Warning: The following contains SPOILERS for Superman: Son of Kal-El 2001 Annual #1.
A recent Superman comic made writer Tom Taylor's joking feud with fellow comic creator Gail Simone a part of DC Comics canon. The knowing nod, which centered around Jonathan Kent's adoption of a polar bear, also referenced a running gag from Simone's Twitter account and her continued denials that she is a bear pretending to be a human comic book writer. The brief scene is an amusing non-sequitur, even for those readers who were not in on the joke.
Both Tom Taylor (who recently signed an exclusive contract with DC Comics) and Gail Simone are beloved for their knowledge of DC Comics history, their use of dark comedy and their accessibility to fans on social media. Taylor, for instance, recently responded positively to fan demand for a Flash/Nightwing reunion. This has given rise to a friendly rivalry between the two creators, with Taylor often commenting on Simone's joking denials that she is a bear.
One subplot of Superman: Son of Kal-El 2001 Annual #1, which was written by Taylor with art by Steve Pugh and Clayton Henry, paid homage to the joke and the feud between the two writers. Jonathan Kent comes to the rescue of a pregnant polar bear, who has become trapped on an ice flow. The young Superman takes the bear to the Fortress of Solitude and informs a hologram of his father that he intends to name the polar bear Gail. The elder Superman agrees with his son that Gail is "a fine name for a bear."
Simone was quick to respond to Taylor's "tribute" on Twitter, reminding fans that "Tom is evil." Taylor denied this accusation, pointing out that he was kind enough to give Simone's fictional namesake plenty of berries to eat. Despite this, many fans might be inclined to agree with Simone unironically, given Taylor's long history of killing fan-favorite characters in series like Injustice, DCeased and Suicide Squad. On the other hand, Taylor does let the issue end with Gail the Bear happily alive and apparently now living in the Fortress of Solitude.
All joking aside, it is important to note that the existence of Gail the Bear in the Superman comics is all in good fun, as is the blood feud between Gail Simone and Tom Taylor. In so far as inquiring journalists can determine, there is also no truth to the rumors that Gail Simone is a bear, polar or otherwise. It should be further noted that any fans who taunt Gail Simone by offering her fresh salmon at conventions and fan gatherings do so at their own risk.