That Old Song And Dance: Reviewing ‘Cable’ #1

Throw together two big giant guns, tons of pouches, and a surly attitude. What does that get? Double the Cable.

The X-Men’s most notable time traveler, both young and old models, are back and adventuring together in Cable #1. A series that sees the return of prolific Cable writer Fabian Nicieza who is joined by Scott Eaton, Cam Smith, Victor Nava, Java Tartaglia, and Joe Sabino.

If I had a nickel for every time Marvel has released a Cable series where he ignores the current mutant genocide to deal with another threat, well, I’d have two nickels. That’s not a lot, but it’s weird that it’s happened twice, back-to-back. Actually, it’s not that weird for modern Marvel, or modern comics, but that would have ruined the bit.

Hell, it’s even a buddy cop type situation in both of them, just in this case Cable ditches fellow time-traveler Bishop to hang out with himself instead.

I can sum this issue up in one word: fine.

It’s nothing special or unexpected or even impactful to the line as a whole. There are drips of the Orchis situation at the start with the prison rescue, but beyond that this book could be taking place in any X-Men era. Sure, young Cable is a more modern thing (he popped up in 2018 right before Krakoa went down), but this is just a Cable story in the Nicieza style.

Even Irene Merryweather, a character Nicieza used a lot in his Cable & Deadpool series, makes a sudden (Cable time shenanigans related) return. Basically, it’s just two dudes that are actually the same dude cruising around trying to stop other dudes from creating a bad future. Just not the dudes that are trying to wipe out mutants to make a bad future. Surely others are handling that, no need for big guns and future knowledge over there.

Anyway, like I said everything is fine.

Artistically it’s pretty standard looking superhero style stuff from Eaton, plenty of depth and detail. A lot of great shots of cityscapes, open spaces, and more that just looks inviting and lived in. Cable(s) are generally a bit grumpier, one of them more moody than grumpy, and those emotional beats are visible and it feels like a book of emotional dudes emoting.

Double the inkers, in Smith and Nava, do solid work, adding to the depth and heavier feelings of the artwork. Together the three created a pretty cool opening with Cable and the Stark Sentinel, it felt dangerous and big/bold, as well as fun. I’d have ordered more of that if possible, but alas the granddad and grandson-esque road trip will have to suffice.

Color wise, things are very even keeled with a lot of more natural toned down palette beats filling most of the pages. Which fits since a lot of the issue is detective legwork with the guys in plain clothes just doing bro things. Where needed though Tartaglia brings in plenty of vibrant weighty colors which make the action sequences especially just pop so nicely. Chiefly that Sentinel sequence that I mentioned above.

If you’re going to have a bunch of talking and narration from the old dude with the young guy just moaning, Sabino is a good choice for lettering. Giving all of the words the proper emotional weight and power. It flows through the pages, even if the words coming from Cable senior do feel quite stiff (which in a way does fit the guy) and dad like over explained.

But hey, remember the word of the day: fine.

It’s all just fine. Though compared to some of the other X-books that hit the shelves alongside it, fine is a far better place to be.

Cable #1 is now available from Marvel Comics.