Review: Cable: Love & Chrome #4
A Mission Through Time…
As the penultimate chapter in what has become one of my favorite Marvel outings of recent years, Cable: Love & Chrome #4 isn’t just good—it’s devastatingly great. With David Pepose on writing duties and Mike Henderson delivering hard-hitting visuals, this issue stands as the most character-driven and heart-wrenching entry in the mini-series yet.
So grab them hankies, it’s time to get emotional!
Due to the storyline of this issue I will be attempting to refrain from any major spoilers. Please read with caution as some minor plot points may be spoilt.
The fourth issue finds Cable grappling with a personal and tactical crisis. Avery Ryder—the fierce and determined leader of the Resistance and a key ally (and possible romantic interest)—has been infected with the Techno-Organic virus. This development pushes Cable into a desperate, time-bending mission to save her, forcing him to confront the paradoxes and pitfalls of changing fate. But while Cable fights to preserve the future, his actions threaten to have unseen consequences for those around him. With each timeline he visits, the stakes climb higher, and so does the cost. It’s not just about stopping a virus or defeating a villain; it’s about the deeply human question of what (and who) Cable is willing to risk in the name of love and redemption.
I’ve been a fan of David Pepose since his work on The Punisher late last year, and I’ve amazed myself as to why I’ve not read any of his work sooner. Across his works, Pepose uses a writing style that digs into the nitty gritty emotion that fuels his characters. With The Punisher it was Joe Garrison’s need for answers, and with Cable it’s his need to save yet another person he’s close to before history repeats itself.
As such with Love & Chrome #4 David Pepose’s script doesn’t just move the plot forward—it digs deep into Cable’s emotional armor. We see a version of Nathan Summers who is worn, introspective, and—despite his usual gruff demeanor—achingly vulnerable. The dialogue is sharp, but what stands out most is the internal monologue that quietly threads through the issue. There’s a reflective, almost poetic quality to Cable’s voice here, making his journey feel weightier than any laser battle or time-travel twist. The pacing is strong, balancing exposition with action, and the stakes feel real. This isn’t a “villain-of-the-week” kind of story; it’s a deeply personal odyssey that explores themes of sacrifice, determinism, and love—without ever getting overly sentimental.
What makes the whole miniseries great is its willingness to tackle complex emotional and often philosophical themes. At its core, this issue asks: If you could rewrite history to save someone you love, should you? And more importantly: Can you do so without destroying everything else in the process?
Cable isn’t just dealing with external threats. He’s grappling with guilt, regret, and the haunting realization that even with all his power, some things might be beyond fixing. This humanizes him in a way few comics have managed before. While he is this gruff military guy, deep underneath that armour and training, he’s also Nathan Summers.
While David Pepose’s script deals with the emotional aspect to the character it’s over to Mike Henderson and Arif Prianto to bring it all together. So far it’s been a stellar display from both artistic talents, and with this issue it’s no different.
Henderson’s linework is clean and expressive, but it’s his paneling and layouts that really shine in this issue. He utilizes a nine-panel grid to superb effect, breaking time into fragments which works as a visual metaphor for Cable’s fractured mission. There’s a deliberate, almost surgical precision to how scenes unfold, especially in moments of introspection or sudden action. Meanwhile, colourist Arif Prianto uses a mixture of muted blues, metallic gray, and washed-out tones to create an atmosphere that feels cold, clinical, and distant. This bleak colour pallet perfectly captures both the time-traveling tech of Cable’s world and the emotional chill of his impending loss. A special mention also goes out to Joe Sabino’s lettering which enhances the emotional tone, with well-placed emphasis and thoughtful balloon placement that never clutters the page.
Overall, Cable: Love & Chrome #4 isn’t just a great comic—it’s a powerful story about love, loss, and the impossible weight of time. It’s tightly written, gorgeously illustrated, and emotionally fearless. As we head toward the finale, the stakes couldn’t be higher—and neither could my expectations.
If you read one comic book series this year, I’d highly recommend this one. With one final instalment left, Cable: Love & Chrome is already the runaway choice for my number #1 comic series of 2025. Could the final chapter cement its place? Well, make sure you come back to Geek Culture Reviews to find out!
Rating: 9.5/10
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