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Fantomex is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Grant Morrison and artist Igor Kordej, the character First appearance in New X-Men #128 (August 2002). Fantomex is an escaped experiment from the Weapon Plus program. He was designated as Charlie Cluster-7 while growing up in a high-tech facility.
In July 2013, Marvel announced the character's first solo series, Fantomex MAX, written by Andrew Hope, and illustrated by Shawn Crystal. The series does not take place in current Marvel continuity, and the character is not affiliated with any other Marvel characters. In this series, the character of Fantomex is a more literal take on the Diabolik character, with a storyline less influenced by traditional superhero plots, skewing more towards the concepts of intrigue and adventure. Issue #1 debuted on October 2, 2013.
Fantomex then made sporadic guest appearances with the X-Men until October 2010 when he has a permanent member of the new Uncanny X-Force with Rick Remender and Jerome Opeña as the creative team. This series ran for 35 issues and explored Fantomex's background and developed his character. Fantomex then was added to the short-lived X-Force vol. 4, which lasted 15 issues. Fantomex returned to the X-Men in The Uncanny X-Men vol. 4 in issues #8–18. Fantomex's was added to the roster of the fourth volume of Astonishing X-Men with his apparent death in issue #6 and final appearance in issue #7.
In August 2020, Fantomex returned in Giant-Size X-Men: Fantomex #1, a solo one-shot comic.
During his first appearance, Fantomex seeks a safe haven at the X-Corporation in Paris while fleeing from authorities. He claims to be a mutant thief with the ill-defined power of misdirection. Bleeding profusely from bullet wounds, he asks for asylum, which Professor X grants him. Fantomex explains to Professor X and Jean Grey that he is being hunted because he is one of the most wanted thieves in Europe. Neither Professor X nor Grey are able to verify his claims due to his ceramic mask, which blocks their mental probes. However, they agree to aid him, and after escaping the soldiers who surround the building, Fantomex uses his ship E.V.A. to take Professor X and Grey to his home in France. While there, he introduces them to his mother and continues to describe his success as a thief. He tells the two that he has stolen sensitive information about the Weapon Plus project while in the Channel Tunnel (Chunnel), and offers to sell it to Professor X for $1 billion. After submitting his proposal, Fantomex puts himself in a light hypnotic trance and removes the bullets that riddle his body. Finished, he asks Professor X and Grey to accompany him back to the Chunnel in an effort to destroy Weapon XII.
Fantomex then leads Professor Xavier and Jean Grey to the Chunnel, which is filled with people and animals that Weapon XII has turned into mindless slaves. Knowing that those who have fallen prey to Weapon XII's influence are lost, Fantomex kills Darkstar and all others who are mentally connected to the creature. After Fantomex destroys Weapon XII by using a remote detonator, it is noticed that there are two empty Weapon Plus transport tubes in the Chunnel: one that held the violent Weapon XII and another that held something called Weapon XIII. After the battle, Fantomex's ceramic mask slips slightly, allowing Grey to deduce his true identity as Weapon XIII. Fantomex is revealed to have been in transit in the Chunnel, but escaped and was subsequently chased to the X-Corporation building. Fantomex assures Grey that he refuses to be anyone's soldier. Grey allows Fantomex to disappear into the Chunnel before the authorities arrive. New X-Men #130 (October 2002)
Fantomex manages to survive. Some time later, he is contacted by the diminutive mutant Shortpack, who seeks his help in assassinating mutant arms dealer Steinbeck in revenge for his killing of an agent under Shortpack's care. Fantomex refuses, not wanting to become responsible for allowing Shortpack to become a killer. Shortpack is captured by Steinbeck soon after, and whilst investigating his disappearance, Mystique learns of his meeting with Fantomex. Though despising him after a past encounter in Madagascar, Mystique finds Fantomex in Monte Carlo, once again operating under the pretense of being a mutant thief, and learns of Shortpack's plan. Mystique #20 (December 2004) As she leaves to rescue him, Fantomex follows and uncovers her intent to assassinate Xavier. In exchange for his silence, Fantomex bids Mystique perform a heist for him. After she returns with the stolen goods (a vintage Spider-Man costume), Mystique infects Fantomex and E.V.A. with a techno-organic virus, seemingly killing them both to keep her plan secret. Mystique #21 (January 2005) However, it was all a ruse as Mystique knew she was being monitored by Steinbeck's ally Shepard. Fantomex later resurfaces and helps Mystique capture Shepard, giving her access to Steinbeck whom she finally defeats. Mystique #24 (April 2005)
After Uncanny X-Force disbands, E.V.A. attempts to resurrect Fantomex via cloning. This results in his three brains being transferred into separate bodies. The evil brain becomes "Weapon XIII", the noble brain becomes "Cluster", a female version of Fantomex; and the mischievous brain is restored to his proper body, retaking the name of Fantomex. Uncanny X-Force #35 (February 2013)
He once kissed his X-Force colleague Doctor Nemesis on the lips in thanks for calling him "the best", showing that he is open to same-sex intimacy. X-Force (vol. 4) #6 (August 2014)
Fantomex can create realistic (he calls this ability "misdirection"). This ability is based on "reality skewing", rather than telepathy or holographic projection. Uncanny X-Force #14 (October 2011) Astonishing X-Men (vol. 4) #1 (September 2017)
Fantomex is a skilled hand-to-hand combatant and gunfighter. He once used special ceramic bullets covered in sentient mutant skin that never miss their target. Uncanny X-Force #22 (April 2012)
Fantomex's mask incorporates telepathy-blocking ceramics that render him immune to telepathy.
In 2014, Entertainment Weekly ranked Fantomex 44th in their "Let's rank every X-Man ever" list.
In 2018, CBR.com ranked Fantomex 5th in their "X-Force: 20 Powerful Members" list.
| + ! Title ! Material Collected ! Published Date ! ISBN | |||
| Fantomex Max | Fantomex Max #1-5 | March 26, 2014 | |
| Giant-Size X-Men By Jonathan Hickman | Giant-Size X-Men: Fantomex and Giant-Size X-Men: Jean Grey and Emma Frost, Nightcrawler, Magneto. | January 26, 2021 |
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