Zauriel

{{Infobox comics character

|image = Zauriel.JPG

|caption = Zauriel as depicted in Helmet of Fate: Zauriel #1 (March 2007); art by Mike Kaluta.

|character_name = Zauriel

|real_name = Zauriel

|publisher = DC Comics

|debut = JLA #6 (June 1997)

|species = Angel

|creators = Grant Morrison
Mark Millar
Howard Porter
John Dell

|alliances = Justice League
Shadowpact
Justice League Dark

|aliases =

|powers = Flight (via wings);
Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, agility and durability;
Immortality;
Highly trained in the use of his Flaming Sword;
Immense knowledge of magic and religion;
Natural healing factor;
"Angelic Overmind";
"Sonic Flash";
"Red Sea trick";
Can be sent back to Earth from Heaven after death

Abilities via Flaming Sword

Access to other realms and planes of existence (such as from Earth to Heaven) by piercing dimensional boundaries with sufficient power;
Projection of heavenly fire;
Can slice through virtually any substance and material, cutting through "all bonds"

}}

Zauriel is a fictional superhero in the DC Universe. Originally a guardian angel who served Heaven for millions of years, he willingly falls to Earth to serve humanity as their champion and joins the Justice League.

Publication history

Zauriel first appeared in JLA #6 and was created by Grant Morrison, Mark Millar, Howard Porter, and John Dell.{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=339}} In his first appearance, he saved Aquaman's life, over time forming a close friendship with him, and helped the Justice League thwart and dispel the forces of the renegade angel Asmodel.{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Manning |first3=Matthew K. |last4=McAvennie |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |title=DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-8578-6 |page=264}}

=Creation and concept=

Grant Morrison created Zauriel during their tenure as writer of JLA, but was forbidden from using their originally intended name of Hawkman."He was originally intended to appear in the JLA under the name Hawkman and I imagined a sense-strangling battle of the Hawkmen between Zauriel and Katar Hol at some point down the line. The Hawkman name was seen as a biohazard after the numerous continuity maulings the character had sustained. We were asked to retain the angel concept and simply call him Zauriel". -- [https://sites.google.com/a/deepspacetransmissions.com/site/interviews-1/1990-s/199911-next-planet-over Grant Morrison], on Zauriel. Deep Space Transmissions: Next Planet Over - 25 November 1999. Retrieved on 12 April 2016. At the time, Hawkman was declared off-limits by DC editors due to the character's convoluted continuity.

Fictional character biography

Zauriel was an angel of the Eagle Host, one of the four hosts of Heaven, the others being Human, Bull, and Lion. Since the dawn of creation, Zauriel served the Presence as a guardian angel, protecting the souls of countless women, including Cleopatra, Mona Lisa, and Joan of Arc. After falling in love with one of his assigned women, Zauriel is expelled from Heaven.JLA #6 (June 1997)

Afterward, Zauriel joins the Justice League and battles Asmodel on several occasions.JLA: Secret Files and Origins #2 (August 1998) Asmodel allies with Neron and invades Heaven, but learns that he cannot overthrow the Presence. Neron betrays Asmodel and takes him prisoner.

Zauriel later becomes Heaven's ambassador to Earth. During the Day of Judgment storyline, Asmodel bonds with the Spectre and attacks Earth before Zauriel arranges for the Spectre to bond with Hal Jordan instead.

In JLA #41, Zauriel is killed when Lex Luthor destroys the Justice League Watchtower. However, his spirit remains and becomes a guide to other heroes.{{multiref2|JLA #41 (May 2000)|52 #13 (October 2006)|Helmet of Fate: Zauriel one-shot (March 2007)|Shadowpact #13 (March 2007)|Justice League of America (vol. 2) #56 - 57 (June - July 2011)

}}

=''The New 52''=

In The New 52 continuity reboot, Zauriel is the Phantom Stranger's guardian angel. He is killed while assisting Justice League Dark, but is resurrected by the Presence.{{multiref2|Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger #10 - 11 (September - October 2013)|Constantine #10 (March 2014)|Justice League Dark #27 (March 2014)

}}

Powers and abilities

As an angel, Zauriel is nigh-immortal, being ageless and not requiring food, water, air, or sleep to survive. Additionally, he possesses superhuman physical abilities and can generate a powerful sonic scream, sense magic, and communicate with animals.

Zauriel wields various equipment, including heavenly armor, a flaming sword that can cut through dimensional barriers, and Michael's spear.

Other versions

Zauriel appears in the Elseworlds one-shot Supergirl: Wings. This version is a Lindel, an angel who plans out the lives of humans before they are born.

In other media

Zauriel appears in the Justice League Unlimited tie-in comic.{{Cite web |title=Justice League Unlimited #14 - Everybody Limbo! (Issue) |url=https://comicvine.gamespot.com/justice-league-unlimited-14-everybody-limbo/4000-112048/ |access-date=July 19, 2024 |website=Comic Vine |language=en}}
Zauriel appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Andrew |date=October 2, 2013 |title=DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/scribblenauts-unmasked/DC_Characters_and_Objects |access-date=July 19, 2024 |website=IGN |language=en}}