With X-Men Red proving to be one of the best X-Men books since House of X and Powers of X, Cable has become a rising star throughout the Marvel fanbase. His plotting against Abigail Brand has given fans good reason to appreciate a side to the character that's rarely seen: his intelligence.
More than just a big gun and a technological infection, Cable has proven himself again and again. Yet while the wider fanbase has certainly come to respect him, there are some fans who have been willing to go against the grain with some particularly unpopular opinions about Cable.
Josh Brolin Didn't Work As Cable
When Deadpool 2 introduced Cable on the big screen for the first time, many fans were excited just to see their favorite gun-wielding time traveler in live-action. But, when it was announced that Josh Brolin would be taking over the role, some were skeptical.
"Brolin is way way too small for this role," says Reddit user 303onrepeat. "They need a guy two or three times his size carrying a ridiculously large gun and a metal arm..." Given that Cable is often portrayed as a gigantic man with more muscle than skin, it wouldn't exactly be possible to portray an accurate Cable. Besides, Brolin did a fantastic job and really owned the role.
Young Cable Was A Marketing Scheme
While Marvel Comics recently returned to the elder Cable, the mainline universe had an alternate teenage version of the X-Man Cable running around for a few years. Initially, the character received utter disdain from readers, but his solo made most fans appreciate the new angle the character was taking.
Still, some fans found him childish. "They made him young to appeal to younger readers," says Redditor Joseluki. While it is true, it was also a great way to establish just how the character came to be the gigantic warrior fans know today. Besides, it was fun to see Kid Cable interacting with his parents and Rachel Summers.
Krakoa Should Hate Kid Cable
One of the promises of the mutant island of Krakoa was amnesty for all crimes committed by mutants. Yet some fans can't understand why Kid Cable has been forgiven for killing his adult counterpart. "I get why kid Cable did what he did but still I would have thought he would be a pariah among the X-Men," says Redditor DericStrider.
Given that the island has access to resurrection, it isn't inconceivable that a mutant killing a mutant isn't particularly important anymore. Besides, Kid Cable proved that he was doing it for the right reasons, and he learned the fault in his actions. Plus, Cyclops probably just wanted to raise his son again.
Technovirus Should Have Been Different In Deadpool
For decades, Cable has suffered from an infection of the TO virus, a techno-organic plague. Created by the Phalanx, one of Marvel's most dangerous alien races, Cable's left arm and innards quickly became mechanical thanks to his infection. While Deadpool 2 depicted it faithfully, some fans were still disappointed.
"Kinda bummed they didn't make the techno-organic virus more shiny and chrome, it's always been pretty much the distinguishing characteristic," says Reddit user Fredditorson. While it would have been nicer to see it look more metallic, the look matched the aesthetics of the film. Besides, no comic adaptation is going to be perfect, and live-action Cable still looked fantastic.
Cable Needs Another Kid
While fans have come to adore the father-daughter relationship between Cable and Hope Summers, there have been calls for more interaction between the two. After all, since the Krakoan era started, they've barely spoken, and Hope is an essential character in Krakoa. Yet, while fans want to see more Cable and Hope, some just want to see Cable get another child.
"I love the Summers/Grey family tree in all its ludicrous, majestic comic book soap opera excess. But I feel like it could be EVEN MORE convoluted," says Reddit user Hemingwavvves. Adding another child to the list could certainly help make the Summers family stranger, but that's not a great reason for Cable to adopt another child. Besides, he has enough going on.
His Powers Are Dumb
One of the most powerful telepaths in the Marvel universe, Cable is also a telekinetic of the highest order. Still, it's often hard to see. Given his infection, Cable has to constantly exert his powers just to prevent himself from being overtaken by the virus. In recent comics, it has even been revealed that his powers are so significant that he can't control them without the techno-organic infection.
Some fans don't buy it, though. "Cable has been free of the TO before and now apparently he can't control his powers?" says Reddit user Electronic-Pen2653. While it isn't fully comic accurate, as that user points out, it's still an interesting retcon. After all, after so many years of infection, it does make sense that he wouldn't know how to control himself without it.
He's Too '90s
Though Cable was introduced as a baby in the mid-1980s, his first adult appearance was in 1990 in New Mutants #87, and it certainly shows. Pouches, gigantic muscles, and guns bigger than him are fairly standard for '90s comics. Or, as Reddit user WilliamBoost calls it, "Garbage characters that typify the 90's fall of quality."
While Cable is absolutely a character molded around '90s tropes, often starring in the best '90s X-Men comic books, it isn't entirely fair to call him a garbage character for it. Cable has significantly changed through the years and was one of the most complex aspects of the '90s comics. Besides, he doesn't have quite as many pouches today.
Took Too Long To Develop Him
Cable's backstory is somewhat complicated. To put it simply, Cable is Cyclops' time-displaced child with Madelyne Pryor, who also was infected by an alien virus, raised by Jean Grey and Cyclops in other people's bodies, and saved by his time-displaced alternate universe sister before being sent back in time to fight his clone. It's messy.
"I think the problem was that he was introduced without having written a backstory, and a bunch of writers had different ideas about what exactly that should be," says Reddit user MegaBZ. While it is a major problem, it's also part of the allure of the character. As a time traveler, it makes sense he would be a bit chaotic, and it adds to the fun.
Krakoa Should Remove The Technovirus
Krakoan resurrection promises to remove any unwanted ailments of strife for its people. After all, Proteus can jump into pre-made bodies, and Quentin Quire can permanently dye his hair through resurrection. As for Cable, some fans want him resurrected without the TO virus. "They have to resurrect him now and without the virus he has seemingly unlimited power," says Redditor MutantEquality.
Yet given Cable's reliance on the virus to help him control his powers, this isn't a great idea. After all, it would take him years to relearn his powers. Besides, he's certainly been able to take advantage of the TO virus, so there's no need to remove it.
Too Personable Lately
With Kid Cable settling down on Krakoa, some fans weren't able to stand the idea of Cable as a friendly figure taking part in a community. "Just way too personable," says Reddit user Based_Brethren. "Even if he does look up to Whiz Kid, he doesn't even seem like himself."
But while Cable has never been nice, he's always respected those around him. After all, X-Force began because the New Mutants found that he treated them as adults, as opposed to how Xavier's school disrespected them. While he's always stern, he is fairly personable with his people, even if he sees them as soldiers before anything else.