KARISMA

 

KARISMA

Real Name: Mary Brown

First Appearance: Fantastic Four (Vol. 1) #266, February 1984

Powers: Dr. Mary Brown was a researcher with the Gaylord Cosmetics Corporation and developed a make-up compound that induced near-instantaneous devotion in males. When her employers doubted her claims, she used it to drive them insane, taking up a criminal career as "Karisma".

Karisma uses facial makeup and lipstick composed of long-chain isotopes which emit radiation on specific wavelengths that allow her to mesmerize men, enslaving them but otherwise leaving their personalities unaffected. It works best at close range, and the effect tapers with time and distance; her subjects are generally affected for several minutes. The radiation functions on visible wavelengths, requiring that she be directly seen in order to affect her victims. The radiation is dampened by anything in its path, even clothes. Subjects must see her made-up face to feel the effect, so she must raise her veil to get the full effects of its power. The more makeup she applies, the better the effect, so she goes for function over form. When wearing thick makeup layers, she can affect a dozen men simultaneously, but if exposure is blocked, they regain their senses immediately, with no memories of their mesmerized actions. Women are minimally affected or completely unaffected by this radiation, and thus immune to her control.

Dr. Mary Brown is a gifted intellect with a Ph.D. in radiochemistry, and a B.S. in biochemistry.