Summary: <br> Adam Graham concludes his look at Volume 1 of the Collection of Gambit’s Solo series in 1999. <br> Affiliate link included in this post. <br> Transcript below:<br> <br> Welcome to the Classy Comics Podcast. From Boise, Idaho this is your host, Adam Graham. If you have a comment, email it to me classycomicsguy@gmail.com. In our last episode I began talking about X-Men and Gambit: The Complete Collection Volume One. I laid out general thoughts on X-Men and Gambit, and also what I thought were some major highlights that could be seen throughout the first seven issues. Blade the Vampire Slayer actually shows up as a guest star in this book and it works. It’s a surprising combination but Gambit and Blade just have a good enough rapport, but also contrast to make for an interesting book. I also note that the Blade Issue tried to be very tasteful and bloodless which I don’t think would have happened if that crossover happened today. <br> Also in this book, The X-cutioner shows up. Yes, he spells it with an ‘X’, the cutesy spelling for crazed villain who want to put down mutants and in particular Remy LeBeau/Gambit, and as part of that he kidnaps Rogue. Somehow that seems like a kind of hard task but he manages it and I have mixed feelings about the issue because on one hand it does show Rogue and Gambit in action together and there is some development regarding the relationship, and I think that it’s always a fun part of this particular character but on the other hand the X-cutioner just goes on and on. You read through that Issue and the pictures are practically blacked over with all of the X-cutioner’s lengthy diatribes, and he’s one of those villains that thinks he’s profound but really isn’t.<br> Now on to the final four Issues in the book. Issues Eight and Nine are part of “the Shattering” event in which Professor Xavier dissolves the X-Men and orders everyone to leave the mansion because he suspects there is a traitor amongst them, and a nefarious force at work. I’m not usually a fan of including crossover Issues in a trade, I’d rather the crossovers be in the trade for that because oftentimes when you’re reading those it feels like you’re reading Part Five or Part Seven of a story without a bunch of context. But I give credit to Marvel for two things: Number One, they provide introductory comments that make it clear what’s going on, and most importantly the issues here that tie into that event don’t feel like you’re reading a part of another book as Remy is searching for Mr. Sinister to obtain a device that he can use to sniff out the traitor. While the book in which he actually uses the device is the crossover, this feels very much like a self-contained story. As Gambit first sets out looking for Sabretooth, and then after making a shocking discovery about him, sets out for Mr. Sinister. If all crossover Issues read this well I would not have a problem with them being in the trades.<br> Issue Ten finds Remy going to Germany in order to complete a mission that his stepdad didn’t in stealing a diamond that promises great power. This was both interesting and a little bit frustrating. It was cool because we got to see a flashback that included Nick Fury and the Howling Commandos, Gambit decked out to the nines in a tuxedo, and a real sense of mythology and awe about this diamond. However, with all that setup, there’s not much of a good conclusion, particularly for the present – although it promises that this will get resolved favorably sometime in the far future.<br> Issue Eleven finds Gambit meeting Daredevil as they’re both dealing with a criminal with Gambit seeming to want to shield them while Daredevil needs to catch him because he’s stolen an organ from a man who desperately needs it. This one is a little bit of a mystery and a really well-plotted story.
