Azrael (DC Comics)
Azrael is an alias used by multiple fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The original version, Jean-Paul Valley, was created by Denny O'Neil, Joe Quesada, and Peter Milligan, and debuted in Batman: Sword of Azrael #1. The second character to assume the alias was Michael Washington Lane, in Azrael: Death's Dark Knight #1. Both iterations are Christian vigilantes and assassins created by the Order of St. Dumas and its derivatives, secretive religious organizations seeking to restore justice to Gotham City through religious extremism. They are typically portrayed as antiheroes and reluctant allies of the superhero Batman and the Batman Family, battling forms of manipulations employed by their respective orders, violent tendencies shaped by tragedies in their life, and proving themselves trusted allies to Batman.
Both Jean-Paul Valley and Michael Lane have appeared in associated DC media. Additionally, an original iteration, Theo Galavan, appears in the second season of Gotham, portrayed by James Frain.
Characters
Jean-Paul Valley
Jean-Paul Valley was introduced as the original Azrael in the 1992 four-issue miniseries Batman: Sword of Azrael.He later briefly assumed the identity of Batman in the "Knightfall" story arc, after Bruce Wayne was severely injured in a fight with Bane.
Then, he starred in the subsequent Azrael series.
Michael Washington Lane
Michael Lane was originally introduced in Batman #665 as the alter-ego of the supervillain Bat-Devil. In Azrael: Death's Dark Knight #1, the character was re-introduced as Azrael, as part of the Battle for the Cowl story arc.Others
A number of other characters besides Valley and Lane have assumed the identity of Azrael in the DC Universe:- Valley's father was the previous Azrael, as seen in Batman: Sword of Azrael. In Azrael Annual #1, the character's role as Azrael is depicted in more depth, and he is now identified as just Ludovic Valley.
- A Chinese man, supposedly given the same training as Valley and an identical costume, is briefly under the control of the Order. Also, the position of the Order of St. Dumas' enforcer has been passed on since medieval times.
- Early in the Azrael series, another man is supposedly selected and trained in the same way as Valley and the Chinese man to be Valley's replacement. He is defeated by Valley and supposedly falls to his death, only to resurface in Gotham City in Underworld Unleashed wearing one of Valley's 'Batman' armored costumes and engaging in illegal underground fights after having made a deal with Abra Kadabra for his soul in return for his life.
- An unrelated character also named Azrael was created by Marv Wolfman and José Luis García-López and debuted in Tales of the Teen Titans #52 in 1985. This version, whose origins remained a mystery, appeared as a supporting character in the Titans stories in the late 1980s.
In other media
Television
An original incarnation of Azrael, Theo Galavan, appears in the second season of Gotham, portrayed by James Frain. He is a billionaire industrialist, heir apparent of the Order of St. Dumas, brother of Tabitha Galavan, uncle of Silver St. Cloud, benefactor of a criminal group called the "Maniax", and later mayor of Gotham City. After being exposed and killed by Oswald Cobblepot and Jim Gordon, Theo is later revived by Hugo Strange, but is rendered insane and amnesiac. Under the belief that he is Azrael, an ancient immortal warrior who vanquished the Order's enemies, Strange gives Theo armor, a mask, and sword and tasks him with killing Gordon, only for Theo to be killed by Cobblepot and Butch Gilzean via an RPG.Video games
- The Jean-Paul Valley incarnation of Azrael appears as an unlockable playable character in the Nintendo DS version of Lego Batman: The Videogame.
- The Jean-Paul Valley and Michael Lane incarnations of Azrael appear as character summons in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.
- The Michael Lane incarnation of Azrael appears as a playable character in the handheld versions of Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes.
- The Michael Lane incarnation of Azrael appears in the Batman: Arkham franchise, voiced by Khary Payton.