In this animated adventure that rivals live-action adaptations, the wealthy Bruce Wayne is torn when an old flame returns to Gotham City. At the same time, the Phantasm, a "hero" who's killing Gotham's gangsters, confronts Wayne's alter ego, Batman. Through flashback, the film reveals the origins of Batman's costume and his ongoing rivalry with the devilishly villainous Joker (voiced by Mark Hamill of Star Wars fame).