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Description
First attempt at fan art and a trip down memory lane.

Anyone remember this show?

I watched it as a kid and really did not think much of it. Flash forward a decade and I find the entire DVD set in a store to rewatch. And talk about an emotional roller-coaster ride. Even though it is very much toned down for younger audiences, the themes and lessons the show presents is quite complex. Seriously.

First a kid, Danny Fenton, gets superpowers because of bad decisions. If we were to do that I suspect we'd either be mush or get some serious and rare form of cancer. Yet he lucks out and has ghost DNA integrated into his (though I have heard some fan theories he is half dead, despite the creator saying otherwise) so that he gets their abilities. Then his parents want dissect him because he's a "ghost" and all ghosts are bad, yada, yada. Yet he still defends his town, friends, family and even the bullies at his school who hate his guts (or his human alter ego at least).

Second, his friends.

Sam was totally me in high school (though I neve went Goth I was the non-stereotypical type of gal in regards to loving outdoor recreation), and she is liked by Danny and Tucker by that. It makes her unique and serves as a good source of inspiration of the importance of being "you" (even though her tendency to get the trio, especially Danny, into trouble without getting called out on it too often is a bit frustrating). Tucker is hilarious and even though he can be borderline girl-obsessed, is the perfect example of being a good friend. Do they sometimes have fights? Yes. Do they not always agree? Yes. All apart of a heathy friend dynamic.

Not to mention the romance between Sam and Danny is organic, and not (or at least unhealthily) abusive. Unlike many shows today that show one romantic interest partner being abusive (verbally and physically) or downright either trying to kill/dissect the other who eventually lets bygones be bygones and falls in love. Not a very good lesson for kids who may have such a relationship one day in the future and may not recognize the signs of it being unhealthy or safe.

Third, importance of family. Yes. The Fentons are often clueless and/or careless, but Danny still loves them. Though I have to admit it is questionable how they even have a normal meal in the family since most of the food tends to get possessed.

Fourth, the big bad is well written. From being an egotistical, lusting, greedy bastard who had his head so far up his rear, he eventually gets what he deserves. No friends. No family. Despite this being a kid show, holy crap did this go hard when he literally tried cloning Danny, to running a fourteen year old kid's life so that he would maybe come crawling to him for support. In Danny's words, "fruit-loop" was an appropriate nickname.

All in all, if this were to be a more mature themed show, there is so much that can be done. But then if it was, the show would lose its magic, so I am happy with what we have.

And in the context of the drawing? I don't know. Maybe Danny found one of his foes disappeared into the sewers of Amity Park. Given he is the only one able to phase through the walls to search each tunnel individually, Sam is claustrophobic, and Tucker conveniently develops an allergy to raw sewage, Danny is the lucky guy to do the searching. Yes. I know he has ghost sense, but the creature is too far away for him to detect it.

Description
First attempt at fan art and a trip down memory lane.

Anyone remember this show?

I watched it as a kid and really did not think much of it. Flash forward a decade and I find the entire DVD set in a store to rewatch. And talk about an emotional roller-coaster ride. Even though it is very much toned down for younger audiences, the themes and lessons the show presents is quite complex. Seriously.

First a kid, Danny Fenton, gets superpowers because of bad decisions. If we were to do that I suspect we'd either be mush or get some serious and rare form of cancer. Yet he lucks out and has ghost DNA integrated into his (though I have heard some fan theories he is half dead, despite the creator saying otherwise) so that he gets their abilities. Then his parents want dissect him because he's a "ghost" and all ghosts are bad, yada, yada. Yet he still defends his town, friends, family and even the bullies at his school who hate his guts (or his human alter ego at least).

Second, his friends.

Sam was totally me in high school (though I neve went Goth I was the non-stereotypical type of gal in regards to loving outdoor recreation), and she is liked by Danny and Tucker by that. It makes her unique and serves as a good source of inspiration of the importance of being "you" (even though her tendency to get the trio, especially Danny, into trouble without getting called out on it too often is a bit frustrating). Tucker is hilarious and even though he can be borderline girl-obsessed, is the perfect example of being a good friend. Do they sometimes have fights? Yes. Do they not always agree? Yes. All apart of a heathy friend dynamic.

Not to mention the romance between Sam and Danny is organic, and not (or at least unhealthily) abusive. Unlike many shows today that show one romantic interest partner being abusive (verbally and physically) or downright either trying to kill/dissect the other who eventually lets bygones be bygones and falls in love. Not a very good lesson for kids who may have such a relationship one day in the future and may not recognize the signs of it being unhealthy or safe.

Third, importance of family. Yes. The Fentons are often clueless and/or careless, but Danny still loves them. Though I have to admit it is questionable how they even have a normal meal in the family since most of the food tends to get possessed.

Fourth, the big bad is well written. From being an egotistical, lusting, greedy bastard who had his head so far up his rear, he eventually gets what he deserves. No friends. No family. Despite this being a kid show, holy crap did this go hard when he literally tried cloning Danny, to running a fourteen year old kid's life so that he would maybe come crawling to him for support. In Danny's words, "fruit-loop" was an appropriate nickname.

All in all, if this were to be a more mature themed show, there is so much that can be done. But then if it was, the show would lose its magic, so I am happy with what we have.

And in the context of the drawing? I don't know. Maybe Danny found one of his foes disappeared into the sewers of Amity Park. Given he is the only one able to phase through the walls to search each tunnel individually, Sam is claustrophobic, and Tucker conveniently develops an allergy to raw sewage, Danny is the lucky guy to do the searching. Yes. I know he has ghost sense, but the creature is too far away for him to detect it.