Gambit (1998 comic)


Gambit is a 26-issue comic book series published by Marvel Comics from December 1998 to February 2001. Created by writer Fabian Nicieza and artist Steve Skroce, it is the third series starring the X-Men character Remy LeBeau / Gambit, following him as he goes on missions for his handler Jacob "Jake" Gavin Jr. / Courier. As the two work for and investigate Gambit's evil alternate self "The New Son", their relationship is complicated by Courier being turned into a girl by Mister Sinister. The series received generally positive reviews from comic critics.

Publication history

Gambit lasted 25 issues, one special, and two annuals, cover-dated from February 1999 to February 2001. Initially simply written by Fabian Nicieza and drawn by Steve Skroce, following Gambit and Courier, Skroce would receive a co-plotter credit midway through the series, while the final issue would be plotted by Scott Lobdell, scripted by Joe Pruett, and drawn by Georges Jeanty. The 2001 miniseries Gambit & Bishop: Sons of the Atom was advertised as a direct continuation of Gambit at the conclusion of its final issue, while Courier would return in the 2024 Fall of X series Cable, still stuck with the body of a girl, only able to transform into the forms of other women.

Characters

Remy LeBeau / Gambit – a card-wielding mutant who was adopted by the Thieves Guild, able to create, control, and manipulate kinetic energy.Jacob "Jake" Gavin Jr. / Courier – a shapeshifter able to detach and remotely move his own body parts, who is trapped in the body of a woman by Mister Sinister after he steals his powers, going by the alias Jacqueline.

Critical reception

The series received generally positive reviews from comic critics. AIPT Comics rated the series 7.0/10, calling it "a slow read to be sure verbose writing style aside, there are some fascinating tidbits about Gambit". Slings & Arrows lauded Nicieza's "verbose form of writing" and Skroce's art as "better than what's perceived as Marvel's 1990s look", complimenting Georges Jeanty for "pull out all the stops for the art" following Stroke's departure, concluding to call the plot "over-extended, but tie together well".