Batman: The Lazarus Syndrome

Batman: The Lazarus Syndrome

Genre	audio drama
Running time	43 minutes
Country	United Kingdom / United States
Language(s)	English
Home station	BBC Radio 4
Starring	Bob Sessions Paul Maxwell Shelley Thompson Michael Gough Garrick Hagon
Creator(s)	Dirk Maggs
Writer(s)	Simon Bullivant Dirk Maggs

Batman: The Lazarus Syndrome is a 1989 BBC Radio 4 broadcast, produced to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the popular comic book character Batman. The story was originally written by Simon Bullivant and Dirk Maggs. It contains references to such Batman stories as Batman: The Killing Joke, Batman: A Death in the Family, Batman: Year Three, and Batman: Son of the Demon. Michael Gough, who provides the voice of Alfred Pennyworth, also played the same role on screen in the films Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin.

Story

On the anniversary of his parents' murder, Batman visits the location of their deaths and is set upon by an old enemy, who has had surgery to look like Bruce Wayne. The battle seems won until an explosion puts Batman on the missing list. With the disappearance of the Batman, Commissioner Gordon begins searching for any lead, even going as far as arranging meetings with The Joker and Catwoman. Meanwhile, in Wayne Manor, Bruce Wayne informs Alfred and Nightwing that he is retiring from vigilantism. But at the same time the true Batman awakens in the custody of Talia al'Ghul and must regain his strength and awareness before this impostor uses Wayne Enterprises to bring ruin to the world.

The events of this story are set after A Death in the Family and The Killing Joke, but before Tim Drake is introduced.

Cast

• Bob Sessions ... Batman / Bruce Wayne
• Michael Gough ... Alfred Pennyworth
• Paul Maxwell ... Commissioner James Gordon
• Garrick Hagon ... Ra’s al Ghul, Thomas Wayne
• Kerry Shale ... The Joker, Det. Harvey Bullock, Batcave Computer
• Shelley Thompson ... Barbara Gordon, Talia, Young Bruce Wayne
• Lorelei King ... Catwoman / Selina Kyle, Martha Wayne
• Alan Marriott ... Robin / Jason Todd
• James Goode ... Nightwing / Dick Grayson