CAPES #1 (2025) – A Complete Breakdown

Welcome back, comic fans! Today, we are doing a Complete Breakdown of CAPES #1 (2025), created by Robert Kirkman. If you ever wondered what it’s like to be a superhero who worries about overtime pay and filling out HR forms, this is the story for you. Here is a detailed recap of all the action and office politics unfolding in this issue!

Just Another Day at the Office

The issue kicks off with a villain named “Medallion” demanding that the world tremble before him. His reign of terror is immediately cut short by Bolt, a super-powered employee of Capes Incorporated, who easily subdues the “nut job” while casually holding his magical medallion so a police officer can snap a photo for his kid.

Bolt then heads to the Capes Inc. headquarters to meet with Commander Capitalism, the company’s personnel manager. Bolt’s primary concern isn’t justice—he just wants to make sure he gets his back pay for bringing in the villain while off the clock. Commander Capitalism reminds him to get his paperwork in by noon so the higher-ups don’t think he’s “freelancing”.

Meet the New Guy & A Corporate Crisis

Commander Capitalism introduces Bolt to the company’s newest recruit, Kid Thor, who is starstruck to meet a “legend” like Bolt. Bolt is tasked with giving the rookie a tour of the facility.

Meanwhile, behind closed doors, Capes Inc. executives are discussing the grim reality of their business. Public interest is waning, funding is dwindling, and they desperately need a high-profile crisis or “onslaught type event” to get back in the limelight and secure more money. As if on cue, a commotion breaks out: Captain Cosmic, a legendary hero who supposedly died 16 years ago, suddenly reappears, needing immediate medical attention.

Origin Stories and On-the-Job Training

Bolt shows Kid Thor the training room, where they briefly run into another hero, Knockout. She is completely unfazed by the news of Captain Cosmic’s resurrection, dryly remarking, “Been there, done that”.

Out on patrol, the two heroes swap origin stories.

• Kid Thor reveals that his ancestor was a master blacksmith who forged a replacement hammer for the Mighty Thor. In return, Odin infused the hammer with Asgardian energy and bound it to his bloodline.
• Bolt shares his much less epic backstory: he was struck by lightning and gained super strength. When Capes Inc. hired him, the marketing department insisted on a lightning-themed name because it was popular for Black heroes at the time, hence “Bolt”.

Their patrol is interrupted when they spot two villains, Machine Head and Titan, fighting in the street. Kid Thor springs into action, easily taking Titan out with a massive punch. Bolt praises the rookie but reminds him of company policy: they now just have to wait for the detainment crew, get a replacement company car, and make sure Kid Thor clocks out without unauthorized overtime.

The Night Shift and a Looming Threat

Back at headquarters, it’s time for the shift change. Commander Capitalism briefs the night shift about Captain Cosmic’s return, revealing that Cosmic didn’t die 16 years ago—he was thrown forward in time by his nemesis, Chronodile. The terrifying implication is that Chronodile, a lethal, time-traveling villain with a crocodile head who killed many heroes in the past, has likely arrived in the present as well.

We also get quick glimpses into the off-the-clock lives of the other heroes. Claire Voyant declines a house visit from a colleague because she loses her powers if she gets more than 30 feet away from her partner, Marshall, and they need to be fully prepared for Chronodile’s return. Another hero, Big Brain, is working double shifts just to pay for his son’s tuition.

A Massive Breakout & The End of the Shift

Elsewhere, a catastrophic emergency unfolds. The news reports the worst super-criminal jailbreak in history at Stronghold Penitentiary, resulting in severe damage and an undetermined number of villains escaping. The government issues a desperate call to all superhero teams, including Capes Incorporated, to stop the fugitives.

How do our heroes react to this world-shattering news? Cut to Bruce and Phil, two day-shift heroes, hanging out after dinner. Phil is busy going on a wild, sexist rant because Bruce’s wife had the audacity to ask Bruce to wash the dishes. Hearing the news of the massive breakout on TV while at Burger Mart, the day-shift heroes completely ignore the call to action, simply saying, “The night shift. Yeah… let those bastards do something for a change”.