REVIEW: ‘Timeslide’ Issue 1

Timeslide Issue 1 is published by Marvel Comics,written by Steve Foxe, art by Ivan Fiorelli, colors by Frank D’Armata, and letters by Joe Caramagna.

Cable and Bishop must work together to stop a villain from tearing the timestream apart.

Timeslide Issue 1 is a journey through the entire timestream, with anywhere and everywhere a possible location for the time-traveling duo to land. To stop Vacuna, the book’s villain, Bishop, and Cable must travel to pivotal past and future moments to intercept and find him. He is doing incredible damage, ripping time to pieces, and risking everything. The concept of the book is easy to explain and follow.

The only part that may be confusing is where the villain comes from because not all the readers will be familiar with a previous Cable and Bishop adventure. Foxe takes time to explain what happened as it is crucial to the beginning and end of Timeslide Issue 1, but some may still feel unclear.

The pace and structure are beautifully fluid once this double-sized book gets moving. The points in time are just windows to peer through instead of a chapter of the story. However, some of these points have changed due to the damage Vacuna is causing. Characters aren’t where they are supposed to be, and the scenes don’t play out like they should. Timeslide Issue 1 ends with a decisive conclusion that is satisfying and rewarding while still leaving ramifications that will be felt around the Marvel Universe.

The cast of the book leans on the partnership of Cable and Bishop. They have been enemies and begrudging allies, depending on the storyline. They both travel through time, but there are different personalities within the warriors. Bishop is a cop, while Cable is much more of a violent renegade. And yet they are united in their goals. This adventure clarifies their similarities and differences, perhaps even making them realize how alike they are.

Tempus, a mutant with time-control powers, is the other heroic character in Timeslide Issue 1. She is more than just the quest-giver; she is someone to keep safe. If the men fail in their mission, Tempus will be forced to take drastic action that could put her life at risk, which is unacceptable for Cable and Bishop. The villain is quiet, never saying anything. This makes him more sinister because he cannot be reasoned with and keeps plowing forward.

The art is sensational in Timeslide Issue 1. Both of the heroes are exceptionally drawn. They are badass soldiers, and each looks awesome in their classic costumes. Each carries a massive gun and has its particular energy powers. The villain has a freaky design. He looks sad when he enters the battlefield, and then his mouth and most of the front of his body open up, and he tries to swallow everything in sight. Inside of his body, it looks like a cosmos filled with stars.

Trying to stare and get a closer look at what Vacuna is made from is horrifying. He’s powerful. When he walks through the explosions, and firepower Bishop and Cable are unleashing, it is just as cool and impressive as when the Terminator shrugs off any damage. The points in time are fascinating. Some are brand-new, allowing Fiorelli to be adventurous and adapt characters to various alternatives. But there are periods in the past where famous scenes have been recreated. It’s mesmerizing to see old costumes illustrated through modern styles and with some changes thrown in, too.

The colors are bright and vibrant within Timeslide Issue 1. The book may have dark consequences, but there is a warmth in how it looks. The time-traveling aspect and the color scheme have a classic feel. When the shades do get darker, it is often to denote that the place Cable and Bishop have entered is menacing and dangerous, forcing them to get out of there as quickly as possible. The lettering is clear and easy to read. The SFX is fantastic in the sci-fi aspects of the issue. The sounds around Vacuna are skin-crawling and grotesque, which adds to the unease around the character.

Timeslide Issue 1 is a one-shot that affects everything. The consequences of this storyline will reverberate across the Marvel Universe, shaking up the timeline and all future books. The adversarial banter between Bishop and Cable gives the time-traveling adventure a buddy-cop aspect. However, it’s important to remember that this is a journey through time, not alternate realities.

That means any damage done could influence the present day, whereas such drastic outcomes are rare in another world. Timeslide Issue 1 is more than just an incident that inspires something much broader; it’s a self-contained story, too. The fallout will be felt across the fabric of time itself.

Timeslide Issue 1 is available now wherever comics are sold.