Batman: Sword of Azrael #4 Cover
Artists: Joe Quesada (Penciller) , Kevin Nowlan (Inker)
33 Comments - 897 Views - 45 Likes
Additional Images:
Published Cover
Artwork Details
|
DescriptionKnightfall was a major event for many of us '90s kids. The impact it had on the comic book industry, both on the canon and commerce, was undeniable. Batman broken by Bane? What??? Was that even possible? Well, it happened, and DC was able to eventize the moment and, in turn, introduce a new hero into the Batman universe.Jean-Paul Valley was that hero. He is the first character to assume the identity of Azrael, a member of a group of assassins created by the Order of St. Dumas to bring justice to Gotham City. He also became the second character to take on the Batman name for a short time during the Knightfall storyline, known to be a more brutal incarnation. He was also the first religious superhero I came across. As the grandson of a preacher and son of a pastor, I grew up in a house church. It was a bubble I was uneasy about, as I was always told to be wary of the world. But I was always the curious one. In fact, I was less religious than the rest of my family. Rather, I believed in social justice and vengeance for those who couldn’t protect themselves. I was often picked on as a kid, but after my growth spurt in sophomore year of high school and in the years that followed, I lost count of all the bullies I scrapped with on behalf of the kids who were the targets of their terrorism. Nevertheless, the character Azrael was a big inspiration for my life. He came from a religious background but broke all the rules. His intentions were probably good, but he just didn’t know any better. He was programmed by the Order of St. Dumas! Visually, I’ve always loved the armor and the fire blades as well. In fact, when I got into comic art commissioning, I chose Azrael as one of my main topics of interest for how cool he looks. Anyway, I’ve had my eye on this cover for a long, long time. It took a few friends to root me into committing to this at OAX 2024, but I finally picked it up this week. Thanks again to the dealer for working with me on this one and teaching me more about the world of vintage art collecting. Very, very happy to add this to my collection. Social/Sharing |
About the Owner
|
 |
Contact the OwnerUse can use a contact form to send an email to this gallery owner,
|
Comments on this Artwork
You must be logged in to make comments.
Marcus Wai 
Member Since 2005
2 - Posted on 6/6/2024
This goes to the top of the charts for best of 2024! Highly memorable cover from Quesada using fire and silhouettes like he did for his Ash series.
Zero Cool
Member Since 2024
2 - Posted on 6/6/2024
That was a very poignant write-up. Sounds like you and Jean-Paul Valley were cut from the same cloth, sans mental programming at the hands of an evil cult. Congrats on this scorching addition to your Azrael collection.
Simon M.
Member Since 2003
1 - Posted on 6/6/2024
Peak Batman of my youth! Quesada & Nowlan was different gravy than the regular books so really made it all sing. Congrats!
Xatari (Mike Hansen)
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 6/6/2024
Azrael emerging from the flames to get the jump on Batman! I remember this cover so well! I was 11 or 12 and this book was lighting up the charts. That summer I was able to attend my first Comic Con in San Diego. There were two Quesada exclusives that were on everyone's radar... the gold versions of XO Manowar #0 and the Azrael TPB. I came away victorious and treasured both. Funny enough, the real score at the convention for me was a free preview magazine they gave away which actually unveiled Hellboy for the first time! I found it in my long boxes decades later.
Quesada, Liefeld, Lee, and McFarlane were solidifying themselves as rockstars, and this cover really stood out as one of the most memorable for me from my favorite era. Congratulations on such an incredible piece!
Amir E
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 6/6/2024
Great image and great stuff in the description! Congrats my friend!
Kavi H
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 6/6/2024
Epic brother!!!! So happy for you. Amazing cover/piece. Congrats!!!
Andrew G
Member Since 2022
1 - Posted on 6/6/2024
Azrael vs Fatman, showdown of the decade! That was a typo....
Big congrats! Fantastic cover from the series burned into the brain of every 90s Batman fan.
Carl Choi
Member Since 2018
Posted on 6/6/2024
Andrew G wrote:
Azrael vs Fatman, showdown of the decade! That was a typo....
Big congrats! Fantastic cover from the series burned into the brain of every 90s Batman fan.
I was waiting for this one! Really need an answer from Joe Q on WHY? lol
Myko Bato
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 6/6/2024
What a wild cover! It reminds me of a scewed nightmare dream sequence that Batman needs to escape from. Congrats Carl!
Seth D
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 6/6/2024
Such a great cover, Carl! Azrael was one of the first characters I followed when I started reading comics. Congrats!!!
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 6/6/2024
Holy Batman this is AWESOME! Congrats!
Comic Art Channel
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 6/6/2024
Amazing and not sure how there's any doubt it needed to be yours. Big congrats!
F M
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 6/7/2024
Nobody drew blazing flames like Quesada and Nowlan on that series.
Anthony T
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 6/7/2024
Great dynamic cover by Quesada and Nowlan. Congrats!
Michael Reyes
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 6/8/2024
Great tale. I could relate. This cover was super meant for you. Congrats.
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 6/10/2024
Phenomenal! I love this cover, too. Fantastic contrast between the bright fiery Azrael and the Dark Knight. Cool layout from Joe Quesada with Azrael diving down at Batman, who is silhouetted against Azrael's flaming attack. It looks bad for Batman, but while he's been broken before, he always manages to pick himself up and fight another day. Quesada's fantastic layout and pencils are beautifully enhanced by the gorgeous inks of Kevin Nowlan, who provided the extraordinary inks that really make this cover pop! Great pick-up, congrats!
Dave W
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 6/25/2024
Wow, you are crushing the CAF updates lately - this is absolute perfection. Major congrats!!!
Joshua Tan
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 11/22/2024
Historic piece! Superb! Congrats on this epic piece!
Latest Updates
All |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Auctions ADVERTISEMENT
Auctions
| Michael Armstrong - Cowgirl Pin-Up Illustration Or |
Auctions
 |
JOHN ROMITA AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #71 COVER (SOLD FOR $220K!) |
Auctions
 |
Humberto Ramos - Spider-Man #4 Variant Cover |
Hakes Auctions
 |
JUDGE DREDD - 2000 AD PROG 197 COMIC MAGAZINE COVER ORIGINAL ART BY BRIAN BOLLAND. |
Subscribe to the YouTube Channel.. FREE!
3 Wishes
21 Accepting Commissions
Commission an Artist
For Sale Updates
Classified Updates |
|
Monty B9/5/2025 3:53:00 PM |
|
Saxa Luna Galianan9/5/2025 1:01:00 PM |
|
Will Gabri-El9/5/2025 12:25:00 PM |
|
Michele M9/5/2025 12:05:00 PM |
|
Keith Veronese9/5/2025 11:09:00 AM |
|
Aron Wiesenfeld9/5/2025 10:39:00 AM |
|
Dealer Updates |
|
Coollines Artwork9/5/2025 9:24:00 PM |
|
Koch Comic Art9/5/2025 7:54:00 PM |
|
Anthony's Comicbook Art9/5/2025 6:43:00 PM |
|
Will's Comic Art Page9/5/2025 12:25:00 PM |
|
Essential Sequential9/5/2025 12:15:00 PM |
|
Achetez de l'Art9/5/2025 12:15:00 PM |
|
|
Become a Premium CAF Gallery Owner & you'll be supporting CAF and also gain access to many services and features not available to standard members.
|