Reviewer: James Hatton
Story Title: “The Burnt Offering, Part Two: Lepers at the Table”
Writer: Fabian Nicieza
Pencils: Patrick Zircher
Inks: Rob Ross and M3th
Colors: UDON’s Shane Law and Kevin Yan
Letters: Virtual Calligraphy’s Chris Eliopoulos
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Recently on the forum boards (which are quite the joyous experience, and there is no better way for you to get closer to your favorite Nexus & IP personalities) we got into a discussion about this book, Cable/Deadpool. We had been talking about what the book was like for that first arc as compared to this arc, which is in its second issue. Ben Morse, editor to the stars commented how much he loved this book’s last issue and hoped that it would hold up. I had said how disappointing the first arc was.
So here we are, one pointless anecdote out of the way, and I get to review issue #8 of Cable/Deadpool.
Story!
Right off the bat, the last book promised that this issue would have Wolverine in it. I rolled my eyes and grimaced as these types of shock announcements are usually used to increase sales. Ironically enough, where a book of another nature might feature Wolvie prominently on its cover. (Or how the old Deadpool title would announce happily ‘BECAUSE NOBODY REQUESTED IT’) This title did nothing of the sort and went on like that announcement hadn’t even been made. Does Wolvie appear, sure he does! Along with Cyclops, Emma, and Beast – but really who cares about them..
So there is your first little subtle yuk-yuk at the cover. We move onto the ‘Previously’ page and we have an interview between Deadpool and Irene Merryweather where Pool actually starts talking directly about Fabian Nicieza. Not only does he talk about Fabian, he tells him that he’s never going to be as good as Gale Simone or Joe Kelly (the two definative runs on the original Deadpool/Agent X title) It’s friggin’ hysterical.
Oh! And then some stuff happens in the comic too. Cable has created his own personal Avalon, a place where great minds and people are gathering to hear his word and join him in a quest for peace. His interview with Irene continues on, taking up a 2 page chunk of dialogue which is a bit distracting at first, but reads so very quickly and conversationally that it really isn’t so bad. In the end Cable declares that all weapons are to be disarmed “OR ELSE!” and Deadpool is going to team with the X-Men to try and take him down a peg.
Why the X-Men are specifically getting involved is questionable, but can probably be thrown under that header of ‘XSE ACTION’ which seems to be the catchall for books that need one. I will let it go, because it is lending itself to some great comedy – and that is generally what a Deadpool book has always been about – comedy with a bigger message. Two issues into this arc, we’re getting it in spades.
Art!
As I said, the cover is a nifty half-half of Cable and Deadpool. Nothing to scream about, and nothing exceptionally enticing, but it is eyecatching. Marks for cool, marks off for useless. Honestly, I think I’m going to stop even commenting about the uselessness of covers – I’ll just talk about how eyecatching they are. Then again, the things that entice me tend not to be legal in many states.
Internally the Zircher art is perfect for this book, and the Udon art has been a staple of Deadpool for a very long time. Everything seems to work. Everything is in accordance with the prophecy. The dark masters will be happy.
Overall!
As a longtime fan of the Merc w/ a Mouth, and the biggest X-Fiend around this hole, this book fills two niches in one. Add to it that it’s not X-Force, and as far as I’m concerned it’s a hit. I will admit to being a bit put off by the first arc, but we will blame that on pacing and learning how different these characters are since they appeared back in the old days of X-Force. Let’s hope Fabian can keep this kind of story running for awhile, and he’ll be off my guilt by association list he gained from hanging around Liefeld.
