Era #5, Part 09: Cable & the New Mutants

Grade: B-

Rob Liefeld is a controversial figure. His depiction of the human anatomy is exaggerated at best, and he relies heavily on big guns and high-tech weapons. I can see why people dislike him as one of the poster fanboy artists of the 90s. He isn't my favorite penciler, but his style is distinctive. More importantly, he completely reinvigorates the New Mutants. And that is the reason Rob Liefeld gets high marks from me.

Rob Liefeld joins Louise Simonson in slowly reshaping the the team. Dani Moonstar quits to stay in Asgard. Rusty and Skids become entangled with terrorists. A new leader surfaces turning the students into soldiers.

I start collecting the New Mutants with issue #86 returning me to the fold. They may not be the best stories, but they are ones I find myself rereading regularly.

[3-Stars] 86 - "Bang! You're Dead!" The New Mutants enjoy their victory in Asgard as a new threat emerges on Earth while Rusty and Skids attempt to stop the Vulture, Tinkerer and Nitro in this Acts of Vengeance crossover. Want more? How about the first appearance of Stryfe!

[3-Stars] 87 - "A Show of Power" The Mutant Liberation Front (MLF) continue their terrorist attacks with message to free Rusty and Skids from Freedom Force's Federal custody of Freedom Force. They may have a new ally in the mysterious soldier named Cable (in his first appearance).

[3-Stars] 88 - "The Great Escape" Cable escapes Freedom Force.

[3-Stars] 89 - "The Gift" Cable and the New Mutants versus Freedom Force.

[3-Stars] 90 - "To Hunt the Hunter" Cable and the New Mutants make the secured basement of the X-Mansion ruins their new HQ, but Rictor is having a difficult time adjusting. He has an unpleasant past with Cable of which their new mentor seems unaware. Rictor is further uncomfortable with their new training regiment after succumbing to his first run in the Danger Room. He decides to prove himself by going into the Morlock Tunnels where Caliban is hunting Sabretooh.

[3-Stars] 91 - "Prey for the Living" Cable and the New Mutants go into the Morlock Tunnels to search for Rictor. They find him in the middle of a deadly battle between Caliban and Sabretooth.

[1-Star] 92 - "When the Carnival Comes to Town" It is a bad fill-in story that takes place when the team is in Kentucky visiting Sam's family. A trip to the Carnival turns into a dangerous adventure when they discover that the carnies are Skrull slave traders.

[4-Stars] 93 - "Madripoor" Cable and the New Mutants track the MLF to Madripoor. This issue guest stars both Sunfire and Wolveirne.

[4-Stars] 94 - "Lethal Weapons" Cable versus Wolverine! The New Mutants versus the MLF. Sunfire at his surliest. It all comes together as the kids, their mentor and their allies attempt to thwart Stryfe's plot to poison Madripoor through the water supply.