Azrael: Death’s Dark Knight #1

Azrael, the character, was a pretty neat concept, uh…except for that whole taking over the Batman’s job thing all those years ago.   The Angel of Vengeance created by the Order of St. Dumas, who were an off shoot of The Knights Templar worked pretty well as a concept on its own and his costume design was pretty cool in the dark superhero, fallen angel sense.  Jean Paul Valley, the last Azrael, played at being Batman, went on to have adventures of his own and eventually became an Agent of The Bat before falling into obscurity and not being heard from again.   It seems though, that with Batman “dead” and a “battle for the cowl” going on we have to have an Azrael running around since we had one the last time Batman/Bruce Wayne was off the stage.   This time though we get a sort of hand-me-down Azrael.

What's up with the boots?

It seems that there is a splinter group of The Order of St. Dumas called the Order of Purity and they forged the Suit of Sorrows, recently seen in DETECTIVE COMICS and BATMAN stories.   It is a suit of armor forged from the “melted blades and breastplates of dozens of good slain soldiers.”   The Order of Purity’s “own” Azrael defended its order for years but the suit had certain side effects on its wearers, fell into the hands of Ras Al Ghul, etc. etc.

Enter Michael Lane, former Marine, former GCPD Patrolman, current emotionally troubled super hero to be, and oh yeah…one of three candidates trained by the military and the GCPD to take Batman’s place “should he fall in battle.”   What?!   I thought the military was too busy working with Lex Luthor to “protect” the world from Kryptonians?   Also, with all the Batman inspired heroes running around and the GCPD gets involved with the military to create Batman replacements?   You’d think Commissioner Gordon would just have Robin, Nightwing and the like on speed dial incase Batman “fell.”   Well, maybe Gordon didn’t know about the project, hopefully.   All three candidates went a little loony and wouldn’t have made great replacements anyway…so…let’s put one in the Suit of Sorrows to make them even crazier and he’ll definitely be ready to take over as Gotham’s protector!  

Now that's an Azrael who'll strike fear into the hearts of evil doers!

Either way and anyway, Lane is tapped by the Order to don the suit and become the new Azrael, which he does almost before they finish their sales pitch and he goes straight into action, like any unbalanced superhero should.   Irving’s art is good with its painted backgrounds and water color-like haze but it doesn’t seem to fit AZRAEL, mostly because the strongest images of Azrael, to me, were the Quesada inspired dark angel-like, cowl wearing, flaming arm sword bearing, dark and menacing, demonic looking character.   This new Azrael though is more of a street wise looking character with all the required tattered t-shirt and combat boot “hero of the streets” overdone look.   Well what can you expect from a hand-me-down, splinter group’s Azrael.   We just should expect more from DC than this shoddy work, re-birthing an old character to sell a few more comic books to a few of us who actually remember the real Azrael.   AZRAEL: DEATH’S DARK KNIGHT is just another throwaway side tale to the quickly becoming throwaway main tale that is BATTLE FOR THE COWL.   I mean c’mon, who else deserves the cowl other than Dick Grayson/Nightwing?   What’s there really to battle over?

Rating: 4/10
Last Updated: Jan 7, 2012 - 7:41
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Comments

umm.

Are we seriously looking at the same too pictures? How is the new Azrael image not better by a healthy margin?

And the GCPD replacement Batmen stuff is from Morrison's recent run.

You keep buzzing off "Hand Me Down" over and over as though it means something, but you seem to have little clue as to what you're talking about.

Extremely solid issue.

#1 - Steve - 03/18/2009 - 23:56

Of two minds.

I wasn't thrilled with the first issue but because I actually like the Azrael character, I'll give this run a shot. I also agree, the Quesada designed Azrael is the better design and a much more imposing "hero". The "Suit of Sorrows" is a good concept but bad execution. It's a down market Azrael with shades of the Punisher, and it's not even really Azrael, it's the splinter group's answer to Azrael (although the cross on the "torn t-shirt does offer a closer aesthetic tie to their "templar" origin). The slap dash way the character is presented is very unsatisfying. The whole, GCPD working with the military thing is not convincing (yeah I know Morrison initiated it, I wasn't a fan of that either). I'd have rather seen Jean Paul make a return to claim the mantle he once had. I feel that would make a more compelling and credible story line than a rushed "Azrael" wannabe.

#2 - Tel. - 03/19/2009 - 12:07

"Wannabe" Much better term than "hand-me-down"

Wannabe is a much better way to describe this Azrael. Its a much better "buzz word." Most of the buzzing though comes from the flies hanging around this "very solid" waste pile of an issue. I'm sorry but we haven't seen Azrael for years and all of the sudden Bruce Wayne is gone and the character pops back up. I overlooked that Morrison created the back up Batmen, but its still a silly idea. Give me a better written Azrael and I'll follow him even though I still like the old Jean Paul Azrael much better. I heard in my local comic shop yesterday from another customer that Batwoman might take over the role of Gotham's prime protector. Guess they'd have to change the title from Batman to Batwoman. DC tried that with Hawkman going to Hawkwoman and we all saw where that went. If Grayson doesn't get the cowl then I'm out till Bruce comes back.

#3 - Andy - 03/19/2009 - 13:53

agreed

From what I understand, Detective Comics will have a run with Batwoman (penned by Rucka). You can scratch that title from my list until Bruce Wayne comes back. Great for the current recession..I have to thank DC. I don't like the character. The "red haired" batfemale smacks too much of Barbara Gordon (a character I do like). The whole concept seems forced and the character herself has had a very lukewarm reception. Rucka may fix some of that, but first impressions are hard to shake off. Give the mantle to Grayson (yeah I know he assumed it in Prodigal but he's a better "Grayson" now). And I really hope DC doesn't use the "she plays for the other team" angle to promote the book. It just has "gimmick" written all over it. I much prefer the current Batgirl (with all her flaws), that would make much better reading than Rucka trying to rehabilitate a character the DC audience hasn't warmed to.

#4 - Tel. - 03/23/2009 - 17:22

Speaking of Barbara Gordon...

...hopefully she won't be miraculously cured and give up the Oracle role and become Batwoman. Since DC readers haven't warmed up to the current Batwoman, they might just dump her and bring one that people liked...This is just speculation but I wouldn't put anything past DC where Bats is concerned now.

#5 - Andy - 03/24/2009 - 13:28