Ra's al Ghul

RA'S AL GHUL

Real Name: Unrevealed

Class: Human

Occupation: Businessman, cult leader, eco-terrorist

Group Affiliation: None

Known Relatives: Melisande (second wife, deceased), Sensei (father), Sora (first wife, deceased), Dusan al Ghul (White Ghost, son, deceased), Talia al Ghul (daughter), Nyssa Raatko (daughter), Damian Wayne (Robin, grandson)

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Mobile

First Appearance: Batman I #232 (June, 1971)

Powers: Ra's possessed immense intellect and centuries of experience in strategy and warfare, as well as armed and unarmed combat. He had international influence, immense wealth, and the League of Assassins at his disposal. He used the Lazarus Pit to restore himself to his prime when he was injured or aging, and the process temporarily made him insane.

History: Ra's al Ghul, the Demon's Head, was born over 600 years ago, and discovered the restorative properties of the Lazarus Pit that extended his life. He spent centuries amassing wealth and forming an international cabal. Concerned with the health of the planet because he intended to live forever, he became an eco-terrorist.

(Batgirl I #67 (fb), 72 (fb)) - When Ra’s al Ghul became distrustful of most of his mercenaries he was willing to listen to David Cain’s ideas on raising a child to be a loyal assassin. Ra’s provided him with test subjects, who went mad within months of training and all ended up dead at each other’s hands except for one young boy nicknamed Mad Dog who Ra’s decided to have an Ubu put down. The child burst into tears when the Ubu was about to execute him, and the Ubu, feeling compassion for him, released him into the wild. Cain then narrowed his plan to raise but one living weapon and had a few failures before his daughter Cassandra Cain was born.

(Batman I #334, 335) - Ra’s al Ghul bankrolled corrupt businessman Gregorian Falstaff, sending him to Gotham City to destroy Wayne Enterprises. Falstaff died after having failed to destroy Bruce, but managed to severely undermine the Wayne Foundation by taking control of the business’s oil interests. Batman and Talia started a relationship, and she agreed to help him find out who Falstaff’s mysterious benefactor was. Ra’s had Batman kidnapped by his underling Captain Torrent and taken to Infinity Island. Ra’s sometimes kept prisoners on the island, controlling them with large spheres called Retrievers that patrolled the island. Ra’s spoke to Batman over a loudspeaker, showing him a viewescreen that depicted the aboveground people that lived a peaceful opulent lifestyle, while below slaved endlessly worked the mines being overseen by mutates with whips. He said Batman could choose where he wanted to end up, but would only have peace if he agreed to serve him. Catwoman, Robin and King Faraday were doing their own investigation to find Falstaff’s master, and were captured and made to work the mines. They fought off the mutates and made their way to find Talia al Ghul. She promised she was never Batman’s enemy and had come to Infinity Island to save him, but her youth was fading and she was aging for every minute she lived. She reunited with the mastermind, her father Ra’s al Ghul, who restored her youth. He offered Batman eternal youth if he served him, but warned that if he rejected his offer Batman and his friends were all as good as dead. Batman said he agreed to serve Ra’s, and Ra’s sent his companions back to the mines. Ra’s said Talia was ready to betray him for Batman, and batman would be responsible for her punishment. Ra’s assistant Saltzer told Ra’s he was being played, and Ra’s was well aware that Batman was lying, knowing the caped Crusader could never truly serve him just as Ra’s could never join him, but he respected his enemy and was interested in what plan he had to defeat him. Ra’s showed Batman the Lazarus Pit he’d discovered centuries ago, and after learning to harness its power it granted him immortality. The Lazarus Pit only worked on Ra’s, and would destroy anyone else that tried to bathe in its fiery waters. Ra’s first decided to go after Bruce Wayne when he learned Wayne Enterprises had acquired Infinity Island as part of its’ holdings, and cursed Falstaff for having failed him. During his research on Wayne enterprises he’d first learned that Batman was Bruce Wayne. Ra’s dipped his hand in the Lazarus Pit and extended it to Batman, offering him immortality. Batman rejected him, and Ra’s ordered his mutates to beat Batman. Faraday, Robin and Catwoman escaped the mines again, and Talia came to their aid, leading them to Ra’s lab where he had Batman in a containment unit, intending to transform him into a mutate. They saved Batman and subdued Ra’s. Ra’s said he always wanted Talia and Batman to fall in love, but never anticipated her being more loyal to him than her own father. Saltzer burst in and shot Talia, and Ra’s reacted by snapping Saltzer’s neck. Ra’s immersed her in the Lazarus Pit, hoping a brief exposure would heal her instead of destroying her, and his gambit paid off. Ra’s still blamed Batman for turning his daughter against him, and demanded a duel. Batman accepted, telling Faraday, Catwoman and Robin to leave because he had to handle the situation himself. Ra’s tried to push Batman into the Lazarus Pit, bemoaning that after he killed his nemesis it would take decades to find another worthy opponent. Batman overpowered him and Ra’s fell into the pit. He emerged burning up and having been driven mad by his bath in the pit, completely focused on killing Batman. Batman forced him back into the pit, causing an explosive reaction that set off volcanic activity that destroyed the island. Batman and company survived by flying off the island on a helicopter.

(JLA #43-46) - Ra's al Ghul tended to his Himalayan retreat where endangered species were preserved, and formed his next plan to thin the human population. He had Talia steal Batman's secret files, files he had hidden from even his own JLA teammates, which detailed ways to neutralize every member of the JLA if they ever went rogue, and began using those plans against the JLA. He distracted Batman by stealing the bodies of Batman's parents from their grave. After a number of attacks that took out JLAers the remaining team members retreated to the Watchtower. The JLA had to return to Earth, because Ra's had activated the Tower of Babel, a device that scrambled the language center of every human mind on the planet, and the result was worldwide chaos. The JLA located Ra's stronghold thanks to Batman, who d recovered the bodies of his parents and refused Ra's offer to resurrect them if he stopped being a thorn in Ra's side. Superman destroyed the Tower, but Ra's had already accomplished one of his goals. While the Tower was in use Turkey and its neighbor Rhapastan went to war, and Ra's agents in Rhapastan were ready to unleash biochemical weapons on Turkey. Talia rebelled because she didn't like Ra's making her an active part of his assassination attempt on the JLA, and she warned the JLA about the bio-weapons location, although one of the League of Assassins discovered her treachery and shot her. Talia survived and fled, and Ra's killed the man that wounded her. The JLA stopped Ra's agents and confiscated the biochemical weaponry, but Ra's escaped capture.

(Batman: Gotham Knights #21) - When Ra's learned that Bruce Wayne was officially adopting his ward Dick Grayson he came up with a plan to show Bruce that he could cause strife in his relationship with his ward, just like he felt Bruce caused a rift between him and Talia. He convinced a Romany named Yoska Graesinka that he was Dick Graysons long lost grandfather and sent him to block Bruce's bid for adoption. Ra's then sent one of his Ubus to shoot at and miss Yoska. Bruce figured out that Yoska wasn't really related to Dick, but Ra's was still pleased with himself, he felt he'd sent the intended message.

(Batman I #670, Robin II #168, Nightwing II #138, Detective Comics I #838) - Ra’s returned to life by possessing the body of his chauffer Sam Tang. Tang had promised himself to Ra’s, but ended up betraying him by poisoning himself with radiation. Ra’s new body was falling apart, so he knew he needed a more permanent solution to remaining alive. He met with Talia, who’d been seeking the shifting city of Nanda Parbat, which held the secret of life unceasing. She made it clear that while he was dead she’d become the ruler of the League of Assassins, but admitted Sensei had taken some of the League and formed a rival splinter group. Ra’s said he wanted to hold his daughter again, and they hugged. Damian asked what was going on and Ra’s was shocked to see his grandson dressed up as Robin. He grew furious, but Talia said he didn’t understand how complicated things had gotten. Ra’s said he could easily possess his own flesh and blood and told Damian to submit to him. Damian refused to let his grandfather possess him, and Ra’s roared that he demanded absolute obedience, wondering where Damian’s defiance came from. Talia told Damian to run, and Ra’s ordered the League of Assassins to pursue him. The League immediately stopped listening to Talia to follow Ra’s again. Damian fled to Gotham City, and Ra’s sent a cadre of assassins after him, saying he hadn’t dragged his spirit through frozen nothingness to be foiled by a spoiled child. He bound Talia’s wrists and escorted her back to his stronghold with the League. He reminded her Damian’s whole purpose was to be a suitable shell for his lifeforce, and he thought of several horrifying ways to punish and execute Talia. Talia reminded him that Damian was her son, and she only did what any mother would. She told her father he’d completely lost touch with his humanity. Batman rescued Talia from Ra’s stronghold, and she told him Ra’s might already be on his way to Nanda Parbat. He was ready to pursue the demon, but Talia warned him Damian’s life was in danger and pleaded with him to return to Gotham City. Batman said he could simply alert Nightwing to protect Damian and Talia was furious, telling Batman it was easier for him to pursue a vendetta against an enemy than to take care of his own son. Ra’s realized his body was crumbling faster, and he had to get to Nanda Parbat to prepare for Damian’s deliverance. His League ninjas stormed Wayne Manor, and although Nightwing, Robin and Damian put up a valiant fight the ninjas made off with Robin and Damian. The League brought them to Ra’s stronghold, but when they entered Ra’s throneroom the heroes revealed they’d been feigning unconsciousness and attacked their captors. Damian found a corridor and slammed the door behind him, saying it was foolish of Robin to help him since he considered ?Robin an enemy. Ra’s told Robin not to think of him as an enemy, and said he was in need of a strong mentor. Robin responded that he had Batman, but Ra’s said Batman’s resources were limited and he was only trying to save one city. Ra’s reach was worldwide, his resources were limitless, and since he’d learned to conquer death he could bring back Robin’s servants if only the boy would work with him. Robin turned him down, as Ra’s was fairly certain he was going to, and knocked Robin out with a karate chop to the neck. Batman and Talia approached Ra’s stronghold, and Tali had loaned Batman a suit of armor that she called a family heirloom. League ninjas, but I-Ching showed up and helped them fend them off, saying karma had revealed to him that he had a larger role to play in upcoming events. They snuck into Ra’s stronghold where Ra’s challenged Batman to a sword duel. He remarked that the Darknight Detective had gotten faster since their last battle, and Batman disarmed him. Ra’s showed that his League had Robin and Damian at his mercy. He warned Batman that ?Sensei was the real villain, not him, and Batman would need his help to defeat Sensei. He told Batman to choose weather Damian or Robin would be the one for him to possess.

(Batman I #671) - Batman refused to choose between Damian and Robin, and told Ra’s there was another way for him to restore himself. He offered to take Ra’s to Nanda Parbat and the Fountain of Life, and Ra’s accepted. Ra’s was surprised that Batman knew where to find Parbat, and Batman said he’d recently traveled there to undergo Thogal, a Buddhist rite of purification. Sensei had already come to Parbat and set it on fire. Ra’s asked Batman if he ever saw someone that hated their enemy as much as Sensei hated Ra’s. Batman battled the Men of Death, and was surprised with how easily he overcame them. The monks of Parbat said Rama Kusha had strengthened his hand and weakened theirs. Batman and Ra’s made their way to the fountain of Life, which Ra’s had always believed was the prototype of the Lazarus Pits that had kept him alive over the centuries. Sensei was infuriated to see Ra’s yet lived, and asked what he needed to do to get rid of his wayward son. Ra’s asked him why he stood in his way, and Sensei responded that under Ra’s and Talia’s rule the League of Assassins had lost their way and their honor, and he needed to restore both to them.. Sensei rammed his staff into Ra’s chest , saying that if he just died Sensei might spare the Fountain. Batman and Sensei engaged in battle, with Sensei breaking Batman’s arm. Sensei was clearly the more skilled fighter, bragging that Batman had trained in combat for decades while he’d trained for centuries. Sensei threw his staff, driving it through Batman’s stomach. Batman knew he was outmatched, but because of his advanced age Sensei had limited stamina, and Batman kept the fight going long enough to get the advantage. They fell into the Fountain of Life and Sensei found himself burning, unable to stand the purity of the Fountain.

(Robin II #169, Nightwing II #139, Detective Comics I #839) - Ra’s transferred his consciousness to one of the Nanda Parbat monks, but found that his presence immediately caused the monk’s body to start decaying. He told the Men of Death that with Sensei dead it would be sensible for them to align themselves with him. Batman approached them, and Merlyn, deciding he wanted to go down in history as the man who killed Batman, shot an arrow at him. Batman dodged it and floored Merlyn with one punch. Ra’s warned the Men of Death that if any of them tried to attack Batman they’d have to go through him first. Ra’s knew Batman had emerged from the Fountain of Life, and said that in a sense they’d both been reborn. He offered Batman his hand in friendship, saying they could accomplish great things together. He warned that this was the last time he would ever offer his friendship, and Batman grasped his hand and crushed it. Ra’s contacted White Ghost, telling him to send backup to Nanda Parbat, and enough explosives to blow up the hidden city if need be. Damian disguised himself as a League ninja to join White Ghost, who easily saw through his disguise Alfred flew Talia, Robin and Nightwing to Nanda Parbat, where all Hell had broken loose. Ra’s had hold of Damien, ready to possess his body while Batman and the monks of Parbat fought furiously with the League of Assassins. The new arrivals turned the tide of battle and Batman pulled Damian away from Ra’s, telling his son to grab a sword and fight. Talia was furious, accusing Batman of being willing to send his own son to his death, and Batman replied that he expected the same out of Damian as he did his other children. White Ghost offered himself up to Ra’s, asking him to take over his body. Ra’s was touched that the son he always despised always gave the most, and took control of his form, effectively killing his son. Ra’s told Batman and company that his son’s sacrifice would not be in vain, and because he believed in an eye for an eye he would kill Robin and Damian. Talia knocked out Damian and fled with him, telling Batman he was surely going to die in his final stand against Ra’s, and she was protecting the legacy of the man she once loved. Batman clashed furiously with Ra’s while Robin and Nightwing fought the Men of Death, keeping them from interfering. A blast of mystic energy separated Ra’s and Batman, and the monks of Parbat said they’d prayed to Rama Kushna and showed her the devastation Ra’s had wrought. Kushna decreed that Nanda Parbat was forever closed to Ra’s, and that if he refused to leave he would face death everlasting. Ra’s didn’t want his fight to be over, but when the ground started opening up beneath him he was forced to flee with his League of Assassins.

(Nightwing II #145) - Ra's used a pen to stab himself in several of his arteries. Arkham physicians gave him a transfusion, but his actions allowed most of the sedatives to pass from his system. Ra's, no longer in a fog, murdered the physicians and orderlies and left Arkham.

(Nightwing II #152) - Ra's sent the League to the Batcave to kidnap Nightwing, but he handily dispatched the ninjas. Ra's then called Nightwing, letting him know that he only wanted to talk, and he was true to his word. When Nightwing met him in the Thar Desert he showed him his underground lair and Lazarus Pit, and Nightwing cursed him for tempting Robin with it. Ra's didn't care about his judgment, because staying alive was all that mattered to him, and he got to the point of their meeting, confirmation that Batman was dead. By the look in Nightwing's eye Ra's knew Batman was gone, and thought it a shame he wasn't the one to dispatch him. Ra's envisioned what it would have been like, and claimed he would have publicly honored Batman, and that he should never have died in obscurity, with Gotham still believing him alive. He would have celebrated the life of the one adversary worthy of his killing. They argued, and it escalated to a swordfight in the desert. Nightwing gained the advantage, and told Ra's the real reason he was upset was that in his heart he knew Batman would always beat him. Ra's offered him his sword, the same one he'd used in a duel with Batman years ago in Thar, but Nightwing declined. When Nightwing returned to the Batcave he found the sword waiting for him.

(Azrael: Death s Dark Knight #3) - Ra s al Ghul had his White Ghost follow the Order f Purity s Azrael's every move, and decided to let him keep the Suit of Sorrows. He wanted to see if he could overcome the Suit s madness and become an ultimate weapon. Ra s held control over the Order, and wanted Azrael to serve him if he proved worthy.

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Ra's al Ghul received profiles in Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #19 and Who s Who In The DC Universe #13.

Ra's had a cameo in Batgirl I #65, Batman I #683, Nightwing II #140.