Ranking Every DCAU Show And Film Worst To Best

A feature-length spin-off of Batman: The Animated Series, Mask of the Phantasm remains the only DCAU entry to receive a theatrical release and, when you watch it the whole way through, it's quite easy to see why.

Anything but just an extended episode, the grandiose film focused on the arrival of a ghostly Angel of Death-type figure that was intent on making some old acquaintances pay for a very heinous crime. With the Phantasm bearing some physical similarities to Batman, it was only a matter of time until the authorities accused The Dark Knight of the crimes, and when the creature chose The Joker as its final victim, things got even more complicated.

As strong as the writing in Batman: The Animated Series had been up to this point, Mask of the Phantasm took it to the next level. It wasn't just larger-than-life in its production, it was a deeper well-paced story that finally gave us a glimpse into the part of Bruce Wayne's life that the series hadn't shown us.

It was an unnerving tale - one that highlighted how blurred the line between good and evil had become for all of the characters involved - and it was made all the more powerful by the stunning performances from Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill and Dana Delany, as well as Shirley Walker's haunting variation of the series' score.

A genuine masterpiece, this is what a perfect Batman film looks like.