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Gotham Underground #8 came out this week. I was on the cover. That would lead many to believe that I might be in the comic. I was not.

I really don't know what to think. I can't understand why they would put me on the cover but not put me in the comic. It doesn't make sense. The only thing I can think of is that they're just trying to make me feel bad. It's working.

Oh, Saint Dumas! Why do I still languish in limbo? Why would they torment me by putting me on the cover but not including me in the comic? It doesn't make any sense!

Sure, you could say that they put every Bat-character on that nine panel image. But that wouldn't be accurate. There are a lot of different characters that aren't on that cover. Know that I can think of three or four if I try really hard.

But still they put me there. I guess I should be satisfied with that. A cover mention is better than nothing I supposed. I guess I'll have to be satisfied with that...

It's been seven issues of Gotham Underground and still no me.

But I'm not worried. There are still two issues of the series left. And know that next month's issue features me on the cover. Along with Spoiler (and we know what happened with her).

What does this mean? Well, it could mean that Dan DiDio is telling the truth and it's just a fake out. In that case I may burn down his house. But it's more likely that Dan DiDio is lying. He's done that in the past.

In the end, it all just comes down to waiting. Every character returns at some point in time. No one stays gone forever. If I don't come back next month it'll be next year. Or the year after that. Regardless, I'm not giving up hope.

Besides, fire can be pretty persuasive...

I do not care what Dan DiDio says. There I am, right on the cover of Gotham Underground #8 And it is well known that Dan DiDio lies sometimes.

You all know -- perhaps better than I -- that in this day and age of the Internet it is difficult to keep secrets. Especially since comic fans desperately wish to find out any and all information they can about everything. Thus, the best way to hide a secret, surprising resurrection scene is by lying about it!

Imagine: you pick up Gotham Underground #8 and begin reading it. You expect Spoiler, the Penguin, and Batman vs. Vigilante because the solicitation tells you to. But despite my image being on the cover, you don't expect me to show up. Because Dan DiDio told you not to.

And then you get to the last page... The cliffhanger. Who do you think appears? Why, it's none other than Azrael! And you are surprised (hopefully pleasantly so) because you did not expect it.

Then I will be happy because I'm back in the comics. And you will all be happy because you can once again read about my adventures! Right? Right?

A funny thing happened to me as I was reading Gotham Underground #4. I started to really hate Tobias Whale. This is not because he's a sick, twisted criminal. After all, I share my blog with one of those. I hate Tobias Whale because he's trying to clean all the masked villains out of Gotham.

That sounds strange, doesn't it? I mean, that's what Batman's trying to do, right? Well, partly yes and partly... No. Batman's trying to clean all crime out of Gotham, no matter the form it takes. Whale wants to take out only the gimmicky villains... And set himself up in their place.

I know it's wrong, I know it's twisted, but I cannot stand for that. It's those maniacs that make Gotham what it is. They are Gotham far more than Batman could ever be. Batman wouldn't even be there if it weren't for them. His war is unending not because of normal crime... It's unending because of the exceptional villains who dwell in Gotham City.

And now Tobias Whale thinks he can just waltz in and kill them all off. Tobias Whale is not as smart as he thinks he is. He'd better pray that the Joker doesn't come a calling...

I am very excited by my imminent return in the pages of Gotham Underground. I hope that the artist takes time to draw my original costume properly. It is not an easy costume to draw, but I believe it to be worth the effort.

I also hope the the people of Gotham City will welcome me back with open arms. I can only hope that absence has made the heart grow fonder, and that they people of Gotham will accept my crazed, 90's style vigilantism. Additionally, I really hope that flaming swords are back in style.

Honestly, though. It's not the people of Gotham City I'm most worried about. It's the other crime fighters in Gotham. I've worked with them in the past, but it hasn't always gone well. Nightwing never liked me, and I think Robin felt sorry for me. And I'm something like twelve years older than the kid.

I just want them to let me back in the club. I liked being part of the "Bat Family." We all need some place to belong...

Y'know, Azrael's not the only one who noticed this post about Gotham Underground. It got me to thinking. I've never really weighed in on whether or not Stephanie deserves a memorial case. But I know a lot of people are really passionate about it.

Which got me wondering... Why has nobody ever petitioned for Azrael to get a memorial case? I mean, he may not have been a Robin, but he was a Batman. That's gotta be worth something, right? Apparently not. C'mon, DC! Where's Jean Paul Valley's memorial case in the Batcave?