Writer: Sholly Fisch
Artist: Yancey Labat
Colorist: Monica Kubina
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Cover Artist: Yancey Labat & Monica Kubina
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $12.99
Page Count: 128
Release Date: June 10, 2025
Jumpa enjoys life with her friends in Ms Hoppa’s class. In
her free time, she watches the Amazons train. The warriors have been perfecting
their craft for centuries. When her friend Skippa arrives, Jumpa expresses her
admiration of the young princess. But as Diana counters attacks from her more
experienced kin, Skippa warns her that they are late for class. Will Ms Hoppa
punish Jumpa and Skippa for their tardiness? Or will their teacher tell them
something that will transform their lives? Let’s leap into Kanga-U: Tests and
Tournaments and see!
Story
When Jumpa and Skippa arrive, Ms Hoppa doesn't punish them.
However, she does select them for more difficult roles during their training
session. After reminding her class of Amazonian history and the Kangas' role in
Themysciran society, Ms Hoppa makes an announcement. The Amazons will select
new steeds at the end of the week.
With Bonding Day coming so soon, Ms Hoppa accelerates her
students’ training. Each of the young Kangas must do their best. Their
performance in the forthcoming tournament will determine which Amazon they
partner with for the next twenty years.
In Kanga-U: Tests and Tournaments, Jumpa dreams of bonding
with Diana. The Amazons will partner with many Kangas throughout their lives.
But the young princess is special. She is the first new addition to Themyscira’s
Amazon population. Not only will Diana’s Kanga be linked with Queen Hippolyta’s
household. But the young princess and her steed will experience everything
together for the first time.
In addition to Jumpa’s four classmates, Sholly Fisch also
introduces the competitive members of another class. Readers also meet Jumpa’s
mother and witness Diana training with her instructor, Artemis. As Jumpa
prepares for Bonding Day, she becomes more invested in her friends’ lives.
Other Kangas assure Jumpa that bonding isn't about social prestige. It's vital
to find the Amazon who best shares her interests.
Jumpa has her heart set on Diana in Kanga-U: Tests and
Tournaments. Observing the princess inspires Jumpa to pursue a controversial strategy.
Her friends warn Jumpa that it may inhibit her from doing her best on the most
important day of her life.
Art
Yancey Labat adorns each member of the intelligent kangaroo
species with unique attire. Ms Hoppa and her students each wear different
styles of head, chest, shoulder, arm, and waist clothes and armor. The Kangas
hop, run, climb hills, and fight with staffs. They use their tails to whap each
other during training. They tap tails with their friends to celebrate
achievements. But their intended purpose—the result of the training—will be to
transport their Amazons into battle, where they will function in concert with
their riders.
While Monica Kubina gives Jumpa and her friends different
colored skin and adornments, gold links them together. Like the verdant land
around them, the Kangas shine with bright and attractive colors. They inhabit a
land of classic Greek architecture, with pruned trees, trimmed hedges, and
temples. Amid the vivid colors of Kanga-U: Tests and Tournaments, Rooth points
out the importance of gray when Jumpa urges her friend to see things her way.
Wes Abbott denotes time and locations in yellow panels topped
by a brown-and-orange wave pattern. Black lowercase dialogue inhabits white
dialogue balloons and boxes. Intonation italicizes and emboldens words. The
words swell for raised voices and shrink for lowered voices. Giant colored
dialogue accentuates jubilant cries. Music notes accompany chanting. Sound
effects heighten the students’ training as contests and unexpected dangers
threaten their futures on Themyscira. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this
story with us.
Final Thoughts
Aphrodite and Athena granted the Kangas long lives to serve
their Amazon partners. Every twenty years or so, the Amazons hold a Bonding Day
to choose the Kangas they will defend Themyscira with. While the Amazons cannot
understand the Kangas' speech, Sholly Fisch takes us into the animals’ lives to
share their hopes, struggles, interests, and triumphs in Kanga-U: Tests and
Tournaments.
Rating 9.8/10
