| Doctor Faustus | |
|---|---|
 Doctor Faustus Art by Mike Perkins | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Captain America #107 (Nov. 1968) |
| Created by | Stan Lee Jack Kirby |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Johann Fennhoff |
| Species | Human |
| Team affiliations | Secret Empire Corporation National Force S.H.I.E.L.D. Hydra |
| Partnerships | Red Skull |
| Notable aliases | Doctor Faustus, Master of Men's Minds, Edward Marlowe |
| Abilities | Expert in psychological warfare Genius-level intellect Use of hologram projectors, hallucinogenic gas dispensers, androids and elaborate props Ability to modulate his voice in a highly persuasive manner |
Doctor Faustus (Johann Fennhoff) is asupervillain appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. The character is depicted usually as an adversary ofCaptain America. AnAustrian psychiatrist and criminal mastermind who employspsychological manipulation on his enemies, the character was created by writerStan Lee and artistJack Kirby, and first appeared inCaptain America #107 (November 1968).[1]
Johann Fennhoff appeared in the first season of theMarvel Cinematic Universe TV seriesAgent Carter, portrayed byRalph Brown.
Faustus is named after thecharacter inChristopher Marlowe's Renaissance playThe Tragical History of Doctor Faustus. about a man who sold his soul toLucifer to gain infinite knowledge in exchange for 24 years of service to the devilMephistophiles. This character predates the Christopher Marlowe play, in the legend built around the real-lifeJohann Georg Faust.[citation needed]
Johann Fennhoff was born inVienna, Austria. He became a psychiatrist and criminal mastermind.[2] He has proclaimed himself the "Master of Men's Minds", and is known for the use of psychological methods of combat. His plots typically involve manipulating his foes into positions where they will, essentially, kill themselves.[volume & issue needed]
In his first appearance, Faustus induced nightmares and hallucinations inCaptain America (Steve Rogers) in an attempt to drive him insane. However, he was easily bested in a physical confrontation.[3][4]
It was later revealed that Faustus had been treating the amnesiacPeggy Carter, and captured Sharon Carter and Sharon's parents in an attempt to destroy Captain America.[5] Faustus, with the help ofKarla Sofen then acquired stolen weapons from Stark International with which he planned to threaten New York City, and organized a private flight of American criminals; however this plan was thwarted by Captain America.[6]
Faustus is briefly able to controlSpider-Man and use him in an attempt to introduce a "psychogenic additive" to a flu vaccine (which would permit hypnotic control of the public), but he is defeated.[7]
Faustus is the mastermind behind the neo-Nazi groupNational Force, directing them behind the scenes. He is responsible for the creation of theGrand Director to lead the National Force, as well as brainwashingS.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Sharon Carter and programming Sharon to commit suicide, though Carter survives. Faustus also temporarily brainwashes Captain America and battles the latter andDaredevil. His legs were injured by falling gas canisters during this confrontation.[8]
Faustus later mentally conditionsEveryman to be his operative, later known as Zeitgeist. He used his absorbascan to draw in psychic power from other people in an attempt to mentally defeatMister Fantastic and prove his worth to theSecret Empire. Everyman subsequently battlesSpider-Man and Mister Fantastic, but they defeat him. When Richards subsequently seeks Everyman's backer, Faustus attempts to attack Richards psychologically by using elaborate androids, one of which resemblesDoctor Doom but with Reed's face, to foster the illusion that Richards has killed the rest of theFantastic Four. Richards sees through the ruse and causes Faustus himself to have a breakdown.[9]
After recovering from his breakdown, Faustus then allies with theRed Skull, and aids in the villain's mansion. Faustus unsuccessfully attempts to coerce Captain America into committing suicide through the use of ghostly holograms.[10]
Faustus is presumed dead for a number of years, but reappears, living undercover as a S.H.I.E.L.D. psychiatrist, employed by the Red Skull. He is tasked with manipulatingSharon Carter, and claims responsibility for Sharon's increasing romantic attachment toSteve Rogers.[11] Faustus is responsible for manipulating Sharon Carter into assassinating Captain America following the 2006 storyline "Civil War".[12] It is further revealed that theCaptain America from the 1950s is alive and in Faustus's possession, recuperating slowly, and reconditioned to be an agent sent to attack the newCaptain America (Bucky Barnes). The failure of this attack, and the ever-increasing verbal abuse of Faustus by the Red Skull andArnim Zola, causes him to withdraw from the project, but not before freeing Sharon and giving crucial information about the Red Skull's plans to S.H.I.E.L.D.[13]
Rogers,Falcon andBlack Widow are instrumental in exonerating Barnes when the latter is tried for the crimes committed as the Winter Soldier, in light of the mind control to which Barnes was subjected.[14] This is done in part with Faustus's testimony in the trial, and a demonstration of his mind-control abilities, which he displays by manipulating the prosecuting lawyer into attacking the judge.[volume & issue needed]
Faustus is later revealed to have established areal estate development business based inJersey City, New Jersey called Hope Yards Development Relocation Association, as a front for aHydra cell. The cell's purpose is to implement Faustus's plan to marketenergy drinks and aerosol sprays laced with mind controlling nanomachines.[15] The plot is foiled by teenaged Jersey City residentMs. Marvel,[16] as is Faustus's subsequent attempt at getting one of his minions elected mayor of Jersey City.[17]
During theSecret Empire storyline, Doctor Faustus is part of the Hydra High Council that the newMadame Hydra is collecting to assist Steve Rogers,[18] who had become a HYDRA sleeper agent after Red Skull andKobik rewrote reality.[19][20][21][22][23] After Hydra's global takeover, Faustus is assigned the task of 'convincing' Sharon Carter of loving Rogers regardless of this new allegiance, but as the final battle commences, Sharon pretends to have been won over by Faustus and then shoots him. Sharon reveals that she spent months after Faustus used her to shoot Steve listening to recordings of his voice so that the doctor would never be able to control Sharon again.[24]
Doctor Faustus has no superhuman powers but has a genius intellect,[5] and is extremely charismatic and can modulate his voice in a highly persuasive manner. He has a doctorate in psychiatry.[citation needed]
Faustus regularly employs hologram projectors, hallucinogenic gas dispensers, androids, and elaborate props. He also hires henchmen to impersonate various people as a part of his scheme to affect his victims' minds.[5][9]
Faustus has suffered extensive leg injuries, forcing him to use a cane or wheelchair for mobility. He can stand or walk without assistance for only a brief time.[citation needed]
An alternate universe variant of Doctor Faustus fromEarth-9997 makes a cameo appearance inParadise X #1 as a resident of the titular afterlife.[25]
An alternate universe variant of Doctor Faustus fromEarth-58163 appears inNew Thunderbolts #11. This version is anArmy scientist.[26]
An alternate universe variant of Doctor Faustus fromEarth-1610 appears inUltimate Comics: Armor Wars #2. This version is an information broker based inPrague who was fused withMODOK after an accident withReed Richards' dimensional portal.[27]
Doctor Faustus appears inMarvel's Midnight Suns, voiced by Time Winters.[33][34][32] This version is a member of Hydra who seeks to use a combination of magic and science to resurrectLilith and bring her under Hydra's control. While he succeeds in the former,Crossbones kills him to keep theMidnight Suns and theAvengers from learning her plans.
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