Wednesday, April 3, 2013

C: Chlorophyll Kid


C is for Chlorophyll Kid

Yeah, I know...he sort of looks like a loser and, from his costume, you can probably tell what his power is.....

You guessed it....

...he can make plants grow. 

Really fast. 

'What sort of superhero is he?', you might ask. Well...he's a substitute hero.

In the far flung 30th century, D.C. Comics had a group of futuristic teens called the Legion of Super Heroes. Young men and women from different planets and each with a peculiar power which was, usually, an ability native to their home world.

There was Cosmic Boy, who could control magnetic forces. Saturn Girl, who could read minds. Lightning Lad, who could generate lightning, Phantom Girl, who could sidestep dimensions and walk through walls...etc., etc. Each hero's name went along the lines of "kid", "lass", "lad"....even Superboy (travelling from the past and who had inspired the group to form in the first place) was a member.

In order to become a member of the Legion and get access to their cool clubhouse as well as a Flight Ring (which let you fly...duh!), you have to try out. 

What happens when you fail your Legion tryout?

Why, you form your own group...the Legion of Substitute Heroes!


While most Legion applicants had natural powers, Ral Benum of the planet Mardru got his by falling into a vat of 'hydroponic serum'. He survived and gained the power to stimulate plant growth. Don't you just love those old 60s origin tales? :)

After one particular Legion tryout, a group of rejects consisting of Polar Boy (made things cold), Fire Lad (projected flames), Night Girl (super strength/invulnerability, but only at night), and Stone Boy (could turn to stone, but couldn't move after) got together with Chlorophyll Kid to form their own group.

The Legion of Substitute Heroes!

Their goal.....support the Legion where they could and help their fellow sentient beings. 

Chlorophyll Kid didn't have an outstanding run....in any book...but was a fun character who had a lot of potential, I always thought. I also loved the idea of a misfit group that would pinch-hit for the main hero group in times of trouble.

The Kid and his pals were fun heroes for a more fun time in comic book history.

Tune in tomorrow for "D" and a bit of....magic.

=======================================================================



Also, since it's the first Wednesday of the month (man, time sure flies by) it's time for another Insecure Writer's Support Group post.

The brainchild of uber-author and blogger, Alex J. Cavanaugh, the IWSG is a time for self reflection and to discuss what, as writers, makes us feel insecure.

This month, I'm happy to say, I don't have a lot to be insecure about. While I haven't been doing much writing, I have been keeping my blogging "schedule" that I set up back in January. In my case, structure, repetition, and routine are paramount for my writing.

Just sitting down to write...regardless of what I'm writing...is a great big step forward for me, and it's something I've been doing pretty diligently.

While I want to keep up with my blogging, I'm going to have to transition my routine over to writing my stories and not just blog posts.

Slowly, but surely, I think I'll get there.

Thanks, again, to the Ninja Captain for that great shout out yesterday and all the kind words from you guys in the comments. With blogging buddies like that, it's hard to be insecure about anything. :)




70 comments:

Shannon Lawrence said...

I've never heard of the Substitute heroes, but how cool. Seems like a good way for them to have made kids feel like they didn't have to be perfect or have a bunch of talents, but just one little thing they were good at.

Shannon at The Warrior Muse

Unknown said...

Hmm, these guys sound just like the sidekicks in Disney's Sky High (2005).
I'm in the same boat trying to balance the writing and blogging scales, but they keep tipping one way or the other.
Jenn @Scribbles From Jenn

J.Day said...

Substitute Superheroes. lol Our world needs all the heroes we can get. :o)

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Stone Boy's power is the worst. I'm sorry but if your power makes you unable to move, I don't want it. At least he can survive if something heavy (that doesn't crush stone) falls on him. And Night Girl is a hazard, the villains could just beat any citizen that they think is her in the daytime til they found her.

Anyway I think Chlorophyll Kid's power is awesome. The power to make plants grow fast? Wild! He could turn cities into urban jungles. Reading your post gave me an idea for a movie.

Cue Scene: Slightly overweight boy walks in the dark. (Ominous music)

"They said he was a loser"

Boy moves closer.

"Now he's going to prove them DEAD Wrong"

He holds up his hands and the screen is filled with vines and other plants.

Then he looks forward through a tiny patch with eyes filled with hate.

"Chlorophyll Boy" - (Movie Title)

"You f__ed with the wrong kid" (tagline)

So? What do you think of my idea Mark? And cool post today, definitely perked me and my 'idea center' up. Didn't know about The Legion of Substitute Heroes or their members til today.

Laura Clipson said...

Chlorophyll kid, it does sound kind of funny! An interesting character though.
Balancing blogging and writing is hard for me, too, but I'm sure you'll get there :)

Misha Gerrick said...

Having a league of substitute heroes is pretty cute.

Glad to hear things are going well. :-)

Jolie du Pre said...

I'm here from A to Z. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Love the costume on that guy. LOL!

Regina said...

Oh, man, it just keeps getting better. My sides are going to be in pain this whole month from laughing! Thanks, Mark!

Unknown said...

Hi-- cohosting with Alex this month for IWSG-- great post, both the C and the IWSG. Glad you're not feeling insecure. And yes, balancing blogging with our true pursuit, writing, is key.

Nickie said...

Chlorophyll Kid? never heard of it, but I like the concept. He could end world hunger! I think it's interesting that the Substitute gang doesn't seem jealous or resentful of the A-Team.

Cheryl said...

This is a riot. I had never heard of Substitute heroes.

Good luck with the challenge.

Cheryl

http://www.thebusymomsdaily.com/2013/04/blogging-from-to-z-april-challenge_3.html

John Wiswell said...

Always thought it was funny that the Legion of Superheroes' club ring gave you a better power than half of them brought to the table. Though honestly, his powers could reverse a planet's world hunger issues. A god among desertification!

Jeremy [Retro] said...

he is awesome... i would like to have that power, everything i grow dies... back up super heroes... brilliant.

Jeremy [Retro]
AtoZ Challenge Co-Host
Oh No, Let's Go... Crazy

LD Masterson said...

Could I borrow him to countermand my anti-hero...Black Thumb Girl?

Rachna Chhabria said...

Just sitting down to write regardless of what I write is my current motto too. Finally managed to follow you.

Mark Means said...

@Shannon: That's very true! Not sure if that was their intent, but it's a nice thought :)

@Jenn: Heh, yeah Sky High was very cool..great movie and there are quite a few similarities, yes!

@J.: Ain't that the truth!

@Sheena: LOL...love it! That's great and could totally see Hollywood giving CK that sort of treatment :) I think, a couple of times, they used Stone Boy as a battering ram or dropped him on unsuspecting villains. What a way to make a living!

@Laura: Thanks and I hope so...I'm going to keep trying :)

@Misha: I always thought it was a fun concept and thank you :)

@Jolie: Haha, I know...pretty snazzy, huh?

@Regina: Just don't hurt yourself, ok? :)

@Julie: Hey there and thank you very much. It's a tough balancing act, for sure!

@Nickie: Well, I think they had a twinge of jealousy, but also wanted to do good, so they put it aside.

@Cheryl: Thank you and the same to you! Thanks for stopping by :)

@John: I know, I always thought the same thing...lol :)

@Jeremy: Heh, same here! I could use something like that for my tomato garden :)

@L.D: Ooohhh...that sounds like a great villain for CK. The power to kill all plant life..muahhaha!! :)

@Rachna: It can certainly be tough and thank you!

Tyrean Martinson said...

The Legion of Substitute Heroes - that reminds me of Sky High, a Disney movie my family loves, in which one of the characters (a girl in this case) can grow plants . . . and although her power is considered strong enough to put her in the superhero group at Sky High, she chooses to be with the less powerful sidekicks instead because she doesn't like the system.
Great post, as always!

Anonymous said...

Love the fact that both your B and C posts are plant related. Curious to see how many more end up being so. ISWG - Must agree, blogging is the best. However, it does take a large chunk of time that can (and should) be devoted to other writing areas. Balance is so important...nice post.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hey, mark,

Smother unusual hero... I like this support group ... Interesting concept...

I have a character in my first novel who can grow foliage... But she is suit the force to be reckoned with... Lol.

Glad you on schedule... Writing anything is still writing.... At least that's what I tell myself . Writing my A-z posts are the only think I'm writing these days....

Lisa said...

This was a new one on me! Thanks so much! I used to read the LOSH, but didn't know about their rejects. I don't know if you've heard of "Elfquest" but I collect that "comic book/graphic novel series and they have a tree grower that really helps out in a pinch because he can foul up the bad guys (usually humans) in a blink of an eye! His "power" is very useful... Also,thanks for the reminder about Wednesday...

Sherry Ellis said...

Chlorophyll Kid looks kind of nerdy. I guess even nerds need a super hero they can relate to!

Anonymous said...

Mark, I need that guy/superhero substitute...to come over and make some of my plants grow...lol! Great post!

Morgan said...

I'm so glad you're in a good place this month!!!! Keep rockin' it!

Julie Flanders said...

The picture of Chlorophyll Kid totally cracked me up as he does look quite sad, but I love the idea of the substitute heroes. If I was a comic book character I'd definitely end up in the misfit group so that is a fun concept to me. :)

And good luck with your writing! I know what you mean about writing vs. blogging, I'm definitely going to switch more into writing mode once the Challenge is over.

S.P. Bowers said...

Chlorophyll kid? Seriously? Of course who am I to talk. My super power is something in the line of changing diapers and I wouldn't even make the substitute heroes.

cleemckenzie said...

We all need subs once in a while, so why no heroes? Great idea. I guess Chlorophyll Kid is out of fashion these days--too smaltzy? Too bad. He's the kind of hero I can relate to.

Amanda - The Southern UnBelle said...

If he could have used his growth powers for humans, he could have made a killing in the ED business.

Melissa said...

Hey, well, I'm sure the elementary science teachers loved him. LOL

Laeli said...

Hi there! Waving at you from Edmonton, Alberta :)

M. R. Buttars said...

That is awesome you stick your blogging schedule. Those consistency skills will come in handy with the transition over to writing.

Best of luck!

nutschell said...

wow, never heard of the subs, but what an awesome idea! thanks for sharing their story :D
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

Carrie-Anne said...

Chlorophyll Kid looks like Oliver Hardy sans moustache. That's a really unique superpower to have.

Anonymous said...

Yes! The Legion of Substitute Heroes! I loved reading those stories. Infectious Lass was always one of my favoites, Chlorophyll Kid was a close second. I'll be covering some legionaries too in the coming days! Kid Quantum and Matter-Eater lad, but they were inducted into the original Legion.

Robin said...

I am really learning a lot about comic book subculture thanks to you. I suppose that even the Superheroes need Pinch Hitters now and then.

Lucy R said...

Neat post! Glad to hear your writing is going well. I'm new to blogging, but already I see it's great to have support to keep going.
Kidsmathteacher.Blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Knowing how I kill plants, this guy would certainly be an asset to me.

Great IWSG post. Now if only I could get some structure for my writing. :)

Unknown said...

That is a unique super power, if plant growth was instantaneous. God the Substitute Heroes!

J Lenni Dorner said...

Stopping by from the #atozchallenge !
@JLenniDorner

They could also call him "Flora" since plants are his power. Reminds me a bit of one of my own characters.

Christine Rains said...

Substitute superheroes! I love it!

Elise Fallson said...

This was fun, I didn't know there was a Legion of Sub. Heroes. It would be funny if every time they tried to help out the "real" superheroes, they ended up 'beeping' it all up. :D

Mark Means said...

@Tyrean: I remember that from Sky High...great film and it had my "Hollywood crush", Lynda Carter... :D

@M.J: Thank you and I hope to master the balancing act soon! :)

@Michael: You're right...writing blog posts is still writing, so I don't feel so bad about it being my distraction from working on my other projects :)

@Lisa: Oh, I remember Elfquest. I never read it, myself, but have heard nothing but great things about it. I should try to get a hold of one of the graphic novels to see what I'm missing!

@Sherry: LOL...yeah, he looks pretty nerdy, for sure!

@Shannon: Haha..yeah, me too..my tomatoes sure could use him right about now :)

@Morgan: Thanks for all your support, I really appreciate it :)

@Julie: Thanks and, yeah, I guess I'd look sad if I had to wear that costume, too :)

@S.P: Hey, don't sell your power short...I'm sure it's one many men would envy. I know I would.

@Lee: Me too. I always identified more with the underdog than the rockstar.

(Still working...)

Mark Means said...

@Amanda: You know, it took me a second to realize what "ED" was...then I thought about it....haha!

@Melissa: Yeah, he probably did well there :)

@Laeli: Hey there, thanks for stopping by and hope you're keeping warm up there!

@M.R.: Thank you and I hope so!

@nutschell: Glad you enjoyed it. They were a pretty fun group to read about.

@Carrie-Anne: You know, I think he did say "Here's another fine mess you've gotten us into" once. O.k, I didn't, but it would have been funny if I had :)

@Paul: I loved Infectious Lass...what a great power...making people sick :)

@Robin: Yep nerdiness abounds here :D Glad you're enjoying!

@Lucy: Thank you and good support can make all the difference.

@Melissa: Sometimes getting structure isn't that hard...it's sticking to it that can be tough!

@Elaine: I could definitely be a help in our world today, but in the future..not so much, I guess :)

@J: Thanks for stopping by and, yeah, "Flora" would have been way cool, but not as 'loser' sounding :)

@Christine: Heh, a lot of fun, for sure :)

@Elise: They were fairly competent, but did manage to 'beep' things up every once in a while :)

Al Diaz said...

Chlorophyll kid? Really? The name sounds so lame, hahaha. Reminds me of The Tick series. They were all lame but they were sooooooo funny.

I also plan to write more - after April is over. If I am still alive, that is. :)

Northern MLT said...

I love the '60s!
I wish I had the power to make plants grow. Everything I touch dies. Exhibit: dead aloe plant sitting on my kitchen table right now.

Jean Katherine Baldridge said...

IN-credible. I don't believe your ability to fine these arcane and cool 60's comic book superheros.
I love this one in particular because I am...a vegetarian.

Sending this to my comic book freak son again! You are the best!
jean yates

Whole Foods Living said...

I have never heard of these substitute heroes, despite having a geek husband that has a whole room dedicated to this stuff! LOL! I will have to ask him about Chlorophyll Kid! HAHA! Happy A-to-Z 2013! ~Angela, Whole Foods Living

klahanie said...

Hi Mark,

I'm really struggling to keep up with all of you doing the um alternate alphabet challenge :)

Seeing the Chlorophyll Kid makes me green with envy. That might be a good thing.

And here's me thinking "IWSG" meant, "I Was Seeking Gary"....

And writing is a question of balance that suits you. Writing without pressure is how I write. Be well, I'm going now.

Gary :)

Mark Means said...

@Al: Haha...yeah, lame name, but sort of cool power :) Best wishes in your writing and I hope to be doing it right along with you.

@adot: lol..I know what you mean, seriously! I think I could kill a cactus :P

@Jean: I think you and CK would get along just fine, then :D

@Angela: Oh, very cool. Well, depending on what he reads, he might have heard of them :)

@Gary: Green with envy.....groan! You're cracking me up here :) I agree..writing without pressure is the best way. Take care, my friend.

Sandra Tyler said...

really fun post. Glad I dropped by. Be back!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

It was a well-deserved shout-out!
Blogging does take a lot of time. Trust me.
Substitute Superheroes - funny!

Unknown said...

Substitute heroes. I love it. I guess if you have to be second at something, why not being a super hero.

Unknown said...

I am enjoying this theme a lot. Way too cool. Stone Boy, huh? That literally sounds like the worst superhero ever. haha.

Thanks for sharing this with us, Mark! And glad to hear that you are on track with your writing stuff. :)

Unknown said...

Clorophyll Kid, who knew? I bet he was fun and maybe a little grumpy, judging his sour expression, lol.

Hand claps to you for blogging like a maniac! I'm ready to read one of your books, so hurry and get back to writing! :)

Unknown said...

Just stopping by from the a-z challenge. I realize this isn't on your a-z post, but... I have to agree that it's hard to find a balance between keeping up with blogging and your writing. For me, it seems if I put a lot of attention into one, the other one gets left in the corner. And then you have to add reading, and critiquing, and real life on top of all that, wow, life as a writer is exhausting.

helen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
helen said...

I would gladly take a substitute hero in lieu of...none....love the post and the sad-sack picture of Chlorophyll Kid. He looks a wee bit like Lou Costello.

Tara Tyler said...

love your obscure comic trivia!
chlorophyll boy is a crack up! reminds me of spongebobs spoof =) and sky high (great move!)

fun!

Claire Hennessy said...

Chlorophyll Kid?? I thought you must be joking. How funny. Re disciplined blogging and writing schedule - I sooo wish I could do that. My writing/blogging is so random.

Jeff Hargett said...

Makes me wonder if there's a Legion of Substitute Writers forming somewhere out in cyberspace. LOL

Kate OMara said...

Laughed at the 'substitute hero' but making things grow is a cool gift just not as flashy as other 'hero' talents.

Trisha said...

Maybe Superboy should have been really good with his superannuation. hehe. Seriously, these guys sound cool and I like the quirkiness of these unusual powers.

Mark Means said...

@Sandra: Thanks and glad you liked it :)

@Alex: Thanks again and I'm definitely sure you know what you're talking about..especially the way you get around....to blogs, of course! :)

@Melanie: Heh, true! I guess there are worse things to be second best at :)

@Karen: Thank you and, yeah, Stone Boy was pretty lame...but he was...solid :D

@Celeste: Hey, thank you and I know...I need to get back writing :)

@Jessica: A lot more work than most would think!

@Helen: You know, you're right...he does sort of look like Lou. I can hear him yelling now..."Hey Polar Booooooy!" (the leader of the Subs)

@Tara: Thank you! It's been a blast so far :)

@Claire: Mine used to be very random...too random, actually. A schedule helps a bit, though.

@Jeff: LOL....you never know!

@Kate: Yep, it could really have some good applications, if done right. :)

Mark Means said...

@Trisha: They had some pretty comedic adventures, for sure :)

Dani and Jax said...

Wow, we never heard of him before and we love comics. Definitely thinking sidekicks but he can come help us keep our plants and gardens alive.
Dani & Jax @ Cover Girls

Michelle Wallace said...

Heroes are heroes... in any form. Substitute or not... we need all the heroes we can get!
And I like the fact that Chlorophyll Kid has a simple power... well, it seems simple by today's standards! Not like the fancy shmancy "high-tech" powers of todays comic heroes.

Annalisa Crawford said...

Well done for keeping to a blog schedule - I tried it for a while, and couldn't do it. I'm sure you'll get some fiction writing done soon!

Anonymous said...

That's about where I'm at, too, Mark. Life issues are taking time and causing discord, illness is keeping me down, and my writing is suffering. I left a good response at Father Dragon's, if you want to check it out.

Loved your GI Joe on the other blog. That's the kind I used to have. Of course, he had been through hell, fires, and war!

Anonymous said...

I had to do a double take when I saw the title. Srsly, Chlorophyll Kid? I am amused, however.

Suzanne Furness said...

So glad things are going well at the moment, its a good place to be :)

Margot said...

What an odd and interesting character and group of superheros. Thanks for sharing.

Margot at A Devotional Mosaic and Spark My Creativity

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