Hi there! I have managed to crank out this week’s installment on a sleep deprived brain. Sandman, why do you forsake me? Anyway, let’s get back on topic. This character has been on my mind for a while. He’s been my favorite since I was a kid watching the X-Men cartoons on Saturday mornings. I like many of the X-Men, but he was always my favorite. So this week I give you my X-Men love, Gambit.
Who is He?
Well, if you know X-Men, you should know Gambit. He first appeared briefly in Uncanny X-Men Annual #14 in 1990. He first full appearance was in Uncanny X-Men #266. He is the mutant with the most lovely accent and card playing abilities. He has starred in his own solo comic series, the old Saturday morning cartoon, and several animated movies. Gambit was played by Taylor Kitsch in his first live action appearance in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
The Stats:
Full Name: Remy Etienne LeBeau
Age: ???
Job: Gambler, thief, adventurer
Fun Facts:
- Gambit can control and create kinetic energy. This allows him to be very destructive and deadly.
- Gambit’s eyes are described as burning red.
- Gambit got to play Death for a little while during the Apocalypse story arc.
- Gambit was briefly married to the “princess” from the Assassin’s guild.
- His native language, Cajun French, is considered endangered.
Why So Popular?
It has to be the Cajun accent. I mean, there are X-Men with greater powers than he. A really great accent can make anything awesome. Okay, I am mostly kidding. But Gambit does have that charismatic Cajun thing going on. I think we could call it swag. Gambit is just one cool cat. His powers are nothing to sneeze out. It’s wonderfully kick-ass how he charges up playing cards and hurls them at his enemies. He is also pretty handy with a Bo. He doesn’t get the off-the-scale adoration that Wolverine gets, yet he is no less amazing. I think a big selling point is Gambit’s love for Rogue. He was a womanizer that turned into a loyal man. The odds were pretty much stacked against them. They couldn’t even touch each other. He stuck by her though. He called her his soulmate and meant it. They made a better couple than Jean Grey and Cyclops. His devotion definitely wins him popularity points.
Why Do I Love Him?
I was a kid when I first encountered Gambit. To my little eyes, he was so dreamy. I thought he was the coolest X-Men ever. I was in love. I was jealous of Rogue. Or what passes for jealousy when you are seven years old. As I grew up, I continued to have soft spot Gambit. I love his mysterious nature. I got really excited when I heard the X-Men movies were being made. Then, I was horribly disappointed when I learned he would not be in the movies. How could you leave such an awesome mutant out? I got mildly appeased when he finally made his big screen appearance with Wolverine. I keep hoping for the day that Gambit gets the attention he deserves. I will continue to admire him and fall under the spell of that glorious accent.
