Batman: The Animated Series: The Phantom City Creative Collection (Book Review)
A must-own for any Bat-Fan!
Batman: The Animated Series is, without question or qualification, my favorite TV show of all time! For me, it’s the definitive on-screen interpretation of the Dark Knight Detective, against which all other Batman adaptations are judged.
Long before I ever picked up a comic book, I was an enthusiastic fan of these animated adventures of the Caped Crusader. The writing was smart, the stories were epic, the voice acting was phenomenal, and of course the animation was top-notch. BTAS was (and remains to this day) one of those rare and wonderful animated shows that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults alike.
The untimely passing of Kevin Conroy—the amazing actor whose voice gave life to Batman and defined the character for a generation—has made my memories of Batman: The Animated Series all the more nostalgic and poignant, as I shared recently on a special episode of my podcast.
Batman: The Animated Series continues to cast a long shadow. It gave birth to an entire universe of spin-off series and stand-alone movies, and it has influenced pretty much every subsequent superhero TV show.
Whether you’re a longtime fan, or are just discovering BTAS for the first time, Batman: The Animated Series: The Phantom City Creative Collection is a must-have addition to your personal library. This gorgeous book features a stunning collection of posters and other promotional artwork from the super-talented artist Justin Erickson.
Justin deftly puts his own personal spin on the distinctive noir/art-deco visual style of BTAS, often paying homage to the old theatrical one-sheets that advertised the classic film serials from which the shows’ creators took inspiration.
The Phantom City Creative Collection includes a forward by BTAS co-creator Paul Dini as well as an entertaining and insightful interview with Justin Erickson himself. When asked why Batman: The Animated Series continues to endure and attract new fans, Erickson answers simply: “The creators placed care and quality into their work. That’s all any of us can hope to do.”
I’m happy to award Batman: The Animated Series: The Phantom City Creative Collection my Pageturning Seal of Approval! All of the posters featured in the book are fantastic, but I’ve managed to narrow them down to my top five favorites.
Mask of the Phantasm
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is one of the finest Batman movies ever made and it needs a poster to match. Erickson expertly communicates the scale of the threat posed by the Phantasm as well as Batman’s stalwart resolution to confront this deadly foe. The dark shadows reflect the grim storyline of the film and the red highlights symbolize bloodshed while also calling back to the iconic red Gotham skyline of the TV series.
It’s Never Too Late
“It’s Never Too Late” is one of my all-time favorite episodes of BTAS, especially because of its spiritual themes. The poster is reminiscent of a theatrical one-sheet for a black-and-white movie. The color palette is even reminiscent of sepia tone, which is a nice touch. All the figures in the poster are slanted or off-kilter, symbolizing the skewed worldview of the mob bosses Arnold Stromwell and Rupert Thorne and the unbalanced world of Gotham City.
Beware the Gray Ghost
“Beware the Gray Ghost” is another one of my all-time favorite episodes. Pairing the voice talents of Kevin Conroy with Adam West (who portrayed Batman in the iconic and campy live-action series from the ‘60s) was a stroke of genius. This is another poster that evokes classic cinema, in this case the crime noir adventure serials. The yellow highlights contrast marvelously with the black shadows and shades of gray, setting the perfect tone.
Almost Got ‘Im
“Almost Got ‘Im” is a fan-favorite episode and may be one of the best in the entire series. It’s the simplicity of this poster that makes it work so well—the five villains sitting around the poker table under the Bat-Signal’s glaring spotlight. Again, Erickson uses evocative contrasts of light and dark to set the scene. The Caped Crusader’s shadow looms large even though he’s physically absent—Or is he?!
The Demon’s Quest
“The Demon’s Quest” is an epic two part adventure that deserves an equally epic poster. Erickson’s amazing talent delivers in spades! This is a wonderfully fun homage to nostalgic adventure films like Raiders of the Lost Ark or The Last Crusade. Not much more to say here—like all of Erickson’s work, this poster is superb.
What are your favorite posters from this incredible collection? Do you agree with my list? Disagree? Let me know in the comments below!
Stay tuned for the next book review (Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!) and until we meet again . . . “the Road goes ever on . . .”