The Cape Omnibus

by Jason Ciaramella, Joe Hill, Zach Howard (Illustrator)

Read all three graphic novels based on New York Times best-selling author Joe Hill’s short story “The Cape,” collecting The Cape, The 1969, and The Fallen. Every little boy dreams about putting on a cape and soaring up, up, and away...but what if one day that dream were to come true? Eric was like every other eight-year-old boy, until a tragic accident changed his life forever. The Cape explores the dark side of power, as the adult Eric—a confused and broken man—takes to the skies...and sets out to exact a terrible vengeance on everyone who ever disappointed him. The 1969 goes back in time to the Vietnam War when Eric’s father, Captain Chase, a medevac helicopter pilot for the U.S. Army, is shot down over enemy territory. He and his crew are in a fight for their lives as they play a deadly game of cat and mouse with the Vietcong…but they soon learn that machine guns and grenades aren’t the only terrors hiding in the jungle. In The Fallen, uncover new folds in Hill’s cautionary anti-superhero tale with a story that takes place between the scenes of the original series. This critically acclaimed, Eisner Award–nominated story—written by Jason Ciaramella based on the short story by New York Times best-selling author Joe Hill, with art by Zach Howard and Nelson Dániel—smashes the classic superhero myth and wraps the bloody wreckage in a bright blue The Cape.

336 pages, Paperback

First published December 9, 2025

Reviews

[Drew Woodworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collects three interconnected series based on a short story by Joe Hill. The first series is definitely the strongest. Pretty solid dark superhero (villain) story with amazing art by Zach Howard.
The second series is all backstory that explains a little bit about where our main characters came from. The colorist actually does art duties on this one and the art is fine. The story is fine, but nothing about this screams “necessary”. Probably could have summed this whole thing up in a 5 page flashback.
The third series takes place in between issues of the first series. Zach is back on art which elevates the whole experience, and we do get a little more insight into Eric’s psyche/motivations, etc. But, honestly the first series is where it’s at, and the follow ons just seem “extra”. But if you like dark superhero stories, this one is pretty well done, overall.

[Chr*s Browning]

Interesting to a point - the twist in the first issue (which I'm guessing is the end of the original Hill story) is less a turn than the premise entire and from there it's just kind of nihilistic violence which can only be so entertaining. Giving "the Cape" an origin story in 1969 is dumb, especially when it boils down to Vietnamese wizard and The Fallen miniseries is mostly extraneous "y'all remember LARPers?" memes except everyone dies. Ciaramella ain't doing himself any favors by mentioning he was "recently separated" when he wrote the first series...hmmm I wonder if that played any role in wanting to explore this particular character... Anyway, a feel bad read.

[Jota Houses · Rating 2 out of 5]

Un gran poder conlleva una gran responsabilidad decía el tío Ben, pero se ve que entre las lecturas del protagonista no estaban los comics de Spider-Man porque a él más bien le entrega una gran impunidad. Una historia oscura con temas superheróicos y referencias a Caín y Abel y a la peícula Brightburn (que es posterior). Más interesantes tanto en dibujo e historia los primeros capítulos y menos los dos dedicados al origen de los poderes en Vietnam y a un interludio rolero.

[Jonny · Rating 3 out of 5]

- Bleak and cynical, but super compelling. It moves at such a clip that you feel its novella roots, but the two additional stories add weight and depth to the proceedings. It’s take on modern male entitlement in the superhero age works, and it makes for a thought provoking, if brutal read.

[Jas Singh · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5/5

boring slop. at least the art was decent