A new summer anthology is attacking the comic book stand today, titled DC’s Kal-El Fornia Love #1. Armed with eight stories, the comic celebrates summer and California and becomes one of DC Comics’ more unique anthology. It also has a good mix of characters, from Superman to Ice and everyone in between.
The kickoff is “see the spot fly” by Brian Q. Miller and Gerald Sandoval. This story awaits the monster after Superman swallows Lois Lane. The visuals are super muscular and wonderful. The story is simple, with some dialogues lifting straight from popular films like Die Hard. It’s a cute opener, but it’s very light.
Next is the hilarious “Jimmy Olsen’s Gorilla Ex-Wife” written by Art of Jacoby Salcedo and Christof Bogacs. If you like Matt Fraction and Steve Leaver’s Superman buddy Jimmy Olsen: Who killed Jimmy Olsen? You will worship this story. Jimmy is a nervous Nelly around her ex-wife and happens to date her agent, Gorilla Grodd. This leads to a competition between the two in a great montage (see Jimmy Grant, watch him see the dress on the drugs!). The story is not only funny, but also a very relevant and heartfelt moment, just like Jimmy tells him the truth.
Written by Joshua Hale Fiarkov, Bruno Abdias portrays “before sunrise,” featuring a girl of ice and power. The story begins on ice at a basketball game, and after she deals with a creepy man, she has to take the terrorist. This leads to a hangout with the Power Girl, and the two simply talk. It’s a great sequence of them to chat and chat with some interesting points about being one female hero on most teams and dating. You’ll want to see this creative team on Ice and Power Girl Book.
Bizarro will take the center stage for “The Wind” by James Reid and Jon Mikel. It’s just as funny as it is cute. The story takes the place to heart, and asks Bizarro to try out the role of Superman in a big film. Bizarro is in a total sweet mode, complete with the cat companion “saved” early in the matter. The art style gives him a very detailed, rough, loving quality, especially in the environment.
Superman was built.
Credit: DC Comics
Lois Lane focuses on Meghan Fitzmartin’s “Bite of the Apple” and collaborates with the art of Marcial Toledano Vargas. The story begins when Lois visits her sister, but instead of going to the hotel, she ends up taking her sister around town. Their visit and intercut is a later scene as a podcaster grille Lois. The work of a smart detective and journalism follows.
Steel is the next focus by Brandon Thomas and Juniva: “Crossing the Room.” The story features stills taking his nie Natasha on vacation, and BA’s art steals the show for most of the matter. From the clever use of hearts to the anecdotes of the girl who has entered Natasha’s hotel to various monsters, it’s extremely creative and fun to watch. The story is also good. Because Steel is a good uncle, even if he continues to bring work to his holidays. I think that’s the price of being a superhero.
Superboy and John Kent Superman, along with Joey Barquez’s art, focus on Dave Wiergos’ “Who belongs.” The story unleashes the delicate relationship between these two characters through the flashbacks, despite these flashbacks being a bit crammed into the main story. John is chasing monsters, but it becomes an old pet friend of Superboy from his Cadmus lab days. The visuals are bright and fun, and fit these youthful characters.
Finally, the story of Supergirl and John Constantine by George Mann and Travis Mercer is entitled “Something in the Water.” The visuals are super sharp and pleasant, with a fun bit like Supergirl transforming into her costume in one panel or saving a swimmer with a cheerful look on tentacled monsters attacking the beach. A rather suggestive underwater shot of Supergirl fighting, does the tentacle need to be up her legs and arms? Probably not, but it’s only one panel.
However, the story feels a bit padded with a monster backstory where even Supergirl ends up saying, “Why didn’t you say that?” When Constantine provides solutions. The cute snacks with characters on the final panel are jobs that are a bit rushing to show that the day is not completely lost, and the overall plot feels rushed.
DC’s Kal-El Fornia Love #1 is a vibrant and playful anthology that won the title for its California vibe and summer charm. Not all stories are hit equally violently, but the overall collection offers something for all readers, including romantic awkwardness, heartfelt hero chat, and Kaiju-sized chaos. This is one of DC’s more creative and refreshing anthology in recent memory.
‘DC’s Kal-el fornia love’ #1 is a vibrant and playful anthology
DC’s Kal-El Fornia Love #1
DC’s Kal-El Fornia Love #1 is a vibrant and playful anthology that won the title for its California vibe and summer charm. Not all stories are hit equally violently, but the overall collection offers something for all readers, including romantic awkwardness, heartfelt hero chat, and Kaiju-sized chaos. This is one of DC’s more creative and refreshing anthology in recent memory.
A fun summer-themed anthology featuring a wide range of DC characters.
A strong mix of tones: heartfelt, hilarious, action-packed, and introspective.
Outstandings include Jimmy Olsen’s strange love triangle, late-night talk by Ice and Power Girl, and Bizaro’s Hollywood misfortune.
Some of the stories feel like they are especially the opening and closing stories, especially the running ground.
The final Supergirl/Constantine Story contains questionable visual beats that may feel unnecessary.
