10 Things Everyone Always Gets Wrong About Batman

4. The Best Batman Film Is The Dark Knight

Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy is the series all comic book adaptations should aspire to be. Not that they should ape them of course, but in terms of articulating a clear vision for a superhero adaptation, Batman Begins and The Dark Knight are about as good as they get.

There is a film, however, that ranks above both. Released in theatres in 1993, the Batman: The Animated Series spin-off, Mask of the Phantasm, exemplifies all there is to love about the character. With Kevin Conroy reprising his role as Bruce Wayne, Mark Hamill returning as the Joker and Dana Delany as Andrea Beaumont, the film serves as a fine reminder of what made the show such a compelling one when it first released.

Boasting a magnificent score by the late, great Shirley Walker, a tremendous script by Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Martin Pasko and Michael Reaves, and gorgeous animation made in the Bruce Timm style, and you have the recipe for the perfect Batman film.

It was overlooked then and still is now, but Mask of the Phantasm is essential viewing for any Bat-fan.