Writer: Robert Kirkman
Art: Yanick Paquette
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99
With the Cable arc Kirkman shifted his run on this title into a new direction, and one that may end up being surprisingly revolutionary. The last few issues of this title have been focused upon the consequences of Xavier being gone, from Cyclops’ decision to concentrate on the school and disband the X-Men to Nightcrawler’s finding of the Morlocks to Bishop’s action to reform the X-Men. This issue continues the theme with Xavier’s underground operatives Psyclocke and Syndicate turning up, having not heard from Xavier.
It’s here that we see the traditional superhero response to Cyclops’ action to disband the team, that he’s wrong, that he should keep fighting for Xavier’s dream, but who’s to say he isn’t? The only thing Cyclops has done is decide against seeking conflicts, he’s still very much focused on helping others like himself, helping them to deal with both a hostile world and their own abilities. It’s quieter, less glamorous but might it not end up having a bigger impact? What Cyclops is ultimately questioning is the method used, the value of fighting and the use of violence – which is pretty much heresy for a superhero character!
Kirkman also brings in other characters that readers who know the X-Men comics will recognise, albeit with an ultimate twist – if Cable is a villain here, does that make his adversary Stryfe a hero? We are introduced to him leading a Mutant Liberation Front, which he set up in response to the news of Xavier’s death. The front in turn is a target for the new sentinels that are active. Stryfe uses a teleporter to escape, but not before exhorting the crowd to fight. As such he comes across as an agent provocateur.
Later there is news of the sentinels dealing with violent mutants marching on City Hall, Bishop has visited to ask for help locating Psylocke, Cyclops however refuses. What message is sent by them protecting mutants engaged in illegal activity? Bishop actually agrees with him on this, but points out that death is an excessive judgement, Cyclops leaves it to Bishop, although Phoenix is against it. Meanwhile a man named Trask fears it’s all getting out of control, but he’s reassured by the Fenris twins that it’s all going just fine.
Whilst the Marvel universe has recently looked at the issue of accountability via the Civil War and Initiative stories, it’s still retained the traditional method of superhero conflict resolution: Punch it. Out, into or through a building, up into the air or ground, whatever but just hit it. Yet is that necessarily really responsible? Or is it more responsible to act on other options if you have them – such as influencing the next generation? Sometimes a long game is the better option, some things can’t be smashed into submission. True, it can be argued superhero comics appeal to the fantastic, to the notion that problems can be easily solved, but the problems the characters face here aren’t really of that category, so a more realistic response is needed.
Ultimately, it’s clear how this will probably go: Cyclops won’t be able to keep away despite his view, either he’ll change his mind or Phoenix will force the issue. Equally Xavier may escape from Cable’s captivity in the future and return. Either way sees Cyclops again an X-Man but until then it’s going to be interesting to see just how far Kirkman is going to run with this. In the last issue he had Nightcrawler renounce violence which saw a surprising resolution to that story, that same theme is continued here and it’s one that works very well. I’m quite intrigued as to how both Nightcrawler and Cyclops’ stories will continue.
He also develops Bishop quite a bit, with the older character leading the new X-Men in a different style from Cyclops and Xavier. Bishop seems to work by persuasion and example, he is also quite willing to adopt an investigative approach when he helps Dazzler develop her skills. Where Xavier would have ran a practical drill, Bishop opts for a Q&A session that leads to an intriguing revelation as to how far Dazzler’s ability may extend.
At the same time Kirkman is ably taking elements from previous runs and fusing them together: Here we have the Febris twins from Vaughn’s run not to mention Syndicate, as well as Psyclocke from the Proteus tale done by Millar, then there’s Beast’s return; despite Bendis having killed him off earlier! Kirkman’s real coup is in making this combination feel natural and not at all forced.
As for the art, Paquette is delivering some good, clear visuals and succeeds in communicating the range of emotions in this issue and how each character handles them, either verbally or through body language.
This issue was surprising good, I was considering dropping this title, despite my liking for the Ultimate line, as the direction seemed lacking, but this latest installment has brought it into sharp focus, and I find myself unexpectedly intrigued – I may end up dropping it anyway depending how this arc goes but Kirkman seems to have a knack for retaining my interest – despite my intent!
Ben Crofts is resident in Essex, works in London and has found comics and philosophy mix surprisingly well.