Johnny Spade lives and operates in the city of Chicago, largely working out of seedy bars. He is an information dealer by trade, and is aware of the identities and activities of many high-profile and criminal players in the city.

Rather than commanding a fee for his services, Johnny gambles for information. If he loses the game at hand, he has to reveal the desired information to his opponent (or seek it out if he does not already have it). If he wins, his opponent has to divulge a piece of information that he might be able to gamble elsewhere.

Spade is currently the favorite informant of Nightwing, who is seeking information on the whereabouts and identity of Tony Zucco.