Zauriel

Zauriel is a fictional character in the DC Universe. Originally a guardian angel who served Heaven for millions of years, he willingly falls to Earth and becomes a superhero, joining the Justice League. He first appeared in JLA #6. In his first appearance, he saved Aquaman's life, over time forming a close friendship with him, and helped the Justice League thwart and dispel the forces of the renegade angel Asmodel.

Grant Morrison created Zauriel during his tenure as writer of JLA but was forbidden from using his originally intended name of Hawkman. At the time, Hawkman had been declared off-limits by DC editors due to the character's convoluted continuity, complicated by retcons from the Hawkworld limited series, which DC tried to negate during the Zero Hour series. Morrison does allude to a Hawkman-connection by having Aquaman mistake Zauriel as "Katar" when the two characters first meet in the middle of a frantic battle.

Fictional character biography

Zauriel was an angel of the Eagle Host, one of the four hosts of Heaven the others being: Human, Bull and Lion. Since the dawn of creation, Zauriel served The Presence (God) as a guardian angel, protecting the souls of countless women, including Cleopatra, Mona Lisa, and Joan of Arc. He later falls in love with one of his assignments, a woman with a boyfriend from San Francisco. At about the same time, Zauriel accidentally learns of the secret plans of Asmodel, King-Angel of the Bull Host and one of the generals of Heaven's armies, and a legion of Bull angels attempting to succeed where Lucifer failed by overthrowing The Presence.