Azrael first appeared in Batman: Sword of Azrael #1, published by DC in 1992. That places it in the Copper Age.
Why this issue matters
Jean-Paul Valley debuted as a man raised from birth to become an assassin for a secret order, later briefly taking over as Batman during the Knightfall storyline.
Key facts
Batman: Sword of Azrael #1
- Character: Azrael
- Publisher: DC
- Cover year: 1992
- Era: Copper Age
Before you buy or sell one
- Check it is a first print, not a facsimile or reprint. Newsstand and direct editions are priced differently too.
- Condition decides most of the value. Whether grading is worth it depends on the copy.
Go deeper
Other first appearances from 1992
- Youngblood Youngblood #1, 1992
- ShadowHawk Youngblood #2, 1992
- WildC.A.T.s WildC.A.T.s: Covert Action Teams #1, 1992
- Cyberforce Cyberforce #1, 1992
- Carnage Amazing Spider-Man #361, 1992
- Bane Batman: Vengeance of Bane #1, 1992
More DC firsts from the Copper Age
- Booster Gold Booster Gold #1, 1986
- Jason Todd (Robin II) Batman #357, 1983
- Tim Drake (Robin III) Batman #436, 1989
- Harley Quinn Batman Adventures #12, 1993
- Lobo Omega Men #3, 1983
- Jason Todd Robin Death Batman #428, 1988
- Azrael as Batman Batman #500, 1993
- Rorschach Watchmen #1, 1986
Got a copy?
I buy key issues and whole collections across the UK, and I will tell you honestly whether what you have is the real first or a later printing. Send me photos of the cover and the indicia and I will come back with a straight answer, and a proper valuation if you want one.