Azrael (DC Comics)
Azrael is an alias used by multiple fictional characters appearing in comic books published by in the 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 (October 1992). The second character to assume the alias was Michael Washington Lane, in "Azrael: Death's Dark Knight" #1 (May 2009). Both iterations are Christian vigilantes and assassins created by the Order of St. Dumas and/or it's derivatives (i.e the Order of Purity), 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. In media, the Michael Lane incarnation of Azrael has been featured in the "" series of video games, voiced by Khary Payton, while an original iteration of Azrael, Theo Galavan, appeared in the second season of the television series "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 "" story arc (1993-1994), after Bruce Wayne was severely injured in a fight with Bane. Michael Washington Lane. Michael Lane was originally introduced in "Batman" #665 (June 2007) as the alter-ego of the supervillain Bat-Devil. In "Azrael: Death's Dark Knight" #1 (May 2009), the character was re-introduced as the current Azrael, as part of "", a storyline told in a three-issue miniseries format written by Fabian Nicieza. Others. A number of other characters besides Valley  and Lane have assumed the identity of Azrael in the DC Universe: 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. Section::::"Batman: Arkham". The Michael Washington Lane incarnation of Azrael appears in the "" series, voiced by Khary Payton: