Cable & Deadpool

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Cable & Deadpool
Cover to Cable & Deadpool #5.
Art by Mark Brooks.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
ScheduleMonthly
Genre
Publication dateMay 2004 – April 2008
No. of issues50
Main character(s)
ISBN 0-7851-2523-X

Cable & Deadpool was a

Deadpool, shared the focus of the book. The series was launched following the cancellation of the characters' previous ongoing solo series. The book's mix of humor, action, and intricate plotting have won it a devoted fanbase. Marvel Comics canceled the series with issue #50 to make way for a new Deadpool ongoing series that began on September 10, 2008, and a new Cable ongoing series that was launched in March 2008. Cable & Deadpool were ranked #7 on Marvel.com's list of "The 10 Greatest Buddy Teams" of all time.[1]

Main characters

  • Cable (Nathan Dayspring Askani’son Summers) is the time-traveling son of Cyclops and Madelyne Pryor (a clone of Jean Grey). Cable, having mutant powers and knowing what the future could be, is trying to bring about a better world.
  • Deadpool (Wade Wilson) is a talkative mercenary for hire known as the "Merc with a Mouth". Like Wolverine, he is a subject of the Weapon X experiment for which he volunteered in the hopes of finding a cure for his cancer. Although he received an enhanced body from the project, the cancer was not cured, he went insane, and his skin became covered in hideous scars. Deadpool helps to further Cable's plans, sometimes unwittingly.

Minor and recurring characters

  • HYDRA
    base, making him incredibly obese. He appointed Deadpool as the head of his mercenary organization, Agency X, while he is getting back in shape.
  • The
    Sabretooth
    .
  • Bob, Agent of HYDRA
    is an average HYDRA agent pressed into service by Deadpool during his mission to rescue Agent X. He now works with Agency X.
  • Domino
    is the on/off confidante, lover, and teammate of Cable. She knows Cable better than most and is scared and excited about what might happen if he succeeds.
  • Nick Fury is the former Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Fury appears early in the series after Cable threatens to use his out-of-control telekinesis to throw all the world's nuclear weapons into space. Later, he sends Captain America to infiltrate Providence.
  • Prester John, time-displaced from the past, operates Providence's multi-religious studies program and occasionally ends up fighting to defend Providence.
  • Johann Kriek, a former Interpol operative, is now the Chief of Security for Providence.
  • Irene Merryweather, a former reporter for the Daily Bugle, is now the Chief of Staff on Providence and Cable's chronicler.
  • Rabbi Rosen is a Rabbi aboard Providence. Rosen tends to offer advice where he can.
  • Weasel is a technological genius and one of Deadpool's best friends. Weasel aids in some of Deadpool's activities.
  • cowgirl
    motif.
  • Taskmaster
    . She was recently kidnapped and kept bound and gagged along with Outlaw by T-Ray, but was rescued by Deadpool.
  • Constrictor
    .

Features

Recap page

Starting with issue #11, Cable & Deadpool opens each book with a unique recap page. This page, usually presented by Deadpool and occasionally with Cable or by/with the book's supporting characters, villains, and guest stars, breaks the fourth wall and literally talks to the audience. Keeping with the book's tone, the recap page is usually funny, often with Deadpool having to explain what the fourth wall is to other characters on the page. From issue #44, the recap pages have been in the form of an online blog as written by Bob, Agent of HYDRA.

Dear Deadpool

Issue #13 saw the start of "Dear Deadpool", a letters page seemingly hosted by Deadpool himself. Like the recap page, "Dear Deadpool" is often comical and has Deadpool breaking the fourth wall. In this section, Deadpool frequently refers to not only the characters in this comic, but often mentions (and makes fun of) the creators, as well as various conventions of Marvel Comics and the comics industry in general. He even goes so far as to refer to "the man who types my answers". A running gag features Deadpool's excitement over a typical feature of comic book fan letters: a numbered list of questions. This would prompt the response, "Ooh, numbered questions!" In 2006,

Wizard Magazine
named "Dear Deadpool" as "the Funniest Letters Page in Comics".

Story arcs

If Looks Could Kill

"If Looks Could Kill" (issues #1-6) brings Cable and Deadpool together (literally). In this first story arc, Deadpool is hired by "The One World Church" to steal a virus that will allow them to turn everyone on Earth blue. Meanwhile, Cable is trying to figure how to best use his newly enhanced mutant powers to help change the world. Through a series of events, both Cable and Deadpool end up back at "The One World Church" where they are both infected by the virus. In order for them both to survive, Cable absorbs and then throws up Deadpool which ends up mixing their DNA. Cable eventually takes control of the virus and uses it to turn the entire world pink. A couple of days later, Cable restores everyone to their original color, and takes credit for this calling himself their "Saviour". During this, Cable uses his enhanced powers to rebuild his space station, Graymalkin, which includes a teleportation system. Because of the mixing of their DNA, both Cable and Deadpool can teleport, but when one does it he takes the other with him.

Burnt offering

In "The Burnt Offering" (issues #7-10, originally known as "The Passion of the Cable"), Cable continues with his plan to espouse a philosophy of moderation, and offers invitations to the world's top thinkers, scientists and philosophers to live on

X-Man
had. With the last of his powers, Cable left the world a final message of what the world could be if everyone tried a bit harder to make it a better place.

Thirty pieces

Cover to Cable & Deadpool #12
Art by Patrick Zircher

During "Thirty Pieces" (issues #11-12), Deadpool goes on a quest to save Cable’s life. After obtaining a techno-organic alien from

Fixer in hopes that he would be able to fix Cable. Along the way, Deadpool battles Agent X who was hired by what appears to be a religious organization to track Deadpool in order to prevent the ‘resurrection’ of Cable. After having the alien grafted to his body, Cable, who is comatose and trapped in a dreamscape with the Six Pack
, overcomes the alien’s brain and heals himself, though he still extremely depowered.

Murder in Paradise

"A Murder in Paradise" (issues #13-14) starts on Providence with the murder mystery of Haji Bin Barat, the world’s most wanted terrorist. Deadpool insists on being involved in the investigation, but

Black Box
whom he hopes can find a way to kill him.

Enema of the State

From Cable & Deadpool #17
Art by Patrick Zircher.

"Enema of the State" (issues #15-18) takes place after the end of the

Intercourse, PA
.

Why, When I Was Your Age

"Why, When I Was Your Age..." (issue #19) picks up with Deadpool taking Cable to Intercourse, PA, with hopes that the city will live up to its name. While at a bar, Cable talks about growing up in the future, and Deadpool discusses the death of his father. At the end of the night, Cable is fully aged, and neither of the two wish to discuss what actually happened in their past.

Bosom Buddies

In "Bosom Buddies" (issues #20-23), Deadpool is hired to steal the Dominus Objective, a secondary hard drive that acts like a virus that acts like a server. While Deadpool is out to steal the Objective, he ends up fighting both the

Shen Kuei
(The Cat) who actually stole the Dominus Objective. The Cat reveals to them it was the Black Box who hired him originally, though it was Cable who paid him, as well as who hired them and Deadpool. In the final confrontation, Cable links with Dominus Objective which gives him a new power similar to his telepathy. When everything is settled, Black Box decides to work for Cable.

Sticky Situations and Living Legends

In "Sticky Situations" and "Living Legends" (issues #24 & 25), Deadpool is hired to steal plans for a secret government project called the "Cone of Silence", which was originally designed as a force field to cut off Providence from the rest of the world. During his escapades, Deadpool ends up briefly fighting Spider-Man before finally getting the plans. After realizing that it was probably Cable who had the plans stolen, Nick Fury sends Captain America to infiltrate Providence. Captain America finds Providence to be a peaceful place and learns of Cable's past and his plans to change the future. During a fight between Cable and Captain America, Cable reveals that he has used the "Cone of Silence" to create a technological replacement for his telekinesis.

Born Again

In "Born Again" (issues #26 & 27), the story reveals the hidden past connections between Apocalypse and Cable, specifically that it was Cable who infected Apocalypse with the techno-organic virus that Apocalypse would pass on to Cable as an infant.

The Domino Principle

In "The Domino Principle" (issues #28 & 29), Cable employs Deadpool to remove Flag-Smasher as the ruler of Rumekistan. Flag-Smasher had become ruler in the mini-series Citizen V & The V-Battalion: The Everlasting, also written by Fabian Nicieza. The coup becomes complicated with the separate interferences of Citizen V and Cable's old love interest, Domino. Although Cable successfully manipulates Domino into assassinating Flag-Smasher, he finds his own resolve shaken when faced with his ex-lover's doubts about his agenda.

Civil War

In the "Civil War" story arc, Deadpool has been given the job of hunting down super-powered individuals who have not signed the

Superhuman Registration Act. There is a confrontation between Cable and Deadpool in which Cable reveals that he will be fostering superheroes in Providence. When Cable meets Captain America to extend this offer, Cap refuses. Cable tries to convince him by revealing what he knows about the Secret Avengers' secret identities. This gesture does not go unnoticed by Deadpool, who is watching them from a nearby rooftop and notes Daredevil's new identity. He attacks Daredevil in a warehouse, and is himself attacked by members of the Secret Avengers and the Young Avengers
. Cable attempts to intervene and convince Deadpool to join their cause by offering him a bigger paycheck (and when Deadpool refuses, a bigger badge). This fails when Deadpool tries to shoot Cable with tranquilizer darts, which Cable deflects into Wade's face. Wade wakes up bound and gagged (with a full body covering of duct tape, after Cable suggested an entire roll for his mouth alone) in the warehouse before Cable reappears, setting him free and taking him along to the White House to meet with the American President about the possible repercussions of the superhero registration act. When the President orders hostilities on Cable (Deadpool had briefly left to go to the bathroom), he and Deadpool shift out before anyone can get harmed. They arrive in the countryside, where Deadpool attacks (following the President's orders) Cable. After a brief fight, Cable reveals the fight to have been staged and televised in order to lose Deadpool his job as a government agent. The arc ends with a very uneasy truce between the two men.

Six Packs and Powder Kegs

In "Six Packs and Powder Kegs" (issue 33 - 35) story arc, a massive explosions rocks Cable's island paradise of Providence. Bodysliding back from Rumekistan (which he has been working to install democracy within), Cable finds that a saboteur may still be hidden on the island. His search for the bomber is stopped when he finds reports that the United States, along with several European allies, have sent the mercenary group Six Pack into Rumekistan to disrupt the peace. Cable arrives and attempts to stop the group, only to note that there are five members present. The mysterious sixth member and the terrorist bomber on Providence? Deadpool, who shoots Cable in the back of the head while his personal force field is down. Cable is knocked unconscious, but not killed. Domino is upset at Deadpools actions, and the Six Pack leaves Cable lying in the street. He is recovered by the citizens of the city while the Six Pack plan to de-power the country goes through. While news reports of the happenings in both Rumekistan and Providence are aired, Cable's seemingly unconscious body seems to take power from one of the few remaining sources, the hospital that his citizens were taking him to. Cable's body levitates, and he ends up using his technology to repair the damage done by the Six Pack. Conscious again, he tracks down the Six Pack. Domino asserts that Cable acts as if he'd planned the entire thing from the start. Cable tells them that in order to do so, he'd need the ability to read minds or at least be "able to predict the future." Telling Deadpool to "Get the Hell out of my country and never come back!" he throws Deadpool from Rumekistan, while keeping the rest of the Six Pack disabled. He then has Domino explain the happenings on TV, while Deadpool thinks it was all to punish him for opposing Cable during the Civil War. Cable and Domino then share a kiss. In the letters page, Deadpool is upset at his depiction on the next issue's cover, and asserts that it should be both an epilogue to this arc and a prologue to the next arc which should center around him.

Unfinished Business

In "Unfinished Business" (issue 36 - 39) Deadpool has to find a way to get his reputation back for being one of the best mercenaries for hire. After consulting Blind Al for validation of his plan, and getting Weasel to help him with the preparations, he kidnaps a mother and two children from a highway rest stop at 2 in the morning, setting them tied up in the middle of the road forcing a large armored truck to stop and investigate. He then proceeds to knock out the guards and blow a hole in the back of the truck with a bazooka, thus freeing a well known mercenary and trainer of supervillain henchmen,

Rhino
has escaped. This strikes him with the revelation that if he can't be a mercenary, he'll become a superhero.

However, Rhino has hired someone to feed Deadpool

Henry Pym
's pills after hearing that Deadpool was after him, which result in Deadpool shrinking, since Rhino planned to turn Deadpool into a keychain as retaliation to the same that Deadpool did to him during the first Deadpool running series. Although, Deadpool soon beats up and defeats Rhino, along with various bar goers to who Rhino was showing off his "deadpool-keychain" to.

While still shrunken, Deadpool is informed by Sandi and

Bob, Agent of HYDRA
, to help him get to Agent X. It is then found that the actuator has been used to give Agent X morbid obesity by scientists experimenting with the actuator, and that it can not be removed by the actuator. Deadpool then forces the scientists to turn him back to his normal size ("They had some Pym Particles lying around. Figured they must. Who doesn't, right?") and gets Bob to drive a plane with Deadpool, obese Agent X and the actuator towards home. However, they forgot to get Weasel. During the journey home, Agent X levels with Deadpool, asking him if he could take over Agency X (Agent X's company of hireling mercenaries) while he deals with his weight problem. However, T-Ray has returned and captured Sandi and Outlaw, using them in his plan to kill Deadpool and Agent X for stealing his identity. Deadpool succeeds in killing T-Ray with his katana. Deadpool then recounts how Cable healed him of his insanity and that T-Ray and Deadpool had shared memories and that Deadpool spotted many holes in his story.

Fractured

In "Fractured" (#40-42) Cable's island of Providence is attacked by the creature Hecatomb, who Cable's X-Men are fighting. When Deadpool and the Agency X gang hear of this, they travel to Providence to help Cable. However, Rogue has already defeated Hecatomb by absorbing the 8 billion people's minds it absorbed. Sabretooth attacks the building where Irene Merryweather and the Black Box are. Domino heads for the building to rescue them as Cable heads for the Power Core. Domino gets to the building to discover that Sabretooth has killed Black Box and is holding Irene hostage by using her as a human shield. Deadpool, who has parachuted from the Angency X jet, shoots Sabretooth and Irene manages to roll away. Domino takes Irene to the evacuation boats. Deadpool then proceeds to shoot Sabretooth repeatedly, stating that he knows he's running out of bullets, but he wonders if there will be anything left of Sabretooth for his healing factor to heal, just as he runs out bullets. Domino gets Irene to the evacuation boats as Cable joins them after he added just enough energy to the island to "finish the job." Domino makes Cable promise not to commit suicide, as Providence has a fail-safe system should Cable die. As Domino leaves, Cable wonders how many promises he's broken. Cable goes to help Deadpool get rid of Sabretooth by hurling him out to the middle of the ocean. Cable then sends Deadpool to obtain secrets about the future (in the form of a mini statue of Anton Krutch) that could be dangerous if in the wrong hands. Cable heads for the Core, where he is attacked by Gambit and Sunfire. Meanwhile, Deadpool succeeds in locating the statue, but is attacked by Senyaka, former Acolyte.

As Cable makes a run for the Core, Deadpool continues to fight Senyaka for the mini statue. Cable makes it to the Core and activates the self-destruct system as Deadpool finally gets his hands on the mini statue, which turns out to be a teleport matrix. Gambit and Sunfire escape as Providence explodes. Deadpool is teleported to his apartment where Deadpool claims he wasn't worth it and that he won't let Cable down.

Alone Again, Naturally

In "Alone Again, Naturally" (#43-50), after meeting Cyclops at a memorial statue of Cable, Deadpool goes to the Hydra base to finally save Weasel because if he doesn't, Wolverine will kill him and everyone else in the base. He almost succeeds but after trying to reason with Wolverine, Deadpool is decapitated. However Bob finally proves his worth by placing Deadpool's head back on his shoulders while Wolverine deals with the offending Hydra agents. Deadpool, Weasel, and Bob leave the Hydra base after Weasel's sabotage imprisons the remaining Hydra soldiers; however, the same device malfunctions as they head home, teleporting Deadpool and Bob to World War II Germany.

Having found themselves alongside Captain America and a foul-mouthed Bucky, Deadpool and Bob join in on the fight against the Nazis. All goes well but due to 'temporal hiccups', Captain America and Bucky seem to repeatedly forget who Deadpool and Bob are. The group heads off to find Doctor Zola and do battle with a Frankenstein Monster of his, but seem to be trapped in the past. Meanwhile, in the present time, Weasel has convinced the Fantastic Four to let him use their time machine, pointing out how bad an idea it is to have Deadpool and a rogue Hydra agent remain lost in time. He is unsuccessful however, and the Fantastic Four offer to help bring Deadpool home instead.

Using the technology provided by the

HYDRA agent at their breakfast table). Eventually they agree to help Deadpool return to the future, although complications mean he and Bob end up falling further and further into the time-stream until they are rescued at the last minute by both time periods versions of the Fantastic Four. After being dismissed from the Baxter Building for his mercenary lifestyle (although Sandi and Outlaw, who also work for Agency X are invited to stay for poker) Deadpool, Bob and Weasel return to the Agency X offices. Here they find Doctor Strange who has come to recruit Deadpool to save the multiverse
from a problem he apparently created.

Unfortunately for Deadpool this involves finding T-Ray's body, so he and Bob sent to fight their way through various mystical realms by Dr. Strange to search for it. Upon finding T-Ray, Dr Strange reveals that at the moment Deadpool killed him he had used his black magic to try to escape through a 'mystical burrow', this sent him tumbling through various magical planes leaving the barriers between frayed. Deadpool had been sent to collect the portions of life essence he left in each realm, which he now has to use to restore T-Ray to life. After replacing the life essence, Dr Strange informs Deadpool and Bob that although T-Ray's body is complete, his soul is still missing. He then sends them to the

Brother Voodoo
, who arranges for Deadpool to confront T-Ray's soul and try to restore it to his body. After an antagonistic encounter, Deadpool succeeds and, as both had to be kept alive, they somewhat amicably part ways.

Deadpool is later contacted by

Venom
symbiote, this quickly combines with the dinosaurs leaving an army of venomsaurs loose in Manhattan.

Deadpool then returns to New York to fight the venomsaurs. At first, he and Spider-Man fight them, but Weasel, the Fantastic Four and the Mighty Avengers all help Deadpool clean up the mess that he made. Agent X even gets in on the action, and Bob manages to bring down one of the bigger venomsaurs, regaining the respect of his wife, who saw it on TV. After much fighting, Deadpool is eventually knocked far away from the action. Cable (from the future) manages to send a psimitar, which can destroy the symbionts on the dinosaurs. Deadpool takes on the last venomsaur, and almost gets absorbed by the symbiote. However, Deadpool stabs himself in the head with the psimitar, and is released from the grip of the symbiote. Deadpool awakes to find out from the Avengers that the dinosaurs have been returned to the jungle thanks to Weasel.

It all ends with Deadpool back at his apartment watching TV. Deadpool had been blamed for the incident by the media on TV. Weasel, Bob, Irene Merryweather, Agent X, Sandi, and Outlaw all come in to hang out with Deadpool. The series ends with Deadpool asking his friends, "So... whaddyou guys want to watch?"

Creators

Writers

  • Fabian Nicieza (issues #1-48, script #49-50)
  • Reilly Brown (issues #49-50)

Artists

  • Mark Brooks (issues #1-2)
  • Patrick Zircher (issues #3-24)
  • Lan Medina (issues #25-27)
  • Reilly Brown (issues #28, #33-36, #38, #40-42, #45-46, #48-50)
  • Ron Lim (issues #29, #39, #43-44, #47)
  • Staz Johnson (issues #30-32, #37)
  • Jon Malin (issue #42)

Collected editions

References

  1. ^ Morse, Ben (June 19, 2009). "Take 10: Marvel's Best Buddy Teams". Marvel.com.

External links

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