Gambit, later collected as Gambit: King of Thieves, is a 2012 series from Marvel Comics, starring Remy LeBeau, the eponymous Gambit.
Set in the shared Marvel Universe, the series is part of the wider X-Men franchise and finds Gambit reconsidering his life, trying to balance his new responsibilities as an X-Man and teacher (at the 'Jean Grey School for Gifted Youngsters') with his history in the Thieves Guild of New Orleans.
Even if he's a superhero now, Gambit's still one of the world's best thieves - and sometimes stealing from the bad guys might be justified, even if it breaks laws and blurs some lines. But one particular robbery has consequences that draw a lot of unwanted attention, putting the two halves of Gambit's life in conflict.
Gambit's been a thief. He's also been a superhero. But can he genuinely try to be both at once?
The first issue was released August 8, 2012. The series ended with issue #17, released September 25, 2012.
Gambit (2012) contains examples of the following tropes:
- Bad Guy Bar: While trying to find Joelle, Gambit visits 'The Club With No Name', a New York supervillain bar. Patrons include the Wrecking Crew, Boomerang, Batroc, several A.I.M. goons (in full uniform), Lady Stilt-Man and Tiger Shark. There's a little trouble at the door, but after the doorman sees just how many international crimes Gambit is now wanted for, he gets admitted with an apology.
- Face–Heel Revolving Door: Gambit's checkered past is discussed when he tries to get into 'The Club With No Name', a New York Bad Guy Bar. Tiger Shark and Lady Stilt-Man warily view him as a hero in the wrong place, Batroc (who knows Gambit's Thieves Guild background) welcomes him as criminal nobility, a couple of A.I.M. goons speculate about which way it'll go - and the doorman only lets him in after checking the latest news.Club Doorman: My apologies, Mr LeBeau! I hadn't checked the international lists. And if I may say - that's a helluva week you've had!
- Scenery Censor: The first page of the first issue has Gambit stepping out of the shower, with a carefully placed photo frame concealing his genitals.
- Outliving One's Offspring: Ever since a mysterious benefactor saved her life decades ago, Joelle is now Long-Lived (or possibly The Ageless). Her elderly daughter's imminent death haunts her to the point where she rejects her life and powers and actively seeks to die.
- Really 700 Years Old: Some sort of power or magic was used to save Joelle's life after her daughter was born - she doesn't know exactly what, and it's not revealed in the series. But she's now become The Ageless - or perhaps extremely Long-Lived - whereas her elderly daughter is now dying of age-related illness.
- Who Wants to Live Forever?: Joelle is either The Ageless or extremely Long-Lived (she doesn't know exactly what her benefactor did to her, and the series never reveals the answer). When her daughter is dying of old age, she decides that she no longer wants to continue - although her other abilities mean that there's no such thing as a 'simple' suicide option for her.
