Michael Lane has appeared in Matt Fraction's Batman. This is pretty big for his character! But I have seen on other platforms that some people are upset that it was Michael rather than Jean Paul, and I feel like there really needs to be a conversation about representation and the discussion of Michael Lane by Azrael fans. So often, I will see Michael hate from people with little to no idea of who he is--He is just "That Guy From Arkham." There is no care for his character, or his story. No one puts forth the effort to read his comics, or understand his motivations and significance to the era of Batman he was in. These people will go on to act as if Michael Lane being Azrael or being featured in his own comics is somehow "taking away from Jean Paul Valley," which simply... Isn't true. In fact, modern Jean Paul actively takes away from Michael. For more than ten years, Michael Lane has been practically written out of existence. He has no relevance to the story, and no comics of his own after the reboot. He was only published for four years (2007-2011), and has less than 40 appearances. Jean Paul, on the other hand, has been published in every continuity since 1992. He has nearly 400 comic appearancs, and continues to get more. There is a significant gap in recognition and care between the two. Michael, who is one of the two non-white Azraels we have seen over the years, is consistently erased and disregarded to make Jean Paul relevant in modern comics. His character traits, his equipment, and even elements of his story have been given to Jean Paul in Rebirth. In James Tynion IV's Detective Comics, Jean Paul used the Suit of Sorrows--Something Jean Paul had never worn, or even known about prior . The Suit of Sorrows is a core part of Michael's Azrael, he quite literally cannot be separated from it without his story being compromised. In Dan Watters' Sword of Azrael, we see Jean Paul in a monastery--The exact place Michael's story had left off in Post-Crisis. He also has a sudden fixation with stories of martyrdom, another concept seemingly taken from Azrael (2009). And on top of all of this, he is suddenly Catholic. In previous comics, Jean Paul had not practiced (or even had much knowledge of) any religion. Michael Lane, on the other hand, has always been Catholic. His relationship with God is a core part of his story, and one of the focal points of Azrael (2009). Since the reboot, Michael has been little but a stepping stone for Jean Paul. Writers and editorial have sidelined him at every opporunity. Now that he is getting his own content, please do not take this as an opportunity to be hateful, or act as if he is "taking Jean Paul's place." This is his first real appearance since the reboot. Michael is his own character that deserves his own comics. At a time where DC is not publishing any black led runs, and few black characters make even supporting appearances, I think it is incredibly important that Michael is getting his flowers. Do not try to put him down or demand he be erased just to uplift a white man--It shows exactly the kind of person you are if you post things like that. And, another thing, there have always been multiple Azraels at the same time. This is not a new concept. In Azrael (1995), they introduce Faux-Azrael, and in Agent of the Bat, Lilhy travels with an Azrael from one of the Order's overseas branches. Despite one of these characters quite literally being introduced for the express purpose of replacing Jean Paul (Faux-Azrael), I never see any bad faith readings of him or insistence that he shouldn't have appeared. Only the singular black Azrael...Which is very telling. There is space for other Azraels. There always has been. It isn’t fair that Michael should be treated like he has no place in the comics when he has been pushed out of them from the beginning. Be mindful of how you discuss an under-published black man, and take a moment to unpack your biases. Because this is clearly a problem with racism within the Azrael fandom. Also read his comics before speaking on him.
Michael Lane Azrael and Bat-Devil reading order...
DAYS SINCE THE LAST BLACK-LED ONGOING AT DC RELEASED.
