Capes #8 is a comic that works on two levels. The first is a superhero story that’s set squarely within the Invincible Universe, putting the spotlight on Capes, Inc and its superpowered staff. The second is a murder mystery, as the previous issue found Bolt stumbling upon the dead body of his former ally Bulldog. Naturally, he wants to investigate the murder, but Capes’ head honcho, Commander Capitalism, and newly promoted day manager Claire Voyant want to put top-rated heroes Captain Cosmic and Sparrow on the job. Undeterred, Bolt and his new partner, Superball, track down the murderer themselves.
Part of the fun of Capes is how it blends the tropes of a workplace comedy with your standard superheroics. That hasn’t changed now that Benito Cereno is stepping up to writing duties; in fact, it’s only increased with each issue. Whether it’s a hero nudging Claire to use her psychic abilities to find out who ate the doughnuts in the break room, or the fact that Captain Cosmic and Sparrow ask fans for high ratings on the Capes app after they defeat a supervillain, there are plenty of funny moments to be had. My favorite involves the superhero Doctor Justice, who, in a rare moment for superheroes who are named “Doctor,” actually does practice medicine in his civilian duties.
Cereno also maintains the through-line of Bolt hitting a slump in his superhero career. While he doesn’t admit it to his family or the rest of Capes’ employees, catching Bulldog’s murderer wouldn’t just be a win for Capes but also the thing he needs to get back on top. If that wasn’t enough, being paired with Superball is less of a benefit and more of a hindrance, especially with the way the younger hero tries to cram “balls” into every sentence. As you can imagine, that leads to dialogue that’s fraught with innuendo.
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Another element of Capes #8 that stands out is Mark Engelhert’s art. Englehart is crafting a more dynamic, defined style that fits the world of Invincible and, more importantly, makes each superhero feel distinct. Captain Cosmic’s long, flowing blue cape perfectly complements his bright red uniform and his 80s-style mane. On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have Battery Bill, who looks like he stepped out of an old-school sci-fi movie, and Brain Boy, who, true to his name, is made entirely out of brain matter. Surprisingly, this isn’t horrifying but humorous, but you’ll have to wait and see how it all goes down.
This issue also continues the Ella Mental backup story by Invincible creators Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker, who kick things into a higher gear. Not only does Ella gain her superhero costume and powers, but she also enters into her first superhero battle with one of Invincible’s foes. It’s a treat to see how Walker’s art has evolved over the years, with images that feel like they’re ripped straight from the Invincible show. Kirkman also shows his tendency to subvert superheroic conventions, as Ella actually embraces her superhero nature despite her grandfather’s urging her not to. It’s enough to make me want a full Ella Mental series.
Capes #8 continues its mix of superheroic subversion and murder mystery, while also adding a dash of humor. The Invincible Universe continues to expand in fresh new ways, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
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