CAPES #3 (SKYBOUND ENTERTAINMENT/IMAGE COMICS)

The Capes team licks their wounds and enjoys some down time after their big fight in last issue. Unfortunately for them this is just the calm before the storm as a new threat is about to reveal itself. The threat will catch everyone off guard and will leave death and destruction in its wake, which will undoubtedly shape this series going forward.

Capes #3 - Written By Robert Kirkman - Art By Mark Englert - Letters By Rus Wooton - Edited By Ben Abernathy - Published By Skybound Entertainment/Image Comics

Credit: Skybound Entertainment/Image Comics

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

STORY OVERVIEW:

Romance is in the air as Kid Thor and Knockout are out on a date so to speak. They discover that Knockout got her gloves that give her power in a way from his grandfather Thor Man. At the same time Commander Capitalism is checking on Holly Winters to make sure she is alright, which leads to the two leaving together. Meanwhile, Claire and Captain Cosmic are having an affair when Claire’s husband walks in on them. He doesn’t even care and just joins them in bed as American Champion just needs to sleep.

After all the romance, the heroes show up to the office, not realizing a Nazi Cyborg has awoken and is on his way to the Capes HQ. This Cyborg is uber strong and starts to decimate the Capes team. Bolt and Commander Capitalism try to stop him, but as they get overwhelmed quickly, other heroes join in. As the Cyborg dispatches of hero after hero, there are some casualties along the way, including one of the Comet Twins being ripped in half. But even as brutal as this fight is, the reveal of who is behind it is even more gut wrenching.

WRITING:

This issue opens rather slowly lulling the reader in before kicking it into full throttle. Robert Kirkman does a fantastic job of showing us what the Capes team does in their outside of work hours, which really endears them to the reader as it humanizes the heroes. The decision to show different characters in romantic situations before all hell breaks loose is an awesome choice. It gets the readers guard down with all the love, caring, and of course humor. Then all hell breaks loose and we get some brutal and great action with a lot of carnage and death.

However, the most genius move in this whole issue is Kirkman’s reveal of who is behind the attack and the reasoning. Abandoning the normal hatred and world domination trope of the villain and replacing it with an “I’m doing this for all of you and your benefit” motive is a wonderful choice that makes the next steps endless in their possibilities. Not to mention the gut punch of the individual behind it all.

ARTWORK:

The artwork in this issue is spectacular and really captures all of the action and carnage perfectly. Mark Englert does a fantastic job of bringing the action to life and showing the reader the horrors of this brutal confrontation. The fight scenes are bloody, gory, and full of death and destruction, which Englert captures in great detail. On the other side of the action-packed stuff, Englert softens the art and the colors for the more loving dramatic scenes in the beginning of the issue. This balance really shows the depth of the artist and elicits all the feelings and emotions that the story is delivering.

Check Out My Review of CAPES #2

Final Thoughts:

Capes #3 brings something for everyone in a smorgasbord of action, drama, and of course humor. The effects of this issue will surely be felt through the series going forward and will keep readers on the edge of their seats for what’s next. If you are looking for a perfect mixture of genres wrapped in a comedy driven superhero story, Capes is exactly what you are looking for. This is a must-grab at the LCS this week, and if it’s not already on your Pull List, it should be in strong consideration. Of course, viewer discretion is advised.

FINAL GRADE: 9.7/10

Let me know your thoughts on Capes #3 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!