Mirage
Attributes
| Eyes: | Blue |
| Features: | Sometimes appears multiply |
| Hair: | Unknown |
| Height: | 5' 11" |
| Weight: | 195 lbs |
Powers
| Abilities: | Expert in holographic technology. |
| Equipment: | Holograph generating suit. |
| Powers: | Create false optical versions of himself in various locations. Can cause his original self to be invisible, and can cause himself to appear in various outfits, similar to the Chameleon's power. |
| Strength Level: | Normal for age and size |
| Weapons: | Mirage used a handgun as his only offensive weapon. |
Summary
| Citizenship: | U.S. |
| Created By: | |
| Current Occupation: | Deceased |
| Dual Identity: | Known To Police |
| Education: | College Education |
| Former Bases: | New York |
| Former Groups: | His own gang |
| Former Occupation: | Holographic Technician, Criminal |
| Known Allies: | His own gang |
| Legal Status: | Deceased (Held Criminal Record) |
| Major Enemies: | Spider-Man, Captain America, The Thing |
| Marital Status: | Unknown |
| Place of Birth: | Unknown |
| Real Name: | Desmond Charne |
Background
”On a Clear Day You Can See…The Mirage!”
Mirage, or rather, his alter-ego Desmond Charne always wanted to be a super-villain. To this end, he studied electronics, specifically optics and laser technology - in order to create the suit he would use for his crimes.
His ultimate aim was to develop a mechanism of commiting crimes which would allow him to challenge and defeat Spider-Man - an event which occured all to quickly. His first battle, and his first defeat, was at the hands of his ideal opponent.
Desmond started his career by embarking on a series of bold daylight robberies. His targets were weddings, and society events. In one such raid, he targeted the six weddings which were being held in New York's "Morgan's of Malverne" hotel. One of those weddings was that of Daily Bugle secretary Betty Brant to investigative reporter Ned Leeds. One of the guests was, of course, Peter Parker. During the robbery, one of Mirage’s goons grabbed Liz Allan’s purse and Harry Osborn tried to take it back. This was how they met. (Amazing Spider-Man #156)
”Visiting Hours”
He subsequently fought The Thing, and was again defeated and captured. (Marvel Two In One #96)
”Overkill”
Finally, his ignomious career came to an end when he was one of the many villains who were killed by The Scourge of the Underworld at the Bar with No Name. (Among the other murdered criminals were Jaguar, Hellrazor, Shellshock, Birdman, Cyclone, the Ringer, Turner D. Century, the Grappler, the Cheetah, the Vamp, Commander Kraken, Letha, Steeplejack, Mindwave, Rapier, Firebrand, Hijacker.) Captain America borrowed Mirage's costume, in a successful attempt to make The Scourge believe that one of his victims had escaped. This trick enabled Cap to meet, and eventually defeat Scourge. (Captain America #319)
Of course, the Mirage name was subsequently adopted by the lovely Danielle Moonstar, of the New Mutants - but that's another profile altogether.
”Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy”
Years later, he was cloned by the Jackal (Ben Reilly), who was using Spider-Man’s guilt over past deaths to control him. Reilly promised that the criminals were watched by clones of Ashley Kafka, Prowler and George Stacy and were no longer a danger. Reilly also said he could clone Uncle Ben, which Peter refused. Jackal then told the criminal clones to kill him.
”Mistaken Identity Crisis”
Mirage was stopped by Spider-Man and Spider-Boy after robbing a jewelry store. Spider-Boy claimed to be Peter’s side kick, whom he didn’t remember. Peter let Spider-Boy handle Mirage, only letting him go after “D-listers.” Spider-Boy was initially confused which Mirage was the real crook and as Spidey watched from the sideline, he said he’d already figured it out. Spider-Boy then saw that only one of them had a shadow. Webbed to a light pole, Mirage grumbled that he must be a fourth rate crook if he was beaten by a kid. (Superior Spider-Man (vol. 3) #1)
Image Gallery
Appearances
| Cover Date | Appearance Information |
|---|---|
| May 1976 | App: Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 1) #156 |
| Origin and first appearance. | |
| Feb 1983 | App: Marvel Two-In-One #96 |
| Jul 1986 | App: Captain America (Vol. 1) #319 |
Thanks To
The assistance of the Marvel Chronology Project is gratefully acknowledged.
Some of the above information is extracted from the various versions of the Official Handbook to the Marvel Universe and the more recent Marvel Encyclopaedias.