Twelve Unanswered Questions From Lazarus Planet: Alpha

“The Lazarus Volcano… what… what’s the aftermath…?”

That’s the breathy query a badly injured Batman asks to kick off 2023’s Lazarus Planet occasion. In Batman vs. Robin, the most recent DC Universe massive baddie, the Satan Nezha, used the magic siphoning superhero Black Alice to channel each nice supply of magical energy within the DCU into the Helm of Destiny. However a combat with Batman and Robin noticed the helm break into items over a Lazarus Pit, inflicting an unlimited Lazarus Volcano to emerge which erupted magic storms throughout the globe.

What occurs subsequent is anyone’s guess, however we’re already seeing some main penalties in our first installment of that aftermath this week, Lazarus Planet: Alpha. Man-made expertise doesn’t work the way in which it ought to, inflicting science-based heroes to fail. The remaining heroes with magical aptitude discover their very own skills warping in unpredictable methods. And everywhere in the world, the undead, the inanimate, and the gods themselves are rising up. All might be answered in due time, however we’ve bought just a few questions of our personal proper off the bat.

(Additionally, take into account this your spoiler warning. From right here on out, we’ll be spoiling issues from the comedian, so ensure you’ve learn it!)

How did dumping an enormous reservoir of magic right into a Lazarus Pit trigger all this?

We are able to hazard a secure guess. Traditionally, we’ve discovered that Lazarus Pits can solely be shaped on the intersections of ley strains, veins of magical power which run throughout the Earth. Maybe overloading such a locus with magical energies is like overloading an influence socket. However we will solely think about we’ll be taught extra concerning the particulars of how Lazarus magic works within the weeks and months forward.

Why doesn’t alien expertise appear as prone to the Lazarus Storms?

Once more, this will likely have one thing to do with the truth that the Lazarus Pits are particularly anchored on the magic which runs by the Earth itself. In any case, that is Lazarus Planet, not Lazarus Universe. However what does that say about how the pressure of magic works on a cosmic scale? We’d ask the Trenchcoat Brigade, however by no means anticipate a straight reply from Phantom Stranger.

Why is Nezha avoiding Superman and Supergirl?

Regardless of having a grudge to bear with the final cousins of Krypton from their earlier run-in in Batman/Superman: World’s Most interesting, Nezha has been going out of his approach to forestall a rematch. It’s instructed that Nezha continues to be recovering his power, however we’re not so positive…might the Lazarus Impact have one thing particular in retailer for our Kryptonians?

Energy Lady isn’t from this Earth… how will the Lazarus Storms have an effect on her?

As one of many cowl stars of Lazarus Planet: Alpha, Energy Lady stands out from our major forged for one main purpose: she’s not from right here. We’ve seen that alien expertise affords some resistance to the storms of Lazarus Planet. What impact will they’ve on somebody from a very completely different actuality altogether?

How does Black Alice put the genie again within the bottle?

This all began with Black Alice’s distinctive means to channel the powers of any magic person on Earth. However so far as we all know, these skills don’t work in reverse. And but, it looks as if Black Alice is being positioned as the important thing to setting magic proper once more. What’s it about Black Alice’s singular powers we don’t but know, and the way will we see that develop?

Are Damian, Black Alice and Monkey Prince the subsequent Justice League Darkish? Are they…Teen Titans Darkish?

Having already gotten the prospect to bond with Damian over within the ongoing Monkey Prince sequence, Marcus Solar will get to know Black Alice throughout a uncommon quiet second on this problem to fix fences between the three younger heroes concerned on this newest world-threatening escapade. Are we seeing the beginnings of a brand new crew for a brand new age of magic?

We hear Jaime’s scarab say “thank god.” What sort of god does the scarab have?

Actually makes you suppose. Some sort of actually massive area bug? Has anybody checked on Girl Styx? Possibly that is extra of a query for Blue Beetle: Commencement Day. (Or it’s simply Jaime giving a unfastened translation.)

Poison Ivy…and Ra’s al Ghul? Whaaaaat?!?

I’m sorry, we simply came upon that Ra’s al Ghul and Poison Ivy have a shared historical past and that is all I can take into consideration proper now. It makes an excessive amount of sense for us to not have explored it earlier than. Possibly we’re seeing a teaser for a future World’s Most interesting arc? Please, Mark Waid, assist us out right here.

How are the Lazarus Storms affecting the Inexperienced?

The explanation Ivy’s on this problem within the first place is that she and Swamp Factor have develop into dreadfully conscious that the Lazarus Storms are in some way messing with the Inexperienced, the subplanar subject which connects all flowers. It actually explains Ivy’s new look, however what’s actually occurring deep down within the Parliament of Timber?

What concerning the different 5 Immortal Powers?

In Monkey Prince, we’ve seen King Fireplace Bull, Nezha’s son and best enemy, making an attempt to assemble the Eight Immortal Powers from eight chosen heroes within the DC Universe. He’s gotten the ability of Worry from Batman, the ability of Voice from Aquaman, and seeks the ability of Invulnerability from Superman. Is King Fireplace Bull’s function on this occasion to acquire the opposite 5? And if that’s the case, who has them, and what are they?

What occurred to Nezha’s Pink Armillary Sash?

In Lazarus Planet: Alpha’s backup story we get somewhat extra background on Nezha’s historical past. In his youth, Nezha and Monkey Prince’s father, the Monkey King, have been as soon as uneasy allies. A present from heaven, the Pink Armillary Sash, is what allowed Nezha to maintain his demonic interior self in examine. The truth that Nezha doesn’t have it anymore appears, nicely, vital. What occurred to it? And will it’s the important thing to Nezha’s redemption?

Uhhhhhhhh, is Batman okay?

I imply, who can say whether or not Batman is ever okay? However after absorbing Nezha’s magic, he’s trying…notably gnarly. Are we about to go down the Occasion Highway of one more evil Batman? And who might presumably cease him? Nicely, we keep in mind how Loss of life Steel went. Possibly Marvel Lady’s not busy. Oh, she is? Nicely…let’s pray to no matter gods Jaime’s scarab has that another person can pull us out of the hearth this time. Possibly Teen Titans Darkish.
 

Alex Jaffe is the creator of our month-to-month “Ask…the Query” column and writes about TV, films, comics and superhero historical past for DC.com. Observe him on Twitter at @AlexJaffe and discover him within the DC Neighborhood as HubCityQuestion.

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed on this column are solely these of Alex Jaffe and don’t essentially replicate these of DC Leisure or Warner Bros.