem a little old-fashioned in today's culture that celebrates violence, narcissism, and a win-at-all-cost approach, but we think our kids could use a good, healthy dose of old-fashioned in their lives. With your support, we can bring a meaningful, thoughtful alternative into the unimaginative world of toys for boys."

Rewards for participating in the HeroBoys campaign range from a t-shirt/comic book combo for $25 to a Hero Starter Set which includes a one year monthly subscription to the comic book (print & digital editions), a t-shirt, matching cape & mask, and an 18" HeroBoy action figure.  Also note that the action figure pictured is a prototype and Ed told us that the final product will have a head sculpt that more accurately reflects the illustrated images of the HeroBoys from the comic book.  Hopefully if the initial launch of the comic book and toys is successful they'll be able to add some girl super heroes to the mix as well.

For more information, CLICK HERE to visit the HeroBoys Kickstarter campaign page.

IAmElemental - Action Figures for Girls

My twin 6 year old son and daughter really enjoy playing together with super hero themed action figures and I really enjoy that during these play times there tends to be harmony and peace in the house versus the bickering and fighting that often occurs between siblings.  One issue though that isn't so nice that often comes up when they are playing "super heroes" is out of the twenty or so action figures my kids have only one is a woman and the rest are men so at some point the question always comes up from my daughter why can't she have more girl super hero toys to play with and why does her brother get to have more toys than her.  I explain that the toys are for both of them to enjoy and unfortunately most of the characters just happen to be boys but if we see some girl super hero characters at the store we'll pick them up for her.  I also make an effort to explain that just because the super hero characters are guys doesn't mean she can't as a girl enjoy playing with them and she shouldn't worry about something being a "girl" or "boy" toy but rather focus on having fun playing with any toy she wants to.  That being said it would be nice to have a few more lady super heroes for my daughter to play with.

Therefore, I was happy to have recently discovered a new line of action figures meant to show girls and boys that women can be super heroes too.   Launched last year, IAmElemental is a series of seven 4" articulated action figures that are individually packaged and include a drawstring carry bag, shield, an interchangeable accessory, Elements of Power chart and two trading cards featuring strong, healthy female super heroes.  In addition to the super hero aspect of these action figures, the toy line also incorporates STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) to help encourage girls to take interest in these professional fields where women traditionally lag in comparison to men.  Individual figures are $9.99 and are available to purchase online and at these retail stores.  At 4" these action figures are also a nice size so that they are relatively compatible to playing with other popular action figure lines like DC Comics Justice League, Marvel's Avengers, and Star Wars toys that tend to range in size from 3.75 to 4 inches as standard sizes.



Each IAmElemental action figure has its own unique theme.  For the current 7 figure lineup the characters represent bravery, energy, honesty, industry, enthusiasm, persistence, and fear:

 BRAVERY does not shrink from challenge or difficulty.  She has the ability to create a protective force-field around herself and others.

ENERGY approaches life with excitement and does not do things half way.  She has the ability to control electrical impulses.

HONESTY tells the truth. She has the ability to make others tell the truth.

INDUSTRY works hard at all she does.  She has the ability to control physical objects and repair anything that is broken.

ENTHUSIASM cultivates and shares a positive mindset.  She has the ability to change the negative emotions of others.

PERSISTENCE finishes what she starts and persists in spite of obstacles.  She has the ability to push through any obstacle with super strength.

FEAR spreads the impulse to pull away.  She has the ability to stop a moving object in its tracks.

IAmElemental action figures were named one of the "25 Best Inventions of 2014" and "Top 10 Toys of 2014" by TIME Magazine. These toys are suggested for children 4 years old and older. In addition to purchasing the action figures individually they can also be purchased in a bundle that includes a lunchbox carry case for $65. For parents or grandparents of elementary school aged girls and boys, these are some action figures this Geek Daddy believes you should check out. 

IAmElemental was started as a Kickstarter campaign that met its funding goals in 2 days drawing backers from all 50 states and six continents. According to Julie Kerwin with the privately held New York City-based toy company behind these action figures, "IAmElemental, which was launched to worldwide acclaim via Kickstarter, envisions kids as the creators of a play experience in which they are the active agents in a story of their own design."



For more information, visit www.iamelemental.com

AMC Hypes BREAKING BAD Spin-off TV Series with Comic Book

Cable network AMC is hyping its new Breaking Bad spin-off television series Better Call Saul with an online comic book. Set in 2002, Better Call Saul focuses on the life of small-time lawyer Saul Goodman (played by Bob Odenkirk) six years before his appearance on Breaking Bad, though events during and after the original series will also be explored in the show.  The comic book features a story that ties together the new television series with Breaking Bad.  It also wraps up with a two page short at the end that has Saul imagining a TV commercial for his law practice portraying him as a super hero defending people from evil police officers. The online comic book,  Better Call Saul: Client Development, was written by Jenn Carroll and Gordon Smith with art by Steve Ellis.

 CLICK HERE to read Better Call Saul: Client Development.

The all-new "Better Call Saul: Client Development" online comic follows Mike Ehrmantraut and Saul Goodman as they work to root out the truth about Saul’s newest client, revealing exactly what took place between when Jimmy In-N-Out gets arrested as Heisenberg and the moment Saul confronts Walter White in his chemistry classroom. As a bonus, the Better Call Saul comic also includes an exclusive two-page short that reimagines Saul as a superhero, rescuing a client from the clutches of evil police officers.

Better Call Saul debuts on Sunday February 8, 2015 at 10pm (ET/PT) following the midseason premiere of THE WALKING DEAD on AMC.