Cable has always been on of my favorite Marvel characters over the years and when Marvel announced that two of my favorite comic creators, writer David Pepose and illustrator Mike Henderson, were heading up a Cable series I was counting down the days until the debut issue of Cable: Love and Chrome!
He’s been a soldier. An X-Man. A protector of the timestream. But even from his earliest days, the mutant known as Cable has been living on borrowed time, waging a lonely war against the ravages of the Techno-Organic Virus. Yet when a high-stakes mission in the future goes catastrophically awry, Cable is left stranded in the dystopian city of Salvation Bay – and will find himself caught in the midst of a civil war that will change his life forever.
The first pages of Cable: Love and Chrome immediately captured my attention with its fast-paced action and beautiful illustrations. David Peposed wastes not time thrusting us into the high-stakes mission gone awry. The narrative at hand seamlessly blends a Marvel superhero story with raw human emotion, offering us more than a traditional Marvel action tale. Pepose truly shows his passion for the character while adding his own touch.
Pepose has crafted a tale that is less about a tragedy and more a love and redemption tale–which is different than most previous stories revolving around Cable. This sets Cable: Love and Chrome apart from its predecessors and others in the Marvel lineup.
Mike Henderson’s return to Marvel interior work for the first time since Dead Man Logan wrapped up in October 2019 is one that can only be described as spectacular. His illustrations, paired with colors by Arif Prianto, bring to life the gritty essence of Cable while also highlighting the intricacies of his struggle against both external adversaries and internal demons. Each panel feels dynamic—from explosive fights to quieter moments where characters’ emotions take center stage. Together, Henderson and Prianto create a visually stunning experience that perfectly pairs with Pepose’s storytelling ability.
Out of the gate you can tell that Pepose and Henderson are not holding anything back with dialogue and artwork already pushing the boundaries of a Teen+ comic from Marvel–which is simply fantastic. One wonders what Cable: Love and Chrome would’ve been like if Marvel opted for the red band for mature readers.
Cable: Love and Chrome is undoubtedly one for both die-hard fans of Cable seeking fresh perspectives the character as well as newcomers eager for entry points into the Marvel Universe. Pepose creates a story imbued not only with thrill rides of adrenaline but also with heartfelt journeys towards redemption. Along with Henderson’s artistry that nearly leaps off the page, this creative team knocks this new series out of the park–telling a new Cable story that is action-packed and resonates with emotional depth.
While I have not selected a Marvel Comic in my top comics of the year in a long time, we already have a strong contender with Cable: Love and Chrome–and we are on the first day of 2025.
Cable: Love and Chrome #1 hit local comic shops on January 1, 2025 from Marvel Comics.
Cable: Love and Chrome #1 Preview
