He made a appearance in every popular media form possible and has spawned over 100 years. To his dossier we can count 43 novels (32 by the duo and 11 by Allain alone), 13 films (5 being silent), 1 1980’s serie, 5 plays (2 being illegal), 7 comics/strips (5 french, 1 us, 1 mexican) and has various appearances/mentions/tributes/parodies/rip offs in forreign franchises such as: Us the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (Fantom), Marvel (Fantomex), Disney (Fantomius), The Venture bros (phantom of the limb), Grahan Wilson Novel’s (Spectrobert),1920 serial (Fantômas); Czechoslovakia Arabela (Fantômas); Uk Pink Panther (Phantom), Doctor Who (Fantômas), Fantomville’s (Fantômas); Italy Astorina’s, Comic Fix and Editoriale Corno’s (Diabolik, Killing and Kriminal & Satanik). His adaptations are not all true to the novels-and are for the most humoristic(The Films)-but the 1937 satiral (Monsieur Fantômas) is said to be a wonder that inspired a genre, the 1910’s silent ones were directed by the prolific Louis Feuillade, the 1960’s triology featured the controversed Louis de Funès while having gadgets that inspired some of James Bond gadgets and his 1966-1981 Comic run made him popular in Latin America.
Adaptations
1910’s Silent Films
Louis Feuillade Era
René Navarre as Fantômas (Gurn, Tom and other aliases)
1-Fantômas I- à l’ombre de la guillotine
Release Date:May 09, 1913
Act 1:The theft at the royal Palace Hotel
Act 2:The dissapearance of Lord
Act 3:By the guillotine
2-Fantômas II:Juve Contre Fantômas
Release Date:September 12, 1913
Act 1:Disaster on the Simplon-Express
Act 2:At the crocodile
Act 3:The haunted villa
Act 4:The Man in Black
3-Fantômas III:Le mort Qui Tue
Release Date:November 28, 1913
Act 1:The tragedy in rue Novins
Act 2:Fandor Investigation
Act 3:The princess necklace
Act 4:The banker Nanteul
Act 5:Elizabeth Dollon
Act 6:The human skin gloves
4- Fantômas IV: Fantômas Contre Fantômas
Release Date:March 13, 1914
Act 1:Fantômas and Public opinion
Act 2:The wall that bleeds
Act 3:Fantômas Vs Fantômas
Act 4:Getting even
5-Fantômas V: Le Faux Magistrat
Release Date:May 08, 1914
Act 1:The theft at the château des loges
Act 2:The prisoner of Louvain
Act 3:Charles Pradier, examing magistrate
Act 4:The burglar judge
Act 5:The extradited man
1920’s Illegal and Unofficial Serial
This serial, when presented in France, was translated to ”Les Exploits de Diabolos” (The Exploits of Diabolos) in order to attract french audience and for legal reasons.This serial is considered lost.
1930’s revival
Paul Fejos Era
After nearly two decades of abscence, Fantômas makes a come back to the big screen. This 1932 film feature Jean Galland as Fantômas (Ãtienne Rambert).
Ernst Moerman Era
This version of Fantômas is clearly not canon. A short film (17 minutes) with Monsieur Fantômas and the humor of a belgian. Jean Michel is Fantômas
1940’s
Jean Sacha Era
In this 1946 French crime film Marcel Herrand portrays Fantômas (a criminal without any mercy).
Robert Vernay Era
Maurice Teynac is Fantômas in this 1948 adaptation.
1960’s
André Hunebelle Era
The last Fantômas to date, this trilogy is both humoristic and serious. Arabela Fantômas is based on this version. Gadgets featured in this films have been the inspiration for some of James Bond gadgets.
2010’s Reboot?
Christophe Gans Era
This film have been in the making for a very long time, it was rumored to be cancelled when Vince Cassel quitted the adventure. Going by cinechronicles statement, this film has a budget of 50 millions and is part of a bigger picture hero universe with Fantômas being a anti-hero.