Neal Kroger

Neal Kroger is a fictional character in The Secrets of Droon. Ever since Book 27, "The Chariot of Queen Zara", Neal has become the First Genie of the Dove and has acquired all the powers of a Genie.

Personality

Neal's main personality factors are humor and hunger. Always willing to crack a joke and always willing to devour some strange new food, Neal often gets himself into trouble. A classic sidekick character, though by no means a sidekick, he will often seem scared but really possess much courage, like the Cowardly Lion from "The Wizard of Oz".

Neal is very good at using what talents he has to benefit the plan, especially means having fun, eating, or inflating his ego. He will provide distractions, pretend to be his own doppleganger, or even pose as a bodygaurd named Doofus the Ugly.

Transformations and Magic

Throughout the series, Neal has been turned into a giant bug twice. First, from a freak spell in Book 3, "The Mysterious Island", and then from a re-emergence of that spell in Book 4, "The City in the Clouds". Since then, Neal has at various times become a baby turtle (Book 12), a Goblin (Special Edition 1, "The Magic Escapes". He ate a special pie that only Goblins eat.), and now a full-fledged Genie. While not exactly transformed, Neal also disappeared before reappearing in a miniature glass ball in book 10.

Neal is also the last of the three upper-worlders to receive magic powers. Eric became a wizard after Book 12, and Julie gained the ability to fly and shapeshift in Book 17. Neal did not become a Genie until Book 27.