25 years ago, the animated film Batman: Mask of the PhantasmOpens in a new tab introduced a mysterious new villain for the Dark Knight. Although the Phantasm was essentially a one-off baddie, she most certainly left an impression on everyone who saw the film. Now, DC Comics is finally introducing Phantasm into proper DC continuity. In a tweet from artist Clay Mann (via io9Opens in a new tab), he shows off an image of her from his upcoming Batman/Catwoman series with writer Tom KingOpens in a new tab. It shows the distinctive Phantasm mask, signaling that this new series will be significant to the DCU beyond just the two titular characters.
? ? January 2020 ? ?
@TomKingTKOpens in a new tab @Clay_Mann_Opens in a new tab @tomeu_moreyOpens in a new tab pic.twitter.com/LGI972EA12Opens in a new tab— clay mann (@Clay_Mann_) June 11, 2019Opens in a new tab
In the original animated movie, the Phantasm was secretly Andrea Beaumont, an early love of Bruce Wayne’s. He very nearly gave up his burgeoning Batman quest to live a life of contentment with her. But after the mob murders Andrea’s father, she returns to Gotham City as a costumed assassin taking out all of those who wronged her family. She only makes a brief appearance again one other time, in an episode of Justice League UnlimitedOpens in a new tab. But she has never appeared in the mainstream DCU until now.
Tom King and artist Clay Mann’s Batman/Catwoman 12-part mini-series has a scheduled debut date of January of 2020. It will end King’s long-running storyline from the pages of Batman, dealing with the relationship of Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle. The Cat left the Bat at the altarOpens in a new tab during his run, and this series is slated to bring a resolution to their decades-long romance. Which might be even more difficult if a former flame of Bruce’s like Andrea Beaumont pops back into the picture.
Many elements from the classic Batman: The Animated Series have found their way into regular continuity. Tim Drake’s Robin costume debuted there first before incorporation into the DCU proper; and the current popularity of Mister Freeze owes everything to his radical makeover by Bruce Timm and Paul Dini on the series. Of course, B:TAS‘ biggest contribution to the DCU was Harley QuinnOpens in a new tab. Here’s hoping that the Phantasm makes an equally big mark on the comics side of things like Harley did.
Images: DC Comics/Warner Brothers Animation
