The Fantom of the Fair is the guardian of the World’s Fair, protecting fairgoers from natural disasters, organized crime, and rogue 1940’s technology. He generally just goes by the Fantom, especially after the Fair ends and he has to take his show on the road.
Early on he was quick to beat a wrong-doer to death but over time he had a change of conscience and modified techniques from fatal to brutal. Maybe that’s why he inexplicably altered his name to Fantoman – an attempt to put distance between himself and open homicides. He also modifies his costume, adding holes for his eyes and mouth even though he seemed to get along fine without them. What doesn’t change is that lump on the guy’s head. No wonder he wears a mask.
References: [Fantoman #2] [1940] [skilled swimmer, skilled at throwing chairs; casually kills villain and henchmen; lots of leaping; “Your plans failed and one of your men just paid for it with his life! Now, I’ve come to square things for Adams with you!”; ]
[Fantoman #3] [1940] [lots of swinging and jumping; beats a villain apparently to death but panel narration explains that he actually survived his beating; ] [swinging and jumping; skilled hand to hand combatant; “You asked for trouble – well, you’ll get it!”; “Attempting murder and starting a riot is bad enough but when you pick on a young girl, you’re going too far!!”; ]
[Fantoman #4] [1940] [appeared under the title Fantom of the Fair although he has clearly moved on from the fair at this point; it’s worth noting that his cowl changes panel to panel from red to blue throughout this issue; ]
Metahuman Database 