Mastermind
Real Name: Jason Wyngarde
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men 4
Died In: Uncanny X-Men Annual 22
What's His Problem? A mutant with sophisticated illusionary powers, Jason Wyngarde always seemed to try be more than what he was. He first tried a shot with Magneto's original Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, and later attempted to join the Hellfire Club casting a more handsome disguise for himself. Suffering from low self-esteem and later a bout of insanity brought about by Dark Phoenix, Mastermind was always trying to use his powers for selfish reasons until his death from the Legacy Virus.
Favorite Quote: "Teacher's pets!" A dour Mastermind is annoyed at all the favoritism Magneto is showing Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch. (Professor Xavier and the X-Men 4, a great story for only 99 cents!)
Powers: Mastermind was a sophisticated illusionist, able to create images that would appear very real to people, even enough to cause psychosomatic damage. With the help of the White Queen's Mindtap Mechanism, Wyndgarde was able to put illusions directly into the mind of Phoenix.
Heroes He Kept Running Into: As a mutant, Mastermind primarily went up against the X- Men, both on his own and as part of teams. He also once battled Excalibur when he tried to tap into the Phoenix force through Rachel Summers.
People Who Don't Think He's So Bad: He got along well enough with Magneto and came close to being accepted into the Hellfire Club. Mastermind was also able to make peace with Jean Grey shortly before his death, genuinely sorry for the misery he had caused. In the Age of Apocalypse timeline, Jason was part of Forge and Nate Grey's team of traveling performers/rebels.
The All-New All-Different Mastermind: Wyngarde's previously unknown daughter, Martinique, has taken up the name Mastermind out of respect for her father. Blessed with similar illusionary powers, she has battled Wolverine, Gambit and Daredevil.
Most Despicable Act: Spending time with Phoenix to corrupt her into becoming the Hellfire Club's Black Queen is probably Mastermind's best known dastardly deed. He also was responsible for a series of covert attacks on the X-Men, including inducing Mariko to reject Wolverine at the alter, Storm's "punk" phase, and Rogue running away from Mystique to join the X-Men.
by Bobby Coakley
