Azrael (comics)


Azrael is the alias of multiple fictional characters appearing in comic books published by in the DC Comics. The first character to assume the identity of Azrael was Jean-Paul Valley, debuting in Batman: Sword of Azrael #1, and was created by Denny O'Neil, Joe Quesada, and Peter Milligan. The second one was Michael Lane, in Azrael: Death's Dark Knight #1. Both iterations of the character are portrayed as vigilantes and members of an assassin group created by the Order of St. Dumas, a secret organization bent on restoring justice to Gotham City. Azrael is usually depicted as an ally of the superhero Batman, though the two have also been adversaries due to the former's violent nature and twisted sense of justice indoctrinated by the Order.
The character appeared in the ' series of video games, voiced by Khary Payton, and in the FOX television series Gotham, portrayed by James Frain as original character Theo Galavan'''.

Publication history

The original character first appeared in the 1992 four-issue miniseries Batman: Sword of Azrael.
Michael Lane was introduced as a character called Azrael as part of the, a storyline told in a three-issue miniseries format written by Fabian Nicieza.

Characters

Jean-Paul Valley

Jean-Paul Valley was the first character to assume the identity of Azrael, debuting in the four-issue miniseries Batman: Sword of Azrael in 1992. He later briefly assumed the identity of Batman in the story arc, after Bruce Wayne was left paralyzed following a fight with Bane.

Michael Washington Lane

Michael Washington Lane originally appeared as Bat-Devil in Batman #665, before later taking on the identity of Azrael in Azrael: Death's Dark Knight #1 in 2009.

Other characters

A number of characters besides Valley and Lane have assumed the identity of Azrael in the DC Universe:
As Azrael, Jean-Paul has enhanced physical abilities. He has been shown to fight at heightened levels even when fatigued, a fact exemplified when Azrael was able to defeat Bane, despite suffering from both extreme exhaustion and Venom withdrawal. He has also been shown to be able to resist an even more potent version of the Venom drug, having been able to break its vast addiction in only one night. Azrael is also a superior fighter; although he lacks technique and style in his fighting moves, he makes up for it with his inhuman speed, reflexes, and agility. Azrael has been able to match Deathstroke in a sword duel and has even defeated Batman in hand-to-hand combat. This is not only due to his martial arts skills, but also due to his inhuman physical abilities.

Equipment

The original Azrael costume worn by Jean-Paul Valley consists of red and gold armor. After becoming an "Agent of the Bat", he dons silver and black armor with a red cape and a stylized red bat symbol on the chest. Later on, he dons red armor with golden gauntlets, boots, shoulder pads and a blue cape. He sometimes carries a flaming sword, and also uses two retractable daggers hidden in the gauntlets of his costume that can be charged with thermal energy to increase their destructive power. In Batman: The Ultimate Guide to the Dark Knight, Scott Beatty implied that Azrael's changing costumes were reflections of the changes in Azrael's life from an agent of St. Dumas to an agent of the Batman to his own man. The gauntlets were taken by Kate Spencer, the current Manhunter, and are used in her outfit. The New 52 version of Jean-Paul wears a similar costume, and his weapon is a flaming knight sword called Murasame. He also possesses the familiar gauntlet blades as well.

Other versions

Television

The Michael Lane incarnation of Azrael appears in the Batman Arkham series, where he is voiced by Khary Payton.
''Batman: Arkham City''
Azrael first appears in . He is the focus of the "Watcher in the Wings" side mission. After events in the game's main storyline, he can be seen on the rooftops of certain buildings within Arkham City's districts, watching over Batman. When approached, Azrael will disappear in a cloud of smoke, leaving a symbol for Batman to scan. After scanning all the symbols and combining them to reveal a location, Batman meets Azrael, who tells him about the Order of St. Dumas and warns him of their prophecy of future events and the Dark Knight's end. Though Batman doubts this, Azrael tells him that, regardless of his belief, there are parts of it that are becoming true and they will meet again, disappearing into a cloud of smoke.
''Batman: Arkham Origins''
The PlayStation 3 edition of features the Knightfall DLC pack containing an alternate Batman outfit based on Jean-Paul Valley's Batsuit, as well as challenge maps based on Batman: Knightfall.
''Batman: Arkham Knight''
Azrael returns in , where he is once again the focus of a side mission, "Heir to the Cowl", though this time he is also briefly playable. During Scarecrow's takeover of Gotham, the Order of St. Dumas sends Azrael to Gotham on a mission to become Batman's successor. Azrael meets up with Batman once again, who puts him through several trials to test his abilities and see if he is a worthy successor, during which Batman takes away his sword and Azrael is monitored by Alfred Pennyworth, who then informs Batman that the vigilante uses the same fighting style as him, implying that Azrael has been watching Batman for years. After the final trial is completed, Azrael states that he is prepared to become Gotham's next protector, but Batman opts to wait until he says so, causing Azrael to depart. Afterwards, Alfred informs Batman of Azrael's secret identity as Michael Lane and that he has a microchip in his brain planted by that the Order of St. Dumas. Arriving at the hideout inside the old clock tower, Batman analyses the microchip and discovers that the Order have been subtly controlling Azrael's actions, as well as a secret encrypted message that reveals the Order's real plan: have Azrael kill Batman and replace him as Gotham's one and only protector, believing that his moral code against murdering criminals stands in the way of true justice. Azrael, having followed Batman here, then confronts the Dark Knight and prepares to kill him and complete his mission, but Batman tells him how the Order have been in control of his actions all along. He then allows Azrael to take back his sword and do as he wishes with it, which leaves the player with three possible options:
Azrael was later added as a playable character for the game's challenge maps via DLC. He plays almost the exact same way as Batman, using the same fighting style and most of his gadgets.

Collected editions