The X-Men universe is filled with fan-favorite characters, but few have garnered as much passionate support as Gambit. Introduced in 1990, Remy Etienne LeBeau was initially linked to the villainous Mister Sinister. However, his journey toward redemption has cemented his status as a beloved hero among fans.
For avid followers of Gambit, there are remarkable aspects about the character that remain lesser-known, ranging from obscure comic book narratives to intriguing behind-the-scenes insights. Let’s delve into ten surprising revelations about Gambit that showcase his unique legacy in the Marvel universe.
10
Gambit’s Original Codename Wasn’t “Gambit”
Established in Gambit #1 by Fabian Nicieza, Steve Skroce, Rob Hunter, Shannon Blanchard, Richard Starkings, and Comicraft’s Emerson Miranda
While most are familiar with Remy LeBeau by his iconic alias, Gambit, it is important to note that the name wasn’t always his. Growing up, his striking red eyes, which evoked a demonic appearance, earned him the moniker “Le Diable Blanc,”meaning “the White Devil.”This nickname was a consequence of his early trauma and mistreatment, culminating in his kidnapping by the Thieves Guild.
As he matured into a skilled thief and a crucial member of the Thieves Guild, Gambit’s original nickname became entwined with his identity, especially after he attempted to pickpocket the Guild’s leader at a mere ten years old. Instead of punishment, he was taken in as a surrogate son by Jean-Luc LeBeau, marking the beginning of his complex legacy.
9
Gambit Was Present for a Pivotal Wolverine Moment
“The Job”by Marc Sumeral, Tim Seeley, Katie DeSouza, and Dave Sharpe from Weapon X: First Class #3
In one of Wolverine’s early and critical origin stories, Gambit played an unexpected role during Wolverine’s dramatic escape from Department K. In a flashback, it is revealed that on the very night Wolverine broke free, Gambit was on a mission to steal a diary belonging to none other than Nathaniel Essex, also known as Mister Sinister.
The theft took a dangerous turn when Gambit inadvertently stumbled upon the captives of the facility. However, his plan was fortuitously interrupted when security received an alert regarding Wolverine’s escape, allowing young Gambit to slip away.
8
Gambit Has the Power to Take Down Galactus
Marvel Zombies: Resurrection #4 by Philip Kennedy Johnson, Leonard Kirk, Rachelle Rosenberg, and Travis Lanham
While Gambit may not seem like the typical hero capable of defeating cosmic entities like Galactus, a unique scenario in Marvel Zombies: Resurrection reveals his significant potential. When Valeria Richards recruits Gambit during a zombie apocalypse, she utilizes his powers in an unprecedented way.
By charging Gambit’s kinetic energy with the remains of fallen X-Men, she creates a potent weapon to challenge the formidable Galactus. Although this singular battle wouldn’t normally favor Gambit, it emphasizes the latent power he possesses, suggesting that, given the right circumstances, he could indeed pose a threat to even the strongest of foes.
7
Gambit Doesn’t Harness His Full Potential
Gambit #7 by Fabian Nicieza, Steve Skroce, Rob Hunter, Shannon Blanchard, Richard Starkings, and Comicraft
Gambit is a character with uncharted depths of power. An alternate version of Gambit known as the New Sun from Earth-9921 showcases what he could have accomplished if trained properly from a young age. Raised by a government facility that fully developed his powers, this alternative Gambit proved capable of extraordinary feats, including defeating the Phoenix, one of the most powerful entities in the Marvel Universe.
If the Remy we know had similar training and development, he might have reached his true potential, standing alongside Jean Grey and Storm as one of the mightiest members of the X-Men. However, this vast power could also have altered his moral compass, leading him down a darker path, as observed with the New Sun, making his current restraint a potentially wise choice.
6
Gambit Was Briefly Captain Britain (Along With Others)
Excalibur #10 by Tini Howard, Marcus To, Erick Arciniega, and Cory Petit
In a bold twist in 2020, the Captain Britain Corps was re-established in response to the chaos unleashed by the formation of Krakoa. Following the demise of the original Captain Britain, several heroes—including Gambit—were infused with the powers of Captain Britain through magical amulets.
This event is particularly striking as none of the selected heroes, such as Gambit, Jubilee, and Rogue, had British origins. Instead, they each contribute their unique backgrounds to the position, highlighting the diverse tapestry of characters in the Marvel lore.
5
Gambit Briefly Had Human Torch-Style Powers
X-Men / Fantastic Four #2 by Akira Yoshida, Pat Lee, Edwin Garcia, Rob Armstrong, Stuart Ng, Alan Wang, Pierre Theriault, Rob Ruffolo, and Dave Sharpe
In an unintended twist during a collaboration with the Fantastic Four, the X-Men find themselves caught in a cosmic ray storm that mutates their powers. Gambit finds himself suddenly able to emulate the Human Torch, complete with flame manipulation.
What follows is a chaotic yet entertaining bout as their newfound abilities lead to altercations among the team. Despite the unusual circumstances, Gambit showcases a talent for his flame abilities, effectively wielding them against the opposition before the X-Men ultimately regain their original powers.
4
Gambit Has Three Cats Named After Disney Characters
Astonishing X-Men #62 by Marjorie Liu, Gabriel Hernandez Waita, Cris Peter, and Joe Caramagna
In an unusual yet charming subplot from Astonishing X-Men #62, Gambit becomes the unexpected caretaker of three cats rescued by Mystique from Sabretooth. Named Oliver, Lucifer, and Figaro, these feline companions carry names deeply rooted in Disney lore.
Fans may not immediately associate Gambit with Disney, but his choice of names spoils a hidden side to his character, showcasing his softer side as he raises them alongside Rogue.
3
Gambit Was Initially Intended to Be Mister Sinister’s Counterpart
X-Men: The End by Chris Claremont, Sean Chen, Greg Land, Gene Ha, and More
Mister Sinister has intricately impacted Gambit’s story, initially intended to be a much closer rival in an alternate storyline from Chris Claremont’s The End. In this scenario, Gambit is portrayed as a clone, combining the DNA of both Mister Sinister and Cyclops.
In this speculative reality, Sinister’s ambitions drove him to create a powerful being capable of confronting Apocalypse. This Gambit would have emerged as a half-brother to Cyclops, inheriting his optic powers, adding an intriguing layer to his backstory. Though not part of the official continuity, this idea underscores the myriad paths Gambit could have taken in the Marvel universe.
2
Gambit Has Telepathic Charisma Powers That Are Rarely Highlighted
Uncanny X-Men #266 by Chris Claremont, Mike Collins, Josef Rubinstein, Brad Vancata, Pat Brosseau, and Tom Orzechowski
While Gambit is often recognized for his charming demeanor and affinity for playing cards, his powers extend far beyond mere charisma. He possesses a unique ability to charm and persuade others through a form of telepathy, giving him a magnetic presence that can sway opinions and even halt adversaries in their tracks.
This capability might not be widely recognized, but instances in comics have demonstrated Gambit’s mastery over it—most notably when he subdued the Shadow King and other adversaries, revealing that his strength lies not only in combat but also in psychological influence. Such powers have seen a resurgence in Gambit’s story arcs, augmenting his character complexity.
1
Gambit Was Intended to Be Bisexual
Gambit by James Asmus, Clay Mann, Seth Mann, and Rachelle Rosenberg
In 2012, during a pivotal moment in Gambit’s portrayal, writer James Asmus aimed to redefine his character as bisexual. Unfortunately, despite Asmus’ efforts, Marvel did not allow this aspect to be included in the narrative, as he revealed in an interview with Bleeding Cool.
It’s true that I was interested in revealing Gambit to be bisexual in our series – with us first seeing him seduce a man on one of his missions, and soon thereafter meeting a member of the thieves guild Gambit previously had a more significant relationship with in his pre-X-Men debut. I never got past pitching the first part, though, as word came down we wouldn’t be redefining the character as such.
Asmus noted uncertainty over the decision, despite his editor, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, being supportive. He acknowledged that, while his pitch may not have been fully developed, there is nothing within the storyline itself that contradicts the notion of Gambit’s bisexuality. Thus, potential future narratives could still explore this facet of Gambit’s character.
Source: Bleeding Cool
Related Articles:
January 2025 Star Trek Fleet Command Codes and Hacks
13:12
10 Reasons Why Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Has Stand the Test of Time After 25 Years
13:11
Unbelievable Facts: Naruto’s Voice Actor Collaborates with MrBeast for Quite Some Time
13:09
Leave a Reply