Spoilers for the upcoming Lazarus Planet event from DC Comics DC Comics has revealed a new event called Lazarus Planet, which will feature Batman getting a powerful magic upgrade that seemingly gives him the powers of Doctor Fate. In new art for the recently announced event, some of DC’s greatest heroes are transformed after a Lazarus volcano erupts, changing the DC Universe into something readers have never seen before.
Lazarus Planet spins out of the events of Mark Waid and Mahmud Asrar’s Batman vs. Robin series, where Damian Wayne acquired powerful magical artifacts in defiance of his father while mysteriously working alongside Mother Soul and the Devil Nezha. DC Comics has already teased Batman wearing Doctor Fate’s Helmet of Fate in a preview for Batman vs. Robin #4 – but the hero will be among those transformed in a brand-new Lazarus Planet event which will see some of the most iconic heroes on Earth gaining new powers in a storyline featuring some talented creative teams tackling a series of connected one-shots.
At New York Comic-Con, DC Comics revealed the Lazarus Planet event spearheaded by Mark Waid, which will see the DC Universe “rocked to its core.” Beginning with Lazarus Planet: Alpha releasing on January 10, 2023, Waid will team up with Riccardo Federici, Gene Luen Yang, Billy Tan, Nicole Maines, Skylar Patridge, Francis Manapul, Dan Watters, Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Josie Campbell, and more talented creatives to tell a story about a Lazarus Volcano erupting and changing the DC Universe as readers know it. As a result, Lazarus clouds with rain down and transform heroes and bystanders into new forms, including Batman becoming the new Doctor Fate and seemingly gaining his powers in the aftermath of the explosion.
Batman’s Doctor Fate Upgrade Is One Of Many Transformations In Lazarus Planet
Batman getting a magical upgrade and becoming DC’s new Doctor Fate in the Lazarus Planet event isn’t the only transformation from popular heroes. Jon Kent’s Superman is getting his own electric blue costume like his dad’s, while Martian Manhunter becomes more like a monster than ever before after being physically linked to Doomsday. Additionally, the press release from DC Comics teases that Firestorm will get “another horrific host” while Power Girl will try to free herself from an “out-of-control-Omen.”
The Lazarus Planet crossover will have at least seven connected one-shots, with the first issue, Lazarus: Alpha, releasing on January 10th. For readers wanting to see what a DC Universe might look like if its greatest heroes’ powers and looks were changed in a big way, including Batman becoming DC’s new Doctor Fate, the Lazarus Planet crossover looks to be one of the craziest and most exciting mashup events from the publisher yet.
