Wong, Kin :: Unpublished - Batman

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm commission (Sean Murphy)

Artist: Sean Murphy (All)

21 Comments - 879 Views - 30 Likes

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm commission (Sean Murphy) Comic Art

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Additional Images:

prelim #1

prelim #2

prelim #3

Artwork Details

Title:	Batman: Mask of the Phantasm commission (Sean Murphy)
Artist:	Sean Murphy (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Commission
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	879
Likes on CAF:	30 31
Favorited on CAF:	2
Comments:	21
Added to Site:	3/3/2024
Comic Art Archive:

Description

"Look what they did to us! What we could have had. They had to pay!"
"But, Andy, what will vengeance solve?"
"If anyone knows the answer to that, Bruce, it's you."

A few years back, Sean auctioned off an opportunity for a cover-quality commission. I wasn't able to bid at the time, but I knew that I wanted to see his take on Batman: Mask of the Phantasm if the opportunity ever came back up. In my opinion, Mask of the Phantasm is the best Batman movie, live action or animated. It has its flaws, but it perfectly captures Bruce's struggle to be Batman and keep his vow to his parents, especially in the face of his blossoming relationship with Andrea Beaumont (who's dealing with her own parental trauma). Based on all his previous work, I knew Sean could nail that emotional drama, and I was curious to see his take on the Phantasm design as well.

For the first OAX show in 2024, Sean took on a short list of commissions, and I was lucky enough to get one of them. I didn't want to provide too much direction (so that Sean could feel inspired to provide his own take), but I asked for something that captures the doomed romance between Bruce and Andrea, and maybe he could throw in the Batman and Phantasm costumes if possible. I knew Sean could do a dramatic splash page (see here) or a romantic panel sequence (see here), and he's also become adept at the montage layout (see any recent cover of his). I wasn't sure what approach he'd take, but I really love what Sean came up with in the end. He made a montage that looks like the cover to a Mask of the Phantasm one-shot (or even a movie poster), while also highlighting the emotional drama in the characters, from how Bruce and Andrea are posed (him with an outstretched hand, and her looking down with the bouquet of flowers blowing in the wind) to the reflection of a crying Andrea in Phantasm's blade. And the positioning of the background characters cleverly reinforces some of the relationships in the movie- Phantasm looming over the couple, with Jack/Joker trapping Phantasm from both sides (past and present). Plus Sean managed to cram in so many little details from the movie, from the Gotham World's Fair to the prototype Batmobile. It really does feel like a love letter to the movie, so I'm super excited to own this (and I finally got a Batman!).

Attached are some scans of the prelims for the final art. I thought the first layout had too much Phantasm and not enough Bruce/Andrea, which led to the second layout that was used for the final piece (with some tweaks seen in the final layout). The first two prelims are quite small but surprisingly tight (5" x 8" and 6.5" x 9.5", respectively), while the last prelim is much looser but a full 11" x 17".

Thanks, Geoff and Sean!

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About the Owner

	Kin Wong ( 2 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	March 2007
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Kin's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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James S
Member Since 2017

1 - Posted on 3/4/2024

Fantastic!

Shelton Bryant
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 3/4/2024

clear and Noir Style Pencils and inks!!!!Luv the Texture!!.......Congrats!!!

Chad Knopf
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 3/4/2024

A really special commission of what is, yes, the Best Batman film.

Paul Martini
Member Since 2021

1 - Posted on 3/4/2024

Finally here it is, in all its glory! And boy is it glorious. An expertly executed montage by Batman's modern master. The layout is a perfect Z shape to lead the eye through. I appreciate the different tones of ink as well, many variations and not just deep black. Andrea crying in the blade reflection is such a nice artistic decision. Seeing this one image I can imagine an entire graphic novel by Sean in the Phantasm world. Congratulations on a stunning commission, Kin!

Kin Wong
Member Since 2007

Posted on 3/4/2024

Paul Martini wrote:

Thanks for the kind words, Paul! Totally agreed about Sean's decision to have Andrea crying in the blade reflection. I thought it was pretty clever when Sean put it in the prelim, but the icing on the cake was how he drew the tear dripping off the blade in the final version.

Joe A
Member Since 2019

1 - Posted on 3/4/2024

A spectacular commission. I agree that this is a love letter to the film, where Sean manages to capture so many iconic elements from the film in one cohesive illustration. I'm glad I got to see this in person with you at OAX2024. Huge congratulations!

Kin Wong
Member Since 2007

1 - Posted on 3/4/2024

Joe A wrote:

Thanks, Joe! It was great meeting you and getting to spend time chatting at OAX, and I look forward to seeing the rest of your pickups :)

Gabe Carino
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 3/4/2024

Wow - great choice in the end.

K Gearon
Member Since 2011

1 - Posted on 3/4/2024

Got all you could want in an SGM piece. His unique stylization, lotsa characters, exquisitely composed...yup, this one's got it all, as they say. And it's just like a movie poster promoting the film! Congrats!

Steve Day Vich
Member Since 2007

1 - Posted on 3/4/2024

Bravo Kin! Bravo!

Michael Sullivan
Member Since 2021

1 - Posted on 3/4/2024

Thanks for including the premlims to this fantastic piece!

George H
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 3/4/2024

Beautifully done and major congrats on such a detailed piece from Sean!

Derek Crabbe
Member Since 2020

1 - Posted on 3/4/2024

Thank you for sharing this with us.

David Kwock
Member Since 2012

1 - Posted on 3/5/2024

This is beautiful! I love this movie. Major congrats on such a fantastic piece!

Michael 07
Member Since 2011

1 - Posted on 3/5/2024

Beautiful commission in a beautiful collection! Always great taste! Congrats

Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 3/5/2024

That's the magic of OAX, the movie, and the Murphy!

Eric B
Member Since 2008

1 - Posted on 3/5/2024

This turned out so nice! So many wonderful little touches in the composition and details. Congrats Kin!

Justin Porter
Member Since 2003

1 - Posted on 3/6/2024

Bad @$$!

Josh F
Member Since 2010

1 - Posted on 3/14/2024

I wasn't sure this would be worth it and boy and I glad to say I was wrong. This is just amazing, really something to see in person that a scan doesn't possibly convey. So much detail. So many great references, clearly he took so much time and thought on this. Worth it!

Bill J
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 3/22/2024

Stunnning Batman: Mask of the Phantasm commission by modern master Sean Murphy! Boy, this commission has it all: The Phantasm, the doomed relationship between Bruce and Andrea, Jack/Joker trapping Phantasm, as well as details from the Gotham World's Fair and the prototype Batmobile. Amazingly, Sean was able to incorporate it all into one fantastic montage that looks like it could be a movie poster. Wonderful commission and a fantastic souvenir from OAX. Congrats on a great pick-up!

Alex B
Member Since 2008

1 - Posted on 6/15/2024

What an incredible commission ! Cover quality doesn't cover it. Congrats for this phenomenal piece !

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