Cable & Deadpool was a comic book series published by Marvel Comics beginning in 2004. The title characters, Cable and Deadpool, share the book's focus. The series was launched following the cancellation of the characters' previous ongoing solo series. The book's mix of humor, action, and intricate plotting has 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 launched in March 2008. Cable & Deadpool were ranked #7 on Marvel.com's list of "The 10 Greatest Buddy Teams" of all time.
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 Agent X (Alex Hayden) was injected with the "American Gene" during a botched mission infiltrating a 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. Black Box (Garabed Bashur), a one-time information broker, worked for Cable in hopes of changing the world. He was killed by 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. Outlaw (Inez Temple) is an attractive and short-tempered mercenary from Texas who is currently employed by Agency X. She is a mutant with enhanced durability, speed, and incredible accuracy with firearms (even rivaling Bullseye in terms of targeting skills). She is a descendant of the Outlaw Kid and dresses in a cowgirl motif. Sandi Brandenberg is the secretary of Agency X, as well as a former love interest to both Deadpool and Agent X. She is currently the girlfriend of the Taskmaster. She was recently kidnapped and kept bound and gagged along with Outlaw by T-Ray, but was rescued by Deadpool. Six Pack is a group of mercenaries hired by S.H.I.E.L.D. to watch over Cable. They are: G. W. Bridge, Hammer, Domino, Solo, Anaconda, and 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 Providence (the recently rebuilt Graymalkin) in the face of a nervous S.H.I.E.L.D. Delivering a stark message to the world's leaders, he deliberately sets them all against him by threatening to throw their missiles into the sun. Meanwhile, the X-Men, including Cable’s father Cyclops, hire Deadpool to gather pieces of a mini-teleporter in order to stop Cable. After they mounted an attack on Providence, Cable confesses to Deadpool that he'd wanted to be killed in order to set an example of how the world could work together, even if it were against him. After being injured by the Silver Surfer, Cable has Deadpool use the mini-teleporter to lobotomize Cable in order to save him from burning out as 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
During "Thirty Pieces" (issues #11-12), Deadpool goes on a quest to save Cable's life. After obtaining a techno-organic alien from MODOK, Deadpool tracks down the 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 Irene Merryweather takes charge. Eventually Deadpool, and everyone else, realizes that he was the only person that could have killed Barat. Following a fight with Prestor John, Cable confronts Deadpool, who admits he cannot remember killing Barat. Although Cable wants to help Deadpool, he tells him he has to leave the island until he gets back from a mission with X-Force. Deadpool leaves Providence in search of Black Box, whom he hopes can find a way to kill him.
Enema of the State
"Enema of the State" (issues #15-18) takes place after the end of the X-Force miniseries where Cable vanished after defeating the mutant-hunting Skornn. After finding and being brainwashed by the Black Box to kill Cable, Deadpool returns to Providence where he finds Siryn and 'Cannonball' (Deadpool loses some respect for Sam Guthrie on learning his true codename) who are also looking for Cable. With the help of Forge, Deadpool uses a modified version of the teleportation device to track down Cable through various dimensions with Siryn and Cannonball following three minutes behind. The group travels through these dimensions finding Cable as a Horseman of Apocalypse (War); a messiah-like, benevolent dictator; and the central conscience of a Phalanx invasion of Earth. Finally in the House of M reality, Deadpool finds a baby version of Cable in the care of Mister Sinister. After the House of M reality fades, Cable starts to age and his memory is restored. He then burns out his restored powers to 'fix' Deadpool’s mind. With Cable depowered and still in his teens, Deadpool teleports them both to Intercourse, Pennsylvania.
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 B.A.D. Girls, Luke Cage and Iron Fist only to discover that the Dominus Project had already been stolen. Later, The B.A.D. Girls confront 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