The Hypno-Hustler’s real name is Antoine Delsoin, a singer and guitarist who wanted to make it big in the music industry. He formed a band called the Mercy Killers, consisting of three female backup singers who wore masks and costumes. He also invented a pair of goggles that could emit hypnotic beams and a pair of headphones that protected him from his hypnosis. He used these devices to control his band and audience, making them do whatever he wanted.

His first encounter with Spider-Man happened when he was performing at a nightclub called Beyond Forever. He planned to hypnotize the crowd and steal their valuables, but he didn’t count on Peter Parker being there with his friends. Peter’s spider-sense warned him of the Hypno-Hustler’s scheme, and he managed to avoid being hypnotized by covering his ears. He then changed into Spider-Man and confronted the Hypno-Hustler on stage.

The Hypno-Hustler tried to use his tricks on Spider-Man, such as releasing gas and blades from his boots, but Spider-Man was too fast and agile for him. Spider-Man removed the Hypno-Hustler’s headphones, making him fall under hypnosis. Spider-Man then webbed up the Hypno-Hustler and his band and left them for the police.

The Hypno-Hustler didn’t appear again for many years until he was revealed to be an inmate in the Cage, a specialized supervillain prison. He was hired by Tombstone, another inmate who had a weakened heart, to protect him until he received a heart bypass. The Hypno-Hustler used his hypnosis to make other prisoners leave Tombstone alone, but he also tried to extort money from him.

Spider-Man visited the Cage to interview Tombstone for a story, but some of Tombstone’s enemies attacked him. The Hypno-Hustler helped Spider-Man fight them off, hoping to get a reward from Tombstone. However, Tombstone betrays him and knocks him out with a punch.

The Hypno-Hustler later appeared in Spider-Man: Reign, an alternate future story where Spider-Man is an old man who exits retirement to fight an oppressive regime. The Hypno-Hustler is one of the few surviving villains who joins Spider-Man’s resistance. He uses his hypnosis to distract some guards, but he is killed by one of them.

The Hypno-Hustler has not appeared in any other media besides comics, but he has gained some popularity among fans who enjoy his campy and ridiculous concept. He is considered one of the worst comic supervillains and one of the most fun and memorable.

He also has a minor connection to a famous Marvel villain: Kingpin. In Daredevil #170, it is revealed that Kingpin’s real name is Wilson Fisk and that he used to be a disco producer who worked with Antoine Delsoin before he became the Hypno-Hustler. Kingpin helped Antoine create his hypnotic gadgets, but he also stole some of his ideas and used them for his criminal empire.

The Hypno-Hustler is a unique character who represents the disco era of the 1970s. He is a villain who uses music as a weapon and a way to express himself. He is a hustler who wants fame and fortune but also has a sense of humor and style. He is a comic book history that deserves to be remembered.