Fearless and rebellious characters printed first item (8)

I believe the answer is:

intrepid

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'fearless' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'characters printed first item' is the wordplay.
'characters' is an anagram indicator.
'first item' becomes 'i' (1st letter of 'item').
'printed'+'i'='printedi'
'printedi' is an anagram of 'INTREPID'.

'and rebellious' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for intrepid that I've seen before include "Unfearing" , "Novel" , "Afraid not" , "I printed this way, being daring" , "Brave and fearless" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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