Fantômas

Initially appearing in a series of French crime fiction, Fantômas is an evil genius who gives no mercy, feels no loyalty, and displays utter ruthlessness. A sadistic sociopath who does not care who he murders, Fantômas is a master of disguise and an ingenious criminal. Created in 1911 by Allain and his collaborator Pierre Souvestre, Fantômas is the first volume of a popular series of novels. The only counter to this villain is Inspector Juve, a zealous detective bent on capturing this vaguely understood but clearly terrifying murderer. Representing not only a transition from Gothic villains to more modern serial killers in the history of crime fiction, Fantômas was translated into silent films in some of the earliest movies ever made, anticipating Hollywood's thirst for diabolical criminals. Though haunting in his capacity for evil, the creativity of his murders and the struggle of Inspector Juve to catch him provide a compelling and page-turning story for those who brave Fantômas.