Gambit: Wanted #2
(W) Chris Claremont (A) Robert Gill
BULLSEYE! GAMBIT’s got some good aim with those kinetically charged cards, but does he stand a chance against the maniacal marksman known as BULLSEYE?! The X-MEN want Gambit to join, while Bullseye wants to take him down! What is Bullseye’s endgame, and what more sinister force stands to profit from this MUTANT HUNT?
Sweater weather has arrived in the Marvel Universe! This September, Marvel celebrates the season with Fall Fantasies Variant Covers. The variant cover collection depicts the X-Men, Fantastic Four and more Marvel icons embracing their favorite fall traditions from apple picking and pumpkin carving to a friendly game of flag football. Blending cozy fall vibes with super hero style, the artwork perfectly exemplifies Marvel’s Stormbreakers’ ability to transform everyday activities into extraordinary images!
The current class of Marvel’s Stormbreakers include Alessandro Cappuccio, Netho Diaz, Simone Di Meo, Juan Frigeri, Gurihiru, Jonas Scharf, Geoff Shaw, and Luciano Vecchio. Chosen for their remarkable art, notable achievements, and boundless imagination when bringing the Marvel mythos to the page, these creators represent the future of comic book artistry and embody the raw talent to shatter the limits of visual storytelling!
Check out the first five Fall Fantasies Variant Covers and preorder all eight at your local comic shop today.
Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.
These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.
Logan
Swamp Thing 1989 #4 (DC) – Rick Veitch wraps up his Swamp Thing run the way he originally intended with art from Tom Mandrake and Trish Mulvihill in Swamp Thing 1989 #4. There’s one last battle between Swamp Thing and Anton Arcane, the birth of his and Abby’s child (A son in this version), and a literal, but well set-up Deus ex machine to give the Hollands a happy ending. There’s a zen quality to Veitch and Mandrake’s work as Swamp Thing has seen and done everything and just wants to be with his wife and kid. He portrays calm compared to the chaos of Arcane and his ever shifting body. Superhero comics rarely have endings, but now Alan Moore and Rick Veitch’s Swamp Thing has a near-perfect one that actually fits in current DC continuity too. (PS It’s such a treat to have Mandrake draw Spectre in all his godlike and actually useful glory.) Overall: 9.6 Verdict: Buy
Giant Robot Hellboy Returns #1 (Dark Horse) – Giant Robot Hellboy Returns has diminishing returns from its predecessor despite high energy, craggy linework from Duncan Fegredo and some trippy violets from colorist extraordinaire Dave Stewart. But Mike Mignola’s script is filled with technobabble. The comic feels like the boring part of an old school Toho movie when the badly dubbed scientists yammer, and you wish giant monster and robot would duke it out. The worst part of GRH Returns #1 is that it just tapers off at the end instead of having a good cliffhanger. Overall: 6.1 Verdict: Pass
Sicko #1 (Ignition) – Tini Howard and Amilcar Pinna’s Sicko is a cathartic read for anyone who has been treated like shit or not believed by the health care system. Protagonist Valentine is dying, and she and her doctors don’t know why, but they wear hazmat suits around her. There’s also some shifty healthcare conglomerate/alternative medicine going on and creating conflict in the background. Howard’s nonlinear narrative creates context for Valentine’s plight while still being a propulsive biohazard thriller. Pinna and colorist Amanda Grazini go full trippy when Valentine uses her “abilities” on the run contrasting with the sterile hospital rooms. This issue has Breaking Bad pilot energy, but swap the blue meth for prescription pills. I’m definitely along for the ride. Overall: 8.9 Verdict: Buy
Gambit Wanted #1 (Marvel) – Once I got over the shock of Storm being a child for some reason, I ended enjoying this flashback Gambit comic from Chris Claremont, Robert Gill, and Bryan Valenza. Claremont’s writing is wordy as ever, but his captions provide insight into Gambit’s psyche while still leaving room for action. The highlight of the issue is an extended Gambit/Bullseye fight with breathtaking choreography from Gill and deep purples from Valenza. I don’t know the reasons behind the hit on Gambit, but Gambit Wanted #1 portrays the thief turned hero at a turning point in his career. I also look forward to more cool fight scenes. Overall: 7.7 Verdict: Buy
Gambit: Wanted #1
(W) Chris Claremont (A) Robert Gill
TARGET: REMY LeBEAU!
Get ready, mes amis, as GAMBIT’s legendary co-creator Chris Claremont takes the mutant-thief-hero back to his hometown for an explosive adventure! An all-new tale set in the timeframe when Gambit returned ORORO MUNROE to what was left of the X-MEN, discover how Gambit came to join the team for the first time — and the deadly trial that made it so! Someone’s got MUTANTS in their crosshairs down in New Orleans… but when a FAN-FAVORITE MARVEL VILLAIN targets Gambit, hang on for the most kinetic showdown of the month!
This July, discover the legend of Gambit’s journey from New Orleans thief to mutant super hero in Gambit: Wanted!
Chris Claremont returns with another revelatory retro series set during his incredible run of Uncanny X-Men, this time revisiting one of his most beloved—and mysterious—co-creations, GAMBIT. Teaming up with artist Robert Gill, Claremont will shed light on Gambit’s final adventure before he officially took his place among the X-Men. Back in New Orleans after meeting the team, Gambit isn’t ready to leave his old life and friends behind, but when an anti-mutant threat is unleashed across his city, the choice may be taken out of his hands! The deck is stacked with new enemies alongside fan-favorite villains in this surprising tale that adds new depth to Gambit’s fateful decision to join the X-Men!
TARGET: REMY LEBEAU!
Get ready, mes amis, as Gambit, the mutant-thief-hero, travels back to his hometown for an explosive showdown! Set in the timeframe when Gambit returned Storm to what was left of the X-Men, discover how Gambit came to join the team for the first time – and the deadly trial that made it so! Someone’s got mutants in their crosshairs down in New Orleans… and when they hire Bullseye to target Gambit, hang on for the most kinetic showdown of the month!
Check out Leinil Francis Yu’s main cover along with special Wanted Poster style variant covers by Phil Noto. Plus, get a first look at interior artwork by Robert Gill. Preorder Gambit: Wanted #1 at your local comic shop today!
