Belphegor (comics)

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For other uses, see Belphegor (disambiguation).

Belphegor was a comic created by Arthur Bernède (1871–1937), a renowned playwright, journalist, screenwriter, and the author of numerous popular novels. His best-remembered creations are the mysterious avenger known as Judex (co-created with—and for—filmmaker Louis Feuillade who directed the first Fantômas serials) and the villainous Belphegor, the so-called "Ghost of the Louvre".

In 1919, Bernède joined forces with actor René Navarre (who had played Fantômas in the Feuillade serials) and writer Gaston Leroux (the creator of Rouletabille) to launch the Société des Cinéromans, a production company that would produce films and novels simultaneously. Belphegor was an attempt by Bernède to create a character to rival Fantômas, Judex, and the Phantom of the Opera.

In 1965, it was one of the most popular mini series of the early French television, directed by Claude Barma and featuring Juliette Gréco.

A 2001 feature film Belphégor—Le fantôme du Louvre was created based on Bernède's Belphegor. The film stars Sophie Marceau.