Miracle Man

Origin

A brilliant illusionist and stage magician, Miracle Man most likely had some mutant abilities. During a performance he spotted the Fantastic Four in the audience and began taunting them about how much greater his powers were then theirs. Enraged, the Thing challenged him but was seemingly weaker than the Miracle Man (who actually hypnotized him to think that he was more powerful). The Miracle Man then used his hypnotism to perform various crimes and “miracles”, such as bringing a statue to life.

Creation

Miracle Man was created as one of the first villains of the Fantastic Four by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Character Evolution

Initially, Miracle Man’s powers were thought to be a result of his ability to use hypnosis, that he could simply make you believe that he had amazing powers. Later on, it appeared that he had acquired actual superpowers that allowed him to mentally control and rearrange matter. These new found powers turned out to be just one of his illusions.

Major Story Arcs

Dormammu (while possesing Hood) resurrects Mircle Man along with several other villains that were killed by the Scourge, to kill the Punisher. Though Miracle Man and his allies weaken Punisher enough that he is eventually killed, he is unable to directly kill him partly because he runs away (though he is forced to return to Hood’s Gang).

Powers and Abilities

The Miracle Man uses hypnosis in order to mesmerize other and then causes them to experience whatever he wants them to experience. He uses different illusions to make his victims see, hear, touch, taste, or smell something that may or may not be there. This gives him the ability to have any superpower that he could convince you he has.