User blog:ARTaylor/25 Years of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

Today marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the release of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. The film is set in DC Comics' animated universe and a theatrical continuation of Batman: The Animated Series, featuring the same voice cast and producers. The film follows the Dark Knight as he reconciles with an old love from before he became Batman while at the same time a mysterious vigilante murders Gotham City's crime bosses on his way to the clown prince of crime Joker. It also flashes back to Bruce Wayne's time becoming Batman.

The film was the first theatrically released animated movie for DC Comics and the first of six animated features that are part of the DC Animated Universe. The film was a hit with fans and critics. However, it was originally due to be a direct-to-video and the decision to release it theatrically was made late in production. As such, marketing was sparse and it was a failure at the box office, only making its production budget back on home video. It has since been considered one of the greatest Batman movies and best comic book superhero movies ever made.

The film was directed by Eric Radomski, Boyd Kirkland, and Frank Paur. It was written by Paul Dini. Michael Goguen designed storyboards. It features the talents of Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as Bruce's butler Alfred Pennyworth, Mark Hamill as Batman's archnemesis Joker, along with Ed Gilbert, Jeff Bennett, Charles Howerton, Neil Ross doing additional voices.