Post by scallop on Feb 27, 2023 0:36:09 GMT
General Information
Full Name: Quentin Beck
Codename or Alias: Mysterio
Anonymity: Known
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Age: 39
Place Of Birth: New York City, NY, USA
Occupation/Status: Special Effects Artist/Criminal Genius
Alignment: Villain
Factions: Sinister Six (Soon)
Canon Or Original?: Canon (Spider-Man)
Powers/Abilities:
Master of Disguise: Beck has always been obsessed with wardrobe in cinema, and making his subjects resemble something other than the original has always been a passion for himself. Whilst not as seemless as someone else he knows, he considers himself a master of disguise. Through not even having much equipment he can change the appearance of himself or others to look almost unrecognisable to what they looked like before. he can make himself appear older, younger or even the opposite gender to fool others into believing he is not who he says he is. On top of this, he has mastered the act of mimicry, able to disguise his voice and in some instanceas even make it sound identical to someone else's. His biggest challenge has been trying to memorise Spider-Man's voice, seeing as he doesn't shut up, so that he might learn how to mimic it.
He can disguise himself with makeup and hair, as well as utilising different clothes to completely change himself to look poor or rich, sometimes wearing multiple outfits at once so that he can do a quick change, able to change outfit completely in under ten seconds.
Master of Illusion: Whilst he has taken to relying on technical assistance a lot more into his career, beck is also adept at illusion without the use of machines or creations. His sleight of hand is second to none, perfect for hiding goods that he is stealing or swapping himself out with a dummy body double. he also uses this technique to convince people that they see something that is simply not there, by having an advanced knowledge of light and how to use ti to his advantage. Either by appearing to be in two places at once, or even completely disappearing. He often uses this ability aided by technology, but if he is torna way from that aid, he still has his hard earned skills.
Master of Technology: A skill he has always had an affinity towards, albeit when he was younger this extended to fixing TV sets or microwaves. Now, this skill has expanded to allow him to construct machines of beautiful intricate design. Bolstered by his MIT education, Beck can develop and repair fairly complex machines with ease, able to construct his own miniature camera/projectors and customise his drones to soundproof them. This allows him to develop his gadgets with ease, able to construct holocubes in less than a day and repair his damaged equipment with ease, as long as he has the means required.
This skill isn;t just a little trick for him. This is also a trick to others. Hacking and tampering plays into this area for Mysterio, developing various devices to allow him to hijack broadcast waves, DDoS websites with ease and even take control of media sites should he have access to their servers. Beck dreams of getting his hands on Spider-Man's devices so he could sabotage him, but until then that is but a pipe dream.
Weapons/Items:
Immersion Gas: First and foremost in his arsenal, beck comes equipped with a gas he likes to call, Immersion Gas. Designed to be released sneakily into theatres to improve a viewing experience, he uses it now to convince his victims and marks of the illusions around them. If someone inhales the gas, it affects the processing centre of the brain, making anything that their senses take in seem much more realistic. Such inhalation can make someone be convinced a bus coming towards them in a screen is actually happening in real life. This allows Beck to convince people of his holograms more accurately and also through the use of subliminal speaking and imagery, he can convince people of things that aren't actually there. For example, convincing someone that a creature is chasing them when there isn't any evidence to support this.
Holocubes: Essentially a six sided projector, Beck desigend these custom made holocubes to be a small as a normal die and easily smuggled or hidden in locations to ensure that they have full coverage. When activated, a holocube will unleash a programmed holographic image around it, as long as any side can see the room, the cube essentially can transform an entire room through projection and bouncing images off of reflective surface, ensuring full coerage between four walls. Whilst not entirely helpful in broad daylight, the holocubes can also emit images of an exploding car for example as a quick diversion. Beck custom programs them and has them hooked up to a bluetooth receiver, so he can transmit images to them before or during activation, essentially customising someone's encounter with them to adapt to their surroundings, as he is able to view a live feed of the cubes that can be transmitted to the interior of his helmet. The helmet is specifically larger than neccessary to fit it with a viewing screen.
Mantle of Mystery: His coup de grace, his grand innovation. The Mantle of Mystery was Beck's aspiration, the suit that Mysterio would wear and be used to dazzle and amaze. The suit is fitted with thousands of tiny projectors/camera hybrids. These tiny nodes fitted around the suit can project perfect high definition images, as well as record endlessly into a 1080 stream, allowing them to project the images they see, projecting it in turn, essentially creating a false sense of invisibility. The nodes are hooked up to a microphone fitted inside his helmet, which he can use to issue verbal commands that have been programmed into the suit. As of right now, the Mantle is programmed with five hundred seperate scenarios, and before every mark, he customises it to ensure he is ready to project anything. For example, utilising multiple nodes all focussing on the same image, he can project a person running away from in panic, without the projection stream being detectable.
The mantle is also equipped with cannisters that are safely hidden underneath his cloak. These cannisters are filled with his immersion gas and are connected to nozzles fitted in his gloves, boots and also the eyes on his breasts. Upon his shoulders are four little hoops that can be connected by hooks for the illusion of flight. The suit is also equipped with speakers/microphones that can be used to emit noises as well as record and mimick noises. This was a recent development in the hopes of figuring out Spider-Man's voice/use it against him. The suit is easily collpasible and essentially shrink wraps itself when he takes it off, able to use the helmet to cover the suit up when he takes it off and letting the helmet resemble that of a bagpack should he need to escape in a hurry.
Stunt Doubles: Whilst he works on developing proper working anamatronic versions of himself, Beck has developed an array of lifelike copies of himself, and even those in a replica armour. When a caper breaks out, he will have his drones carry one out, or place one startegically to let it be caught in his stead whilst he escapes in a hurry. These resemble crash dummies but are often equipped with projectors, speakers and (when he can get his hands on them) crude explosives.
Drones: Beck frowns upon the use of such crude equipment. After all, drone shots are a thing of the past and declare your amateur nature like no other, only a fool would rely on such technology. His drones are small in number, he only has four and he has custom fitted them to make them much slower but without that awful noise. They are also bulky but equipped with mirrors to fly through the air without notice. These drones are usually called in to project something elsewhere as a distraction, but usually brought in to carry Mysterio and give the illusion of flight. They can shoot out almost undetectable stunt wire with hooks that attach to the hoops on Mysterio's suit so they can carry him as he pretends to fly.
Mirror Foundation: Another development of Quentin's, he concocted a new variation of foundation that perfectly reflects off any kind of light, essentially ensuring that if someone is in any degree of light, the foundation will give the illusion of essentially a liquid mirror, coating anything its put on with a reflective layer. This can be used on Beck himself, his drones, his body doubles, or for stealing targets.
Appearance
Image:
Physical Appearance: Beck stands at a not-imposing 5'10, without very broad shoulders he has a very slender yet somehwta toned figure, keeping himself fit to make sure he's ready for any of his stunts and displays. He has a light pale complexion and somewhat unshaven chin, with stubble decorating his face when he isn't under any disguises or makeup. He almost always has bags under his eyes clearly from overwork and has scruffy thick wavy brown hair he neglects to brush unless he's making public appearance outside of suit (Which isn't often).
Clothing and Armor:
Whilst not in finely custom-made tailored suits or whatever costume suits the character, Beck will almost always be donning the Mysterio armour. This will be described in more technical detail elsewhere, but the suit consists of a fishbowl like helmet that serves as a large reflective dome, surrounded by a magenta scarf that flows down to become a large flowing cape that can completely cover his whole frame. The main body is green spandex with a grid like pattern that go to magenta spandex-like boots. he wears two large golden gauntlets that are bulky to disguise what may dwell within them.
Personality
Sexual Orientation: Bisexual
General Personality: Larger than life is certainly one way to sum up Quentin. To him, life should be a performance, but not in a snobbish broadway sing your heart out way, but in a way that everyone has their stories, their arcs, their dreams, their sorrows, and should never shy away from displaying that. To that end, he acknowledges his ego, his pride his need for approval, and he sees no issue with it. Driven by spite, pride and pure narcissism, he truly believes that he is a genius, albeit a criminal one, but in a sense, morality only hindered him in the past. His grudges seem to last forever and for the slightest thing as well. he remembers every little jab his cousin gave him, everyone who teased him at school and insulted his movie manners. And he feels burning hatred for anyone who hindered his life, his career. And he seeks to set things right.
Beck easily fits into his Mysterio persona, a true showman he adores presenting in a campy and outwardly enthusiastic way. He believes himself to be a true performer, always ready to play the role given to him and ensure that his role as a villain fits him. To beck, he is the ultimate villain, he sees his past and recognises the cliches within his own life, to the point where he sees Spider-Man as his perfect shadow. Beck sees himself as one nurtured into the genius he is and sees Spider-Man as a man gifted with super-human abilities, one who did not work for where he is now. But they both align on one rule. beck, sees no reason in needlessly killing. Endangering, maiming, terrifying, that all fits into his book. Perhaps killing criminals and those with blood on their hands, he would be fine to do. But an innocent? That is not the character Mysterio is.
Face/Voice: Bill Hader
Anything Else
Character's History
Siblings: N/A
Mother: Henrietta Beck (Deceased)
Father: Elmore Beck (Deceased)
Other Family: Vincent Beck (Uncle, Deceased), Maguire Beck (Cousin)
History:
Birth is supposedly a miracle of life.
At least that's what they say.
But the more Quentin looks back on his birth, when he sits down and loads in those tapes the miracle, he witnesses is the miracle that it was documented. It was filmed. This beautiful display of life in motion, was captured by picture in motion. His uncles old rickety VHS camera trundled on as he was shown by his mother, proudly displaying her son to the family's oohs and as he cried and screamed, the world around him something new and frightening. This was his entrance, an innocent babe introduced to the big wild world that would certainly delight and appal him.
Quentin beck had a normal upbringing, well as normal one could have when you find yourself in your thirties fighting an arachnid themed vigilante. His mother worked the night shift so when he did see her, she was exhausted, but always one to give advice and play games with him. To save costs they shared their house in NY with his uncle Vincent and his cousin Maguire. This served as something of a distraction from the growing rift between him and his father. And what might cause such a rift between father and son? Why! The Miracle of cinema of course! At an early age, young beck became enamoured by the sights on the television, wondering how those science fiction shows really pulled off those miniature shots, obsessing over how complicated shots were set up and orchestrated. Sure, his youth could have been better spent forming meaningful relationships, but he had a love that was calling for him.
An affinity for the technical side of things shone through as he began to experiment. Moving past his Kubrick obsession to obsess over more complex techniques, becoming enamoured by special effects. His father, however, spotted his talent, but could only see it going to waste. So he did what any good father would do, he disposed of the distraction. That night still echoes in his mind, a scene he rewinds over and over. His father taking that prized camera, the one his uncle had gifted him, and tore it to pieces with a hammer. "This is for the best" the beast had bellowed. "I'm helping you see how this world works!". And to his credit, he did. It was an enlightening moment for the young boy. And whilst his love for film persisted, he pushed it another way, working his way into the industry in another angle.
As luck would have it, he got into MIT and moved away to study, much to the dismay of his best friend/cousin Maguire who he swore he would invite to be in one of his features eventually. He began to enjoy working on mechanism that would be transferrable to the film industry, before finding a knack for working with holographic technology. During his time, he was an extroverted, passionate young man who wanted only to connect with likeminded individuals. And to some degree he did, but he knew none of them took his dream seriously. And so, he began to work on his makeup skills, making the dedication to special effects his life's work, after graduation he took the summer to make his dream come true.
By the age of 25, head finally finished and produced his low rent but fantastically produced 10 minute feature, Return of the Atomic Skull! He spread it across the internet and even landed an independent cinema airing it for a night. It wasn't much, but it displayed his work in special effects, showcasing his work with holograms and realistic makeup/gore effects he had been working with. He knew that cheesy old film Curse of the Atomic Skull would never get a remake, but the passion in the original production shone through to him. And his production obviously shone through to some people too. A TV production company reached out to him, with the promise of film work eventually if he signs on as special effects for their supernatural detective show they were working on. Whilst the work seemed below his paygrade, he agreed.
Below his paygrade, as he found out, was somewhat of an understatement. His contract locked him in, needing to be available at almost every hour of the day for touch ups and whilst being promised full creative control, his practical effects were laughed at, and he was always requested to make a CGI and a practical version. They would always choose the CGI. His skills in graphics were nothing to laugh at, but he himself considered it low brow, not a challenge. He wanted the audience to see just how talented he was, and yet he was drowned in a sea of mediocre acting, effects and direction. For almost 6 years he was locked in this abysmal position, finding less and less time to actually spend on his personal projects. Every day, his passion was stabbed. He worked on his practical effects and improvements as much as he could, but this show. It was a cage. A cage that would finally be unlocked.
CANCELLED.
Beck almost burst into tears when he received the news. The sweet release of programming cuts. As the release was given to him, the cast and crew abandoned him. No one wanted to keep working with him, perhaps it was his dedication to true cinema. or maybe it was because, there was no profit in what he sought. As everyone else moved on to other projects, big screen projects, he found himself at age 30, abandoned by the industry. He had no desire to engage in their politics, scandal, glitz and glamour, no, all he wanted was his craft to be recognised. The faces and the talkers, they all got scooped up for more opportunities. Yet he was cast aside.
Until a shining light came for him.
During his rut, he had taken up freelance editing and had retreated into his personal projects. During this time, he began to develop what he called the Immersion Formula. A gas that would make the brain more susceptible to believing illusions, more likely to feel true fear of the danger presented to them. During this time, he was approached by an executive by the name of Mark Shillman. Shillman had recently acquired the rights to a niche Japanese Tokusatsu series known as, "MYSTERIO: HERO OF MYSTERY". Beck was...hesitant to attach his talents to such a lowbrow opportunity, but after Shillman informed him, he would have full control of special effects, makeup, costuming and stunts. Well, things changed. Slowly but surely, he delved into the world of the character of Mysterio. His magnum opus was going to be the fully practical suit, made to be lightweight for stunts, but bulky enough to resemble the original design. The neck was an issue, so Beck decided to make the helmet more fish bowl in nature.
Shillman came to him during pre-production to inform him of issues going on with the production and would need some financial good faith. In a bid to ensure his talents appeared on the big screen with this adaptation of what was now his muse, Beck agreed to finance everything out of his own pocket until the company could reimburse him. The return on this feature would be enough to ensure he would not want for anything ever again.
His technical expertise developed during the ensuing 2 years of development, making multiple costumes and developing a new form of makeup that would fool the naked eye. He considered patenting this work, but he never wanted anyone else to appropriate his expertise again. Finally, after his embarrassment and wasted time, he could use this opportunity to show off who he really was. Mysterio became his dream, as he delved into the world of Tokusatsu he found himself enamoured by the style. A style he would now honour to millions of audience members. Or at least that was the plan.
Twas a chilly March night when Beck turned on the news, watching the media segment when horror hit him. Shillman had cancelled Mysterio.Beck was convinced this was some mistake, but after a long and heated phone call, he found out the decision was made a month ago, and the project had been shelved. That night, the world felt like it had frozen. As he walked through his cramped apartment building, filled with his creations for the production, forced to use his own abode as storage. They say one bad day changes it all. And as he stared into that blank helmet, his morphed face staring back he knew that this was his turning point. They all thought he was a waste, they all looked down on his potent talent. And he was going to prove it.
The stage was set.
Months had past and he had waited patiently, patenting some of his developments (none of the Mysterio ones of course), to help fund the rest of his endeavours. Shillman, the board of directors, the bank who had taken him for everything he was worth, the crew who had abandoned him. They would all pay. But here, he would be seen as a hero for justice. And if no one saw him like that, at least his spectacle would live on for others to always know what he was capable of.
Shillman was off to give a speech for his college, talking about business. When all of a sudden, the stage erupted into purple gas as a plague of insects began to invade the lecture hall. Panic broke out, as a voice bellowed, echoing through the hall. He declared his return, he declared his intention, to tear Shillman down. From the skylight he descended. Mysterio. Cape billowing he reached out his hands and purple fire seemed to pour out of them as they arched towards Shillman who escaped, running into the street. His car was missing, conveniently covered in an invisible layer of makeup. Mysterio glided behind him, his declarations drowning out the light buzz of the drones carrying him with stunt wire towards his mark. The crowds stared in shock and horror as the new spectacle made his presence known. Eventually Shillman collapsed of shock and exhaustion and an ambulance came. Mysterio, the hero denied, took off before police realised this wasn't a publicity stunt. Retreating back to his home, he settled in to see what the world was saying, what New York City thought of him.
Nothing.
They didn't even care.
His spectacle, was overshadowed by some uninspired Hijinx.
ELECTRO VS SPIDER-MAN.
SHOCKING STRUGGLE CLAIMS LIVES.
Who...who did this webbed freak think he was?
Stealing the spotlight, not even letting Beck get anything but a 6th page story. Beck saw this as war and his pride took a hit that night. But as he planned to enact his revenge on Spider-Man, he discovered something.
This was perfect. As news of Mysterio began to spread, he became more active. Appearing in public and causing minor menace as he began to amass wealth. He was his own publicist, before profiting on the news of Mysterio by spreading his image across social media. His image, it was known. He was being recognised, but as a villain. But that was okay. Darth Vader, Freddy Krueger, Icons of terror who were renowned more than their hero. But he couldn't be a true villain, without a hero. And to him, that was what Spider-Man represented. Someone to put Mysterio up on a pedestal. He began to lure Spider-Man out, showcasing his illusions and tricks to befuddle the web-slinger, and after he escaped. The fight was seen. people marvelled at his skills, even if he did retreat. Mysterio, was being recognised.
Be it as a villain, all he cared about was recognition. he continued his efforts to get revenge on those who wronged him, whilst dodging the interference of Spider-Man. He had been beaten a few times, but each time he had successfully escaped. His name finally got out and he began living in a rundown theatre, before moving through the public as a new identity. His disguises let him operate without people going after him, Quentin beck was now a wanted criminal. His parents never got to see him finally be recognised as the genius he always knew he was. But this was finally the opportunity he wanted. His criminal status grew, and with that his plans to get revenge on the city continued.
But above all else, what he wanted, what he needed. Was to be a true opponent to Spider-Man. he needed him to be the hero of justice he could not be, so that he could be the sinister man of mystery. It was perfect. One day, he noticed something different. They had clashed during one of his robberies and the usual fanfare played out. It was perfect. The chase, the climax, the banter. It was exactly as it should be. But Spider-Man, he wasn't playing the part. he was angry, he was forceful. he was violent. Beck escaped with only a bruised rib, but he laid low after that. His hero was losing his way. A perfect snapshot of a hero creeping into what he could not be.
Beck bided his time before becoming active again. he was not a fan of brooding edgy anti-heroes so when Spider-Man appeared to be himself again, he went back to the usual routine, as his brand expanded and his technology developed. All the while, beck knew, that he had to find the perfect spectacle. Something to enrapture the masses and prove his worth as the Master of Special effects.
And the whole city would watch.
Role Play Sample:
New York City.
Simultaneously the culture capital of the world and the cesspool of America. It was a perfect place for the man known as Quentin beck to be located. This city, this world, it had a never-ending supply of entertainment, of spectacle, of talent. This was the optimal stage for someone with the talent set that he had. The city was his stage, and he would never deprive it of his talent. But for now, the streets and shadows were his ally as he traversed the city with ease, blending into his environment with stunning ease. Quentin Beck would not be seen this day. Today, the struggling gambler known as Mark Whalsh, would be seen traversing the streets as he made his way to the location that had been agreed on.
Positioning himself under the fire exit, he reached up and tugged it gently. not once, not twice, but three times. he sat back and waited. He knew how these things went, it was always pertinent to be patient. An eventually, the garage door began to raise gently but surely. Quentin strode in with confidence, allowing a confident smile to break out across his performance as he shed his skin, walking deeper and deeper into what could only be described as an outrageously long corridor. perfect for some kind of extensive fight scene with flashing lights.
After what was essentially a ten second walk, he found himself within the lair of what he would describe as an Aide as opposed to a lieutenant. yes, he was intent on being the true villain, which meant forming a group with mooks, monsters of the week and lieutenants. But outsourcing, that was always key. And freelancers were always the strongest in any industry, he had experienced that first hand. With that said he quickly shed his skin, letting the makeup fall with the swish of a hankerchief as he quickly brought out and shifted into his suit.
With the helmet affixed, the door before him opened and the much more stout fellow walked out, a perplexed look on his face.
"This better not be some kind of cheap set up Beck, you know my time ain't cheap, get to the chase or we part ways," was the quick and rapid dialogue, causing him to chuckle lightly, the chuckle echoing thanks to his inbuilt microphone.
"Cutting to the chase? And deprive you of ample build up and anticipation? You disappoint me Phineas! And yet I thought you a fellow disciple of the true showiness of our profession! But I won’t indulge if you so choose, we have other matters to discuss!" He cut off his planned monologue and took from his cape a sad looking device, its rotators and chassis pulled into itself with webbing that had all but clogged up the entire inner working of the beauty. "Our mutual friend was kind enough to showcase his sharpshooting the other week, he was unable to stop my true intentions, but alas, he seems to have wised up a bit more. notice how he has ensured that every inch has essentially, caved in? Fascinating. Now, I need you to fix the damage here, but more the point, i require your services in developing a countermeasure to such..." He gestured vaguely at his wrecked drone. "Blockages. Think of this as...me handing you a business opportunity. Think of the other oafs of our occupation that would come flocking for such assistance! And I assure you, as always, financial compensation is always ensured."
As if by magic, and timed corrosion of materials, Phineas found a stack of bills at his feet, that had somehow got there without his notice. The unimpressed startled grumble was enough to massage the ego of Mysterio as he walked over and handed him the drone.
"You're gettin' sloppy Beck, plus gathering the others? That sounds like a recipe for disaster you ask me"
"Then you don't see the big picture! All this time, we have failed to really capture the tragedy of our dear arachnid! But I can see, there is opportunity for something...flashy. Something, deliciously morbid. Perhaps a little too niche for the general public, but they are not my target. After all, these times, they are always in flux my friend! And I for one, refuse to be left behind!"
Without an official response he unleashed a jet of smoke, and a shimmer of his suit announced his departure. This was all for show and fun as his suit portrayed him invisible as he departed. An unseen smirk remained on his face as he disappeared once more into the darkness.
Oh yes, this was the flux.
