I've been a Marvel comics fan since I was very young - but the character I could never get into, was Gambit. I thought his power was silly, his costume ugly, and his romance with Rogue never really resonated with me.
But then low and behold, the more I talk to people about the X-Men, and marvel comics in general the more I hear: "Gambit is my favorite."

Now I think I'm missing something.

So please, educate me, why is Gambit your favorite? What makes him awesome? Why all the love?
Mind you, I'm not going to try and start a debate with you about it, I just want to understand why Gambit is so great- and maybe if someone can nudge me over to his side as well.

He touches things the explode there fore he is awesome

Then add in he is a master thief and that makes him even better.

Oh and in an alternate dimension he turned int a sun and burned all life off earth.

The only good character to come out of X-Men was Deadpool. The rest have been arse.

Character wise, hes wolverine without the asshole. Power wise he makes things explode.

He had some good plot development, but that was a few years ago before I gave up on X-men. just too bloody confusing when you have 25 years of plot to catch up on. Thats 3 years older than I've been alive!

Gambit is a mystery. He's the archeatypical loner rogue. He's smoother than Logan, More bad ass than Scott and more quick witted Than Hank. He also one of the few x men with a real trademark. and his accent is just pure awesome

Personally, I find Gambit's ability to manipulate kinetic energy to be a completely badass ability. He can take any object he wants and turn it into a volatile mass that explodes, either immediately or after a controlled amount of time. At least that's my personal reason for liking him. My other favorite is Nightcrawler though.

I think in the end, it's up to individual preference as to which X-Men you find to be your favorite.

As for the mass amount of people that site Gambit as their favorite, I personally have not experienced this, but maybe people really like his Cajun accent.

Everyone who says he makes stuff explode is wrong. Wrong. He charges objects with kinetic energy. How awesome is that? And he uses a quarterstaff, and he's a master thief.

jim_doki:
Gambit is a mystery. He's the archeatypical loner rogue. He's smoother than Logan, More bad ass than Scott and more quick witted Than Hank. He also one of the few x men with a real trademark. and his accent is just pure awesome

Could I get a more in depth explanation? This just makes him sound like a Mary Sue, which I don't think was your intention - unless he is, which would be disappointing. :(

And okay, I forgot that he can charge things with kinetic energey and make them explode, which is notably pretty rad, but why cards?

(PS: Also, I love Deadpool and Nightcrawler too.)

explosions are cool > Gambit makes explosions > Therefore Gambit is cool.

He's also been evil at times as part of the Marauders and who likes a straight good guy?

I was really surprised they never had Gambit in any of the three movies, seeing as he is one of the more popular characters.

The only encounter I've had with Gambit is in a fighter game on the PS1. And if I'm not mistaken, he threw cards that exploded. If that doesn't make him awesome, then what does?

Onyxblackwolf:

jim_doki:
Gambit is a mystery. He's the archeatypical loner rogue. He's smoother than Logan, More bad ass than Scott and more quick witted Than Hank. He also one of the few x men with a real trademark. and his accent is just pure awesome

Could I get a more in depth explanation? This just makes him sound like a Mary Sue, which I don't think was your intention - unless he is, which would be disappointing. :(

And okay, I forgot that he can charge things with kinetic energey and make them explode, which is notably pretty rad, but why cards?

(PS: Also, I love Deadpool and Nightcrawler too.)

He has been known to use other objects, including throwing daggers, and in one particular scenario, a wad of chewing gum that he was chewing.

Onyxblackwolf:

jim_doki:
Gambit is a mystery. He's the archeatypical loner rogue. He's smoother than Logan, More bad ass than Scott and more quick witted Than Hank. He also one of the few x men with a real trademark. and his accent is just pure awesome

but why cards?

Because you can carry a lot of them in a small space, other objects not so much. I'm pretty sure it also deals with him being a compulsive gambler.(I'm probably wrong about that)

Gambit's awesome?

When did that happen?

Personally i've always been a Nightcrawler/Beast kinda guy when it came to X-men.

Onyxblackwolf:

jim_doki:
Gambit is a mystery. He's the archeatypical loner rogue. He's smoother than Logan, More bad ass than Scott and more quick witted Than Hank. He also one of the few x men with a real trademark. and his accent is just pure awesome

Could I get a more in depth explanation? This just makes him sound like a Mary Sue, which I don't think was your intention - unless he is, which would be disappointing. :(

And okay, I forgot that he can charge things with kinetic energey and make them explode, which is notably pretty rad, but why cards?

(PS: Also, I love Deadpool too.)

happy to oblige

Of all the X men, he has the most interesting story. He was a street ruffian who could blow stuff up with his mind. Mister Sinister limited his powers and now, even though he's STILL one of the most powerful mutants on earth, he's been toned down lots. He has no real fears anymore, and he can actually die. He's been through a lot and that't made him tough, strong, street smart and brave. as for the cards, it's a fantatic trademark. everybody knows him as "The Card Guy". plus it gives him all those one-liners like "ace in the hole!" and "have a heart, mon ami"

Onyxblackwolf:

jim_doki:
Gambit is a mystery. He's the archeatypical loner rogue. He's smoother than Logan, More bad ass than Scott and more quick witted Than Hank. He also one of the few x men with a real trademark. and his accent is just pure awesome

Could I get a more in depth explanation? This just makes him sound like a Mary Sue, which I don't think was your intention - unless he is, which would be disappointing. :(

And okay, I forgot that he can charge things with kinetic energey and make them explode, which is notably pretty rad, but why cards?

(PS: Also, I love Deadpool and Nightcrawler too.)

"Gambit, why do you use playing cards?"

"It's like having 52 bombs in my pocket."

I've never read an X-Men comic, so my impressions of Gambit are strictly from the 90's cartoon series. I'm sure there are plenty of hardcore Marvel fanboys that will come and rip you a new one but I am not here to do that.

From the cartoons Gambit was always my favorite. I thought his power was cool. Being able to charge any object with Kinetic(?) energy is cool. The fact that his weapon of choice is playing cards is just icing on the cake.

He is well versed with the Bo staff which again I personally think is badass.

But for me it's his overall pesonality. Sarcastic and quick witted. Always some smartass comment to make it reminds me of myself. Also he has that Cajun Charm, I work with a guy from Baton Rouge and we call him gambit because he talks and acts just like him (he claims he can't make things explode although I am not entirely convinced).

I will concede that his outfit is terrible and his romance with Rouge to me was unnecassary, but the new X-Men origins movie looks to change both of these complaints.

Drake the Dragonheart:
I was really surprised they never had Gambit in any of the three movies, seeing as he is one of the more popular characters.

The good news is that Gambit is in the Wolverine movie.

Four words. He blows stuff up. 'Nuff said.

Onyxblackwolf:

jim_doki:
Gambit is a mystery. He's the archeatypical loner rogue. He's smoother than Logan, More bad ass than Scott and more quick witted Than Hank. He also one of the few x men with a real trademark. and his accent is just pure awesome

Could I get a more in depth explanation? This just makes him sound like a Mary Sue, which I don't think was your intention - unless he is, which would be disappointing. :(

And okay, I forgot that he can charge things with kinetic energey and make them explode, which is notably pretty rad, but why cards?

(PS: Also, I love Deadpool too.)

Hmmm...

Imagine having a gun with 54 (rapid fire if necessary) bullets that can fit into a breast coat pocket- COMPLETELY CONCEALED and can be reloaded for what...$1.50 at your local Wal Mart store? Yep, on second thought that's exactly what an intelligent thief would do to take advantage of this particular mutant power.

People just get Gambit... he's natural (all the cartoon depictions stick to the descriptions to a T)...he's more "tangible"... plus he's one of the few X-Men with natural Southern charm- you see him and you want to like him naturally. Combine that with the many intelligent ways he has learned to focus and use his power over time--this question is relatively easy.

Rock Beefchest:

Drake the Dragonheart:
I was really surprised they never had Gambit in any of the three movies, seeing as he is one of the more popular characters.

The good news is that Gambit is in the Wolverine movie.

Watched the preview at the beginning of Valkyrie- wasn't sold after X-3...but definitely am now. Gambit was my favorite growing up.

Archemetis:
Gambit's awesome?

When did that happen?

Personally i've always been a Nightcrawler/Beast kinda guy when it came to X-men.

Loved what they did with Nightcrawler in X-2 (him becoming Storm's emotional anchor)...was completely pissed off that they didn't put him in X-3 (Hollywood Reviews are just plain stupid sometimes- don't think any of the big boys actually liked him).

I liked Gambit's introduction in the comics; a master thief who randomly teams up with a mind wiped de-aged storm and helps her through her second go at being a teenager by them stealing what seemed like everything worth stealing in whatever slum of a city they were in.

You see; right from the get go the powers are secondary to his character; totally criminal, but ultimately charming.

The whole romance with Rogue was annoying, especially in the cartoon, as it seemed like the only thing they understood about him, but they did her character pretty well overall (though she's still only interesting once you understand that the root of her most useful powers in the cartoon (flight and super strength) came from her putting Miss Marvel in a coma.)

And there you see a totally contrasting character; made interesting entirely by her powers (pain, death and power theft) and her parentage (at least in raising her, in particular a certaon shape shifting serial killer), whereas gambit's powers have nothing whatsoever to do with what makes him interesting.

Trace2010:

Archemetis:
Gambit's awesome?

When did that happen?

Personally i've always been a Nightcrawler/Beast kinda guy when it came to X-men.

Loved what they did with Nightcrawler in X-2 (him becoming Storm's emotional anchor)...was completely pissed off that they didn't put him in X-3 (Hollywood Reviews are just plain stupid sometimes- don't think any of the big boys actually liked him).

I read that he demanded more money for the role so the shaved monkey that made three basically told him to fuck himself.

Really though if i had to spend 4-6 hours average in make up just to film either 2 minutes or no footage (Because in the production people inh make up are expected to be in make up at every shoot whether needed or not) i'd demand more money too.

tijuanatim:
I've never read an X-Men comic, so my impressions of Gambit are strictly from the 90's cartoon series.

yep, that's where I know the most about him from and yes he did look stupid in that costume:

gambit is just uber cool lol
i mean common, dont u just lvoe the french accent it draws me in all he time lmao
but srs, hes awesome always been my fav

Gambit is "awesome" because he's Cajun, wears a Trench Coat, Carries a staff and his power is kinda cool.

Archemetis:

Trace2010:

Archemetis:
Gambit's awesome?

When did that happen?

Personally i've always been a Nightcrawler/Beast kinda guy when it came to X-men.

Loved what they did with Nightcrawler in X-2 (him becoming Storm's emotional anchor)...was completely pissed off that they didn't put him in X-3 (Hollywood Reviews are just plain stupid sometimes- don't think any of the big boys actually liked him).

I read that he demanded more money for the role so the shaved monkey that made three basically told him to fuck himself.

Really though if i had to spend 4-6 hours average in make up just to film either 2 minutes or no footage (Because in the production people inh make up are expected to be in make up at every shoot whether needed or not) i'd demand more money too.

I concur after much violent laughter...you summed that one up pretty well.

carnkhan4:

tijuanatim:
I've never read an X-Men comic, so my impressions of Gambit are strictly from the 90's cartoon series.

yep, that's where I know the most about him from and yes he did look stupid in that costume:

Interesting...me too- but I liked him because of the TV show...didn't have the opportunity to collect comics back then.

jim_doki:

Of all the X men, he has the most interesting story. He was a street ruffian who could blow stuff up with his mind. Mister Sinister limited his powers and now, even though he's STILL one of the most powerful mutants on earth, he's been toned down lots. He has no real fears anymore, and he can actually die. He's been through a lot and that't made him tough, strong, street smart and brave. as for the cards, it's a fantatic trademark. everybody knows him as "The Card Guy". plus it gives him all those one-liners like "ace in the hole!" and "have a heart, mon ami"

Yeesh Mr.Sinister sure has his hands gripped tightly 'round the throats of many X-Men.

Well this certainly makes Gambit more interesting - I wish they had books for everyone's Origin story (considering Logan's was so interesting before all the spandex superhero work) because I think I'd go out and pick up Gambit's.
Actually didn't he have a comic mini-series in the 90s?

Oh, and I legitimately laughed when I read "have a heart, mon ami." I couldn't imagine delivering that line to someone I'm blowing up and not crack up laughing.

---
Okay the card thing makes more sense now that it was explained (by everyone). Is it safe to assume that Gambit is a professional card chucker as well? He otherwise wouldn't get much use out of the cards otherwise I suppose.

Question - couldn't he just run around punching people/charging them with kinetic energy to make them explode? I think I remember him doing that (but only in the cartoon - and only to robots).

Onyxblackwolf:

jim_doki:

Of all the X men, he has the most interesting story. He was a street ruffian who could blow stuff up with his mind. Mister Sinister limited his powers and now, even though he's STILL one of the most powerful mutants on earth, he's been toned down lots. He has no real fears anymore, and he can actually die. He's been through a lot and that't made him tough, strong, street smart and brave. as for the cards, it's a fantatic trademark. everybody knows him as "The Card Guy". plus it gives him all those one-liners like "ace in the hole!" and "have a heart, mon ami"

Yeesh Mr.Sinister sure has his hands gripped tightly 'round the throats of many X-Men.

Well this certainly makes Gambit more interesting - I wish they had books for everyone's Origin story (considering Logan's was so interesting before all the spandex superhero work) because I think I'd go out and pick up Gambit's.
Actually didn't he have a comic mini-series in the 90s?

Oh, and I legitimately laughed when I read "have a heart, mon ami." I couldn't imagine delivering that line to someone I'm blowing up and not crack up laughing.

---
Okay the card thing makes more sense now that it was explained (by everyone). Is it safe to assume that Gambit is a professional card chucker as well? He otherwise wouldn't get much use out of the cards otherwise I suppose.

Question - couldn't he just run around punching people/charging them with kinetic energy to make them explode? I think I remember him doing that (but only in the cartoon - and only to robots).

He could, but then he would just be Wolverine with pyrotechnics. The playing cards are his signature, his calling card.

Helmet:

Onyxblackwolf:

jim_doki:
Gambit is a mystery. He's the archeatypical loner rogue. He's smoother than Logan, More bad ass than Scott and more quick witted Than Hank. He also one of the few x men with a real trademark. and his accent is just pure awesome

Could I get a more in depth explanation? This just makes him sound like a Mary Sue, which I don't think was your intention - unless he is, which would be disappointing. :(

And okay, I forgot that he can charge things with kinetic energey and make them explode, which is notably pretty rad, but why cards?

(PS: Also, I love Deadpool and Nightcrawler too.)

"Gambit, why do you use playing cards?"

"It's like having 52 bombs in my pocket."

This is probably the best explanation ever! LOL

berethond:
Everyone who says he makes stuff explode is wrong. Wrong. He charges objects with kinetic energy. How awesome is that? And he uses a quarterstaff, and he's a master thief.

And he's Cajin.
Put all that together and you have an absurdly kickass mutant.

He's a bastard and likes to blow up stuff... I guess many people can relate to him :)

Guys/Gals

Abilities aside its his personality traits that draws us in. Has been my favorite for many many years.