Ahead of the launch of the all-new story arc with Capes #7, we recently spoke to writer Benito Cereno, who’s taking on the lead writing duties, and long-time series artist Mark Englert.
The Invincible franchise is one of the hottest superhero universes out there nowadays. Created by Robert Kirkman, the long-running series is a feast of superheroes, blood and gore, and outer-space mayhem. The comics made their way further into the public eye after they were adapted into an animated series at Prime Video. What’s more, there’s numerous other Invincible-based projects in the works, such as a AAA video game and even a live-action movie.
The reprinted issues of spinoff series Capes began in 2025, re-introducing a series that dates back to 2003, where it was created by Kirkman himself and Mark Englert. The series is considered a cult in the fandom, but it went long out of print. This new reprint didn’t just bring back the original; it built on it. They contain all-new art and dialogue. It’s a thoughtful way of bringing them back rather than throwing the old issues back at the printer. With issue #7, writer Benito Cereno has taken the lead of Capes to deliver an all-new story arc. Of course, Mark Englert is back at the helm as series artist, too.
Originally created by Invincible mastermind Robert Kirkman and artist Mark Englert, Capes is a spinoff that ran as backups in Invincible, The series follows a team of New York City based heroes who’re corporate, clock-in employees. While they may not be as renowned as the esteemed Guardians of the Globe, Capes Inc. still faces off against formidable villains. Its core members include Bolt, Kid Thor, and Knockout. While Capes takes place inside the comic continuity, it can easily be enjoyed by fans of Prime Video’s animated Invincible adaptation.
In Capes #7, Benito Cereno and Mak Englert introduce the biggest mission in Capes history. The official synopsis reads: “With INVINCIBLE off-planet fighting the Viltrumite War and the new Guardians of the Globe battling The Order, now’s the time for Capes, Inc to become the face of superpowered crime-fighting. But has Bolt already made the one mistake that could doom CAPES?”
Ahead of the release of Capes #7 on May 27, we caught up with Benito Cereno and Mark Englert. Check out our interviews down below!
Benito Cereno
How does it feel to finally take the lead on the main Capes title with issue #7 with an all-new story arc?
You know, pretty good! This isn’t my first foray into the Invincible universe – I wrote both the Atom Eve and Rex Splode miniseries, co-wrote the first Guarding the Globe mini, and finally wrote Invincible himself in his crossover with the Tick in The Tick #100 – but this arc in particular is one where the whole story concept originated with me rather than starting from a frame or a prompt from Robert, so that’s pretty cool. But fans don’t need to worry – I am fully aware that I’m playing with Robert’s toys, and I’m not trying to break anything. Already we’ve planted seeds for storylines that were Robert’s ideas, so his guiding hand is never too far away. And of course, having Capes co-creator Mark Englert drawing the book means I’ve got both creators helping to steer the ship.
How would you describe the vibe and style of story you’re telling with this all-new arc? How early did you know the main direction of the new arc you’re telling?
The original Capes miniseries, as well as the second arc that ran as backups in Invincible, were, as far as Invincible universe books go, fairly lightweight. Obviously there were real life and death stakes, with several team members dying at the hands of the Nazi and the Chronodile, but the bulk of the series dealt with workplace comedy and the humorous juxtaposition of the superhero world and a blue-collar lifestyle. We’re still keeping that combination but adding some texture and background to the characters so that there are emotional stakes as well as just life and death ones. The book absolutely still includes workplace comedy, but hopefully the characters start to feel developed in a way the previous series didn’t have room to do.
I knew pretty much right away that I wanted to take a slightly more serious tone with my story, because my immediate thought when asked what I would do with Capes was, “How did Bolt feel about his former partner, Kid Thor, getting chosen for the Guardians of the Globe?” Surely he would have complicated feelings about that, right? So that helped determine the point in the timeline that the story would take place, and then some other personal goals – developing Claire Voyant as a character, bringing background characters to the foreground, and adding new team members – all helped the pieces fall into place.
How do you approach writing in Kirkman’s Invincible Universe? What are the biggest challenges in keeping Capes feeling like its own isolated story while also building on the wider Invincible story (especially with Capes #7, which takes place during the Viltrumite War)?
Since we’re doing a story taking place at the same time as comics that came out over a decade ago, Robert really wants to make sure that nothing contradicts or produces continuity problems. Fortunately, he didn’t have to tell me that, because that would bother me too. I have a huge stack on my desk of every compendium from the Invincible universe – all of them, not just the main title – that I consult frequently. I have a file with a list of every Capes character’s appearances until the end of the series with notes – when or if they die, what they’re wearing, things they say – to make sure everything fits smoothly.
The sense of isolation is also part of the reason I chose to start the story at this point in the timeline. If Invincible and the biggest guns on Earth are all fighting Viltrumites in space, and the Guardians of the Globe are busy handling the threat of the super-terrorist organization the Order, that leaves Capes (and technically also the Actioneers) to deal with the more street-level crime of the villains not powerful enough for the Order. I sure hope those street-level guys don’t find a way to level up…
Which character was the most fun to write in this issue?
In issue 7 specifically (and in most of the arc), it’s definitely Superball, who gets a lot to do in this story. But in later issues, I also really liked writing Battery Bill and Camelot, so it’s very likely I’ll feature them more in future stories.
Something I always admired about Capes is the humanity of the characters. At the end of the day, they’ve got to make their money! How do you balance the Invincible Universe’s off-the-wall action with deeper character moments?
This is definitely an example of an area where I can just follow the lead of Robert’s work on the main Invincible title as well as that of Phil Hester in his writing for Guarding the Globe and Invincible Universe. These are great examples of books where you can see human emotion coming through even in superhuman circumstances. In this arc in particular, we’re looking at feelings of jealousy, insecurity, and resentment, which still exist even when you’re chasing down cosmically powered artifacts or fighting an elephant man.
But then there’s also the workplace comedy element that shows (hopefully) relatable human foibles of the kind people see at their jobs every day. Everyone has weird co-workers. Capes is just a place where your co-worker might be an interdimensional warrior monk or a guy made of brain.
Without spoiling anything, what can you tease to readers about what’s in store for the remainder of your arc?
We’ve got several heroes and villains taking the spotlight who have been primarily background players until now. We’ve even got some brand-new team members showing up over the course of the story. A mystery that turns into an obsession for Bolt! Secrets revealed!
And lots of setup for future storylines, because this is far from the end! We’re going to keep the Capes train rolling as long as we can. Robert said in a letters page that he wants to do 100 issues, and I genuinely don’t know if he was kidding or not! The important thing is that I’m on long enough to write more total Invincible-related issues than Phil Hester did. Nothing personal to my beloved Uncle Phil, of course. I just want those numbers!
Mark Englert
What excited you most about kicking off a brand-new Capes storyline with Benito Cereno? What was your first reaction to the Capes #7 script?
I was beyond excited to get back to my roots, comic books! For the past 10 years or so I have been busy making art for movie studios. Making posters and product design for stuff like Star Wars and Jurassic World. I love making movie posters and the storytelling challenge of making one image entice a viewer’s mind. But comic books is an entirely different set of skills. I couldn’t wait to get back into sequential art and working with my old buddies again.
What interested me the most about the script for Capes #7 was finding out what time period this story be taking place in. Invincible covers such a long scope of time and a lot of different periods that would be interesting to see from another perspective. Capes picks up at the perfect place in the timeline for me and I can’t wait to explore it more.
Did working on the remastered editions of Capes help you reconnect with the series before #7?
I would say it really helped me connect with a younger version of myself. It was weirdly therapeutic to be mentoring a young artist who just happened to be me 20 years ago.
Is there a page in #7 that you are especially proud of?
I’m super proud of the final splash page. That is something I would have really struggled with years ago and I was able to just draw it now without much fuss. I also enjoy the jokes I put in there for people to find. Small acting moments, funny billboards stuff like or making Bolt’s bedroom match Homer and Marge’s from The Simpsons.
What does Benito bring to Capes that especially works for you as an artist? And how closely do the two of you collaborate during the storytelling process?
Benito and I have had some brainstorming sessions where we dream about what could happen in the book way down the line if sales keep the book going for like 25 or even 100 issues. What I love about Benito’s writing is the balance between humor, action and character moments. He’ll also cater to what I like to draw and can always roll with changes. For example, if I want to delete a couple panels so there’s room for a big pinup pose or punch to the face. It’s been fun as hell to make funny books with Benito and I can’t thank Robert enough for making this all happen.
Capes #7 lands in comic stores and online on May 27, 2026.
Pick up your copy of Capes #7 here.
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