I was at a school in Falkirk recently and they were using Phoenix Wright for the Nintendo DS in their English Language class. I have long been of the opinion that games such as Phoenix Wright and other games such as Hotel Dusk: Room 215 could be used to encourage imaginative and creative language tasks in reading writing, talking and listening. Coupled with an application such as 'Comic Life' (now available for PC)then there is you have a very powerful combination to engage and motivate writing in particular.
For teachers interested in this approach you may be interested to know that Marvel Comics are offering free access to a selection of online comics featuring a variety of Super Heroes for a limited period. Along with graphic novels many of these comics not only encourage reading but they very often, if not always, offer social commentary or even explore more complex themes and issues in quite a substantial way.
Anyway, who was your favourite Super Hero? Wonder Woman was always my favourite superhero-especially when she twirled and used her golden bracelets to deflect bullets from would be assassins!
Steve Austin the Bionic Man for the sound effects alone!
Posted by: Iain Stanger | November 15, 2007 at 09:46 AM
I remember the Bionic Man doll with the bionic eye! Almost as good as the Action Man with the 'gripping hands' and the 'eagle eyes'.
Posted by: Derek Robertson | November 15, 2007 at 06:02 PM
Was in a school this morning and someone asked me about comic software, so how good is this that you have put this on your blog today - thanks. Will show her this tomorrow.
Posted by: Margaret | November 15, 2007 at 06:03 PM
I'm a bit troubled by the Wonder Woman admission Derek. I think that speaks volumes! ;-) Surely the winner's got to be 'The Tick'? http://www.thetick.ws/cartoons.html
Posted by: AB | November 15, 2007 at 08:57 PM
AB, I know...should have kept that one quitet or maybe even should have said my favourite was the Hulk!
Posted by: Derek | November 15, 2007 at 10:06 PM
It has to be Bananaman! Ever alert to the call for Action!
Im waiting for the first person that suggests SuperTed....
Posted by: Stuart Lennie | November 16, 2007 at 09:14 AM
agree with AB - bit concerned about your Wonderwoman admission Derek!?!
Sorry guys, but how could you beat "Mr Ben" for a superhero - and all his different characters when he came out of that room!! (anyone remember his address?!)
Posted by: Sally F | November 16, 2007 at 08:37 PM
52 Festive Road I think. The Divine Comedy recorded a brilliant song about it.
Posted by: Derek | November 16, 2007 at 10:19 PM
ha ha ha - now I really am worried about you Derek.
think all of the above contributors may enjoy this site -
http://www.kids-tv.co.uk
now we'll find out what programmes you really enjoyed! Bet Andrew & Derek were Hong Kong Phooey fans!
Posted by: Sally F | November 17, 2007 at 01:56 PM
Pipkins, Play Away, Mary Mungo & Midge, Fingerbobs and Noggin the Nog all still do it for me.
Posted by: Derek | November 18, 2007 at 08:52 AM
And I though Sally would have been more of a SuperGran fan myself...
Posted by: Stuart Lennie | November 18, 2007 at 06:50 PM
"...number one super guy!" It was the filing cabinet that made that ace though.
Posted by: AB | November 19, 2007 at 08:51 AM
This is tricky since I was a serious comic nerd in my teens and twenties. I'd go for either Howard the Duck (ignore the duff film and look for Steve Gerber era comics) or Marvelman/Miracleman (a seriously good series, originally re-worked by Alan Moore, that has been caught up in more legal wranglings than would seem humanly possible).
Posted by: David Muir | December 22, 2007 at 07:42 PM
Judge Dredd. Pure and simple.
All this graphic novel talk around lately has made me dig out hundreds of comics out of my mother-in-law's loft.
Roll on the summer holidays.
Posted by: Zoe Walker | June 10, 2008 at 11:05 PM