Gauntlet Origins: Mysterio

At the Magic Manse, the Hollywood home of legendary special effects artist Ray Bradhaus, Quentin Beck meets with his idol. Ray has taken a particular interest in the so-called “Marvels” that have been appearing in the news daily. Beck, however, thinks that they are frauds putting on amateur illusions to make it look as though they have superhuman powers. Quentin thinks that Ray could create effects that dwarf these feats. Beck is particularly impressed by the demon effects that Ray employed in an Italian horror film he made a few years back.[1] Ray knew that Quentin was up to something and assures him that it is the one special effect he will never reveal to anyone. Suddenly, knock out gas comes pouring out of Quentin’s jacket, knocking Ray out. As he changes into his Mysterio costume. He apologizes to his sleeping friend as Ray Bradhaus has been a good friend, however he is desperate after one of his special effects set actor Brooks Darwin on fire. He survived but suffered burns over 80% of his body. Quentin insisted that it was Darwin didn’t follow instructions, but because Brooks was an a-list actor, Beck has found himself blacklisted in Hollywood.[2] He has decided to use his special effects to commit crimes and needs to learn the secret of Ray Bradhaus’s monster.

Finding a secret passage in Ray’s study, Mysterio enters the secret room and discovers it filled with illusions to make it look like something out of an M.C. Escher drawing. As he navigates through the obvious illusions he also discovers that this secret room is filled with boobytraps. However, his Mysterio costume is loaded with all sorts of gadgets that allow him to evade them, although some turn out to be nothing more than sophisticated holograms. He eventually plunges through a trap door and lands in a room with a pentagram painted on the floor in front of some kind of altar. He continues his search, thinking about his first criminal scheme — to frame Spider-Man crimes in an effort to collect the reward the Daily Bugle by capturing the wall-crawler — but needs to know how Ray pulled off the wall-crawling effect in his movie.[3] His presence in the room causes a candle to suddenly light up and the smoke it produces allows an actual demon that attacks him. Spraying the monster in the face with acid from his gauntlet, Mysterio tries to flee but the demon continues gaining ground. Quick thinking, Beck employs a gun that he invented to imitate Spider-Man’s web-shooters and snares the entity in make-shift webbing. He lures the creature in the path of a massive crossbow. When the monster is impaled through the back with a massive arrow, it vanishes from sight. Thinking this was just another illusion, Mysterio considers himself the master illusionist and leaves, confident that he will succeed as a criminal.

Later that evening, Ray Bradhaus is woken up by Doctor Strange, making the retired special effects artist fear that the demon managed to get free. However, Doctor Strange arrived in time to dispel the creature. Ray curses himself for foolishly using the occult to summon the monster for his film. He then wonders what happened to Quentin Beck, who is nowhere to be found. He then wonders why he couldn’t admit the truth to his protigé that the monster in his movie — titled Il Mysterio — wasn’t a special effect but the real thing.

Recurring Characters

Mysterio, Doctor Strange

Continuity Notes

1. The films of Ray Bradhaus are actually inspired by Atlas Comics horror and sci-fi story. However, only a model of Googam (first seen in Tales of Suspense #17) is based on an actual story/character that has previously appeared in comics.

2. Although Quentin states here that it was Brooks Darwin’s fault that the effect went wrong, other stories paint a different picture suggesting that Beck’s creations were unsafe as we saw in Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 3) #1.1.

3. This is the exact plot that Mysterio attempts in Amazing Spider-Man #13. Beck’s motivations for becoming a criminal are varied. Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #7’s entry for Mysterio states that Beck grew bored and started his criminal career when one of his co-workers jokingly suggested he get into crime. Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 5) #1 suggests that he wanted revenge after failing as a screenwriter. While revenge is a motivating factor as Spider-Man prevented people from getting hurt by one of his stunts in Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 3) #1.1 and later the wall-crawler foiled the Tinkerer’s spying operation that used Quentin’s special effects genus to convince the web-slinger that they were aliens, as seen in Amazing Spider-Man #2 and Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #51.

Topical References

• This story is framed as though it takes place not long after major movie studios transitioned from practical effect to using computer-generated images, or CGI. This should be considered topical as it ages the characters. Modern readers could instead consider that Ray Bradhaus preferred practical effects instead of CGI. There are many in the film and television industry that still use practical effects.

• It’s started in this story that Bradhaus worked with Italian film director Dario Argento who is best known for the horror films he made in the 70s and 80s. This should also be considered topical as Argento isn’t getting any younger. As I write this in July 2020, Argento is pushing 80.

• Beck also states that he used to watch a show called Monster Matinee as a kid. Since Beck is a New York native he is probably referring to Monster Movie Matinee a small-time television program that ran from 1964 to 1980. Again, topical reference.

Western Promises

Now

The mobster known as Hammerhead is sitting down with members of the Russian Mob. Right away, he is complaining about the lack of hospitality, saying that at least with Italian mobsters there would at least be some coffee or espresso and maybe something to snack on like biscotti or cannoli. The mobster, known as the General, orders his subordinate — Boris — to get Hammerhead some coffee. Hammerhead passes on it, saying that the moment has passed and they should get down to business. When the General asks what business they are to discuss, Hammerhead pulls out a Tommy gun. That’s when all of the other Russian mobsters in the room draw their weapons. Seeing all the guns pointed in his face, Hammerhead jokingly asks if this response was over something he said.

Two Days Ago

Hammerhead is having a sparring session with his boss, Mister Negative who is also giving him information on the General. He explains that the Russian mobster used to be a high ranking intelligence official within the Russian government before he turned to organized crime. Back in the day, the General used his position of power to assist enemies of the state to flee the country in exchange for later loyalty. After a stint in prison, he began calling in those markers to amass a loyal mob. Hammerhead can read between the lines and understands that the General is trying to shake things up in the criminal underworld and needs to be silenced.

Now

By the time that Hammerhead has finished this recollection he has just finished mowing down all of the General’s men, leaving the two of them alone. However, the General is not intimidated. Hammerhead is not surprised, as he read into the General’s history and learned that the General once participated in a coup d’etat of the Russian government. When he was incarcerated they tortured him and took his family away and he didn’t even flinch. When the General asks what Hammerhead wants, the mobster offers the General a different option and him a plane ticket to Toirano, Italy. When the General asks him why Hammerhead reveals that one of the individuals that the General helped smuggle out of Russia was Hammerhead’s father and his family.[1]

When the General asks why he should take him up on this offer, Hammerhead explains that Mister Negative is in charge of things now, but that won’t last forever and eventually, Hammerhead will be making a grab for power and it pays to have some loyal people to call on. Smiling, the General asks what the weather in Italy is like this time of the year. Grinning, Hammerhead decides that he wants coffee after all.

Recurring Characters

Hammerhead, Mister Negative

Continuity Notes

1. It was revealed in Amazing Spider-Man Extra! #2 that Hammerhead’s family originates from Russia and they had immigrated to Italy.

Topical References

• The General is referred to as former KGB. This should be considered a topical reference since the KGB was disbanded in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. This should be considered topical because as the Sliding Timescale pushes the Modern Age forward it becomes increasingly impossible for someone with a normal lifespan could be a member of the KGB and still be young and vital enough to operate a mob. Modern readers could assume that the General used to be part of whatever Russian intelligence service that presently exists.

• It’s also stated that the General was involved in the KGB’s unsuccessful coup to overthrow President Mikhail Gorbachev in 1991. This coup d’etat failed. Any suggestion that the General was involved in a real-world historical event should also be considered topical.