Robert Kirkman remasters Capes #1 for a new generation of punch-in heroes
Robert Kirkman and Mark Englert's original punch-card superhero team gets a loving remaster in Capes #1. This Invincible Universe corner explores what happens when heroes treat justice like a nine-to-five gig, complete with Capes Inc and threats that test the crew's payroll. On sale June 24.
You know the Invincible Universe for its high-stakes carnage and moral gray zones, but Robert Kirkman and Mark Englert built something else way back in 2003. They gave us Capes, a series that asked the question every superhero eventually faces: how do you pay rent when you're busy saving the world? After years of being hunted down by collectors, this corner of the universe is clocking back in with a full remaster. It's not just a reprint; it's a chance to meet the punch-in crew the way Kirkman and Englert always intended, updated and ready for new readers.
Capes Inc operates as a staffing agency for the city's most powerful individuals. Bruce Bolt, aka Bolt, runs the show, managing a roster that includes Kid Thor, Knock Out, Captain Cosmic, Claire Voyant, Big Brain, and Commander Capitalism. These aren't solitary avengers; they're a team on the payroll. When threats like Machine Head and Titan show up in New York, the heroes respond because the job requires it. The dynamic here is strictly business, which means the stakes involve more than just physical damage. They're navigating the pressures of keeping the lights on while dealing with an incoming threat that shakes the foundation of their employer.
The draw here is the creator team's synergy. Kirkman and Englert have a history of grounding the extraordinary in the mundane, and their chemistry is on full display. This fourth printing signals that the remaster has resonated, suggesting the book has found its audience and is ready for a fresh wave of interest. The art has been refreshed, and the dialogue tightened, making this the definitive entry point. If you enjoy the mechanics of how superheroes function beneath the spandex, this issue lays the groundwork for a world where heroism is a job with deadlines, and the benefits package is the only thing standing between the team and chaos.
For those who want to binge the whole operation after finishing this issue, look for Capes: Punching the Clock. It's the collected edition that captures the full three-issue arc of the original run, remastered alongside this #1. Grabbing the trade gives you the complete roster dynamics and the full payoff of the Machine Head and Titan threats without the wait. It's the best way to experience the Capes Inc workflow from start to finish.
Insider note: The Chris Burnham and Brian Reber variant on this fourth printing is the one to track down. When a #1 reprints, the variant market often shifts focus, but Burnham's stylized take on the Capes Inc crew tends to vanish faster than the standard cover. Pick up a copy with that variant if you want a piece of the remaster that feels like a collector's artifact from day one.