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LOVE AND CAPES, VOLUME 4: WHAT TO EXPECT. MARCH 2013. FIRST PRINTING. Love and Capes 2013 Thomas F. Zahler. 2013 Idea and Design Works, LLC. IDW Publishing, a division of Idea and Design Works, LLC.Editorial offices: 5080 Santa Fe Street, San Diego CA 92109. The IDW logo is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Any similarities to persons living or dead are purely coincidental. With the exception of artworkused for review purposes, none of the contents of this publication may be reprinted without the permission of Idea and Design Works, LLC. Printed in Korea. IDW Publishing does not read or accept unsolicited submissions ofideas, stories, or artwork.
Originally published as LOVE AND CAPES: WHAT TO EXPECT Issues #16.
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ISBN: 978-1-61377-586-8 16 15 14 13 1 2 3 4
WHAT TO EXPECTstory and art by:
Thomas F. Zahler
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introduction
Ive enjoyed Thomas Zahlers Love and Capes from the moment
of my first exposure. But this volume, What to Expect, really ups
the ante. Theres more of everything I love about it: more super-
heroes dealing with real world emotional and relationship issues
(in and among the tropes often very self-aware tropes of their
genre), more humor, more drama, more soap opera and an
expanding cast given more depth. Heck, theres even a little bit
more action. The stakes are raisedhere on multiple fronts. Its not just
the impending birth of Mark and
Abbys baby (complete with its own
countdown to heighten the
tension), but also the crisis in
Leandia, tiki magic and the on-
going threats posed by declining
sales at brick-and-mortar bookstores
and by Lord Blackseed. And dont
even get me started on Darkblades
dont call em sidekicks interns.
Yes, the whole series is really
coming into its own. Never just a
one-joke wonder, the characters
are now truly evolving beyond
their obvious antecedents into fully
realized human beings. Even
Quincy turns out to be a human
being! Who knew? I often find
myself laughing out loud at Love
and Capes. But this time I found myself choking up TWICE!
(Id say where, but that would amount to spoilers.)
All of this is quite welcome. The ideas here arent lightweight
even though theyre universally handled with a light and
comic touch. And the engaging artwork perfectly
compliments the fine writing. Thom knows how to
Yes, the
whole series
is really
coming into
its own.
Never just
a one-jokewonder, the
characters
are now truly
evolving
beyond their
obvious
antecedents
into fully
realized
human beings.
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by greg weisman
accompany a deadpan line with a deadpan expression.
And he also knows how to show us not just tell us when
something truly matters.
This is all the more impressive when you realize Zahler doesnt
really know what hes talking about. Sure, he may know a little
something about relationships and comic book super-heroes,
but he candidly admitted to me that once the series headedtoward childbirth as its main subject matter, he was from his
personal perspective writing science fiction. What does
this guy know about prospective parenthood?! Nothing! But
as the father of two kids of my own, I say hes written some
top-notch speculative fiction here. Its believable stuff. Its
real. And its well worth reading. I mean, doesnt any super-
hero comic book that gets away with mentioning kegels
demand your attention?
I know, I know. All this praise. It sounds like he paid me off. But
honestly, he didnt even buy me lunch. (We went Dutch.) But
I do think I should provide some balance, so before I depart
(on an urgent quest planted in my brain by a certain nefarious
writer/artist), I leave you with this warning: reading What to
Expect risks forcing one into making a Pinks chili dog run
and most likely without a super-powered best friend to make
it for you. Damn you, Zahler!
Greg Weisman, perhaps best
known as the creator and
producer of Gargoyles, is a
comic book and animation
writer, currently producingthe Young Justice: Invasion
television series and comic
book. He is also a cheap
lunch date.
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For amy
youre my abby, my charlotte and my amazonia
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comic-con international 2012 exclusive cover
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