Review – DC's Kal-El-fornia Love #1: Super Vacation

Geek Dad

2 days ago

DC's Kal-El-Fornia Love #1 cover, via DC Comics.
Ray: DC's latest anthology turns the focus over to the Superfamily for a summer of wacky adventures, with eight new tales. How do they shake out in a golden age for the property? Credits. Via DC Comics.
'See Spot Fly' by Miller and Sandoval is a quick, fun Superman story that perfectly captures his heroic energy. A kaiju has attacked Metropolis, seemingly a juvenile alien monster who is confused and hungry. Lois tried to rescue some kids on the ground – only for all of them to be swallowed up. Now Superman has to figure out how to neutralize the creature peacefully – and get his wife and the kids out of the monster's stomach safely. It's a great little story and I love seeing Miller back on DC books. Crash landing. Via DC Comics.
'The Gorilla Ex-Wife of Jimmy Olsen' by Bogacs and Salcedo revisits the most infamous Jimmy Olsen story/meme of all time, with Jimmy being reunited with his short-lived Gorilla wife Bruna at a Hollywood premiere. He needs to get an exclusive for the Daily Planet – but doesn't want to talk to Bruna since he broke her heart. So naturally, he thinks the best approach is to challenge her manager/mate Gorilla Grodd to a tournament of Gorilla Games. It's obviously a completely ridiculous story, but I think it's supposed to be.
'Before Sunrise' by Fialkov and Abdias focuses on Power Girl – except not really. This is essentially an Ice story, as she tries to enjoy a baseball game, gets hit on by a random guy, and then the stadium gets attacked by a political shooter and Power Girl shows up to offer an assist. The two heroines from JLI days hang out, share frustrations with being a woman in a male-dominated field, and discuss relationship issues. In the end, it gives Ice the motivation to make an important life decision, although this is probably the most laid-back story here.
'Against the Wind' by Reid and Mikel brings back my favorite version of Bizarro – the confused, well-meaning bumbling clone who causes a lot of chaos accidentally. After destroying a bridge to save a kitten and getting verbally ripped apart by Guy Gardner, Bizarro decides to prove everyone wrong and become Superman – by auditioning for a new movie filming in LA. After a brief detour in Louisiana and disrupting Basil Karol's audition, he gets an important message in what it means to be Superman in a sweet, timeless finale.
'Bite of the Apple' by Fitzmartin and Vargas sends Lois Lane on a solo adventure, as she flies in to guest on a podcast run by a sinister Nancy Grace-esque pseudo-journalist. The two have butted heads over a recent high-profile murder where the journalist has fingered the boyfriend. As Lois plays verbal chess with this woman, we flash back to her and Lucy exploring the scene of the crime. The big reveal in this story is a little out-of-nowhere, but I do think the main story has very good Lois characterization.
'Across the Room' by Thomas and Ba has John Henry Irons and Natasha taking a vacation to California to relax – and Natasha instantly meets a gorgeous wedding planner who she falls for. But as she tries to connect with her new love interest, she keeps getting called away by one crisis and monster attack after another. The story here is a lot of fun, but the main selling point here is Juni Ba's incredibly unique art. There's a cartoony but still incredibly detailed style to his work that's among the best cartooning out there.
'Who Do You Belong To' by Wielgosz and Vasquez focuses on Jon Kent and Conner Kent, the two Superboys – who have never quite gotten to know each other, with both having anxiety about who the other is to them exactly. But when one of Conner's old friends/pets from Cadmus gets loose and is targeted by ARGUS, the two figure it out and team up to protect the giant cat-like thing. The characterization here is really good, especially considering the very strange permutations both characters have been through recently.
'Something in the Water' by Mann and Mercer closes things out, and this Supergirl tale finds her just trying to enjoy a day at the beach – only for it to be interrupted by some sort of supernatural giant squid. It's not just a standard Kraken, it's an elder God summoned by a dark mage – so John Constantine's come to lend a hand and a lot of sarcastic comments. These two make a fun odd-couple duo, and the art is gorgeous and incredibly vivid. Supergirl is having a great run of stories right now.
Overall, this is a light, fun anthology with quite a few great tales in this and zero duds.
To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.
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