Today’s Comic> Kanga-U: Tests And Tournaments FCBD preview

“Maybe I can take turns riding you.”

Kanga-U: Tests And Tournaments 2025 FCBD Special Edition

DC Comics (June, 2025)

WRITER: Sholly Fisch

ARTIST: Yancey Labat

COLORIST: Monica Kubina

LETTERER: Wes Abbott

There’s also a preview for Matthew Dow Smith’s Misfits Of Magic, but it’s only three pages, the only character of the trio that’s named is Boston Brand (renamed Deadkid because these are kids versions of DC’s mystical heroes), and just has them walking down a hallway to the basement. I know who Blue Devil is, but unless the girl is supposed to be Zatanna I have no idea who else she could be. It’s not a very good preview, but the art style’s neat. Let’s focus on the main graphic novel preview.

The kangas of Themyscira are excited for the upcoming Bonding Day, where they get to become the new mounts for the Amazons after the old one retires. Jumpa and her friends are training, but when she and her friend Skippa are late, they have to get past their friends–the athletic Goldie, the intelligent Rooth, and the properly named Big Red–to reach their training target. Jumpa realizes teamwork is the answer and they get the fruit from the tree by following one Amazon’s teaching to Diana, that they’re “stronger together”. Speaking of Diana, she’s the first Amazon born on the island in centuries, so whoever gets to be her kanga will be the first one she’s ever had. Rival classmate Queenie is sure it will be her because her mom replaced our heroes’ teacher, Hoppa. While they aren’t thrilled about putting up with the mean girl, they realize they’d all like to be Diana’s first steed. Meanwhile, Ares isn’t happy about his recent defeat by Hippolyta, and he’s plotting revenge.

What they got right: This is a kids story about the often forgotten horse replacements from the old “Paradise Island” days. We get a good introduction to our cast and their situation. While this doesn’t end here, unlike some of the stories I’ve reviewed for this year’s Free Comic Book Day, it’s a good done-in-one scene as Jumpa and Skippa work together, and then there’s the tease for the full graphic novel without being a cliffhanger. You can enjoy this story on its own but still be interested in the full graphic novel. Nice that they went with the “clay” origin instead of another Zeus kid for this story given the target age group.

What they got wrong: Okay, I know having young kangas helps form a story, but if kangas still need to reproduce are there male kangas? All we see are the female ones. I understand that for the focus and the target gender, but there is an inherent logic break in that the Amazons are still immortal while the kangas just have really long lifespans. There were also times when some of the kangas looked too much alike in certain panels and I couldn’t tell Jumpa and Skippa apart.

What I think overall: It’s minor nitpick. Overall it’s a good story for girls and maybe even a few boys might enjoy it depending on where it goes. It also might make a nice cartoon.

With that, my Free Comic Book Day 2025 and comics bought on FCBD reviews are done. Back to the usual “Yesterday’s” content next week…plus whatever I review for tomorrow.