Super Why Theory #2: Power Paige's Existence
Recently, we were introduced to a new Super Reader: Power Paige, who has the power to write. She's equipped with her Power Pencil and while most of the new show, Super Why's Comic Book Adventures, focuses on her and her Super Reader friends fighting villains in Reader Valley.
However, as I rewatched the twenty or so episodes, I began to theorize something surrounding Power Paige.
She doesn't exist.
Okay, hearing that out of context makes no sense. This isn't one of those coma theories or "everything was in their head" theories. What I mean is "Power Paige isn't a real kid like the Super Readers are, but a drawing that came to life."
Still not understanding what I'm saying? Well, don't you worry: I'll go deeper in my theory.
Explanation One: The World Of Super Why
In Super Why, the plot of the show has four, later five, superheroes jump into various books, mainly fairytales, related to their problems at hand (ie: Red having trouble fitting in with the rest of the girls in the village results in the Super Readers jumping into Cinderella).
Now, whenever they jump into books, they maintain their 3D forms while the rest of the world remains 2D, as seen here.
Throughout the show, the Super Readers never change their forms, except once: Woofster and the Pet Pack. In this episode, Whyatt creates his own comic book, Woofster and the Pet Pack, which features Woofster and his animal superhero buddies, Mrs. Meow and Dina-Bunny. When they enter the book, Woofster runs offscreen and transforms into his 2D self from the book, the only time we've seen him do this!
In fact, there's no mention there was another Woofster in the book, unlike how in episodes jumping into Red's (Little Red Riding Hood) or Pig's (The Three Little Pigs), there's already storybook incarnations of them. I can only assume Woofster did this to not freak out his Pet Pack pals from thinking they were stuck in a comic book (which is somewhat true).
Now, what did that have to do with Power Paige? Well, like I mentioned before, Power Paige and Super Why's Comic Book Adventures takes place in Reader Valley, a place mentioned twice in the original series that takes place in the comic-book world. And whenever the Super Readers visited, they stuck out like sore thumbs due to their 3D-ness. But in SWCBA, they're... 2D?!
Now, the change in art style might throw this theory off it's tracks, but I believe it makes it stronger. Just like how Woofster could shift from 3D to 2D, the Super Readers (minus Pig and Woofster) learned this ability as to not freak Power Paige out and not blow their cover. I mean, how would you feel seeing your best friends are a whole different dimension of thickness from yourself?
Explanation Two: The Character of Power Paige
As stated, Power Paige is the newest member of the Super Readers, or is training to be a Super Reader. We aren't given a lot of information on how the Super Readers met her, how she discovered her powers, or anything else besides what's been stated here. But what I have noticed is her design is strangely similar to her superhero buddies.
For example
-The triangles on her shoes match Alpha Pig's symbol, which are triangles.
-Red's brown eyes (I know more than one person can have brown eyes, but come on: she and Red have nearly the same eyes.
-Her Power Pencil shares a strong resemblance to Super Why's Why Writer.
-Shares yellow and orange hues to Alpha Pig.
Now, having similarities to her friends can just be seen as her first superhero outfit being inspired by her favorite superheroes, but I'll continue.
In the new character trading cards, we're shown that Wonder Red, Princess Presto, and Super Why have upgraded/new powers.
Pretty cool! Now, what did Power Paige get?
"Super Fan" and "Positivity"
Hmm.. interesting.
Why do her friends get power-ups while Paige is just given character traits? These sound something like you'd give to an original character, trying to figure out what traits fit this character best.
And that's exactly where this next point is heading.
Explanation Three: The Missing Pig
Anybody who has seen SW: CBA knows two of the main five, Alpha Pig and Woofster, are absent in the series. The only reason given for their absence is that they're on vacation, and while I do wholeheartedly believe they deserve it, it begs the question: is that the only reason why they're gone?
In the episode, "Outta Compound Words", we're introduced to two things: Power Paige's dolly (who might I add looks strikingly similar to Alpha Pig) and her "house", which looks more like an apartment than anything. From what we know, Power Paige has never seen Alpha Pig, but is clearly a fan of him, and might even be her favorite.
Now, here's where I'm going to explain my theory...
Alpha Pig CREATED Power Paige. Or better yet, he was creating his own comic book featuring Power Paige (and updated versions of the classic Reader's Valley supervillains) when she came to life.
This surprised everyone, mainly Pig and Princess Pea (who I fully believe brings the books to life with her magic before any of her friends enter). Like we've seen in episodes like "Woofster and The Pet Pack", "A Day with Farmer Fred", "Attack of More Man," and such, storybook/comic book characters are aware when the Super Readers enter and even seem to be local celebrities in these in-universe book worlds. They've stated repeatedly that they only follow what's laid out for them in text, even if it's bad, and I believe most of the time, the story shifts back to normal once they leave (to not raise suspicion to any authors in the area).
However, Power Paige was different: Pig wrote her to be another member of the Super Readers, thus giving her "the power to write" (or I like to call reality-bending). This small detail brought the character to life even if her superhero friends weren't in her comic book. It didn't catch their attention until they reread some of Reader Valley's comic books and noticed not only did More Man and the Eraser had newer designs, but there were other villains! Even if they surprised her, the Super Readers grew to like her and made this their new mission. To combat the sudden arrival of this new member, the older three (Red, Whyatt, and Princess Pea) help Power Paige understand her abilities better/train her whilst Pig stays behind creating more issues/problems for Power Paige to tackle. Woofster is also there to be by Pig's side and to help keep track of Power Paige's progress.
The reason Power Paige has some similarities to the others design/outfit-wise is that Pig admires his older friends, and thus incorporated traits into his OC from them. Cause that just sounds cute. And even though he's still not ready to make his first appearance to Power Paige, he gives her a stuffed animal "dolly" for Power Paige, while the others promise to turn 2D whenever they visit her to not freak her out. One day, they'll reveal the truth to her..
Now, you might be asking. "Well, why did Pig make Power Paige a human instead of an animal if he created her?"
Well, when creating an OC, especially ones based of his closest friends (who are humans), Pig got that for Power Paige. Of course, he didn't know Power Paige would have him as her favorite, but he did create her.
Plus, in (once again mentioning) "Woofster and the Pet Pack", Woofster's pet pals, Mrs. Meow and Dina-Bunny look strikingly similar to a familiar princess and a skater girl...
Honestly, I think it's cute how while Whyatt based his human superhero friends as animals (that actually do quite fit one another personality-wise, as rabbits are filled with energy and cats are fitting with Princess Pea's royal status/she had a pet kitten in the show), Pig made his own character after a human based off his human friends.
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Anyways... that's all I have to say! This was just a fun theory I've been storming with my friends on Discord about. For all we know, I could be totally wrong, but that's the fun with theories: they can be 100% wrong but they're fun to come up with from the limited amount of proof given.
Have a good wherever timezone you guys are, and let me know if you have any questions, replies, or counterarguments to my theory!
Bye bye!