Alt 295, Part 05: Gambit and the X-Ternals

Grade: A-

Gambit was an X-Man until his heart was broken. We will learn more about the love triangle later in X-Men Chronicles #2, but it is clear that thief quit and formed his own team to get away from Rogue and Magneto. His skills are needed, however, and despite their past difference, Gambit agrees to lead his motley group of bandits to the Shi'Ar Empire and retrieve the M'Kraan crystal.

• Gambit: Still the incorrigible thief with a silver tongue harboring a deeply broken heart.
• Lila Cheney: Gambit's girlfriend and completely unaware of her mutant power of galactic teleportation -- until now.
• Guido: Not quite as fun but still secretly in love with Lila Cheney.
• Sunspot: The only member of X-Force to be on the X-Force replacement title. Go figure.  
• Jubilee: I guess it makes sense for rather than Generation Next. 
• Rictor: A member of Apocalypse's Madri religious order, Rictor is focused on improving his station within the ranks by capturing Gambit and the X-Ternals.

We get to see the Age of Apocalypse versions of both the Imperial Guard (still under the rule of D'Ken) and the Starjammers, but it seems very quick and forced. What really makes this title memorable is the heartaches and betrayals.

[4 Stars] Gambit and the X-Ternals #1 - "Some of Us Looking to the Stars" Magneto asks Gambit and the X-Ternals to teleport to the Shi'Ar Empire and retrieve the M'Kraan crystal. They need Lila Cheney to unlock and learn how to use her mutant ability.

[4 Stars] Gambit and the X-Ternals #2 - "Where No External Has Gone Before" Gambit and the X-Ternals versus the Imperial Guard.

[4 Stars] Gambit and the X-Ternals #3 - "To the Limits of Infinity" The Starjammers help Gambit and the X-Ternals, but at what cost?

[4 Stars] Gambit and the X-Ternals #4 - "The Maze" Back an Earth and in the Morlock tunnels, Gambit and the X-Ternals are forced to deal with the ultimate betrayal.