Review by Ian Keogh
Despite Matthew Cody and Derick Brooks creating the Bright Family and introducing them over the two chapters of their first book, it’s different creators on Bright Family Vacation, with a different result.
Under writer Gabe Soria, the sense of wonder and exploration is replaced by more standard comedy situations, very few of which showcase the family as being exceptionally intelligent. While perfectly competent, it removes what made the feature stand out, although Soria retains the idea of instant transportation via portals.
In the first story the family are first seen dealing with an influx of sea serpents near the beach of a holiday resort, and the manager is so grateful he offers the family a free holiday. Cleverly, Soria has them keep quiet about their being responsible for the sea serpents in the first place. The children are delighted, but dad Benjamin has work to do, and it’s also slipped his mind that his father is coming to stay. Despite that the holiday goes ahead, although not exactly as planned.
The second story is also a vacation of sorts as mum Banira organises a conference for alien races. It’s risky holding it on Earth as most people remain unaware aliens exist, but Banira feels the guests ought to see Earth and humans as they are. Children Nia and Jayden accompany her, and soon make friends with a couple of alien kids, and that’s when the trouble starts.
Cartoonists Rafa Ribs and Vincent Batignole offer different strengths. Ribs keeps things simple, bearing the all-ages audience in mind, and his wide-eyed characters are more cheerful, while Batignole supplies greater background detail. As there’s no fixed visual style embedded, both their interpretations work.
Bright Family Vacation is fun, but it’s only on the final short story that the full possibilities of the concept again manifest. In ‘One Birthday in Time’ Benjamin has again become too absorbed in his work and has forgotten to pick up Jayden’s birthday cake. Is it possible to send a message back through time to rectify the neglect? Sean Dove’s art maintains the quality cartooning in a sentimental story.
