Posted in Freedom Friday

Superpowers

The other day I read how someone believed everyone in this world has a superpower. In a sense, I believe that is true. I would have never assumed the art of writing as a superpower, but if it moves people to change is some way, no matter how small a change, then yes, I would say writing is a superpower. Sounds crazy for a Freedom Friday post, doesn’t it?

Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics

The very definition of superpower is the accentuation of strength beyond normal boundaries. That strength can be physical, but it also can be a mental or spiritual power. For instance, up until recently, I believed the Marvel and DC Comics superheroes were characters whom I would classify possessing superpowers. And why not?

Superman is faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive and is able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Captain America possesses super speed and strength beyond that of mere mortals. Thor has the power of thunder rattling within his bones. And Hulk is a formidable opponent against just about anything.

Other superheroes, however, are natural superheroes based on their integrity to stand for truth and justice. Batman and Iron Man fall into this category, owning superpowers beyond the equipment they utilize to help fight crime. Should they not have their equipment, they would equally be able to defeat their enemies with their superpowers of persuasion, honesty and firm resolve. Their inherent powers are from within, unseen on a physical level, but evident in situations when called upon.

DC Comics
DC Comics

Similarly, if someone were to tell me I do not possess superpowers like comic book superheroes, I would agree. I am not faster than a speeding bullet. I mean, it would surprise me if I can catch the train on time. I am not more powerful than a locomotive. After all, I’m a scrawny guy with limited capacity to lift anything beyond a milk jug. And I cannot leap a tall building in a single bound. If I can lift my feet to climb the stairs, then that is as far as I’ll go exerting any physical activity for the day.

Of course, I’m being facetious. It’s fun making stuff up as I go along.

No, I may not be a superhero according to the standard definition, but neither is anyone else I know—at least to my knowledge. What I do know is every person on this planet has something they are really good at and no other person in this world can replace them doing what they do. Does that make sense?

Look at it this way, a brilliant writer who submits a 250-word article to a prominent magazine once a month will get paid $250 bucks. That’s a buck a word. For every “a”, “and” and “the”—that’s a buck. To be able to do that on a consistent level is having a superpower beyond imagination.

My dad had a superpower. He could do all sorts of plumbing. He used to crawl into exhaust tubes to retrofit vast arrays of water pipes from source to destination. At times, the pipes would burst and drench him from head to toe, but he’d always survive. There are only so many people in the world that couldn’t do that. To me, that is a superpower.

If you are a mom, then you would know you’ve got all those superheroes beat. No one can touch you. And no one can say you’re second-best.

I guess what I’m saying is you don’t have to be Superman, Captain America, Batman or Iron Man to make a difference in life. Your superpower is what you’re good at, and you can share it with the world.

And that is an amazing thing.

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RANGER MARTIN AND THE SEARCH FOR PARADISE, on sale October 20.

What is your superpower?

Posted in Freedom Friday

The Avengers

Who is ready for the new Avengers movie? I know I am. I’ve been waiting for it ever since the studio announced it. It’s the summer go-to movie, which I also suspect will break every conceivable opening day record known to humanity—not that I’m making a big deal out of it or anything.

The Avengers
The Avengers

Freedom Friday wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t tell you which character of the team I love the most.

Okay, forget about the suspense. My favorite Avenger has to be Captain America. I like him because he stands for good. When I say that I don’t mean he represents good, but sometimes does bad things for the benefit of the good. He genuinely represents the crystal clear interpretation of virtue. He attempts to stay within the confines of the law, and he sticks to decisions that will not compromise his character.

My second favorite is Thor. He’s great. I love the character to death. In the first Thor movie he announces an awful lot. He announces when he’s hungry. He announces his intention to leave. And he announces his glorified ego as the God of Thunder. Like I said, he announces a lot. But you know what? I love that the most about him. There’s no lying in him. He says what he’s going to do, then does it. No second guessing.

Avengers: Age of Ultron
Avengers: Age of Ultron

Iron Man is my third favorite. Gosh, and here I thought Thor had an ego. Iron Man takes the prize for the most befitting rendition of a contemporary AC/DC song ever. Whenever his alter ego Tony Stark walks into a room, it’s all about him. And why not? He’s earned it. He’s saved the earth a few times in the comics, so a little hero worship does Iron Man justice.

Rounding out my favorites is Black Widow as the kick-ass martial arts expert. Does anyone get excited whenever a gang of thugs has her surrounded with an impenetrable wall of bodies, six-packs and all? I’ll be the first to put up my hand. Then there’s Hulk—oh, yeah. Whenever I see him on screen all I can hear in my head is: Hulk. Smash. I don’t think you need me to explain what that means.

Of all the villains The Avengers have fought Loki is best of all of them. This is what a true villain is all about. He stands for evil, but he does it such a way that it’s difficult to hate the guy. He has a certain appeal with the audience, and I’m one of those guys he has a fan for life.

Now, what would I love to see in future Avengers movies? This is an easy question to answer. Spider-Man. Oh, what an amazing movie to have Spider-Man in the midst of all those superheroes. His sarcastic remarks would play well against Captain America’s matter-of-fact approach to situations. Hey, wouldn’t it be even more awesome if Wolverine were thrown into the mix? Wouldn’t that be something? Imagine the banter that would go back and forth between Spidey and Wolverine. I’d go see it, and I’m pretty sure the entire planet would, too!

Jack is looking forward to Avengers: Age of Ultron.

RANGER MARTIN AND THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE, on sale now.
RANGER MARTIN AND THE ALIEN INVASION, on sale now.

Who is your favorite Avenger and why? Are you going to see the new movie hitting theaters today?

Posted in Women Who Wow Wednesday

Jane Foster

Her idea of fun is sitting in a truck waiting for a storm to erupt. For six college credits, she’ll to do anything. But then, anything showed up knocking at her door. In this edition of Women Who Wow Wednesday, let’s get to know Jane Foster, Thor Odinson’s match.

Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth
Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth

*** Be warned: Spoilers lie therein ***

A long time ago, when the Frost Giants came to conquer our world, Odin (Anthony Hopkins) the King of Asgard appeared with his formidable armies, and vanquished the evil beings from the face of the earth, stripping them of their power.

In time, Odin had a son whose name he blessed as Thor (Chris Hemsworth). The king bestowed upon him the mighty hammer Mjölnir—a weapon imparted with the strength to destroy or a tool to build. During Thor’s coronation as Odin’s successor, The Frost Giants attempt to repossess the Tesseract, the source of their power, from Asgard’s vault. The plan fails and Thor journeys to Jotunheim to seek revenge. But to this end, Thor’s arrogance lands him at a precipice surrounded by the evil Jotuns, only to have Odin himself save him from an untimely demise.

Back at Asgard, after a heated argument with his father, Odin banishes Thor to earth, throwing the hammer along with him with specific instructions to the Mjölnir that only he who is worthy can possess it.

Jane Foster
Jane Foster

This is where Jane (Natalie Portman) comes in. She finds the mighty son of Odin and takes him to the hospital in modern day New Mexico. Of course she believes he’s delusional. Who wouldn’t be, getting hit by a truck? Twice. Yet, she trusts him. He has answers and she wants them. She wants to know where he came from. She wants to know how he traveled to earth in a beam of violent light. And she wants to know why no one can rip the hammer from its resting place fifty miles west from where he landed.

Taking a leap of faith, Jane trusts Thor to reveal his identity by transporting him to the site where his hammer lays. The mission to reclaim the Mjölnir fails. Odin’s instructions to the hammer remain intact, and Thor walks away at a loss as to why he wasn’t able to reacquire his trusty companion.

Jane’s confidence in Thor draws them closer making her his true counsel. She lends him credence where others have turned away. Her steadfast conviction that he’s more than what he appears guides her to convince the others he is the only one who can save mankind from the treacherous clutches of the Frozen Giants.

Whoever Thor is, Jane supports him one-hundred percent. That intimate faith in him is what makes Jane who she is—a believer—an advocate for that which is unseen.

Wouldn’t it be amazing to have someone like Jane in our corner when we go about our daily lives?

RANGER MARTIN AND THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE, now on sale.

Have you watched Thor? Did you watch the sequel? What do you think of the son of Odin?