Comic Book Review: Love and Capes #4
Love and Capes #4 
Written and Drawn by: Thomas F. Zahler
Published by: Maerkle Press
I find myself continuously drawn to superhero comics focused not on the protagonist’s heroic adventures, but on his personal life, or off-hours time. Some titles dealing with this genre include Hero Happy Hour, focusing on heroes who gather at The Hideout Bar and Grill to relax, and Dr. Blink: Superhero Shrink, about Dr. Frederick Wertham Blink, psychologist to the superheroes. These titles tend to be humorous spoofs of our beloved comic book icons and steer away from the super action, although one exception is After the Cape, about a superhero whose life falls apart due to alcoholism, which is very serious. A recent addition to this look at heroes with their cowls off is Thomas Zahler’s Love and Capes.
Love and Capes follows the relationship between Mark and Abbey, a typical couple. Well, okay, not that typical; Mark is really the superhero The Crusader. The comic is billed as a “Heroically Super Situation Comedy”, an accurate description as they struggle through relationship pitfalls with a superhero twist, such as Abbey coming to grips with Mark’s past relationship with superheroine and teammate Amazonia, Abbey’s single sister Charlotte coping with her sister’s relationship, and Mark’s relationship with the rest of the superhero community such as Darkblade and Arachnerd.
Issue #4 focuses on Mark and his rivalry with Arachnerd. Can Mark handle Arachnerd having a box-office smash movie AND being elected membership into his own team, the Liberty League? Can Abbey figure out the root of Mark’s animosity toward Arachnerd?
The laughs are authentic and realistic as, despite the superhero backdrop, the relationships among the characters remind us of people, couples, and friends we’ve known. This realism has helped The Crusader receive more character development in four issues than Superman has received in 75 years.
Zahler doesn’t just give us an enchanting view into the private life of a superhero and his girlfriend; it delivers Zahler’s sharp, crisp art. His panels are as dynamic as they are comedic, and that makes Love and Capes a delight to look at.
Imagine the 1992-1999 television series Mad about You, it’s charm and humor, but with Paul Buchman being a superhero, not an aspiring film director, and you’ve got Love and Capes. Buy the books, and check out some of the original online strips at the Love and Capes website. You’ll enjoy it.
Written and Drawn by: Thomas F. Zahler
Published by: Maerkle Press
I find myself continuously drawn to superhero comics focused not on the protagonist’s heroic adventures, but on his personal life, or off-hours time. Some titles dealing with this genre include Hero Happy Hour, focusing on heroes who gather at The Hideout Bar and Grill to relax, and Dr. Blink: Superhero Shrink, about Dr. Frederick Wertham Blink, psychologist to the superheroes. These titles tend to be humorous spoofs of our beloved comic book icons and steer away from the super action, although one exception is After the Cape, about a superhero whose life falls apart due to alcoholism, which is very serious. A recent addition to this look at heroes with their cowls off is Thomas Zahler’s Love and Capes.
Love and Capes follows the relationship between Mark and Abbey, a typical couple. Well, okay, not that typical; Mark is really the superhero The Crusader. The comic is billed as a “Heroically Super Situation Comedy”, an accurate description as they struggle through relationship pitfalls with a superhero twist, such as Abbey coming to grips with Mark’s past relationship with superheroine and teammate Amazonia, Abbey’s single sister Charlotte coping with her sister’s relationship, and Mark’s relationship with the rest of the superhero community such as Darkblade and Arachnerd.
Issue #4 focuses on Mark and his rivalry with Arachnerd. Can Mark handle Arachnerd having a box-office smash movie AND being elected membership into his own team, the Liberty League? Can Abbey figure out the root of Mark’s animosity toward Arachnerd?
The laughs are authentic and realistic as, despite the superhero backdrop, the relationships among the characters remind us of people, couples, and friends we’ve known. This realism has helped The Crusader receive more character development in four issues than Superman has received in 75 years.
Zahler doesn’t just give us an enchanting view into the private life of a superhero and his girlfriend; it delivers Zahler’s sharp, crisp art. His panels are as dynamic as they are comedic, and that makes Love and Capes a delight to look at.
Imagine the 1992-1999 television series Mad about You, it’s charm and humor, but with Paul Buchman being a superhero, not an aspiring film director, and you’ve got Love and Capes. Buy the books, and check out some of the original online strips at the Love and Capes website. You’ll enjoy it.
Rating: 
5 Worms. Good art and a funny, endearing story...What's not to like?
5 Worms. Good art and a funny, endearing story...What's not to like?
posted by Bodog at 4:23 PM
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