The Hypno Hustler

Antoine Delsoin was a rock star. He was the guitar player and lead singer of the band "Mercy Killers." He loved it, but he was bored with the rest of his life and needed a thrill. One night after the show he attempted to break into the safe at the club. His response was to quickly hypnotize the manager so that he would forget.

The band discovered the hypnosis abilities and came up with a plan. At the next show the Mercy Killers hypnotized the crowd and caused them to give up all of their valuable possessions. This became their regular operation until one unfortunate night. That night the club was being visited by: Peter Parker, Harry Osborn, Flash Thompson, Betty Brant and Sha Shan. A who's who of people you do not want to fuck with.

Peter attempted to fight the band but struggled due the crowd being hypnotized to follow Antoine. However he noticed that Antoine's headphones protected him the hypnotic sounds of the music. Once Peter removed the headphones Antoine became hypnotized, thus releasing everyone else. He was hen arrested and led a life of petty crime.

However he was eventually asked to participate in Villains Anonymous. A program like Narcotics and Alcoholics Anonymous but aimed at rehabilitating former villains. Funny thing is Antoine was one of the only people who completed the program. He went on to live a quiet life as a private music teacher.

Until Doc Oct hired people to kidnap the child of Lilly Holstein and Harry Osborn (He's Lyman now). Spider-Man went on a rampage taking out any villains who were competing for the bounty. Antoine thought Spider-Man was just beating criminals so he ran to the police station. He demanded they arrest him so he could be protected. However he hadn't actually committed a crime so they let him go. Spider-Man did not beat him up. He's an old man these days so I imagine he's listening to the golden oldies and thinking about past mistakes.

Abilities and Equipment

• Genius level intellect
• Goggles
• Triggers hypnotic light patterns
• Hallucinogenic illusions
• Guitar
• Modified for hypnosis
• Music mind controls victims
• Responds only to Antoine

You can hear Darrell on the CP Time and Powerbomb Jutsu podcasts. He also plays classic arcade games on The Cabinet
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