X-Men Origins: Gambit # 1 - Random Acts of Redemption

I really wanted this book to get me back into Gambit but I felt like each chapter ended to quick. I kept re-checking each page making sure none were stuck. To be fair each chapter left me wanting more and wondering how each chapter ended in a full fledge story arc. I know that most have written off Gambit as a solo character but I would really be interested in reading an Gambit origins that would go further than a one shot, the art was enjoyable but with the same stories be retold did not do it justice. I would save my money and not buy this comic but hope Marvel would put more thought into a Gambit Solo experience!

This was pretty much only going to be bought by die-hard Gambit fans, and I knew that, but if that is the case then at least give us something new please, not just a collection of all the stories we know squeezed into one issue. This should have been a mini series, and the origin could have been explored in much greater detail with more of a chance to get to know Gambit as a character.

The time line for this issue is basically from Gambits marriage to Belladona up to where he meets and saves a young Ororo, but not too much in between. We basically have Gambits meeting with Sinister & the Marauders Massacre. If you know the history of Remy like me this is fine, but if you were a new reader you may well get lost. The art by David Yardin is absolutely gorgeous and the highlight of the issue. The writing work by Mike Carey is solid but one thing that does grate on me when he writes Gambit is that every other sentence is said in French!! Now hear me out, I know Gambit grew up in the French quarter of New Orleans but we read in English and I don’t buy a comic to not understand what I’m reading. Now I have this beef with Carey as he writes WHOLE sentences in French, I have been a Gambit fan since his creation and from what I remember other writers would throw in a ‘chere’or a ‘mon ami’ from time to time, which is fine as these are obvious words that most people know which give the character an identity and personality, but not whole sentences please. Anyway, rant over. Average story, beautiful art, but for die-hard fans only.