Le Diable Blanc - Major Reads

FIRST APPEARANCE

Uncanny X-Men #266 was Gambit's first appearance. Gambit ended up running into Storm, then in the body of a young teenager, when they both attempted to steal back the same stolen art. They teamed up with one another when the Shadow King attacked. After escaping the Shadow King they had the Nanny to fight off. After they got off Nanny's ship, Storm talked Gambit into going with her back to the X-Mansion.

If you are looking to grab up an issue of #266 it will run you about $115 for a graded mint condition to as low as $35 for a low-good condition from a comic book shop. Between $40-$75 on Ebay. If you track down a copy of "X-Men Firsts", Gambit/Bishop: Sons of the Atom Genesis, or Giant Sized Gambit, they each reprint Gambit's first appearance, among others. Those issue will run you under $5.00 at practically any comic shop and Ebay.

GAMBIT & BISHOP PLAY NICE

X-Men #8 (shown to the left) started a huge, time traveling, on-going grudge between Bishop and Gambit. Bishop arrives from the future believing he was going after "The Witness", a man who was believed to be the cause of the X-Men's death. After

seeing Gambit, he not only blurts out Gambit's last name, which was unknown at the time, he also accused Gambit of being the Witness. Later, Bishop realizes that Gambit is not the person to blame for his miserable childhood, it was Professor X/Onslaught.

To grab an issue of this for yourself you are looking to spend between $8.00 - $15.00, depending on the grade of the issue. Hitting Ebay you may grab an issue for around the same price. For a less expensive read check out Gambit & Bishop: Sons of the Atom Genesis. It reprints the first appearances of Gambit and Bishop, and X-Men #8. You can find this comic for around $3.00 or less at a comic shop or on Ebay.

BELLA DONNA & THE GUILDS

X-Men #8 was also was the first appearance of Gambit's wife, Bella Donna and the introduction of the New Orleans Guild. Her appearance turned into a four issue crossover story that takes the team deep into the New Orleans guild territory bringing into the picture another enemy with a deep grudge, Julian Boudreaux. The brother-in-law that Gambit believed he killed, causing him to be exiled from New Orleans and the guilds. This crossover story builds the ground work for the first Gambit Limited Series.

To purchase the four issue story it may cost you between $20.00 to $35.00 at comic shops, depending on the grade of the issues. On Ebay you could grab it a little cheaper for medium grade issues. To go even cheaper you could grab a copy of the X-Men & Ghost Rider: Brood Trouble in the Big Easy. The Trade Paperback contains all four issues of the crossover and runs around $10.

GAMBIT'S FAMILY & GUILD HISTORY

The first Limited series of Gambit's (Gambit, Vol. #1-4) dug deep into his history. At the time of this series release very little was known about how Gambit lived before he met Storm and came to the X-Men. These comics introduced Gambit's adopted father, Jean-Luc, his brother, Henri, and both Thieves and Assassin Guilds. It also was the first appearance of Candra, the benefactress to the Guilds. This series had a lot of key points that are a must for any Gambit reader. It also laid the ground work for the majority of future Gambit storylines.

Buying the Gambit limited series isn't going to break the bank by any means. You can still pick up near mint copies for well under $10 each. If you are looking to save a few dollars pick up the Gambit Trade Paperback which reprints all 4 issues. You can normally pick up a copy for around $10-$12.

GENEVIEVE DARCEHEAUX & CREED

One of the first big secrets revealed about Gambit was told to us in X-Men #33. In an attempt to turn X-Man against X-Man, Sabretooth told Rogue about Gambit's con in Paris. As a teenager, Gambit was hired through the Thieves Guild to steal the L'étoile du Tricherie, a very expensive piece of jewelry. He decided to do it "his way" and charmed his way into the heart of Genevieve Darceheaux. What he did not know was Sabretooth was also hired to steal the jewel and was watching the young Cajun. It all ended in the young woman's death. This issue gave us a taste of Remy's dark past.

X-Men #33 is not going to hurt your pocket book in any way. It will run you under $5 in any comic shop or Ebay. It may not be a cheaper solution, but Giant Sized Gambit will not only give you this issue, it also gives three other major Gambit plot points for about the same price.

	- THEATER BLOW-UP - The theater blow-up is not put on a lot of essential lists, but I feel it lays a lot of ground work for the future storylines. It touches on the dealings with Sinister and shines a small light on the dark secret Gambit holds and how it effects him. The theater story was the peak of Rogue's problems because of her absorbing of Gambit's memories she took at the end of Legacy Quest. With Gambit finally out of his coma from the event he finds she is going to the theater in Seattle were his dealings with Sinister began. In fear of her figuring out his secrets he goes to her. Once there, it shows the conflict Gambit has with the secret. - X-Men #45 is not going to cost you a load of cash unless you go for one of the certified signature editions. It will run you around $5.00-$8.00 to purchase a mint condition in a comic shop and under $5.00 on auction sites like Ebay. -
	- ABANDONED IN ANTARCTICA - One of the key Gambit moments is when his big secret was finally revealed. A select part of the team crash landed in the Savage Land where Spat and Grovel, two old friends of Gambit's, were there to take him into custody. They took him to Erik the Red, Magneto in disguise. Magneto decided to use Gambit's secret to cause problems within the team. After finding out Gambit's part in the Morlock Massacre the team was horrified and turned on the Cajun. When the building began to fall around them Rogue left Gambit in the snow right outside the wreckage. - This storyline spans four issues: Uncanny X-Men #347- 350. Though the three first issues run no more then $5 at any comic shop or on Ebay, #350 could easily break a person's bank. The key issue, Uncanny X-Men #350, will run you at least $20. For a cheaper solution, buy #347-349 out right and pick up 'The 100 Greatest #2'. It reprints Uncanny X-Men #350 for less then $10. -
	- THE GREEN MIST LADY - The "Green Lady", later learned to be Mary Purcell, took over Gambit's body when he was abandoned in Antarctica. She lived in his body like a parasite and threatened him from time to time. With her in his body it made his powers slightly wacky and she would heal him if needed. She first appeared in Gambit 1/2 (wizard release) and her background story and removal happened in Gambit 1999 Annual. She appeared from time to time in between but the main points are in these two comics. - There is no cheap way around these two comics, but getting original copies won't run you too much. Gambit 1/2 was a Wizard magazine exclusive mail-in order, but a lot of comic shops stocked up. You can usually grab one for under $5.00, cheaper without the certificate of authenticity. Gambit Annual 1999 runs well under $5.00 as well, both in shop and on Ebay. -
	- NEW SUN/NEW SON - Gambit 1/2 was also the beginning of another part of Gambit's life, New Sun. New Son was the man that saved Gambit from Antarctica. As payment for that rescue he had Gambit do his dirty work for him. Turns out he was the Gambit of another dimension and he destroyed that dimension with his own hands. Now he travels from universe to universe killing the Gambit's of those worlds that pose a threat. Gambit manages to take out New Sun once in the 2000 Gambit Annual with Angel's help, but New Sun returns for round two in Gambit #24. In the fight to the death Gambit uses his newly enriched powers to such an extreme that he burns them out to his normal level. - They never reprinted these three issues, Gambit 1/2 (Wizard Mail-In), Gambit Annual 2000 and Gambit #24, but they are not that expensive. At a comic shop they will run you around $5.00 each. You can actually pick them up a little cheaper on Ebay. --
	- KHAN'S POWER SOURCE - During the Invasion storyline, the X-Treme team were thrown into the middle of a full blown invasion of Earth. The main storyline that Gambit was featured in spans roughly five issues, X-Treme #10, 15, 16, 17 and 18. Gambit was captured and used as power source to open a portal. The portal allowed Khan's army to arrive on Earth from their home planet. Being trapped in the force field that drained his powers did not stop him from sacrificing himself to stop the onslaught. He was saved at the last minute only to be stabbed through the chest by Vargas with a very large sword. In the attack Gambit did actually die and began to cross over only to be pulled back by Rogue and saved by Beast's medical team. - Buying all 5 issues will run you roughly $25-$40 for near mint condition comics in a shop. Luckily, they reprinted the whole storyline in a trade paperback. 'X-Treme X-Men Volume 2: Invasion'. -
	- GAMBIT BLINDED - In X-Men #158 was released, it was previewed with a tag line that a huge event would happen in Gambit's life. What happened threw fans into a frenzy. During a battle between the X-Team and The Immortals, Gambit is trapped, unable to move. The only problem was he had glowing cards in his hand with no way to pitch them. A stray bullet from a nearby fight flies into Gambit's card, detonating them in his face. The result was the burning of his eyes, causing him to lose his eye sight. Though information from past comics pretty much made this event an impossibility and the fact that only his eyes were effected and not his hands or face made it a little hokey. Even with all that speculation it is a common hunt for issue for Gambit fans. - X-Men #158 is a very cheap buy. It is under $5.00 in any condition. Though buying a copy of the trade paperback 'X-Men: Day of the Atom' is no cheaper, it does, not only, give you a reprint of X-Men #158, it also gives you a few stories that show the aftermath of the above event. -
	- FOXX/MYSTIQUE NON-AFFAIR - X-Men #171-174 was the place for the soap opera known as the Bizarre Love Triangle. Foxx, a new student at the X-Mansion, joins Gambit's team. The second she meets her new teacher she turns up the charm and attempts to seduce her way into Gambit's bed. The attempts cause a lot of problems for Gambit, not only with fellow X-Men, but also with his students. Turns out the new student, Foxx, is actually Mystique in disguise. She wanted to sleep with Gambit to prove to her daughter, Rogue, that he is a cheater and not worth her time. He managed to keep it in his pants with Foxx, but unknown to anyone but Wolverine, he had already cheated before. - Getting copies of X-Men #171-174 will cost you less then $20 for all four issues, be it at your local comic shop or on an auction site. For a little bit cheaper route you can go pick up the 'X-Men Bizarre Love Triangle' trade paperback.
	- GAMBIT IS TURNED TO DEATH - X-Men #183-187 shows Gambit's turn from a X-Man to the newest version of Apocalypse's Death. In an attempt to stop Apocalypse from turning on the X-Men, Gambit joins Apocalypse's side during this storyline. Apocalypse turns Gambit into his newest form of Death and sends him out after the people he swore to protect. During this 5 issue run Gambit battles with himself, jumping between the old Gambit and his new Death persona. In the end he chooses to follow Sunfire, who was turned to Famine, believing that he belong in neither place. They end up in the hands of Sinister after a failed attempt to kidnap Polaris from the X-Men. - The five main issues for this storyline, X-Men #183-187, will only cost you a small chunk. They all cost under $5.00 a piece if bought through a comic shop or online. If you are looking for a little cheaper, more compact, way to go, 'X-Men: Blood of the Apocalypse' trade paperback will cost you less then $20.00 and give you 4 other issues that accompany this storyline. -
	- GAMBIT RETURNS TO THE GUILDS AS LEADER - Gambit, Volume 5 #15 through #17 show Gambit's return to the Guilds as leader. His Father, who was missing for many years, reappears, with many other Guild leaders from around the world, to put Gambit on trial. What Gambit believed was revenge for his recent unauthorized activity, turns out to be a trial to take over the Global Guild of Thieves that was originally created by Candra and currently ran by his adopted Father, Jean Luc LeBeau. Bringing Gambit in, with his connections and powers, Jean Luc believes will reign in the troublemakers and bring the Guilds together again. Gambit breaks the rules of the ancient laws of his trial, showing that he capable of the job, but he will only do it on his terms, not by the ancient rules of the Guild. All parties agree with the change, and Gambit becomes the leader of the Global Thieves Guild. - The three main issues for this storyline, Gambit, Volume 5, #15-#17, are still very current on the market and can be easily found for cover price or less at any local comic shop or online shoppe. -

	- X-MEN PLAY BASKETBALL - X-Men #4 shows a fun little basketball skirmish. Jubilee and Gambit are on a team together in a no powers game that quickly turns into a no holds barred match. It is a fun read because you don't get a lot of the Gambit/Jubilee love/hate relationship interaction anymore. - You can pick up an issue of this for less then $5 practically anywhere. So it is a pretty cheap buy. -
	- GAMBIT VISITS THE PRINCESS BAR - You get a rare moment in this issue. In the 90's you got a lot of Wolverine teaming up with Gambit on personal missions, these days they are far and few between. This is one of the last we have seen in the Wolverine series. Gambit and Wolverine break into the Princess Bar in Madripoor believing something is wrong. Come to find out there is just a surprise party for Wolverine. On top of it Wolverine finds out Gambit is a regular customer when he goes to introduce the younger Cajun. - This is a REALLY cheap read. You can actually find this one in some dollar bins! It runs under $2 even on Ebay. -
	- GAMBIT TURNED INTO A VAMPIRE - In the Mutant X universe Gambit was a vampire, along with his partner in crime, Bloodstorm. Bloodstorm was the one that changed him when a caper went wrong and Gambit was mortally wounded. She didn't want to do it, but felt she had to to save the life of her friend. Mutant X Annual 2000 tells the story of his change into a vampire by her hand. - This little gem of a comic will run you a little more then the average, around $6.00 on average. Maybe a little less on Ebay if you catch it at a good time. -
	- AGE OF APOCALYPSE GAMBIT - The Age of Apocalypse was originally a 4 month storyline that hijacked the X-verse. It threw all the characters in a what if situation. In this time Gambit and his strange team-up of underground thieves got their own book for 4 whole issues and showed up in several other crossover titles. It was a fun read just to see Gambit react with other characters and have a new romance. - This series won't hurt you in the least. You can pick up these comics for less then $2 a piece. Sometimes even finding them for a dollar each in some shops and on Ebay. -
	- GAMBIT & SPIDER-MAN TEAM-UP IN NEW ORLEANS - Don't let Howard the Duck scare you. The duck-man does not appear in the story with Gambit. This comic has two separate stories, the first teaming up Gambit and Spider-man in New Orleans. Spider-man Team-up #5 isn't the first or only team up between Spider-man and Gambit, but it is the more interesting and the art is better then the kiddy magazines. - Watch out of Ebay. Several people are passing it off as "rare". It's not. So paying more then $5.00 there is silly when you can grab it up at online sites or local shops around $4.00-$5.00. -
	- X-MEN MEETS THE STAR TREK CREW - Star Trek/X-Men was a very bizarre crossover, especially since the two series crossing over were in two totally different time periods. Somehow they managed to pull it off pretty well. The story flowed better then expected and the art was good. Gambit spends a lot of time in the sick bay, but it is still a good read just for the novelty of it, if anything. - Don't let anyone fool you on this issue either...not rare. Ebayers will attempt to tell you different. You can pick up Star Trek/X-Men up for around $5 in local shops and in online shops.
	- GAMBIT & STORM BATTLE THE PHALANX - Yukio, Gambit and Storm had crossed paths many times before this comic storyline, but when the trio gets together in this one it is all kinds of comedy and drama. Uncanny X-Men #312 and #313 have Storm and Yukio coming into a run in with the Phalanx, when they need reinforcements Storm calls Gambit, not knowing that Remy and Yukio have a past...and not a good one. - You can actually pick up both of these issues for less then $5.00 in most comic shops. Even cheaper if you his Ebay at the right time, just watch the shipping options. For more info on that bad past with Yukio, pick up the Wolverine/Gambit Victims mini series.
	- GAMBIT & BISHOP PLAY NICE - There was always, and still is, a lot of anger and mistrust between Gambit and Bishop. Bishop came into this time believing that Gambit was the reason his future was horrible. Turns out, Bishop was beginning to believe he was wrong. Bishop began to loosen up around Gambit and for a short time they had a semi-truce. Uncanny X-Men #334 was one of the times that showed through. With the Juggernaut and art by Joe Madureira just adds to the fun. - This is a really cheap read! You can pick this up for less then $2.00 practically anywhere. Some shops may even have it in a dollar box or on sale for even less.
	- X-BABIES - Attempting to take advantage of Bishop's truce, Gambit decides to take a very reluctant Bishop out on the town to an underground casino and strip club. Gambit tries to convince Bishop that he would never betray the X-Men. In the midst of the conversation the new X-Babies appear and casue a lot of trouble. Not only do you get a fun Bishop/Gambit situation, you get baby Gambit running amoke too. - You can grab up both of these issues for under $7.00. X-Men #46 runs at the most $5.00 and #47 runs under $2.00.
	- X-MEN KILL GAMBIT - What If #106 is not really a "fun" issue and it is not really X-reality since it is part of the 'What If' series, but it is a very interesting read. It shows what might happen if the X-Men did not forgive Gambit for his past crimes. The X-Men gang up on the Cajun and have a trial of their own that doesn't end well. - What If #106 is not going to break the bank at a whopping $4.00 at most places. Less on Ebay, unless you go for a certified graded edition...that will hit you hard in the wallet at around $35.00-$40.00.
	- GAMBIT HELPS MARROW - After an accident, on Gambit's part, Marrow was seriously wounded and needed medical help. With the other X-Men busy with other things he felt obligated to find help himself. He steals the Quinjet and heads to the nearest Skrull medical clinic. He force the doctor to fix Marrow which leads to her not only being healed, but also makes her powers manageable. - With the Skrull event going on this comic went up a bit since it was a past Skrull event. Not to worry though, it only runs around $5.00-$6.00 practically anywhere.
	- GAMBIT MARRYS & GROWS OLD WITH MARROW - X-Men #98 was actually a pretty funny run. During the Ages of Apocalypse storyline it showed the X-Men well into their old age, most having kids and some grandkids. Not only do you get the chance to see Gambit in his senior citizen days, you get to see him without Rogue. He ends up marrying Marrow in this alternate story. - This one will actually cost you a little more then the average back issue. On most online sites and local shops you will have to pay around $10.00 for a copy. Ebay you can catch one around $8.00 if you hit it at the right time.
	- GAMBIT AS A KID - This is a fun issue because you get to see Gambit in his teens on one of his first adventures as a new mutant. Gambit and his cousin were captured by the Pig during a thieving excursion. Not used to his new developing mutant abilities he used them the best he could to get them out of the mess. In that escape he learned that playing cards are a very good weapon. - Gambit #6 will run you under $5 practically anywhere be it your local shop or on Ebay. Pick up Gambit #7 along with it for an extra $4 and see Gambit take on the Pig as an adult.
	- GAMBIT GOES BACK IN TIME - Gambit #12 through #14 of the 1st on-going series had Gambit, and his then sidekick Courier, going on a trip back in time. This time trip came after a break in to get to the time machine. His gang not only included Sek, but the Mengo brothers as well. The mix created a hilarious situation. Once back in time he runs into Sinister, has problems with Candra and also found out about the Black Womb project. - Buying all three issues from a local shop or online shop witll run you between $18.00-$20.00. On Ebay you may be able to save a few bucks as long as you watch the shipping charges.
	- GAMBIT & WOLVERINE PLAY PRETEND - Not only does Gambit #5 from the second on-going series have a guest appearance by Wolverine, which is usually enough to make it interesting. This issue has them dishing out some revenge in an odd way. They pretend to be the other X-Men. Gambit acts like Cyclops and Iceman, while Wolverine gets to be Beast and Nightcrawler. Nothing better then a blue painted Wolverine! - Not only is a fun read, it won't cost you an arm and a leg. Just $4.00 will get you a copy on or in any shop. Even cheaper on Ebay.
	- GAMBIT & STORM MAKE OUT - There are a lot of women that Gambit have kissed over the years. Most didn't hit fans as hard as this one. A lot of people email me asking which issue the big Storm and Gambit kiss was in. Well, it was in this one, X-Treme X-Men #32. Gambit gives a very naked Storm a deep kiss to make her feel better. It was the peak of a back and forth flirt fest between the two in the X-Treme X-Men that seemed to disappear after the series ended. It was fun while it lasted. - The issue won't break the bank either. It will run you less then $5.00 at practically an source.
	- GAMBIT GETS THE TORCH'S POWERS - In this five issue crossover the X-Men accidentally take the Fantastic Four's powers and run amok with them, leaving the other X-Men and the Fantastic Four to stop them. Gambit takes on the Tourch's powers and he learns to flame-up very quickly. Along with the very strange, but good, art, it makes X4 #1-5 an interesting read. - Each one of these issue will run you less then $5.00 each anywhere. If you don't want to shell out $25.00 for the set you also have the option of grabbing up the X4 Trade Paperback for a cover price of $19.95.
	- THE BACHELORETTE PARTY - This is an issue a lot of people ask about. It's the Gambit stripper issue, Uncanny X-Men #425. Though the person in the issue is not the real Gambit, it is a male stripper as Remy. Polaris is having her Bachelorette Party at a local night club. After a discussion with Northstar about Gambit's nice rear end she turns around to Jean's wedding gift, her very own Gambit. It was said later she made out with this "Gambit", but it was never seen. - Though it is not a real Gambit appearance, it is a very cheap buy, so it worth the fantasy of it all. Uncanny X-Men #425 can be bought for around $2.00. It can even be found in some dollar bins!
	- X-23 (AND DAKEN) STORY ARC - Gambit played a major role throughout X-23's third title series. Gambit was asked by his friend, Storm, to watch over X-23 as she found her place in the world. The series also leaked over into Daken #8 and #9, during the Collision crossover. The crossover gave us a battle between Daken and Gambit that has been marked into history as a pivotal scene in the Gambit mythos. The series and crossover has been merited as the comeback of Gambit by many fans, thanks to the writers and artists of the series bringing Gambit out of hiding and back into the forefront as a major character. - This whole series can be purchased for less than $4 an issue, which Gambit appears in the majority. Same with the two issues of Daken. They can also be found in trade paperback.
	- GAMBIT AND HELLCAT - An impromptu date turns into chaos when a poker game goes wildly wrong. A small creature, known as a Fuji mermaid, that Hellcat just happens to carry in her purse, gets loose and turns the bar upside down. The couple have to put an end to the destruction. Though Gambit seems annoyed by the meeting, Hellcat is determined for them to revisit the night at another bar. It's a fun read with lots of laughs to be had. - This comic is still listed under cover price and can be purchased cractical anywhere for a few dollars.

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