His powers were supposed to be the ability to charge objects with energy, and also he had a hypnotism kind of power.
Quote from Jim: "Originally his charm was derived from his powers. As time went by though I kept drawing him better and better looking."
At first, he did not use playing cards as a conduit for his power-he used metal spikes.
The bo staff he now uses was not introduced until X-Men #1 (20 or so issues after his first appearance). Up until then, he used cards, swords, a spear, metal pipe, and anything else he could get his hands on.
Remy was responsible for the death of his good friend Etienne Marceaux when he was fifteen and Etienne was thirteen. They had been kidnapped by The Pig and Remy tried to use his still developing mutant powers to help them escape. Remy escaped unharmed, but Etienne was killed.
More information to come when it's not so late and I can actually remember some! ;)
