Comic Book Characters that associate and like to play cards

Comic Books

Many comic book characters through the decades have had unique gimmicks that they are associated with, with one recurring theme being playing cards. They evoke ideas of trickery, gambling or a sense of luck. Casino games such as poker and slots also feature in a number of comics.

You don’t have to be into casino games to be able to appreciate the powerful nature of the playing card motif. Such simple imagery is able to add much more depth to a story and communicate feelings and intentions beyond what is described in the text.

Playing cards have a particular significance in the storylining of some comics and characters like Gambit, The Joker and Harley Quinn all feature this motif.

Whether or not you are familiar with these comic book characters, you might not have considered the role that playing cards play in telling the story and the feelings the character possesses.

We take a closer look at the significance of cards in the stories of some of Marvel and DC Comics biggest super villains and heroes.

The Joker

The Joker is an obvious example of such a character. Generally, the joker card is portrayed as a humorous court jester or a fool. The image is also associated with the idea of a trickster or a wild card.

The Joker is a DC Comic super villain who first appeared in Batman in 1940. He is portrayed as being a criminal mastermind with psychopathic tendencies and a sadistic sense of humour.

Unlike most heroes or villains, the Joker does not actually possess any super human abilities. He instead utilises chemical poisons and thematic weaponry. Razor tipped playing cards are one of his favourite weapons he likes to use.

This character is thought to be one of the best comic book villains created and is an icon in popular culture. He features in various films, video games, live action series and other media.

Harley Quinn

Harley Quinn is a love interest of the Joker, first introduced in the 1990s, but is an excellent comic book villain in her own right. She is a former psychiatrist at an asylum and is manipulated by one of her patients, the Joker. Their subsequent relationship is unhealthy and explosive.

Her costume is often shown to be covered in diamonds to represent a playing card, this is in part due to her associations with the Joker. Margot Robbie is one of the latest actresses to portray the comic book character on the silver screen, she was highly rated for her acting and helped to introduce Harley Quinn to an even wider audience. She is now one of the most profitable characters in the DC universe.

The Royal Flush Gang

Also in the DC Comics, is The Royal Flush Gang that consists of various playing card figures, these include the Ace, King, Queen, Jack and Ten. The gang was put together by a Born Lucky gambler known as Amos Fortune.

Gambit

Over in the Marvel universe is the mutant superhero known as Gambit, he is a recurring member of the X Men. Gambit, originally Remy LeBeau, was raised as a thief in New Orleans and discovered that he had the power to charge objects with explosive energy and weaponise it.

Playing Cards are the Gambit’s weapon of choice which he charges with energy and uses to attack. In a number of storylines the character Rouge is portrayed as his love interest, she is often depicted as the Queen of Hearts.

Black Jack

Also in Marvel is Black Jack who dresses in red and black and spade decorations to represent the playing card Jack of Spades. In his origin story, Jack is a detective who is betrayed by his partner and ends up being walled alive inside of a mansion.

The Jack of Spades card was left for him as a cruel joke to represent his misfortune. However, Jack is able to use the card to create an air hole and is eventually found and reduced.

The playing card became a symbol of hope for the character and is one of his most prized possessions.

Playing cards as a motif

Playing cards are a very powerful motif, making it unsurprising that they are used in the storylines of so many DC and Marvel comic book characters. They have a very powerful draw and each of the suits – hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades – can be used to represent themes such as love, fortune, struggle, and conflict.

Scenes that use playing cards often evoke feelings of suspense, fear and tension as the cards are used to add dramatic effect and highlight psychological warfare, and internal or external conflicts.