Cable and X-Force (not to be confused with Uncanny X-Force) have not been on the side of the angels. The last time Cable appeared in the Marvel Universe, he was trying to kill the Avengers. His X-Force is not much better. Most sided with Cyclops during Avengers vs. X-Men (A vs. X) crossover, including Colossus who was one of the Phoenix Five that tore up the world. With Cable’s time traveling knowledge, is he trying to stop a terrible future or creating one?
CABLE AND X-FORCE #3
Writer: Dennis Hopeless
Artist: Salvador Larroca
Letterer: VC’s Joe Sabino
Colorist: Frank D’Armata
Editor: Nick Lowe
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Previously in Cable and X-Force: Cable and his team were caught by Havok’s Avengers at the scene of a mass murder. Before they can answer Havok’s questions, Cable teleports them back to base. Flashback to after A vs. X, Hope Summers attempts to find her surrogate father, Cable. She convinces Domino to tell her his location. When she sees him, he is haunted by visions of the future. When Hope follows one of Cable’s visions to Miami beach and stops a Transmode virus outbreak, she is thrust into the media spotlight. Meanwhile, Cable receives another terrible vision. He recruits Colossus, believing he is the key to stopping this horrible future.
LEGACY VIRUS, WITH A TWIST
In Cable and X-Force #3, Dennis Hopeless reveals the events leading up to Cable and his team’s first mission and their confrontation with the Avengers. Fueled by his new vision of the future, Cable explains the scenario to his assembled crew. He is attempting to stop a virus known as the Girth from killing thousands of humans. Since mutants are immune, once the virus is cured Cable foresees blame fall on mutants and all-out war between humans and mutants begins. He intends to stop the virus at the source, an Eat-More factory in Arizona. The mission is precise and complicated. Each potential plot hole, such as reporting the factory to the government or stopping the head of Eat-more, Tersea Payton, is quickly disparaged by Cable as ineffective due to the “laws of time-travel”. Also, the Girth is very similar to the Legacy Virus. I recall watching a similar episode from the old X-Men cartoon involving Cable, time-travel, and a deadly virus. Although the idea is not original, the team’s assemblage is. They are not a random bunch of heroes Cable put together. Each member serves a purpose in the issue: Dr. Nemesis is working on a cure, Forge places surveillance on Tersea Payton, and Domino does reconnaissance on the factory. I also liked the subtle humor in Hopeless’s writing. Tersea Payton’s business and bigoted view of mutants are parodies drawing from current events.
TECH-WIZARD ART
Salvador Larroca continues his superb artistry in issue #3. Coming off his run of The Invincible Iron-Man, there is no end to the technology used in this comic. From the mecha security guards to the futuristic weaponry, everything is well crafted and realistically designed. You can see the influences from his previous series translate into this one. Although some of the characters border on Rob Liefeld-type proportions, Larroca does not go overboard. Every hero has their moment to shine, filled with explosions, action and firepower.
BOTTOM LINE: CRAZY ROLLER COASTER COMIC
This issue is better than I expected. Although the idea is not original, the art and characters makes this series a must read for the post-A vs. X Marvel universe. With any new team, mistakes will be made. With mistakes comes consequences. With Cable and his team branded as outlaws and mutant terrorists, I look forward to seeing who they will face next. Cable and X-Force #3 earns 4 out of 5 stars.
[rating:4/5]DID YOU READ THIS ISSUE? RATE IT!
Reader Rating
[ratings]
