‘Cable #1’ Review
Written by James Robinson | Art by Carlos Pacheco | Published by Marvel Comics
So when is an introduction not actually needed? When it comes to launching a solo comic book series it’s actually an important question to answer. Do you need to spend time getting the reader familiar with the character or can you simply launch right into the heart of the story? Considering the vast amount of past Cable series and the fact the character has been prevalent since the 90’s it makes sense to get off the ground running. That is exactly what James Robinson does by bringing us into this time hopping story involving everyone’s favorite X-Men from the future, who was actually born in the present.
Personally Cable is one of my favorite X-Men characters. A big reason why is because he, specifically his action figure, got me into the X-Men. Growing up I was a massive G.I. Joe fan and Cable was gateway into the world of comics. He basically looked like a cross between a G.I. Joe and The Terminator, so it was a meshing of two things I loved. Since that moment I have read nearly every Cable comic I could. Some were obviously much better than others.
Looking at this specific series there is a lot to like right off the bat. For one, it is Cable on his own adventure not getting caught up in the drama of saving the mutant race or whatever major crossover event is currently underway. Outside of that it is oddly refreshing to see Cable in a story that involves a lot of time travel. Based on his history you would assume that would be the norm, but the fact is rarely do we see him jumping into the past like this. After this issue I want more of Cable in the Old West. Sadly we did not get enough of it.
That was due in large part to the pace of this book, which never stopped moving. Robinson choose to leave a lot unsaid allowing the reader to connect the major dots. Clearly Cable is chasing someone throughout time but right now we do not know who or why. It’s a smart approach for a series that is looking to continue the revitalization of the X-Men. Instead of explaining everything in fine detail we see some of the possibilities where this story can go.
My concern though would be for those brand new readers or anyone who is not a fan of the character. Here Cable is a man on a mission and not much else. His dialogue is severely limited and, with that, so is his personality. He has some notable quips, especially standout self-aware moment about the size of guns, but overall this will not convert any non-Cable fans.
Carlos Pacheco artwork has a very clean line which gives the book quite the polish. He gives Cable much more personality than the script does. His opening shot made Cable look like a modern day, or perhaps better worded futuristic, stoic version of John Wayne. There were some issues – especially the final sequence that included some pixelated futuristic weapons. It is a situation where I understand the idea they were going for but the execution did not work. Instead of looking futuristic it looked out of place and unfinished. My hope is they move away from the idea in the future or at least find a better coloring procedure.
Comics are better when the world of the X-Men is healthy. Over the last few years that has not been the case. They might not be all the way back; but with this series, Jean Grey, and X-Men: Blue there is a lot to enjoy in the world of the X-Men. Now all Marvel needs to do is keep it going and not just reboot again in a couple months.
*** ½ 3.5/5
