Rasputin

Historical Background
Rasputin, the "Mad Monk" was a Russian mystic who is perceived as having influenced the latter days of the Russian Emperor Nicholas II and his family. Some of the rumors about his influence are based on his own boasts that he had total control over the Tsar and his family. Some believe that Rasputin helped to discredit the tsarist government, leading to the fall of the Romanov dynasty in 1917, and the slaughter of the family. While Rasputin professed to be a Christian, he argued that sin was necessary for salvation, and apparently he readily gave into sex and alcohol (though there is some evidence to argue the contrary). He also accepted bribes and dismissed his critics from their posts. Some believed that he possessed great supernatural power. He was seen as a psychic and faith healer. He is also well known for surviving serious wounds from one assassination attempt, and later proving very difficult to kill, and putting up a tremendous fight when assassins came for him a second time.

Popular Culture Depictions
Rasputin is often depicted as an evil sorcerer with vast powers. In comics, he was usually ascribed hypnotic abilities.

Golden Age Comic Appearances

 * Kid Eternity (1946 series) #15: Rasputing is summoned by Master Man to hypntoize people.
 * Jumbo Comics (1938 series) #120: Rasputin encounters the time traveling Stuart Taylor.

Appearances of Modern Age Rasputins

 * Air Fighters Comics vol. 2 #1 [13]: The son of Rasputin attempts to avenge his father by killing British royalty, but is stopped by Black Angel.
 * Cat-Man Comics vol. 2 #12 [25]: Deacon is hypnotized by a stage performer/criminal calling himself Rasputin Jr.

Public Domain Movie Appearances

 * The Fall of the Romanovs (1917)
 * Rasputin, the Black Monk (1917)