Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    Captain Kid, AfterShock Comics, Mark Waid, Tom Peyer, Helea, Halliday, Chris Vargas, superhero
    AfterShock Comics

    Captain Kid #1 Review

    Wayne HallBy Wayne HallJuly 22, 20164 Mins Read

    Well, another publisher dives into the superhero genre! And they’ve got a great crew on board as well!

    CAPTAIN KID #1
    Writer: Mark Waid, Tom Peyer
    Artist:
    Wilfredo Torres
    Colorist: Kelly Fitzpatrick
    Published by: AfterShock Comics
    Cover price: $3.99

    Previously in CAPTAIN KID: Chris Vargas is a middle-aged man with a hacking cough, an obsolete job, and a bombastic secret: whenever he likes, he can transform into the teenage superhero CAPTAIN KID! In this, his first recorded adventure, he encounters Helea, a mystery woman who knows more about him than he does, and Halliday, a mad businessman with a catastrophic weapon!

    A LOT OF US CAN RELATE TO THIS CONCEPT

    As I continue to age, I look back on my younger years and wish they’d have lasted a lot longer. When I turned 50, my body said to me, “Fun time’s over, buddy!” Now I have enough pills that I could open my own pharmacy!

    So, imagine if you could become younger just by wishing it! Not only that, but you could become a teenage superhero at the same time!

    I mean, even when I was younger, I imagined what this would be like, turning into a superhero! I think nearly all of us have done this, at one time or another!

    Of course, leave it to Mark Waid and Tom Peyer to turn a fantasy into a fascinating story concept, and that’s what they do with Captain Kid, the first superhero comic from AfterShock.

    I feel for Chris and his various aches and pains. We meet him on his birthday, getting older each year, but he’s got a leg up on the rest of us in that he CAN become a teenage superhero by wishing it. Then a woman talks to him in the bathroom, of all places, and reveals she knows his secrets! Now THAT’s unnerving, all right!

    Chris and his friends are very realistic, and we see his father as well, each one all too human. But his new “partner,” Helea, hints that there are rough times ahead for them both as they take on something on the evil side of life. Again, who told Waid and Peyer I used to dream about this?!

    The pacing’s fast, and there are clearly differences between the “normal” and the heroic chapters of this debut comic. It’s a great start, and a different take on superheroes, one that fits with AfterShock’s aim to deliver creator-owned storytelling that excels.

    SUPERHEROIC ART

    Torres’ art is very good, helping us get into both Chris’ “real” life and his superheroics. Nice job on the expressions in particular, and great work on the superhero posings.

    My only fault with this art is that I’d have like some more detail, particularly in their faces. The coloring helped a lot with this, but just a little more enhancement on their expressions would have been a great thing!

    BOTTOM LINE: It’s Not Easy Being Semi-Super

    I’m often reminded of how badly we think we have it until we read a story like this one. Imagine having to leave a young, virile body behind to get back to daily living. It reminds me of that classic Miracleman story in which the hero ended up killing his junior partner when he accidentally turned human again. It can be that gripping.

    The characters are strong, dramatic things happen on just about every page, and Wair and Peyer have begun unfolding just what’s going on in a determined pace that means we need to come back each month to find out the truth.

    If you’re a superhero fan like I am, be sure to get this comic so you can get in on the ground floor! I bet many more surprises and twists will be greeting us in the months ahead!

    [taq_review]


    Dear Spoilerite,

    At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.

    Captain Kid Chris Vargas Halliday Helea superhero Tom Peyer
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous Article[Solicitations] IDW Publishing announces Jack Kirby’s Fantastic Four Artist’s Edition #SDCC
    Next Article [Video] Watch Marvel’s Luke Cage panel highlights from #SDCC
    Wayne Hall
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Wayne Hall creates the Wayne's Comics Podcast. He’s interviewed Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, John Layman, Kyle Higgins, Phil Hester, Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray, David Petersen, Christos Gage, Mike Grell, and Matt Kindt. On this site each week, he writes his "Comics Portal" column (general comics comments and previews) and reviews comics.

    Related Posts

    Major Spoilers Podcast #1134: We are the X-Men, the Mighty Mighty X-Men

    Read More

    Geek History Lesson – Superman is Better than Batman

    Read More

    COMICS PORTAL: Magazines Promoting the Movies!

    Read More

    Comments are closed.

    AMAZON AFFILIATE

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    6.0
    July 13, 2025

    Unchosen #1 Review

    6.3
    July 13, 2025

    Retro Review: Marvel Team-Up #95

    8.7
    July 11, 2025

    Fantastic Four #1 Review

    6.0
    July 8, 2025

    JSA #9 Review

    7.0
    July 7, 2025

    X-Men: Hellfire Vigil #1 Review

    Patreon Support
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2025 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    SAVE & ACCEPT