Psycho-Pirate’s Emotional Manipulation

Psycho-Pirate is a name used by two supervillains in DC comics. Charles Halstead, the first version, was created 80 years ago by Gardner Fox and Joe Gallagher. He debuted in All-Star Comics #23 (December 1944) as an employee of the Daily Courier who was jealous of his boss. He became the Psycho-Pirate, basing his crimes on emotion, to destroy his boss’ success.

Halstead doesn’t possess any superpowers, but he does have a keen intellect, and used his knowledge of psychology as a criminal. Later, he shot the Atom, putting him on the Justice Society’s radar. The team caught him, and he was sent to prison, eventually dying in the 1960s.

Roger Hayden, the second Psycho-Pirate, was created by Fox and Murphy Anderson who introduced him in Showcase #56 (June 1965). This version can use the Medusa Mask to manipulate, amplify, and drain emotions, he can also fly and create psychic illusions and constructs.

He was introduced as Halstead’s cellmate on Earth-Two, then once he acquired the Medusa Mask, he was recruited by Ultra-Humanite to join the Secret Society of Super Villains. The Anti-Monitor kidnapped Psycho-Pirate and made him help during the Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Hayden has occasionally popped up in other stories as a supporting character, including in Underworld Unleashed when he sold his soul to Neron to gain more power. He was killed by Black Adam and Raven destroyed the Medusa Mask, then during Blackest Night, Psycho-Pirate was resurrected as a Black Lantern. Hayden returned again in The New 52, only this time he gained psychic powers from a virus that Brainiac created.