Batman: The Lazarus Syndrome

1st Broadcast 1989 BBC Radio 4

Producer

Dirk Maggs

Written

Dirk Maggs

Simon Bullivant

Director

Dirk Maggs

Produced for

BBC Radio Light Entertainment BBC Radio 4

Synopsis

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.

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.