Batman: Mask of the Phantasm not only holds the title as one of the strongest Batman films of all time but also has one of Bruce Wayne’s best villains, who happened to be an original character in the animated universe. Batman: The Animated Series still stands as one of the defining properties in the Batman franchise that adapted the Dark Knight mythology on levels other animated shows and films haven’t been able to replicate. But Batman: Mask of the Phantasm became a historical chapter as it got a theatrical treatment, elevating the universe that Bruce Timm and Paul Dini had created. One of the strongest elements of the story is the villainous Phantasm, a brand-new character who didn’t originate from the comics.
While Batman has one of the best rogues’ gallery in the DC Universe, including The Joker, Bane, Ra’s al Ghul, and many more, Phantasm is a whole different entity. When Batman: Mask of the Phantasm was being marketed in 1993 with trailers teasing the war between Batman and Phantasm, it was hard to tell where the writers were going with this new villain. Because Phantasm had never appeared in the DC Universe, there was no way to tell who was underneath the mask. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm also showcases one of the strongest portrayals of Batman’s origin, because part of it is Bruce’s love story with Andrea Beaumont, the woman he almost married.
While the focus was heavily on Bruce in terms of how Andrea was his biggest opportunity for a normal life, her story is parallel with his. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm shows Bruce using the murder of his parents as a way to become Gotham City’s hero while Andrea losing her father to Jack Napier, before he became the Joker, led her to want to take a more lethal approach by becoming the Phantasm. Despite Phantasm being mostly built-up as a villain, Andrea is ultimately more of an anti-hero than anything else. The creation of Andrea for the Batman lore allows another strong female character to be added as she joins heroes and villains like Catwoman, Batgirl, Batwoman, Harley Quinn, and Poison Ivy.
Another fascinating aspect of Andrea as Phantasm is that she gives Batman’s rogues’ gallery one of its most intimidating antagonists, visually. The idea to have her costume be inspired by the Grim Reaper while also (intentionally or not) having a Batman vibe to it, hence Gotham initially mistaking Phantasm for the Dark Knight, was a strong visualization for the film. 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 effective, costume designs in the DC animated universe. Furthermore, once it was revealed Andrea was Phantasm, it made the battle between her and Bruce incredibly tragic, as this villain became someone personal to the hero.
They could have had a happy life together as husband and wife, but instead, they ended up on a path as rivals as Andrea wanted to avenge her father by killing the Joker as well everyone from the surviving members in Salvatore Valestra’s mob. While Andrea has only had a handful of cameos throughout the DCAU comics as well as a brief appearance in Justice League: Unlimited, Phantasm is officially joining the DC canon in Tom King’s upcoming Batman/Catwoman series. Little is known at this point how the comics version of Phantasm will be utilized in the 12-issue story, but King has confirmed that most of the events in the animated movie will be canon in his series. While answers will be given when Batman/Catwoman #1 drops, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm did the Batman mythology a favor by inventing Andrea Beaumont a.k.a. Phantasm as the Dark Knight’s best original villain.
