Doctor Faustus | |
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Doctor Faustus
Art by Mike Perkins |
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Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | Captain America (v1) #107 (Nov 1968) |
Created by |
Stan Lee (writer) Jack Kirby (artist) |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Johann Fennhoff |
Team affiliations |
Secret Empire Corporation National Force S.H.I.E.L.D. |
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 a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is depicted usually as an adversary of Captain America. An Austrian psychiatrist and criminal mastermind who employs psychological manipulation of his enemies, the character was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in Captain America (vol 1) #107 (November 1968).
Johann Fennhoff appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe TV series Agent Carter, portrayed by Ralph Brown.
Faustus' name comes from the famous character of Christopher Marlowe's Renaissance play The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus about a man who sold his soul to Lucifer in exchange for 24 years of service from a devil called Mephistophiles in order to gain all knowledge. This character predates the Christopher Marlowe play, in the legend built around the real-life Johann Georg Faust.
Johann Fennhoff was born in Vienna, Austria. He became a psychiatrist and criminal mastermind. 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.
In his first appearance, Faustus induced nightmares and hallucinations in Captain America (Steve Rogers) in an attempt to drive him insane. However, he was easily bested in a physical confrontation. It was later revealed that he had been treating the amnesiac Peggy Carter, and captured Sharon Carter and Sharon's parents in an attempt to destroy Captain America. Faustus 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.