Michael Lane (character)

Michael Lane was introduced as Azrael as part of the Battle for the Cowl, a storyline told in a three-issue miniseries format written by Fabian Nicieza. ==Fictional character biography==

In 2009, a miniseries titled ''Azrael: Death's Dark Knight was produced as a tie-in to the Battle for the Cowl'' crossover event, with a later regular series. The new Azrael is the Third "Ghost of Batman" to undergo Doctor Hurt's experiments, an ex-cop named Michael Washington Lane. He is approached by the Order of Purity to reclaim the mantle of Azrael after the Order's latest Azrael went mad and killed an undercover police officer. On his first night as Azrael, Lane fights Talia al Ghul (and her team of mercenaries led by Merlyn) and later encounters Nightwing. After convincing Nightwing that he was not responsible for the murder of the police officer, Nightwing persuades Talia to allow Michael to keep the Suit of Sorrows. In Batman and the Outsiders (vol. 2) #14, the character is displayed as a charming man who undergoes various purification rituals overseen by the Order of Purity. Ra's al Ghul later attempts to manipulate Lane into destroying Gotham by having him commit suicide and be subsequently resurrected by the Suit, which had been dipped in a Lazarus Pit. Lane worked with metahuman Crusader to 'judge' Batman, Catwoman, and Red Robin for their past 'sins' to determine if Gotham should be saved. These included the insane obsession of Selina's sister that Selina is 'possessed', Robin not showing due reverence when he destroyed a church window to save hostages, and a childhood incident where Dick let another circus performer get assaulted because he was jealous. Although Lane is manipulated into perceiving the Bat-Family as having failed his tests, Batman convinces Lane to use his swords to test himself, revealing Ra's' plan in time for Lane to stop the planned destruction of new metahuman Fireball. Ra's intended for Azrael to detonate Fireball and make it appear as though Gotham had been destroyed by terrorists, inciting a wave of violence that would cleanse Earth and allow Ra's to take control. Michael Lane has also appeared in The New 52. He was originally featured in Batwoman issue #2 as a cameo, which was written before the relaunch but published after; the art was however edited to remove him. == Skills, abilities, and equipment ==

Unlike the first Azrael, Michael has no inherent superpowers. Due to his advanced military and police training, Michael is considered an excellent hand-to-hand combatant and is a skilled swordsman. In the past, Michael was also an accomplished football player and athlete. Equipment The Suit of Sorrows, a cursed mystical armor, grants Lane superhuman physical attributes along with the skills and memories of previous bearers. The suit is also highly durable and bulletproof, able to protect the bearer from rocket launchers. It can also simulate the effects of a Lazarus Pit and revive Michael within three days of death should he still have on the armor. The Suit of Sorrows grants him these abilities at the potential expense of his sanity, causing him to become more violent while wearing it should he not be "pure". He wields the Swords of Salvation and Sin, both magical blades that are capable of inducing mental images into a victim's mind over certain "truths" (Salvation) and past actions that people feel guilt over (Sin). When both of them are wielded, they can force a victim to seek redemption. Due to their enchanted nature, the blades are able to cut through an opponent without leaving a physical mark. ==In other media==

• Michael Lane / Azrael appears as a playable character in the handheld versions of Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes. • Michael Lane / Azrael appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure. • Michael Lane / Azrael appears in the Batman: Arkham franchise, voiced by Khary Payton: • First appearing as a non-player character (NPC) in Batman: Arkham City, he observes Batman's work within the eponymous city prison. When Batman approaches Azrael, the latter warns him of the Order of St. Dumas' prophecy regarding Batman's end and promises that he will return before disappearing. • Azrael appears as a playable character in Batman: Arkham Knight. Amidst the Scarecrow's attack on Gotham City, he approaches Batman once more, claiming he wishes to succeed him. With Alfred Pennyworth's help, Batman tests and monitors Azrael. Upon learning from Batman the Order secretly implanted a microchip in Azrael's brain to control him and intend for him to kill Batman, Azrael will either follow through on or reject his mission. Depending on the player's choice, Azrael will either attack Batman, who defeats him and sees him arrested by the Gotham City Police Department, or destroy his sword and leave to exact revenge on the Order. ==References==