Summary

• Gambit proves his worth to the X-Men once again by using his mutant powers and thief skills to defeat an Asgardian dragon.
• Gambit's loyalty to Rogue shines through as he s her becoming the leader of the new X-Men team, despite her doubts.
• Settling down in New Orleans, Gambit's past with the Thieves and Assassin's Guilds may come back to haunt him as the series progresses.

Contains spoilers for Uncanny X-Men (2024) #1!As a new team of X-Men look for their place in the world, Gambit has once again proven just how valuable he is to the team with one of his most impressive feats ever. Gambit isn’t a leader, but he’s got a unique set of skills that makes him perfect on different X-Men teams.

In Uncanny X-Men (2024) #1 by Gail Simone, David Marquez, Matthew Wilson and Clayton Cowles, Gambit proves once again that he’s invaluable to the X-Men by defeating the "God of Dragons" with not just his mutant powers, but his skills as a thief.

In the issue, the magical artifact owned by Doctor Strange. While Sadurang is distracted by the others, Gambit is able to surreptitiously steal the Eye from the dragon, forcing it to back down.

Gambit's Combination of Mutant Power and Thief Skills Makes Him a Valuable Asset

Gambit agrees to give the dragon back the Eye if it spends a year isolated in Antarctica without eating anyone. He's even able to barter further, asking for a boon from Sadurang. The dragon accepts, granting the assembled mutants an ominous prophesy of the future before flying off. This whole scene is the perfect encapsulation of what makes Gambit an A-Lister. It’s the combination of his powers, thieving skill, quick-thinking and charm that makes him a delight to read time and again. When the team can’t best Sadurang in combat, he uses tricks to save the day.

The series also promises to give added context to Gambit as it continues. In the aftermath of the X-Men’s Krakoan era, with mutants scattered to the winds, the team is settling down in a ramshackle house in New Orleans, Gambit’s hometown. The house is seemingly owned by the newly introduced Marcus, who knows Gambit, and their shared past is an open question so far. Similarly, given Gambit’s contentious history with New Orleans’ warring Thieves and Assassin’s Guilds, he might find himself dragging his friends into yet another mess from his past.

Gambit is More Loyal to Rogue Than to the X-Men's Mission

One question is how Gambit will fit into the larger framework of this new X-Men team. He and Logan unanimously nominate Rogue as the team’s leader in Uncanny X-Men #1, even as Rogue feels uncertain about the X-Men’s role in the new mutant status quo. What’s her husband’s perspective on this, beyond simply helping mutants? Gambit’s always ive of Rogue, but he’s never been particularly ideologically motivated as an X-Man. Maybe Gambit doesn’t need to be the one worrying about the big questions. Maybe Gambit has his niche, as the X-Men’s incredibly charming, powerful and sneaky wife guy.

Uncanny X-Men (2024) #1 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.