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Fantomex

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Fantomex
Fantomex on the cover of New X-Men #143.
Art by Chris Bachalo
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceNew X-Men #128
(August 2002)
Created byGrant Morrison
Igor Kordey
In-story information
Alter egoCharlie Cluster-7
SpeciesHuman mutate / cyborg
Team affiliationsWeapon Plus Program
X-Force
X-Men
Notable aliasesMutant Man of Mystery, Jean-Phillipe Charles, Weapon XIII
Abilities

Fantomex is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Grant Morrison and artist Igor Kordey, the character first appeared in New X-Men #128 (August 2002).[1] Fantomex is an escaped experiment from the Weapon Plus Program.[2] He was designated as Charlie Cluster-7 while growing up in a high tech facility.[3]

Development

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Concept and creation

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Fantomex resembles the titular character of the Italian comic book Diabolik and its film adaptation Danger: Diabolik.[citation needed] The character of Diabolik was in turn loosely based on the character Fantômas, the subject of a series of early-20th century French detective thrillers and a popular Mexican comic book adaptation, who Fantomex is named for.[4] Fantomex's name, Jean-Phillipe, is a reference to actor John Phillip Law, who starred as Diabolik in Danger: Diabolik. In addition, his Weapon X designation—"Weapon XIII"—is a reference to the secret agent protagonist of the Franco-Belgian comic XIII.[volume & issue needed]

Publication history

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Fantomex debuted in New X-Men #128 (August 2002), and was created by Grant Morrison and Igor Kordey.[5]

In July 2013, Marvel announced the character's first solo series, Fantomex MAX, written by Andrew Hope, and illustrated by Shawn Crystal.[6] 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.[citation needed]

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. That 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 only 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.[7]

In August 2020, Fantomex starred in Giant-Size X-Men: Fantomex #1, a solo one-shot comic.[8]

Fictional character biography

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Fantomex is a techno-organic being created by the Weapon Plus program to serve as a super-Sentinel against Earth's mutant population.[9][10] He was born and raised in the World, an artificial environment. Fantomex claims to have been raised in a virtual version of France with imperfect programming.[11] He develops a French sense of identity and persona; while his experiment designation is Charlie Cluster-7, he usually goes by the name Jean-Phillipe.[12]

During his first appearance, Fantomex seeks asylum at the X-Corporation in Paris while fleeing from authorities. He recruits Professor X and Jean Grey to travel to the Channel Tunnel and destroy Weapon XII. Fantomex destroys Weapon XII and learns that he is Weapon XIII. Grey allows Fantomex to escape before the authorities arrive.[9]

Dark Reign, Nation X, and Second Coming

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During the "Dark Reign" event, Norman Osborn attempts to take control of the World and Weapon Plus. Wolverine and Noh-Varr head to the World to try to stop Osborn but are attacked by Weapon Plus creations infected by Allgod (Weapon XVI). Noh-Varr is rescued by Fantomex, and the two of them make their way to the World's brain, where they confront and defeat Allgod. Fantomex uses a shrink ray he stole from Doctor Doom to shrink the World and take it for his own.[13] Fantomex later joins X-Force alongside Wolverine, Archangel, Psylocke, and Deadpool.[14]

Uncanny X-Force

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When Psylocke is captured by the Brotherhood of Mutants, Fantomex sacrifices himself to save her. He is captured and killed when the Skinless Man cuts out his heart. With his connection to E.V.A. severed, she believes herself to be dying as well. She survives, however, and evolves into a humanoid form.[15]

After Uncanny X-Force disbands, E.V.A. attempts to resurrect Fantomex via cloning, but due to his three brains, an error occurs and three different bodies are grown for each personality: 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, taking the name of "Fantomex".[16]

X-Force and Uncanny X-Men

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Cable recruits Fantomex as part of his new X-Force team with the promise that he will help Fantomex find Cluster and Weapon XIII. He proves a questionable ally, as he constantly bickers with Psylocke and has a psychic sexual relations with Hope Summers.[17]

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.[18]

Astonishing X-Men

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In Astonishing X-Men, Fantomex is seemingly reunited with E.V.A after blaming Psylocke for taking E.V.A away from him. Professor X's astral self is trapped by the Shadow King and forced into a game with the X-Men as pawns, but Xavier is able to beat his old enemy by tricking him into bringing Rogue, Mystique, and Fantomex into the astral plane. Fantomex sacrifices his body so that Xavier can return to Earth.[19] Fantomex returns in a self-titled one-shot, released in 2020.[20]

Powers and abilities

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Fantomex has an external nervous system referred to as E.V.A. that resembles a techno-organic flying saucer. The relationship between E.V.A. and Fantomex is symbiotic, so if E.V.A. experiences pain when she is not within Fantomex, he will feel it as well. Fantomex is mentally linked to E.V.A. and can control her movement. E.V.A. can reshape her body into a variety of forms, fly, and generate energy discharges.[21]

Fantomex can create realistic illusions (he calls this ability "misdirection"). This ability is based on "reality skewing", rather than telepathy or holographic projection.[22][23]

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.[24]

Fantomex's mask incorporates telepathy-blocking ceramics that render him completely immune to telepathy.

Former abilities

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He once contained three brains with distinct personas and characteristics that were used for parallel and independent thinking in conjunction with his blood. These three brains allowed him to survive severe head wounds, since his secondary and tertiary brains could take over should one be destroyed.[25] He lost these abilities after being resurrected, with all three brains being placed in separate clone bodies.[26]

Reception

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Kofi Outlaw of ComicBook.com said Fantomex quickly became a fan favorite character from the X-Men comics.[27] English actor Ed Skrein praised Fantomex and called him one of his favorite characters, expressing interest in portraying him.[28]

In 2014, Entertainment Weekly ranked Fantomex 44th in their "Let's rank every X-Man ever" list.[29]

In 2018, CBR.com ranked Fantomex 5th in their "X-Force: 20 Powerful Members" list.[30]

Other versions

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Days of Future Now

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An alternate universe variant of Fantomex who was possessed by Sublime appears in the Days of Future Now storyline.[31]

Here Comes Tomorrow

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An alternate universe variant of E.V.A. appears in the Here Comes Tomorrow storyline. This version assumed a humanoid form after being separated from Fantomex.[32]

In other media

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Collected editions

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Title Material Collected Published Date ISBN
Fantomex Max Fantomex Max #1-5 March 26, 2014 978-0785153900
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 978-1302925833

References

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  1. ^ Johnston, Rich (August 5, 2020). "Fantomex Has Been Around A Lot Longer Than We Thought (Spoilers)". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  2. ^ Marnell, Blair (June 12, 2019). "Meet the Creations of the Weapon Plus Program". Marvel.com. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  3. ^ Bailey, Caleb (June 1, 2019). "Fantomex: 10 Things You Need To Know About X-Force's Most Lethal Member". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  4. ^ Cronin, Brian (September 1, 2006). "Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #66". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  5. ^ DeFalco, Tom; Sanderson, Peter; Brevoort, Tom; Teitelbaum, Michael; Wallace, Daniel; Darling, Andrew; Forbeck, Matt; Cowsill, Alan; Bray, Adam (2019). The Marvel Encyclopedia. DK Publishing. p. 128. ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0.
  6. ^ Armitage, Hugh (July 11, 2013). "Marvel Comics announces 'Fantomex MAX'". Digital Spy. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  7. ^ Cardona, Ian (December 7, 2017). "Yes, Professor X Is Back - But You'll Never Guess How". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  8. ^ "An Exclusive First Look Inside 'Giant-Size X-Men: Fantomex' #1". Marvel.com. July 9, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  9. ^ a b New X-Men #130 (October 2002)
  10. ^ New X-Men #143 (August 2003)
  11. ^ Uncanny X-Force #13 (October 2011)
  12. ^ New X-Men #129 (September 2002)
  13. ^ Dark Reign: The List—Wolverine one-shot (December 2009)
  14. ^ X-Men: Second Coming #2 (September 2010)
  15. ^ Uncanny X-Force #27 (September 2012)
  16. ^ Uncanny X-Force #35 (February 2013)
  17. ^ X-Force (vol. 4) #10 (December 2014)
  18. ^ X-Force (vol. 4) #6 (August 2014)
  19. ^ Astonishing X-Men (vol. 4) #6 (February 2018)
  20. ^ Giant-Size X-Men: Fantomex one-shot (October 2020)
  21. ^ X-Force (vol. 4) #11 (December 2014)
  22. ^ Uncanny X-Force #14 (October 2011)
  23. ^ Astonishing X-Men (vol. 4) #1 (September 2017)
  24. ^ Uncanny X-Force #22 (April 2012)
  25. ^ Uncanny X-Force #18 (February 2012)
  26. ^ Uncanny X-Force (vol. 2) #7-9 (August - September 2013)
  27. ^ Outlaw, Kofi (April 7, 2017). "5 X-Men Netflix Series Marvel Fans Would Love". ComicBook.com. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  28. ^ Aguilar, Matthew (May 26, 2018). "'Deadpool' Actor Wants to Play Fantomex". ComicBook.com. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  29. ^ Franich, Darren (June 9, 2022). "Let's rank every X-Man ever". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  30. ^ Wyse, Alex (April 11, 2018). "X-Force: 20 Powerful Members Ranked From Weakest To Strongest". CBR. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  31. ^ Weapon X: Days of Future Now #1 (September 2005)
  32. ^ New X-Men #151 (March 2004)
  33. ^ Sheehan, Gavin (August 7, 2018). "Marvel Future Fight Receives a Visit From Everyone's Favorite Merc, Deadpool". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  34. ^ Sharma, Aakrit (March 7, 2024). "Best teams in Marvel Strike Force". Charlie INTEL. Dexerto. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
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