Warning: contains spoilers for Arkham City: Order of the World #2!
After a disastrous stint as Batman’s replacement, Azrael struck out on his own, determined to find his place in the DC Universe. Over the years, as he fought back against his mental conditioning, Azrael began to find peace and solace, but in Arkham City: Order of the World #2, on sale now in print and digital, Azrael returns to the zealotry that was a hallmark of his earlier years—erasing decades of character development.
Azrael, AKA Jean-Paul Valley, has been raised from birth to be an assassin for the Order of St. Dumas, a fundamental religious organization. After first appearing in 1992’s Sword of Azrael #1, he joined forces with Batman. When the Dark Knight’s back was broken in 1993’s Batman #497, Azrael briefly took up the mantle, redesigning the costume and adopting a harder-edged approach to fighting crime. His time as Batman proved controversial, and within a year, Bruce Wayne was back in charge. Azrael would struggle to find his footing but would eventually go on to forge an uneasy alliance with Batman. Earlier this year, in Batman: Urban Legends #8, Batman discovered Azrael working in a hospice, apparently now at peace. While still displaying his trademark religious fervor, Azrael had seemed to temper it, but after witnessing a zombie in Task Force Z #1 it returned, more intense than ever. Arkham City: Order of the World #2 is written by Dan Watters, with art by Dani and colors by Dave Stewart.
In Order of the World #2, Azrael is on the trail of former Arkham inmates who escaped during the infamous “A-Day.” After Mad Hatter gave him the slip, Azrael doubles down on his quest. He has once again become a zealot, openly talking with God, looking for signs and “angels.” Azrael believes he is the instrument of God’s wrath, using brutal force on criminals. While tracking down the criminal Double X, who has been kidnapped and forced to use his powers to get people high, Azrael kills someone—an act sure to draw Batman’s ire.
Azrael’s return to the religiosity of early in his career is unfortunate as it undoes years of development of Azrael’s character. His failed attempt at replacing Batman was the true beginning of his journey, and in time he became a trusted ally of Batman and even served a stint with the Justice League. These milestones would seem to indicate that Azrael had grown as a character, moving beyond the fanaticism of his youth. Even when Batman encountered him in Urban Legends #8, Azrael did not demonstrate the murderous impulses he showed in this issue. But now Azrael’s faith is back. He has deluded himself into thinking he is an instrument of God’s vengeance—to the point he has taken life again.
At this point, fans must wonder if there is any hope for Azrael. He has tried time and again to break free from the mental programming he received as a child—only to fail. Arkham City: Order of the World may represent his ultimate failure—one from which there may be no return.