Mysterio II (Berkhart)
Attributes
| Eyes: | Blue |
| Features: | Receding hairline, goatee and mustache |
| Hair: | Brown |
| Height: | 5' 10" |
| Weight: | 160 lbs. |
Powers
| Abilities: | Like the original Mysterio, minimally enhanced speed/agility |
| Equipment: | Projectors, Gas Gloves, Invisi-Mask and Image Inducers, plus all the tricks of the original Mysterio |
| Limitations: | Poor English (no longer, as he probably read a lot of books while in jail) |
| Strength Level: | Slightly more than the original Mysterio's |
Summary
| Citizenship: | U.S. |
| Created By: | |
| Current Aliases: | Danny, Wizard of Oz |
| Current Occupation: | Supervillian |
| Dual Identity: | Known to Spidey and Authorities |
| Education: | Unknown, presumably a degree in acting |
| Former Aliases: | Jack O'Lantern (III), AKA Mad Jack |
| Former Groups: | Sinister Six, post-reboot incarnation. |
| Former Occupation: | Stuntman |
| Known Allies: | JJJ, Mad Jack (Maguire) |
| Known Confidants: | JJJ |
| Legal Status: | Criminal at large |
| Major Enemies: | Spider-Man, JJJ, Daredevil, Just a Guy Named Joe |
| Marital Status: | Single |
| Place of Birth: | United States |
| Real Name: | Daniel Berkhart |
| Usual Bases: | Warehouse in downtown NYC |
Background
Daniel Berkhart was a cell mate and patsy for the original Mysterio, Quentin Beck. Berkhart had been blacklisted for showing up drunk to his job as a stunt man. Calling Berkhart a "greedy fool," Beck said he had screened all of the other prisoners and picked him as the perfect fall guy. He trained Berkhart in many of the tricks of being Mysterio and then faked his death, even fooling Daniel. When Berkhart was released from prison, he became the second Mysterio and was quickly beaten by Spider-Man. This was just what Beck wanted, as it allowed him to operate without suspicion.
Daniel's first battle against the wall-crawler (Amazing Spider-Man #141) resulted in Spidey injuring his own hands very badly (he wore bandages until Amazing Spider-Man #146.) Berkhart tried to convince Spidey that he was the ghost of Quentin Beck, as Spidey had heard of Beck's "death" at the prison. Former enemies seemed to appear at random to attack Spider-Man, initially fooling him. After Peter realized he was dealing with Mysterio, he found a small device on his chest that was broadcasting a signal that caused the illusions. He followed the signal to its source and beat Mysterio. It was also found that J. Jonah Jameson had been paying Berkhart to defeat Spider-Man. After he was arrested, Berkhart threatened Jameson with the possibility of telling the police that they had worked together, making Jameson run to Paris and get held for ransom by Cyclone.
Many years later, Berkhart associated with Maguire Beck, Quentin Beck's cousin. Daniel wore the Mad Jack identity, which he used to torment Jameson with Maguire's assistance. Berkhart and Maguire were trained in Mysterio's arts by Quentin himself, but lacked his skills.
”The Mysterio Manifesto”
After the original Mysterio died in 1999's Daredevil #7 (vol.2), Daniel kept showing up in the Spider-Books. He joined a new version of the Sinister Six, and later plotted against JJJ, Daredevil, Joe Smith and Spider-Man, in 2001's Spider-Man: The Mysterio Manifesto. When Quentin Beck, his "friend" and former tutor, left him the fishbowl as his legacy, Berkhart extended his revenge from Jameson to Spidey. Maguire, eager to avenge her cousin and have some fun at the same time, took over Mad Jack's costume.
Though Mad Jack was captured, Berkhart was now much more skilled than he had ever been, and managed to elude Spider-Man, fleeing with Mad Jack's cat (also named Maguire). Berkhart is a worthy successor to Quentin Beck. The student has yet to overcome the master, but he's proved himself a dangerous foe to Spidey and whoever has crossed his path. He joined the Sinister Six and successfully captured Senator Ward with the help of Electro.
”Spider-Man Unmasked”
He recently crossed paths with Spider-Man and Francis Klum, the third Mysterio. Klum had taken over Midtown High School and Berkhart came to challenge his use of the Mysterio identity. They fought and Daniel seemed to get the upper hand, but he was defeated by Spidey. (Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (vol. 1) #12)
”Mysterioso”
Daniel appeared briefly after Quentin Beck made his big comeback. (And really, who didn't see that coming?) He and Francis were thugs working for Beck. They all tried to escape Manhattan after Beck impersonated Silvermane and fought Mister Negative for control of the Maggia organization. Quentin escaped but Francis and Daniel were captured. (Amazing Spider-Man #620)
Berkhart is supposedly dead, killed by Jack O'Lantern VI, who wanted to "clean up the brand."
Image Gallery
Appearances
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.