Gambit's introduction has one of those publication-order problems. X-Men Annual #14 reached readers before Uncanny X-Men #266. But #266 is the story that actually introduces him…

Gambit's introduction has one of those publication-order problems. X-Men Annual #14 reached readers before Uncanny X-Men #266. But #266 is the story that actually introduces him through his first meeting with Storm. The annual takes place after that. And the Storm he meets is a child. She's been de-aged, her memories are a mess, and the Shadow King is after her. She's trying to steal paintings when she runs into somebody else who is there to steal them too. That's Gambit. A thief who gets pulled into a much bigger problem than the robbery he showed up for. He helps her escape, and #267 continues the two of them working together. It's a very different entrance from Xavier showing up with an invitation. Gambit's first connection to the X-Men is a girl who needs help and happens to be one of their leaders.