Skids - Regrets

It is our nature to sit back and go through our lives reliving the past. But what happens in doing that is we find resentments and regrets. I wish we could remember just the good times. I think the regrets and other negative thoughts have a purpose. They can help us not relive things and move us forward. It is, however, a good idea to spend more time thinking about the positive. Positive thoughts have a greater gift. Positive thoughts are stronger.

Regrets

“You wanna talk about regrets? I’ve got a million of ‘em.” -  Skids*                                         

Sally Blevins never wanted to be a mutant but as luck would have it she was. Sally can generate force fields that can take any form she chooses. They are as strong as her will. She took the codename “Skids”. Sally’s mother died and her stepfather abused her. Sally ran away from home and found a group of homeless mutants calling themselves Morlocks. An evil mutant, Masque disfigured many of the Morlocks. During the M-Day event, in which many mutants lost their powers. Sally retained her gifts while her friends did not. Many of her friends were killed when the Mutant Haters dropped a bomb on her school. Through it all Sally may have hit rock bottom living on the “Skids” and she may have regrets but her true spirit has protected her.

“Regrets, I’ve had a few but then again too few to mention…” the lyrics to the famous song “My Way” comes to mind. But what are regrets? According to Webster they are feelings of loss, remorse, disappointment, or sorrow and a sense of fault. Over the years we have caused people pain, hurt their feelings, not completed tasks or properly said good bye to loved ones. When we are regretful we are re-sensing a feeling or event. When we remember or re-sense something it is normally negative and guilt ridden. The best way around regrets is to live a life in the moment. Do our best to act and say what we need in the moment. If you find you did not act accordingly then forgive yourself and move forward. Make amends or repairs where needed and continue your path. Realize you did what you could in the given moment with the information and situation. Just live in the moment.

Skids   
First Appearance:  X-Factor, Vol. 1, #7 (August 1986)

Creators: Louise Simonson (Writer) & Jackson Guice (Artist) 

*X-Force, #78, June 1998

Hawk & Dove - It's Not Right

With the events in Barcelona and in Charlottesville I keep thinking about the pain and suffering humans can cause each other. I believe in Peace. There is always a peaceful solution. I seek LOVE first and foremost. I center my whole life around LOVE. There is nothing greater. LOVE is stronger.

It’s Not Right

“NO! You can’t! It’s not right to hurt someone else…No matter what he did to us.” - Dove (Don Hall)*                         

There is an Agent of Order and an Agent of Chaos – this is the way the universe creates balance. Typically, the Agent of Order, Dove, is liberal in thought, focuses on peaceful solutions and tends to be more conscious about things and events. While the Agent of Chaos leads toward a conservative approach, is hot-headed and solves problems by force and is named Hawk. There must always be these two Agents.  When one falls in battle another replaces the fallen agent. Over the years Hawk and Dove have been the Hall Brothers (Hank and Don Hall), Hank Hall and Dawn Granger, Sasha Martens and Wiley Wolverman, and the Granger sisters (Holly and Dawn). Often the Hawk and Dove agents are in conflict but when the need is at hand the two will settle their differences and save the day.

There is nothing to say here, Dove (Don Hall) says it all, “It’s not right to hurt someone else…No matter what he did to us.” There is never a reason to hurt someone. NEVER! If there is an issue – leave the situation, talk about it, express your feelings, and find a common place and common answer. There is never a reason to cause someone physical, emotional or spiritual pain. We will say this one more time, please hear these words. There is never a reason to purposefully cause someone pain. Remember, this will be a good day.

Hawk & Dove
First Appearance as Hank and Don Hall: “DC Showcase” #75 (June 1968) DC Comics

First Appearance as Hank and Dawn: “Hawk & Dove” #1 (1988) DC Comics

First Appearance as Sasha & Wiley: “The New Hawk & Dove” #1 (Nov. 1997) DC Comics

First Appearance as Holly and Dawn: JSA, #45-50 (2003) DC Comics

Creators: Steve Ditko and Steve Skeates

 * “Death at the Dawn of Time”, Crisis on Infinite Earths, #7, 1985 DC Comics  

Black Lightning - Justice, As Lightning

Even though Jefferson Pierce, Black Lightning, is a fictional character, he is an inspiration. These days we need some inspiration to be better people. I am moved was moved by the eulogy from Heather Heyer’s mother. We should let our voices be heard especially during this time of turmoil. But even in my job, as a teacher, if I find something not right why can’t I ask appropriate questions or make a point that would be better for the school community. Standing up letting our voices be heard for the betterment of our community is always a good thing.

Justice, As Lightning

“Justice, as Lightning – Should ever appear – To some men Hope – To other men Fear!” - Jefferson Pierce*

Jefferson Pierce grew up above a tailor shop in Metropolis’ “Suicide Slum”. In school, he studied hard got good grades, and he was athletic. He went to Kent University got a degree in Physics and won six gold medals in the 1972 Olympics. Then he moved back to Suicide Slum to the same apartment above the tailor shop to become a high school science teacher, to help his community become a better place. The criminal element in Suicide Slum goes by the name “the 100”. Jefferson stops a drug deal by the 100 in the halls of the school. In return, the 100 hangs him the next day in the gymnasium. Jefferson Pierce blames himself for the kid’s life. Using his poem, “Justice, as Lightning – Should ever appear – To some men Hope – To other men Fear” as inspiration, Jefferson and the tailor Peter Gambi create a costume and hero, Black Lightning. Using his degree in Physics, Jefferson, will give the Black Lightning costume electrical abilities.

Serving justice is an honorable intention. Seeking justice can be inspirational and a harmonious way to live. We want to keep our homes and communities safe from the criminal influences. We can serve justice in doing what is right for the betterment of self and community. The best way to show justice is to have an open-mind and open-heart. To show justice is keeping the neighborhood clean, helping neighbors in need or giving the homeless guy an old coat on a cold night. Get to know your neighbors and where they live so when strange things happen the police will be well informed. Learn the faces of the kids and their caretakers in the neighborhood to help keep them safe from predators. These are all good forms of serving justice for the betterment of home and community. 

Black Lightning
First Appearance: Black Lightning, #1 (April 1977), DC Comics

Creators: Tony Isabella (writer) Trevor von Eeden (art)

* “Black Lightning”, Black Lightning, #1 (April 1977), DC Comics

Plastic Man - The Kindly Brothers

We are all thinking about the turmoil the USA is in right now. But I’m thinking about how can I help people – what can I do to be of some service. Yesterday, I talked about my neighbor Mrs. Brown. I remembered my first Christmas in DC. She knew I didn’t go home to Louisiana. On Christmas evening Mrs. Brown knocked on my door with a plate of food, a bottle of Champagne and a little gift for me to unwrap. To me this is the idea of being kind to your neighbors. I try to be like this to all my neighbors. Oh, by the way, Mrs. Brown is black and I’m white.

The Kindly Brothers

“The kindly Brothers there saw the potential good in me – and they nurtured my mind, even as they nursed my ravaged body back to health.” - Plastic Man*

Patrick “The Eel” O’Brian was a slippery and hard to catch criminal. He and his gang were breaking into the Crawford Chemical Plant when a night watchman caught them. Eel O’Brian was shot and inadvertently sprayed with a chemical. O’Brian escaped into the mountains. Delirious and near death O’Brian was found by a group of Monks and taken back to the Monastery. These “Kindly Brothers” nursed him back to health Physically Spiritually and Emotionally. In his recuperation O’Brian found the chemicals changed his body. He could bend and stretch into any form or any length. Upon leaving the monastery O’Brian was dissatisfied with a life of crime and sought to redeem himself. Taking the name “Plastic Man” and fighting crime but keeping his “Eel O’Brian” connections to secretly infiltrate the underworld. Soon Plastic Man joins the Police Force, the FBI and later the JSA. Plastic Man has also been a member of the All-Star Squadron, Freedom Fighters and the JLA.

“Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers,” Blanche Dubois’ famous line from Tennessee Williams’ play A Streetcar Named Desire., is powerful and poignant. Where would Plastic Man be if not for the “Kindly Brothers”? Where would recovering Alcoholics and Addicts be if not for other recovering strangers? There is nothing wrong with being kind to strangers. Your neighbor, the little old lady, would appreciate help with her groceries.  Don’t forget the person who falls on the sidewalk, embarrassed as they are, would appreciate help up and a kind word. We never know what the kindness we offer will do – it might in a little way change someone’s’ life forever.  

Plastic Man
First Appearance: Police Comic #1 (August 1941), DC Comics, Quality Comics

Creators: Jack Cole 

* “The Tyrant Out of Time”, the All-Star Squadron, #2, October 1981

Red Star - Politicians

Today’s hero is poignant on so many issues. I am not going to try to be political or get into the various debates this topic raises. I know I can take a Pollyanna approach to things. I truly believe though being kind and helping your neighbor whoever they may be promotes peace and understanding. My neighbor Mrs. Brown is in her 90’s, you would think we would not have a lot in common but after 20 years of living across the hall from each other we have become good friends. It all started one day when she needed help with her groceries.

Politicians

“Perhaps if we all survive, the politicians will remember this cooperation and build a better world for us.” - Red Star*

Young Russian, Leonid Konstantinovitch Kovar is on an archeological expedition with his father to investigate a spaceship that crashed in the Yenesi River. The ship explodes. From the explosion Leonid is imbued with super strength, stamina, speed and pyrokinesis**. Leonid Kovar becomes the (DCU’s) first Socialist superhero of Russia’s Soviet Union. He took the name Red Star and joined the Teen Titans. While with the Teen Titans he meets Pantha and Baby Wildebeest. The three leave the Teen Titans to become a family.

Let’s put aside our feelings and ideas about situations and people. Let us work together. Forget that people are different races, orientations, genders, religions, parties. Remember that first and foremost we are human beings – Earthlings. The best way to dispel hate is through education and what better way to learn about someone than working with them. There is nothing wrong with being kind to strangers. Your neighbor, the little old lady, would appreciate help with her groceries. A lost tourist would appreciate directions. “Perhaps if we all survive; the politicians will remember this cooperation and build a better world for us.”  

Red Star
First Appearance: Teen Titans, volume 1, #18 (December 1968), DC Comics

Creators: Lin Wein and Marv Wolfman 

* “Worlds in Limbo”, Crisis on Infinite Earths, #5, 1985 DC Comics

** “Pyrokinetic” word created by Stephen King in “Firestarter”

Wonder Girl - Oh Mother

Yesterday’s post has me thinking of our gender roles – not necessarily in transitioning but in general. There are house husbands that take care of the home and raise the children while the wife brings home the bacon. There are women that don’t wear makeup and run marathons faster than any man. While there are beautiful males that love to be soft and gentle. Why are the gender norms still so important?

Oh Mother

“Oh Mother, stop babying me! I can do anything a boy can do – and better!” - Wonder Girl*

Donna Troy, Wonder Girl, was rescued from a burning building and brought to Paradise Island by Wonder Woman. Queen Hipolyta adopted Donna and the Amazons imbued her with Amazon strengths and abilities from the healing “Purple Ray”. Eventually, Donna left Paradise Island to become “Wonder Girl” and was one of the original Teen Titans (with Robin, Kid Flash, Speedy and Aqualad).  

There are women that can do things faster stronger and better than men. There are men who can sew or cook better than women. So then, why can’t we accept each other? Look at the boxer Laila Amaria Ali, the daughter of Muhammad Ali; she has 24 wins with 21 KO’s. Then there’s Rudolf Nureyev, the Danseur, who became a leading male ballet performer. Both people have stepped out of the traditional male/female role to be masters at their craft and the model of what it means to be male or female. Accept people for who they are and you will see people be themselves. According to Ralph Waldo Emerson, in a way to accept people, “Trust men and they will be true to you: treat them greatly, and they will show themselves great.”

Wonder Girl (Donna Troy)
First Appearance: As Wonder Girl, The Brave and The Bold #60, June 1965

Second Appearance: As Troia, The New Teen Titans #55, June 1989

Third Appearance: As a Darkstar, The Darkstars #23, June 1994

 Creators: Bob Haney (script), and Bruno Premiani (art)

 * “The Astounding Separated Man”, The Brave and The Bold #60, DC Comics, June 1965

Iceman - Prejudice

With all the discussion of Trans Americans being removed from military service, with no other reason because they are “different.” I can’t help but think – these brave people want to support and protect our country and our rights but because of prejudice they will be refused to fight and serve. The Tao Te Ching states “the more we travel the less we know.” Meaning the more we learn the more questions arise. The more we learn about ourselves the more ineffectual it seems we are becoming. I know that we have come a long way and we still have places to go and many things to learn but this prejudice group is small – powerful but small. With the right about of education and gathered voices we will evoke change in our country.

Prejudice

“DARN! I can handle stupidity… rudeness… crudity… but I’ve suffered enough blind prejudice to last me a lifetime! When are people going to learn that different doesn’t equal evil?” - Iceman*

Many superheroes are feared and misunderstood. The most misunderstood are the mutants. The X-men, nature’s deviation from Homo Sapiens, a mutation in the human DNA. Each mutant is given a power. One of the original X-men is Bobby Drake, Iceman. Bobby can freeze the moisture around him covering his body in ice and creating icy objects. Homo Sapiens do not understand, or trust the mutants. They fear the mutants. The thing that the X-men fight the most is the prejudice that is placed on them for being different.

Americans, Blacks, Democrats, Canadians, Baptists, Frenchmen, Koreans, Italians, Africans, Iranians, Jews, Chinese, Greeks, Brazilians, Mexicans, Catholics, Gay people, Republicans, Straight people, Farmers, City Dwellers, Southerners and Whites all have something in common – the Planet Earth. We are all human, with the same feelings and emotions. All Catholics are not exactly alike. All Brazilians are not exactly alike. Certainly all Americans are not alike. Instead of being prejudice toward another people we should celebrate the diversity that is the planet Earth. We are all reaching for the same goals, why fight? Why put someone down? Why hinder their advancement? If we help each other, then we will reach our goals together. 

Iceman   
First Appearance: Uncanny Xmen #1, 1963

Creators: Stan Lee (script), and Jack Kirby (art)

 * “The Fuse!” Iceman #1, Dec. 1984

Dawnstar - Heart's Desire

When I was young, Emmet Fox’s words resonated with me, “The great difference … is that love is always creative, and fear is always destructive.” Following my heart always guided me to what was right for me. I found everything I needed was provided when I followed my heart’s desire. When things were difficult and I needed help my brain would often suggest ways to convince or trick someone to help. While my heart would suggest sitting and waiting or just ask for help. I am never alone when I follow my heart’s desire. I am reminded of Dorothy Gale from Kansas, in the Wizard of Oz, we don’t have to look any further than our own backyard (our hearts) to find our heart’s desire.

Heart’s Desire

“I can sense the way home already…” - Dawnstar *

Superheroes can do anything. Some have super powers that can shake a universe, while some have simple gadgets. Then there are those caught in the middle, like Dawnstar from the 30th century, Legion of Superheroes. She is a mutant with big white wings and the power to find anything; she can follow any trail (even in hyper-warp). If it is lost she can find it. This is just a simple power that can solve simple problems. She instinctively knows which path to take.   

We have this power. It is called following the Heart’s Desire. Our heart knows instinctively the path to take. We normally choose not to listen to our heart, because we fear we will not be taken care of, or it is a fool’s journey. Yes, it may be a fool’s journey, but has there ever been an unhappy fool? If it is our heart’s desire then how can it be bad or wrong? To paraphrase Emmet Fox, the human soul is infinite energy seeking a creative outlet. And that infinite energy is in the heart. Listen to the heart and find your true path. Sometimes just take the leap and build your wings on the way down (paraphrased from Kobi Yamada).

Dawnstar
First Appearance: “The Dazzling Debut of Dawnstar” Superboy & The Legion of Super-heroes #226, Apr. 1977

Creators: Mike Grell (Artist) Paul Levitz (Writer)

* Legion of Superheroes #265 July 1980, DC Comics

Black Widow - Good Manners

I want my blog to attract anyone interested in Superheroes or a different type of spiritual growth. I also want the message to be open-minded and open-hearted. Not strict dogma. I know people who read my little messages will not always agree with what I say and they may even question or argue with me. I am OK with their questions and comments. The one thing I will always have in response is Good Manners.

Good Manners

“TCH, TCH, Nasty Nasty! You wouldn’t call me evil names would you? I mean – I blush at such words in mixed company.” - Black Widow*

Most superheroes are polite and have good manners but every now and then they may loose control and say a nasty word (just every now and then). But one superhero who is comfortable meeting queens or cussing with the bad boys is Natalia Alianovna Romanova. Natalia was a Russian ballerina and when her family was killed the Russian Government took her away. Natalia was trained to become the greatest spy of the Communist party with the code-name, The Black Widow. While on a case against Tony Stark (Iron Man) here in the states she met and fell in love with Hawkeye (Clint Barton). Natalia defected to the states and left the Communist party behind. Eventually she became a superhero with a utility belt and “spider stingers.” She joined and led the Avengers, Champions, Marvel Knights and the Lady Liberators. But once she defected side she changed her name to Natasha (an informal version of Natalia) and anglicized her name to Romanoff but kept her code name The Black Widow.

Those of us from the South understand good manners and being polite. Our mothers always reminded us to “kill them with kindness.” It is true, saying please and thank you will carry us a long way. Saving the dirty jokes and cussing for the private more intimate parties will make a lasting impression. The boss and the sales clerk don’t need our fowl words. When dealing with others cussing at us, we smile and say, “please don’t cuss we can settle this without nasty words.” Believe it or not people remember good manners. Good manners do not mean being a victim. Standing up for our selves does not mean cussing and swearing. We can get our messages across firmly yet kindly, using the words “please” and “thank you”.  

Black Widow
First Appearance: As a Russian Spy, Tales of Suspense #52, April 1964

Second Appearance: As a Superhero, The Amazing Spider-Man #86, July 1970
Creator: Stan Lee (plot), Don Rico (script as N. Korok) and Don Heck (art) 

* “LIFE Be Not Proud!” DareDevil (& the Black Widow) #106, Dec. 1973

Archangel - Sharing

I often think of superheroes as people with gifts they share with the world. I have been known to doubt myself and think I have nothing to share. This isn't true - I'm a good listener, a talented artist and I have a great laugh. Those things I can share with people daily. Heck - this blog is a way for me to share with people. 

Sharing

“…Do you regard me as one of God’s children? …Well, Then I figure that whatever God gave me – I can share with the World.” - Warren Worthington III*

Some superheroes gain their powers or strength by pure accident and some are born with their gifts. Warren Worthington III or better known as the mutant Archangel, wasn’t struck by lighting, came from another planet, or made a special suit. He was just born with his amazingly beautiful wings that allow him to fly. He also, over the years mutated further and he can now heal the sick or dying. The unfortunate thing about Warren is he has always struggled with his mutation. But eventually he has come to terms with his mutation and started sharing his gifts openly. 

Finding our gifts are difficult – especially if we think we have none to share. But we do have gifts to share. We all have a heart that loves; we have ears to listen, hands to hold, and a mouth to speak. These gifts are for us to use, to share with our fellows. Sharing with others makes life easy to live. Why walk the path alone when we can share it with a friend – sharing with others makes life easy and special. When Warren Worthington III came to terms with his mutation he found a host of friends to share with every day. When we give up the struggle and share our lives with people we find a whole world of people to share. Some of us give great hugs, some of us are great listeners, and some of us know exactly what to say. The one thing we all have that makes sharing easy is our hearts. When it is time to share just trust and follow the heart. 

Archangel
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men #1, 1961

As Archangel: X-Factor #38, Mar. 1989

Creators: Stan Lee (writer) and Jack Kirby (artist)

 * “Wings Over the World” X-Men Unlimited #8, June 2005