Lazarus Pit



Official Name: Lazarus Pit Nicknames: No known nicknames Model: Model number or type unknown Version: Version number unknown

Origin
Lead Designer: Lead designer unknown Additional Designers: Additional designers unknown Place of Creation: Place of creation unknown Place of Destruction: Various Lazarus Pits across the globe have been destroyed at different points in time. First Appearance: Batman #232

History
Previous Owners: Ra's al Ghul; Azrael; Kobra Current Owner: Talia al Ghul Beneficiaries: Batgirl (Cassandra Cain); Black Canary (Dinah Laurel Lance); Lady Shiva; Nyssa Raatko; Ra's al Ghul; Riddler; Talia al Ghul

History: A Lazarus pit is a natural phenomenon primarily used by Ra's al Ghul to regenerate his body. The fanatical terrorist known as Kobra also had his own hidden network of Lazarus Pits. When used to heal or to bring someone back to life, that person is rendered temporarily insane (although one instance when it was used for the Joker, it temporarily rendered him sane). It has been used by multiple people across the globe, including Ra's al Ghul's daughter, Nyssa, the Black Canary (Dinah Laurel Lance), The Riddler, and most recently Lady Shiva and Cassandra Cain. Eventually all of the Lazarus Pits were apparently destroyed by Bane and Batman, except for one. Because each Lazarus Pit can reportedly only be used one time, Ra's had to accept the fact that eventually he would die (a notion that is subject to debate, as there is evidence of him existing in the 31st century). His daughter Nyssa, however, had discovered a way to make the Lazarus Pits last indefinitely, but rather than let her father use it, she stabbed him to death. Although supposedly only one pit remains, its location has appeared vague - at one point it appears to be in an island compound Ra's assaulted, later it appeared to be in a completely different location, and another "last" pit was constructed inside the Batcave. This may in fact indicate that there is more than one pit remaining, or that Nyssa was able to create additional pits. The substance that fills each pit is a chemical blend of unknown composition, seemingly originating from somewhere within the Earth's crust. For an unknown reason, it bubbles to the surface only at certain key points around the globe, typically at the junction of ley lines. The chemicals can rejuvenate the sick and the dying (and even the technically deceased as long as they have not yet truly died), but will typically kill a healthy user. In addition, it appears to act as a youth restorative sometimes, decreasing the age of a user depending how long they were in the pit. Kobra was somehow able to replicate the chemicals in a Lazarus Pit, and to make pits capable of making those he resurrected into his mindless slaves.

Characteristics
Dimensions: Dimensions unknown Weight: xxx lbs (xxx kg)

Powers
Each Lazarus Pit has the ability to permanently heal the injuries of another, revitalize their youth, and in many cases, resurrect the dead. For maximum efficiency however, a decedent must be placed within the Lazarus pit within a relatively short period of time following their death. Although older bodies may be resurrected, there is no garauntee that they will return in perfect condition. On one occasion, Ra's exhumed the bodies of Thomas and Martha Wayne, threatening to immerse them in the pit, transforming them into undead zombies.

Trivia

 * The Lazarus Pit is likely named for Lazarus, the biblical figure whom Christ resurrected from the dead.


 * The Church of Blood possesses a device that functions similarly to that of a Lazarus Pit. The Teen Titan known as Raven used one of these pits to resurect her former colleage, Jericho.
 * The Lazarus pit was featured in Batman: The Animated Series as Ra's al Ghul's way of keeping himself immortal. It was also in an episode of ''Batman Beyond, where it was revealed that Talia al Ghul was also using it to keep herself alive as well.


 * In the WB/CW television series, Smallville, a chemical called the Lazarus Serum is produced by Lionel Luthor and Metron Labs, using the blood of Clark Kent. This also seems to have the same effect as the Lazarus Pit, as it restores life to human beings. The only difference is that it restores life to those with liver diseases.


 * In the John Byrne Elseworlds limited series, Superman and Batman: Generations, Batman immersed himself in the Lazarus Pit, and in so doing, became the caretaker of the Pit.

Recommended Readings

 * Batman #232
 * Batman: Son of the Demon
 * Batman: Bride of the Demon
 * Batman: Birth of the Demon
 * Batman: Bane of the Demon
 * Birds of Prey #34
 * Birds of Prey #35

Related Articles

 * Batman
 * Birds of Prey
 * Ra's al Ghul
 * Talia al Ghul