The Golden Bat

Ōgon Bat (Japanese: 黄金 バット, Hepburn: Ōgon Batto; literally Golden Bat), known as Phantaman or Fantomas in various countries outside Japan, is a Japanese superhero created by Suzuki Ichiro and Takeo Nagamatsu in autumn of 1930 who originally debuted in a kamishibai (paper theater). Ōgon Bat is considered by some to be the world's first superhero, and is a precursor to later superhero characters such as the Japanese kamishibai character Prince of Gamma (debut early 1930s), and the American comic book characters Superman (debut 1938) and Batman (debut 1939).

The franchise's storylines generally depict Ōgon Bat, a mysterious cackling, albeit heroic skull-faced warrior fighting against the evil Dr. Nazō and his gang who wants to dominate the world and destroy all order.

Ōgon Bat later appeared in numerous Japanese pop culture media, including manga, anime, and Japanese films, as well as toys and postage stamps dating back to 1932. It was adapted into various live-action films and a popular anime television series in 1967.