GAMBIT #5 REVIEW

[Andrea Speed]

Reviewer: Andrea Speed andy@comixtreme.com
Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: House of Cards, Part 5: Celebrity Poker

Gambit is saved by a fellow X-Man. Take a guess at who it is.

<a href="http://www.comixtreme.com/gallery/data/media/705/gambit5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixtreme.com/gallery/data/thumbnails/705/gambit5.jpg"align="left" border="0"> </a>Writer: John Layman
Pencils: Georges Jeanty
Inks: Don Hillsman II with Dexter Vines
Colors: Tom Chu
Letters: Virtual Calligraphy's Cory Petit
Editor: Mike Marts
Cover Art: Greg Land
Publisher: Marvel


Review: Yes, I know - I’m doing a Gambit review. Well, I promised I would, and I keep my word. (I would like to point out I still dislike the character immensely, just to tick off the Gambit fans, who are already ticked at me. What kind of reviewer would I be if I didn’t give you something to pick at?)

It’s an unwritten rule in most X-Men solo books that get to a certain point that they have to have a Wolverine appearance. But Layman actually makes it seem logical, as no other X-Man would do what is done in this issue (no, I’m not talking about killing either, although that is what I expected at first), and here’s the biggest surprise of this entire issue: it’s actually kind of funny.

Not all of it, mind you. The opening is very dark, and Layman killed off my favorite supporting character, which I feared, but then he spins a very good and clever story involving Gambit and Wolverine trying to get even with the source of all Gambit’s recent trouble, gangster Orlean Cooper. Gambit’s plan involves a great deal of deception, which includes such indignities as Logan getting painted blue. Whoever could have guessed that Wolverine and Gambit could have a sideline in impersonating other superheroes? It’s a breezily written tale, in spite of obvious notes of darkness, a brisk but entertaining read. (But don’t think you’re off the hook for killing off Dan, Layman!)

The art by Jeanty remains strong, and among the best work he’s done on the title, with several great looking action panels, and a nice montage page at the start of the issue. The panel selection in this issue is pretty cinematic, employing many close ups and tight focus on eyes, although Jeanty packs the background with details. The coloring by Chu is rich and attractive, with gaudy costumes seemingly popping right off the page.

Blake will probably think I’ve lost my mind, but I actually liked this issue a lot; it’s hard not to like a caper story that also makes you laugh (on purpose). And of the recently launched solo X books - Nightcrawler, Rogue, Gambit, and Jubilee - this one seems to be not only spot on with characterization, but genuinely fun, with none of the general anonymity that plagues most of those titles. Who would have ever guessed that?




Ratings:

Story:http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/none.jpg
Art:http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/half.jpg
Overall:http://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/full.jpghttp://www.comixtreme.com/reviews/none.jpg





Buy Gambit online now from X-World and Save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=1474&cat=GAMBIT+%282004+SERIES%29)

[Templares]

Another good review for a comic starring Gambit:banana:. The cajun seems to be on a roll.

Really looking forward for the tpb.

[Adam Chapman]

I'm still in shock that not only did Andy not hate a Gambit comic, but she gave it pretty damn good ratings (and she doesn't give those out willy nilly! :p )

[Symphony of Six]

I'm a huge Gambit fan when he is written well, some people just can't do it...ahemChuckAusten...excuse me. I picked up issue one and didn't really get into it. Is the rest of the series worth buying being the Gambit fan I am or should I wait for the trade?

Oh, and here's to Peter Milligan...a great writer...writing him in X-Men.

[maggottman]

Whoever could have guessed that Wolverine and Gambit could have a sideline in impersonating other superheroes?
This is only vaguely on topic at best, but around Wolverine 126 or so, he did a pretty convincing job of convincing a bunch of Hydra guys that they were being attacked by the X-Men, Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and the Hulk. The story wasn't so great as I recall, but I liked to see Wolverine take an approach that didn't involve him taking out an army in a one-man frontal attack.

[Adam Chapman]

Heh, that was probably the smartest method of fighting that Wolverine ever came up- impersonating the Hulk, Storm, Human Torch, the Thing... :p

[T.C. Johnson]

I am not a huge Gambit fan, but I don't dislike him either. But I have been really enjoying this book. It is basically brain-candy with a side order of fluff, but it is fun brain candy.

Blake will probably think I’ve lost my mind, but I actually liked this issue a lot; it’s hard not to like a caper story that also makes you laugh (on purpose). And of the recently launched solo X books - Nightcrawler, Rogue, Gambit, and Jubilee - this one seems to be not only spot on with characterization, but genuinely fun, with none of the general anonymity that plagues most of those titles.

I would agree with you except District X. I think that is a great book. ANd it succeeds for the same reason I like Gambit. They are looking at the character and deciding what is the best type of story for him. With Gambit it is a fun crime/caper story kinda like the Sting or Oceans 11. For Bishop, it was a gritty, urban crime drama with some....twists.

[Andrea Speed]

Oh, I didn't include District X, because I don't really think of it as an X solo book. I mean, Bishop's just a supporting player, not the star. It's one of the best X series that Marvel has right now.

And i agree with your assessment of gambit one hundred percent, T.C. .

[gambit007]

Originally posted by Andrea Speed
Oh, I didn't include District X, because I don't really think of it as an X solo book. I mean, Bishop's just a supporting player, not the star. It's one of the best X series that Marvel has right now.

And i agree with your assessment of gambit one hundred percent, T.C. .

Liked the review Andrea, hope you like #6 whien it comes out...........next week?? I'm getting confused because they stopped showing preview pages for Gambits comics online. Anyone know?

-peace Gambit007

[Andrea Speed]

From what I understand, there's been some kind of delay that has kept it from getting in the previews as of late, but that's a problem that should be smoothed out soon.

As for the next issue - is it out that soon? I'll do some checking.

[Walt Kneeland]

Y'know...I'm gonna go broke, you keep reviewing books like this... :cool: I mean...one of MY standards of a book being "check-worthy" if I've already personally denounced it is when someone ELSE who doesn't like it deems it worthy. :D





SOOOO.....

Worth getting the trade? Or enough to the story in just this issue to warrant just buying the one issue?

~Walt
PS: In your opinion, of course
PPS: Questions open to others who wanna see Walt go broke... ;)

[Andrea Speed]

Well, let's see ...

I think the story has really picked up steam as it went along. It might read very good in a trade, and this one is a very good caper/action issue if you're in the mood for it, but it would probably have more impact if you knew what had happened before this. (In other words, probably trade - but it depends on you.)

And as far as I can find out, number six should be out next week. We probably won't find out 'til next week ... :LOL:

[Walt Kneeland]

Guess I'll hold off, see how the reviews sound til the inevitable TPB, and then see if I have the money to throw at the TPB. ;)

~Walt
PS: Unless you want the series cancelled. Then I can just hop on-board with # 6, and you can rest assured it won't see # 15.

[Andrea Speed]

Unless you want the series cancelled. Then I can just hop on-board with # 6, and you can rest assured it won't see # 15.

:LOL:

Man, do i know that feeling! I feel like a black widow sometimes - my love of a series seems to spell almost certain doom ...

[Walt Kneeland]

I doomed the poor Slingers... :shame:

~Walt

[Andrea Speed]

No, no, that wasn't you!!!

I blame Brandon. :LOL:

(Kidding, B - kidding!)

[Dino Pollard]

Originally posted by maggottman
This is only vaguely on topic at best, but around Wolverine 126 or so, he did a pretty convincing job of convincing a bunch of Hydra guys that they were being attacked by the X-Men, Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and the Hulk. The story wasn't so great as I recall, but I liked to see Wolverine take an approach that didn't involve him taking out an army in a one-man frontal attack.

Yeah, I remember that issue, too. Horrible, horrible issue...

[Walt Kneeland]

Originally posted by Dino Pollard
Yeah, I remember that issue, too. Horrible, horrible issue...

I don't recall it being all that terrible...

Not particularly "good," but not particularly "bad," either.

More...at the time..."fun."

But then, that's me.

And if I recall correctly, that was back in '98/'99ish...and I was just WAITING for the return of the adamantium :D

~Walt