Fantomex#Powers and abilities

{{Infobox comics character

|character_name = Fantomex

|image = Xmen143.jpg

|converted = y

|caption = Fantomex on the cover of New X-Men #143.
Art by Chris Bachalo

|real_name = Charlie Cluster-7

|species = Human mutate / cyborg

|publisher = Marvel Comics

|debut = New X-Men #128
(August 2002)

|creators = Grant Morrison
Igor Kordey

|alliances = Weapon Plus Program
X-Force
X-Men

|aliases = Mutant Man of Mystery, Jean-Phillipe Charles, Weapon XIII

|powers = *External nervous system manifested as techno-organic flying ship

Enhanced reflexes and healing factor
Hypnotic illusions
Cybernetic mind
Skilled marksman, acrobat, and hand-to-hand combatant

|cat = super

|subcat = Marvel Comics

|hero =

|villain =

|sortkey = Fantomex

}}

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).{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Rich |author-link=Rich Johnston |date=August 5, 2020 |title=Fantomex Has Been Around A Lot Longer Than We Thought (Spoilers) |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/fantomex-has-been-around-a-lot-longer-than-we-thought-spoilers/ |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=Bleeding Cool |language=en}} Fantomex is an escaped experiment from the Weapon Plus Program.{{Cite web |last=Marnell |first=Blair |date=June 12, 2019 |title=Meet the Creations of the Weapon Plus Program |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/meet-the-creations-of-the-weapon-plus-program |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=Marvel.com}} He was designated as Charlie Cluster-7 while growing up in a high tech facility.{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Caleb |date=June 1, 2019 |title=Fantomex: 10 Things You Need To Know About X-Force's Most Lethal Member |url=https://www.cbr.com/fantomex-things-need-know/ |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}}

Development

= Concept and creation =

Fantomex resembles the titular character of the Italian comic book Diabolik and its film adaptation Danger: Diabolik.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Cronin |first=Brian |date=September 1, 2006 |title=Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #66 |url=https://www.cbr.com/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-66/ |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}} 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 needed|c=y|date=February 2019}}

= Publication history =

Fantomex debuted in New X-Men #128 (August 2002), and was created by Grant Morrison and Igor Kordey.{{cite book |last1=DeFalco |first1=Tom |title=The Marvel Encyclopedia |last2=Sanderson |first2=Peter |last3=Brevoort |first3=Tom |last4=Teitelbaum |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |last6=Darling |first6=Andrew |last7=Forbeck |first7=Matt |last8=Cowsill |first8=Alan |last9=Bray |first9=Adam |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-7890-0 |page=128}}

In July 2013, Marvel announced the character's first solo series, Fantomex MAX, written by Andrew Hope, and illustrated by Shawn Crystal.{{Cite web |last=Armitage |first=Hugh |date=July 11, 2013 |title=Marvel Comics announces 'Fantomex MAX' |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/comics/a497527/marvel-comics-announces-fantomex-max/ |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB}} 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|date=February 2019}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Cardona |first=Ian |date=December 7, 2017 |title=Yes, Professor X Is Back - But You'll Never Guess How |url=https://www.cbr.com/professor-x-resurrection-fantomex-death/ |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}}

In August 2020, Fantomex starred in Giant-Size X-Men: Fantomex #1, a solo one-shot comic.{{Cite web |date=July 9, 2020 |title=An Exclusive First Look Inside 'Giant-Size X-Men: Fantomex' #1 |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/exclusive-first-look-inside-giant-size-x-men-fantomex-1 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=Marvel.com}}

Fictional character biography

Fantomex is a techno-organic being created by the Weapon Plus program to serve as a super-Sentinel against Earth's mutant population.New X-Men #130 (October 2002)New X-Men #143 (August 2003) 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.Uncanny X-Force #13 (October 2011) 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.New X-Men #129 (September 2002)

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.

=Dark Reign, Nation X, and Second Coming=

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.Dark Reign: The List—Wolverine one-shot (December 2009) Fantomex later joins X-Force alongside Wolverine, Archangel, Psylocke, and Deadpool.X-Men: Second Coming #2 (September 2010)

=Uncanny X-Force=

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.Uncanny X-Force #27 (September 2012)

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".Uncanny X-Force #35 (February 2013)

=X-Force and Uncanny X-Men=

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.X-Force (vol. 4) #10 (December 2014)

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)

=Astonishing X-Men=

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.Astonishing X-Men (vol. 4) #6 (February 2018) Fantomex returns in a self-titled one-shot, released in 2020.Giant-Size X-Men: Fantomex one-shot (October 2020)

Powers and abilities

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.X-Force (vol. 4) #11 (December 2014)

Fantomex can create realistic illusions (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 completely immune to telepathy.

=Former abilities=

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.Uncanny X-Force #18 (February 2012) He lost these abilities after being resurrected, with all three brains being placed in separate clone bodies.Uncanny X-Force (vol. 2) #7-9 (August - September 2013)

Reception

Kofi Outlaw of ComicBook.com said Fantomex quickly became a fan favorite character from the X-Men comics.{{Cite web |last=Outlaw |first=Kofi |date=April 7, 2017 |title=5 X-Men Netflix Series Marvel Fans Would Love |url=https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/x-men-netflix-series-ideas/ |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en}} English actor Ed Skrein praised Fantomex and called him one of his favorite characters, expressing interest in portraying him.{{Cite web |last=Aguilar |first=Matthew |date=May 26, 2018 |title='Deadpool' Actor Wants to Play Fantomex |url=https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/deadpool-actor-play-fantomex/ |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en}}

In 2014, Entertainment Weekly ranked Fantomex 44th in their "Let's rank every X-Man ever" list.{{Cite web |last=Franich |first=Darren |date=June 9, 2022 |title=Let's rank every X-Man ever |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/05/21/x-men-best-worst/ |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}}

In 2018, CBR.com ranked Fantomex 5th in their "X-Force: 20 Powerful Members" list.{{Cite web |last=Wyse |first=Alex |date=April 11, 2018 |title=X-Force: 20 Powerful Members Ranked From Weakest To Strongest |url=https://www.cbr.com/x-force-members-ranked/ |access-date=January 25, 2023 |website=CBR |language=en}}

Other versions

=Days of Future Now=

An alternate universe variant of Fantomex who was possessed by Sublime appears in the Days of Future Now storyline.Weapon X: Days of Future Now #1 (September 2005)

=Here Comes Tomorrow=

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.New X-Men #151 (March 2004)

In other media

Fantomex makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in Deadpool's ending in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3.
Fantomex appears as a playable character in Marvel: Avengers Alliance.
Fantomex appears as a playable character in Marvel: Future Fight.{{Cite web |last=Sheehan |first=Gavin |date=August 7, 2018 |title=Marvel Future Fight Receives a Visit From Everyone's Favorite Merc, Deadpool |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/marvel-future-fight-receives-a-visit-from-everyones-favorite-merc-deadpool/ |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=Bleeding Cool |language=en}}
Fantomex appears as a playable character in Marvel Strike Force.{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Aakrit |date=March 7, 2024 |title=Best teams in Marvel Strike Force |url=https://www.charlieintel.com/games/best-teams-in-marvel-strike-force-237441/ |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=Charlie INTEL |publisher=Dexerto |language=en}}