Gambler (comics)

Last updated

Gambler is the name of three supervillains appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.

Contents

Eric Goins portrays the Steven Sharpe incarnation of Gambler in the television series Stargirl .

Publication history

The Steven Sharpe III version of Gambler first appeared in 1944 in Green Lantern #12 in a story titled "The Gambler" by writer Henry Kuttner and artist Martin Nodell, as a foe of the original Green Lantern. [1] In October 1947, the Gambler was one of the six original members of the Injustice Society, who began battling the Justice Society of America in All Star Comics #37 (Oct. 1947). [2]

The Steven Sharpe V version of Gambler first appeared in New Titans #68 and was created by Karl Kesel, Barbara Kesel and Steve Erwin.

Fictional character biographies

Steven Sharpe III

Gambler
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance Green Lantern #12 (summer 1944)
Created by Henry Kuttner
Martin Nodell
In-story information
Alter egoSteven Sharpe III
Species Human
Team affiliations Black Lantern Corps
Injustice Society
Abilities
  • Expert gambler
  • Skilled with Derringer pistol and throwing knives

Steven Sharpe III originates from a long line of compulsive gamblers. When he proposes to his girlfriend Helen the day after his high school graduation, she refuses due to his habits and leaves him. Following this, Sharpe becomes the criminal Gambler and joins a traveling carnival, where he gained his skills with disguises, pistols, and throwing knives.

In subsequent appearances, Gambler battles the Green Lantern and joins the Injustice Society before losing all of his money to a rigged casino and committing suicide. [1] His granddaughter Rebecca becomes the supervillain Hazard, while his grandson Steven V becomes the second Gambler.

In Blackest Night , Gambler is temporarily resurrected as a Black Lantern. [3] In the DC Rebirth relaunch, Gambler appears in flashbacks to the 1940s. [4]

Steven Sharpe V

After the death of Steven III, Steven Sharpe V succeeds him as the Gambler. While keeping his identity as the Gambler hidden and masquerading as the Joker, he reorganizes the Royal Flush Gang. [1] Under his leadership, the Gang battle the New Titans, but are defeated. [5]

The Gambler allies with Amos Fortune, the Wizard (William Zard), and the second Sportsmaster, and creates a super-powered "fight club" using members of the Justice Society as combatants. The fight club was broken up by Stargirl, Gypsy, and Vixen. [1]

Third Gambler

In DC Rebirth , an unnamed Gambler was seen trying to rob a bank, only to be thwarted by Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz. [6]

Powers and abilities

Gambler is an expert gambler, strategist, and master of disguise. Despite lacking any real superpowers, his cunning nature and talent for spotting opportunities makes him extremely unpredictable and dangerous.

Equipment

Gambler is highly skilled with his signature weapon, a derringer pistol he keeps concealed on his person and has been modified to shoot different kinds of gases depending on the situation. He is also highly trained in the use of throwing knives.

In other media

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hawk and Dove</span> Fictional team of superheroes

Hawk and Dove are a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Steve Ditko and Steve Skeates, they appeared in Showcase #75 during the Silver Age of Comic Books. The duo has existed in multiple incarnations over the years across several eponymous ongoing series and miniseries, and has also appeared in a number of recurring roles and guest appearances in titles such as Teen Titans, Birds of Prey, and Brightest Day. The duo originated as teenage brothers Hank Hall as Hawk and Don Hall as Dove. Following Don's death in Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985), Dawn Granger assumed the role of Dove in Hawk & Dove #1. The mantle of Hawk would later be taken up by Dawn's sister Holly Granger in 2003 after Hank was killed during 1994's Zero Hour: Crisis in Time! until her death and Hank's resurrection in Blackest Night (2009). An unrelated team consisting of military cadet Sasha Martens as Hawk and rock musician Wiley Wolverman as Dove also appeared as the focus of a 1997 miniseries. The pairing of Hank and Dawn serve as the current and most commonly published incarnation of the team.

The Injustice Society is a group of supervillains in the DC Comics Universe. They are the main antagonists of the Justice Society of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doctor Light (Arthur Light)</span> Comic book character

Doctor Light is the name of two characters appearing in media published by DC Comics: supervillain Arthur Light and superhero Jacob Finlay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jade (DC Comics)</span> Fictional character, a superheroine in the DC Comics Universe

Jade is a superhero in the DC Comics Universe. She first appeared in All-Star Squadron #25 in September 1983. She is the daughter of Alan Scott and Rose Canton and twin sister of Obsidian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solomon Grundy (character)</span> Fictional DC Comics supervillain

Solomon Grundy is a supervillain and occasional antihero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He was originally depicted as a murder victim brought back to life as a corporeal revenant or zombie, though subsequent versions of the character have occasionally depicted a different origin. His name is taken from the 19th century nursery rhyme "Solomon Grundy".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shade (character)</span> Comics character

The Shade is a comic book character developed in the 1940s for National Comics, first appearing in the pages of Flash Comics in a story titled "The Man Who Commanded the Night", scripted by Gardner Fox and illustrated by Hal Sharp. Debuting as a villain, the Shade was best known for fighting against two generations of superheroes, most notably the Golden Age and Silver Age versions of the Flash. He eventually became a mentor for Jack Knight, the son of the Golden Age Starman, Ted Knight, a hero the Shade had also fought.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damage (DC Comics)</span> Two superheroes created by DC Comics

Damage is the name of two fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sportsmaster</span> Fictional supervillain in the DC comics universe

The Sportsmaster is the name of different supervillains appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The first version of the character; Lawrence "Crusher" Crock, is usually depicted as a criminal who uses sports-themed weapons and gadgets to commit crimes. He is also the husband of Paula Brooks and the father of Artemis Crock.

Copperhead is the name of several supervillains appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, mostly as enemies of the superhero Batman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wizard (DC Comics)</span> Fictional supervillain of the DC Comics Golden Age

The Wizard is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is a magic-user who is a known enemy of the Justice Society of America, Superman of Earth-Two, and the Justice League of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Icicle (comics)</span> Comic book character

Icicle is the name of two supervillains appearing in comic books published by DC Comics: Joar Mahkent and Cameron Mahkent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiddler (comics)</span> Comics character

The Fiddler is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, primarily as an enemy of the first Flash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Wave</span> Fictional superhero in the DC Comics universe

Air Wave is the name of three superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The first two were active in the Golden Age of Comic Books. The third appears in comics in the 21st century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hawkman (Carter Hall)</span> DC Comics superhero

Hawkman is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is the first character to use the name Hawkman. There are two separate origins of Carter Hall; the Golden Age origin and the Post-Hawkworld origin.

Hazard is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. She is the granddaughter of Gambler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Artemis Crock</span> Comics character

Artemis Crock is a fictional comic book character, appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. First appearing in Infinity, Inc. #34, she has appeared as both a supervillain and superhero, usually using her first name as her alias. Artemis is also one of many characters to use the name Tigress. In addition, she is also the daughter of Sportsmaster and Paula Brooks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nekron</span> DC Comics supervillain

Nekron is a supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, primarily as an enemy of the Green Lantern Corps. Created by Mike W. Barr, Len Wein and Joe Staton, the character, who exists as an embodiment of Death, first appeared in Tales of the Green Lantern Corps #2. He is the primary antagonist in the 2009-2010 Blackest Night storyline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thunderbolt (DC Comics)</span> DC Comics fictional character

The Thunderbolt (Yz) is a fictional character appearing in comics published by DC Comics and the name of other fictional genie variants within the 5th Dimension as well. Yz was originally portrayed as a genie-like character who hosts Johnny Thunder and then later Jakeem Thunder. He also appeared as an original and ordinary member of the Justice Society of America.

Brain Wave is a supervillain appearing in the DC Comics Universe, a recurring foe of the Justice Society of America and a founding member of the Injustice Society; he is also the father of the superhero Brainwave.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Wallace, Dan (2008), "Gambler", in Dougall, Alastair (ed.), The DC Comics Encyclopedia, New York: Dorling Kindersley, p. 134, ISBN   978-0-7566-4119-1, OCLC   213309017
  2. Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Manning, Matthew K.; McAvennie, Michael; Wallace, Daniel (2019). DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle. DK Publishing. p. 52. ISBN   978-1-4654-8578-6.
  3. Blackest Night #4. DC Comics.
  4. Hawkman (vol. 5) #27. DC Comics.
  5. New Titans #68-69
  6. Green Lanterns #15. DC Comics.
  7. Mitovich, Matt Webb (July 11, 2022). "Stargirl Wants to Help Bad Guys 'Break Good' in Season 3 Trailer — But Does Starman Have a Problem With That?". TVLine. Retrieved October 26, 2024.