Last time I was looking at key issues from the Claremont-Byrne Uncanny X-Men run. My last post explored the important key issues in the Phoenix Saga. Not long after that story line ended, John Byrne left the X-Men title to launch Alpha Flight. however the X-Men, of course, kept on going. Throughout the early Eighties the book, still under the scripting powers of Chris Claremont, had many memorable story arcs and plot twists. By the end of the Eighties, the title had expanded the group’s adventures by growing the Mutant universe and its cast. Gambit was one of the more memorable, if controversial, early nineties additions to the X-team. By the early nineties the X-Men was undisputedly the most popular comic in the world. With spin-offs a-plenty and even a cartoon series set for release, there was no slowing down the marvel Mutants. around the same time, the new member from Louisiana joins the team. The enigmatic Remy Etienne LeBeau, i.e. the Mutant known as Gambit, first appears in a cameo in Uncanny X-Men annual #14 (cover date July 1990).
Gambit was created by Chris Claremont and Jim Lee. A divisive character with the fans from the beginning – owing mainly to his background as a thief and his on again/off again romance with Rogue. He would eventually gain the confidence of the X-Men, only to have suspicions cast upon his character once again when the X-Men learned that he used to work for all around bad guy Mr. Sinister.
After a prominent appearances on X-Men the Animated series (1992-1997), Gambit’s first on screen live-action appearance occurred in the somewhat lack-luster X-Men Origins: Wolverine from 2009, where he was played by actor Taylor Kitsch. He will apparently be portrayed by Channing Tatum in an upcoming solo-film (assuming that it gets made, it’s been in development hell since 2014, but we are now told to expect it in cinemas next year. We shall see….). recently in the comic book world, Gambit has rejoined the X-Men and is a part of Jean’s team in the X-Men Red squad. Let’s take a look at the Gambit keys:
Uncanny X-Men #266 (August 1990)– first appearance of Gambit in the X-Men main series
Storm is on the run from the shadow King, an inter-dimensional being who was hosted by a psychic called Amahl Farouk before taking over the body and mind of F.B.I. agent Jacob Reisz. storm is having a hard time getting away having lost her mutant powers due to an earlier rather spectacular de-aging incident. When she needs it most, she’s befriended and gets help from a charismatic stranger who, in turn, becomes a target of the shadow King’s wrath. Gambit’s first appearance is not a rare or a hard to find comic. since the X-Men were at the height of their popularity when this comic was released, it’s possible to find many high grade copies of this issue. This is Gambit’s first full appearance. best returns, not surprisingly, are on 9.8 graded copies, which can currently fetch up to $400.00.
X-Men v2 #8 (May 1992) – first appearance of Gambit’s ex-wife, Bella Donna Boudreaux
For a long time Claremont kept the details about Gambit’s past a secret. We knew that he was Cajun (his thick Cajun accent is probably his most consistent character trait), but other than that – and the fact that he was once a thief – very little was revealed about his life before the X-Men. That changes in X-Men issue #8. Bishop has arrived from the future and recognizes Gambit as the Mutant who would betray the team in his time-line. picking a fight with Gambit, the two are interrupted by the arrival of Gambit’s ex-wife Bella Donna. As Jubilee puts it “Ya’ mean somebody was actually desperate enough to become Mrs. Gambit?!” best returns on this one are on 9.6 graded copies. currently a 9.8 can be had for under $100.00. We’ll see if that changes when/if the Gambit movie happens.
Gambit v1 #1 (December 1993) (Gold Edition) – origin of Gambit
Gambit’s powers are fairly straightforward: He can build up kinetic energy charges in his own body and then transfer them to almost any object he touches. This means that he can basically turn a paper clip into a bomb, and fashion a weapon out of almost anything. However, as mentioned, he was kept mysterious, with details about his past few and far between. By 1992, we knew he’d been married, but still little else about his past life in new Orleans. That changes with the release of Gambit’s first (of many) self-titled series in 1993. here we learn his origins. best edition of this book to get is the Gold Foil cover. currently 9.6 CGC graded copies are selling for $170.00, but best returns have been on 9.4’s.
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