By d. emerson eddy — This past Friday, the comics industry learned of the loss of one of its legends in Denny O'Neil. His influence and legacy across the medium is vast, with rightfully lauded work on Batman, The Question, and Green Lantern/Green Arrow. He worked hard, both as a writer and an editor, to elevate the medium, to push progressive ideas, and ensure that the stories could be considered with maturity and depth. He understood well that social issues and politics could be tackled through comics storytelling and helped comics “grow up” in the '70s and '80s. Though often dark and dealing with difficult subject matter, his work was never what you'd consider “grim and gritty” or an adolescent's idea of maturity. He simply wrote great comics, and through editorial, he helped guide, mentor, and influence many of comics' great creators over the past four decades.

During the past few days, you've probably been seeing tributes to him, mentioning some of his highest profile work like Birth of the Demon, the “Hard-Travelling Heroes” arc in Green Lantern/Green Arrow, “Shaman” and “Venom” in Legends of the Dark Knight, and more, so I wanted to focus on something quieter. Through the '90s and the beginning of the '00s, he wrote an uninterrupted run of 100 issues, plus annuals and specials, of Azrael. Azrael, at the time, was Jean-Paul Valley, the man who replaced Bruce Wayne when Bane broke him. One of my favorite turns through the run was in the “The Angel and the Bane” arc that began in Azrael #36 from O'Neil, Roger Robinson, James Pascoe, Demetrius Bassoukos, Prismacolor, and Ken Bruzenak.

Jean-Paul Valley was a flawed, tragic character as he was introduced in Sword of Azrael (from O'Neil, Joe Quesada, Kevin Nowlan, Lovern Kindzierski, and Ken Bruzenak), dealing with the death of his father and some serious brainwashing by the Order of St. Dumas when we met him. Thrust into the role of Batman during the Knightfall trilogy and failing, pretty spectacularly, only to be confronted and deposed by his once idol in Bruce Wayne. The Azrael series itself did a wonderful job of beginning to pick up the pieces, fracture them some more, and try to give Jean-Paul a new lease on life and redemption. Much of it coming to a head in Azrael #36 and the start of “The Angel and the Bane” arc.

O'Neil here works wonders with the character work, with Jean-Paul, Batman, and Alfred. Including some very nice bits of humor with Alfred needling Bruce to allow Jean-Paul a chance to prove himself. Weaving through Jean-Paul's still burning desire to do right in Batman's eyes and managing to perpetually seem to let him down. It's that lack of self-confidence, of still dealing with the conditioning from the Order of St. Dumas, that emphasizes the tragedy of the character, showing us again how he's ripe for manipulation and diversion. Especially as it circles back around to the return of the catalyst for much of this, Bane. It's truly amazing as to how O'Neil could weave together a half-decade's worth of continuity in such a seamless way, with compelling characters and an engaging plot, that could be enjoyed on its own, but enriched if you'd be reading all along.

Which is not to say that the visual storytelling was chopped liver either. Roger Robinson, James Pascoe, Demetrius Bassoukos, & Prismacolor brought a measured darkness to this story. The Robinson and Pascoe team delivered a style that was somewhat between what had come before with Joe Quesada and Barry Kitson, but with a greater emphasis on solid black shadows and outlines. It gives a kind of menacing feel to the art, that when combined with Bassoukos' colors enhances the idea of Jean-Paul's fragile state of mind. It also works very well for the action at the beginning of the story, showing equally adept at fight scenes and quiet conversation. Topped off with Ken Bruzenak's distinctive lettering that helped set the tone and overall design for Azrael since the original mini-series.

I definitely recommend that you pick up O'Neil's work in the much lauded, well deserved higher profile works like Green Lantern/Green Arrow, The Question, The Shadow, and Birth of the Demon. His Batman stories with Neal Adams as well are such a joy to read or his Daredevil and Iron Man, there's a great breadth to all that he accomplished. But, please, don't sleep on some of his works that are less talked about, but by no means less important or entertaining. As Azrael #36 from O'Neil, Robinson, Pascoe, Bassoukos, Prismacolor, and Bruzenak shows, sometimes greatness is where you least expect it. Azrael really is a monument to old school long game storytelling.

Azrael #36
Writer: Dennis O'Neil
Penciller: Roger Robinson
Inker: James Pascoe
Colorist: Demetrius Bassoukos
Separations: Prismacolor
Letterer: Ken Bruzenak
Publisher: DC Comics
"Angel and the Bane" part 1! Batman asks Azrael's help in battling Bane's forces, but Sister Lilhy begs for his aid as well. The coming storm marks a crucial turning point in the Angel of Vengeance's life.
Release Date: October 15, 1997
Price: $1.99

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d. emerson eddy is a student and writer of things. He fell in love with comics during Moore, Bissette, & Totleben's run on Swamp Thing and it has been a torrid affair ever since. His madness typically manifests itself on Twitter @93418.