"BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM" Timeline! When Did Batman Become Batman?
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"Batman: Mask of the Phantasm" is a great movie, to say the least. But when are you supposed to watch it on a watch-through of "Batman: the Animated Series"? We answer that question, and plenty of questions you probably didn't know you had, in this here video.
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Stay tuned for exciting weekly DCAU video content, here at the Watchtower Database.
The Watchtower Database is an upcoming fansite collecting all known information on the DC Animated Universe, or DCAU, the 14-year-spanning animated saga produced by Warner Bros. and DC Comics under the creative team of Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Dwayne McDuffie, and others. WDb's expansive catalog of characters, episodes, imagery, and more will be highlighted by the quarter-turn, full-body images for every single character to have appeared on the shows, as well as many other treats for DCAU fans.
DISCLAIMER
The Watchtower Database is in no way affiliated with Warner Bros., DC Entertainment, or any other official DC Animated Universe producer or source. WDb is a fan-run, non-profit website and does not claim to own any of its presented properties. "Batman: the Animated Series," "The Adventures of Batman & Robin," "The New Batman Adventures," "Superman: the Animated Series," "The New Batman/Superman Adventures," "Batman Beyond," "The Zeta Project," "Static Shock," "Justice League," "Justice League Unlimited," and all related names, logos, and indicia are trademark and ©1992-2006 DC Comics and Warner Bros. Television Animation. The Watchtower Database channel and related content is copyright of JTS Entertainment. All rights reserved.
Again I will state that Watchtower database does an amazing job on covering the DCAU. Seemingly insignificant details are pointed out by them, and those details are then shown to matter a lot. You guys help me hold my love for the DCAU by other means than simply just watching the shows. You guys take these culturally magnificent superhero animations, and highlight them as the masterpieces they are. I hope you guys hold this mantle as long as it is to be allowed.
One question that I couldn't find an answer to: what is the difference between the Vanishing point on Watchtower Database vs. say just a "regular" video like this on the history of the DCAU; is there certain topics only covered on the vanishing point? I just ask because this episode made a joke about the "other reaper" being a vanishing point topic, and I didn't get it.
Whoever read this, thank you. Let us DCAU fans stick together and love it. One last time of applause for Watchtower Database. Thank you guys.
Thank you! There aren’t really any topics “off limits” to the longer-form Sunday videos, but The Vanishing Point focuses on timeline/continuity/conspiracy-based topics specifically, so if any of our weekly shows were to take on the Reaper topic, it’d be VP.
Watchtower Database Ahh... I see. That is enlightening to know about VP. Also, I saw that you guys at the Watchtower replied right away to my comment, and I just had to come back now to give a reply. I love this channel, and I do hope it grows, but seeing my comment get noticed by the creators of this wonderful youtube content, that is just amazing. I don't want to sound redundant, but I just want to stress my satisfaction again. Keep it up.
Okay, nobody has answered me. Or I haven't seen it, but please! I propose that it's Barbara Gordon under the Phantasm mask in, (looking carefully right and left), "Epilogue"!!! Just watched again and I am now completely certain I am not sure. heh. heh, heh. HEH Hehehe......
I love how all the videos in the channel are just as comics. Why? Because you cant grab one issue without having to go to another ten to understand everything said in ONE issue
Lolo Fiallos Exactly why I prefer to avoid regular comics and only get tie-in ones such as the arkham and injustice comics
@@l.pricetag.5207 there are good runs that stand mostly on their own though. Mostly, keep to one writer/team doing a seminar run on a comic. Say, stuff like Frank Miller's Daredevil, or most recent, Scott Snyder's Batman. See what I mean? Spider-Man by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko is, well, Amazing, but there is also Ultimate Spider-Man (which also stands as its own, but you can also read The Ultimates!) aaaand I don't prolong it in a two-year comment but there is that. Writers like Alan moore, neil gaiman, grant morrison. Shorter or self-contained stories like Watchmen, Animal Man and Sandman are what I mean. Garth Ennis Hellblazer and PunisherMAX. New X-Men or maybe Chris Claremont X-men if wanna go classic. Fantastic Four or Avengers? Read Jonathan Hickman. Like netflix shows? Check out Brian Michael Bendis stories (Daredevil, Alias, New Avengers, throw in Immortal Iron fist there too so you can get all the Defenders... The movies all take elements from comics stuff too (Captain america takes from Ed Brubaker's run a lot, The Falcon and Winter Soldier takes elements from Gruenbald's run from the 80s and the graphic novel Truth which is about the black captain america.
You can also watch shows, Bruce Timm's animated shows, the DCAMU movies, the Young Justice cartoon, the DC Originals shows on HBO max.
@@FredMaverik true, I'm not denying that there are self contained comic stories but they're really hard to come by, and the vast majority that I find are just continuations that keep continuing.
It's funny, I don't really care about any of this timeline stuff, I think I just like listening to you guys get frustrated
Mask of the Phantasm is awesome, still own it on VHS
VHS? is that a failed streaming service? :b
@@henkdachief It's a tape. Streaming wasn't a thing back then.
Kevin Conroy once said that his favorite moment as Batman was the "I didn't count on being happy" scene in Mask Of The Phantasm.
Can we all agree that this is the definitive batman film?
As well as Dark Knight?
Yes?
Thank you
This is how you do a Batman movie.
Ugh I hated the Dark Knight
I don't get why it's so praised.
My favourite is probably the Lego Batman movie
Don't you mean better than the Dark Knight.
In my opinion is Under the Red Hood.
In my personal opinion, "Mask of the Phantasm" always has been (and is likely to remain) my favourite out of all the theatrically released Batman films, to me it's the only one that felt like it truly captured the spirit of a classic Batman story right down to it being mostly about him solving a mystery, but it still felt fresh by having said mystery surrounding a new villain who was not only compelling, but also provided a different angle for Batman's origin story AND tied into the Joker's past as well, making it feel like he wasn't just there for the sake of it, all without feeling contrived...OH and of course the animation is utterly gorgeous, dripping with atmosphere and the voice acting's great, just like the show it spawned from.
That Joker Entrance into the Third Act! Luke Skywalker in the voice recorder studio pacing and putting on a performance behind the scenes like the Legend He is!!!
I don't know if you still come back to these old videos, but I can't thank you enough for all this. Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and happy New Year.
First off, I love how far into the weeds of obsessive nerd specificity you guys get about DCUA timelines! I especially love how you take it seriously enough to study this stuff but at the same time take none of it seriously, making these things so much fun. Considering I never see any other channel doing content like this I frankly think you deserve far more viewers than you currently get.
Between the launch of the DCUniverse app (love to hear your thoughts on it btw) and watching your videos I started to wonder could you do a MEGA timeline video, or videos, detailing every episode, comic, and film of the DCAU in chronological watch order? In other words if I was inclined to watch/read everything from beginning to end what order do things fall into and why? I know that’s a tremendously tall order even for you guys, and Im sure there would be some stuff that you couldn’t pin down, but I personally would love to see you guys try and get your hands around such a task! Im thinking you’d have to set some ground rules like eps with flashback scenes would need to be measured by how much of the episode is dominated by flashbacks and if theres more than “present day” material it gets put earlier in the timeline?
Don’t know if you think something like this is worth the effort, or if Im just bad at looking into your back log of videos and you have already done something like this? Either way I would, or will, watch the hell out of it! Cheers and keep up the great work!
Langley M Neely Thank you so much! We bite off small segments of the timeline at a time, so I’d recommend checking out our “History of the DCAU” and “The Vanishing Point” playlists. We do eventually plan to have a full timeline available, likely as a webpage. It’s a work in progress!
Langley M Neely I agree I love how they r pretty much the only people that look into the DCAU with a magnifying glass and still don’t take it seriously. They are the main reason why I’m trying to collect all the DCAU DVD’s ever if the DC app is available.
Watchtower Database Awesome! Cant wait! I love how uniquely fitted this channel is to such a wonderful niche as the DCUA, love every video Ive seen so far!
This Guy!!! I love it cause as much as Ive collected of the DCAU I keep learning so much more from these guys every week!
I can imagine Paul Dini seeing this and being like "Aw...yeah, that was totally my intention, good job!"
LUVED this analysis.
And happy that the date was narrowed down to the last part of 1993…coinciding with its release date in December 1993.
"...And that we're assuming you've see every other video on the channel.."
Yes, I have.
Lolol!! That damn jazz song that plays during the credits of Mask of the Phantasm 😭😂 a fine touch, gents
Holy crap you guys are hardcore and I love it. Need to dive in to the rest of your channel. Keep up the great work.
Wow, I thought I had a good grasp of the timeline in relation to years past since Bruce became Batman, but I never knew it was possible to get it down to the month and year (or even day in some cases).
Great video, guys! I always wondered where this movie fit in the DCAU timeline and now I know!
Thank you for the detective work on every single video. Keep up the great work guys!
Your videos are so well researched and detailed and it’s topped off with a dry sense of comedy that makes this one of my new favorite channels. Keep up the great work!
I went to a screening of Mask of the Phantasm on November 12th and it brought a tear to my eye, one of the few times i've cried in a theatre
One of my favorite Batman movies of all time period .
This is easily the best channel on TH-cam. Going to use patreon for the first time just for you guys.
❤️❤️❤️
There's a really nice and handy but honestly just make like an hour and a half long video or two hour long video covering the chronological timeline of the Batman animated series, like when and which time episodes take place, and the yrs associated
Oh we will…once we figure that all out ;)
My head hurts.
I can't wait for the timeline video on The Batman Adventures comics! Ive been needing help with those for a while!
I didn't really notice when I saw BTAS as a kid but now that I think about it, the society of Batman/Bruce Wayne's youth and prime is reminiscent of the 1940s while the technology closely resembles the 1980s and 90s. By the time Batman Beyond takes place, I knew for sure BTAS and TNBA couldn't have taken place earlier than the 90s since Batman Beyond takes place near the mid 2030s.
Great. Just found this channel, but I have a feeling I'll be playing catch up for a while this weekend.
Thanks now I can binge all of the Batman stuff in order
I know this probably contradicts a lot, but I prefer to think Mask of the Phantasm occurs towards the very end of the BTAS era rather than in the middle, cuz I think that would better explain Batman's personality change in the TNBA era including when Robin quits on him. That would probably mean it takes place after the Subzero movie too in my timeline. I guess I'd rather prefer to think that Batman becomes a more stern and less sympathetic hero due to losing his first love a second time rather than just due to the ongoing job taking a toll on him. Remember how "I Am the Night" was like that, but ended with him regaining his sense of purpose and optimism (for a while at least).
2 problems with your theory.
1. In the Sub Zero movie, Mr. Freeze is reunited with his wife. In the animated series, he didn't know she was alive until the "Deep Freeze" episode and during that time, Robin is still working with Batman.
2. Robin didn't know Barbara Gordon was Batgirl until the very day he quits on Batman.
This puts Mask of the Phantasm in the middle of the BTAS era and it's set before the Sub Zero movie because Mr. Freeze would still be in Arkham Asylum by that time.
@@loudboy317 Well like I said, I'm aware of the possible contradictions to my theory. As for what you pointed out though, neither Robin, Batgirl or Mr. Freeze are mentioned at all in Mask of the Phantasm, so their current status during the movie is pretty open-ended I think. Remember, Robin wasn't in every episode of BTAS, especially the first season (but also a few season 2 episodes). Apparently the movie's book adaptation even mentions him as being away at college, which he was attending throughout the series until the flashbacks of "Old Wounds". Also, the movie does have a fairly loose continuity with the show anyway, since there's few references of the show within it, and there weren't really any references of the movie's events within the show in the episodes that aired after its release.
@@darthgoku90
We know Mr. Freeze was sent to Arkham Asylum by the end of the "Heart of Ice" episode which is where he was throughout the entire series until the "Deep Freeze" episode. The ending of that episode leads directly to the Sub Zero movie.
Barbara Gordon doesn't appear in the animated series until "Heart of Steel part 1" where we hear Bruce say "My goodness, you've grown". This indicates that he hasn't seen Barbara since she was a little girl. The bat signal is featured in part 2 but like the video said, the bat signal didn't appear in the series until the "Cape and Cowl conspiracy" episode where we hear Batman say "Got a new toy I see."
This puts Mask of the Phantasm after the "Cape and Cowl conspiracy" episode but right before the "Heart of Steel" episodes. Also, Barbara doesn't become Batgirl until "Shadow of the Bat" parts 1 and 2" which happens after "Heart of Steel" and "I am the night".
@@loudboy317 Don't worry, I'm well aware which BTAS episodes each of these characters are in. Yeah, I know when the Batsignal debuted. Anyway, I don't take all this timeline business THAT seriously. I hate getting into heated fan arguments.
I know what autumn is like in the north-eastern United States (where Gotham is located). In September the leaves would just be turning, so the backgrounds indicate late in the year--say late-October to December.
It's interesting how the period in which the animated universe is set isn't entirely clear although it's obviously the 90s with a very retro classical period. However, it's more confusing when in the episode "Paging the Crime Doctor", Bruce finds a picture of his father in his med school yearbook and the year says 1906 or some year close to that. If the show is set in the 90s, Bruce's father would have had to be in his 70s or 80s to have been killed in the 60s or 70s when he should have been in his 40s judging from the way the flashbacks of he and Martha's deaths present them. I guess the animators made a mistake on the year in which Thomas Wayne went to medical school or else there is no time period at all for the show and it could easily be the 1940s with a tie into the future.
We NEED a live action Phantasm, Matt Reeves. If you're listening.
Interesting. I've always watched it as the conclusion of the original run. I think it wraps up perfectly the story of Batman and then moves one yo continue with season 4 and JL
"But they gave her a hook hand at Alan Burnett's insistence"
Alan: Give her a hook hand.
Designers: No.
Alan: Give her a hook hand.
Designers: No.
Alan: (chanting) Hook hand! Hook hand! Hook hand! Hook hand! Hook hand!
Designers: How about we give her a blade hand and you a juice pouch and rice crispies treat?
Alan: That's better!
Very intriguing been thinking about this for a while. Might have to go see it on the re-release
I typically watch it after Volume 1 of the _Batman: TAS_ DVDs when I'm doing a watch-through. The film was released in 1993 and the show started in 1992. So it works for me. I watch _Batman: Subzero_ after Volume 3.
Is volume 4 tnba?
@@levdominikus7415 yes
Hi, I'm New! I Freaking Love this Channel Already!! So detailed and peeled back like a onion with all the layers to this brilliant breakdown. I appreciate them bringing small and big easter eggs I wasn't aware of, to life right in front of my eyes. Significant or insignificant. Canonically Necessary and Relevant! Awesome Content!!!
Thanks so much, Caleb!
I was all ready to call out the fact that the novel had Dick Grayson calling Alfred from college. Then you included it. You've redeemed yourself.
this channel is amazing! the research you guys do is crazy!! I subscribed weeks ago and I Love it! Please go on doing such a great job!
5:35 should’ve been called the knight-mare
Great work on the timelines!
Finally!!!! Love the timelines.
Loved this movie a lot, so glad I eventually found it on DVD (And it even had "Sub Zero" with it, bonus)!!!
My personal recommendation would be to watch this movie whether before watching the whole show, or after it ends (at least the first three season before is rebooted in season four) because it works better whether as a prequel or as a sequel and give you a sense of closure, timeline or not.
I love your videos guys especially the timeline ones, its awesome to see that people still find new things about the dcau. I was wondering will you do a video about the batman beyond comics and if they are canon, wanted to read them but I always wondered if they were canon
@@mattiesavannahpahl9934 will check them out then , thanks for the info
If you're taking requests for timeline video topics, I'd be very interested to see one detailing how much do Batman & Robin pre-date everyone else. It seems (to me anyway) they're both around for a long, long while before any other Leaguers show up.
You sir, deserve a like and a big respect!
This Movie Is A Masterpiece ( The Box Office Didn't Do Justice With It In 1993 ) 😥😥😥😥
I just usually watch Mask of the Pahantasm after the first season of Batman: The Animated Series. I just thought based on release date in 1993 that it could take place around that time, but there really is no definitive date said in the movie.
As a '95 kid, i saw it first time in 2010, after binging on Justice League. My jaw dropped, and when i talk batman, i always bring that movie up a little and Andrea/Phantasm. Depending how deep the conversation get.
Lyjah Thomas me too, but I was born in 1997 as I saw this movie for the first time in 2006-2008.
Love the vids dont stop
I'm happy That I got the chance to see this in theaters in 1993
So it takes place in the year it was released. Interesting.
In all seriousness, very fun and interesting video!
Wow did no this movie got so much love just watched it with my son
It’s the best!
This movie is fire I love the cover art whole vibe
My mind is full of informations and detailed research.thanks! I knew batman was born in the early 60s
A bit overhyped by some fans nowadays, but I can agree that it's still a Batman film/DCAU gem. Also, am watching this after rebinging the film between B: TAS Season 1 Ep. 65 ("The Worry Men"; am using the production order for the experience) and Season 2/The Adventures of Batman & Robin Ep. 1 ("Sideshow").
By the way, you guys should talk about these novelizations more, and whether or not they're worth at least one read or are skippable.
Keep up the good works guys!
Gotham City and the BTAS 4-season narrative apparently take place in a neo-Noir 90's time warp. Dates and time passages are unreliable because they can't be pinned to a specific time period and when they are, they get retconned. For the sake of Mask of the Phantasm alone, just go with when it premiered: after Season 2 of BTAS. Dick was at college, Joker doesn't always work with Harley, within the 10 year period from when Andrea left Bruce became Batman and Jack Napier left the Valestra Mob and became The Joker.
I really want to see an edit of all the Flashback scenes from this and the series in chronological order.
Amazing video! Can we please get a chronological episode list? Last time I went through the series it kinda bugged me that things seemed to be a bit out of place. If you could help us with that it would be awesome!
We don’t have a complete one just yet-part of making these timeline videos is slowly building a complete timeline for the DCAU. We’ll have a webpage up eventually for it too!
Oh nice!!! Thanks for the quick reply! I can't wait!
@@dcauwatchtower Hi, I'm a New Subscriber. Where can I find a chronological list of B:TAS ? Perhaps the channel has come out with a video since this post from 4 years ago. Please direct me to that link, Thanks.
I watched this movie once in black & white. It looked beautiful.
Notification squad, go!
As for the time reference you have to remember...Gotham is an antique in comparison to Metropolis or Star City.
My point is is it possible Gotham is just that? As in comparison to other MODERN DC city's
I love this video, I would like to see you guys look at the Batman beyond comics where Andrea returns and looks as old as Bruce.
This is an awesome video, a great question! This movie is hands down my favorite movie of all time
Can’t wait to see this tomorrow in imax. My all time favorite Batman movie 👌🏻
13:28 "We just like to tease things all the time." - Math-tie.
Omg what it’s coming back to theatres for a day? I had no idea
James in his car: so your probably wondering how I got here so it all started when
I'm glad I got to see the rerelease.
Me too!
I personally like watching Mask of the Phantasm after Season 3 of BTAS (or I suppose after the series if you consider TNBA as a different series as a whole). Thematically, I think it serves as a great finale to the series and also finally gives the audience an origin story for the main character they had been following throughout the entire run. Whenever I watch the movie, it always reminds me of why I enjoyed Batman so much in the first place and why I still follow the stories either in the comics or in the T.V. Shows. Since this has such a huge impact, might as well save the best of that era for last before moving onto the STAS era where the show becomes a part of a shared universe.
And then SubZero right after Phantasm, or...?
Watchtower Database Believe it or not, I watch that movie sometime before Phantasm. I am not the biggest fan of the movie itself, so sometimes I just skip it. But whenever I do watch it in a binge watch of the DCAU, I typically watch it right after Deep Freeze. Deep Freeze is also a very weird case for me because I purposely watch it as the first episode of Season 3 for the reason of putting the movie in there. This isn’t chronologically correct I’m assuming (I haven’t seen all your videos covering the timeline) but it’s an order I personally like to watch. It just feels more satisfying in my opinion.
We’ve done a timeline video on SubZero too. To each their own though, no judgments here! The DCAU is so much fun, part of the fun is figuring all that stuff out, whatever’s preferable to you.
Love your stuff guys. Have you ever been asked/thought about mapping our comic runs? Specifically where sub zero, MOTP, Worlds Finest etc fits in the comic universe of Batman adventures and Superman adventures and stuff?
We’re always working toward a full DCAU timeline chronology-you can check out our “The DCAU Timeline So Far” video for...what we’ve got so far!
Hey guys I’m a huge fan of DC animation and comics and you guys and also an aspiring TH-camr. I need guests to talk to on my show and I’d love to talk to one or all of you guys online and pick your brains on why you love the DCAU
I love u guys long videos and explaining everything
Another great timeline video. Let me guess, your next timeline video is when Sub Zero takes place or when Superman The Animated Series starts and ends.
Both are on the list for sure!
I didn't even know i care.
Now i do.
Great video guys.
A masterpiece, amazing batman movie
Just watched Mask of the Phantasm last night after having not seen it in 10+ years, and I have to say it’s great. The animation, for the most part, is great and on-model and the story, while heartbreaking, is incredible. The voice acting is amazing, as expected. My only, ONLY, complaint is that the pacing is off, the movie moves incredibly fast, like an episode of Spider-Man: the Animated Series, which is due to having such a short runtime of only 75+ minutes. That’s my only complaint. Besides that, this movie is a masterpiece.
Great videos keep up the good work guys!!!
I lost my DVD copy of this film and I don't know if I can keep my life together anymore.
Hot damn I have been wanting this forever
Nice call ending the video with that Tia Carrera song at the end of the movie.
Next video: The timeline of James starting recording for this to how he ended up in his car.
???
Dang, you beat me to it!
XD Great minds think alike!
In the story, Bruce was Batman for 10 years.
This is the 10th anniversary for Batman.
Yep!
@@dcauwatchtower Batman meaning the Phantasm and his first love Andrea was very fitting since this is what led to Bruce finally becoming Batman. And it's like reunion. Also fighting the Joker as well
Lol I love how a continuity error is fixed with the whole "Bitches be crazy" explanation
Thanks for explaining the movie in the 🦇 man animated series
Darn. I say this in the theater back in the day. Loved it then. Sadly I know this will NOT becoming to my local theaters this time. So darn.
Well I've subscribed. I expect to binge your vids soon.
OMG, y'all started playing the 1990's Mask of the Phantasm R&B end credits song at the end of your video
3:38 they could still confuse Reaper with Phantasm because they aren't Bruce Timm or James Tucker or even Dwayne McDuffie to my knowledge.
I agree with you guys as this is the best Batman film period for me, and I wouldn’t want to change your mind even if I wanted to!!
By the middle of the viseo i was like. "What are we talking about again"
You forgot about Beaumonts appearence in THAT JLU episode.
You're correct on the People magazine cover of the gray ghost since October 19th 1992 the giant check says August 20th 1997
New York times says it's set in the 40s
Me:You're fake news!watchtower database is always right.
Batman movies timeless
Got to see this in a theater, it was very different experience, and I appreciated it more than Batman 89, being a little older.
I
Phantasm is lord deathman
there should be a stand-alone video of why you were in your car
Feels like I knew that already 🙄🤦🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️
Will you do the same video only about "The Batman vs Dracula" timeline in "The Batman" animated series? I think many fans will be interested to watch this!
Perhaps someday! We haven’t done any “The Batman” videos, but a few have been requested!
I second The Batman!