Pre-Flashpoint, Jean-Paul Valley's discovery of his dying father dressed as Azrael changed his life forever. Brainwashed by the System to become the Church of St. Dumas' assassin, Jean-Paul worked with Batman instead, standing in for the Dark Knight when Bane broke the hero's back. Unbalanced by his upbringing, Valley became a more violent Batman and wore heavier armor. He later surrendered the mantle to a newly healed Bruce Wayne and set out on his own adventures as Azrael.