Azrael (DC 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 is Jean-Paul Valley, who was introduced in "Batman: Sword of Azrael" #1 (October 1992) and was created by Denny O'Neil, Joe Quesada, and Peter Milligan. The second one is Michael Washington Lane, in "Azrael: Death's Dark Knight" #1 (May 2009). Both iterations are 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 antihero and 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. In the FOX television series "Gotham", the Azrael alias is used by original character Theo Galavan, portrayed by James Frain.
Publication history.
The original character (Jean-Paul Valley) first appeared in the 1992 four-issue miniseries "Batman: Sword of Azrael".
Michael Washington Lane was introduced as a character called "Azrael" as part of "", 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 (1993-1994), after Bruce Wayne was left paralyzed following a fight with Bane.
Michael Washington Lane.
Michael Washington Lane originally appeared as the Bat-Devil in "Batman" #665 (June 2007), before later taking on the identity of Azrael in "Azrael: Death's Dark Knight" #1, published in May 2009.
Others.
A number of other characters besides Valley and Lane have assumed the identity of Azrael in the DC Universe:
Powers and abilities.
As Azrael, Jean-Paul Valley 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 the Sacred Order 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 another flaming sword called Murasame. He also possesses the familiar gauntlet blades as well.
Other versions.
In "The Multiversity: The Just", which takes place on the alternate Earth-16 (where the grown sidekicks and children of superheroes live on an Earth free of crime), Damian Wayne, the new Batman, has a variation of Jean Paul's Azrael suit in a glass display in the Batcave.
In other media.
Video games.
"Batman: Arkham".
The Michael Washington Lane incarnation of Azrael appears in the "Batman Arkham" series, where he is voiced by Khary Payton: