PAST FEARS, PART 5: See how Metus came to be and why he hates Cable so much as we revisit Cable’s past (2000 years in the future).
CABLE #159
Authors: Lonnie Nadler & Zac Thompson
Artists: German Peralta
Colors: Jesus Aburtov
Letters: Travis Lanham
Publisher: Marvel Comics
What You Need to Know:
Hope was attacked by a techno-organic being known as Metus in an effort to get back at Cable. He showed up, fighting off Metus and absorbing it. Through a series of flashbacks, we’ve seen how Metus has pursued Cable through the years, following him even into the future where he protected Hope, forcing him to take Nate Grey to the literal end of time, and terrorizing X-Force.
What You’ll Find Out:
2000 years in the future, we’re taken to Cable’s childhood, where he was taunted by his friends. One, however, stood by his side, displaying some minor shapeshifting powers (hidden from the rest of the friends). Cable returns home to his cabin where he overhears his parents (Redd and Slym, Jean and Cyclops) trying to figure out how to continue to keep him hidden from Apocalypse since in the future being a mutant is outlawed. Cable is hurt by the argument and runs off into the woods.
The techno-organic creature that has plagued Cable since childhood sneaks up on him and suddenly Cable’s virus goes wild. The friend from earlier, Metus, finds Cable struggling and in his thrashing, Cable accidentally infects Metus with the T-O virus, passing along the T-O creature to Metus who then begins struggling. Cable even tries to help him, but Metus isn’t having it. Redd and Slym arrive, having heard the battle, and immediately protect their son. Metus runs off while Redd helps Cable. Metus stumbles back to town, seeking out his family, but all his family sees is a “full scan”. Metus is driven off and swears revenge against Cable.
Back in the present, Cable is struggling with the virus he absorbed from Metus. With Hope’s help, Cable is able to expunge the virus, returning to normal (or at least what is normal for Cable), leaving behind his childhood friend, still the same age as when the virus first infected him. Cable picks him up and those two plus Hope teleport back to the X-Mansion in central park.
What Just Happened?
I absolutely loved this book…and this arc. It’s not often you find a writer (or writers in this case) that tell a more human story of Cable that’s not all guns-a-blazing’ shoot everybody, talk tough with a cigar hanging from his mouth, but that’s exactly what Thompson and Nadler have done here. Peralta’s art, once again, isn’t anything too special until you get to those close-ups and he can speak volumes just with his drawings of eyes. He was one of the best choices of art for this arc.
It was great to find out that Metus was a childhood friend of Cable’s. We’ve never really had this glimpse into Cable’s tween years. Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix told a very specific story but we never really got to see what Cable was like as a child. Apparently, he did have friends! Unfortunately, those friends were dicks (as kids often are) and unfortunately, his parents were kind of the ultimate army parents…always on the move. But on top of that, we see a friendship that’s solidified in their abilities. In a future where it’s outlawed to be a mutant, they both find solace in their similarities that are not shared by the rest of the children. It makes it all the worse knowing how things will end up.
I’d also like to give props for Nadler/Thompson referencing an issue that’s over 15 years old (Cable #100). Not many writers pay that much attention.
I’m saddened to see Thompson and Nadler depart. With the end of this story, I’m hoping that Metus doesn’t get left behind and we can see him dealing with this world that’s entirely alien to him.
Rating: 9/10.
Final Thoughts: It’s not often you find a writer (or writers in this case) that tell a more human story of Cable that’s not all guns-a-blazing’ shoot everybody, talk tough with a cigar hanging from his mouth, but that’s exactly what Thompson and Nadler have done here. I’m sorry to see this creative team go as this was one of the best Cable stories I’ve read in years.
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