Who is Azrael?

[JL Man]

Who is Azrael? Should I buy the comics?

[EarthX]

Azrael was introduced in a mini-series of his own, then immediately became a suppoting character for Batman. Very soon after, he ended up the "new" Batman in the never-ending "Knightquest: the Crusade" storyline that went through all of the Batman titles 8 years ago.

Although famed writer/editor Dennis O'Neil has been involved with this title from the start, it has never come close to his powerful and intriguing "Question" series from a decade ago.

I don't think it's worth your time.

[Naraht]

He's a stupid goober who alot of Bat-fans dislike..

>=]

[The Guard]

Sigh...

Azrael was trained from birth, brainwashed by something called THE SYSTEM, by a secret cult called the order of St. Dumas. The order had assassins..."avenging angels" called Azrael that carried out the orders of the order. Anyway...one of the Azrael's sons, a genetically engineered one named Jean Paul Valley, lived a normal life, but his father brainwashed him. When he came of age, he became the next AZRAEL. Anyway...Batman ended up captured by the order, and Jean Paul saved him. In return, Batman gave Jean Paul a job and started training him, trying to get him to take a better path. Batman was hurt by Bane, and Jean Paul took on the mantle of Batman. But the system took over, and he thought he had a holy mission, to rid Gotham of crime. He killed. Later, Batman returned and defeated him, and Azrael took the name Azrael again. Recently, he has renounced killing, and is a valued member of the Bat-squad.

[Eric Draven]

Originally posted by The Guard
Sigh...

Azrael was trained from birth, brainwashed by something called THE SYSTEM, by a secret cult called the order of St. Dumas. The order had assassins..."avenging angels" called Azrael that carried out the orders of the order. Anyway...one of the Azrael's sons, a genetically engineered one named Jean Paul Valley, lived a normal life, but his father brainwashed him. When he came of age, he became the next AZRAEL. Anyway...Batman ended up captured by the order, and Jean Paul saved him. In return, Batman gave Jean Paul a job and started training him, trying to get him to take a better path. Batman was hurt by Bane, and Jean Paul took on the mantle of Batman. But the system took over, and he thought he had a holy mission, to rid Gotham of crime. He killed. Later, Batman returned and defeated him, and Azrael took the name Azrael again. Recently, he has renounced killing, and is a valued member of the Bat-squad.

WOW!! Couldn't have said it better myself. Its nice to see SOME folks actually learn the lore of comics (even if it IS with the newer stuff, im old school) these days.

Well done.. and well said. Peronally.. I liked Azreal.. for about 20 issues. And your right.. The Question ROCKED compared to this. [sigh]

[James Harvey]

Azrael was a good character for the first arc of the series, then it was all downhill from there. His original costume that he sported in the series was great. Then they go and change it...over and over and over. He's just a useless character now who's direction changed almost every story arc.

[SilentBobWooHoo]

heh, okay got carried away there...but I just don't get why so many people hate Azrael so much. I've always liked the character (err...the two years I've been reading comics). I just got curious one day and bought #1 on sale. Loved it, and I eventually bought every issue of the series. I'll admit there has been some crappy stuff, but what comics don't? The Return of Bane was great...most of the NML stuff was great...all of the Dumas stories were great...I liked the story with the new Azrael...I could go on and on.

[CookieS]

Ah so Batman is to Star Wars and Azrael is to Jar Jar Binks? Heh. Well I think the character sounds really interesting. Its almost like he was both a villian and a hero at different points.

[Barb Gordon]

I haven't really read much with the whole Azrael thing, but he didn't seem like as bad a character as people make him out. I like him all right, though I hated what poor Nighty went through...thinking he didn't deserve the Mantle and then having to go take it away from Azrael....

Barb^-^

[Justice League 2000]

Azrael is a good charcter and i am glad he does"n kill no more.