CAPES #8 (SKYBOUND ENTERTAINMENT/IMAGE COMICS)

After the murder of Bulldog, the Capes INC. team is not only morning his loss, but also on the hunt for the culprit. Bolt wants to be put on the investigation badly, but the Commander has another team in mind. Obviously, Bolt isn’t going to follow orders, but will this be the final straw for his downfall?

Capes #8 - Written By Benito Cereno - 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:

Following Bulldog’s murder, Commander needs to assign heroes to the case to find out who killed a Capes member. He chooses Captain Cosmic & Sparrow as they are the two heroes with the highest user rating. This upsets Bolt who thinks he should be the one investigating. However, he is already on thin ice and is warned by Commander and HR not to get involved in this investigation. But do you think he listens? Absolutely not. He starts his off the book’s investigation almost immediately. But this may not cost him just his job, but also his family who he is neglecting by working on this case off the clock.

WRITING:

This issue kicks the mystery surrounding Bulldog’s murder into gear while also putting a sharper focus on the growing tension inside Capes INC. Benito Cereno places the reader right in the middle of the conflict between Commander Capitalism and Bolt, making it clear that this investigation is about more than just finding a killer. For Bolt, Bulldog’s death feels personal, and being kept away from the case only fuels his frustration. He already believes he has been unfairly judged for the destruction caused in the city, so Commander Capitalism’s decision to sideline him comes across as another sign that the organization no longer trusts him. On the other side, Commander Capitalism is trying to keep the team functional, professional, and public facing after a major loss. That difference in perspective creates a strong sense of misunderstanding and mistrust, and it begins to divide not only Bolt and Commander Capitalism, but also the larger team around them.

Cereno does a strong job balancing workplace-style superhero politics with classic superhero action. Bolt’s off-the-books investigation gives the issue a reckless energy because the reader can see how badly he wants to prove himself, even as his choices push him closer to serious consequences. Meanwhile, Captain Cosmic and Sparrow’s official investigation provides a more playful and entertaining contrast. Their encounter with Eruptor brings in the kind of big, colorful action that keeps the book fun, but it also moves the mystery forward and reminds readers that the threat behind Bulldog’s death is still very real. By the end of the issue, the story leaves Bolt and Superball in a dangerous spot, making the cliffhanger feel earned. It feels like Bolt’s need to be involved may not only cost him his job but could also put his family and teammates at risk.

Robert Kirkman then follows with the next short story centered on Ella Mental, giving readers another piece of her origin and a better sense of why she matters in this universe. The short explains how she acquired her powers while also teasing the larger scope of what she may be capable of. Even in a limited number of pages, Kirkman makes Ella feel more important than a throwaway backup character. Her introduction continues to build anticipation around her role, and these shorts work well as connective tissue for her development. They add depth to the overall world of Capes while making Ella feel like a hero readers should be paying attention to moving forward.

ARTWORK:

The artwork is polished throughout the issue and Mark Englert does a great job balancing the flashy energy of superhero action with the smaller, quieter moments that reveal Bolt’s personal side. The characters all have distinctive designs that make them easy to recognize, but they never feel like simple costume ideas thrown onto the page. Each hero has a personality in the way they stand, move, and react to what is happening around them. That helps the world of Capes feel colorful and fun while still giving the characters enough individuality to stand apart from one another. Bolt especially benefits from this approach because Englert can show both his heroic confidence and the stress building underneath it.

The action sequences have a strong sense of movement and impact, especially when the issue leans into the larger-than-life superhero elements. Englert makes the fights feel energetic without making the pages hard to follow, which is important in a book that mixes comedy, workplace drama, and superhero spectacle. When the story slows down, the art is just as effective. Facial expressions and body language give the conversations more weight, showing when characters are frustrated, defensive, concerned, or trying to keep things professional. Those visual choices make the personal moments feel just as important as the fight scenes. The interactions between characters feel natural and emotionally grounded, bringing realism and heart to the story. That added emotional depth helps the series stand out because the visuals are not only selling the action, but also reinforcing the pressure Bolt is under and the growing tension inside Capes INC.

Check Out My Review of CAPES #7

Final Thoughts:

Capes #8 continues to bring a fun action filled story with a lot of heart to the LCS shelves. The fun nature of the series is balanced well with the action sequences and the more serious underlying story. This allows the reader to always have fun while also being fed a really good plot driven story. This attention to balance makes this one of the most complete books on the shelf. If you haven’t been reading Capes, give this issue a shot and you may just find your new favorite comic.

FINAL GRADE: 8.8/10

Let me know your thoughts on Capes #8 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!