Supervillain Origins: Mysterio

Supervillain Origins: Mysterio He is the special effects wizard that uses illusions to take on Spider-Man in order to achieve fame. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we will explore the comic book origins of Quentin Beck, otherwise known as Mysterio. As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginings and different versions to a character’s past. We have chosen to primarily follow the storyline that unfolded in 1963’s “The Amazing Spider-Man” #13, and was expanded upon in issue #66 and The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1. Quentin Beck was once a Hollywood Stuntman, before becoming one of the most talented special effects wizards in the industry. Unable to garner significant attention or recognition for his talents, he decided to change career paths. However, he soon realized that he didn’t have the looks to make it as an actor, nor the patience to become a director. Frustrated, he was soon decided to use his expertise in theatrics and illusion to become a costumed superhero. As New York City already had a champion, Beck decided to undermine and replace Spider-Man. Inspired by the Daily Bugle’s willingness to cast Spider-Man in a negative light, he developed a plan to frame the web-slinging hero for crimes that he didn’t commit. In order to accomplish this, Beck studied the hero and copied his suit, while forging special gadgets that would duplicate the web crawler’s powers. The end goal of which was to reveal his own superhero identity as he dramatically brought the real Spider-Man to justice. Succeeding in turning the public against Spidey, the plan had the unintended effect of causing Peter Parker to believe that he had developed multiple personality disorder, and that he was somehow responsible for the burglaries. However, Beck soon revealed himself to the Jonah Jameson and his staff at the Daily Bugle as Mysterio, a costumed Hero that kept his identity hidden behind a dome helmet. Mysterious and promising to apprehend Spider-Man, he asked the paper to publish a challenge for Spider-Man, which he used as bait. Luring the webslinger into a confrontation on a bridge, Mysterio kept the upper hand having prepared for each and every one of Spider-Man’s tricks and abilities. With Spider-Man strategically retreating, the dome-headed illusionist claimed victory, and was honored by the city. Seizing the opportunity, Peter Parker showed up at the event to shake Mysterio’s hand, secretly embedding a tracking device. Following the villain to his movie studio workshop, Spider-Man got the gloating mastermind to explain how and why he framed him. To Mysterio’s surprise, Spider-Man recorded the entire confession on tape. In the ensuing battle, he was defeated by the one power he couldn’t replicate, the spidey-sense. Following this, Spider-Man cleared his name and delivered Mysterio to the local police station. Eventually released, Beck focused his complete attention on getting revenge on Spider-Man. Among his many plans, was the goal to drive his heroic nemesis insane. Among his many attempts to accomplish this, he used hypnotic suggestion and illusion to make Spidey believe that he was only six inches tall and on the run in a miniature theme park. Thwarted time and time again, Mysterio even joined up with Doctor Octopus and other supervillains as a member of the Sinister Six. He has gone on to regularly cause trouble for the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man in countless comics and other media for nearly half a century.