Welcome, X-Fans, to another uncanny edition of X-Men Monday at AIPT!
Uncanny and hopefully healthy! I always aim to make this column as fun as possible, but it’d be disingenuous not to acknowledge everything currently happening beyond Krakoa in the real world. I sincerely hope everybody reading this is staying safe and healthy. Keep washing those hands, practice social distancing and, if you have the ability, work at home.
And if you are working at home (like myself), you know how important entertaining distractions can be during these long, stressful days. And that’s why I’m so happy to bring you an all-new X-Men Monday interview with the always entertaining Gerry Duggan–the writer responsible for the ridiculously fun Cable #1! And because you all deserve it, the interview’s followed by six gorgeous–and eXclusive–preview images from upcoming Cable adventures by the eXtraordinary Phil Noto.
So without further ado… here’s Gerry!
AIPT: Welcome back to X-Men Monday, Gerry! I think it’s safe to say Cable is one of those ‘90s characters with a complex history that tends to confuse casual comic readers. What, in your opinion, makes Cable an awesome character?
Gerry: Cable is only confusing if you read him in your chronological order, not his order. Fabian is what makes Cable an awesome character.
Image Credit: Marvel Comics
AIPT: Fabian’s pretty awesome himself! Now, you’ve written Old Man Cable and now Kid Cable. As a writer, do you view them as two separate characters? Because, in a way, Kid Cable is on a completely different life path than his older, deceased self.
Gerry: They’re the same–just decades apart. Inexperienced heroes are a delight though. Anybody that doesn’t like Cable as a kid, doesn’t deserve to like him when he’s a grizzled vet. The Old Man is who the kid wants to be. Isn’t watching him strive to achieve that fun?
AIPT: I’m enjoying it. When preparing to write Kid Cable’s modern adventures, did you read past series that explored Nate’s younger years, like The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix and Askani’Son? Or do you view this new take on the character as something of a blank slate?
Gerry: You know how I prepare to write Cable? Forget anybody else but me ever wrote him. Except maybe Fabian. (I’ve been to the future, and my Cable is well regarded)
AIPT:In X-Men #1 and #2, when Cable’s among his family–let’s be honest… he comes off as a bit of a twerp. But in Cable #1, among other young mutants, he definitely seems to get more respect. How do the younger citizens of Krakoa view Cable?
Image Credit: Marvel Comics
Gerry: Again tho–inexperienced heroes make mistakes. Even though I’d been to the future many times safely, I didn’t read this question in advance. I still like to surprise myself. Those X-Men issues made me want to write Cable now. How can the younger mutants not look up to Cable?
AIPT: We know Cable’s going to start dating one of the Stepford Cuckoos. But it also looks like Armor’s maybe taken a liking to him. Is it safe to say the son of Cyclops shares some of his father’s knack for making a mess of his romantic life?
Image Credit: Marvel Comics
Gerry: Cable #2 belongs in a museum. Thank you, Phil.
AIPT: And speaking of Cyclops… do you have a specific approach to writing Scott Summers: Dad? What’s your take on Dadclops?
Gerry: Being a dad is definitely the hardest job, the best and the most fun job. The Scott/Nate relationship is why I would have killed anyone in my way to get this.
Image Credit: Marvel Comics
AIPT: Well, I’m glad it didn’t have to come to that! And in addition to Dadclops, we’ve seen Uncle Logan. Any chance we’ll see some bonding between Cable and his mom, sister, other uncles or even grandfather? There are a lot of Summers and Greys in that Moon home.
Gerry: Careful what you wish for.
AIPT: The art in Cable #1 is stunning. What do you love the most about working with Phil Noto?
Image Credit: Marvel Comics
Gerry: Phil is one of those talents that would have crushed whatever it was he set his sights on. He’s the heir to Bob Peak, Drew Struzen and your favorite comic artist. I know Phil feels plenty appreciated–it’s still not enough. Phil has a different gear to flash for every scene. You’re lucky to read comics during his era, and I am even luckier to wrench with him.
AIPT: So, we’ve got Space Knights in a Cable book. Is it safe to assume you were a fan of Rom back in the day?
Gerry: I was–but I liked all the other ones more–I knew who Rom was–who were the other Space Knights? They’re so cool looking and it’s such simple fun idea. If you don’t like Space Knights–you’re dead to me.
Image Credit: Marvel Comics
AIPT: We’ve also got the Quarry, which I assume is meant to be half modern Danger Room, half entertainment for Krakoans. Will we ever learn about the time Artie fought Leech?
Gerry: In my heart, that fight was a slap fight–where they both hold out their hands and then slap until they miss, and then it’s the other guy’s turn on offense. But maybe your version of the fight is better than mine.
AIPT: I dunno… hard to top that slap fight you just described. Now, in the middle of your first issue, Cable tells Fauna, “I admire your pouches, kid.” Is this merely a joke for readers who survived the ‘90s… or an in-canon nod to the cultural importance of pouches in the future Cable grew up in?
Image Credit: Marvel Comics
Gerry: Yes!
AIPT: Glad we cleared that up. Finally, let’s talk about the ending to issue 1. What made you want to bring back the original Cable we all know and love–and is it safe to assume it’s only a matter of time (sorry) before the two Cables meet?
Image Credit: Marvel Comics
Gerry: I wouldn’t assume anything. I can play most of you like games I’ve hit kill screens for. Plus, I’ve been to the future. It all works out. Wash your hands! Love you all. Buy local. Pick up your pull list, and remember even though it feels ominous, social distancing is buying the real heroes in the hospitals much needed time. We got this. Hold fast.
AIPT: Well said, Gerry. Thanks for taking the time to talk Cable and I wish you good health!
Hey, I promised a few eXclusive Cable preview images, didn’t I? Enjoy and be well, X-Fans!
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