1st appearance of Gambit
⚠️ Debatable Firsts: this issue is often cited as a cameo of Gambit which would imply that the appearance is brief although he appears in 15 panels throughout the book with at least 10 instances of dialogue
This includes a full page-and-a-half interaction with Storm where she addresses him by name and refers to him as a thief (see images by tapping cover and swiping left)
Later Gambit appears in his classic suit and then again in an X-Men uniform
This issue went on sale June 19th whereas X-Men #266 went on sale July 10th
Uncanny X-Men #266 was written as if it were to be published prior to the annual
CGC recognizes this issue as a cameo appearance of Gambit and Uncanny X-Men #266 as his first full appearance