HYPNO-PERSUADER

Classification: Terrestrial technology

Creator: Doctor Doom (Victor von Doom)

User/Possessors: Doctor Doom's unidentified lackeys; Gert Hauptmann

First Appearance: Fantastic Four I#85 (April, 1969)

Powers/Abilities/Functions: The Hypno-Persuader was a mental-conditioning device which placed individuals in a trance, during which their minds were susceptible to the reprogramming suggestions of the operator.

The original machine neutralized the powers of the Fantastic Four by continuously playing recorded phrases to them -- these recordings created mental-blocks which prevented them from utilizing their respective abilities.

A later version of the Hypno-Persuader was used to brainwash Reed Richards and force him to temporarily assume an alternate identity.

The effects of the Hypno-Persuader were only temporary, and would eventually wear off after an unspecified period of time; however, subsequent "treatments" with it could reinforce the mental-conditioning.

History:
(Fantastic Four I#84) - While on an undercover mission for S.H.I.E.L.D., the Fantastic Four (Crystal, Human Torch/Johnny Storm, Mr. Fantastic/Reed Richards, Thing/Ben Grimm [see comments]) infiltrated the European nation of Latveria, to investigate reports that Dr. Doom was building a deadly robot army. But as the quartet crossed the border, they were captured by Doom's Servo-Guards and rendered unconscious with knockout gas.

(Fantastic Four I#84 - BTS) - While the FF slept, they were subjected to the Hypno-Persuader, which hypnotically drained them of their powers.

(Fantastic Four I#84) - When they awoke in a Latverian village, the members of the Fantastic Four found themselves in luxurious hotel rooms (complete with room service); although they were treated like honored guests, they later learned from Doom that their powers had been neutralized, and they were forbidden to leave Latveria.

(Fantastic Four I#85) - The powerless Fantastic Four dined at an outdoor cafe, where they soon fell asleep because their main course contained a subtle sedative; minutes later, Servo-Guards carried away the unconscious quartet for another "treatment" by the Hypno-Persuader. When they later awoke, the FF felt calm and carefree, but recoiled in fear at the very mention of the word "violence" -- as they were dismissed to return to the village, one of Doom's lackeys commented that the Hypno-Persuader had reduced the greatest super-team of all to little more than timid, cowering serfs.

(Fantastic Four I#86) - The Fantastic Four were initially helpless as Doom's Killer Robots began to attack the village; but in the heat of battle against the infernal machines, the effects of the Hypno-Persuader began to wear off, and their powers returned. The Fantastic Four were subsequently able to defeat the robots.

(Fantastic Four I#196) - Under the direction of Victor von Doom II, Gert Haupmann used the Hypno-Persuader to place Reed Richards into a trance; although he was initially able to resist, Reed was eventually forced to temporarily assume the identity of the Invincible Man and captured his teammates.

Comments: Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Regarding Fantastic Four I#84-86:

• Although he Hypno-Persuader was actually only depicted in #85, its influence on the FF was felt throughout the other issues.
• Crystal was taking the place of the Invisible Girl (Sue Richards), who was on maternity leave and caring for newborn baby Franklin, thus Sue was never subjected to the Hypno-Persuader; however, she returned to the team before the conclusion of #86.
• The FF's plight--trapped in an Orwellian/totalitarian village--was Kirby's take on the classic British TV series The Prisoner, which was originally broadcast in the U.S. at about the time of this story-line.

Profile by Ron Fredricks.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Hypno-Persuader should not be confused with:

• Hypno-Creature - inhabitant of Dimension of Doom--Tales of Suspense I#23/1
• Hypno-Fish - single-eyed create, used by Sub-Mariner to hypnotize others--Fantastic Four I#14
• Hypno-Gun - massive mind-controlling weapon used by Maximus--Fantastic Four I#82
• Hypno-Helmet - technology of Them (precursor of A.I.M.)--Tales of Suspense I#79
• Hypno-Hustler (Antoine Delsoin) - Spider-Man foe--Spectacular Spider-Man II#24
• hypno-illusion capsules - owned by Torr, planned to use against humanity--Amazing Adventures I#1
• Hypno-Light Missile - used by Franz Gruber (Baron Heinrich Zemo imposter)--Tales of Suspense I#99
• Hypnos - Olympian god of sleep, son of Nyx--Avengers: No Road Home#2
• Hypnotist (Lincoln Quantrell) - Black Rider foe--Wild Western#9
• Hypnotist - thousand year old man, Human Torch & Toro foe--Young Men#27
• Persuader (Ernest Evans) - Cloak and Dagger associate--Marvel Knights Double Shot#3/2
• Persuader (Roland Rayburn) - mutant with mind-control powers--Spectacular Spider-Man II#141
• or any other "Hypno" or"Persuader" items or characters

images: (without ads)
Fantastic Four I#85, p14, pan2 (Fantastic Four subjected to Hypno-Persuader)
Fantastic Four I#85, p14, pan3-5 (Human Torch, Crystal, and Thing repeating recorded phrases that neutralize their respective powers)
Fantastic Four I#196, p2, pan1 (Reed Richards subjected to Hypno-Presuader; Gert Hauptmann, Victor von Doom II [background])

Appearances:
Fantastic Four I#84-86 (March-May, 1969) - Stan Lee (writer/editor), Jack Kirby (pencils), Joe Sinnott (inks)
Fantastic Four I#196 (July, 1978) - Marv Wolfman (writer/editor), Keith Pollard (pencils), Pablo Marcos (inks)

First Posted: 10/22/2023
Last updated: 10/22/2023

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™ and © 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com

Special Thanks to www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!

Back to Items