Hero or Villain: Who Is Azrael in Batman Comics?

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Known for his flaming sword and divine moral justice, Azrael is a vigilante who operates within Gotham City. He is named after the Angel of Death, considered one of the very first angels created by God at the Dawn of Time, according to DC’s own mythology. The similarities do not stop there. Like the Azrael of old, the super hero Azrael wields a powerful weapon, believes deeply in the powers of Heaven and Hell, and also assumes a rather vengeful, biblical approach to vigilantism.

So, does that make Azrael good or bad? Is he a hero or a villain? Learn more about this character — and his harrowing history — below to decide for yourself.

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Jean-Paul Valley was actually the second Azrael

Jean-Paul Valley was conceived naturally. However, the fetus was removed and then developed, as the saying goes, in a petri dish — or test tube. As part of a genetic experiment, Jean-Paul was given augmented abilities and spliced DNA. Yet he grew up unaware of his extraordinary origins. Then, everything changed the night his father died. Jean-Paul Valley Sr. — later renamed to Ludovic Valley — revealed he was Azrael. He encouraged his son to pick up the mantle and continue his legacy.

Pursuing a degree in computer science from Gotham University, Jean-Paul displayed above-average intelligence and only later joined the Order of St. Dumas in Switzerland. There, the Azrael we know was officially born.

Azrael did not have to train hard; in fact, martial arts mastery, feats of strength, and mental fortitude came a little too naturally to him. However, his superior condition would lead to catastrophic breaks within his human psyche, leading to a fractured sense of self and violent tendencies.

Azrael was created by Denny O’Neil, Joe Quesada, and Peter Milligan

Azrael first appears in Batman: Sword of Azrael #1 (1992). The comic explores Azrael’s somewhat bizarre backstory, including his first encounter with Batman. Jean-Paul and Bruce Wayne learn each other’s secret identities early on. Inspired by Batman’s more humane tactics, Azrael defies the Order of St. Dumas to instead pursue a career as a security guard at Wayne Enterprises. Robin trains Azrael to master less lethal fighting skills. Unfortunately, “The System,” a code phrase for Jean-Paul’s early conditioning and genetic alterations, threatens to undo all of his hard work.

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Azrael is an antihero

Again, Azrael lives his life by a code of religious extremism. When he searches for redemption — either his own or for the people he views as sinners — it is with undiscerning distaste for anything impure. He is brutal and pretty much merciless. Sadly, “The System” exacerbates his negative emotions and irascible personality. Where otherwise Jean-Paul Valley is mild-mannered, his descent into the Azrael persona makes him believe he is the actual incarnation of the Angel of Death.

Over the years, Jean-Paul consistently struggles to reconcile his personalities. He knows his madness is not his truth, but it takes constant effort to stave it off. Plagued by hallucinations and inner demons, he unleashes his rage only while in costume. This shows he can harness his issues to some degree. Yet his mental illness can never be truly “cured,” and it is up to Jean-Paul to pursue help … or fall toward the damning path of the righteous.

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He is not a member of the Bat-Family

Although Azrael is not an official member of the Bat-Family, he hangs around them enough to almost be considered such. Additionally, Azrael has trained and fought alongside notable members of the family. However, he’s almost always shown as a reluctant ally. Prone to extremism, Azrael is constantly at odds with the peaceful Bat-Family heroes, even going so far as to fight against them when he disagrees with their pacifism.

… but he has been Batman

Knightfall is one of the most famous Batman comics of all time. In this story, Bane breaks Batman’s back. Because the Dark Knight is out of commission, Azrael creates a high-tech armored Batsuit and acts as Knightfall Batman. But his forceful methods inspire only fear and shock. Losing his grip on both his own reality and, worse, losing Gotham’s faith, Azrael eventually surrenders the title when Bruce Wayne returns to reclaim it.

The video game Batman: Arkham Origins references this iconic comic plot with the Knightfall Protocol. A contingency plan devised by Bruce Wayne, it went into effect when Scarecrow unmasked Batman to the entire world. Interestingly enough, Azrael and Scarecrow became mortal enemies when Azrael was resurrected as a Lantern Ring wielder.

Member of the Black Lantern Corps

And that is not the end of Azrael’s journey. Briefly a member of the Black Lantern Corps, Azrael murders an innocent bystander when they refuse to accept him as their savior. Combined with the Lantern Ring, his accelerated healing, enhanced physiology, and superhuman senses and strength make Azrael downright terrifying.

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Additional Azraels

As mentioned above, Ludovic Valley was the first Azrael. But after Jean-Paul Valley’s (non-permanent) death at the hands of his enemies Biis and Scratch, what became of the Azrael name? Well, the Order recovered his costume. Their offshoot organization, the Order of Purity, found a new Azrael in ex-police officer Michael Lane. Enthusiastically accepting his new duties, Michael walks a thin and often blood-soaked line between his religion and a misguided quest for every criminal’s overdue punishment.

Finally, the television series Gotham created its own version of Azrael. Dr. Hugo Strange resurrects Gotham City’s mayor, Theo Galavan, then convinces him he is the reincarnated Azrael the Warrior. Theo believes himself to be a 300-year-old immortal, an all-powerful ancient being who could wield the Sword of Sin. Theo dies before he can murder Jim Gordon or Bruce Wayne, which was Hugo’s sole intention with the maltreated mayor.

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Now that you know all about Azrael, do you believe he’s good, bad, or a little bit of a both? Like many antiheroes, Azrael operates in a gray area that appeals to many people while alienating or disgusting others. His allies, enemies, fans, and haters all feel strongly about his choices and behaviors. And isn’t that the most enjoyable part of any media — to be moved so very deeply by a character, whether it be by hatred or love?

Discuss Azrael as well as your other favorite DC antiheroes at side.show/geekgroup or in the Sideshow Social Network. And as always, don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!