30/03/07: Site Updates
These are the most recent updates to the GambitGuild UK site.
The menu has changed to allow easier viewing of what is available.
Mailing list added.
Typos busted.
Added X-Baby Gambit to the 'Alternate Reality' section.
Overhalled the 'Gallery' section. It is now split into 5 areas - colouring book, cover art, official/interior art, fan art and concept art.
Added a FAQ.
Added a 'Women of Gambit' section.
Added synopses to the 'Books' section, reviews coming soon.
Added a 'Miscellaneous Facts' section.
Added a 'Significant Cards' section.
Added a couple of new books to the 'Books' section.
Added a new poster to the 'Other Collectables' section.
Added a new item to the 'Statues' section.
Added 2 new items to the 'Action Figues' section.
Added 2 new trench deaths to the 'Trench Demises' section.
Added a new death to the 'Many Deaths' section.
Restructured the allies/enemies section to include a headshot of each listed person.
Added 2 new trading cards to the 'Trading Cards' section.
Added an 'AU Descendants' section.
Updated the AU uniform descriptions.
Added a 'Common Fan Theories' section.
Added a few new allies and enemies although I'm still working on filling in the details.
Added a new uniform to the 'Uniforms' section.
Added an image for one of the deaths in the 'Many Deaths' section.
Added an image for one of the characters in the 'Alternate Reality' section.
22/03/07:News Update
Thanks to sarafimm8868 for this extract from Wizard Magazine #185 (March 2007)
In the section "X-posing the Truth: Answering the Questions X-Fans Have Been Asking" there were two items of interest relating to Gambit and Mr. Sinister.
"What's going on with all the classic X-men villains?"
With Magneto making an eventual comeback [big sidebar on that issue but it boils down to you can't keep a good leader down and that Magnus is still depowered], the fans want to know where all the classic X-villains are hiding. Some, like Mystique, Sabretooth and Juggernaut, continue to hide in plain sight as members of various X-teams. Others, like Mr. Sinister, who we last saw confronting Sunfire and Gambit, continue to stick to the shadows. But don't expect Sinister to stay hidden for long though, and with his return, can the murderous mutant Marauders be far behind? "Well, if I were gonna write them, I'd combine some of the most unstoppable and terrifying members of the original team with one or two real surprises," [X-men writer Mike] Carey teases. Surprises tend not to go in the way of the X-men's favor, so expect anything from a dead teammate to betrayal from some familiar faces.
"Where are Gambit and Sunfire?"
Gambit and Sunfire haven't been seen since Mr. Sinister came to their aid after they denounced their roles as Apocalypse's Horsemen. Could heroes like these still be hanging out with that albino antagonist?
"They will be popping up again soon," X-Editor Andy Schmidt proposes. "I would not say they're coming from the same place they left off. Be on the lookout, because things may have happened with Gambit and Sunfire that you don't know about yet." Gambit and Sunfire have been through more than just about any other mutants on the planet, so the extent to which their psyches have been damaged remains to be seen. They could still be hanging out with Sinister, or they could be waiting for their moment to return to the spotlight. Or both.
20/03/07: News Update
Thanks to Canemacar for pointing out this interesting interview with Mike Carey.
http://www.uncannyxmen.net/db/article/showquestion.asp?faq=12&fldAuto=323
A hint of what is inside:
Ascloseasitgets - What do you think of Gambit's "gas" powers?
Carey - Umm… I prefer his regular powers.
Hermito7 - Hearing of the return of Gambit after 200 what types of changes can we see from him in personality, powers, and possibly looks?
Carey - I’d just direct you to the David Finch cover on that one. And I’d also say keep watching until #207 before you come to any conclusions.
19/03/07: News Update
Thanks to Canemacar for these tidbits.
X-MEN #200 (FINCH GATEFOLD VARIANT COVER)
Written by MIKE CAREY
Penciled by Humberto Ramos & CHRIS BACHALO
50/50 Wraparound Cover by Humberto Ramos
50/50 Wraparound Cover by CHRIS BACHALO
Gatefold Variant Cover by DAVID FINCH
Blinded by the Light, Part 1 of 4.
Jump on board here! This is where it all begins! The X-Men face meltdown from within and from without... and their leader, Rogue, faces something worse. Meanwhile a mysterious strike force is taking out the few remaining mutants one by one, with ruthless efficiency. But who is the ultimate target? This special double-sized anniversary issue features a plethora of mutant guest stars, the return of several fan-favorites, and a devastating face-off against the deadliest villain team in the X-Men's forty-four year history! FEATURING THE FIRST ENDANGERED SPECIES BACK-UP STORY LEADING UP TO THIS FALL'S X-MEN EVENT!
64 PGS./Rated A ...$3.99
Mike Carey: "Gambit is a very cool character, too, and one that I'm very much looking forward to getting my hands on. I think his personal odyssey has taken some curious turns in recent years, but what we're going to see this year and next is a restatement of what made him such a fascinating character in the first place. Kind of a rebirth, in some ways at least. But not a ret-con or a re-invention."
http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=10031
Mike Carey: "Christian - I don’t want to try to reduce Gambit’s essence down to a couple of sentences, but in terms of what appeals to me… I like both his ruthlessness and his gallantry, and the way they offset each other. Most of the characters I like are a fusion of opposites, and Gambit’s no exception there. I also tend to like characters who improvise and live on their wits. And - maybe this is the most important point - Gambit has been set up as a character who has colossal amounts of untapped potential, in terms of power levels and in terms of (for want of a better phrase) his inner resources. We’ve seen - in the New Sun storyline - what he could become, and it’s fascinating and scary. I’d like to see some of those possibilities start to be realised."
Thanks to Lord Evan for this tidbit:
I got more dirt on Endangered Species and the future of X-men -
http://www.newsarama.com/WWLA_07/Marvel/x_men.html
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=105460
7/02/07: Rumour Update
From Lord Evan:
Well, according to my calcuations on the 4 week adjectiveless cycle, Gambit will return June 20, 2007.
7/02/07: News Update
Thanks once again to the excellent Lord Evan for getting this from Mike Carey's blog.
I got more comments from Carey for ya'll, including his favorite chocolates
Lord Evan - thanks for the vote of confidence. “We must die before we can be reborn”. I like that. It’s got resonance.
On the chocolate front, I’m going to decline with thanks. I wouldn’t want you to do that and then feel that I’d let you down or misled you or failed to deliver on anything you felt was forthcoming. I tell you what, though - put them by, and if you still feel when I leave the book that I’m deserving of chocolates, then I’ll send you my address. And milk, is the answer - with lots of nut and toffee centres…
Christian - all I can say in reply to that is that we’re going to see Gambit in #200 and that we do see him in disreputable company and with an indefensible agenda. But Remy is Remy, by which I mean what you see is never exactly what you get: and this story runs all the way through (ultimately, by many twists and turns) to #207. In that time we’ll see a lot of very significant things being done, some of them to Gambit, some of them by Gambit. Wait and see.
26/01/07: News Update
Thanks to Lord Evan for finding this on Mike Carey's blog.
Q: Will there be any death? (I don’t mean Gambit)
A: There will be Death - meaning Gambit. By the time you’ve read the #200-#203 arc and the Adjectiveless chapters of the crossover, Gambit will have moved a long way from where he is now.
Q: I know you can’t post any specifics, but can you tell me if this huge change is of the “OMG I can’t wait” variety, or the “give me the address of Marvel and the nearest sporting goods store” kind? I’d like to think there’s no where he could go but up, but Marvel’s surprised me like that before.
A: I think you should hedge your bets. You know, buy the gun but hold off on the ammunition. What I’m promising are some cool Gambit beats - and a new chapter in his story, rather than him appearing in someone else’s.
Q: Will Gambit be Hero or villain or just back in limbo?
A: Again, not limbo. I won’t say any more than that. But you know I was talking about giving Gambit an appearance mainly in order to hit some Rogue beats. Well, there’s going to be a lot more to it than that.
16/12/06: News Update
Thanks again to Avarice for finding this, once again from Mike Carey's blog.
Q: Is Gambit still going to be a villain and still hanging out with Sinister after his appearance? Or is he going to go rogue? (no pun)
A: As with the Rogue question above, I’m going to largely duck this one - except to say that it’s looking like Gambit may (only may) be able to play a fairly substantial role in the post-#200 arc. Please don’t take that as a promise, though. It’s just something we’re exploring.
Q: You said that you are sometimes accused of following continuity too much. Does that mean you’re going to continue Marvel’s tradition of treating Gambit like a complete joke, or are you going to do something like you did with Rogue and give him a 180 attitude adjustment?
A: Aha, trick question. Is that what I did with Rogue? What I was trying to do was to stress things that were in her character right from the start.
What I meant by that continuity comment is that on some books where I’ve brought back old cast members and supporting characters, people have occasionally said - more or less - why aren’t you using your own imagination here? Why are you relying so much on what earlier writers have created? To which I can only give the now-immortal reply “Yeahbuwha?”