The PHANTASM'S Original Comic Book Debut! Before Batman/Catwoman, There Was...
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.พ. 2025
- Did you know there was a sequel to "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm"? Paul Dini, Ty Templeton, and some of your other favorite DC animated creators put together "Shadow of the Phantasm" back in 1993 and you better believe we're gonna tell you all about it.
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I remember watching Mask of The Phantasm when it came out as a kid. I was 5 or 6. My mom loved to watch BTAS with me, so naturally we watched this together. This movie was incredible. I think we actually saw it Christmas Day, the only time I have gone to a movie on Christmas. During the flash back when Batman first suits up in his true costume for the first time, Alfred gasps, “my...god”. I remember my mom and I looking at each other like “woah”. That moment gave me such chills as a kid.
Still does!
This just made me nostalgic as hell. I see you’re mother was a woman of culture and exquisite taste, much as my own! 🥂 cheers!
No matter the medium, no matter the people in charge, if a character as cool as Phantasm gets to appear in any capacity the Bat-fan in me will always be happy
Batman: "But Andi, what will Vengeance solve?"
Also Batman: "I am Vengeance, I am The Night, I am Batman!"
YYYYYYUP
@@dcauwatchtower Thanks for the heart and reply guys, you're really the most involved with your fans. It means a lot to us.
Then Batman is also a hypocrite.
Same with Mr Freeze
_Freeze : vengeance
_batman : justice
@@puterboy2 definitely
talking about justice
he did not tell the identity of phantasm to Gordan, and let a killer go (who will definitely kill next time. ) is definitely not justice.
I kinda wish this issue was made into an actual episode. It may not be as BREATHTAKING as Mask of the phantasm but this would be a nice follow up. Building the tragic relationship between Bruce and Andrea, I liked the twist of Author being the villain, and Kitsune sounds like another great BTAS original.
"Arthur", you mean. Also, yeah, this would have made a fine short film a bit like Chase Me.
In my opinion the Phantasm is probably the most underrated Batman villain ever in the history of Batman villains
the most underrated but undeniably one of the most loved by the ones that do know about the phantasm
Arthur's joker grin gives off strong Jack Nicholson Joker vibes. How he died also helps that comparison.
"A cockroach on steroids"
Is that a reference to the best DCAU episode ever made?
It’s a reference to a line of the Joker’s from “Mask of the Phantasm,” but we can pretend it’s a “Critters” allusion and call it good.
Of all the characters in Batman comics and videos , Andrea Beaumont has a special place in my heart.Due to her rare appearances and almost identical to, Bruce Wayne’s unrequited love life, I had hoped that she might appear in the cancelled series Gotham.No such luck, and rethinking that, the age of Bruce, in Gotham ,may have made that impossible, or at least improbable.Anyhow, I would request any and all videos on my favorite “lost” character Andrea Beaumont.Thanks for considering this guys.
Mask Of The Phantasm is still my dad's (and mine) favourite Batman movie. From my well worn vhs, to dvd, to bluray, we still make sure to watch it around once a year! We even have a con pic of my dad, my sister and myself with Kevin Conroy holding my original video tape copy!
Also, my main exposure to kitsune is Shippo from Inuyasha, so not exactly threatened.
Now, we’re going to have the new 4K ultra blu ray, blu ray, and digital combo pack next month.
It's a small touch, but I really appreciate all the sound effects you put in the background of the comic panels.
Yeah I really enjoyed that !
Same.
I have to give it to you WTDB, between videos like this and the JL Adventures analysises on Twitch, I for one am really enjoying all the tie-in material coverage! This story, in particular, kind of reminds me of how (I think) Blight returns in Batman Beyond Adventures, post "Ascension," even though he never does so in the show proper. It's wild to think that the end fates of such main characters were relegated to the tie-in comics, but on the other hand it kinda serves as a satisfying reward for those fans dedicated enough to seek out the mostly "extra" content. Keep up the great work!
Yeah like what if Blight did went to prison instead
At 5:20, in all fairness, I think that it's safe to say that Algorithim Beast is no longer a mere roided-up pitbull; he more resembles the Chimera that Cuvier transforms into at the end of "Splicers!" At this rate it'll most likely resemble "the Android" by the end of the year! (The Big Blue Hand help us all!)
I really want a Captain Boomerang video. Because of how much I love the character, and also so James can improve his Australian accent
🤩
Well did you know that Mel Gibson’s brother did the voice of Captain Boomerang
I'm happy for Phantasm being in the mainstream universe
The beginning credits for the Phantasm was the first time I discovered that Mark Hamill was the voice of the Joker.
Me too. That’s the same actor as Luke Skywalker from Star Wars.
@@nathancruz9172 Exactly, even though there's a LOT of him doing the voice on camera, so many people don't know he's also got an extensive voice acting career.
Love the added sound effects, really brings the comic to life.
Am I the only one who hated the fact that they turned Mr.Freeze into a one dimensional villain instead of the beloved yet emphatic heartbroken noble yet loving husband to his wife whom he wished to save her,only to be used as a foil and making him dirty
Kitsune reminds me of Lady Deathstrike from X-Men the Animated Series
Easily! Especially the fem fatale smile!
Me too.
I always love when I see him wearing that shirt.
My dad bought a identical one when he visited the US.
It always brings a smile to my face.
Nice! It’s a pretty great shirt...even if almost every character has some sort of coloring mistake!
I like the sound effects as you tell the story.
I remember this cover vividly when I was in high school looking around on Google. I also remember a cover of a sad joker sitting on a joker drum with a rusted crowbar. Ahhh memories 😄
To be fair the phantasm has a hell of a lot in common with the Reaper from Batman year two in the late 80s!
Definitely! Going over that next Sunday!
My Gramma had one of those Mask of the Phantasm Comic Adaptations.
I think the Joker's past as a mobster for the Valestra mob, the whole reason Andrea targeted him, would be tough to incorporate/confirm in main continuity.
BUT it could happen if they also incorporate the Three Jokers. One of the Jokers, The Criminal, has a criminal/gangster past. It seems to be closer to Paul Dini's Case Study (with art by Alex Ross) from Batman Black and White and confirmed to be inspired by Jack Nicholson's Jack Napier. But that's actually perfect because DCAU Joker used the Jack Napier name and also is connected to Paul Dini.
So yeah, 3 Jokers. The Criminal can have the DCAU/Case Study origin, the Comedian can have the Killing Joke one and the Clown can ironically both the funniest and most mysterious one with no confirmed origin. Perfect.
BTW Case Study has a motion comic video here on TH-cam you guys should definitely check it out:
th-cam.com/video/27hhPbYKNfo/w-d-xo.html
Fantastic coverage gents.
Would like to read this one myself one day.
12:15 Oh my god! HA! That analogy was too good! Also, apology accepted ;)
We're getting Red X in the DCU, I need him to be Phantasm's sidekick
Just make a new phantasm as the child of Bruce & Andrea - the motives will write themselves brilliantly.
Go pitch that idea to DC.
It works.
I'd love to see Shadow Of The Phantasm from Batman & Robin Adventures and Mark Of The Phantasm from Batman Beyond be made into animated tie in movies then have all 3 as a trilogy, I think that would be have been cool but I'm happy with what we got. The Phantasm for me will go down as one of the most underrated Batman characters of all time
I met Kevin Conroy and I told him how mask of the phantasm was the very first piece of media that I ever saw batman as a kid and he told me its the best batman film ever and I totally agree.
Interesting plus i remember reading when Phantasm came back in Batman Beyond 2.0 issue #25.
Even if I will not read the Bat/Cat miniseries, since I developed a kind of allergy to Tom King and his way of writing (specially dialogues), It's always good to have any excuse to revisit a true classic like the Mask of the Phantasm.
Nice video, as usual.
You guys are my favorite DC channel, keep up the great work!
“But Andi, what will vengeance solve” is almost as good as “Harvey...” almost...
Also I blocked Mewtwo Returns from my memory so thanks for bringing that back, James
AWESOME WORK GUYS ! YOU ARE ONE OF MY FAVOURITE CHANNELS. YOU DESERVE A BILLION SUBS !
I found the comic in like 2016 and it’s one of the very few comics I have. I’m really glad I picked it up
2020: #KeepPhantasmASecret
16:00
He was Hush Lol
Does that mean if they adapt it to a movie it'll be changed to Riddler for some reason?
Maybe Shadow thief is Hush
I think it was a great follow up story. Or maybe it's the hunger for anything done in the BTAS style (not TNBA or JLU) that paints my opinion.
They shoulda started the video with “I’ve looked for you for years.” Haha
I read this comic when I was in High School.
You guys deserve to have more subscribers
I actually read the novelization of Mask of the Phantasm before the movie was released, so I actually knew the Phantasm's identity before seeing the movie. Strangely, the guy that talks to Andrea on the boat at the end of the movie has his own subplot that also involves Leslie Tompkins. I don't remember the details, but he's a photographer with the stupid name of "Burton Earny". He ends up taking a photo that proves Batman did not commit the Phantasm murders. I have no idea if this subplot was an invention of the novelist or something that was actually in the script at some point.
Yep! We’ve read the novelization on livestreams here too. Pretty wild.
Ah, novelizations releasing before the film sure reminds me of Star Wars back in the day, especially the brilliant Revenge of the Sith novelization by Matthew Stover.
I have the comic book and it is for sale. Been holding onto it and trying to sell it for years. Great story and collectible. Thanks for posting such an awesome vid! #BatmanFan
I read this on my tablet just the other month. I absolutely loved it.
Me too.
How did I never know of the sequel😳
I can't believe I missed this! Thanks again Watchtower ❤
Didn't know there was sequel thanks for letting me know.
I remember when I was a kid around that Christmastime and was more than eager to watch the movie. I am very proud to say I saw it and was instantly enamored by a film spinoff. I wondered how such a thing could have been greenlit but I remembered movies like Transformers and G.I. Joe but they had more attention as well as more money behind it. I wasn't surprised that many years later Dini and Timm had intended to release it via home video but decided upon a brief theatrical run, they regretted not putting more money behind because they were very proud of its theatrical attention. People were calling this the best Batman movie and this was after the Tim Burton movies when it was considered a compliment and before the Joel Schumacher movies which would validate it.
I thought the story was really good, dark, and dramatic but there were themes that I couldn't understand as well as other things years later that I did realize like massive plot holes. I remember looking at Bruce's relationship with Andrea as something sweet and romantic but I loved the idea that Batman should end up with more exciting women like Catwoman, Zatanna, and Talia. Andrea felt, not too good to be true, more like the opposite. Too true to be good, especially for Batman. Even with the truth of the Phantasm exposed it really made me hate her. Her father brought his own death upon himself for stealing from the mob. Andrea's quest for vengeance was as pathetic as can be, I really didn't like her.
There were also things I didn't get. I get why Gordon didn't pursue his friend but how did he escape punishment, I imagine that stuck up councilman would have gotten Gordon fired or something. At the very end the Bat-signal shines proudly as clearly Batman has been cleared of his crime but why? Eventually, I found that out via the novelization but, they should have added that in the movie.
Also, Reeves. I also remember the "Shadow of the Phantasm" comic and I enjoyed seeing what happened to Reeves. The fact that it was Reeves selling out Andrea's father directly leading to his death made me wonder why didn't Andrea kill him, he deserved it. Thankfully it was that and more, I didn't like the whole Kitsune involvement but other than that it was a great read.
But one of the significant peeves I had against The Mask of the Phantasm was that it wasn't an entirely original story, they loosely adapted it from Batman Year One - The Frank Miller epic that was essentially Bruce Wayne becoming Batman, as well as Batman Year Two - The continuation which led to the Reaper storyline that the Phantasm was based. That story was really good in that it involved the Chill Family and Batman falling in love with Rachel Caspian. Basically, these two stories are further proof that the book is better than the movie. And I watch the movie with some distaste now, it is not without its merit but if I was given the movie or the two books, I prefer books.
Tom King adapted The Phantasm into New 52/Rebirth. YUCK. Bad enough they adapted Batman Beyond, they shouldn't adopt that. Yeah, Harley Quinn was great and she deserves to be in the DC Universe but not that stuff.
Have you read Bat/Cat #1? Give it a chance if you haven’t, we loved it! This coming Sunday’s video touches on that Reaper stuff too...
Okay first of all not that I agree with andrea's killing or am I justifying, but if you did watch the movie at all then you would notice when andrea was shocked to find the idiot who killed her pa before he turned to be the joker and said " but he already paid you, why" it went something along the line of what I just wrote, he HAD already cleared the debt but they choose to kill him anyways, so there. Of course his father should never have had to deal with people like that which was also very sad 😢😢😢to learn. So there you have it.
Oh and also for the reeves I was mad, livid even that son of a b$$$h, but he eventually met his doom in the sequel comic, soooo.. all's fair in love and effing war.
I want to see a live action movie of Mask of the Phantasm
Me too.
They need to bring back the Classic DCAU
Absolutely yes.
@@nathancruz9172 like they did with Justice League vs The Fatal 5
Spoilers:
Andrea is hush LoL.
(All jokes aside that would be a pretty cool plot twist if hush was the new persona of the phantasm. Even if it doesn’t make much sense considering Andrea is still using the phantasm costume by the time of Batman Beyond.)
Thanks for this video I love the movie and didn't know about all these comic book tie ins
I'M HORRIFIED OF THOSE DANG CUTE FOXES
Also this is really exciting, I just heard of the phantasm today- watched it and everything lol :)
James is so talented and funny why wouldn't anyone want to be subscribed to the watchtower database
I wish DC makes a movie for the 7 Soldiers of Victory. Green Arrow will be the main character of the show. That will be very good on the channel. Where the team came out of and where they are going.
Mask of the Phantasm is one of my favorite movies. Up there with The Crow and Kill Bill for sure. Everytime I rewatch MOTP, I always get heartbroken at the end! hahaa Do you guys have any tips on rewatching it without being sad at the end? Perhaps a certain state of mind? I know it may be a silly question but I'd still love to hear.
It's unavoidable I'm afraid 😭
@@dcauwatchtower 😢 ❤ I just wish Batman turned a blind eye and let her rid Joker and then they both live happily ever after haha
Oh come on dude! Mewtwo Returns was awesome!
Did I say it wasn’t?
The Phantasm Action Figure comes equipped with Careless Spoiler Action
Damn. Why didn’t they turn this story into a film?
Or a short film like Chase Me, for that matter?
I read the phantasm sequel comic sequel. It was dope... Thanks for the video
Great video!!!
Like that flashpoint Batman @ 8:55
I really like the shirt that guy is wearing it’s really amazing I wish I had one but oh well what are you gonna do but on a lighter note I have the sequel to mask of the phantasm you know Batman graphic novel I wish they could’ve made that into a movie but what are you gonna do but I like it
I like my shirt too!
To feed the algorithm beast
TH-cam the watchtower database is amazing for all dc comics knowledge and animation
A Phantasm's story video sounds great!
Keep making good content man I love your stuff my hoodie with your logo JUST came in and seriously how are you three not funko pops yet!?
THAT SHIRT!!! I MUST PROCURE ONE!!!
Got it at Hot Topic several years ago
If I remember correctly, one of the writers for Batman Adventures V2 said the Red Hood we see was going to be revealed as one of Andrea Beaumont's relatives
I would highly recommend our video about that comic that came out a week after this one!
A fox isn't going to scare me into commenting! No beast can scare me into commenting!
Wait...
12:15 I do understand that reference, love Dan Green, but you can beat Jay Goede as Mewtwo, his performance *made* that movie
For the algorithm beast: 🍖
Oh man, it’s been so long I didn’t even realize the voice actor changed. Blasphemy!
You need to make a live-action version of this comic mask of the Phantasm it's awesome just like you TH-cam channel
The more u know! Thank u for the info
Been waiting months for this. Thank you
Wow so that’s how joker survived
Excuse me, the Batgirl WHAT
Check out our Earth-12 video!
Aaah i really need to rewatch the movie
And Here's what you didn't know. In one episode of Justice League: Unlimited, Andrea as the phantasm made an appearance, tasked by Amanda Waller to kill Terry's parents similar to how Bruce lost his. Fortunately, she never did as she realised that it might backfire. She was elderly by the time she was given the task
I did know that 🙏
I’d love to see Mask of the Phantasm adapted to live action! 😩🙏🏾
I'm so torn...on one hand, I hate Tom King's Batman...on the other hand it's a video about BTAS...darn you Watchower Database! Great video guys!
I liked this video, good content.
I've only just found this channel. Is there anywhere that tells, in text, a proper episode order for the shows?
We have timeline videos for “Justice League,” “Justice League Unlimited,” “Static Shock,” and “Batman Beyond,” as well as all the movies. The Batman and Superman shows are MUCH much harder to place because continuity was less of a concern for the creators at the time. But our “Vanishing Point” show dealt with breaking those timelines down as much as possible. I recommend all of those!
Mask of the Phantasm is thr best Batman movie ever made. Not even Mr. Wing can change my mind.
So I finished Batman Beyond and Return of the Joker last night UGH I NEED MORE. Next up.... Justice League!
Godspeed!
Black label 12 Minnie series sounds dope fr
Cool video, as always 🤘
Jesus It's like jack napier comes a live but worst just without the makeup
Daily feeding of the algorithm monster, dog, thing complete.
1:40 you sons a bitches! Scariest moment in the DCAU and you PUT IT IN SLOW MOTION
Why isnt it the New Zealand Box!? Or better yet The Antartica Box?! THATS all the way down there, right!?
I never got the chance to read it. But wasn't there a Batman Beyond comic arc in the pre New 52 DC days that involved the Phantasm? I could of sworn seeing some coverart with them back then.
"Mark of the Phantasm" is probably what you're thinking of--its Earth-12 continuity, which was heavily marketed and written as though it was a continuation of the DCAU, but Batman/Catwoman was the first official "mainstream" appearance of Phantasm.
I understood that reference.
Need that BTAS shirt!!!
It’s pretty cool! Lots of weird coloring mistakes, though. Found it at Hot Topic years ago!
Algorithm beast, here is my sacrifice
what a cool shirt
I would like to a live action version of this movie with the Robert Patterson Batman
I don’t why dc doesn’t continue this great universe.
They have been quite a lot lately!
I always wondered if Andrea had some kind of teleport tech or something?
Watch the opening of our “How Old is Batman?” video for a gag about this ;)
I did not expect to see Mewtwo Returns slander.
Has it came out yet? Cause I checked my local comicbook store and they didn't have it yet.
Batman/Catwoman? Yep! The first issue came out last week.
@@dcauwatchtower Ok, so my store just doesn't have it yet then.