Marvel has been on a nostalgia and retro kick lately. Creators go back in time to fill in gaps during their runs with new stories. Sometimes it works and sometimes it falls a bit flat. Gambit #1 is that type of story. It takes us back to the early days of Gambit and Ororo’s relationship. She’s been de-aged, now just a kid, and he has as thick of an accent as ever.
Chris Claremont, the writer of the time, returns to plot the tale and it’s as if he never left. That’s not necessarily a good thing. While the comic doesn’t quite have the same style Claremont used back in the day it picks up on the storylines with little refreshers. It’s been a long time since I read the original comics this revolves around. While I remember general plots specifics have long since gone. I found myself reading the issue feeling like I had missed something. Gambit #1 feels like you pick up a comic mid-way through its run.
That’s not a good feeling at all.
As such, I struggled to enjoy the comic until well into the issue. It began to focus a bit with its conflicts. While I don’t remember where the animosity came from, I could work with what was given. One person was bad and a major threat. Gambit and Ro are good. There you go, it’s all you need at that point. Of course that gets derailed as Claremont introduces a character at the end like we should know who it is. Maybe we should? Who knows. As I said, it’s been decades since I read the original comics.
The art by Sid Kotian is ok. It has a retro style to it in some ways but overall it’s a look I’m not a fan of. Beyond Gambit, the characters have a weird mix of 80s and 90s with shapes of heads often not quite right and details coming and going. Espen Grundetjern‘s color looks nice with again a bit of a blend between the 80s and 90s and Clayton Cowles provides the lettering. Just overall, it’s an art style I’m not a fan of. Nothing stands out as exciting and there’s some visuals that make no sense at all.
Gambit #1 plays into the nostalgia crowd. Unless you absolutely loved this moment for the X-Men, these characters, or Claremont, it’s an issue that doesn’t make a case of why it’s needed. It hasn’t yet revealed anything particularly interesting. It hasn’t made itself vital. It also has a choppy sense in its narrative. It feels like a missed opportunity for one of the best to return to revisit a classic era.
Story: Chris Claremont Art: Sid Kotian
Color: Espen Grundetjern Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle
Source: Graphic Policy
