SHUFFLES

Real Name: Unrevealed

Identity/Class: Human

Occupation: Underworld information broker

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Nova (Richard Rider), unrevealed other customers

Enemies: None known, though he was nervous about angering the Corruptor (Jackson Day)

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: A houseboat docked in Manhattan, New York, USA

First Appearance: Nova I#20 (July, 1978)

Powers/Abilities: Given his success at his career, Shuffles was evidently good at obtaining information, though his exact methods aren't yet known. Presumably, he is very perceptive and good at networking. He keeps his houseboat door unlocked and casually greeted Nova when he arrived so he must feel pretty confident he isn't going to be attacked.

    He is also very good at shuffling cards and pretty good at throwing them into a hat, not to mention his flamboyant sense of style.

Height: Unrevealed (see comments)
Weight:  Unrevealed (see comments)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black

History:
(Nova I#20 (fb) - BTS) - Shuffles operated in New York City and made gathering information his way of life, including keeping a close eye on the superheroes and criminals who were active in the city. When someone requested information from him, he would give it but only in exchange for a favor to be paid off in the future. In this manner, he achieved a level of success that let him claim that a lot of "you costumed guys" owed him. His reputation was solid enough that when criminals were asked for information, they could recommend Shuffles as someone to get it from.

(Nova I#20) - When the young superhero Nova (Rich Rider) came to his houseboat to get information on the criminal organization called the Inner Circle, Shuffles knew what the hero was after without even needing to be asked. He made his standard offer: he would give the information but Nova would owe him a favor. Nova accepted the terms and was given a location to investigate.

(Nova I#21) - After a confrontation with the Corruptor, who led the Inner Circle, Nova returned to Shuffles for information on where the Corruptor had gone. With Nova already in his debt, Shuffles didn't feel it was worth the risk of angering the Corruptor again so he refused to give more information. In doing so, he advised Nova to take a night off and catch the movie Zombies on Broadway. Only after he left did Nova realize that Shuffles had given him a free clue, subtly letting him know Corruptor's mind-controlled minions were on Broadway Avenue without technically saying anything against the villain.

Comments: Created by Marv Wolfman and Carmine Infantino.

    While he is seen playing with cards at all times, the apparent taps on the soles of his shoes could indicate that he is also a dancer, giving his name a double meaning. So much depth on this character for only appearing in three pages! Also, speaking of his name, as seen in the images above, occasionally Shuffles referred to himself in the third person but generally, he spoke normally and that was done for effect.
  
    It's hard to estimate his height or weight. So far, he's only ever been depicted sitting and even when seated across from Nova, they don't seem to be on an even plane to judge it by.

    Shuffles claims that "lots" of costumed guys are in his debt for information. There's nothing in the story to indicate he's lying so who owes him? Many were probably super-criminals but what about heroes? Certainly, it's never come up in the stories of any of the major superheroes who were active in the Marvel Universe as depicted in our 1970s so it probably isn't folks like Spider-Man or Captain America, but there are plenty of minor characters like el Aguila or Rocket Racer or Captain Ultra who could have used a hint now and then but I think it might be more interesting to tie Shuffles to characters who have been retroactively inserted into the era. In particular, I think he'd fit into the past of Jessica Jones.

Profile by Patrick D Ryall.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Shuffles has no known connections to:

Images: (without ads)
Nova I#21, p9, pan3 (main image)
Nova I#20, p14, pan3&4 (talking with Nova)

Appearances:
Nova I#20 (July, 1978) - Marv Wolfman (writer, editor), Carmine Infantino (art), Dave Hunt (inks)
Nova I#21 (September, 1978) - Marv Wolfman (writer, editor), J. Buscema, B. McLeod, J. Rubin (illustrators)

First Posted: 07/31/2026
Last Updated: 07/31/2026

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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