Batman: The Lazarus Syndrome is a 1989 BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...

 broadcast, produced to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the popular comic book character Batman

Batman

Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...

. The story was originally written by Simon Bullivant and Dirk Maggs. It contains references to such Batman stories as Batman: The Killing Joke

Batman: The Killing Joke

Batman: The Killing Joke is an influential one-shot superhero graphic novel written by Alan Moore and drawn by Brian Bolland. First published by DC Comics in 1988, it has remained in print since then, and has also been reprinted as part of the trade paperback DC Universe: The Stories of Alan...

, Batman: A Death in the Family

Batman: A Death in the Family

"A Death in the Family" is a Batman comic book story arc first published in the late 1980s which gave fans the ability to influence the story through voting with a 900 number. "A Death in the Family" ran in Batman #426-429, published in 1988-1989...

, Batman: Year Three

Batman: Year Three

"Year Three" is a comic book storyline published in the United States by DC Comics, which explores Batman's third year as a crimefighter. It was written by Marv Wolfman and pencilled by Pat Broderick and originally appeared in Batman #436-439 , which were published semi-monthly and featured covers...

, and Batman: Son of the Demon

Batman: Son of the Demon

Batman: Son of the Demon is a graphic novel by Mike W. Barr and Jerry Bingham, published in 1987 by DC Comics. It was released in both hardcover and softcover formats....

.

Story

On the anniversary of his parents murder Batman is set upon by his old enemy Ra’s al Ghul. 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 a meeting with The Joker and Catwoman. While in Wayne Manor Bruce Wayne informs Alfred and Nightwing that he is hanging up the cape and cowl forever. But at the same time in some unknown location the true Batman awakens and must regain his strength and awareness before this impostor uses Wayne Enterprises to bring ruin to the world.

Cast

• Bob Sessions ... Batman / Bruce Wayne
• Michael Gough
  Michael Gough
  Michael Gough was an English character actor who appeared in over 150 films. He is perhaps best known to international audiences for his roles in the Hammer Horror films from 1958, and for his recurring role as Alfred Pennyworth in all four movies of the Burton/Schumacher Batman franchise,...
  
   ... Alfred Pennyworth
• Paul Maxwell
  Paul Maxwell
  Paul Maxwell was a Canadian actor who worked mostly in British television and films, in which he was usually cast as an American...
  
   ... Commissioner James Gordon
• Garrick Hagon
  Garrick Hagon
  Garrick Hagon is a film, stage, television and radio actor best known for his role as Biggs Darklighter in Star Wars: A New Hope. His many films include Batman, Spy Game, Me and Orson Welles and The Message...
  
   ... Ra’s al Ghul, Thomas Wayne
• Kerry Shale
  Kerry Shale
  Kerry Shale is a UK-based actor, writer and voice-over artist. He is married to Suzanne Shale, a former Oxford University law don, now a specialist in the field of medical ethics.-Theatre:...
  
   ... The Joker, Det. Harvey Bullock, Batcave Computer
• Shelley Thompson
  Shelley Thompson
  Shelley Thompson is a Canadian actress best known for her character Barbara Lahey on the hit Canadian mockumentary program Trailer Park Boys....
  
   ... Barbara Gordon, Talia, Young Bruce Wayne
• Lorelei King
  Lorelei King
  Lorelei King is a United States-born actress who has been based in the United Kingdom since 1981. She has narrated audiobooks, acted in radio plays for BBC Radio 4 and appeared on television.- Early life :...
  
   ... Catwoman / Selina Kyle, Martha Wayne
• Alan Marriott
  Alan Marriott
  Alan Marriott is an English footballer, currently playing for Mansfield Town-Early career:Marriott began his career at Tottenham Hotspur, signing a professional contract in the summer of 1997 following the completion of his two-year youth training scheme.Released by Spurs at the completion of the...
  
  ... Nightwing / Dick Grayson, Robin / Jason Todd