Although he hasn't gotten his due on the big screen, Gambit has as interesting a history as any X-Men character. He has loved and lost, and he has fought for good and worked in the shadows. Yet, there always seems to be a bit more to learn about Remy LeBeau at each turn. The mystery surrounding Gambit make each story involving him all the more important. These tales give great insight into the character's background and motivations. Whether you fell in love with him watching X-Men: The Animated Series or want to learn more about the character who continuously is brought up in any discussion regarding future X-Men movies, there are certain stories that provide great insight into who Gambit really is. Here are The 10 Most Important Gambit Stories.
10 Gambit King of Thieves
Gambit's ol' man and the Thieves' Guild are looking for someone new to run the show. Who better than Remy LeBeau? But the position wasn't about to be handed to Gambit. Others in the Thieves Guild want the position for themselves and are willing to do what they must to ensure they lead the Thieves' Guild, not Gambit. By the end of the story, Remy turns down the opportunity to be a member of the Avengers, accepts the role of guildmaster in secret, and rejoins the X-Men. Gambit's reach is becoming greater, but his allegiances are becoming a bit more complicated.
9 Gambit & The X-Ternals
In some ways, it's hard to imagine Gambit as a leader. He's always been a loner, even when working on a team. Leader of the Thieves Guild, maybe, but the to be in charge of a group of so-called heroes seems out of character. Well, Gambit & The X-Ternals puts Remy in a leadership position in a world that's been flipped on its head, during the Age of Apocalypse. With the state of the world calling for desperate measures, Gambit and his team members work alongside Magneto as they combat Apocalypse. Remy is also forced to make major sacrifices along the way.
8 The Heart of Thieves
Not long after sharing her first kiss with Gambit, Rogue had questions about his past. She'd seen some things but needed more answers. With Sabertooth under the X-Men's watchful eye, she approached him about his run-in with Gambit in Paris years ago. She wasn't exactly a fan of the story of love and betrayal Victor Creed told her. It instantly had an impact on her approach to Gambit, whom she'd already fallen in love with.
7 Rogue & Gambit
Rogue and Gambit are on the outs again, making them perfect candidates for Kitty Pryde's new mission—which calls for a believable, troubled couple. Through their adventure at a mutant couples therapy resort, the pair's fire is rekindled. But, with everything going on at the facility, it's hard to tell whether their feelings are genuine or a result of something larger at play. On a macro-level, this mini-series also gives Rogue and Gambit their first title together. Its success was a major step and led to their ongoing series, Mr. and Mrs. X.
6 Mr. & Mrs. X
After Kelly Thompson's success writing Rogue & Gambit, she wrote X-Men Gold #30 in which Rogue and Gambit were finally wed after the Kitty Pryde and Colossus' fallout. From there, Thompson continued her run with the now married couple, who barely have time to enjoy their honeymoon—despite being in space. Even though they've made the ultimate commitment to one another, there's still some level of doubt between the two. Remy works to break down those walls, further proving his devotion to his new wife. This ongoing story of marriage and mayhem shows off some of Gambit's most redeeming qualities, proving, once again, Rogue brings out the best in him.
5 X-Men #24
The loving embrace between Gambit and Rogue on the cover of X-Men #24 speak is some great work by cover artist and penciler for the issue, Andy Kubert. This is where these two go out on their first date. It's taken time to get to this point. Gambit is a pretty shifty dude and Rogue has a tough time trusting herself, but she cannot deny her feelings for the Ragin' Cajun. At the same time, Remy's feelings for her appear to be unlike those he's had for any other woman because he and Rogue have to quell their passion in order to have any show at making this relationship work and because this is long before Rogue is able to control her powers or can turn to a mutant inhibitor collar, so their skin can't touch.
4 X-men #41
It pretty much took the threat of the end of their world for Rogue and Gambit to finally lock lips, but it's better than nothing! With Legion going back in time and screwing everything up, Rogue identifies this is her and Remy's last opportunity to embrace. Since there won't be any repercussions with everyone being crystallized, Rogue doesn't have to hold back, giving Gambit the one thing he's been waiting to do since he met her.
3 Trials of Gambit
When Rogue and Gambit first kissed, she took on memories she did not anticipate, much like she does when she touches anyone else. The only issue, in this case, is she's stealing memories from the man she loves, a man who was a known scoundrel prior to joining the X-Men. Only, it's much worse than that. So much worse. Rogue suppressed the memories at first, but with some help from Erik the Red, who's later revealed to be Joseph, Magneto's new persona that had joined the X-Men. We learn, along with Rogue, that Gambit was part of the Marauders group that decimated the Morlocks. He may have changed his tune at the start of the massacre and been deceived, but his role in the affair was too much to look past. It formed the greatest rift between Gambit and Rogue to that point in their history.
2 Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire
As much as the history of Gambit starts back on the streets of New Orleans, the story started for fans back in Uncanny X-Men #266 and #267. Remy LeBeau was introduced to Marvel and X-Men fans as a brooding character who was willing to help Storm in her time of need. Gambit's powers were a little different back then. Instead of his kinetic energy powers emitting a pink color, they were green. He also had the ability to shoot the kinetic energy from his eyes. More importantly, this set the foundation for his close friendship with Storm and brought forth a new character with a questionable past that readers wanted to know more about.
1 Gambit (1993-1994)
With Gambit winning fans over in the pages of Uncanny X-Men, Marvel had to give him his first title. The Ragin' Cajun did not disappoint. Remy takes a trip down memory lane back where it all started: New Orleans. Not only do we get further insight about the Thieves Guild and the Assassins Guild, we learn about his ex-wife, the illustrious Bella Donna Boudreaux. And Remy isn't the only one forced to deal with her. Rogue followed Gambit down to the bayou to see what's going on with the man she's fallen for. Gambit still leaves a lot of room for questions about Remy, but it helped explain why he's such a mysterious character.