Judex

Louis Feuillade had already made two earlier serials, Fantômas (1913) and Les Vampires (1915), which were popular with audiences, but drew criticism for glorifying criminals. As a consequence Feuillade decide to create a heroic persona, Judex, but one who had all of the sinister trappings of the flamboyant villains who were popular at the time. Judex was conceived by Feuillade and novelist Arthur Bernède, who also published a novel based on the script and adapted the original film for the stage in 1923.

After his father committed suicide as a result of being ruined by the villainous banker Favraux, Jacques de Trémeuse adopted the guise of Judex and assembled an organization of ex-criminals and circus people to bring down Favraux and his lethal mistress Marie Verdier. He anticipated later pulp heroes and superheroes in many respects. He was a masterful fighter and an expert at disguise, and boasted a secret headquarters. In the subterranean passages beneath a ruined castle Judex had a base outfitted with technological gadgets. He also had a secret identity: "Judex" (the Latin word for judge) was merely a nom de guerre he had adopted in his quest for revenge. Although the original Judex serial derived from the first Fantômas also directed by Louis Feuillade, the story bore several similarities with The Count of Monte Cristo.[1]

While in the first serial, Judex acted solely out of personal revenge, the second one, Judex's New Mission, showed him acting as a vigilante and a defender of the innocent.[1]

The character Judex first appeared in the 1916 serial film Judex. Though Judex was made in 1914, the outbreak of World War I delayed its release. It finally premiered in December 1916, and subsequently went into wider release in 1917–1918.

A sequel serial titled Judex's New Mission (La Nouvelle Mission de Judex) was released in 1917.

A remake, also named Judex, was made in 1934, directed by Maurice Champreux, and starring René Ferté as Judex.

Another remake, again named Judex, was filmed in 1963 by director Georges Franju. The story was shortened and simplified but remained true to the original. American magician Channing Pollock played the title role.

French comic magazine Hurrah! published by Editions Mondiales in June 1940 began a comic series of Judex, which was in actuality, a French translation of the American syndicated Shadow comic strip.[2]

As an homage, writer Matt Fraction featured Judex as a member of a team of European superheroes of the early 20th century, in a 2012 issue of The Defenders.[3][4]

• Coolfrenchcomics Judex Page
• Internationalhero Judex page
• Penumbra by Chris Roberson
• The Judex Codex by Dennis Power