Many superpowers are self-explanatory – nobody wonders how super strength or super speed works, at the logical level. Comic creators quickly realized that heroes needed more elaborate powers, to add variety and keep things entertaining.
That brought us the likes of Gambit, the card-flinging Cajun best known for his flighty allegiance to the X-Men. Here you’ll learn exactly how his powers work and why he chose those iconic playing cards.
Gambit’s Powers Explained
Put simply, Gambit charges objects with kinetic energy to the point that they explode on contact. He does this by converting potential energy, so the mass of the object matters. For a larger mass object, he’d need to charge it for longer. Theoretically, the only limit on his power is time.
Maybe you’re starting to see why he uses playing cards. Since his 1990 introduction, he’s always sported those iconic cards that are no less relevant today. In fact, playing card imagery has exploded thanks to the internet and entertainment industries like iGaming. Card games have become more accessible than ever before, thanks to online casinos that stream the action to players’ screens. Today, users can seamlessly try blackjack online with real human dealers despite being miles away from the felt table they’re playing at. The internet also made it possible to play with those cards in different ways, with live rooms that are tailored to one-on-one fast play or multiplier bonus prizes. Card games are enduring and so, for many decades in the future, comic book fans will always recognize the cards that Gambit keeps in his pocket.
While his card throwing is his most noticeable power, he also benefits from superhuman movement since he generates bio-kinetic energy for himself. That’s no surprise – a lot of superheroes add that into the mix so they can physically keep up with the others. That’s why super strength is the most common power in Marvel comics. His third power is a little stranger – the hypnotic charm. More charisma than actual hypnosis, this power of suggestion only works on those who don’t already know about it. It comes from his original, ‘90s bad boy, lovable rogue persona.
Why Playing Cards Are the Perfect Weapon
So, Gambit can charge a lot of objects. He often charges his bo staff to deliver faster, more powerful strikes, for example. What he can’t do is lift and throw very heavy objects and, even if he can, it’d take too long to charge them with his power.
He has a nimble, athletic fighting style that relies on a flurry of quick, light strikes. To gel with that approach, he needs something that’s light, easy to carry in bulk, and can be thrown a good distance. Playing cards fit the bill perfectly. They also don’t look like a weapon, so they’re great for his sneakier antics.
In the past, Gambit has thrown small metal spikes, knives, and other small objects when caught without his trusty cards. You can see those spikes in some of his first appearances. While metal may sound more reliable for throwing, card flinging is a real thing you can learn!
When thrown with enough speed, cards can hit hard enough to embed themselves in soft walls or even break glass. Much like axe throwing, it takes a lot of technique to throw cards properly. Fortunately for you, magician Rick Smith Jr. has already mastered the art of real-life card throwing – you can see him in action below:
So, playing cards don’t just match Gambit’s powers very well, they’re also believable. Even without his powers, Remy LeBeau could have still learned to throw cards with shocking accuracy. Add his powers into the mix and they pack a much bigger punch. That, and the fact they match his stylish, fast-paced fighting style, make them the perfect weapon when in his hands.
About Author
