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Cable: Reloaded #1 is an explosive adventure with loads of style that brings the X-Men into the crosshairs of Marvel’s Last Annihilation.
Hot off the heels of his solo series, the X-Men’s most famous time-traveler is back in Cable: Reloaded #1. This one-shot brings Cable and some of his closest allies into the crosshairs of The Last Annihilation, Marvel’s spacefaring crossover between the Guardians of the Galaxy and S.W.O.R.D. It is a thrilling adventure that brings back Cable’s classic incarnation in an appropriately bombastic fashion — with tons of explosions and giant guns. This is a story that knows how to have fun, inviting readers to journey to the stars as they prepare for war.
Cable: Reloaded #1 opens with Cable in space aboard the Graymalkin II as he prepares to do a HALO drop onto the planet Breakworld. As Cable reflects on his tense mission briefing with Abigail Brand, he crashes into the ground and plants a Krakoa gate seed that allows his reinforcements to arrive. Now joined by Cannonball, Boom-Boom, Wiz Kid, Lila Cheney, and Khora of the Burning Heart, Cable and his X-Terminators battle against the forces of Powerlord Varrn. But as the team works their way towards their objective, they must face off against a living city that is designed to keep them from getting out in one piece.
Al Ewing writes Cable: Reloaded #1, continuing the narrative he’s been developing in The Last Annihilation. Since there are so many moving pieces to that story, Ewing uses this one-shot as an opportunity to set up future threads while also establishing the impact this war has had on the galaxy. At the same time, this issue welcomes old man Cable back to life by updating his status quo with a mix of new allies and old. Ewing depicts Cable as a war-weary warrior who has seen the worst things imaginable, which informs his level-headed bravado in the face of danger. This keeps the action moving at a blistering pace and is sure to excite fans of the original ’90s X-Force. Ewing is even smart enough to address this decision through some lighthearted meta-dialogue, as Cannonball says, “It’s nice to have an old-time X-Force adventure. Nostalgia’s fun once in a while.” That’s basically this story in a nutshell.
Artist Bob Quinn unleashes his artistic strengths in Cable: Reloaded #1, playing up the action and bringing back some classic character designs. As he has shown in his recent work with Nightcrawler and Onslaught in Way of X, Quinn shines when he is able to draw energetic fight scenes. The unique cast of characters also gives Quinn a chance to create some ridiculous moments, like Wiz Kid’s increasingly large gunship. Colorist Java Tartaglia pairs well with Quinn and makes crucial contributions that enhance the story. Tartaglia gives Breakworld an otherworldly atmosphere by casting the skies in ominous hues that radiate off of Cable’s team. Additionally, he modernizes the bold colors of the casts’ classic designs without losing the charm of their original tones.
Some people reading The Last Annihilation may be tempted to skip Cable: Reloaded #1, since it doesn’t dramatically change the course of that central story. However, this issue is crucial as a continuation of Ewing’s work in S.W.O.R.D. and can be seen as a great introduction to Marvel’s cosmic adventures. As Abigail Brand works in the shadows to manipulate the X-Men’s relationships with other planets, Cable finds himself on the outside. While “Kid Cable” was a pawn that Brand could manipulate, his adult counterpart won’t be pushed around. His role in the organization could prove to be vital towards protecting the Earth when Brand’s plans inevitably backfire.
Overall, Cable: Reloaded #1 is a fun issue that brings back a fan-favorite character and places him in the middle of a war he never expected to be a part of. Ewing establishes old man Cable’s new status quo while pushing forward crucial threads for The Last Annihilation. The art from Bob Quinn and Java Tartaglia is sensational, with an emphasis on a nostalgic style that is also incredibly engaging. As S.W.O.R.D. and Guardians of the Galaxy handle the threat of Dormammu, Cable’s quest to blow up some aliens is a welcome change of pace.
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