Cable: Love and Chrome #3 is, in many ways, a culmination. Not only does it finally resolve the war that Cable and Avery Ryder have been fighting against the Prime Conclave, but it also brings Cable’s struggle with the Techno-Organic Virus that’s been hindering him his entire life to a defining point. The latter conflict takes place within Nathan Summers’ mind, and will no doubt keep X-fans hooked throughout.
Mike Henderson kicks off the issue with a unique set of visuals; Cable running through a field in his mind, while he’s lying on an operating table in the present. The back and forth between panels slowly builds up the danger, with an X-ray that showcases bones being encased by metal – and in Cable’s landscape, he is being chased by skeletal, Terminator-like beings who want to “assimilate” him; this is more or less the Techno-Organic Virus taking a terrifying shape.
This back and forth continues as Avery leads a final strike against the Prime Conclave; her charge into the enemy’s stronghold overlaps with Cable’s battle, both mental and physical, against the virus that’s determined to take his life. As if Henderson’s prospensity for drawing intense action wasn’t enough of a thrill, colorist Arif Prianto delivers a great contrast between both scenes. While most of the real world is shrouded in shadows, Cable’s mental war is backlit by a rosy pink sky and golden fields of wheat – a stark contrast to the metal nightmares following him.
Marvel
Throughout Cable: Love and Chrome #3, David Pepose highlights the connection between Cable and Avery, and how it extends beyond the emotional. That is thrown into focus when Cable stumbles upon a mental projection of Avery’s sister Lucy, who he’s never met. Pepose peppers the issue with these small moments, strengthening that connection and showcasing why Avery matters to Cable, resulting in a truly shocking plot twist that only makes me want the next two issues in my hands.
Peopose also brings back the mysterious Cicada, who seems hellbent on taking Cable out. This raises a lot of questions, namely “who is this guy? Why does he hate Cable? How can he time travel?” but it looks like once again, readers will have to wait two more issues. If Pepose’s previous work – particularly his turn on Savage Avengers – is any indication, he has one or two more twists left up his sleeve, and they’re bound to reshape how this series turns out.
Cable: Love and Chrome #3 delivers some unexpected twists as it builds to a grand finale, delivering triumph and tragedy in equal measure. I don’t think there’s been a book in the current lineup of X-Men titles that’s surprised me as much as this one, but it shows what happens when you place a character in the right creative hands.
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