Superhero Origins: Gambit

Superhero Origins: Gambit

He’s the Cajun sensation! Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we will explore the comic book origins of Remy Etienne LeBeau, otherwise known as Gambit.

As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginations and different versions to a character’s past. We have chosen to primarily follow the storyline which unfolded in 1990’s Uncanny X-Men #266, which was then expended upon in 2009’s “X-Men Origins: Gambit”.

In his first full comic appearance, Gambit revealed himself to be a charming mutant thief out to steal art during a fateful encounter with a de-aged and amnesia stricken Storm. Saving her from The Shadow King, its goons, Gambit saved the day with both his ability to cast a hypnotic charm, and transfer explosive energy to inanimate objects.

Following their perilous escape by parachute from the roof of the mansion, Gambit helped his new friend restore herself. In turn, he was made a full member of the X-Men team. However, problems arose with Wolverine, who doubted Gambit’s integrity.

The mysterious Cajun’s origin was finally fully expanded upon with 2009 comic “X-Men Origins: Gambit”. In that comic, he was revealed to have been a child thief with devilish eyes named Remy, that was kidnapped and raised by the LeBeau Thieves Guild, having believed him to be the prophesized “White Devil”, a man capable of uniting them with their enemies.

This prophecy first started to unravel when Remy happened to save the life of a girl, not realizing that she actually the deadly princess of the New Orleans Assassins Guild.

Falling in love with, the two eventually married, spurring a long awaited cease-fire between Remy’s guild of thieves and her clan of assassins.

However, when her brother opposed their union, Remy was challenged to a duel, of which he was unable to back away from. Inadvertently, he killed his challenger when his still emerging mutant power charged his sword and made it explode.

Sentenced to exile, Remy assumed the identity of Gambit and roamed the world making a living as a master thief. However, he eventually lost control over his ability, which had continued to grow in intensity.

As a result, he sought out and made a deal with the fellow mutant Mister Sinister in order to allow him to regain control. This deal involved the removal of a portion of his brain stem, limiting his power output. In exchange Gambit rounded up mutant assassins called the Marauders, and led them on a secret mission. This turned out to be the infamous “Mutant Massacre” that was aimed at wiping out all of the Morlock’s, the band of deformed mutants living underneath Manhattan.

Realizing the horrific mistake he made, Gambit attempted to save the Murlock’s, only succeeding in saving a single child.

Following this ordeal, he continued to wander the world, which is when he finally encountered Storm and helped her return to the X-men.

As a member, Gambit became romantically involved with Rogue. However this relationship was interrupted when the truth of his involvement in the Mutant Massacre came to light, causing him to temporarily become outcast from the X-Men.

In the years that followed Gambit returned to the team to aid the X-Men in their struggles. He has also become a fan favorite for his iconic use of explosive playing cards and bo staff.

Over the years, Gambit has appears in various media, including the X-Men animated cartoons series, the X-Men video games, and was portrayed by actor Taylor Kitsch in 2009’s action prequel “X-men Origins: Wolverine.”

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