Gambit: Wanted #1 is written by Chris Claremont and published by Marvel. Artwork is by Robert Gill, colours by Bryan Valenza and letters by VC’s Ariana Maher. Main cover art (left) is by Leinil Francis You & Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Gambit: Wanted #1 is available from today, in comic book stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your physical copy from Forbidden Planet or digitally from Amazon Comixology UK.
Synopsis
TARGET: REMY LeBEAU! Get ready, mes amis, as GAMBIT’s legendary co-creator Chris Claremont takes the mutant-thief-hero back to his hometown for an explosive adventure! An all-new tale set in the timeframe when Gambit returned ORORO MUNROE to what was left of the X-MEN, discover how Gambit came to join the team for the first time – and the deadly trial that made it so! Someone’s got MUTANTS in their crosshairs down in New Orleans…but when a FAN-FAVORITE MARVEL VILLAIN targets Gambit, hang on for the most kinetic showdown of the month!
Review
X-Men legend Chris Claremont returns to the franchise today for new 5-part story Gambit: Wanted. Remy LeBeau’s co-creator is taking the fan-favourite character away from his titular team, sending him on a solo mission that will pit him against Bullseye in an era when mutant hatred is on the rise. Can lightning strike again for the creator behind Days of Future Past and The Dark Phoenix Saga?
Claremont is taking Remy back-to-basics for this new book, making it clear from the outset that Gambit: Wanted is unshackled from the burden of current continuity. In the first three pages Claremont lays out his stall, making clear when, where and how the book will interact with the X-Men and how it fits into Gambit’s overall timeline. The choice of setting is perfect to allow Gambit: Wanted plenty of room to play with Remy’s story without impacting on events elsewhere in Marvel continuity.
My experience with the X-Men in comics is really with their greatest hits. So coming into Gambit’s story to find him paired with Ororo, aka Storm, is a welcome surprise. It’s another example of Claremont’s considered decision making in putting Gambit: Wanted together, side-stepping his relationship with Rogue which is being heavily explored elsewhere in the X comics. The setup is neatly executed and expertly manages any expectations for wider connections readers may have coming in.
With setup out of the way it’s straight down to business for Remy and his new foe Suzerain, presumably no relation to King Suzerain of the Marvanites. The five-issue structure to Gambit: Wanted seems to be fitting well with Claremont’s plans. Issue #1 sits squarely in the foundational stage. It tees up the villain, her hired gun Bullseye, and gives Gambit something to fight for in the kids he and Ororo left behind. Bubbling in the background are references to rising anti-mutant sentiments in the city that could easily come into play using X-Men’s traditional approach to political critiques. Motivations remain a mystery for now and that’s absolutely fine. Claremont’s balance of character introduction and action is more than enough to carry this first episode, setting up plenty of intrigue to dig into next month.
There’s something really refreshing about seeing these characters at such an early stage in their careers. Gambit seems to have a lot to learn about what it means to be a mutant and having Bullseye entirely unaware of him instantly removes so much pressure on the book. The X-Men have such complex history that it really can’t be praised enough when a new book is as accessible as this.
Robert Gill and Bryan Valenza bring a great contemporary look to Gambit’s world. Gill’s artwork is energetic and captures all of Claremont’s spirit on the page. Valenza’s colour choices are radiant, often leaning towards darker, dimly lit options that are then beautifully punctuated by the brighter tones of Gambit’s powers. There’s just a hint of sepia tone which adds a warmth and nostalgia which helps cement this as a story set in Gambit’s past. Intentional or not it looks great and really cements what is already proving to be a dynamite creative endeavour for all involved.
Verdict
Gambit: Wanted #1 is a confident, back-to-basics return for legendary X-Men writer Chris Claremont. By unshackling Remy from decades of continuity, Claremont and artists Robert Gill and Bryan Valenza have crafted a genuinely intriguing jumping on point, one that’s as easy to love for newcomers as it will be for longtime fans.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate advertising program also provides a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We are also members of the Forbidden Planet Affiliate Program.
