Cable #63 Summary

by Rainer Ho Ten Soeng

Summary of Cable #63: From the past: STRYFE! The return of the Askani'Son's most dangerous foe! "Blood Brothers" part 2 of 3.

Technical information:

* Publisher: Marvel Comics
* Release date: January, 1999
* Writer: Joe Casey
* Pencillers: Stephen Platt & Andy Smith
* Inkers: Matt Banning & Rodney Ramos
* Colorist: Gloria Vasquez
* Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
* Editor: Mark Powers
* Editor in Chief: Bob Harras
* Total number of pages: 32 pages with ads; 22 pages without ads
* Subtitle of the book: "Illusions of DOOM"; "Blood Brothers" part 2 of 3

Main characters in the book:

Cable: Two thousand years from now, a dark era will dawn for mankind. The achievements of generations past will be little more than dust, crushed beneath the iron heel of the ageless conqueror Apocalypse. In this future, society stands on the precipice of utter destruction. In the present, there is one last hope for humanity -- a man who has traveled back to the twentieth century in a desperate attempt to prevent those tragedies before they occur. Now, Nathan Dayspring Summers, also known as Cable, uses his mutant ability of telekinesis to fight for a better tomorrow -- and seeks his own fate as a man out of time.

Irene Merryweather: A young reporter for the muckraking Inquiring Eye, Irene Merryweather dreams of one day working for a legitimate newspaper such as the Daily Bugle. Disgusted with the usual fare she's asked to write about, Irene jumps at the opportunity to investigate the high-powered industrialist Sebastian Shaw .... but will find that in this case, the truth is much stranger than fiction ....

Blaquesmith: The gnomish, misshapen enigma known as Blaquesmith has long been Cable's mentor and task master, training him in the use of his great powers and following him through time to the twentieth century. Blessed with the innate ability to create all manner of high-tech gadgetry, Blaquesmith has often run afoul his pupil, as he is more than willing to deceive others, even his allies, in order to achieve his goals.

X-Man: Nate Grey, also known as X-Man, is potentially the most powerful mutant in the whole world; in fact young Nate Grey is what Cable could have been in another time, on another world. Genetically identical to Cable, he possesses all the same powers -- but without the techno-organic virus to inhibit them. Unfortunately X-Man recently learned that the limitless psi-power he wields is also destroying him, for no human vessel was meant to contain such power, certainly not a teenager.

Madelyne Pryor: Cloned from the biological material of Jean Grey, one of the very first members of The X-Men, Madelyne was the vessel used by the mad scientist Mr. Sinister in his plan to breed the ultimate mutant. Her recent resurrection was apparently the result of Nate tapping into her remnant psionic energies and giving them form. Madelyne Pryor has recently begun traveling with Nate, acting as his companion, confidante and ally.

Ness: Little is known about the mysterious man named Ness, except that he has shared X-Man's future vision of half the world being destroyed at the time of Nate's death. He has taken up the mantle of making sure that this never comes to pass, at all costs.

Stryfe: Borne of a forbidden science, he was raised to destroy and bred to rule over the Earth in a dark, dystopian future by Apocalypse. He is Stryfe, the Chaos-Bringer .... Cable's evil, twisted duplicate. He is the Askani'Son's most hated nemesis and he has been that since their childhoods. Presumed dead following his most recent encounter with Cable on the surface of Earth's moon, Stryfe has traveled back to the twentieth century in a gambit to usher in his own dark age of chaos and war .... an age in which he will rule supreme!

Remarkable quotes:

-1. "Look .... there are some things I've been keeping from you. Things about me. But I've just been through a fairly .... intense experience and while I don't want to scare you, I think I need to be honest -- .... -- I am not making much sense here, am I? Guess I'll just say it .... I am a mutant." (Cable)

-2. "Okay .... so .... you're a mutant. Explains a lot actually. The arm and the eye are a dead giveaway .... Y'know, between the Avengers .... the Fantastic Four and the rest of those guys, New Yorkers are pretty jaded bunch. Been there, done that .... know what I mean? Besides not everyone associates the term 'mutant' with 'outlaw'." (Stacey)

-3. "But like I told you, I have been through some rather .... unique predicaments recently. I am not exactly the same man that I was when you last saw me. I'm still not sure what to make of all the changes I've gone through .... but what I do know is that life's too short to keep so many secrets .... especially from those you trust. Because I do trust you, Stacey .... and I want you to trust me back." (Cable)

-4. "Reality check .... Stryfe is dead. I should know .... I was there when he was killed on the moon. But that illusion in the diner was so real it even felt like Stryfe! And this .... hate that I am feeling -- that's certainly real. .... If somehow Stryfe is alive .... he won't be for long. I swear it." (Cable)

-5. "BELAY THAT OUTBURST, DAYSPRING! We must travel to Latveria immediately! .... Matters concerning not only your destiny but mankind's as well. The Chaos-Bringer has returned .... I know what you're feeling. You must rise above it. For the sake of humanity ...." (Blaquesmith)

-6. "I've been waiting for this .... With my full telekinesis back, I can use the psimitar the way I used to .... channelling and focusing my mental energy into something much more .... lethal." (Cable)

-7. "He (Cable) seems so .... different somehow. Despite the hate I see in his eyes for the enemy we seek, I can sense a deeper peace within him, no matter how he may be denying it at the moment ...." (Madelyne Pryor)

-8. "You seek to be a mentor to young Grey, Ness? Then, you have truly chosen a baptism of fire, for his survival is more precarious than ever. Come, and I shall tell you of an evil unlike any you have encountered .... a madman who has nearly succeeded in ending all life on this planet." (Blaquesmith)

-9. "I was twisted and sculpted from birth to let loose my hatred -- to bring chaos to this pathetic world -- and it's a purpose I relish. -- .... -- Destiny has never tasted so sweet" (Stryfe)

-10. "Predictable as ever, Dayspring. Ah, the psimitar of the Askani. How would it be if I stabbed you through your heart with it?" (Stryfe)

-11. "A lot's changed since you last defiled humanity with your presence .... and you have no idea what I am holding back, scum! .... No longer. This is between you and me now!" (Cable)

-12. "Stryfe -- you always were a blowhard!" (Cable)

-13. "Look at the two of you, cowering like children. Your wife, Dayspring, cowered like this the night I took her. Ah, how sweet Aliya struggled. But courage .... bravery .... love -- these are merely empty words when faced with me." (Stryfe)

-14. "Nate .... I'm not going to tell you again .... MOVE!" (Cable)

-15. "I am going to KILL you, Stryfe!" (Cable)

=====

Summary of Cable #63: From the past: STRYFE! The return of the Askani'Son's most dangerous foe! Blood Brothers part 2 of 3.

Note: This issue, Cable #63, is part of a crossover called Blood Brothers which also includes the events which occur in the X-Man issues no. #45, #46 and #47. In X-Man #45 we see the prelude of this storyline whereas X-Man #46, Cable #63 and X-Man #47 are respectably part 1, 2 and 3 of this saga. Since I didn't know if all of you have also read the specific X-Man's issues I thought that for a better understanding of the events in Cable #63, it would be a good idea if I included a short summary of the events which preciously occurred in the X-Man's issues. I hope you will find it useful! :-)

Previously in X-Man #45 and #46: While Cable barely managed to prevent the S.H.I.E.L.D Helicarrier from crashing into the East-River -- and escape with his own life intact -- his most hated foe, Stryfe, reappeared in the tiny European nation of Latveria, planning to fill the power vacuum left by the absence of Doctor Doom and use the country as a staging area for a reign of terror. Though Nate Grey and Madelyne Pryor managed to prevent a massacre of the world's telepaths -- the first step into the madman's plan for world domination -- Stryfe was able to capture Grey .... and began to siphon the youngster's immense power into himself making him virtually unbeatable.

And now for Cable #63 ....
The story begins in Babel's, the dinner in which Stacey Kramer works in an effort to make a living for both herself and her little brother Kenny. It's still early in the morning and the weather has most certainly been better on other days when Stacey welcomes her first customer: an old homeless woman called Emma who's used to have her breakfast in Babel's. Emma is poor and her life is not as happy and careless as you would wish for older people to be. But despite that life has not beaten her down and she managed to keep her spirits high. Stacey not only has come to like and respect Emma but she also in a way feels sorry for the way life has treated Emma, and that's why she lets Emma's breakfast be put on her tab instead of making that old woman pay for it. It's a beautiful and touching scene which could easily be a great start of a wonderful and quiet day. But unfortunately faith has decided otherwise....
Stacey is in for a big surprise but little does she know about all that when she opens up the door of the stock room .... Standing in the rain she sees the man about whom she has been wondering and about whom she's has been wondering for the past few weeks .... it's none other than Nathan Summers a.k.a. Cable! Cable is wet and exhausted and by the look of his face he has been through quite some recently. Stacey is anxious to find out where Nathan has been and what has happened to him but sadly for Cable that is not all: Stacey is also a bit angry at Nathan for not contacting her during all those weeks! He rushed out of Babel's when he saw that fire in Hell's Kitchen on TV (see Cable #59) and after that she simply never heard from him again. What kind of manners are that? Is that a way to treat your friends who care about you? It sure isn't; at least not where Stacey came from! But Stacey's anger quickly vanishes: partly because Nathan seems to understand her feelings and partly because it is being replaced by sheer amazement: for the first time in her life she notices that Cable's left eye is radiating a strange yellowish glow .... On top of that his left arm seems to be made out of metal! What has happened to Nathan and what is his story? Cable understands that he can not hide the truth for Stacey any longer. It's time to show her the cards he has been dealt with from birth and he starts telling her that just like her little brother Kenny he is in fact different from most other people; the only difference is that he doesn't have Down's syndrome. No, what makes him different is that he is a mutant .... Cable is finally open and honest with Stacey but how will she react? Will she appreciate his openness and honesty or will she drift away from him because she lives in a world which in general hates and fear mutants? It's a fascinating scene but unfortunately we won't get an immediate answer to this question because right at that moment the story shifts to the offices of the Daily Bugle.

Inside one of those offices J. Jonah Jameson, the famous or if you like notorious, publisher of this renowned newspaper, congratulates Irene Merryweather again for her outstanding work on discovering S.H.I.E.L.D.'s participation in the recent turmoil in Hell's Kitchen. (see Cable #61 and #62 for more details) She has proven that she has the guts, the talent and the instinct of a born journalist and Mr. Jameson wouldn't be surprised at all if Irene would receive the Pulitzer Price one day for the outstanding quality of her work. And neither J. Jonah Jameson nor the Daily Bugle would have become so well-known and respected if Mr. Jameson would have never been able to spot a good reporter when he saw one. And in his opinion they don't come much better than Irene Merryweather; so without much further ado he directly offers her a chance to work for the Daily Bugle from now on. This is what Irene was always dreaming about! This is what she worked so hard for and this is what she hoped to achieve one day for so many years. But surprisingly enough Irene doesn't start a joyful dance of pure happiness in Jameson's office. The job she has always wanted is being handed to her on a silver plate so to speak but somehow she feels reluctant to jump for it: no, instead she wonders if, after all she has been through with and for Cable, she still wants to work for the Daily Bugle? Should she make her longtime dreams come true or should she stay on Cable's side and report about this extraordinary man and his incredibly important and delicate mission? The answer to that dilemma sure doesn't come easy ....

But Irene is not the only one having trouble making sure how to react: a couple of blocks away Stacey feels taken by surprise by Nathan's sudden and unexpected revelation that he is a mutant. In fact she actually doesn't know how to react. It is not that she feels that every mutant is a scumbag or an outlaw and it is most certainly not like she doesn't like Nathan no more but the fact is that he is springing this all on her in a major way; right now she needs some time by herself to sort this thing out. But that is not the same as saying that their relationship has worsened because of this: Stacey doesn't want to push Nathan away; all she needs besides some time is Cable's understanding and his faith that she can handle this situation. That is good enough for Nathan for now and after thanking Stacey for the delicious coffee she served him, Cable is on his way out. He wanted to see Stacey after all that he went through but he realizes only too well that he has been away for quite some time and that he also has some other business to attend to. But luckily things went well when he told Stacey that he was a mutant; she is a strong woman and hopefully it was not a mistake telling her about his 'secret'.

On his way to the exit the weirdest thing happens however. Accidentally Nathan bumps into the only other customer who is in Babel's at that moment. When Cable looks up to apologize it is if time freezes out of fright and disgust: for a moment it looks like Cable is looking in the face of his most hated foe and nemesis. For a moment it looks like Cable bumped into none other than Stryfe! But before Cable can react or even understand what's going on the illusion has faded away leaving Cable looking in the angry face of an ordinary young man who obviously doesn't like getting bumped into! It all goes very quickly and that man has disappeared before Cable has fully come back to his senses and could start asking some questions. Was it really an illusion? Or has Stryfe really returned? But how could that be? After all Cable was there when Stryfe was killed on the moon! (see X-Force #18) Is his mind playing tricks on him as a result of the loss of his telepathy? But that illusion in Babel's was so real that it just felt like Stryfe! Well, one thing is for sure: if the Chaos-Bringer is still alive then Cable will make sure that he doesn't stay that way for too long! Precautions have to be taken to make sure that Stryfe is stopped dead in his tracks if he has really returned and to make sure that happens Cable rushes back to his safe house.

Back in the safehouse another surprise is waiting for Cable. Without his telepathy he can't scan the dark room in front of him anymore so he will have to trust on his instincts when he enters it. He has been gone for quite some time and now that Stryfe could be back it is not impossible that the Chaos-Bringer has discovered his hide-out and prepared him some nasty little surprise. And things really look to go wrong when after taking only a few steps Cable's senses warn him that something is being thrown at him .... But it's a false alarm this time: it's only Blaquesmith throwing Cable's psi-mitar to him. Unfortunately though that doesn't mean that all is well: there seems to be something seriously wrong and Blaquesmith urges Nathan to come with him to Latveria immediately. His mentor confirms Cable's misgivings that the Chaos-Bringer has returned and without Dr. Doom being around to protect his country, Stryfe has taken the liberty to occupy Latveria and use Doom's castle and resources to his own mind and for his own benefit. What makes things even worse is that X-Man somehow seems to have become Stryfe's first victim and to save the day Cable and Blaquesmith leave for Latveria without further delay.

It turns out that the Askani'Son's worst nightmares have come true when the two of them arrive in Doomstadt, the capital city of Latveria. What is normally an idyllic and peaceful European monarchy has now been transformed into a scarred and horrible portrait of war. Hell seems to have broken loose on Earth and it is clear that Stryfe has not wasted any time. Cable is going to get his hands full when taking on Stryfe if the destruction his hated nemesis has caused so far is an indication of his powers. Luckily though luck has not run out on Cable: one of the very first persons he meets in Doomstadt is Madelyne Pryor. Their encounter is a bit awkward and Cable realizes that there is something weird going on between the two of them that is making Madelyne feeling uncomfortable. But there is simply no room for feelings for like that if their team-up is to be successful in defeating the great evil the Chaos-Bringer represents. And considering the damage which has been done to Doom's castle that maniac Stryfe really is a foe who should not be underestimated at any cost. The only way in which Cable and Madelyne will survive this nightmare is if they form a good and well-functioning team and the necessity for that is only emphasized when 'mother' and 'son' are suddenly and without a warning being attacked by a small army of Doombots! The party has begun and before they know it both Cable and Madelyne are slugging it out with Doom's guards in a major way.

On the Philippine island of Tramahoi where Blaquesmith has arrived after dropping Cable in Latveria, things are just as fascinating although not as explosive. Cable's mentor has a meeting with the mysterious man called Ness who, for some reason, wants to be a mentor for Nate Grey. And to be honest he couldn't have come at a better time since X-Man's survival seems to be more precarious than ever. He has fallen into the hands of a madman who has nearly succeeded in ending all life on the planet! Nate is in great danger and if Ness ever wants the chance to mentor him he'd better be quick to rescue him! After learning from Blaquesmith that Nate is being held captive in Latveria the two of them quickly leave to see if they can prevent the world from falling apart ....

Meanwhile Cable and Madelyne have managed to defeat the Doombots. But Cable realizes that in fact that was only a prelude of what is going to come. Not the Doombots but Stryfe is the true enemy and he has got to be close. And Cable is absolutely right about that. Stryfe is not only very close but but he has also begun to set his plan to bring chaos to this world in motion: with the help of some sophisticated pieces of machinery Stryfe has started to siphon X-Man immense psi-energies and channel them into himself. Once he has the possession of X-Man's psionic energies his power will be almost absolute and nobody will be able to stop him anymore! The fulfillment of his destiny has never been so close and it has never tasted so sweet.... But perhaps things are after all not as goodlooking as the Chaos-Bringer has hoped for. As if he was sensing how much his interference was needed Cable comes crashing through the wall right at that moment! The tension is getting way off-scale when the two arch-rivals measure each other up. And although Cable almost can't wait to take on Stryfe he realizes that first he has to make sure that Nate Grey is doing alright. At no price Cable will allow Stryfe to make anymore innocent victims; at least not as long as the Askani'Son is around to prevent it. But that noble intention is not going to be easy to follow up on since Stryfe almost immediately attacks Cable. Besides that Cable has a hard time making X-Man listen to him: Nate not only doesn't want to take any favours from Cable but he also refuses to get out of there and bring himself in safety because he feels that this is his fight too. Unfortunately Nate's proud, independent but also well-meant behaviour is doing Cable more bad than good. He will have to concentrate totally on his battle with Stryfe if he wants to succeed in taking him down and Nate's stubbornness therefore comes at a most inconvenient time since it's hard for Cable to deal with both X-Man and Stryfe at the very same time ....

Stryfe notices the animosity between X-Man and Cable and he immediately uses this opportunity to emotionally hurt and infuriate Cable by telling him that his wife Aliya cowered just like he's doing now on the night that he took her. And that is what really drives Cable over the edge: it's bad enough that Stryfe is still alive, it is even worse that he has wreaked havoc in Latveria and has captured X-Man but he really shouldn't have mocked Aliya right in Cable's face. Cable's blood is boiling and he attacks Stryfe with an intensity and rage he has seldom known before. He will kill Stryfe even if it's the last thing he'll ever do in his life! Unfortunately however Stryfe counted on it that his remarks would enrage Cable and make him attack rashly and without a good strategy. Even worse for Cable is that Stryfe managed to siphon a not unsubstantial part of X-Man's psionic energies and with this power-up neither Cable nor X-Man are a match for him: with a merest thought both Cable and X-Man are being knocked out cold with two powerful psi-blasts. And there's nothing anybody could do to change that. Not even Madelyne Pryor who arrives at the scene just in time to see the Chaos-Bringer standing victorious besides the unconscious bodies of Cable and X-Man ....

The Good
Well, where do you want me to begin? Shall I start by saying that this was yet overall another excellent Cable issue? Shall I begin by mentioning that the creative staff behind the Cable-issues is really worth its money? Or shall I bring forth that Cable has to be one of the best, most exciting and most dynamic X-Books of the moment? I could start with all three options and in each and every case I would simply be telling the truth! :-) There are a lot of goodies in this issue and they all make sure that this sure is an exciting and wonderful read. Stacey's reaction for example when she hears that Cable is a mutant is very human, understandable and realistic. She doesn't reject him, she doesn't push him away but she does need some time by herself to work this thing out. She lives in a world which hates and fears mutants in general and yet she doesn't allow herself to feel that way about a man she has come to like. And IMHO that's priceless and invaluable behaviour; if more people would have been like Stacey Kramer then the Marvel Universe would have been a much better place for both humans and mutants. Another bonus was the fact that in another way too it's clearly shown what a good person Stacey in fact is: the scene in which she decides to pay for the breakfast of that old woman is touching and compelling. But the goodies didn't stop coming at us there my friends. The fact that Irene doubts whether or not she has to accept Jameson's offer to come work for the Daily Bugle because she doesn't want to leave Cable is another strong point. You could ask yourself if Irene is not sure what to do because she realizes the importance of Cable's mission and wants to report about that for future generations or because she has perhaps some deeper feelings for him? Could that be the reason why she finds it hard to leave him and go her own way? Furthermore it was good to see an X-Man/Cable crossover. I don't know if this has been done before but I do know that it was about time that two of the (potentially) most powerful psi's would meet and interact. And to add some extra sauce to it Madelyne Pryor was added as well: what more could any fan ask for? :-) And please don't forget about Stryfe. He is being portrayed very well as an evil villain who won't stop before he has reached his goal. He truly is the Chaos-Bringer and it was good to see that he was given the room by the creative staff to simply be himself. It looks like Stryfe is going to cause Cable a lot of trouble in the (near) future and I think that in itself can lead to some excellent and exciting stories. Last but not least I would like to praise the outstanding art in this issue: look for example at the pictures of Cable at the pages 18 and 23 and you will probably understand what I am talking about. Stephen Platt and Andy Smith have done a great job and they have drawn the Askani'Son just the way I like it: he's big, strong, determined, capable and impressive! That's my man Cable described in only five words! :-) All in all it was a very fine issue which left me desperately counting the days until Cable #64 comes out ....

The Bad
Yeah .... the bad .... I am actually not too sure what to say here. It's not that the issue was absolutely perfect but I find it a bit hard to find some real and concrete things which can be used as criticism. But I do have some questions about certain points which were not very clear to me. I have to admit that I don't read all of the X-Books so perhaps (most of) my questions are already answered in precisely one of the books that I don't read, so please bear with me. First of all I found it strange that Stryfe managed to return just like that. IIRC Stryfe was captured and tortured in Hell by demons in X-Force #74 after his plan to return to this world failed thanks to Warpath and his teammates. So how could he have returned? Did he manage to mislead and/or defeat the demons? And what about Stryfe's supposed death on the moon in X-Force #18? What was the story behind that? Was it all a big trick of Stryfe to let Cable believe that he was dead and gone? And what happened to Stryfe on the moon if he didn't really die? And now that we are talking about Stryfe: how come that the Doombots did attack Cable and Madelyne Pryor but left Stryfe alone? Did Stryfe manage to make them obey him? But if so, then how did he do that? I would say that Doom would have made it quite sure that his Doombots would only take his orders and nobody else's. And what about the man in the bar into whom Cable Accidentally (?) bumped? Was that really Stryfe? And if so, why would Stryfe make it clear to Cable that he has returned before he has channelled all of X-Man's psi-energies into himself? It sure doesn't seem to be a sound strategy which Stryfe followed in this case. And what about Dr. Doom? What has happened to him? Where is he? Another thing that I didn't particularly like was the way in which Nate Grey was being portrayed. I know that he is young and all but in this issue I felt he was more like a rebellious, insecure and disobedient teenager than like the hero and warrior I think he can be. But these are just some minor points IMHO. I truly hope that my questions will be answered soon but even if they don't they can't change the fact that overall this was a good and fascinating issue which provided a wonderful and dynamic read.
Keep up the good work Marvel and I am sure that you will never have to worry about another possible bankruptcy anymore! :-)

See you all in thirty!
Excelsior!
Rainer Ho Ten Soeng

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