X-amining Cable #39

"All Things Great and Small"

January 1997

In a Nutshell

Cable and the Micronauts defeat Psycho Man!

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Penciler: Ian Churchill

Inker: Scott Hanna

Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft 

Colorist: Mike Thomas

Editor: Mark Powers

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

As Psycho Man presses his assault, Commander Rann orders a retreat, leaving Cable behind. But Cable musters enough telepathic strength to send his allies a message saying they need to sever Psycho Man's connection to Vanessa in order to free Kane and reduce Psycho Man's advantage. Domino and the Micronauts proceed to Psycho Man's lab, where the Micronauts destroy his equipment while Domino brings Vanessa back to her senses. After Vanessa rescues Kane, Cable is able to harness everyone's emotions and blast Psycho Man, shutting him down. With Psycho Man defeated, the Micronauts bid farewell to Cable, Domino, Kane and Vanessa, sending them back to Earth. There, Domino and Vanessa make peace with each other, after which Vanessa and Kane ride off in search of an ordinary life. Meanwhile, at the X-Mansion, Moira MacTaggert desperately tries to reach Cable, saying Renee Majcomb is in danger and needs his help! 

X-amining Cable #38

"In Perspective"

December 1996

In a Nutshell

Cable, Domino, and Kane meet the Micronauts

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Penciler: Ian Churchill

Inkers: Vince Russell & Ian Hanna 

Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft AD

Colorist: Mike Thomas

Enhancements: Graphic Color Works

Editor: Mark Powers

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Cable, Domino & Kane finds themselves transported into the Microverse aboard the mysterious ship they entered in their pursuit of Psycho-Man and the captive Vanessa. Inside the microscopic universe, they are attacked by warships sent by Psycho Man, but are rescued by the arrival of Commander Rann, Mari, and Bug, the remaining Micronauts. Rann explains that he sent the ship to Cable in order to find help on Earth to stop Psycho-Man's attempted conquest of the Microverse. Realizing Cable is allies with Rann's old friends the X-Men, the two groups agree to work together to stop Psycho Man and rescue Vanessa. Meanwhile, on Earth, G.W. Bridge arrives in San Francisco, still trying to track down Cable. Back in the Microverse,  Psycho-Man hopes to use Kane's cybernetics to augment his soldiers to aid his conquest, but when he realizes he's captured Vanessa, not Kane, he decides to use her to lure the real Kane to him. As Cable, Domino, Kane and the Micronauts attack Psycho-Man's base and his zombie soldiers, Cable's telepathic defenses falter, and Psycho-Man fills him with doubt. Kane, however, manages to breach the ship, only to be filled with hatred by Psycho-Man, hatred he directs towards Cable! 

X-amining Cable #37

"True Lies"

November 1996

In a Nutshell

Cable & Domino reunite with Kane & Vanessa as they're targeted by Psycho Man

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Penciler: Ian Churchill

Inker: Scott Hanna 

Letterer: RS/Comicraft/AD

Colorist: Mike Thomas

Separations: Graphic Color Works

Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

G.W. Bridge leads a SHIELD contingent into the Weapon X facility in Canada, which has been abandoned and its files ransacked, which Bridge worries may mean someone is targeting former Weapon X subjects, including his former colleague Kane. Meanwhile, Cable and Domino arrive in San Francisco and head to an old theater where they find Kane and Vanessa. Kane explains how the pair tried to live a normal life, but someone found out they were mutants and targeted them, burning the theater. Now, Kane wants Cable to use his telepathic abilities to find whomever did it. However, all four begin acting strangely towards one another: Domino & Vanessa begin to feel intense rage towards each other, while Kane becomes wracked with doubt and Cable with fear. Just then, the cause of their heightened emotions emerges: the villain Psycho Man, who is seeking Kane's bionic parts in the hopes that the future technology will help him conquer a universe. He then disappears with Kane, and shortly thereafter, a massive ship suddenly appears in the theater announcing it's programmed to find Kane. As Cable & Domino debate boarding it, Kane appears, revealing the "Kane" with whom Psycho Man absconded was Vanessa in disguise. Vowing not to abandon her, he enters the ship, followed by Cable & Domino. 

X-amining Cable #36

"The Gift"

October 1996

In a Nutshell

Cable fights for his life as the techno-organic virus rages! 

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Penciler: Bernard Chang

Inker: Scott Hanna

Letterer: Richard Starking & Comicraft

Colorist: Mike Thomas

Editor: Mark Powers

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

With the techno-organic virus ravaging his body, Cable is attended to at Four Freedoms Plaza by Nathanial Richards, while a worried Franklin Richards, as well as Cannonball, Domino, Storm, and Caliban, look on with concern. There is little Nathanial can do, however, and Cable slips into unconsciousness. As his watching friends begin to speak to him, hoping the sounds of their voices will keep him going, he is visited by his son, Tyler, who urges him to keep fighting for a better tomorrow, then by his wife, Jenskot, who urges him to open up his heart to those who would help him. Inspired, Cable is able to fight back the TO virus. Waking up, he thanks his friends for their support, wondering if a part of his heart that had remained closed off for so long has now opened. 

X-amining Cable #35

"It is Always Darkest..."

September 1996

In a Nutshell

Cable & Apocalypse team-up to take down Onslaught! 

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Penciler: Ian Churchill

Inkers: Scott Hanna & Art Thibert

Letterer: RS & Comicraft

Colorist: Mike Thomas

Enhancements: Malibu

Editor: Mark Powers

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

In the midst of the psionic storm created by Onslaught, Cable & Invisible Woman are met by Apocalypse, who proposes they join forces against Onslaught & rescue Franklin Richards, thereby cutting off Onslaught from his reality-warping powers. Though Cable reacts to this proposal violently, he ultimately relents when Invisible Woman agrees, saying she'll do what is necessary to save her son. Cable & Apocalypse enter the Astral plane as a way to get inside Onslaught's citadel, but are forced to leave the non-telepathic Invisible Woman behind. Inside the citadel, the pair is attacked by psychic manifestations of Post, Hulk, and Magneto. During the fight, Apocalypse takes advantage of Onslaught's split attention to try and kill Franklin, but he is stopped by Invisible Woman, whom Cable helped smuggle onto the Astral plane. Ultimately, Onslaught proves too powerful for all three, and they retreat back to the physical world, forced to leave Franklin behind. Apocalypse scoffs at the heroes for allowing their feelings to stop them from doing what was necessary, but inside the citadel, Franklin's resistance has become emboldened by the actions of Cable and his mother. 

X-amining Cable #34

"Loose Cannons"

August 1996

In a Nutshell

Cable battles the Hulk

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Penciler: Ian Churchill

Finishes: Scott Hanna

Letterer: RS & Comicraft

Colorist: Mike Thomas

Editor: Mark Powers

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Cable, badly beaten by his encounter with Post, awakens in Baltimore as he senses the arrival of a new threat. He manages to grab a weapon off his motorcycle just as the Hulk - under the control of Onslaught - lands in front of him. Hulk, declaring he's there to kill Cable, attacks and Cable tries to telepathically bring Bruce Banner's consciousness to the fore. Instead, he merely triggers another of the Hulk's personalities, the meaner grey Hulk. Meanwhile, GW Bridge monitors the situation from the SHIELD helicarrier, as he receives word that the President has authorized martial law in Baltimore in light of the threat posed by Cable & the Hulk. Below, Hulk buries Cable in a diner just as Storm arrives on the scene. She calls up a wind that blows Hulk away, then helps Cable extricate himself from the diner. When Hulk returns, Cable & Storm work together, Storm hitting Hulk with enough lightning to stun him, giving Cable a chance to hit his mind with a telepathic "bullet", a last desperate attempt to get Banner to assert control. But once again, his attempt goes awry, as the grey Hulk is replaced by the savage, near-mindless, and even more dangerous Hulk.

X-amining Cable #33

"Never is a Very Short Time"

July 1996

In a Nutshell

Cable battles Post! 

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Penciler: Ian Churchill & Rick Leonardi

Finishes: Scott Hanna

Letterer: RS & Comicraft

Colorist: Mike Thomas

Editor: Mark Powers

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Cable, hoping to find some way to control the techno-organic virus raging since his encounter with Nate Grey, is examined by Beast. Shortly thereafter, Cable catches up with Storm, who asks him to read her mind for any clues pertaining to Onslaught as a result of her recent encounter with Post. He does, but finds her memories of Post blocked. Just then, he learns that Blaquesmith's headquarters has been firebombed. Arriving on the scene, Cable is attacked by Post, who Cable recognizes as a mutant he once saved from the super-villain Mandarin. As they fight, Cable finally pieces together the truth of Onslaught's identity, but finds himself overwhelmed by Post. However, Post, remembering what he owes Cable, is unable to kill him, and instead leaves him, badly injured, lying on the street. 

X-amining Cable #32

"Venting"

June 1996

In a Nutshell

Cable & Domino infiltrate Camp Hayden for information about Onslaught. 

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Breakdowns: Ian Churchill

Finishes: Scott Hanna

Letterer: RS & Comicraft

Colorist: Mike Thomas

Separations: Graphic Color Works

Editor: Mark Powers

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Cable & Domino return to Camp Hayden, former site of the Nimrod project. They are hoping to find information about Onslaught, who recently wiped out the contents of the facility. As they infiltrate the facility, Domino pushes Cable to open up about the recent death of his son, Tyler, while also noticing that he is having trouble controlling his techno-organic infection. The pair are being unknowingly watched by Onslaught's herald, Post, who has a past with Cable. As Cable & Domino penetrate deeper into the facility in search of the memory chips from the security cameras which might have captured an image of Onslaught, bits of the abandoned Nimrod project come to life and attack them. While fighting it off, they locate the memory chips, but discover they've been magnetized, wiping out any info they might have contained. His frustration mixing with his grief for Tyler, Cable lashes out, destroying the last bits of Nimrod. Meanwhile, Blaquesmith is studying the changes in Cable's techno-organic infection when someone enters his base, declaring he has studied Cable too and knows he can't face the challenges ahead without Blaquesmith. Then the base explodes. 

X-amining Cable #31

"There is a Reaction!" 

May 1996

In a Nutshell

The Cable/X-Man crossover concludes 

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Penciler: Ian Churchill

Inker: Scott Hanna 

Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft

Colorist: Mike Thomas 

Corner Man: Mark Powers

Towel Thrower: Bob Harras

Plot

With Exodus defeated, Nate turns his attention to Blaquesmith & Cable. Blaquesmith insists Nate needs to be killed, to prevent him getting in the way of Cable's true mission, the defeat of Apocalypse. Cable, on the other hand, recognizes much of his own past struggles in Nate's experiences, and wants to try to help him. Blaquesmith tries to deploy a failsafe technique designed by the Askani to handle someone of Nate's power, and the reverberations of his attack are felt by psychics all over the globe. Blaquesmith ultimately comes up short, but in the course of the ensuing fight with Cable, Nate's power finally reaches its upper limits, and he collapses. Cable enters his mind, finding it deeply shattered. Mustering his own psychic strength, Cable helps repair Nate's mind, finding a place deep inside which is willing to accept Cable's help. He ultimately succeeds in saving Nate, but finds the techno-organic virus in his body resurgent. Cable & Blaquesmith leave Nate in Threnody's care as they depart to help Cable recover, but just then, he receives a psychic call from Domino, saying X-Force is in trouble, and Cable orders Blaquesmith to take him to New York despite his condition. Meanwhile, Onslaught, having observed Cable and Nate's confrontation and disappointed it wasn't more conclusive, tasks Post with eliminating Cable, saying he has plans yet for young Nate Grey. 

X-amining Cable #30

"For Every Action"

April 1996

In a Nutshell
Cable tracks down Nate Grey

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Penciler: Ian Churchill

Inker: Scott Hanna

Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft

Colorist: Mike Thomas
Separations: Malibu Hues

Knight in the Realm: Mark Powers
King: Bob Harras

Plot
Somewhere in the Swiss Alps, Exodus emerges from his tomb, just as he once did 800 years ago, refreshed yet hungering for the power he senses nearby. Meanwhile, Cable is flying over the Alps in pursuit of Nate Grey; as he draws closer to the boy, he begins to experience Nate's memories. Nate, leading Threnody to an unknown destination to which he feels himself drawn, begins to experience Cable's memories. They end up at one of Cable's safehouses. Nate sees a photo of Cable, recognizing him as an older version of himself. Just then, Cable arrives and offers to help Nate, but Nate reacts instinctively and blasts Cable out of the house. Cable responds by letting Nate read his mind, but when he sees images of Xavier, Moira, Sinister, and Apocalypse, his suspicion deepens, and when Blaquesmith arrives to warn Cable of the presence of someone powerful coming closer, Nate destroys the safe house. In the aftermath of the explosion, Nate finds himself face to face with Exodus.

X-amining Cable #29

 "Man in the Mirror"

March 1996

In a Nutshell

After learning about his tremendous power, Cable sets out in search of Nate Grey. 

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Penciler: Ian Churchill

Inker: Scott Hanna 

Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft 

Colorist: Mike Thomas

Separations: Graphic Color Works

Editor: Mark Powers

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Cable greets Blaquesmith, who has come to the X-Mansion for a summit to discuss Nate Grey along with Professor X, Cyclops, Phoenix, and Moira MacTaggart. Moira shares information on Nate culled from their recent encounter, and theorizes that his power levels may rival or exceed that of Dark Phoenix. This sparks a series of discussions, but given the dearth of information about Nate's origins. they quickly reach an impasse. This prompts Blaquesmith to freeze the discussion, wiping all memory of it from everyone's minds except for Cable and him. Cable is upset, but Blaquesmith insists it's better that fewer people know of his existence. Cable resolves to go after Nate alone, but makes Blaquesmith promise that if he doesn't return, Blaquesmith will unlock everyone's memories of the day. Blaquesmith wishes Cable a good journey, then Cable departs for a confrontation with X-Man! 

X-amining Cable #28

"Tick… Tick… Tick!"
February 1996

In a Nutshell
The secret history of Genosha is revealed

Writer: Jeph Loeb
Penciler: Wilfred
Inkers: Scott Hanna & Rachael Hawkey
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Colorist: Adam Walenta
Editor: Mark Powers
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot
His secret lab discovered, Sugar Man decides to cut his losses and triggers a nuclear self-destruct, one which will decimate the entire island. On his way out, he's confronted by Cable, who attempts to read his mind but is disoriented when doing so. Meanwhile, Dark Beast works to take advantage of Sugar Man's distraction and tries to steal some of his files, but Sugar Man's computers shut down before he gets them all. Back in Genosha, Sugar Man is confronted by Phillip Moreau, who demands to know Sugar Man's history with Moreau's father. Sugar Man admits he gave Phillip's father the information to create the Mutate bonding process, then decides to kidnap Phillip, teleporting them both away. Cable orders Pipeline to evacuate along with Jenny Ransom, and when they arrive at the Press Gang base, Pipeline dejectedly tells his teammates it's time they reevaluate everything they believe about the war, given what he's learned about the mutant Sugar Man's involvement in their country. Back at the lab, Cable and Domino work to decipher the password that will stop the self-destruct sequence; remembering his brief glimpse into Sugar Man's mind, Cable types"sugar", stopping the detonation. Just then, Mr. Sinister appears, revealing he orchestrated Cable's arrival in order to flush out Sugar Man, and points him in the direction of Nate Grey, before sending Cable & Domino home. He then contacts Threnody as he discovers one of Sugar Man's crude drawings of Nate, whom he finds very reminiscent of Cable.

X-amining Cable #27

"Rebels"
January 1996

In a Nutshell
Cable leads an investigation into the secrets of Genosha

Writer: Jeph Loeb
Penciler: Ian Churchill
Inker: Scott Hana with help from Ben Herrera & Al Milgrom
Letterer: Comicraft
Colorist: Mike Thomas
Editor: Patrick & Powers
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot
In the midst of the battle between the Genoshan rebels & the Magistrates, Cable recognizes Pipeline & Hawkshaw from their encounter at JFK airport. As the rebels begin to overwhelm the Magistrates, Pipeline teleports them all out, but Cable, prepared for the move, manages to knock him out before he gets away. In the aftermath of the fight, Phillip Moreau tells Cable about the rebels' recent assistance from the mysterious Essex, and they discuss the growing likelihood that Phillip's father didn't create the mutate bonding process himself. Deciding to investigate, Cable urges Pipeline to help the rebels and end the destructive madness in Genosha, but when he refuses, Cable telepathically takes over his mind in order to teleport himself, Cable, Domino, Phillip and Jenny Ransome to Genosha's Ridgeback Mountains, the site of bizarre energy readings. Following the readings, they discover a cave obscuring the entrance to a high tech lab, confirming Phillip's suspicions about his father's work. However, the group is being unknowingly watched by both Mr. Sinister and Sugar Man, the latter of which prepares to defend his work from those who seek to take it all away from him.

X-amining Cable #25

"What Was...What Is"
November 1995

In a Nutshell
Cable & Domino fight in the future to save Cable's past.

Writer: Jeph Loeb
Penciler: Ian Churchill & Joel Thomas
Inkers: Scott Hanna, Ryan Wiacek, Salvador LaRocca, Vey & Carani
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors: Mike Thomas & Malibu’s Hues
Editor: Lisa Patrick
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot
Cable & Jenskot arrive in the future, on the outskirts of Stryfe's camp, and are soon joined by Domino, who was sent there by Blaquesmith. Jenskot proceeds to lead them through Stryfe's camp and into the Askani camp, where they meet with Blaquesmith and learn they are needed to help save the young Dayspring - Cable's past self - from a telepathic assault by Stryfe. Meanwhile, Stryfe tortures the captured Tetherblood for information about the strange glowing orb he's captured from the Askani, but Tetherblood remains silent. Back at the Askani camp, Domino talks with Blaquesmith, and decides his future self must have sent her here in order to do what Cable couldn't: kill Stryfe and end their cycle of violence. She steels away to Stryfe's camp, and when Cable notices she's missing, he goes after her. He stops her from killing Stryfe, but draws the attention of Stryfe's forces in the process. Jenskot leads a force of Askani to distract them, allowing Cable & Domino to get into Stryfe's tent and find Tetherblood as well as the glowing orb, which Cable recognizes as Professor. With its help, Cable is able to bodyslide the four of them back to the Askani camp, where he places Professor inside Dayspring, ensuring his survival. Later, Cable sadly bids goodbye to Jenskot, then he & Domino are sent back in time, their mission complete, as Dayspring rallies to continue his fight against Stryfe.

X-amining Cable #23

"Family Secrets"
September 1995

In a Nutshell
Cable searches for Tyler as Domino tracks down Grizzly.

Writer: Jeph Loeb
Pencils: Ian Churchill (pgs 1-5, 8-9, 12-15, 21-22)
Inkers: Scott Hanna & Mark Buckingham
Art: Tim Sale (pgs. 6-7, 10-11, 17-20)
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Mike Thomas & Digital Chameleon
Editor: Lisa Patrick
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot
Cable is meditating on the lawn of the X-Mansion when he is interrupted by Storm. He shows her a postcard he received recently, addressed to "Nathan Dayspring", a name not many know him by. She suggests he speak to Professor X about it. Meanwhile, Domino tracks Grizzly in the Rockies. At the X-Mansion, Cable & Xavier discuss Tyler. Cable decides to seek help to find his villainous son. In the Rockies, Domino comes across a cabin belonging to Grizzly. Meanwhile, Cable meets with Blaquesmith, who points him to Tyler's previous sanctuary, where Blaquesmith has recently detected computer activity. After Cable leaves, Blaquesmith contacts Mother Askani, who tells him the Askani'son's trials are only beginning. In the Rockies, Domino discovers multiple bodies in the attic of Grizzly's cabin, along with a near-feral Grizzly. He blames someone for turning him into a monster, and says that only one of them will get out of the situation alive. Elsewhere, Cable searches Tyler's abandoned sanctuary and discovers the unconscious form of Jenskot, his deceased wife.

X-amining Cable #22

"Sanctuary"
August 1995

In a Nutshell
Ian Churchill comes aboard as Cable fights some Genoshans at the airport.

Writer: Jeph Loeb
Penciler: Ian Churchill
Inker: Scott Hanna
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Mike Thomas
Colors: Digital Chameleon
Editor: Lisa Patrick
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot
Aboard an inbound flight to New York, former Genoshan Magistrate Renee Majcomb prepares to illegally enter the country. Meanwhile, Cable & Domino meet the departing Rictor at the airport. As Renee deplanes, she is observed by Hawkshaw & Pipeline, former members of the Press Gang. Rictor & Shatterstar arrive at the airport and enter amidst anti-mutant and anti-Genoshan protesters, then find Cable waiting at Rictor's gate. He tells him that there will always be a place in X-Force for him, and the pair part amicably. As Cable, Domino & Shatterstar leave, the protests grow violent, and Cable spots Pipeline & Hawkshaw abducting Renee. The three spring into action, and though Shatterstar's zeal causes him to be injured, they successfully rescue Renee & get Pipeline & Hawkshaw into custody. As Renee stays behind to work with the local authorities, she asks Cable to tells Charles she'll contact him soon. Later, Domino is watching the news and sees a story about a massive creature slaughtering people in the Rockies; upon seeing one of its footprints, Domino is shaken to realize it came from a man, not a creature, and one she considers a friend.

X-amining Cable #20

"An Hour of Last Things"
February 1995

In a Nutshell
As the crystallization wave approaches, the X-Men confront the impending end of reality.

Writer: Jeph Loeb
Guest Artist: Ian Churchill
Guest Inkers: Bud LaRosa with Barta & Carani
Lettering: Starkings/Comicraft
Colorist: Mike Thomas
Editor: Lisa Patrick
Group Editor: Bob Harras
Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco

Plot
Cable returns from the past, uncertain what happened. Xavier uses his telepathy to confirm that Cable made contact with the X-Men in the past and warned them about Legion, but there's little left for the X-Men to do in the present but wait. Lilandra contacts Xavier, telling him about galaxies being obliterated by the M'Kraan Crystal, and warning him that the crystallization wave will hit Earth in about an hour. With their apparent end near, Cyclops & Phoenix decide to tell Cable they were Redd & Slym, the couple who raised him, something Cable admits to having figured out already. He then goes to Domino, and they declare their feelings for one another before kissing. As the crystallization wave approaches, Xavier gathers the X-Men around him, telling him he will miss them all terribly. With that, reality crystallizes, then shatters, and Xavier's dream of peaceful co-existence between humans and mutants dies with it.