Namorita - Our Reach

“The further you reach the more that you touch, the more that you touch the fuller you feel, the fuller you feel the less that you need, the less that you need the further you reach.” This quote has given me an explanation of my growth as a human. It’s human nature to need more and want more. I’ll reach a spiritual, professional or creative plateau and I will naturally want to move to the next plateau. I think it is important to continue the growth, physically, spiritually and emotionally. Reaching new heights is part of the growth.

Our Reach

“…Our REACH always exceeds our GRASP!” - Namorita*

Namorita is the cousin to Prince Namor, the Sub-mariner and ruler of the underwater Atlantean kingdom. Like Namor she is half Atlantean and Human. She has all his abilities including the ankle wings. However she can cause acid burns with her touch. Namorita, Nita to her friends went to Empire State University, in New York, where she met the New Warriors. Her hope was to bring peace to the land and sea. She continued to work until she and a group of young heroes caused an explosion that destroyed a community.

The poet, William Ellery Channing, wrote “Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.” An unknown author wrote, “The further you reach the more that you touch, the more that you touch the fuller you feel, the fuller you feel the less that you need, the less that you need the further you reach.” This tells us to REACH. Life is not easy and we will not let that stop us. We will reach for the things we need; we will work toward our dreams. The more we reach the more we grasp and the more we grasp the more we will accomplish.

Namorita
First Appearance: The Sub-Mariner, #50 (June 1972), Marvel Comics

Last Appearance: Civil War, #1 (July 2006), Marvel Comics

Creators: Bill Everett

* “From the Ground Up!” The New Warriors, Volume 1, #1, July 1990, Marvel Comics

Northwind - Simplify Things

People say, “Keep It Simple Stupid”. I don’t like that catchphrase because I’m not stupid. I would not listen to people whenever that phrase was used. I had a dear friend, Susan H, that would call be sweetheart often. One day it occurred to me that all I had to do was change the words to fit me. I have not changed the meaning at all, it just fits my needs. I’m keeping it simple.  

Simplify Things

“One thing for sure, it’ll certainly simplify things.” - Northwind*

Carter Hall, the archaeologist also known as Hawkman would travel to the community of winged people, the Feitheran race. On one of the trips he brings an archaeologist colleague, Fred Cantrell. Fred meets and falls in love with Osroro, a Feitheran woman. They marry and have a son, Norda. Trained in the Feitheran magic Norda, saves his people from Silver Scarab. Norda eventually travels to Washington, DC where he meets the members of Infinity Incorporated and becomes Northwind the high flying hero. Northwind is protector of nature and the animal kingdom.

Here is a catchphrase, “K. I. S. S. – Keep It Simple Sweetheart. It is helpful in a day’s events. Don’t get bogged down in complication “keep it simple sweetheart”. This isn’t an opportunity to be lazy. This is an opportunity to make words and activities understood and less difficult to follow. We complicate matters to hide or keep people at a distance or even because we want to procrastinate. It is better to just say it and move forward. It is better to do what is right in front of us to do.  Walt Whitman wrote, “Simplicity is the glory of expression.” Also Richard Bach the author of Illusions wrote, "the simplest things are often the truest." Today keep it real, keep it true and above all else just be you. This is a great challenge.

Northwind
First Appearance: All-Star Squadron, #25 (September 1983)

Creators: Roy Thomas (writer) & Jerry Ordway (art)

* “3 Earths 3 Deaths”, Crisis on Infinite Earths, #6, 1985

Karate Kid - Courage

Karate Kid is one of my favorite superheroes. His gifts are based purely in training and his inner virtue. He is heroic because he can be and strives to be a hero. The thing for me to remember is to notice in my life the courageous things I have done. Moving to DC took courage. Each time I stand-up (big or small) for myself takes courage.

Courage

“…Cool the superiority trip! Besides, Super Powers don’t make a hero …Courage does!” - Karate Kid*

The Legion of Superheroes of the 30th century is inspired by the heroes of the 20th century. These kids come from planets that are part of the United Planets. Each representative has a superpower accept Val Armorr, better known as Karate Kid. Karate Kid has mastered every form of martial arts from every planet. He can find a way through obstacle. Karate Kid fought Superboy to a draw with his skill. He has singled handedly fought the Fatal Five, and various members of “the Legion of Super-Villains”. Karate Kid shows us that super powers do not make a Superhero, it is the courage we show in living.  

Superheroes are very courageous. But so are we. We have learned that courage is perseverance. Courage is facing a difficulty. The true lesson here is how we face difficult situations and how we persevere. Do we hide in the shadows or do we walk with our heads held high unafraid to speak plainly clearly and precisely. According to Edgar Cayce, “every experience and condition is a useful experience, and these are either made as stumbling blocks or stepping stones.” Try to remember it is how we step over the “stepping stones.” We ask ourselves daily, What are the challenges we must overcome? Where are we at fault? Are we showing enough sensitivity to others? Do we neglect our needs? Do we express ourselves in emotional outbursts?  Courage is not screaming and fighting. Courage is not boasting or grandiosity. True courage knows when to act and when to walk away. The serenity prayer offers help, “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.” I like to add – and the willingness to get the job done.

Karate Kid
First Appearance: “One of us is a Traitor!” Adventure Comics #346, July 1966

Creators: Jim Shooter (plot), Sheldon Moldoff, Curt Swan and George Klein (art)

 * “My world begins in Yesterday” Karate Kid #1 March, 1976

Firehawk - Crazy

I have felt crazy and turned inside out – many times. First and foremost being when my mother died. She was the one person that I felt loved me unconditionally. Her death left a major hole in my life. I had a practice and friends that walked me through the grief. The second major change in my life was moving to DC. That was a bit harder because I did not have the close network of friends in DC. I had to depend on myself for the support. however, I had daily practices in place that I learned from my mother's death. I was able to see the move to DC as a big adventure. It was very exciting.

Crazy

“The last few days have been so CRAZY I feel as if I’ve been turned inside out.” - Firehawk*

Loraine Reilly, student and daughter of Politian, Senator Walter Reilly, was attacked by the Black Bison (for how her father treated Native Americans) but Loraine is rescued by the hero Firestorm. This brings her to the attention of the villainous Henry Hewitt. Hewitt kidnaps Loraine for attempt to bully her father in the Senate. Hewitt decides instead to recreate the accident that created Firestorm on Loraine. However it did not work out as he planned (not knowing the true nature of Firestorm’s powers). The accident gave Loraine flight, intangibility and control over fire and radiation. Hewitt instructed Loraine, now Firehawk to hunt and kill Firestorm.  However this backfired also because Firestorm started a romantic relationship with Firehawk, bringing her to the side of the light and good.  Loraine eventually gave up super-heroics entering the politics and becoming a Senator like her father.

Raise your hand if you ever felt as if our world has been turned inside out and crazy? Sometimes big changes make us feel that way – loss of a love one, a new job, starting college away from home. The thing to do is have certain things in place –  daily journaling, daily meditation or daily walks. Traveling with favorite books or pictures can help also. Remember the result from a change is always good. No matter how sad the change or loss may be the lessons learned from the change will inspire and bring hope, eventually. The crazy feeling is just the hole that needs to be filled. Find new ways to fill that hole. The daily practices we set up will be a good starting point.

Firehawk
First Appearance: Firestorm, vol. 2 #1 (June 1982), DC Comics

Creators: Gerry Conway (writer) Pat Broderick (art)

* “A Long Night’s Journey into Day”, Firestorm, #42, December 1985, DC Comics

Damage - Hiding Behind The Mask

It took me a long time to learn how take the mask off. I was one of those people that was acted one way for one group of people and wore a different mask for another group of people. I could not find people that actual knew me. There was no integrity within me. I learned how to be myself in every situation. How did I do this? By sitting down and getting to know myself. Becoming brave enough to speak my inner truth.

Hiding behind the Mask

“If I somehow make it out of this thing alive… I don’t want to hide behind this mask anymore." - Damage

Some heroes are so horribly disfigured they have to hide behind a mask. This is the case of Grant Emerson. Grant was a high-school student when his powers manifested. He could blow things up. He was raised by an abusive man and has suffered the loss of family and friends. It turns out his father was the original Atom -- Al Pratt. Grant Emerson realizing he could blow things up took the moniker “Damage”. His unique powers have been very useful in many major events and he has saved the universe on occasion. The villain Zoom tried to make Grant a better hero by disfiguring his face. Grant had to don a mask to hide the horrible scars. Then Grant met Sonia Sato – Judomaster. She looked beyond the mask and beyond the scars and fell in love with the true man. Grants life was not so damaging. But during the “Blackest Night Event” Grant lost his life.  Now Grant's dedication and true self inspires Sonia and friends to continue to fight the good fight.

It's better to be ourselves to let the world see the scars, to see the pain, to see the emotion. There are people in the world that will not understand and will be offended by our true selves. Let them be offended.  As we meet and get know people we can become better at judging who is accepting and who is not. Traveling on a true spiritual path would involve shedding the mask and being oneself in the light of the new day. Letting the world see us for who we truly are – a human being. If we all could shed our masks we would find that we all share the same emotions, feelings, and desires. We would find and see that we are all on the same spiritual journey and so why walk that path alone.

Damage

First Appearance: Damage #1 DC Comics (April 1994)

Last Appearance: Blackest Night #4 DC Comics (Dec 2009)

Creators: Tom Joyner and Bill Marimon

 * JSA All Stars #7, August 2010 

Madame Xanadu - Their Own Work

Where would I be if I didn’t dream? Where would I be if I didn’t draw Washington, DC out of that hat so many years ago. I know that I would not have the life I have today. I enjoy my little life. It’s simple and drama free. It can get hectic and I can get stressed out but that’s part of life. I’m glad that I had people in my life that let me chase my dreams and let me leave the nest.

Their Own Work

“You gotta let people create their own work and let them have a stake in it.” - Karen Berger*

Some heroes are immortal or use magic to live a REALLY long time. Such is the case of Madame Xanadu. Madame Xanadu is the youngest sister of Morgan le Fay and Vivienne, the Lady of the Lake. Her real name is Nimue Inwudu. Over the years she imprisoned Merlin for misleading Camelot, spent time in Kublai Khan’s court (this is where she took the name Xanadu) and she also advised Marie Antoinette during the French Revolution. She uses her gifts of precognition, fortune telling and sense of magical presences to help other magical heroes. She has worked with many of the magical heroes – John Constantine, Zatara, Zatanna, the Spectre and the Phantom Stranger. To all Madame Xanadu is an enigma speaking in riddles but claims the riddles are how the events appear to her.

How nice would it be to tell the future? We could save ourselves and friends much headache and heartache. But we cannot. “You gotta let people create their own work and let them have a stake in it.” We do not just create books, paintings or lovely desserts we create lives. We have to let people create their own lives. Yes we gather experience that we can share with others (“Honey, don’t stick your finger in the hot wax it will burn you”). But we take that needed experience away from people when we offer non-solicited opinions or force them off their journey. We don’t want friends and family to move away or quit jobs for a “dream”. But where would Andy Warhol, Albert Einstein, Mother Theresa and Margaret Bourke-White be if they did not dream? Each one of these people dreamed, created and took a stake in their creations. 

Madame Xanadu
First Appearance: Doorway to Nightmare #1, (February 1978)

Creators: David Mitchelinie (writer), Val Mayerik (artist), Michael William Kaluta (character design)

* “Secret Origin: the Story of DC Comics, Warner Bros, release date November 09, 2010

Silver Agent

Silver Agent is one of those heroes that will defend anyone. If there is one reason I do this each morning it is to teach this lesson, accept all people for who they are no matter race, greed, color, or sexual orientation. It is so important to accept people for who they are. Heroes like Silver Agent, Wonder Woman or Captain American always make me feel that they would protect me no matter what is happening. In their eyes I would always be accepted.

And I See All of Them

“And I see them all, feel them all…Heroes of every stripe and kind…and People, struggling, loving, losing, struggling again. Hoping, Triumphing. And I am part of them all, part of it all from the beginning on to infinity am I’m… I’m… at long last…I’m Home.” - Silver Agent*

Alan Jay Craig was born in Romeyn Falls, 1932 with infantile polio. He had a limp and brace he had to wear. His dad and brothers became police officers but he chose to be a mailman. He delivers a package to known villains and realized they were stuffing ballots boxes to gain a victory in the upcoming election. The villains notice Alan Craig snooping about and chased Craig. Craig hid in a cave where he found a flattened silver coin from the 1900 World’s Fair and another silver object. It is alive but seems like a machine. It transforms Craig into the Silver Agent, the greatest and loved hero of Astro City. In 1973 Silver Agent was be framed for a murder he didn’t commit and was be executed. However, the Centurions, an elite group of time traveling heroes rescued Silver Agent. Silver Agent’s self-less actions will inspire many heroes to step up and protect Astro City.

What a lovely description this is to read. We are all people, “struggling, loving, losing, struggling again. Hoping, Triumphing.” No matter the race creed color religion etc… we seek the same things. We feel the same emotions. We seek to be accepted and loved. To get through life among all the struggles and heartaches with only the triumphing hope as a source. Learning, knowing and recognizing this can’t we come home and be a person among people.

Silver Agent

First Appearance: Astro City: Life in the Big City, #1 (Aug. 1995), Image Comics

Creators: Kurt Busiek (writer), Alex Ross (designer) Brent Anderson (art)

* “Home to the Hill”, Silver Agent, Astro City Special, #2 (Aug. 2010), Wildstorm, DC Comics

Forager - Food is Good

I fast one day a week. I use the fast for cleansing and detoxifying my body. It is also a good reminder of the important gift food is to us. I try to break my fast with a nice meal or with someone special. Making that connection to the gifts around me is important to balanced living.  

Food is Good

“This food is good! It is made by the Eternals!" - Forager*

Forager is a humanoid bug that lives with his colony on the ground of “New Genesis”, while the new gods live in the floating city of “Supertown”. His colony lives with and for the “Queen Widow” and “Prime One”. Forager is sent on to find what is needed for the colony. Considered low life by the New Gods Forager does not let their thoughts stop him to do what is right. He shows more human compassion than many of the New Gods. Everything he receives or finds he considers it a gift from the Eternals.

Food is Good! Food is a gift. The air we breathe is a gift. The light and warmth from the sun is a gift. The coolness of night is a gift.  Who cares where these gifts come from as long as we consider them a gift and treat them as gifts? The Taoist believes that each meal is another time to connect to the spiritual and so seek to entertain the 5 flavors in the simplest of manner. Many of the Christians say prayers thanking God for the gifts they are about to receive. Even if we are eating alone we can treat that meal as special and a gift. So sitting down to eat, taking a breath and taking a walk outside is a gift. Treat it as special and it will be special.

Forager
First Appearance: New Gods #9, DC Comics (August 1972)

Creators: Jack Kirby (writer & artist)

 * “The Bug” New Gods #9, DC Comics (August 1972)

She Hulk - A Great Big Adventure

One superhero that needs her own movie or TV show would be She Hulk. She is one of the funniest and traditionally heroic characters. If we’re talking about laughing and having a Kiki, She Hulk is your girl. She’s ready to have an adventure – even a low down little dirty adventure. But, she is also willing to help the helpless in anyway. She has one of the biggest hearts for superhero.

A Great Big Adventure

The Thing – “You gonna play nice?”

She-Hulk – “Yeah.”

The Thing – “And Life is…?”

She-Hulk – “A great big adventure.”

The Thing – “Atta girl.” *

Superheroes have no problem finding adventure. The life of a Superhero is really one big adventure after another.  Jennifer Walters was just an ordinary girl, living the life of a big city lawyer. She was working on helping her cousin Bruce Banner (AKA The Hulk) with his legal problems. Because of an illness she needed an emergency blood transfusion. She has a rare blood type, and the only blood available in her type was from her cousin Bruce Banner. The Gamma-irradiated blood changed Jennifer Walters’ mild-mannered and mousy lawyer into the ever popular; more impulsive and uninhibited tall voluptuous green bombshell – the She-Hulk. From that moment on Jennifer Walters’ life was totally one big adventure. She has traveled to different planets with the Avengers, to different Dimensions with the Fantastic Four and fighting villains here on Earth.

Today we can sit at home or behind our desk waiting for some fun or we can go out and find “the big adventure”.  “Life was meant to be lived, not understood” (Santayana). Now of course we will not fly to other galaxies or other dimensions, but we can take that macramé class or ask that nice young man out for coffee. Life is what we put into it and there will be days that are difficult. Remember we have choices. The difficulty we experience is a lesson to be learned. Victory is sweeter when there is a little struggle. Make life what it truly is – “A great big Adventure.”  

She-Hulk
First Appearance: Savage She-Hulk #1
Creator: Stan Lee, John Buscema

* She-Hulk, Dan Slott and Juan Bobillo #3 July 2004

Phantom Girl - Pretty Much!

If you’ve been lucky to spend any time with me, you know I LOVE to laugh and have a good time. I love to Kiki with my Good Judys. Even in my classroom we find time to laugh and giggle, but we still get the job done. With my adult friends some of the best laughs come from what happens in the classroom. This doesn't mean I do get bogged down or negative sometimes. The laughing helps bring me out of negativity.  Laughter is healing for me.

Pretty Much

“Do you guys always have this much fun?”                 Superboy

“Pretty Much!”                                                        Phantom Girl* 

The Legion of Superheroes of the 30th Century would travel to the 20th Century to invite Clark Kent (Superboy) to become a member of the Legion. One of these young superheroes was Phantom Girl. Tinya Wazzo is from the planet Bgztl that exist in the space as Earth but on another dimension – a “phantom dimension”.  All Bgztlians have the ability to become phantoms. Tinya uses her abilities to help the Legion of Superheroes, her best friends, and they have fun saving the universe.

Who says doing your daily practice, job or duties have to be drudgery? Who says going to work every day has to be boring? Nobody really it is just a frame of mind many people have. Lawrence R says, “Do what’s right and have fun doing it!” Take the example from the Legion of Superheroes have fun saving the universe! Yes there are “Negative Nellies” out there that seem to bring others down – we do not need to listen to them. Just keep a hopeful, joyful and free frame of mind. Try to stay Open-minded and Open-hearted. Every day we are given opportunities to laugh and smile. Look for those opportunities and take those opportunities.

Phantom Girl   
First Appearance: Action comics #276 (May 1961)

Creators: Jerry Siegel & Jim Mooney 

* Superboy & Phantom Girl, “Man of Tomorrow”, episode, Legion of Superheroes, Sept. 23, 2006 (2006-09-23)

Actors Heather Hogan (Phantom Girl) & Yuri Lowenthal (Superman)

The Shinning Knight - Soar Once Again!

This has been a crazy week. Weeks like this can make one tired and grumpy. What I do in times like this is meditate more, focus on the positive, communicate less with negative nellies and keep my eye on the goal. I also try to change something that I do have control over. I might change where I sit to read or where I meditate. I may just walk to work instead of taking the bus. I feel I have control in some ways and then my focus starts to change. I can see the positive and before I know it the work week is over and I have a nice little weekend to relax.

Soar Once Again!

“How my heart does rejoice to see you freed from the restraints which hid your wings, so that you may soar once again!” - Shinning Knight*

Sir Justin a knight of King Arthur vowed to avenge the Murder of Sir Fallon, Queen Guinevere’s cousin, at the hands of the ogre Blunderbore. On his way, Sir Justin found the wizard Merlin trapped by a witch’s spell in a tree. After being freed, Merlin gave Justin a new invulnerable sinning golden armor, sword and shield. Merlin also gave Justin a winged horse, Winged Victory. Sir Justin found Blunderbore atop a mountain. Sir Justin won the battle avenging his friend but Justin and Winged Victory were trapped in an icy avalanche frozen for centuries. In the year 1941, they were found and thawed by archeologists. After being thawed Sir Justin and Winged Victory were alive. Justin took the name Shinning Knight and fought on the side of justice. The Shinning Knight would join the teams, Seven Soldiers of Victory, the All-Star Squadron and the Justice Society of America.

There are times when we feel trapped or bogged down in the mire of daily life. There is one thing to always remember – the world as we know it is a series of cycles. Eventually things will change and there will be a sense of freedom and release. That sense of release is a good sign that a lesson has been learned. Many times we are bogged down there is a lesson to learn. Sometimes we are out of balance which causes stress and trapped feelings. Seeking balance will set things right again. Just trust that once things will change again.

Shinning Knight

First Appearance: Adventure Comics, #66 (September 1941), DC Comics  

Creator: Creig Flessel (writer & artist)  

*“The World on Fire”, All-Star Squadron, #1, (September 1981), DC Comics  

The Crimson Avenger - Qui Vindicet Ibit

I had a student last year being bullied. Of course, the bully was smart and was doing the bullying while unattended or saying mean things under their breath. They would also get other children to ostracize the student. My student was at her wits end. My support to her was walk with her to class. I would never let her eat lunch alone. We would have long conversations about standing up for yourself. Eventually, the student stood up to the bully publicly. It was not a fight or anything scary. My student just stood up and said “NO! I don’t have to give you stuff and listen to the mean things you say to me.” She moved to a table all by herself. Her classmates that also supported her applauded – I applauded. students got up and sat with her.  That student is now one of the most popular students in the school. My fifth graders often ask her for help. If a student has allies they can trust, then things will change.

Qui Vindicet Ibit

“Qui Vindicet Ibit,” (its inscription reads) “The Avenger will come.” - Lee Travis (The Crimson Avenger)*

The year 1938, the wealthy philanthropist, Van Gilder, throws a costume party for the Chinese victims of WWII. Lee Travis, a wealthy newspaper owner, and Olympic athlete is in attendance dressed as a crook (his secretary’s idea). Travis is dressed in a crimson cloak, mask and fedora. During the party Lee and his trusted Chinese friend/assistant Wing How, are being interviewed by the new intrepid reporter Claudia Barker. The party is interrupted by real criminals seeking the collections from the philanthropy of the guests. Claudia fights to keep her golden lighter when she is shot and killed. Lee Travis and Wing, still dressed in their costumes chases the criminals. On the highway gunfire was exchanged but Lee and Wing were able to defeat and capture the criminals. Retrieving the stolen money and affects. Lee Travis found Claudia’s lighter. There was an inscription, Qui Vindicet Ibit, the avenger will come. After the police arrived Wing told the police a costumed avenger saved the day.

Qui Vindicet Ibit, the avenger will come. We often hope that is true. We hope that someone will come and save the day. Sometimes we are the “avenger”. Sometimes we have to stand up and do what is in front of us to do – we have to get the job done. Those of us that are parents, sisters, brothers, teachers and best friends sometimes need to be an avenger. We need to stand up and be an ally. In situations of bullying, bystanders just watch. Adult bystanders, only see kids being kids. For those of us who were bullied in school, we wished for avengers to save the day. We needed bystanders to become allies. An ally does not need to get into a fight to become an avenger, they just need to be a voice, “Stop!”, “I’m telling the teacher!”, “Come on Joe (victim) let’s get out of here!” We as avengers can teach or help the victims do their best to suit up, show up, stand up and scream. Teach them the best way to survive. Things will change.

The Crimson Avenger (Lee Travis)
First Appearance: Detective Comics, #20 (October 1938), DC Comics

Creator: Jim Chambers

* “The Dark Cross Conspiracy”, The Crimson Avenger, #1 of 4 miniseries, June 1988, DC Comics

Good Anti-Bullying Websites

The Trevor Project                  http://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Stop Bullying                            http://www.stopbullying.gov/

Teaching Tolerance                  http://www.tolerance.org/

Dial H for HERO - Power Within

I loved the idea of the “H Dial”. Dialing up a new hero whenever I needed a hero. You’d never know which hero would appear. Some of them were lame while others had interesting powers. As a kid, the “H Dial” inspired me to come up with my own heroes. It nurtured my creativity. As an adult I realize my creativity is a power that I have that can get me out of almost any situation. My creativity allows me to think out of the box. Truly that’s a great power to have.

Power Within

“…Within this old chest lies the power to help your fellow man. Take the power, use it wisely, for this is mankind’s darkest hour, and it will need the heroes which you shall bring forth.” - Plaque on Trunk*

The mysterious H-Dial, no one knows where it comes from or how it was made but the mystical energies allows the beholder to dial the letters H E R O in that order and become a hero whenever the need for a hero rises. Each time the H-Dial is used a different hero is created and seldom repeated. The powers are specific to help fix, correct or solve the mystery. There have been several keepers of the H-Dial, Robby Reed, Chris King, Vicki Grant, and Travis Milton. Some of the interesting heroes that have come forth are Zip Tide, Muscle Man, Robby Go-Go, Mr. Thin, Blast Boy, Moth, Attacko, Futuro, Alchemiss, Blazerina, and Star.

It would be nice to have a dial on our watches that would allow us to dial up a hero to fix any situation. The truth is we do have a power. We can turn to that power whenever we need it and each of us has a different power to turn to regularly. For some of us it might be steadfastness, or courage. For others it might be insight or creativity. While others may really be able to sit still and trust. We may have a combination of these gifts. The quarterback that can see the opposing teams next play. The painter that can accurately paint the surreal or the valedictorian that can move her classmates to tears with her speech. We find our gifts and we use them – that is true power. We do not need an Attacko, or Muscle Man, or Blazerina to save the day – we have ourselves.

Dial H for HERO
First Appearance: House of Mystery #158 (January 1966) - #173 (April 1968)

Second Appearance: Legion of Superheroes #272 (February 1981)

Third Appearance: H.E.R.O. #1 (2003)

Creators: Jim Mooney (art) and Dave Wood (script)

* Legion of Superheroes #272 (February 1981), DC Comics

Legion of Superheroes - Pledge

What are pledges? For me a pledge should be a promise. When I make a promise, I try to keep that promise. I’ve made some important promises in my life. Some I have kept and some I have failed at keeping. For those failed promises I have tried to make amends where possible.

Pledge

“To the Legion of Superheroes, I make this solemn pledge to use my powers for good. To fight for justice and to protect the innocent. To aid my fellow Legionnaires in times of peril and to keep their secrets safe.” - Legion of Superheroes Pledge *                   

The 30th Century will bring some wonderful surprises. There will be inhabited planets with some interesting beings, a United Planets Federation and a Legion of Superheroes. RJ Brande the richest man of the 30th Century was rescued from an attempted kidnapping by three young people, Imra Ardeen, Rokk Krinn and Garth Ranzz. For his appreciation he created and funded the Legion of Superheroes. Those three young people became the founding members Saturn girl, Cosmic Boy and Lightning Lad. The Legion invites beings to become members in hope to bring peace to the universe and to help The United Planets Federation.

Americans say the “Pledge of Allegiance”. What does it mean to make a pledge? According to Webster’s Dictionary a “pledge” is a promise to do something or not to do something. So, a pledge is a “promise”. If I promise someone I am going to be on time, then I am pledging to be on time. We are talking about “promises”. To make a promise is a good thing. We are then promising to move forward and succeed. To make a promise builds self-esteem. We become better people when we act on our promises. We build integrity building stronger bonds between our beliefs and actions.

Legion of Superheroes
First Appearance:  Action Comics #247 (April 1958)

Creators: Otto Binder (writer), Al Plastino (art) 

* Legion of Superheroes, The CW Network, Series September 23, 2006 – April 5, 2008

Dagger - Addiction

I watched my mother die from addiction. She went from a beautiful funny woman to someone unrecognizable. Watching her disease was not fun. Watching her fall to pieces and living in a home with an addict is part of the reason I decided to seek recovery. I did not want my life to be like hers. I’ve learned through my recovery – sometimes all I can be is a supportive friend. The addict will not find help unless they are ready to receive recovery. When they are sick and tired they will seek recovery. There will be some relapses. Unfortunately, some people do not find recovery. Through it all we need to take care of ourselves first – then we can be present if they truly need help. That includes letting them fall or pass on to another life.

Addiction

“YES! My light is inside you now, cleaning the addiction from your cells…” - Dagger*

Tandy Bowen born in the privilege world of wealth and popularity runs away from home because her wealthy and popular mother refuses to give her the attention a 16-year-old girl needs and wants. While in NYC she meets Tyrone “Ty” Johnson a runaway from Boston, Massachusetts. The two develop a strong and surrogate family. Through a series of events Ty and Tandy are kidnapped and experimented on by criminal chemist Simon Marshal, who is developing a new type of street heroin. The illegal drug is tested on runaways. Unbeknownst to Ty and Tandy, they are mutants and their abilities are awakened by the drug. Ty, taking the name Cloak, can teleport and become intangible, but letting villains pass through his teleporting field (which is his cloak) they encounter the “darkforce” which frightens them or in some cases sucks their “lifeforce”. Tandy, taking the name Dagger, can generate light that can harm or heal. Her daggers can also purge drugs from peoples’ bodies. Together they protect runaways from the people who would prey upon the runaway or homeless.

Addiction is a terrible spiritual illness. The prolonged effects of addiction can begin to affect the emotions and the physical body. People die from addiction. The body, Physical Spiritual and Emotional, becomes unbalanced. There have been volumes of books written about addiction. It is a spiritual illness that manifests itself in the emotional and physical body. The information is encompassing to try to express here. There are great organizations to help with addiction. The cliché’ “white knuckling it” is a phrase important to a recovering addict. It explains an addict holding on to recovery until the knuckles are white. The hardest thing is watching an addict fall. We should let them fall and break – we cannot “fix” the addict. We can only be a friend, listen and talk. Help them find recovery. Being a spiritual malady there is no physical remedy – the sick person has got to find their own cure. Repeating, we can only be a friend, listen and talk.

Dagger
First Appearance: The Spectacular Spider-Man, #64 (March 1982), Marvel Comics

Creators: Bill Mantlo (writer) Ed Hannigan (art)

* “Cloak and Dagger”, #2, November 1983, Marvel Comics

Wolverine - Mutant

I’ve always connected with the Mutants – the X Men. Being an outcast in real life it’s easy to connect with the outcasts in a fictional world. It is hard to believe that even in 2018 there are times people are made to feel as an outcast. I may not get along with all people and may not want to spend any time with certain people but who ever they are they are accepted and allowed to live on the earth simply because they exist. I try treat all people the way I want to be treated – with LOVE.  

Mutant

“If you could actually get rid of your special power which alienates you from the rest of the world, would you do it?” - Hugh Jackman

Logan also known as James Howlett, is a mutant with enhanced animal senses and physical capabilities. He has an unmeasured healing factor and three retractable claws on each hand. Logan uses the superhero moniker Wolverine.  As a young mutant he went through a series of super soldier experiments and was given an Adamantium skeleton. He is one of the most popular of the X-men, Avengers and Alpha Flight teams. Over the years Wolverine has fought for mutant rights and has tried to hide his mutant abilities on occasion. Wolverine has come to the conclusion that for him to hide his true self is a weakness. He is a mutant and he accepts that just as he accepts anyone else (if they stay out of his way).

The X-Men, the superpower Mutants were written and created for Marvel Comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1963. These created a statement and a foil in comic book form to mirror the sixties. What was going on during the sixties? The 1960’s was a time of civil distress. This was a period of great difficulty and struggle. Many people went to jail and lost their lives in these struggles and riots. What can we learn from the sixties? It is OK to be yourself. Standing up being a voice is important on whatever side but also realizing we are all on the same path to enlightenment. Acceptance is the answer. Accept every person for who they are because when we meet to watch the last sunset that same person will be sitting with you watching the same sunset having the same experience.

Wolverine
First Appearance: Cameo, "The Incredible Hulk"  #180 (October 1974)

First Appearance: Full participate, "The Incredible Hulk" #181 (November 1974)

Creators: Len Wein (plot), John Romita Sr. (art), & Herb Trimpe (art)

Valkyrie - A Place To Belong

We all need “a place to belong”. I think that’s why all those Supergroups in the comics, Avengers, JLA, X Men are so important. The heroes can find what they need Love, Support and Togetherness. We like to think that’s home with family. Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, some people have look elsewhere to find the “home” or a place to belong. That’s where finding a family of choice can be more stronger or comforting than a family of origin.

A Place to Belong

“Thou needst friends, and a place to belong – a place in which thou canst learn and grow…” - Valkyrie (Brunnhilde)*

The Norse Gods have influence superheroes and villains – there is Thor and Loki. The Asgardian Demigod Brunnhilde the leader of the Valkyrior (warrior women that took fallen heroes to Valhalla) came to Midgard (Earth) to be a hero as well. Over the years Brunnhilde’s spirit found a home in three women Barbara Denton-Norriss, Sian Bowen and Samantha Parrington. Eventually Samantha Parrington was given the opportunity to become Valkyrie without Brunnhilde‘s spirit. Valkyrie, Samantha Parrington found a permanent home on the superhero team the Defenders.

“A place to belong” sounds so comforting. We all need a place to belong. Whether that place is home, work, church or school. We may find that place in clubs, fraternities or teams. Those places could be found with family and friends. We feel comfort and acceptance in this “Belonging Place.” But also, we grow and learn – we grow into who we are to become and learn the lessons we need to learn. We come to this place with a lot of baggage. It is in these places that we are able to put the baggage away in its proper place. One aspect of a place to belong is Love. Even on a football team a player can find acceptance and love. If the team is a true team working together, then each player will be comfortable enough, loved enough and accepted enough to play harder, faster, longer and BETTER.

Valkyrie  
First Appearance: Avengers vol. 1 #83 (December, 1970)

First Appearance: Incredible Hulk volume II #142 (August, 1971)

Creators: (Brunnhilde) Roy Thomas, John Buscema and Herb Trimpe

 * The Defenders volume 2 #4 June 2001

Robotman - A Man of Metal

“A positive attitude will bring positive results.” I need to remember this often. It is so easy to forget to practice and exercise when things are going so well. When things are going well is the best time to practice and exercise. One thing I need to practice is a positive attitude. I’m not a man of metal – Dang it!

A Man of Metal

“I am a man of metal – except for my human brain.” - Robotman*

A brilliant scientist, Dr. Robert Crane, was working in his lab with his assistant, Chuck Grayson. The two scientists were taken by surprise by criminals breaking into the lab. While trying to defend the lab Dr. Crane was fatally wounded. His assistant Grayson was able to place Crane’s brilliant mind in the body of a robot they were working on together. At that moment Robotman was created. He would go to be a founding member of the All-Star Squadron and to help develop the devices needed to create the hero Starman. Dr. Crane may have been a Robotman with super strength endurance and agility but he never forgot he was also a great scientist.

We believe we can accomplish anything given the proper training and skills. But there is always something that gets in our way – the human brain. Where does the doubt and negativity originate? Our human brain is where all the negativity originates. Dr. Crane, Robotman, had the brilliant brain and was given a strong body but still he was plaque by negativity and doubt. Why can’t we develop the mind and the body? Exercise will create a healthy strong body. We can also exercise our mind to develop positive attitudes.  Listen to these words “A positive attitude will bring positive results.” It’s true, even if we are “metal men” with super bodies, a positive attitude will accomplish much more today.

Robotman

First Appearance: All Star Comics vol. 1 #7, April 1942, DC Comics

Creator: Jerry Siegel (writer) and Leo Nowak (artist)  

*”The World on Fire”, All-Star Squadron, #1, DC Comics, September 1981

Invisible Kid - Invisible World

One of my favorite superpowers is invisibility or intangibility. To become and invisible so I can travel without being seen is intriguing. I think this say a lot about my childhood. Still that power would be a great gift. It has a spiritual quality.

Invisible World

Phantom Girl – “How can you see this other world when you become invisible in ours?”

Invisible Kid – “Simple Phantom Girl! I’ll demonstrate with this pen! Now I’m holding it in front of you and I want you to focus on it…See what I mean? When your eyes concentrate on the pen…the rest of me is out of focus!”*

In the 30th Century there will be a group of heroes known as the Legion of Superheroes, they were influenced by Superman and his fellow heroes of the 20th Century. Lyle Norg is one of those 30th Century heroes. Lyle drank a scientific serum that gave him the power of invisibility. Through concentration he managed to visit a “Spiritual World” where he met and fell in love with a ghost, Myla. He visited that world as often as possible. That spiritual world eventually became his home after his earthly death at the hands of a giant deadly creature, Valdius.

Before you start questioning and arguing take a moment to think. All religions speak of “Heaven”, or “Paradise” — a place where we go when we die. Many spiritual thinkers believe that we can communicate with these spiritual planes. Health is a sense of Balance (Physical Spiritual and Emotional). So if the “spiritual” is so important why not try to connect with the spiritual. Some people believe the spiritual is “out of reach” that it is a goal. To reach a goal there must be contact and visualization of the goal. To reach a goal visualize your destiny and accomplish the goal. The same can be said of the spiritual goals – the spiritual world. Visualize your goal, focus on it and reach the goal. It is a matter of “focus”.

Invisible Kid
First Appearance: (Pre-Crisis) Action Comics #267 (1960)

Last Appearance: (Pre-Crisis) Superboy & the Legion of Superheroes #203 (Aug. 1974)

Creators: Jerry Siegel, Jim Mooney

* Superboy & the Legion of Superheroes #203 (Aug. 1974)

The Tick - Dangling Unmentionables

One of the funniest Saturday morning cartoons from the 90’s was “the Tick”. I would record the episodes they were that funny. Then the 2001 live action Tick came, and it too was hilarious. I will never eat “fondue” the same again. I haven’t seen the new Tick yet – no judgement yet. There are many days that I need laughter. I need laughter every day. A dose of Laughter can help you face your fears.

Dangling Unmentionables

“Arthur listen to me carefully, I believe in you I always have…Destiny dressed you this morning…and now Fear is trying to pull off your pants. If you give up, if you give in – then you’re gonna end up naked with fear…laughing at your dangling unmentionables.” - The Tick*

No one knows how or why The Tick came to the City but the Tick is the protector of justice in the fair town. The Tick is big and muscular with a masculine square-jaw. He is dressed in a skinned tight blue suit with blue antennae. He looks like a big blue bug of justice. The Tick is nigh invulnerable, super strong, and has a “drama power.” This power is a way for The Tick to make situations more dramatic. He is basically absurd, obtuse, high-spirited and using his “drama power” makes really odd inspirational speeches confusing his villains and friends with strange metaphors. But like most superheroes The Tick never gives into fear.   

We hear it said often that the opposite of Faith is Fear. But the two go hand in hand. How do we learn faith? We learn faith by going through fear. We can not have faith without having fear. Fear is just the emotions running amok. Fear is just the unknown. Fear is doubt. We all doubt. Isaac Bashevis Singer, 1978 Nobel Prize winner wrote, “Doubt is part of all religions. All religious thinkers were doubters.”  We can use the doubt. We can use the fear. When walking down a dark alley we have two choices – continue walking and face the end of the alley, or take the long way around knowing we made a wise decision. The dark alley is not important. Neither decision is wrong our decision in the moment is important.  Making the decision takes courage. Making the decision shows faith. Making the decision is facing fear. 

The Tick
First Appearance: As a Mascot for New England Comics newsletter, #14 (July/August 1986)

Creators: Ben Edlund (script and art) 

* “Pilot” The Tick, Fox Network live action series. 2001, Patrick Warburton, actor