This series, Deep in the Bayou is a supplement to our podcast, where we share more information about Gambit learned during our research. Deep in the Bayou posts are a deep dive on a particular bit of Gambit lore, meant to help new readers discover more about the character. For more elaboration, be sure to listen to the associated Podcast episode, linked below!
In today’s instillation of Deep in the Bayou we’re going to take you back to the 1990s — and learn about Gambits first appearance(s) and where to read them!
Gambit’s creation
Gambit was co-created by famous X-Men writer Chris Claremont and popular artist Jim Lee, who was working for Marvel at the time. Initially, Jim Lee created several different concepts for the character, which varied in look from the final design pictured on the bottom left. He has been described as having a “roguish smile” and “devilish red eyes” which remained a consistent detail in the early sketches, along with long hair and tall boots.
Though Jim Lee was the principal designer of Gambit and his aesthetic, the character was first brought to “life” by artists Andy Kubert, Michael Collins, and Arthur Adams based on character sheets produced by Jim Lee.
The great first appearance debate
Gambit’s introduction in the Marvel universe has been the subject of hot debate across internet forums and in fan spaces since the 1990s. On the Marvel database, he is officially listed as having TWO first appearances. So what does that mean, and how did that happen?
It all boils down to a logistical error during the printing production process.
The character of Gambit was planned to be introduced in Uncanny X-Men #266, a substantial appearance which released in stores in June of 1990. However there was a snafu in the production order, and the annual for 1990 — X-Men Annual #14, in which Gambit appears and has dialogue, was sent to stores three weeks earlier in May.
X-Men Annual #14
Due to the production error, technically speaking the first published appearance of the character occurred in X-Men Annual, Days of Future Present Part 4 “You Must Remember This” written by Chris Claremont.
The artist for X-Men Annual #14 (cover and interior) is Arthur Adams and inked by Dan Green, Arthur Adams, Steve Moncuse, Art Tiebert and Bob Wiacek. The colorist for the issue was Brad Vancata. He first appears on the intro page (with incorrect eye color).
His first on-panel appearance is with Storm, where the two of them are sneaking into the Professor Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters (also referred to as the X-Mansion).
As far as the actual appearance goes, despite persistent attempts to label it as such, it not a background appearance (wallpaper) or a cameo. The character is present across multiple pages, is named, has dialogue across 10+ panels with other characters, including Storm & Cable, and is involved in a key battle scene.
In the world of graded comics, CGC graded books credit the appearance as a “Gambit cameo (predates Uncanny X-Men #266)”.
Uncanny X-Men #266
Story-wise, the events of Uncanny X-Men #266 take place chronologically before the events of X-Men Annual #14 in canon chronology. However, in release order, it was published 3 weeks later. On CGC graded books it is credited as the 1st full appearance of Gambit.
Uncanny X-Men #266, titled Gambit: Out of the Frying Pan is the intended first appearance of Gambit, in canon. It is also the first cover art featuring the Cajun mutant. The cover art was done by Andy Kubert, and the interior by artist Michael Collins.
Interestingly enough, Andy Kubert — who was only a beginning occasional cover artist for Marvel at the time, has said in interviews that he happened upon the job due to serendipitous timing. He has said that he was standing in the X-Office speaking to the editor Bob Harras when Jim Lee came in saying that he did not have enough time to produce the cover. Bob looked at Andy and asked him if he wanted the gig as they needed someone to do it and do it quickly, and he agreed.
Jim Lee gave Andy Kubert the character sketches, and Andy took a crack at the brand-new mutant who he’d never seen before that moment. He went on to finish the cover overnight, and remarked that this cover is one of the most well-known and popular works of his career and the one most commonly requested to be signed.
The interior art on this issue was not Jim Lee or Andy Kubert, instead it was penciled by Mike Collins, inked by Josef Rubinstein, and colored by Brad Vancata. His first on panel appearance in the issue is just his iconic metal boots, as the intro page is a splash page featuring Storm and the Hellhounds.
A few pages later we get the full dramatic reveal of his iconic 90’s look.
So what was his first appearance? The Annual, or the Uncanny? We’ll let you read them decide for yourself.
Uncanny X-Men #266 on Marvel Unlimited
X-Men Annual #14 on Marvel Unlimited
But if you want to hear our thoughts, check out Episode 1 of the Gambit Spotting Podcast, where we dive headlong into the debate. Thanks for reading!
Information obtained for this post primarily comes from cited interviews or the Marvel database.
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