This is a feature called "Might Be Spoiling Me Too Much," where I spotlight instances of comic books (mostly inadvertently) spoiling other comic books (typically due to delays).

Today, based on a suggestion from reader Ruston F., we take a look at how Gambit's first appearance is not the book most people believe that it is.

One of the most popular comic books to collect from the 1990s is Uncanny X-Men #266 (cover by Andy Kubert), which is the accepted first appearance of Gambit, one of the most famous X-Men of the decade...

The issue, which was by Chris Claremont and fill-in artists, Mike Collins and Joe Rubinstein, sees Storm about to be captured by a bad guy who was hunting her when she happens to run into Gambit, who was there to steal some art...

Storm had been de-aged at the time, and so Gambit naturally felt pity on her and agreed to help her...

Of course, things got out of hand and they each took turns saving each other before going on the run...

In Uncanny X-Men Annual #14 (by Chris Claremont, Arthur Adams and Dan Green, among many other last minute inkers), Gambit and Storm make their way to the X-Mansion, where they meet up Cable and the New Mutants, as well as Forge and Banshee (who were trying to put the X-Men back together)...

Here's the twist, though. Uncanny X-Men Annual #14 came out a few weeks BEFORE Uncanny X-Men #266! It was SET after Uncanny X-Men #266, but it came out first.

However, since the cover didn't have a month on it and only a year, and since it was SET after Uncanny X-Men #266....

For whatever reason, people have accepted Uncanny X-Men #266 as Gambit's first appearance, despite him first appearing in the X-Men Annual. We all now know better, though!

Thanks for the suggestion, Ruston!

If anyone else has a suggestion for this feature (whether the traditional "due to delays" or more intentional examples), feel free to drop me a line at brianc@cbr.com!