Donald Glover has previously been involved in numerous Spider-Man projects over the years -- voicing Miles Morales in animation while appearing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Aaron Davis. But he's currently set to take a starring role in the Sony Spider-Man Universe as the Hypno-Hustler in an upcoming solo film.
Given Glover's own experience in comedy and the strength of Spider-Man stories that use comedy to humanize some truly ridiculous villains, the upcoming Hypno-Hustler film could find an ideal niche within the superhero genre. The character of Hypno-Hustler is perfect for a full-blown superhero comedy, which the genre has needed for a while.
Who Is the Hypno-Hustler?
Debuting in Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #24 (by Bill Mantlo and Frank Springer), Hypno-Hustler is a D-List supervillain within the Marvel Universe. A professional singer who uses hypnotic technology hidden in his music, the character is an overtly silly concept that's largely been played for laughs since his debut. His first story -- and one of his few starring roles -- saw him try to rob a nightclub alongside his backup band, known as the Mercy Killers. The job was complicated by Peter Parker, who'd been present at the venue with his friends. Donning his Spider-Man costume, the web-slinging hero was able to turn the Hypno-Hustler's own tech against him and bring him down.
Since then, Hypno-Hustler has become a somewhat obscure comedy character in Spider-Man stories. He's been seen in meetings of the villain support group Vil-Anon and has played minor roles in storylines like "Origin of the Species" and Avenging Spider-Man. He's made cameos in other media, like the animated series The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes and videogames like Spider-Man: Web of Shadows -- and played a truly tragic role in the grim alternate reality featured in Spider-Man: Reign. But his status as a gag character might explain why he's perfectly suited for a reinvention in a film that leans into his ridiculous nature.
How Hypno-Hustler Sets Up a Perfect Spider-Man Comedy
Spider-Man's deep roster of goofy villains has been mined for plenty of stories over the years that have leaned into the comical elements of the character. Hypno-Hustler is one of the better examples of that type of character, a memorably silly idea bolstered by a memorable gimmick and complete commitment to the routine. Hypno-Hustler is far from Spider-Man's only comedic villain. Still, he's very indicative of the kind of character who appears in stories like Superior Foes of Spider-Man or counts themselves among the League of Losers -- and exactly the kind of character that a future Spider-Man spin-off should be focusing on, especially within Sony's Spider-Man Universe.
With little in terms of actual defined backstory and history, Hypno-Hustler could be reinvented from the ground up by Donald Glover and the other creatives on the film -- especially if they lean into Glover's experience in comedy. But they shouldn't try to excuse or wash away his sillier aspects. Doing so would leave an inherently goofy concept drab and dull, similar to how Morbius failed to find the fun in its inherently ridiculous premise. Instead, it would fit in well alongside the generally wild tone of the Venom films, using the superhero universe as the bedrock for some strange and silly storytelling.
There have been plenty of stories over the years that have used Spider-Man's bizarre but grounded world for comedy, especially when it focuses on the surprising complexities of the doofuses that put on costumes to fight heroes like Spider-Man. It adds flavor and humanity to a cast of ridiculous characters who could otherwise be difficult to take seriously. But by pointedly not taking them super seriously, the film could draw on the energy that elevates Spider-Man's silly rogues' gallery beyond many other heroes. By focusing specifically on one of the most infamous examples of that kind of character, Hypno-Hustler could be setting up the perfect way of fully turning a Spider-Man film into a full-blown comedy.