Hypno-Hustler

Hypno-Hustler
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearancePeter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #24 (November 1978)
Created by
In-story information
Alter egoAntoine Delsoin
SpeciesHuman
Team affiliationsThe Mercy Killers
Vil-Anon
AbilitiesHypnosis via specialized goggles
Boots grant:
Knockout gas projection
Retractable knives in the soles

The Hypno-Hustler (Antoine Delsoin) is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Publication history

Hypno-Hustler first appeared in Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #24 (November 1978), created by Bill Mantlo and Frank Springer.

Fictional character biography

Antoine Desloin is the lead singer of the Mercy Killers, going by the name of Hypno-Hustler. He and his band are scheduled to perform at a nightclub called "Beyond Forever." When the club's manager catches Hypno-Hustler robbing his safe, he used his hypnotic equipment on the manager. When it comes time to perform, Hypno-Hustler and his band use their hypnotizing equipment on the audience in a plan to rob them as well. Peter Parker is at the club at the time and changed into Spider-Man. During the fight, Spider-Man discovers that Hypno-Hustler's headphones protect him from the Mercy Killers' singing. Spider-Man manages to remove the headphones from Hypno-Hustler, causing him to become a victim of his own hypnosis. When the audience is free of the hypnosis, Hypno-Hustler and his Mercy Killers are webbed up and left for the police.[1]

Hypno-Hustler later appears at a Vil-Anon meeting with Armadillo, Big Wheel, Equinox, Man-Bull, and Schizoid Man.[2]

While Tombstone is in prison and in need of a heart bypass, Hypno-Hustler is among the inmates who he hires to protect him.[3]

During the "Origin of the Species" storyline, Hypno-Hustler comes into a police station wanting help, as Spider-Man is on a rampage against various villains following the kidnapping of Menace's child.[4]

After Tinkerer repairs his costume, Hypno-Hustler tries to escape from prison, only to be defeated by Deadpool and Spider-Man.[5]

During the "Hunted" storyline, Hypno-Hustler appears as a patron at the Pop-Up with No Name.[6]

Powers and abilities

The Hypno-Hustler can perform hypnosis with the aid of his goggles, and when teamed with his backup band, The Mercy Killers, can perform mass hypnosis. His boots can emit knockout gas on demand, and have retractable knives in the soles.

Other versions

House of M

An alternate universe version of Hypno-Hustler makes a minor appearance in House of M.[7]

Spider-Man: Reign

An alternate universe version of Hypno-Hustler appears in Spider-Man: Reign. This version is an aged supervillain who has come to sympathize with Spider-Man. Realizing that Spider-Man is coming out of retirement and the Reign will be challenged, Hypno-Hustler attempts to incite a rebellion, only to be killed by Reign officers.[8]

In other media

  • In late 2025, Hypno-Hustler received a Marvel Legends figure in Series 13 of Hasbro's themed Spider-Man line.[12]

Reception

Hypno-Hustler has received negative reception, sometimes being ranked as one of the worst supervillains in comic books due to his outdated 1970s camp factor. ShortList ranked the Hypno-Hustler as the second worst supervillain of all time.[13] Meanwhile, heavy.com listed him as one of the 20 worst supervillains.[14] CraveOnline put the Hypno-Hustler at number 3 of their "five Spider-Man villains you will never see in theaters" list, describing him as "a recurring joke in the Marvel Universe for decades".[15] Tony Wilson of Dorkly referenced him as one of Spider-Man's "Dumbest Forgotten Villains" in his "Today in Nerd History" sketch comedy video.[16]

In 2022, CBR.com ranked Hypno-Hustler 7th in their "Spider-Man's 10 Funniest Villains" list.[17]

References

  1. ^ Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #24 (November 1978)
  2. ^ Spider-Man Unlimited #12 (May 1996)
  3. ^ Spider-Man's Tangled Web #16-17 (September - October 2002)
  4. ^ The Amazing Spider-Man #645 (December 2010)
  5. ^ Avenging Spider-Man #13 (December 2012)
  6. ^ The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 5) #19.HU (June 2019)
  7. ^ House of M: Avengers #1 (January 2008)
  8. ^ Spider-Man: Reign #2 (March 2007)
  9. ^ Kit, Borys (December 16, 2022). "Donald Glover to Star in, Produce Spider-Man Movie Based on Villain Hypno-Hustler (Exclusive)". TheHollywoodReporter. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  10. ^ Gonzalez, Umberto (December 10, 2024). "As 'Kraven' Hunts for Audience, Sony's Marvel Universe Takes Final Bow for Now | Analysis". TheWrap. Retrieved December 12, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  11. ^ Dinsdale, Ryan (December 11, 2024). "Sony Spider-Man Universe Reportedly Done as Kraven the Hunter Targets Opening Worse Than Madame Web". IGN. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  12. ^ "Spider-Man Marvel Legends: Hypno-Hustler review". OAFEnet. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  13. ^ "10 Worst Supervillains". ShortList. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  14. ^ Jensen, K. Thor (July 20, 2010). "The 20 Worst Supervillains". heavy.com. Archived from the original on July 26, 2010. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  15. ^ Bibbiani, William. "Five Spider-Man Villains You Will NEVER See in Theaters". craveonline.com. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on June 21, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  16. ^ Wilson, Tony. "Spiderman villains we hope don't show up in the next movie". Dorkly. CollegeHumor. Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  17. ^ Sparkle, Billie (2022-08-19). "Spider-Man's 10 Funniest Villains". CBR. Retrieved 2022-11-08.
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