Jean-Paul Valley's return in the recently announced Sword of Azrael miniseries (written by Dan Watters and penciled by Nikola Čižmešija) has fans anticipating the Avenging Angel's first solo-series since 2003. This has also led many to wonder who the former Batman will face as his primary opposition in the new series.

The new series is expected to continue the three-part storyline "Dark Knight of the Soul" from Batman: Urban Legends #8-10, sending the vigilante on a tour of Europe in a search for inner peace. With his identity as Azrael always being a source of both physical and existential conflict, Valley will likely encounter a number of allies and adversaries both old and new, and with a comic book history spanning thirty years, there are plenty of antagonists ready to challenge the former Batman.

Related: Batman's Longtime Ally, Sometimes Enemy Azrael Scores a New Solo Series

8 Father Karl Valley

Ram V's 2021 Catwoman comic series introduced a new member of the feline thief's rogues gallery with a shocking connection to Azrael. In the 2021 Catwoman Annual, Father Karl Valley was revealed to have at one point been adopted by the Order of St Dumas (the organization that created Azrael) and mentored by Jean-Paul Ludovic Valley - Azrael's father. Despite having never met, Karl developed a kind of jealously towards the younger Valley for still being seen as Ludovic's true son despite being sent away by his father to spare him from the life of a zealot assassin. After being betrayed by his adopted father, Karl dedicated his life to redeeming sinners by personally sending them to hell.

With Azrael's quest taking him to Europe (which also happens to be the home of Father Karl Valley) it is very possible that his adoptive brother may attempt to resolve their unspoken family feud by way of blades and bullets.

Related: Justice League Odyssey Resurrects [SPOILER] Using DC's Weirdest Time-Travel Plan

7 Ascalon

The sentient android known as Ascalon was created by the Order of St Dumas to act as the replacement for the Azrael assassins of the past and become the new dealers of 'divine justice'. This robotic machination first clashed with Azrael when it was tasked to eliminate any rogue agents of the Order of St Dumas, which of course included Jean-Paul Valley. The android was ultimately defeated in Detective Comics #962 when Azrael infected it with a virus created by Batwing that rewrote Ascalon's programming, causing it to abandon its mission and disappear.

However, with the ambiguity of the robot's ultimate fate and Ascalon still possessing much of the Order of St Dumas' doctrine, it would not be a stretch to expect the android assassin to return for a second bout with the Avenging Angel.

Related: Justice League Odyssey Just Killed Off DC's Deadliest Batman

6 Carleton Lehah (Biis)

Carleton Lehah vs Azrael in Azrael #14

Debuting in 1992's Batman: Sword of Azrael, the illegal weapons dealer turned demon worshipper Carleton Lehah was the first antagonist of Jean-Paul Valley and became the Avenging Angel's nemesis after he violently slew Jean-Paul Valley's father. Under the identity of Biis, Lehah would go on to become a prominent reoccurring villain in Azrael's 1995 solo series and remained a consistent threat to Azrael until they both died fighting each other in Azrael: Agent of the Bat #100 in 2003.

With 2022's Sword of Azrael being a clear homage to the original miniseries that saw the debut of Azrael, it would be entirely appropriate for the new series to bring back the original Azrael villain.

Related: Is Batman Doing The Unthinkable?

5 The 'Other' Azrael

Faux-Azrael in Azrael #4

When Jean-Paul Valley was tasked by Batman to journey to Switzerland to find the Order of St Dumas' secret 'Ice Cathedral', the Avenging Angel was shocked to learn that the Order had trained a new man to succeed him as a new Azrael. However, with Jean-Paul's return, the 'Fauz-Azrael' began a rivalry with Jean-Paul, attempting to slay Valley at the behest of the High Brother of the Order, Brother Rollo. The 'Faux-Azrael' was defeated by Jean-Paul in Azrael #4, and his later attempt to redeem himself by attacking Batman only added to his disgrace.

With the continuity of DC Comics being rebooted several times since his defeat, it may finally be time for the 'Other' Azrael to rekindle his rivalry with Jean-Paul Valley in an epic, sword-clashing confrontation.

4 The Justice League Odyssey

A constant theme within the Azrael mythos is Jean-Paul's constant mental conflict between himself and the programming that the Order of St Dumas imprinted upon his psyche. With Sword of Azrael sure to deal with his inner-turmoils, he may need the help of his teammates from the Justice League Odyssey. In the aftermath of Justice League: No Justice, Azrael ended up on a space-faring journey with other young adult heroes into the enigmatic 'Ghost Sector'. From there, the JLO had to occasionally prevent Azrael from doing something he'd regret on account of his psychological programming, often butting heads with their well-meaning teammate in the process.

While it is highly unlikely that the members of the JLO would act as Azrael's main antagonists in the new series, it's not unreasonable to consider them making an appearance if it appears that Jean-Paul is once again giving into his worse impulses.

3 Azrael's Father (Jean-Paul Ludovic Valley)

Jean-Paul Ludovic Valley

The debut of Ascalon also revealed the shocking revelation that Azrael's father was still alive and now acting as the leader of the Order of St Dumas from his base in the Swiss Alps. It was also revealed that it was Jean-Paul's father who personally imprinted psychological programming into his son. Furthermore, it was also Azrael's father who later called for his son's assassination, clearly indicating that whatever familial ties they once held were now lost.

With these hanging plot threads still unanswered, the Sword of Azrael miniseries provides the perfect opportunity to revisit the rivalry between father and son.

2 The Poor Fellow

Poor Fellow in Batman Urban Legends #9

Arguably the most likely candidate to act as the primary antagonist of the new series is the new villain dubbed the "Poor Fellow," who recently appeared in Batman: Urban Legends #9-10., the 'Poor Fellow'. The mysterious figure has already built herself up as in intriguing foil for Jean-Paul Valley, acting as the faithful superhuman assassin for another religious order that dates back to the Catholic Crusades of Jerusalem. Her existence acts as an indication that there are other individuals like Azrael that exist beyond the Order of St Dumas and served as a startling revelation for Valley that is sure to be followed up on at some point.

With Azrael's journeys taking him around the world, Poor Fellow would act as a perfect antagonist to introduce Azrael to the wider-world of secret religious orders.

1 Azrael Himself

Ever since he took on the mantle of Batman in the classic "Knightfall," it has been apparent that Jean-Paul's greatest enemy has always been himself. Thanks to the psychological programming inflicted on him, Azrael has been unable to trust himself out of fear that he'll lose control of himself. As he journeys through Europe, Jean-Paul is sure to face the one enemy he can never escape - himself.

Regardless of who he faces in the new series, Jean-Paul's new adventure in Sword of Azrael is sure to have all of the elements that fans of the Avenging Angel have come to expect.