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Mastermind (Jason Wyngarde)
Encyclopedia
Mastermind is a Marvel Comics
supervillain
, an adversary of the X-Men
. Created by writer Stan Lee
and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby
, he first appeared in X-Men
#4 (March 1964). He was given his "real name", Jason Wyngarde, by Chris Claremont
and John Byrne.
The original Mastermind was a mutant
with the power to generate complex telepathic
illusions. He was a founding member of the first Brotherhood of Evil Mutants
and later a probationary member of the Lords Cardinal of the Hellfire Club
, where he played an important role in "The Dark Phoenix Saga."
The visual appearance of Jason Wyngarde was originally based by artist John Byrne on that of British actor Peter Wyngarde
, who played the leader of the Hellfire Club in an episode of The Avengers
. Peter Wyngarde is best known for playing Jason King
, whose character visually resembles that of Jason Wyngarde a great deal.
After Wyngarde's death from the Legacy Virus
, his three daughters appeared, two of whom possessed his illusion-creating abilities (Martinique Jason
uses his code name, while Regan Wyngarde calls herself Lady Mastermind
) and third is the X-Man
, Pixie.
In 2009, Mastermind was named IGN's 98th Top Comic Book Villain of All Time.
, except that he was a carnival mentalist. With Mastermind's help, the Brotherhood was able to take over a South America
n country, with an illusion of thousands of soldiers. However the X-Men were able to free the country, as Professor X quickly realized Mastermind's illusions, helping the X-Men when they believed they were trapped by a wall of flame. As a member of the original Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, he aided Magneto
in repeated clashes with the X-Men
. He showed an attraction to the Scarlet Witch, but he repulsed her. After the Brotherhood's defeat by the X-Men, the group attempted to lure the Stranger
to their cause. Mastermind used his illusions on the Stranger to try and make him submit. The Stranger, being an enigmatic cosmic entity, instead of a mutant, temporarily turned Mastermind into stone, making him so heavy he crashed through the floor.
After the spell wore off, Jason joined Factor Three
, an organization that attempted to conquer the Earth. Factor Three eventually disbanded when their leader turned out to be an alien, instead of a mutant. They teamed with the X-Men to defeat the alien Mutant Master
. Mastermind was then captured by Sentinels
, but freed by the X-Men. Former members of Factor Three, Blob
and Unus
, joined with Jason to reform the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.
This new Brotherhood was looking for new recruits. Mastermind attempted to recruit Beast
to his group, but ultimately failed and wound up battling him instead. Mastermind was also briefly held captive by the second Secret Empire
. Magneto returned to the Brotherhood to resume his leadership and created Alpha the Ultimate Mutant
. The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants battled the Defenders
, but this new creation of Magneto's turned the entire Brotherhood team into infants, including his master.
After being restored to adulthood, Mastermind became involved with the Hellfire Club
during the famous "The Dark Phoenix Saga," in which he was largely responsible for turning Phoenix into Dark Phoenix. He initially posed as Nikos, and began a romance with Phoenix. Then, he manipulated her through the use of his own powers and a mind-tap mechanism created by Emma Frost
, which he used to project his illusion directly into her mind, causing her to believe she was a Victorian aristocrat, married to Jason Wyngarde (Mastermind), and that she was the Black Queen of the Hellfire Club. He eventually turned her against the X-Men. Cyclops
attempted to free the Phoenix in a duel with Mastermind on the astral plane
, but was soundly defeated when Mastermind "killed" him during the fight, which Cyclops' physical body barely survived. Instead of binding the Phoenix to him forever, as Mastermind had hoped, the shock of Scott's psychic "death" broke her free from his control. Enraged at what he had done to her, the Phoenix reached into his mind and expanded his consciousness, literally making him one with the universe. This experience flooded his mind with images of the cosmos and left him catatonic.
When Mastermind was able to regain his sanity, he sought revenge on everyone that caused him pain. He gave the final nudge to Rogue
towards leaving Mystique
for the X-Men through subtly manipulating Rogue's rapidly deteriorating mental state, while at the same time inflicting nightmares on Mystique. He interfered with the engagement of Cyclops and Madelyne Pryor
by manipulating the X-Men into thinking Madelyne was the Dark Phoenix. Mastermind also ruined the wedding of Wolverine
and Mariko Yashida
by psionically compelling her to reject Wolverine. Cyclops uncovered Mastermind's plot to trick the X-Men into believing that Pryor was the reincarnation of Phoenix and defeated Mastermind in a battle in the X-Mansion
in which he had used illusion to manipulate the other X-Men into attacking Cyclops. Jason later sought to tap into the power of the Phoenix Force, but this time he had to face Rachel Summers
and Excalibur
and was defeated. He was imprisoned with the delusion that he had achieved cosmic awareness.
Mastermind later died of the Legacy Virus
, but before he succumbed, he asked Jean Grey
's forgiveness for what he had done to her. She did forgive him, and he died at peace.
After his death, Mastermind appeared in a flashback sequence that revealed that he was paid by the supervillain known as The General to put one of his illusions into the mind of Sentry
, making the Sentry "...so scared to use his powers, [That] he'll think the world will be attacked by the devil if he does." This would make Mastermind responsible for the creation of the Void, the evil counterpart of the Sentry, who is actually the manifestation of the inhibitions that Mastermind implanted in the Sentry to prevent him from using his powers.
and Regan Wyngarde. Both appear to be stronger than the original Mastermind; Martinique can create city-wide illusions that even hypnotize people to believe they are in a whole new era and Regan's lethal illusions can last even after being knocked unconscious.
In the second issue of X-Men: Pixie Strikes Back, the X-Man Pixie's mother teleports herself to the Wyngarde Mansion, where Regan and Martinique are fighting one another. Pixie's mother claims Pixie is their sister, revealing Jason is her father.
powers are of illusion casting. He can psionically cause other people to see, hear, feel, smell, and/or taste things that do not actually exist. He can also cause people to sense things in ways that they would not naturally; for example, he can make himself look and sound like a different person, or look and feel like a wall, or even seem invisible. For this to work, these people have to be within a range of his powers. With artificial aids, Mastermind can cause only one person among many who are present to see his illusions. He is even capable of affecting telepaths as powerful as Professor X
avier and Jean Grey
, although to manipulate Dark Phoenix he required an amplifying device called a "mind-tap mechanism" provided by the White Queen
that enabled him to project illusions directly into the entity's mind, so that the entity "saw" them, and to monitor the entity's thoughts, both over great distances.
Jason Wyngarde was a slight man with matted grey hair. He frequently used his illusory powers to assume the appearance of a younger, more handsome man. In his favorite disguise, he sported Victorian era
style whiskers.
, Jason Wyngarde was one of the many victims of Apocalypse
's regime. He was a victim of the experiments of a time-traveling Sugar Man
, which left him mute, though he was rescued by a time-traveling X-Man
, as well as Forge
and Magneto. Years later, he joined Forge's Outcasts, a resistance cell traveling under the cover of a theater troupe. He was ultimately killed by the bounty hunter Domino
.
of Mutant detectives in NY.
. His look, however, has changed drastically. While 616 Wyngarde used to be of average build, with cropped black hair and long sideburns, Ultimate Mastermind is lanky and white-haired, sports sunglasses and a ponytail, and looks like a beatnik. Here too he appeared as a member of Magneto's Brotherhood, here called the "Brotherhood of Mutant Supremacy". He replaced Mystique's role posing as Magneto in the S.H.I.E.L.D.
prison, though with the company of his girlfriend Stacy
.
Mastermind is later present, partnered with Pyro, when Magneto and certain Brotherhood members clash with the Ultimates
at Magneto's base in the Savage Land. After enthralling the Valkyrie in an illusion of her greatest fear, he suggests that he and Pyro "play" with her while she is incapacitated (hinting at a sexual assault
) and indicates that he has done so with other victims. Before either man can act on the suggestion, the Valkyrie awakens and uses her sword to kill Mastermind and dismember
Pyro at the wrists. Why or when he had abandoned his post at the Triskelion and the subsequent reaction of S.H.I.E.L.D. realizing Magneto was no longer in custody is never shown.
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
supervillain
Supervillain
A supervillain or supervillainess is a variant of the villain character type, commonly found in comic books, action movies and science fiction in various media.They are sometimes used as foils to superheroes and other fictional heroes...
, an adversary of the X-Men
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
. Created by writer Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
, he first appeared in X-Men
Uncanny X-Men
Uncanny X-Men, first published as The X-Men, is the flagship Marvel Comics comic book series for the X-Men franchise. It is the mainstream continuity featuring the adventures of the eponymous group of mutant superheroes...
#4 (March 1964). He was given his "real name", Jason Wyngarde, by Chris Claremont
Chris Claremont
Chris Claremont is an award-winning American comic book writer and novelist, known for his 17-year stint on Uncanny X-Men, far longer than any other writer, during which he is credited with developing strong female characters, and with introducing complex literary themes into superhero...
and John Byrne.
The original Mastermind was a mutant
Mutant (Marvel Comics)
In comic books published by Marvel Comics, a mutant is an organism who possesses a genetic trait called an X-gene that allows the mutant to naturally develop superhuman powers and abilities...
with the power to generate complex telepathic
Telepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
illusions. He was a founding member of the first Brotherhood of Evil Mutants
Brotherhood of Mutants
The Brotherhood of Mutants, originally known as the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, is a fictional Marvel Comics supervillain team devoted to mutant superiority over normal humans. They are among the chief adversaries of the X-Men...
and later a probationary member of the Lords Cardinal of the Hellfire Club
Hellfire Club (comics)
The Hellfire Club is a fictional society within the Marvel Comics Universe that often comes into confrontation with the mutant superhero team, the X-Men...
, where he played an important role in "The Dark Phoenix Saga."
The visual appearance of Jason Wyngarde was originally based by artist John Byrne on that of British actor Peter Wyngarde
Peter Wyngarde
Peter Paul Wyngarde is an Anglo-French actor best known for playing the character Jason King, a bestselling novelist turned sleuth, in two British television series in the late 1960s and early 1970s: Department S and Jason King .-Biography:He was born Cyril Goldbert in Marseilles, France, the...
, who played the leader of the Hellfire Club in an episode of The Avengers
The Avengers (TV series)
The Avengers is a spy-fi British television series set in the 1960s Britain. The Avengers initially focused on Dr. David Keel and his assistant John Steed . Hendry left after the first series and Steed became the main character, partnered with a succession of assistants...
. Peter Wyngarde is best known for playing Jason King
Jason King (TV series)
Jason King was a British television series produced from 1971 to 1972. Each episode was one hour in duration , and the series had a run of one season of 26 episodes. As well as its native UK, the series was also screened in countries as far afield as Australia, Norway, Argentina and Peru...
, whose character visually resembles that of Jason Wyngarde a great deal.
After Wyngarde's death from the Legacy Virus
Legacy Virus
In the fictional Marvel Universe, the Legacy Virus was a devastating plague that ripped through the mutant population, killing hundreds and mutating so that it affected baseline humans as well....
, his three daughters appeared, two of whom possessed his illusion-creating abilities (Martinique Jason
Mastermind (Martinique Jason)
Martinique Jason , also known as Mastermind, is a fictional mutant supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. She first appeared in Wolverine/Gambit: Victims #1 as a 'dead' woman in an illusion, and in issue #2 as herself. She was created by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale...
uses his code name, while Regan Wyngarde calls herself Lady Mastermind
Lady Mastermind
Lady Mastermind is a fictional supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. She first appeared as Regan Wyngarde in X-Treme X-Men #6 and was created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Salvador Larroca....
) and third is the X-Man
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
, Pixie.
In 2009, Mastermind was named IGN's 98th Top Comic Book Villain of All Time.
Fictional character biography
Nothing is known of Jason Wyngarde's life before joining the Brotherhood of Evil MutantsBrotherhood of Mutants
The Brotherhood of Mutants, originally known as the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, is a fictional Marvel Comics supervillain team devoted to mutant superiority over normal humans. They are among the chief adversaries of the X-Men...
, except that he was a carnival mentalist. With Mastermind's help, the Brotherhood was able to take over a South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
n country, with an illusion of thousands of soldiers. However the X-Men were able to free the country, as Professor X quickly realized Mastermind's illusions, helping the X-Men when they believed they were trapped by a wall of flame. As a member of the original Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, he aided Magneto
Magneto (comics)
Magneto is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the central villain of the X-Men comic, as well as the TV show and the films. The character first appears in X-Men #1 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby...
in repeated clashes with the X-Men
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
. He showed an attraction to the Scarlet Witch, but he repulsed her. After the Brotherhood's defeat by the X-Men, the group attempted to lure the Stranger
Stranger (comics)
The Stranger is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics.The Stranger first appeared in X-Men #11 , and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Fictional character biography:...
to their cause. Mastermind used his illusions on the Stranger to try and make him submit. The Stranger, being an enigmatic cosmic entity, instead of a mutant, temporarily turned Mastermind into stone, making him so heavy he crashed through the floor.
Factor Three
Factor Three was a short-lived supervillain subversive organization within the pages of The X-Men, and was a part of the Marvel Comics Universe. It was led by the Mutant Master, who was secretly an alien from a race of beings from Sirius that resemble octopuses. It used various mind control...
, an organization that attempted to conquer the Earth. Factor Three eventually disbanded when their leader turned out to be an alien, instead of a mutant. They teamed with the X-Men to defeat the alien Mutant Master
Mutant Master
Mutant Master is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe. His first appearance was in X-Men vol. 1 #28.-Publication history:The Mutant Master was created by Roy Thomas and Ross Andru. The character was first mentioned in X-Men vol...
. Mastermind was then captured by Sentinels
Sentinel (comics)
Sentinels are a fictional variety of mutant-hunting robots, appearing in the Marvel Comics Universe. They are usually portrayed as antagonists to the X-Men. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, they first appeared in The X-Men #14 .According to Marvel canon, Sentinels are programmed to locate...
, but freed by the X-Men. Former members of Factor Three, Blob
Blob (comics)
The Blob is a Marvel Comics supervillain, an adversary of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in X-Men #3 ....
and Unus
Unus the Untouchable
Unus the Untouchable is a fictional character from the comic book X-Men and part of the Marvel Comics Universe. A mutant, Unus is named for his ability to consciously project a force field which protects him from harm.-Origin:Angelo Unuscione was born in Milan, Italy...
, joined with Jason to reform the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.
This new Brotherhood was looking for new recruits. Mastermind attempted to recruit Beast
Beast (comics)
Beast , Dr. Henry Philip "Hank" McCoy, is a comic book character, a Marvel Comics superhero and a member of the mutant team of superheroes known as the X-Men...
to his group, but ultimately failed and wound up battling him instead. Mastermind was also briefly held captive by the second Secret Empire
Secret Empire
-Fictional organization history:This subversive organization has been headed by a number of different leaders, always known as “Number One,” with each iteration's goals following the desires of its current leader. The Secret Empire was originally founded by a scientist who felt like an anonymous...
. Magneto returned to the Brotherhood to resume his leadership and created Alpha the Ultimate Mutant
Alpha the Ultimate Mutant
Alpha the Ultimate Mutant is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe.-Publication history:Alpha the Ultimate Mutant first appeared in Defenders #15–16 , and was created by Len Wein and Sal Buscema....
. The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants battled the Defenders
Defenders (comics)
The Defenders is the name of a number of Marvel Comics superhero groups which are usually presented as a "non-team" of individualistic "outsiders," each known for following their own agendas...
, but this new creation of Magneto's turned the entire Brotherhood team into infants, including his master.
After being restored to adulthood, Mastermind became involved with the Hellfire Club
Hellfire Club (comics)
The Hellfire Club is a fictional society within the Marvel Comics Universe that often comes into confrontation with the mutant superhero team, the X-Men...
during the famous "The Dark Phoenix Saga," in which he was largely responsible for turning Phoenix into Dark Phoenix. He initially posed as Nikos, and began a romance with Phoenix. Then, he manipulated her through the use of his own powers and a mind-tap mechanism created by Emma Frost
Emma Frost
Emma Grace Frost is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #129 , and was created by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne....
, which he used to project his illusion directly into her mind, causing her to believe she was a Victorian aristocrat, married to Jason Wyngarde (Mastermind), and that she was the Black Queen of the Hellfire Club. He eventually turned her against the X-Men. Cyclops
Cyclops (comics)
Cyclops is a fictional character, the leader of the X-Men superhero team in the . A mutant, Cyclops emits a powerful energy beam from his eyes...
attempted to free the Phoenix in a duel with Mastermind on the astral plane
Astral plane
The astral plane, also called the astral world, is a plane of existence postulated by classical , medieval, oriental and esoteric philosophies and mystery religions...
, but was soundly defeated when Mastermind "killed" him during the fight, which Cyclops' physical body barely survived. Instead of binding the Phoenix to him forever, as Mastermind had hoped, the shock of Scott's psychic "death" broke her free from his control. Enraged at what he had done to her, the Phoenix reached into his mind and expanded his consciousness, literally making him one with the universe. This experience flooded his mind with images of the cosmos and left him catatonic.
When Mastermind was able to regain his sanity, he sought revenge on everyone that caused him pain. He gave the final nudge to Rogue
Rogue (comics)
Rogue was first slated to appear in Ms. Marvel #25 , but the book's abrupt cancellation left her original introduction story unpublished for over a decade, before seeing print in Marvel Super Heroes #11 in 1992. Rogue's first published appearance was in Avengers Annual #10...
towards leaving Mystique
Mystique (comics)
Mystique is a fictional character associated with the Marvel Comics' franchise X-Men. Originally created by artist David Cockrum and writer Chris Claremont, she first appeared in Ms...
for the X-Men through subtly manipulating Rogue's rapidly deteriorating mental state, while at the same time inflicting nightmares on Mystique. He interfered with the engagement of Cyclops and Madelyne Pryor
Madelyne Pryor
Madelyne Pryor is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. As the love interest and first wife of X-Men leader Cyclops , she became a long-standing member of the X-Men supporting cast, until a series of traumas — being abandoned by her husband, losing her infant son, and...
by manipulating the X-Men into thinking Madelyne was the Dark Phoenix. Mastermind also ruined the wedding of Wolverine
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
and Mariko Yashida
Mariko Yashida
is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne, the character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #118 .-Fictional character biography:...
by psionically compelling her to reject Wolverine. Cyclops uncovered Mastermind's plot to trick the X-Men into believing that Pryor was the reincarnation of Phoenix and defeated Mastermind in a battle in the X-Mansion
X-Mansion
In the fictional Marvel Comics universe, the X-Mansion is the common name for Professor Xavier's mansion. It is the base of operations and training site of the X-Men and the location of a school for mutant teenagers, the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning, formerly Xavier's School for Gifted...
in which he had used illusion to manipulate the other X-Men into attacking Cyclops. Jason later sought to tap into the power of the Phoenix Force, but this time he had to face Rachel Summers
Rachel Summers
Rachel Anne Summers is a fictional character, a comic book superheroine created by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne for Marvel Comics....
and Excalibur
Excalibur (comics)
Excalibur is a Marvel Comics superhero group, an off-shoot of the X-Men, usually based in the United Kingdom. Conceived by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer Alan Davis, the original Excalibur first appeared in Excalibur Special Edition , also known as Excalibur: The Sword is Drawn.The...
and was defeated. He was imprisoned with the delusion that he had achieved cosmic awareness.
Mastermind later died of the Legacy Virus
Legacy Virus
In the fictional Marvel Universe, the Legacy Virus was a devastating plague that ripped through the mutant population, killing hundreds and mutating so that it affected baseline humans as well....
, but before he succumbed, he asked Jean Grey
Jean Grey
Jean Grey-Summers is a fictional comic book superheroine appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. She has been known under the aliases Marvel Girl, Phoenix, and Dark Phoenix and is best known as one of five original members of the X-Men, for her relationship with Cyclops, and for her...
's forgiveness for what he had done to her. She did forgive him, and he died at peace.
After his death, Mastermind appeared in a flashback sequence that revealed that he was paid by the supervillain known as The General to put one of his illusions into the mind of Sentry
Sentry (Robert Reynolds)
The Sentry is a fictional character in the . The character first appears in The Sentry #1 and was created by Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee, with uncredited conceptual contributions by Rick Veitch.-Creation:...
, making the Sentry "...so scared to use his powers, [That] he'll think the world will be attacked by the devil if he does." This would make Mastermind responsible for the creation of the Void, the evil counterpart of the Sentry, who is actually the manifestation of the inhibitions that Mastermind implanted in the Sentry to prevent him from using his powers.
The Daughters of Mastermind
Mastermind's name and powers still live on through his daughters: Martinique JasonMastermind (Martinique Jason)
Martinique Jason , also known as Mastermind, is a fictional mutant supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. She first appeared in Wolverine/Gambit: Victims #1 as a 'dead' woman in an illusion, and in issue #2 as herself. She was created by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale...
and Regan Wyngarde. Both appear to be stronger than the original Mastermind; Martinique can create city-wide illusions that even hypnotize people to believe they are in a whole new era and Regan's lethal illusions can last even after being knocked unconscious.
In the second issue of X-Men: Pixie Strikes Back, the X-Man Pixie's mother teleports herself to the Wyngarde Mansion, where Regan and Martinique are fighting one another. Pixie's mother claims Pixie is their sister, revealing Jason is her father.
Powers and abilities
Mastermind's mutantMutant (Marvel Comics)
In comic books published by Marvel Comics, a mutant is an organism who possesses a genetic trait called an X-gene that allows the mutant to naturally develop superhuman powers and abilities...
powers are of illusion casting. He can psionically cause other people to see, hear, feel, smell, and/or taste things that do not actually exist. He can also cause people to sense things in ways that they would not naturally; for example, he can make himself look and sound like a different person, or look and feel like a wall, or even seem invisible. For this to work, these people have to be within a range of his powers. With artificial aids, Mastermind can cause only one person among many who are present to see his illusions. He is even capable of affecting telepaths as powerful as Professor X
Professor X
Professor Charles Francis Xavier, also known as Professor X, is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero known as the leader and founder of the X-Men....
avier and Jean Grey
Jean Grey
Jean Grey-Summers is a fictional comic book superheroine appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. She has been known under the aliases Marvel Girl, Phoenix, and Dark Phoenix and is best known as one of five original members of the X-Men, for her relationship with Cyclops, and for her...
, although to manipulate Dark Phoenix he required an amplifying device called a "mind-tap mechanism" provided by the White Queen
Emma Frost
Emma Grace Frost is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #129 , and was created by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne....
that enabled him to project illusions directly into the entity's mind, so that the entity "saw" them, and to monitor the entity's thoughts, both over great distances.
Jason Wyngarde was a slight man with matted grey hair. He frequently used his illusory powers to assume the appearance of a younger, more handsome man. In his favorite disguise, he sported Victorian era
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
style whiskers.
Age of Apocalypse
In the Age of ApocalypseAge of Apocalypse
"Age of Apocalypse" is a 1995 - 1996 comic book crossover storyline published in the X-Men franchise of books by Marvel Comics. The Age of Apocalypse briefly replaced the universe of Earth-616, although it was later retconned as having occurred in the alternate universe of Earth-295, it had...
, Jason Wyngarde was one of the many victims of Apocalypse
Apocalypse (comics)
Apocalypse is a fictional character who is an ancient mutant that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in X-Factor #5 , created by writer Louise Simonson and designed by artist Walter Simonson...
's regime. He was a victim of the experiments of a time-traveling Sugar Man
Sugar Man
Sugar Man is a fictional character, a mutant villain appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Chris Bachalo, he first appeared in Generation Next #2 ....
, which left him mute, though he was rescued by a time-traveling X-Man
Nate Grey
Nathaniel "Nate" Grey is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, in particular those related to the X-Men franchise...
, as well as Forge
Forge (comics)
Forge is a fictional character in the , a superhero associated with The X-Men.A mutant with an unsurpassed brilliance in technology, Forge has had a lengthy career as a government weapons contractor. He shared a romantic relationship with Storm, and a brief affair with Mystique which led him to...
and Magneto. Years later, he joined Forge's Outcasts, a resistance cell traveling under the cover of a theater troupe. He was ultimately killed by the bounty hunter Domino
Domino (comics)
Domino is a Marvel Comics character, best known as a member of the X-Men offshoot X-Force. Created by writer Fabian Nicieza and artist/co-writer Rob Liefeld, she first fully appeared in X-Force, vol...
.
X-Men: Noir
Wyngarde appeared as a member of Eric Magnus's BrotherhoodBrotherhood of Mutants
The Brotherhood of Mutants, originally known as the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, is a fictional Marvel Comics supervillain team devoted to mutant superiority over normal humans. They are among the chief adversaries of the X-Men...
of Mutant detectives in NY.
Ultimate Mastermind
Mastermind has also appeared in the Ultimate UniverseUltimate Marvel
Ultimate Marvel is an imprint of comic books published by Marvel Comics, featuring reimagined and updated versions of the company's superhero characters, including Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four. The imprint was launched in 2000 with the publication of the series...
. His look, however, has changed drastically. While 616 Wyngarde used to be of average build, with cropped black hair and long sideburns, Ultimate Mastermind is lanky and white-haired, sports sunglasses and a ponytail, and looks like a beatnik. Here too he appeared as a member of Magneto's Brotherhood, here called the "Brotherhood of Mutant Supremacy". He replaced Mystique's role posing as Magneto in the S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage and a secret military law-enforcement agency in the Marvel Comics Universe. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Strange Tales #135 , it often deals with superhuman threats....
prison, though with the company of his girlfriend Stacy
Stacy X
Stacy X , who was more recently known as Ripcord, is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe, a mutant prostitute who was briefly affiliated with the X-Men and was more recently known as a member of the latest incarnation of the now disbanded New Warriors...
.
Mastermind is later present, partnered with Pyro, when Magneto and certain Brotherhood members clash with the Ultimates
Ultimates
The Ultimates is a fictional group of superheroes that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team was created by writer Mark Millar and artist Bryan Hitch, and first appeared in The Ultimates #1 , as part of the company's Ultimate Marvel imprint...
at Magneto's base in the Savage Land. After enthralling the Valkyrie in an illusion of her greatest fear, he suggests that he and Pyro "play" with her while she is incapacitated (hinting at a sexual assault
Sexual assault
Sexual assault is an assault of a sexual nature on another person, or any sexual act committed without consent. Although sexual assaults most frequently are by a man on a woman, it may involve any combination of two or more men, women and children....
) and indicates that he has done so with other victims. Before either man can act on the suggestion, the Valkyrie awakens and uses her sword to kill Mastermind and dismember
Dismemberment
Dismemberment is the act of cutting, tearing, pulling, wrenching or otherwise removing, the limbs of a living thing. It may be practiced upon human beings as a form of capital punishment, as a result of a traumatic accident, or in connection with murder, suicide, or cannibalism...
Pyro at the wrists. Why or when he had abandoned his post at the Triskelion and the subsequent reaction of S.H.I.E.L.D. realizing Magneto was no longer in custody is never shown.
Television
- Mastermind made a cameo in Spider-Man and His Amazing FriendsSpider-Man and His Amazing FriendsSpider-Man and His Amazing Friends is an animated series produced by Marvel Productions starring established Marvel Comics characters Spider-Man and Iceman and an original character, Firestar...
on a TV monitor, when Magneto is demanding for the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants to be freed from prison ("The Prison Plot"). He projects illusions of MephistoMephisto (comics)Mephisto is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Silver Surfer #3 and was created by Stan Lee and John Buscema, loosely modeled on Mephistopheles - a character from the Faust legend.Debuting in the Silver Age of comic books,...
, PsyklopPsyklopPsyklop is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain in the . Created in combination by Harlan Ellison, Roy Thomas, Sal Buscema and Jim Mooney, the character first appears Avengers vol...
, AnnihilusAnnihilusAnnihilus is a fictional character in Marvel Comics' Marvel Universe. In 2009, Annihilus was ranked as IGN's 94th Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.-Publication history:...
, and ZarathosZarathosZarathos is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics series Ghost Rider. He is a demonic being who tortures and devours souls. He first appears in Marvel Spotlight #5 .-Fictional character biography:...
/Ghost RiderGhost Rider (comics)Ghost Rider is the name of several fictional supernatural antiheroes appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Marvel had previously used the name for a Western character whose name was later changed to Night Rider and subsequently to Phantom Rider.The first supernatural Ghost Rider is...
. Magneto also calls him "The Maestro of Illusion".
- He appears with The Inner Circle/Hellfire Club in X-Men: The Animated SeriesX-Men (TV series)X-Men, also known as X-Men: The Animated Series, is an American animated television series which debuted on October 31, 1992, in the United States on the Fox Network as part of its Fox Kids Saturday morning lineup...
episode, The Dark Phoenix Saga parts 1-3 voiced by Nigel BennettNigel BennettNigel Bennett is an English actor/director/writer who has been based in Canada since 1986. He is best known for playing the vampire patriarch Lucien LaCroix in the TV series Forever Knight, for which he won the Canadian Gemini Award for best supporting actor in a dramatic series.-Life and...
. Wyngarde is also a member of the Mutant Resistance in the alternate reality shown in the first part of the episode One Man's Worth.
- In the animated series X-Men: EvolutionX-Men: EvolutionX-Men: Evolution is an American animated television series about the Marvel Comics superhero team the X-Men. In this incarnation many of the characters are teenagers rather than adults...
, Mastermind (voiced by Campbell LaneCampbell LaneCampbell Lane is a Canadian actor who primarily does work in Vancouver. He has appeared in many television shows produced there, and has done some voice acting for anime as well.- Television Roles :...
) appears as an occasional lackey of Magneto. Despite often being bullied by Magneto, he seems to respect him to a point, and though he is hinted to be a shady character when left to his own devices, he is not particularly malicious. His most notable act was altering the memories of Magneto's daughter Scarlet WitchScarlet WitchThe Scarlet Witch is a fictional comic book character that appears in books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in X-Men #4 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...
so that she believed that her father had brought her up when in reality he sent her to an asylum when he found himself unable to cope with her powers.
- Mastermind appears in Marvel Anime: X-MenMarvel AnimeMarvel Anime is a four-part anime project with collaborations from both Marvel Entertainment and Madhouse. The project took famous Marvel characters and reintroduced them for a Japanese audience in a 12-part series. The announcement was confirmed at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con...
voiced by Haruhiko JōHaruhiko Jois a Japanese actor, theatre director and voice actor currently affiliated with Engekikurabu Za.-Animation:*Crest of the Stars *Case Closed: The Last Wizard of the Century *Sol Bianca: The Legacy...
in the Japanese version and by Travis WillinghamTravis WillinghamTravis Hampton Willingham is an American actor and voice actor who works with anime films, television series, as well as video games....
in the English dub.
External links
- Mastermind (Jason Wyngarde) at Marvel.com