Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
Batman : Mask of the Phantasmnot only holds the claim as one of the strongestBatmanfilms of all time but also has one of Bruce Wayne ’s good villains , who happened to be an original persona in the exalt universe . Batman : The Animated Seriesstill stands as one of the delineate properties in theBatmanfranchise that adapted the Dark Knight mythology on levels other animated shows and films have n’t been capable to replicate . ButBatman : Mask of the Phantasmbecame a diachronic chapter as it got a theatrical treatment , elevating the universe that Bruce Timm and Paul Dini had created . One of the strong elements of the write up is the nefarious Phantasm , a brand - new character who did n’t rise from the comics .
While Batman has one of the best varlet ’ gallery in the DC Universe , including The Joker , Bane , Ra ’s al Ghul , and many more , Phantasm is a whole different entity . WhenBatman : Mask of the Phantasmwas being marketed in 1993 with poke loosen the war between Batman and Phantasm , it was hard to assure where the writers were going with this fresh villain . Because Phantasm had never appear in the DC Universe , there was no path to tell who was underneath the mask . Batman : Mask of the Phantasmalso showcases one of the strongest portrayal of Batman ’s origin , because part of it is Bruce ’s dear narration with Andrea Beaumont , the woman he almost wed .
While the focus was heavily on Bruce in damage of how Andrea was his liberal chance for a normal life , her story is parallel with his . Batman : Mask of the Phantasmshows Bruce using the murder of his parent as a mode to become Gotham City ’s Italian sandwich while Andrea losing her Fatherhood to Jack Napier , before he became the Joker , led her to want to take a more deadly approach by becoming the Phantasm . Despite Phantasm being mostly ramp up - up as a baddie , Andrea is finally more of an anti - hero than anything else . The foundation of Andrea for the Batman traditional knowledge allows another unassailable female type to be added as she joins hero and villains like Catwoman , Batgirl , Batwoman , Harley Quinn , and Poison Ivy .
Another captivating aspect of Andrea as Phantasm is that she gives Batman ’s rogues ' gallery one of its most intimidating antagonists , visually . The musical theme to have her costume be urge on by the Grim Reaper while also ( by choice or not ) having a Batman vibration to it , hence Gotham ab initio mistake Phantasm for the Dark Knight , was a strong visualisation for the motion-picture show . It added to the overall mystery of Phantasm ’s identity when the character was first introduced in the story . It ’s one of the more simple , yet most effectual , costume designs in the DC renovate universe . Furthermore , once it was revealedAndrea was Phantasm , it made the battle between her and Bruce incredibly tragic , as this scoundrel became someone personal to the hero .
They could have had a glad lifetime together as husband and married woman , but instead , they end up on a path as rivals as Andrea want to avenge her founding father by killing the Joker as well everyone from the surviving members in Salvatore Valestra ’s rout . While Andrea has only had a handful of cameo throughout the DCAU comics as well as a brief show inJustice League : Unlimited , Phantasm is officially joining the DC canon in Tom King ’s upcomingBatman / Catwomanseries . footling is known at this dot how thecomics version of Phantasmwill be utilized in the 12 - issue story , but King has confirmed that most of the event in the animated moving-picture show will be canon in his serial . While answers will be given whenBatman / Catwoman#1 drops , Batman : Mask of the Phantasmdid the Batman mythology a party favor by inventing Andrea Beaumont a.k.a . Phantasm as the Dark Knight ’s best original villain .
NEXT : Why Batman : Mask of the Phantasm Is Still Batman ’s Best Origin Movie
