Ironically enough, I like this book a lot better without Cable actually in it. A shame he's still the main character, because the lead story in this issue, focusing on distracted Daily Bugle reporter Gail Merryweather, is a lot of fun. Macan plays the story just slightly to the left of serious with a conspiracy angle that is very entertaining, and Kordey's artwork is detailed and stunning, exactly as it has been for most of his run on Cable, where he wasn't rushing against impossible deadlines. Pity then, that the backup story, which actually features Cable, is less interesting and introduces a supporting character who I was glad to see among the missing. It's possible that Macan will blend the elements from the lead story with the characters from the backup and make Soldier X an entertaining read for me on a monthly basis, but I'm afraid that my enjoyment of this first issue may be an aberration based on the absence of the lead character.
I was reminded somewhat of Deadline in this issue, actually, as the focus is squarely on a reporter for the Daily Bugle. For that matter, it's a female reporter, and one distracted by personal issues relating to a story that she's not supposed to be working on. Unlike Kat Ferrell, however, Irene Merryweather isn't trying to score a move up to a better beat; she's just trying to hang onto her job, but she's so distracted by her fascination with Cable that she can't motivate herself to do it. Macan gives us a beautiful portrayal of someone who is driven to distraction, believably oblivious to what should be important to her. Cable's absence, and Irene's absolute fascination with him, actually makes him a more interesting character to me.
Things get even more interesting when various factions come after Irene because of her involvement with Cable. Leaving aside the humorous bunglers of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the goofy Sumo rescuer, there's another group that isn't completely identified. The multiple pursuers angle, and the sense that Cable is so dangerous that even his past associates are being trailed, elevates the main character even further.
Unfortunately, then he shows up, in the backup story, and I'm reminded that he remains pretty much a character without a strong personality. There are some neat elements to who he has become, including his "techno-organic spit" and the sense of being a wanderer who eliminated his own home for the greater good, but in general Cable remains a cipher. Macan's ideas come to life even when centered on Cable, however, as the notion of soldiers who time travel through battles is an intriguing one, and has the same sort of quirky style that the rest of the book has.
Quirky and sometimes goofy definitely describes the book in approach. The opening sequence on the plane is a silly joke, but it's pulled off beautifully by Kordey's depiction of the passengers' over-the-top reactions. The various attackers who come after Irene are also silly, and I particularly enjoyed Kordey's take on the Sumo dressed up as a "Sailor Sagittarius." However, Kordey is more than capable of being serious as well, and he's clearly serious about his craft, with impeccably real backdrops, almost photo-realistic and yet stylized faces capable of a wide variety of emotion and action storytelling that is second-to-none. I have literally zero interest in Cable as a character, but as long as Kordey is involved in the book, it will always get a look from me anyway.
