The French criminal mastermind earns his nickname because he loves disguises. In the first of writer/director Feuillade's five-part series, Fantomas is responsible for a robbery and a disappearance. He gets captured by relentless Inspector Juve of the Surete (aided by reporter Fandor) and is condemned to die on the guillotine. Until he pulls a switch-a-roo! Based on the pulp novels by Marcel Allain and Pierre Souvestre.