Warning: Contains spoilers for Captain Marvel #46!Marvel has confirmed the reason why Gambit is the X-Men’s best fighter. In Captain Marvel #46, Carol is leading a group of mutants on a mission to rescue Gambit’s wife Rogue from the clutches of the evil alien Brood. As they fight their way through hordes of the evil creatures, a member of Carol’s team, Hazmat, cannot help but notice Gambit’s superior fighting skills–and learns why his fellow X-Men trust his abilities.
The issue is written by Kelly Thompson, illustrated by Javier Pina, colored by Yen Nitro and lettered by Clayton Cowles. In deep space, Captain Marvel’s hastily assembled rescue team has split into two groups, with Polaris, Gambit, Hazmat and Wolverine fighting on one side of the space station. As they are closing in on Rogue’s location, Gambit begins charging up items to use as weapons in the fight that is sure to follow. As he does so, he begins speaking in French. Hazmat asks Polaris and Wolverine if they ever understand what Gambit is saying and they both reply, “No.” However, Polaris says that Gambit’s “instincts are exceptional,” and over time they have just learned to “roll with it.” Wolverine chimes in, agreeing with Polaris. As if to reaffirm their belief in him, Gambit blows open a huge door, allowing them to continue their rescue mission.
Gambit Is One of Marvel's Best Fighters—Period
Nearly all the X-Men are great fighters, but Gambit stands head and shoulders above the rest. Introduced in 1990's Uncanny X-Men #266, Gambit has the mutant ability to charge inanimate objects with energy, converting them into weapons. A thief by trade, Gambit encountered an amnesiac Storm, and eventually accompanied her back to the X-Mansion, where he has been a fixture of the team ever since. Gambit’s energy manipulation powers also make him a reserve of bio-kinetic energy, which gives him additional powers, such as enhanced strength and agility; this gives Gambit a serious one-up when it comes to fighting, which served him well as a member of the Thieves Guild.
Thanks to years of living on the street as a pickpocket and a thief, as well as his extensive time with the X-Men, Gambit has morphed into one of the greatest fighters not only among his fellow mutants, but in the larger Marvel Universe as a whole. During his time on the team, his fellow X-Men have learned to trust his instincts. Time and again, Gambit has shown himself to be a highly competent fighter, vanquishing everyone from evil mutants to the Brood, and his actions in this issue show the X-Men’s faith in him is well-placed. While Polaris may not be as physical a fighter as Gambit, Wolverine is, and even she can't deny Gambit’s abilities in combat. Even if his teammates do not always understand what he is saying, they have total respect for his fighting prowess.
Like many of his fellow X-Men, including his wife Rogue, Gambit comes from a rough and tumble background, one that forced him to sometimes think with his fists. Gambit learned the arts of combat on the streets of New Orleans, and he brought these skills with him to the X-Men, where they were only sharpened further. Thanks to these instincts, Gambit is the X-Men’s best fighter–and has the complete respect and trust of his teammates.
Captain Marvel #46 is on sale now from Marvel Comics!