Now, be in no doubt, chronologically, it's Uncanny X-Men #266. That was definitely meant to be his first appearance, written by Chris Claremont, drawn by Mike Collins with an Andy Kubert cover.

In Gambit’s first appearance – in Uncanny X-Men #266, by Scott Lobdell and Roger Cruz – Gambit uses his telepathic powers to easily hypnotize the Shadow King and two hounds.A young Storm is ...

Reprinting UNCANNY X-MEN (1981) #266. 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99. Another first appearance will be reprinted in the facsimile edition of Tomb of Dracula #10, which introduced Blade to the Marvel ...