Gambit (collected as X-Men: Gambit) lasted 25 issues, one special, and two annuals (for a total of 28), cover-dated from February 1999 to February 2001.[1] 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,[2] while the final (epilogue) issue would be plotted by Scott Lobdell, scripted by Joe Pruett, and drawn by Georges Jeanty.[3] The 2001 miniseries Gambit & Bishop: Sons of the Atom was advertised as a direct continuation of Gambit at the conclusion of its final issue,[4] while Courier would return in the 2024 Fall of X series Cable (again written by Fabian Nicieza and drawn by Scot Eaton), still stuck with the body of a girl, only able to transform into the forms of other women.[5]
Jacob "Jake" Gavin Jr. / Courier – a shapeshifter able to detach and remotely move his own body parts,[6] who is trapped in the body of a woman by Mister Sinister after he steals his powers,[7] going by the alias Jacqueline ("Jackie").[8]
Sun / The New Son – an evil version of Gambit from an alternate reality where he was never joined the Thieves Guild.
Anna-Marie / Rogue – the power-and-lifeforce-absorbing adoptive daughter of Mystique and Gambit's love interest.
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 [but the] verbose writing style aside, there are some fascinating tidbits about Gambit".[8]Slings & Arrows lauded Nicieza's "verbose form of writing" and Skroce's art as "better than what's perceived as Marvel's 1990s look",[2] complimenting Georges Jeanty for "pull[ing] out all the stops for the art" following Stroke's departure, concluding to call the plot "over-extended, but tie[d] together well".[3]
Gambit Vol. 5 – 2012
Gambit Vol. 5 received largely critical reviews, with some commendation for specific aspects. In the first issue, Joey Esposito from IGN rated it 5.5, criticizing its fundamental flaws and lack of cohesive art and characterization, while expressing hope for improvement in future issues.[9]Kelly Thompson at CBR gave the debut a 5.0, noting some potential but ultimately recommending readers skip it until the creative team could deliver better work.[10]
By Gambit #2, Jesse Schedeen of IGN rated it 6.0, appreciating Clay Mann's art during heist scenes but criticizing the coloring choices.[11] However, his score dropped to 6.2 for Gambit #4, where he expressed disappointment over the story's lack of direction and the underdevelopment of Gambit's partner, Joelle.[12] Thompson scored it 4.0, pointing out technical art issues and the challenges posed by a large, inconsistent artistic team.[13]
In Gambit #11, Ryan K. Lindsay of CBR rated the issue 6.0, praising the quality of dialogue and action but noting that the narrative suffered from excessive dialogue and pacing issues.[14] Thompson returned for Gambit #12, again scoring it low at 4.0 due to inconsistent artwork and difficulty connecting with Joelle's character.[15]
Finally, in Gambit #17, Thompson expressed her overall disappointment, rating it 4.0 and lamenting the creative team’s failure to provide a clear direction for Gambit’s character, leaving readers questioning his heroism . Overall, while some issues received praise for particular elements, the series was marred by significant criticisms, leading to a predominantly negative reception.[16]
Gambit Vol. 6 – 2022
Gambit Vol. 6 received a mixed reception from critics. The series began with a lukewarm start, with Logan Moore from ComicBook.com giving the first two issues a 6.0 rating, criticizing the lack of direction and the awkward dynamic between Gambit and a young Storm, though he praised the artwork by Sid Kotian.[17][18] By issue #3, the series showed improvement, with Moore noting it as the best installment so far.[19] Issue #4 earned the highest score of 9.0, as the story began to hit its stride and deliver more engaging content.[20] However, the final issue, Gambit #5, dropped back to a 6.0, as the conclusion felt underwhelming despite the series' earlier progress.[21]
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