Gambit and the X-ternals Issue 1
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Tony Daniel
Inks by Kevin Conrad
Letters by Chris Eliopoulos
During the Age of Apocalypse alternate timeline the X-force title became Gambit and the X-ternals. In the original timeline, X-Force was the team originally known as the New Mutants. Their Team Leader was Sam Guthrie and sometimes Cable. Now in this timeline The X-ternals are an amalgamation of X-factor, X-force, and X-men. They are lead by the enigmatic Gambit; and basically are a modern and twist version of Robin Hood and his Merry men.
And So the story moves forward with….
Jubilee is on the run in our typical setting of New York city’s Age of Apocalypse. She was spotted stealing medical supplies and is being chase by the now typical Infinities the mutant police in this universe. While on the run she takes a typical sidekick fall and is rescued by her teammate Strong Guy. As per the normal case Strong Guy uses his own witty banter, as a helps Jubilee. Strong Guy is also accompanied by Sunspot, and the three of them make short work of the Infinites.
Of course Jubilee being a snotty teenage gives her usual I had that handled speech. And of course the men blow her off, telling her that they were just watching her back. Then the three head off to finish Jubilee’s mission of delivering the medical supplies to the poor and needy in this world. All the while we get a narration of Jubilee’s thoughts about how it’s just as bad to be hero in this word as well as working for the tyrant.
The three deliver the medical supplies and use the poor shelter as an access to their own secret hideout where we meet the fourth member of their band of dystopian merry men. Lila Cheney, no relation to Dick Cheney. The group then travel into their hideout…. the former Morlock tunnels.
As per the rest of the books the four companions run into Magneto down in the tunnels as he is attempting to meet up with their fearless leader Gambit. Of course this group of Mutants have no love for Magneo and are quick to prepare to throw down. This of course then brings out Gambit to cool hostilities and explain that Magneto came with Gambit; thus setting up the plot for this books story arc. Also Fabian slips in some wonderful exposition to Gambit’s past.
The plot, steal the universe's largest Jewel for Magneto…. the M'kraan Crystal. The Crystal the Shi’ar use and battle over.
Meanwhile, Above the X-ternals we learn that the Infinites that we ran into earlier in the book had made it back to their headquarters and file a report with their supervisor, who is Richter. Yet another X-force member from our Universe. Richter wants to see the X-ternals defeated and his status among the Infinites elevated so he vows to seek out the rebels and crush them.
Cut back to the Morlock tunnels.
Magneto, Gambit and crew make their way through the tunnels with special access codes in an attempt to break into Apocalypse’s Science Chamber to get an item to help them locate the M’kraan Crystal. Of course as they break into the chamber they are quickly attacked by some of Apocalypse’s minions.
The X-ternals quickly dispatch the bad guys, while Sunspot located the one man who could help them find what they are seeking…. the Librarian.
He then finds the device the X-ternal’s are looking for. A navagation set of Goggles that would allow Lila Cheney to utilize her power to transport them to the Shi’ar Empire.
Of course as her powers kick in and transports the group to the far flung galaxy it pretty much destroys the building they are in and the issue ends with Magneto left in the ruins hoping that Gambit and his crew can accomplish their mission.
I give this story a 7 out of 10.
The art is Tony Daniel’s early work, it’s not a polished and as well detailed as his work is today. The characters look good, but the detail just isn’t clean. The story itself is interesting, I enjoy the Robin Hood angle, and the story does tie nicely into the other books as far a timeline and continuity. There is just something about this story that just doesn’t keep my attention. Hopefully the next issue will be more captivating.
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