Jacked #1–6 (2016) – Comic Review & Breakdown
📚 Genre
Superhero, Psychological Drama, Sci-Fi, Dark Comedy
🦸♂️ Main Characters
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Josh Jaffe – A troubled, middle-aged man battling depression and self-doubt who becomes a reluctant superhero after taking a mysterious enhancement pill.
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Dena Jaffe – Josh’s supportive yet increasingly worried wife, who tries to understand his erratic behavior.
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Spencer – Josh’s teen son, whose strained relationship with his father is central to the emotional tension.
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Tony – Josh’s shady co-worker who introduces him to the black-market smart pill.
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The Dealer – A shadowy figure responsible for supplying the addictive drug.
✍️ Writer
Eric Kripke – Best known as the creator of Supernatural and The Boys, Kripke brings his trademark mix of dark humor, gritty realism, and human vulnerability to Jacked. His writing captures the absurdity of suburban life colliding with superhuman strength.
🎨 Artist
John Higgins – Renowned for his work on Watchmen and Judge Dredd, Higgins uses a vivid, grounded visual style to capture both the mundane and the chaotic elements of Josh’s world. His detailed linework and moody color palette enrich the psychological tone of the narrative.
🖋️ Editor Details
Shelly Bond – As one of Vertigo's most respected editors, Bond ensured the series retained its edge, heart, and subversive voice, maintaining a balance between satire and emotional weight.
🏢 Publisher and Brand
DC Comics – Vertigo Imprint
Jacked is part of DC’s Vertigo line, known for mature, offbeat, and genre-pushing storytelling.
📅 Release Year
2016
🧠 Brief Plot Summary
Josh Jaffe is the epitome of the modern middle-aged slump—unemployed, uninspired, and slipping into depression. Desperate to reclaim his confidence and energy, he buys a mysterious "smart pill" online that promises mental clarity. What it delivers instead is superhuman strength and endurance. As Josh embraces his newfound power, he also begins to lose control—both physically and emotionally. The pill is dangerously addictive, and Josh’s dual life begins to unravel, dragging his family and sanity along with it.
The series follows his transformation from a helpless dad to a vigilante force, all while questioning the cost of artificial power and whether redemption is still possible once you’ve crossed the line.
📈 Notable Arcs or Storylines
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Origin of Jacked – Josh’s clumsy and chaotic discovery of his powers and his first awkward attempts at heroism.
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Addiction Spiral – The narrative explores how power corrupts as Josh becomes increasingly dependent on the pill to solve problems—both internal and external.
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Family Breakdown and Redemption – The emotional core of the story lies in Josh’s attempts to reconnect with his wife and son while keeping his double life from tearing them apart.
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Final Reckoning – A raw, climactic confrontation between Josh and the shadowy forces behind the pill distribution network, forcing him to choose between power and peace.
🔍 Fan Theories or Interpretations
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Allegory for Modern Masculinity – Many fans interpret Jacked as a sharp critique of toxic masculinity and societal pressure on men to remain dominant and “useful” as they age.
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Pharmaceutical Satire – Some readers see the story as a commentary on the real-world overmedication crisis, particularly the allure and danger of performance-enhancing substances in modern life.
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Mental Health Metaphor – Josh’s journey is often seen as a metaphor for managing depression and anxiety, with the pill representing temporary, harmful fixes rather than sustainable healing.
⭐ Review Summary
Jacked delivers a darkly humorous, emotionally charged exploration of a regular guy pushed to his limits. Eric Kripke’s writing is biting, grounded, and filled with sharp dialogue that keeps readers both entertained and unsettled. John Higgins’ art matches the narrative’s emotional turbulence—visually gritty and immersive. The series walks a fine line between satire and sincere drama, creating a complex, flawed hero who is as relatable as he is unpredictable. 💊🔥
Whether you're a fan of subversive superhero tales or psychological thrillers, Jacked offers a wild, thought-provoking ride through the trials of a man who's just trying to matter—one pill at a time.
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
