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Love and Capes #1
Love and Capes Vol. 1: Do You Want To Know A Secret?
Abby and Mark are a typical couple. At least, that's what Abby thinks. Unknown to her, her boyfriend is not just an accountant, but also the super-powered crime-fighter, the Crusader! See Mark tell Abby he's The Crusader. Find out how Abby deals with some of his super-ex-girlfriends. And learn the difference between a weakness and an allergy. Experience their first Christmas and beyond!
168 pages, Paperback
First published November 29, 2008
6 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Thomas F. Zahler
114 books39 followersInto every generation there is born an artist. A being of such amazing talent and skill, that the world is forever changed by the power of his work. He alone stands against the vampires, the demons, and the forces of darkness.
Thom Zahler is not that artist.
He is, however, an extremely hardworking artist, doing what he can with what talent and skill he has. He attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, where he honed his skills and developed strong feelings about the state of New Jersey. Immediately returning to his home state of Ohio upon graduation, he worked as a caricaturist at an amusement park, then later as an advertising artist at a great suburban newspaper, and finally as an art director at an area advertising agency.
Believing that every great success story starts with the phrase “it was a terrible time to start a business,” he quit his day job working for “The Man” in November of 2001 to devote himself full-time to the burgeoning Thom Zahler Art Studios empire.
His artwork has been seen in the nationwide Prilosec advertising campaign, in countless magazines and newspapers all across the country, and in the pages of numerous comic books. He has won awards for both his graphic design and illustration work. A relentless glory hound, he is also a recurring presence on Cleveland broadcast media, both television and radio. He recently made the jump to the national spotlight as a contestant on the syndicated version of “Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?” where he won $32,000. He could have gone farther, but he didn’t know who the hell Charles Goren was.
He is a graduate of the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art. He has drawn silly things and been paid by Marvel Comics, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and Prilosec. He is also the writer and artist of the Cleveland Indians’ “Slider” comic strip. He has written and drawn three graphic novels: “Raider: From the Shadows”, "Raider: A Cold Day in Heaven” and “Raider: Dead Men’s Tales”. His current project, “Love and Capes” has been critically acclaimed and twice part of the national Free Comic Book Day promotion. A collection of the first six issues will be released in November of 2008.
He lives at his palatial estate, Zahlerdu, in Northeast Ohio. Okay, he doesn’t really call it “Zahlerdu” but if he did, it’d be because he liked Orson Wells’ “Citizen Kane” and not that Olivia Newton John disco-and-roller skating movie. It’s not really a palatial estate, either, but it is a nice place.
Zahler tries to make it a point to have at least one life-altering, horribly-scarring relationship every three years or so. There should be another window opening up next Tuesday.
Thom Zahler is not that artist.
He is, however, an extremely hardworking artist, doing what he can with what talent and skill he has. He attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, where he honed his skills and developed strong feelings about the state of New Jersey. Immediately returning to his home state of Ohio upon graduation, he worked as a caricaturist at an amusement park, then later as an advertising artist at a great suburban newspaper, and finally as an art director at an area advertising agency.
Believing that every great success story starts with the phrase “it was a terrible time to start a business,” he quit his day job working for “The Man” in November of 2001 to devote himself full-time to the burgeoning Thom Zahler Art Studios empire.
His artwork has been seen in the nationwide Prilosec advertising campaign, in countless magazines and newspapers all across the country, and in the pages of numerous comic books. He has won awards for both his graphic design and illustration work. A relentless glory hound, he is also a recurring presence on Cleveland broadcast media, both television and radio. He recently made the jump to the national spotlight as a contestant on the syndicated version of “Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?” where he won $32,000. He could have gone farther, but he didn’t know who the hell Charles Goren was.
He is a graduate of the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art. He has drawn silly things and been paid by Marvel Comics, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and Prilosec. He is also the writer and artist of the Cleveland Indians’ “Slider” comic strip. He has written and drawn three graphic novels: “Raider: From the Shadows”, "Raider: A Cold Day in Heaven” and “Raider: Dead Men’s Tales”. His current project, “Love and Capes” has been critically acclaimed and twice part of the national Free Comic Book Day promotion. A collection of the first six issues will be released in November of 2008.
He lives at his palatial estate, Zahlerdu, in Northeast Ohio. Okay, he doesn’t really call it “Zahlerdu” but if he did, it’d be because he liked Orson Wells’ “Citizen Kane” and not that Olivia Newton John disco-and-roller skating movie. It’s not really a palatial estate, either, but it is a nice place.
Zahler tries to make it a point to have at least one life-altering, horribly-scarring relationship every three years or so. There should be another window opening up next Tuesday.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
July 8, 2015
Really cute fusion of superheroes and romantic comedy, done by somebody who seems to have real affection for both. This isn't really a superhero parody, because the heroes are basically written straight. The same goes for the romcom elements. Put together, it's actually a sweet and earnest love story that's more funny than not. (I say this as somebody who isn't really big romcom fan.) Though I really could have done without the ex-girlfriend as antagonist.
December 1, 2017
Funny, with romance and a good dose of reminding me why I also love Lois and Superman!
(But Cat and Bat are my favorites!)
(But Cat and Bat are my favorites!)
July 13, 2017
Love and Capes is a humorous look at relationship with a superhero that has all the elements of a romantic sit com. Mark Spencer is an accountant during his work days but spends much of his time as his alter ego The Crusader, saving Deco City from various menaces and supervillains. Just to make things a bit more complicated, he’s dating a young woman named Abby Tennyson, a clever and good-looking bookstore owner who has absolutely no idea that Mark is anything but an accountant. When Mark finally decides to let Abby in on his big secret, will it rock their relationship? What about supervillains, time travel, alternate realities and all the other crazy things superheroes deal with? Regardless of anything else, life is never boring when you’re dating a superhero.
On the website for the comic, Thom Zahler mentions that it was a love of the cancelled “Lois and Clark” television show that inspired him to write Love and Capes. And it’s easy to see that influence in the series. One of the things that the series does very, very well is the treatment of the relationship between Mark and Abby. Oftentimes with romances involving superheroes, the romance takes a backseat or is used for plot devices like creating a weakness for the superhero or forcing them to have to save their significant other. Love and Capes is a story about the relationship first and superheroes second. The issues that Mark and Abby run into are standard relationship trouble, with the added twist of having to deal with fantastical elements as well. This focus on the relationship rather than crime fighting (which largely happens off-camera) makes the relationship feel more like an actual relationship and less like someone forcing a love interest into a superhero story. I appreciated that it was one of the few superhero romances that really seemed to understand that the romance should have some depth to it and have normal challenges as well as super ones. The series also excels at giving little nods to superhero comics in the characters, plot lines and the way it makes fun of tropes you always see in those kinds of stories. It’s funny and very sweet. Unfortunately for me….a bit too sweet. I’m not now nor have I ever been a fan of sit coms. I don’t like the set-up, I think the jokes tend to be lame and mostly the format just makes it impossible for me to care about the characters. While I really enjoyed the way that Zahler handled the romance and the fact that it felt so much more realistic and better written than 99% of love stories involving superheroes, I just couldn’t get into the sit com set-up. I found myself getting annoyed with that element a lot over the course of the series. To give Love and Capes credit however, I think it’s mostly an issue of “it’s not you, it’s me.” Love and Capes handles the relationship between Mark and Abby spectacularly well, enough that even with my dislike of sit coms, I still enjoyed it.
Due to its strong reliance on the sit com theme, Love and Capes isn’t for everyone. It’s a very sweet, funny story about two people in love with each other and trying to figure out how to balance not only work and home life but the ups and downs of a being a superhero as well. It never feels like a token romance inserted to check off a box and will have plenty to please any fan of superhero stories. If you dislike sit coms as I do, this may be a more difficult read but it’s still a good one. Overall, I’d recommend Love and Capes to anyone wanting a fun romantic comedy with capes and enjoys (or at least doesn’t mind) the jokes and background of a sit com. Have you read Love and Capes or have thoughts on this rom com sit com (there’s a mouthful)?
On the website for the comic, Thom Zahler mentions that it was a love of the cancelled “Lois and Clark” television show that inspired him to write Love and Capes. And it’s easy to see that influence in the series. One of the things that the series does very, very well is the treatment of the relationship between Mark and Abby. Oftentimes with romances involving superheroes, the romance takes a backseat or is used for plot devices like creating a weakness for the superhero or forcing them to have to save their significant other. Love and Capes is a story about the relationship first and superheroes second. The issues that Mark and Abby run into are standard relationship trouble, with the added twist of having to deal with fantastical elements as well. This focus on the relationship rather than crime fighting (which largely happens off-camera) makes the relationship feel more like an actual relationship and less like someone forcing a love interest into a superhero story. I appreciated that it was one of the few superhero romances that really seemed to understand that the romance should have some depth to it and have normal challenges as well as super ones. The series also excels at giving little nods to superhero comics in the characters, plot lines and the way it makes fun of tropes you always see in those kinds of stories. It’s funny and very sweet. Unfortunately for me….a bit too sweet. I’m not now nor have I ever been a fan of sit coms. I don’t like the set-up, I think the jokes tend to be lame and mostly the format just makes it impossible for me to care about the characters. While I really enjoyed the way that Zahler handled the romance and the fact that it felt so much more realistic and better written than 99% of love stories involving superheroes, I just couldn’t get into the sit com set-up. I found myself getting annoyed with that element a lot over the course of the series. To give Love and Capes credit however, I think it’s mostly an issue of “it’s not you, it’s me.” Love and Capes handles the relationship between Mark and Abby spectacularly well, enough that even with my dislike of sit coms, I still enjoyed it.
Due to its strong reliance on the sit com theme, Love and Capes isn’t for everyone. It’s a very sweet, funny story about two people in love with each other and trying to figure out how to balance not only work and home life but the ups and downs of a being a superhero as well. It never feels like a token romance inserted to check off a box and will have plenty to please any fan of superhero stories. If you dislike sit coms as I do, this may be a more difficult read but it’s still a good one. Overall, I’d recommend Love and Capes to anyone wanting a fun romantic comedy with capes and enjoys (or at least doesn’t mind) the jokes and background of a sit com. Have you read Love and Capes or have thoughts on this rom com sit com (there’s a mouthful)?
February 14, 2017
I really enjoyed this. It's a warm-hearted look at what a romantic relationship with a superhero would be like. The characters are clearly based on the DC model with characters resembling Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Shazam, to name a few. The comedy was pretty good. Be sure to read the artist bios as well. He writes some really silly stuff in there.
December 26, 2017
Abby Tennyson owns a bookstore, her boyfriend Mark Spencer is a accountant and they relationship is going find until Mark tells Abby his big secret. He is The Crusader, the greatest hero for their hometown Deco City, and has fallen in love. So this meet-Cute romance graphic series starts as Abby/Mark navigate the problems, super-powered ex-girlfriend, villains interrupting dates, keeping Mark's secret from her family, her battle to keep her bookstore going and his never ending battle for truth, justice and trying to fool his smart ass friend, the Greatest Detective, Darkblade , about what eats he is bringing to monthly meeting of the The Liberty League.
Thomas F Zahler, who is both the writer/artist of the series, keeps story of Abby/Mark interesting through all the four volumes, with his delightful spoofs of superhero cliches and romance movies.
Thomas F Zahler, who is both the writer/artist of the series, keeps story of Abby/Mark interesting through all the four volumes, with his delightful spoofs of superhero cliches and romance movies.
June 27, 2010
I was really impressed by this comic book, because it was a happy Superhero-Everyday Woman relationship. Rather than the usual emphasis on the angst of keeping one's identity secret from the one they love, this version gets the secret out fairly quickly. The emphasis is more on how the relationship works when the Everyday Woman knows her boyfriend is a Superhero, and the comedy that ensues as a result. The Superheros in this work are all strangely familiar. ;) Yet this makes the characters that much easier to understand, since we've seen their "type" before. It was funny, endearing, and sweet. A Good Read, indeed!
February 16, 2013
Bought all the online trades on Valentine's Day, and even though this is like my third read, it's still so addictive and fun. I wish there were more funny and romantic comics like this. We don't all want epic nonsensical sagas spanning across multi-earths with oversexualised or violent characters—sometimes we just need something that pokes a little fun at the genre, and is suitable for anyone to read.
February 17, 2013
Something a little different for fans of superhero comics. At first I thought it was a little slow, but it's quite enjoyable once it gets going. The cast is made up of pastiches of well known superheroes. Most of which are DC characters, but there's a few Marvel ones in there to. A fun and heart warming comic.
June 21, 2019
Meet Abby and Mark. She's the owner of a bookstore and she's dating accountant Mark. But Abby's about to find out a big secret about Mark. He's not just the clumsy but loveable accountant she's been dating but he's also Crusader, the powerful superhero of Deco City!
And that's just the first few pages. What unfolds in this first collection is just note perfect as Abby navigates life dating the best known superhero in the world. From trying to keep his secret identity from her family to dealing with his family, his hero friends and the notion that having to run (fly) off to save the world is not just a line from him but the actual truth, Abby is in for a long haul.
The romance rings true, the stories are really involving and there's a number of gags that actually make you laugh instead of cringe.
The trade collection also comes with behind the scenes info on the creation of the characters and story.
Thomas F. Zahler's "heroically super situation comedy" Love and Capes is just about the best darn humor filled comic I've ever read.
And that's just the first few pages. What unfolds in this first collection is just note perfect as Abby navigates life dating the best known superhero in the world. From trying to keep his secret identity from her family to dealing with his family, his hero friends and the notion that having to run (fly) off to save the world is not just a line from him but the actual truth, Abby is in for a long haul.
The romance rings true, the stories are really involving and there's a number of gags that actually make you laugh instead of cringe.
The trade collection also comes with behind the scenes info on the creation of the characters and story.
Thomas F. Zahler's "heroically super situation comedy" Love and Capes is just about the best darn humor filled comic I've ever read.
June 25, 2019
My original rating was 2 stars, but I felt badly because I was worried that it wasn't fair to the book. Here's the thing, I think that my expectations were too high - I somehow thought that it would be a combination of romantic comedy, sitcom, superhero caper and traditional comic. See...clearly expectations were far too high, so I added a star, because I really don't think that magical unicorn book exists.
What this book DID have: the drawings were beautiful, and consistent throughout. I honestly felt like I was watching a cartoon on TV, and there's a lot to be said for the effort that goes into creating that experience. There were no lazy panels, where there was just one hastily drawn face - they were each as beautiful and detailed as the last.
What it didn't have: depth or any real comedy. The stories were OK, but there's only so much you can tolerate of the same story over and over.
What this book DID have: the drawings were beautiful, and consistent throughout. I honestly felt like I was watching a cartoon on TV, and there's a lot to be said for the effort that goes into creating that experience. There were no lazy panels, where there was just one hastily drawn face - they were each as beautiful and detailed as the last.
What it didn't have: depth or any real comedy. The stories were OK, but there's only so much you can tolerate of the same story over and over.
March 30, 2018
A really fun take on Superman/Lois, and superheroes in general. Abby discovers her boyfriend Mark is secretly the Crusader, world's mightiest champion. Which has its cool points (spontaneous picnic anywhere on Earth? No problem) and its drawbacks (he's very ... busy. And his ex was Amazonia, the Wonder Woman equivalent). Not to mention Abby's snarky sister, Mark's insecurity (how come his movies don't sell like Arachnerd's? Crusader's still cool right?), meeting families ... I've read this online, but it's fun to have it in hard copy.
July 21, 2024
Love and Capes is a humorous and lighthearted tale on the world of superheroes and their personal lives. I really appreciate what Zahler does with Mark and Abby’s relationship in this first volume, although I don’t think it breaks new ground. The art is serviceable with its cartoony style and there are some really clever jokes throughout these six issues. I’d definitely recommend this series as an alternative to the staid adventures of most mainstream cape comics and I’m eager to continue!
August 14, 2022
Probably actually read this before, but really enjoyed it again. If you're looking for fluffy sugar-rush stories the classic Superman dating Lois Lane after revealing his secret identity, this would be it. Nothing super deep - there's a little philosophy of why Lois Lane vs Wonder Woman, but again, this isn't an angst book so none of that here.
February 14, 2023
Love and Capes is a fantastic series which takes a lot of great jabs at super hero comics. The creator really shows a love for the genre with all of the stories as we watch Abby fall in love with Mark, who in is secretly the Crusader. Watching their lovestory unfold is entertaining and more people should take the time to expeirence this gem of a series.
December 5, 2020
A superhero romance that's my cup of tea.
A funny, fast paced and entertaining read that puts a great spin on a superhero relationship. Highly recommended for folks looking for something new in the genre.
A funny, fast paced and entertaining read that puts a great spin on a superhero relationship. Highly recommended for folks looking for something new in the genre.
May 12, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this romantic comedy!!
October 3, 2017
Fun superhero sitcom.
January 18, 2018
good onw
March 21, 2019
Delightful romantic comedy sitcom.
November 8, 2021
Lighthearted fun. Very little scowling involved.
December 16, 2025
Sweet and fun with unexceptional art. Easy addition to reread list.
July 12, 2014
This first volume of Love and Capes did not disappoint. Having just stumbled upon this on the library shelf I was instantly drawn in by the cartoon art style and promising concept. Granted, it's a idea we're all probably a little too familiar with, woven into every superhero comic known to mankind, the story of the love interest. The reality of leading a double life, one in tights and one in love. In this book however the POP! BANG! POW! action takes a major backseat and the growing relationship between the Crusader (aka Mark) and Abby, a local independent bookseller, is right at the forefront.
Upon checking out the what's-what about Love and Capes, I was surprise to learn that this entire series can be read online. http://loveandcapes.com/lnc/?p=3 brings you straight to page one. Although personally, I would recommend the physical books if they're available to you. The images are just so crisp and the pages so glossy, it really does look fabulous in print. Whereas the digital version does leave a little something to be desired.
The actual art of Love and Capes is probably some of my favourite I've seen in a while. I just haven't come across much done in this classic bold cartoon style. It makes me think of everything fun and innocent about superheros, reminding me of the fun of watching morning cartoons or The Incredibles. The colouring is varied and dynamic which draws you into each page. But I have to say my favourite thing about the art is most definitely the character designs. Sure, everything here concept wise can be traced back to the standard superheros we all know and love, but the designs set these characters apart, from the Crusader, to Abby, to Amazonia. They're ideas that we can all recognize, but there look and more so their personalities set them apart.
So many of the superhero parody I've seen in pop culture forget to take the characters they're creating and make them truly interesting people in their own right. It's the major difference between exploiting the archetypes of superheros and just being a copy-cat for the hell of making a quick n' easy joke. Which I was happy to see this avoid.
The characters here each have their own thing going for them. The Crusader is a superman familiar but he's forever an accountant with a bubbling sense of humor. Abby is the smart superhero girlfriend, with an honest attitude and an interesting life of books and theatre outside her boyfriends constant heroics. Even the side characters have some sort of back story going for them and each is well throughout.
This is just pure light and fun. Nothing was particularly laugh out loud for my tastes, but it was always super playful and had me smiling the whole way through. The story lines also had great flow and were very easy to indulge in.
When I finally finished up I was reading the section from the author at the back of the book (with his process of creating Love and Capes) and that's when it all clicked. The writing style and dialog is just so comfortable throughout the story and I kept thinking how natural it all felt, almost a little familiar, but a good sort of familiar. That's when he said it. Sports Night. The sitcom comedy that focused on dialog and simple arcs, I could see the feel Zahler was going for with Love and Capes having cited that show.
This guy is one of my kind and everything about Love and Capes made me feel all happy and mushy inside. With any luck I'll be reading volume two very soon!
Upon checking out the what's-what about Love and Capes, I was surprise to learn that this entire series can be read online. http://loveandcapes.com/lnc/?p=3 brings you straight to page one. Although personally, I would recommend the physical books if they're available to you. The images are just so crisp and the pages so glossy, it really does look fabulous in print. Whereas the digital version does leave a little something to be desired.
The actual art of Love and Capes is probably some of my favourite I've seen in a while. I just haven't come across much done in this classic bold cartoon style. It makes me think of everything fun and innocent about superheros, reminding me of the fun of watching morning cartoons or The Incredibles. The colouring is varied and dynamic which draws you into each page. But I have to say my favourite thing about the art is most definitely the character designs. Sure, everything here concept wise can be traced back to the standard superheros we all know and love, but the designs set these characters apart, from the Crusader, to Abby, to Amazonia. They're ideas that we can all recognize, but there look and more so their personalities set them apart.
So many of the superhero parody I've seen in pop culture forget to take the characters they're creating and make them truly interesting people in their own right. It's the major difference between exploiting the archetypes of superheros and just being a copy-cat for the hell of making a quick n' easy joke. Which I was happy to see this avoid.
The characters here each have their own thing going for them. The Crusader is a superman familiar but he's forever an accountant with a bubbling sense of humor. Abby is the smart superhero girlfriend, with an honest attitude and an interesting life of books and theatre outside her boyfriends constant heroics. Even the side characters have some sort of back story going for them and each is well throughout.
This is just pure light and fun. Nothing was particularly laugh out loud for my tastes, but it was always super playful and had me smiling the whole way through. The story lines also had great flow and were very easy to indulge in.
When I finally finished up I was reading the section from the author at the back of the book (with his process of creating Love and Capes) and that's when it all clicked. The writing style and dialog is just so comfortable throughout the story and I kept thinking how natural it all felt, almost a little familiar, but a good sort of familiar. That's when he said it. Sports Night. The sitcom comedy that focused on dialog and simple arcs, I could see the feel Zahler was going for with Love and Capes having cited that show.
This guy is one of my kind and everything about Love and Capes made me feel all happy and mushy inside. With any luck I'll be reading volume two very soon!
August 1, 2016
Full review at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
Love and Capes is a delightful, light-hearted comic about romance. Described as a “heroically super situation comedy,” it describes the romance between Abby, who runs a bookstore, and Mark, who fights crime as The Crusader. The comic begins at the point when Mark reveals his secret identity to Abby (a smart move since we are spared many “Oh Mark, you’re here, you just missed The Crusader” type antics). The tone is set by the bright, blocky, Jetsons-style art. This is all fun, with just a hint of retro to it despite the presence of cell phones.
The first few issues of Love and Capes are pretty basic. They are cute, but they rely on stale ideas. Women take a long time to get ready for parties! Women are insecure about their husbands’ exes! These jokes are stale at best and sexist at worst. Luckily, by the end of the first issue, the comic has found its footing and we start seeing character development. The comic does a great job with letting relationships reveal themselves and develop naturally, and as it does so the comic gains a bit more depth and the characters become much more interesting.
This is a gentle comic with minimal plotting and angst. It’s about relationships, not just the one between Mark and Abby but also the ones between their families and friends and co-workers. There aren’t any horrible people in this series (The Crusader tends to fight his battles off-page). The comic does suffer from a lack of diversity (Mark’s best friend is black and Abby’s employee is gay but otherwise there’s mostly straight white people running around). Other than that flaw, the characters represent a of different ages and personalities who annoy each other, support each other, and date each other by turns while fighting evil and bookstore rent increases.
Reading this comic isn’t incredibly exciting, and it’s more amusing than roll-on-the-floor hilarious, but it is amazingly comforting. It’s like hanging out with a bunch of your best friends (on a rooftop, with coffee, possibly in Paris or maybe in space). In a time when we are beset by superhero angst, this comic makes me feel happy. I love Abby and Mark’s relationship, but even more than that I love all the friendships and family relationships in this fun, optimistic story about mostly good people who mostly do good things.
- Carrie S.
Love and Capes is a delightful, light-hearted comic about romance. Described as a “heroically super situation comedy,” it describes the romance between Abby, who runs a bookstore, and Mark, who fights crime as The Crusader. The comic begins at the point when Mark reveals his secret identity to Abby (a smart move since we are spared many “Oh Mark, you’re here, you just missed The Crusader” type antics). The tone is set by the bright, blocky, Jetsons-style art. This is all fun, with just a hint of retro to it despite the presence of cell phones.
The first few issues of Love and Capes are pretty basic. They are cute, but they rely on stale ideas. Women take a long time to get ready for parties! Women are insecure about their husbands’ exes! These jokes are stale at best and sexist at worst. Luckily, by the end of the first issue, the comic has found its footing and we start seeing character development. The comic does a great job with letting relationships reveal themselves and develop naturally, and as it does so the comic gains a bit more depth and the characters become much more interesting.
This is a gentle comic with minimal plotting and angst. It’s about relationships, not just the one between Mark and Abby but also the ones between their families and friends and co-workers. There aren’t any horrible people in this series (The Crusader tends to fight his battles off-page). The comic does suffer from a lack of diversity (Mark’s best friend is black and Abby’s employee is gay but otherwise there’s mostly straight white people running around). Other than that flaw, the characters represent a of different ages and personalities who annoy each other, support each other, and date each other by turns while fighting evil and bookstore rent increases.
Reading this comic isn’t incredibly exciting, and it’s more amusing than roll-on-the-floor hilarious, but it is amazingly comforting. It’s like hanging out with a bunch of your best friends (on a rooftop, with coffee, possibly in Paris or maybe in space). In a time when we are beset by superhero angst, this comic makes me feel happy. I love Abby and Mark’s relationship, but even more than that I love all the friendships and family relationships in this fun, optimistic story about mostly good people who mostly do good things.
- Carrie S.
October 29, 2010
When I first saw this series, I have to admit... I was a little dismissive of it. All I saw was the subject of superheroes lives & thought "Oh, this is a ripoff of 'Noble Causes'", which made me suspicious of it. After all, there's a lot of people who have made their own versions of popular comics & characters. After reading only about 10 of the strips, I realized that I owed this strip a HUGE apology for not giving it more credit.
Love & Capes follows the daily life of the superhero Mark (the Crusader) & his girlfriend Abby after she is told Mark's biggest secret. She then finds that she has to deal with the mundane & exotic problems of dating a superhero. The plus side? Getting to jet to any location in the world for their date. The minus? Having to deal with her hair afterwards. (As well as having to put up with Mark's superhero ex-girlfriend.)
I really can't say how much I love this comic, although I will say that I think it's frakking awesome. It really does deserve more attention than what it gets now, since with all of the superhero movies & such that have come out, this is the perfect comic to read. It's especially good to give to that person that may not be into the whole Marvel & DC scene, but still likes the idea of reading about superheroes & their lives. The characters in this strip are much more human & easier to relate to than the heroes in Marvel & DC, so it's easier for the average reader to get into the comic.
Now as far as the art goes, I love it. This is one of my favorite styles out there & I like how the characters all interact with each other. I mean... sometimes when I've read some of the love interests in some of the more mainstream comics, the interactions seem a little forced. But with these comics? I can really see the affection & love between Mark & Abby- I can believe that they're actually a couple & that they work as a couple.
If you haven't picked this first volume up yet, do so. You won't be disappointed. Well... that's not entirely true. You'll be disappointed that the volumes & the webcomics aren't coming out fast enough!
Love & Capes follows the daily life of the superhero Mark (the Crusader) & his girlfriend Abby after she is told Mark's biggest secret. She then finds that she has to deal with the mundane & exotic problems of dating a superhero. The plus side? Getting to jet to any location in the world for their date. The minus? Having to deal with her hair afterwards. (As well as having to put up with Mark's superhero ex-girlfriend.)
I really can't say how much I love this comic, although I will say that I think it's frakking awesome. It really does deserve more attention than what it gets now, since with all of the superhero movies & such that have come out, this is the perfect comic to read. It's especially good to give to that person that may not be into the whole Marvel & DC scene, but still likes the idea of reading about superheroes & their lives. The characters in this strip are much more human & easier to relate to than the heroes in Marvel & DC, so it's easier for the average reader to get into the comic.
Now as far as the art goes, I love it. This is one of my favorite styles out there & I like how the characters all interact with each other. I mean... sometimes when I've read some of the love interests in some of the more mainstream comics, the interactions seem a little forced. But with these comics? I can really see the affection & love between Mark & Abby- I can believe that they're actually a couple & that they work as a couple.
If you haven't picked this first volume up yet, do so. You won't be disappointed. Well... that's not entirely true. You'll be disappointed that the volumes & the webcomics aren't coming out fast enough!
May 1, 2009
It had been a while since I checked back in on Thom Zahler's romantic superhero comedy, but I figured his impending arrival for Free Comic Book Day at my store (as well as the new FCBD issue) was as good a time as any to catch up.
Love and Capes is a sweet, funny take on superhero romance. At first glance, Love & Capes is "Lois & Clark" with a different hero, but it's actually considerably more than that, different enough to be new and fresh while familiar enough to make fans of the superhero genre, and romances within it, nod and grin in recognition.
The book opens with his hero (Crusader/Mark) revealing his secret identity to his girlfriend (Abby), and from there it becomes something much more like Tom Beland's "True Story Swear to God" than a Superman book. This is a relationship book, a rom-com, and the superhero elements are more for setting and flavor in that central premise, rather than an excuse for fights and tights. It's more important that Amazonia the super-woman is Crusader's ex than it is what they do fighting crime together. It's more important so see Crusader sipping coffee on a rooftop with Darkblade than to see them cracking bad guy skulls together. It's more important what the emotional fallout is from Abby's sister dating a supervillain than what plot the supervillain was up to.
Zahler structures the book so that it's an ongoing, developing story, but interestingly, each page is readable on its own as if it were a comic strip. It's a difficult balancing act that Zahler absolutely nails, so that the book is enjoyable both in smaller chunks and larger collections, like this one.
Definitely recommended for fans of relationship sitcoms, as well as those who like to see how the real world impacts superheroes, such as Marvels, Astro City, Powers, etc. Zahler's approach is fairly PG, hemming closer to the G rating, so Powers fans might not find it to have the bite they're looking for, but the books are definitely cousins in terms of their approach to the subject matter.
Love and Capes is a sweet, funny take on superhero romance. At first glance, Love & Capes is "Lois & Clark" with a different hero, but it's actually considerably more than that, different enough to be new and fresh while familiar enough to make fans of the superhero genre, and romances within it, nod and grin in recognition.
The book opens with his hero (Crusader/Mark) revealing his secret identity to his girlfriend (Abby), and from there it becomes something much more like Tom Beland's "True Story Swear to God" than a Superman book. This is a relationship book, a rom-com, and the superhero elements are more for setting and flavor in that central premise, rather than an excuse for fights and tights. It's more important that Amazonia the super-woman is Crusader's ex than it is what they do fighting crime together. It's more important so see Crusader sipping coffee on a rooftop with Darkblade than to see them cracking bad guy skulls together. It's more important what the emotional fallout is from Abby's sister dating a supervillain than what plot the supervillain was up to.
Zahler structures the book so that it's an ongoing, developing story, but interestingly, each page is readable on its own as if it were a comic strip. It's a difficult balancing act that Zahler absolutely nails, so that the book is enjoyable both in smaller chunks and larger collections, like this one.
Definitely recommended for fans of relationship sitcoms, as well as those who like to see how the real world impacts superheroes, such as Marvels, Astro City, Powers, etc. Zahler's approach is fairly PG, hemming closer to the G rating, so Powers fans might not find it to have the bite they're looking for, but the books are definitely cousins in terms of their approach to the subject matter.
December 13, 2020
SPOILER ALERT ... but not a real big one.
How does a normal (no-powers) person handle with being in a serious relationship with a superhero (near god-man)? This tale delves into that. (Real quick side note, I so want to see the reverse now: female heroine involved with meek normal guy). Blossoming relationships have their issues (common likes and dislikes, revelations of irritating faults, exes, etc) but when secrets are involved, things can get downright brutal, even risking to end said relationship. This is even more true when the secret held could result in the loss of life, or in this story's case, the destruction of the world!
Okay, so the tale is not that dramatic, but could have been. It was a fun look into the life of superheroes and normal people, and what happens when love starts bursting down the walls between them. Fun, quick-paced, and surprisingly ever so deep (so many subtle nods to real life relationship concerns, superhero comic fandom, and superhero comic genre clichés). There were moments I questioned the real reason the characters were together, which is what friends do all the time when watching their loved ones date. Everyone, from character to reader, is on the journey of a couple's relationship. We all ask why does it exist, how do we know if its "true" and worth it, where will it go, how do I relate? It was a refreshing read, pure enjoyment and brood-less superhero-drama. It is always nice to witness life behind the cape, the people behind the masks. And its nice to think others think that true love, if given the chance, can defeat any foe, even a world destroying despot.
How does a normal (no-powers) person handle with being in a serious relationship with a superhero (near god-man)? This tale delves into that. (Real quick side note, I so want to see the reverse now: female heroine involved with meek normal guy). Blossoming relationships have their issues (common likes and dislikes, revelations of irritating faults, exes, etc) but when secrets are involved, things can get downright brutal, even risking to end said relationship. This is even more true when the secret held could result in the loss of life, or in this story's case, the destruction of the world!
Okay, so the tale is not that dramatic, but could have been. It was a fun look into the life of superheroes and normal people, and what happens when love starts bursting down the walls between them. Fun, quick-paced, and surprisingly ever so deep (so many subtle nods to real life relationship concerns, superhero comic fandom, and superhero comic genre clichés). There were moments I questioned the real reason the characters were together, which is what friends do all the time when watching their loved ones date. Everyone, from character to reader, is on the journey of a couple's relationship. We all ask why does it exist, how do we know if its "true" and worth it, where will it go, how do I relate? It was a refreshing read, pure enjoyment and brood-less superhero-drama. It is always nice to witness life behind the cape, the people behind the masks. And its nice to think others think that true love, if given the chance, can defeat any foe, even a world destroying despot.
April 24, 2024
This was a nice grown-up graphic novel about a couple, one of whom happens to be a super hero. I liked how the chapters were strung out over more than a year, and characters would allude to events that occurred between chapters-- it gave the story some depth: things happen even when we can't see, like it does for real people. I did find the characters not quite as deep as I would have liked, although the author did a good job with the length of book and the medium-- more character depth would have required a longer book (which would have also been fine; this is pretty skinny), and this story line would probably have been a hard sell as a novel. A good graphic novel to transition people who think GNs are all "comic books."
Edited to include cross-references: The Adventures of Superhero Girl, Cyclopedia Exotica, Public Domain, Volume 1: Past Mistakes
Edited to include cross-references: The Adventures of Superhero Girl, Cyclopedia Exotica, Public Domain, Volume 1: Past Mistakes
June 3, 2011
Abby and Mark a cute couple, they meet when Mark does Abby's accounting. They are really in love and when the book starts they are just getting to the point where they are telling each other those magical first "I Love You's"; but first Mark needs to tell Abby his secret, that he's the superhero known as the Crusader.
This is a very cute romantic comedy, that deals with the foibles of dating a superhero. In this first volume you never see any of the super hero action and it works. I think that if we saw the superhero side of it the books focus would be too split. That being said I wouldn't be averse to a seperate series with the Crusaders adventures at the forefront.
The author says he was trying to go for a television sitcom feel and I definitely think he succeeded. This is a light fluffy book, yes Abby, Mark and their friends all have problems or issues but nothing that can't be quickly solved and nothing that the average person doesn't feel. It's actually very relatable for a superhero book.
This is a very cute romantic comedy, that deals with the foibles of dating a superhero. In this first volume you never see any of the super hero action and it works. I think that if we saw the superhero side of it the books focus would be too split. That being said I wouldn't be averse to a seperate series with the Crusaders adventures at the forefront.
The author says he was trying to go for a television sitcom feel and I definitely think he succeeded. This is a light fluffy book, yes Abby, Mark and their friends all have problems or issues but nothing that can't be quickly solved and nothing that the average person doesn't feel. It's actually very relatable for a superhero book.
July 8, 2013
I was looking for a different medium to read and I was looking for web comics since they were more accessible but I didn't know where to start. I came across a couple of recommendation for this comic, since I wanted a romance one and I bought it on a whim.
Do not regret that decision at all! Although this is one of my first comic in forever! I don't know what the price should be and I initially thought it was quite pricey (12 pounds on book depository), but when I received it in the mail, I thought it was totally worth it! The pages were glossy and all the comics were in color.
The comic itself was lighthearted, fun and depicts the honest truth of relationships. There were a lot of superhero references, which I completely loved because I am a huge nerd and grew up with superheros, mainly DC comics. Though, there was a spider-man reference thrown in there as well, which surprised me. But still loved it.
Do not regret that decision at all! Although this is one of my first comic in forever! I don't know what the price should be and I initially thought it was quite pricey (12 pounds on book depository), but when I received it in the mail, I thought it was totally worth it! The pages were glossy and all the comics were in color.
The comic itself was lighthearted, fun and depicts the honest truth of relationships. There were a lot of superhero references, which I completely loved because I am a huge nerd and grew up with superheros, mainly DC comics. Though, there was a spider-man reference thrown in there as well, which surprised me. But still loved it.
November 3, 2015
I read his comics for Long Distance and then was recommended this by one of the guys who works at my local comic shop, and I'm glad they did. What makes Zahler an amazing romantic comedy writer is that he takes what you are used to, the couple, bad situation, a hotter-than-hot-ex-girlfriend, family issues, and a best friend, and he does something a little different with it. The ex-girlfriend is clearly a snide brat, but she's not so over the top with it that it begins to grate. The family is tough on the main female but not so much that it's so central. Everything is kept light. AND the best part, this isn't a couple that breaks up every time they have an issue. Instead, they do their best to try to work through it. Zahler writes women better than most women. While the characters all parody famous superheroes, they have their own personalities and are their own people. It's an amazingly complex story told in a simple manner.
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