CAPES #9 (SKYBOUND ENTERTAINMENT/IMAGE COMICS)

Bolt and Superball have found out who killed Bulldog, but there are more surprises in store for them. As the killer didn’t act alone and the motives are a bit of a mad rant. Can Bolt, Superball, and the rest of the Capes team overcome this new threat to their very existence?

Capes #9 - 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:

As Bolt and Superball fight Magnattack he gets the drop on Bolt and impales him with a metal board. Looking like Bolt has finally met his demise, Superball runs off Magnattack to try and save his friend. Upon calling this in, Captain Capitalism admonishes Bolt for not following orders and leaving the Bulldog murder investigation alone. But Bolt can’t stop now because of how far he’s come, and he has Superball help patch him up before heading to the lair of the Children of the Medallion. This is a villain group comprised of Magnattack, Thrill Kill, Elephant, Gridlock, and Construct have come into possession of a medallion that gives them amazing powers. Can the Capes team bring down this new threat, or will they finally be defeated and erased?

WRITING:

This issue packs in a huge amount of action, emotional tension, and pure superhero entertainment without ever feeling like it is standing still. Benito Cereno pushes the reader deeper into the world, or maybe more accurately the underworld, of this universe by showing how dangerous things have become beneath the brighter surface of Capes INC. Opening the issue with Bolt being brutally impaled by Magnattack immediately raises the stakes and gives the story a shocking sense of urgency. It would have been easy for that moment to feel like the biggest beat of the issue, but Cereno uses it as a launching point instead. From there, the story keeps escalating with more violence, more chaos, more character drama, and that constant feeling of wondering what could possibly go wrong next.

The Children of the Medallion work well as the central threat because they feel genuinely dangerous while still fitting the fun, slightly absurd energy that makes this corner of the Invincible universe so entertaining. Magnattack, Thrill Kill, Elephant, Gridlock, and Construct all bring something different to the table, and the medallion gives the group a bigger sense of mystery and power than they would have on their own. Cereno does a strong job making them feel like more than just a random collection of villains. Their presence gives the issue a larger sense of danger, but the book never loses the humor and personality that makes Capes so enjoyable. That balance between superhero spectacle, comedy, and raw emotion is where the writing really shines. The action hits hard, the jokes land naturally, and the more serious moments give the issue real weight without dragging down the pace.

The issue also benefits from the way Cereno gives the reader small looks at the lives of the Capes team beyond the battlefield. Those behind-the-scenes moments are important because they remind us that these characters are not just costumes and powers. They have jobs, expectations, frustrations, and personal responsibilities that continue even when the superhero chaos takes over. These scenes add texture to the world and make Capes INC. feel like a functioning workplace with real pressure behind it. Instead of slowing the issue down, those quieter pieces help the bigger story feel more complete because they show what the characters are fighting for and what they risk losing if this threat keeps growing.

Robert Kirkman closes the issue with another installment of Ella Mental’s origin story, and this backup continues to add another interesting layer to the book. This chapter shows Ella using her blossoming powers to fight crime, giving the reader a clearer sense of her excitement, confidence, and inexperience. The sequence is fun because it captures that early superhero thrill of finally being able to do something important, but it also shows how quickly that thrill can become a distraction. Things do not go exactly the way she wants, and the bigger problem is that she has completely forgotten about other responsibilities while chasing that heroic feeling. That makes the backup more than just an extra story. It connects thematically to the main issue by showing the cost of heroism, the pull of power, and the consequences that come when doing the exciting thing causes someone to neglect the important thing.

ARTWORK:

The artwork in this issue continues the strong run for the art team and shows just how much visual personality Mark Englert brings to the Capes universe. Englert captures the violence, action, comedy, and drama that define this series, but what makes the work stand out is how naturally all of those tones fit together on the page. The brutal moments feel heavy and dangerous, especially during the fight sequences, while the comedic beats still have the exaggerated expressions and timing needed to land properly. That balance is not easy to pull off, yet Englert makes the world feel consistent whether the scene is a hard-hitting battle, a ridiculous superhero gag, or a quieter character moment. The result is an issue that feels energetic from start to finish without becoming visually overwhelming.

One of the strongest parts of the issue is the character design. With so many heroes and villains appearing throughout the story, it would be very easy for the cast to blur together, but Englert gives each character a distinct look, posture, and visual identity. Magnattack, Thrill Kill, Elephant, Gridlock, and Construct each feel immediately recognizable, and their designs communicate personality before they even speak. The same is true for the Capes team, whose costumes and body language help sell the idea that this is a workplace full of different personalities rather than a generic group of superheroes. Englert also has fun with the parody elements of the series, leaning into familiar superhero visuals while still giving the characters enough originality to stand on their own.

The action scenes are another major highlight because they give the reader a clear front-row seat to the chaos. The fights have impact, movement, and intensity, but they remain easy to follow, which is especially important in an issue with this many powered characters sharing the page. Englert stages the violence in a way that makes every hit feel meaningful, while still keeping the pace quick and exciting. Just as importantly, the quieter and funnier scenes are drawn with the same level of care. Facial expressions, reactions, and small visual details help the comedy hit without needing to overexplain the joke. That range is what makes the artwork so effective. It can be explosive, funny, strange, and emotional all at once, giving the issue a visual rhythm that perfectly matches the writing.

Check Out My Review of CAPES #8

Final Thoughts:

Capes #9 raises the stakes in a big way and delivers one of the most entertaining chapters of the series so far. This issue takes everything that makes Capes such a fun part of the Invincible universe and pushes it even further, giving readers brutal action, sharp comedy, weird villains, and genuine character tension all in one fast-moving package. The story never feels like it is simply coasting on superhero chaos. Instead, it uses that chaos to make the threat feel bigger, the characters feel more tested, and the world of Capes INC. feel even more unpredictable.

What makes the issue work so well is how confidently it juggles different tones without losing focus. The book can be violent one moment, ridiculous the next, and surprisingly sincere right after that, yet it all feels like part of the same energetic story. Benito Cereno and Mark Englert continue to prove how much life there is in this corner of the universe, and this issue leaves the reader wanting to see what kind of disaster hits the team next. If you enjoy superhero comics that are action-packed, funny, strange, and full of personality, Capes #9 is absolutely worth picking up. Grab a copy at the shop this week and prepare to be thoroughly entertained.

FINAL GRADE: 9.3/10

Let me know your thoughts on Capes #9 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!