It is not uncommon for comic writers and artists to make cameo appearances in one another’s books. Writer Gail Simone appears to make such a cameo in Nightwing. It is a subtle cameo, however, and might only be noticed by her devout social media followers.
Nightwing #110 by Tom Taylor and Sami Basri continues the ongoing Titans: Beast World event. The issue centers upon Dick Grayson and Jonathan Kent as they search for the missing Damian Wayne. The trail leads them to an underground arena where some of the beast-folk created by the crisis are forced to fight.
To their horror, Damian has been transformed into a cat-boy and is in the next match. His opponent is an enraged bear-woman called Gail the Slayer who is said to be a former hairdresser. This is no coincidence, as Gail Simone was a hairdresser before becoming a full-time writer. However, there is more to this apparent cameo than might be apparent to casual comic readers.
The Gail Simone is a Bear Meme Explained
It has long been a joke on Gail Simone’s social media that she is a bear pretending to be a human comic book writer. She also has a pretend blood-feud with Nightwing writer Tom Taylor based around the idea that “real writers” have to feud with one another. This has led to Taylor referencing Gail Simone being a bear in several of his recent comics for DC.
The first instance of this came in Nightwing #87. It was here that mock posters promoting “the G. Simone blood-feud show” were visible in one background shot. Later, in Superman: Son of Kal-El 2021 Annual #1, Jonathan Kent rescued a pregnant polar bear and gave her a home in the Fortress of Solitude. He named the polar bear Gail, which his father agreed was “a fine name for a bear.”
The appearance of a hairdresser who was transformed into a bear is apparently the latest nod to Gail Simone being a bear. However, it should be noted that the real Gail Simone is not a bear in so far as any credible journalist can determine. Comic readers are still advised to treat her with caution at conventions.
Nightwing #110 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
