Gambit 1st Ongoing Series - Discussion Thread

[Hi-Fi]

So last week's X-Men Legacy inspired me to re-read the Gambit first ongoing series, by Fabian Nicieza/ Steve Skroce and later Yanick Paquete on art. Man, what a great book that was. If you're interested in the Black Womb project, every clue is introduced here.

The book also had a fantastic supporting cast, including Fontanelle (Black Womb's daughter), who was a dream therapist, Courier, the dude who becomes a girl, Carl Denti aka X-Cutioner, the New Son (the big villain of the book), the female Indiana Jones Sek Conoway, Tante Mattie, Quiet Bill (who met his end in X-Men #200) and the Thiefs and Assassins Guilds, including Remy's father Jean Luc, the super fun Mercy Lebeau and Emil Lapin and Remy's ex-wife, the beautiful and cold Bella Donna. Oh, and Rogue, of course.

I gotta say I enjoyed the first year better, probably because of Skroce's amazing art. Learning about Remy's early years as a thief was pretty fun. Then there's the connection between Remy and Sinister and a pretty fun time travel story where we get to see Candra and Sinister battling. The second year was fun as well, especially because we get to see more of how the assassins and thieves guilds work. There's this awesome arc where someone put a contract on Remy and everybody is trying to kill him, including Bullseye, Deadpool (hilarious by Fabes, as usual), Crossbones, Batroc and Bella Donna. I did not enjoy the New Son storyline, or a least the ending. It all felt a little rushed.

But the best thing about re-reading this series is that I completely reconnected with Gambit. He was once one of my favorite characters and I was reminded why while reading the issues. Fabian's characterization was amazing and Remy conflicts well presented. He was a lot of FUN as well, charming and even hilarious in a lot of occasions. Here are some great moments:

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/6818/gambit0104eb7.jpg
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/7547/gambitv301gambit0112ly7.jpg

Gambit Vs X-Cutioner:

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/34/gambitv301gambit0131hv5.jpg
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/1605/gambitv301gambit0132uw9.jpg


The book did leave me with some questions:

1) Was it ever explained why Jean Luc went to find the Antiquarius and why did he destroy the contents of the guild's urn?

2) What happened to the guilds characters? I don't remember seeing them again, except for Belle.


Oh, and about the Black Womb, who was the reason I did this: Remy and Courier travel to 1891 where Amanda Mueller is being accused of being the murderer Black Womb. She's saved by the testimony of her doctor, Nathaniel Essex. Later, back at our time, Fontanelle reveals she's her mother, but that should be impossible. Fonty has 50 years so Amanda should be waaaaay too old to even have her. Then, team Gambit finds out about the Black Womb project in Alamagordo, after World War 2. I did not see any indication of Amanda being the wife of a Summers, though. Just that she married someone named Daniel.


So, anyone got the chance to read this book? Can someone help me out with my questions? Or want to discuss the issues?

[Hi-Fi]

Best. First. Reply. Ever.

[CmX]

I love you

[B. Kuwanger]

Will I find any back issues of Gambit if I shop foco?

[Hi-Fi]

First post updated with scans. More to come. A little Gambit/ Rogue fun talk (how cute is the first class joke?), plus Fontanelle:

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/5974/gambitv301gambit0134eh1.jpg

More Fontanelle:

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/191/gambitv302gambit0211cv9.jpg

Awesome:

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1974/gambitv302gambit0219eg4.jpg

More fun stuff:

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/5126/gambitv303gambit0320fx5.jpg

[Red Lotus]

This was a great series, one that ended way to soon I dont think anyone has ever written a better Gambit.

Jean Luc thing he had some thing to do with Dr. Strange what i dont know.

[Hi-Fi]

This was a great series, one that ended way to soon I dont think anyone has ever written a better Gambit.

Jean Luc thing he had some thing to do with Dr. Strange what i dont know.
Yeah, it had something to do with magic, but it was never revealed what, right? The series ended like 3 issues after that development.

[La Fea]

When Rogue and Gambit romance...I feel like I need subtitles.

P.S. I like threads that are textually and visually informative!

Thanks Hi-Fi! I'm not a convert yet but I'll keep my ear to the ground. ;)

[Hi-Fi]

Steve Skroce's Rogue:
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/6375/gambitv305gambit0501pp2.jpg
http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/5059/gambitv305gambit0514iv4.jpg
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/3236/gambitv305gambit0516te9.jpg

X-Cutioner was creepy. He ambushed Rogue after watching her try clothes in some Salem Center's shop she goes all the time.

[Red Lotus]

. I did not see any indication of Amanda being the wife of a Summers, though. Just that she married someone named Daniel.


I think this comes from Daniel Summers having a link to Sinister and with her being married to some one name Daniel that they might be the same person.

[Mikl C]

The Skroce issues were actually fantastic. The art just fit the story so well. Later on when the art got really bad and the New Son storyline came in I was very meh.

And those were danglers indeed. And Remy's origin was also left in question as was his position in the guilds.

I loved when they were in the tunnel and he was checking out her ass. lolz.

[Hi-Fi]

I think this comes from Daniel Summers having a link to Sinister and with her being married to some one name Daniel that they might be the same person.
So it is only assumed? I'm gonna re-read The Further Adventures of Cyclops & Phoenix tonight to see if I find more about it.

The Skroce issues were actually fantastic. The art just fit the story so well. Later on when the art got really bad and the New Son storyline came in I was very meh.

And those were danglers indeed. And Remy's origin was also left in question as was his position in the guilds.

I loved when they were in the tunnel and he was checking out her ass. lolz.
Agreed. Skroce's art is so detailed. Amazing stuff. His 4-issue arc on Wolverine is also a blast.

Yep, it's never revealed who are Remy's real parents. I think the plan at that point was to reveal him as a Summers.

Yeah, that was fun. Sek was hot. Shame she vanished.

[david r]

Is this the Fabian Nicieza run? I read that Fabian had the book mapped out five years ahead! Can you believe that?

[Hi-Fi]

Gambit defeats the Mengo Brothers:
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/927/gambitv306gambit0618bc1.jpg
http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/5400/gambitv306gambit0619xq4.jpg

Total James Bond scene. Also, how great are Andrea and Andreas outfits?

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/3135/gambitv310gambit1009oz9.jpg
http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/4607/gambitv310gambit1017hv8.jpg

[psycwave]

I gotta say im actually one of the few who prefer Rogue and Remy when they're not together. If they could coincide on a team as teammates instead of lovers I would be one happy camper. I guess cause of the way she kinda transformed into a whiny brat when he showed up. Still,.... gotta love that Remy.

[Hi-Fi]

Is this the Fabian Nicieza run? I read that Fabian had the book mapped out five years ahead! Can you believe that?
It is. I'd love to learn more about his plans. I'll PM him to see if he can help us out.

[Red Lotus]

So it is only assumed? I'm gonna re-read The Further Adventures of Cyclops & Phoenix tonight to see if I find more about it.


I found this at .uncannyxmen.net


By 1891 Sinister, posing as Dr. Milbury, had come into contact with this same Summers family, specifically the adult Daniel Summers. Whether Sinister knew that this man was the same mute boy whom he had imprisoned years before is doubtful, but still possible. Daniel had married a woman named Amanda Mueller. She had suffered from several miscarriages, but had managed to produce one son. After Amanda had been accused of several child-murders, Daniel had taken their son and departed.

I dont know what issue this came from or if it even came from one.

Is this the Fabian Nicieza run? I read that Fabian had the book mapped out five years ahead! Can you believe that?

Too bad he would have did great things with Gambit. I think he said he had to change some of his plans for New Sun because of the book ending sooner then he thought it would.

[booga]

scott skroces gambit gives me the shivers (not the good kind)

[psycwave]

It is. I'd love to learn more about his plans. I'll PM him to see if he can help us out.

Make sure you let him know he owes me money...

[Hi-Fi]

Amanda Mueller aka Black Womb's very first appearence, when Remy traveled back in time to 1891:

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/3015/gambitv313gambit1316kw9.jpg

Later, she was seen in the X-Men Forever mini, also by Nicieza. Right after World War 2.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/848/xmenforever4p15oe8.jpg
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/2126/xmenforever4p16uw2.jpg

And finally, Amanda resurfaces in X-Men Legacy:

http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/5946/blackwombbk4.jpg

[streator]

this was my favorite x-men solo series. this is the gambit i like reading about. i wish that nicieza & skroce would get another shot at the character.

[frog]

Amanda Mueller aka Black Womb's very first appearence, when Remy traveled back in time to 1891:

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/3015/gambitv313gambit1316kw9.jpg

Later, she was seen in the X-Men Forever mini, also by Nicieza. Right after World War 2.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/848/xmenforever4p15oe8.jpg
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/2126/xmenforever4p16uw2.jpg

And finally, Amanda resurfaces in X-Men Legacy:

http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/5946/blackwombbk4.jpg

Mueller also appeared in a recording of Black Womb operations during Endangered Species. Carey must have been doing a little bit of foreshadowing there.

[Fionnuala]

Niceiza was pushed off the title because his plans for Gambit conflicted with Claremont's plans to use him in Reload, or Relaunch or Revanche or whatever he was doing then. Claremont wouldn't acknowledge his power boost in the main titles, enforced a daft costume change on the solo book (which disappeared within one issue in the main titles) and forced Fabian to tie it in with some alien invasion plot line going on.

And then Scott Lobdell was brought in for one issue, it was amalgamated with Bishop for six issues and then got officially cancelled. Fabian got fired at pretty short notice, as far as I remember.

Oh, how I used to gaze longingly at Skroe's art...

[Canemacar]

So does gambit still live in the X-men's boathouse like nicieza wrote early on in the series?

[jarrod]

Agreed. Skroce's art is so detailed. Amazing stuff. His 4-issue arc on Wolverine is also a blast.
He also did a gorgeous Uncanny fill-in with Ororo, Remy, Kitty and Cain all competing for the gem of Cytorrak iirc. Stunning stuff, I'll never understand why Skroce wasn't given one of the two core titles...

[Sparta]

It was a fun series. The first 5 issues especially. Skroce's art was amazing, the 1st issue (where he had Wolverine, Rogue, Kitty and Nightcrawler making a brief appearance), made me wish he was a regular on X-Men.

[soulkiller]

I really enjoyed that last Gambit series, this thread makes me wish he had another solo series! :biggrin:

[just another user]

Normally I come out in a rash in the presence of Gambit, but those scans you posted look rather good. Good quality artwork.

Is there a TPB of this artist's run?

[Joe Franklin]

scott skroces gambit gives me the shivers (not the good kind)

Steve Skroce draws an even better Gambit.:wink:

[Hi-Fi]

Normally I come out in a rash in the presence of Gambit, but those scans you posted look rather good. Good quality artwork.

Is there a TPB of this artist's run?
Nope. None that I know of. They did collected Gambit's first mini, and his last ongoing series (by John Layman), though.

But the best one (this one) was never collected, sadly.

[booga]

Steve Skroce draws an even better Gambit.:wink:
jim lee should take a pee in your face right about now

[Hi-Fi]

Steve Skroce draws an even better Gambit.
I love Skroce's Gambit, but I think my favorite Gambit is Kubert's:

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/5562/gambit3ny8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/5638/gambitsu4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/6457/gambitkubertnb9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/1897/gambit2xz6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Pach!]

I love Skroce's Gambit, but I think my favorite Gambit is Kubert's:

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/5562/gambit3ny8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/5638/gambitsu4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/6457/gambitkubertnb9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/1897/gambit2xz6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

some very nice interactions in those pages, Hiffy! thanks for the scans.

oh denim cut off shorts. you are the worst. LOL

[Canemacar]

The "casual" clothes they wore back then were more garish and tacky than their costumes. :redface:

[Hi-Fi]

LOL, I genuinely like the clothes Gambit is wearing in the first scan. It suits him.

[Canemacar]

Thats one aspect that transfered successfully to the big screen:

http://i35.tinypic.com/k17wwy.png

[Hi-Fi]

Oh, man. That's just awful.

[MartinRedmond]

Steve Skroce could draw ANYTHING and make it AWESOME. That series was great... til he left.

[MartinRedmond]

jim lee should take a pee in your face right about now

If he can even REACH that high!!! hahahaha! /:D

[Dagger]

I love Skroce's Gambit, but I think my favorite Gambit is Kubert's:

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/5562/gambit3ny8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/5638/gambitsu4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/6457/gambitkubertnb9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/1897/gambit2xz6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
OMG! YES!!! Andy Kubert is probably my all-time favorite X-artist!!!

[maigen]

Oh Hi-Fi praises for that post. Those images are yummy. That's some of my favorite issues.

I can remember that bedroom scene doing all sorts of terrible things to my teeny bopper mind.

[Muggs]

LOL, I genuinely like the clothes Gambit is wearing in the first scan. It suits him.

Grunge was huge at the time, but it looks kinda dated now.

Looking at those scans I forgot what a massive chain smoker Gambit used to be.

[Nathan]

awesome work dude keep it up , oh and a little tibit the original plan for New Sun was that he was Charles (Rogue and Magnetos son from AoA) but because the series was ending Fabian had to rush it hence why it felt rushed

[Dagger]

http://all-fantasy-art.bravepages.com/site-pics/Cardpics/Marvel-Masterprints-94-Gambit-BTarkin.jpg

Some more Kubert hotness. I can't wait til they come back to Marvel.

[Treqqor]

I enjoyed the series for the most part (even thought New Son was great, actually), but the series always seemed just a tad off to me. Something that I think the very first mini did perfectly, and that was the mood, tone, and darkness. Not dark, thematically, but dark, as in, shadows, smoke, dirt, where a thief who enjoys the nightlife belongs and blends into.

The series took place during the day too often, and the colours all seemed too vibrant. I know it's just an aesthetic, but it tainted the whole thing for me for some reason.

Like I said, I thought the first mini series (a few others, too, like that Gambit/Wolverine: Victims) did things perfectly. And for me, the series didn't seem to pick up on this until the very last issue.