Review: ‘Cable’ #7 Reveals A Hidden Foe

A climatic villain reveal is a staple of all fiction, but comics does them especially well. In Cable #7, readers get a reveal that’s both unexpected and welcome.

Cable seemingly solves the mystery of the kidnapped mutant children. However, there’s a deeper plot in play now. It’s a pleasant surprise and it comes to us by Gerry Duggan, Phil Noto, and Joe Sabino.

The war in Otherworld has changed Cable. Now the young hero returns to his investigation into missing mutant children in Philly alongside his sister, Rachel. However, the resolution is about to bring him more questions.

His investigation is about to bring him face to face with a terrifying face from his past.

I’m going to get this out of the way first- Duggan and Noto absolutely nail the villain reveal here. After several issues leading readers to believe that these were entirely human cultists kidnapping babies, and that this was an outgrowth of Krakoa’s emergence, showing us that one of Cable’s greatest foes is actually behind the events here was executed perfectly. Involving him with the missing mutant children also evokes one of the most formative stories to involve Nathan Summers as well. These two absolutely nailed it, especially in the pacing leading up to the reveal and the total surprise that it was.

It wasn’t just a surprise single page splash that was so good about this issue. Duggan’s depiction of Cable’s relationships with his friends and family in particular is a major upside to the story. Rachel and Cable have never felt like siblings to me, but here the relationship doesn’t just seem natural; it’s written as if it had always been that way.

Noto’s always great work is stepped up a notch in this issue. It has a stronger sense of movement than his art often does, as well as a great sense of pacing. His character designs are strong (I love Rachel’s casual hero look), and he is able to convey what they’re thinking and feeling extremely well. Noto continues to be the gold standard in fully painted art, and it’s a treat to see what he does every month.

Cable’s entire life has gotten way more complicated, thanks to the revelations of this issue. I can’t wait to read it.

Cable #7 is available now from Marvel Comics.