SY631

2016

DC

Ra's al Ghul, whose name translates to "Head of the Demon" in Arabic, is a prominent DC Comics villain and adversary of Batman. He first appeared in *Batman* #232 (June 1971).

Ra's is centuries old, his longevity sustained by repeated immersion in the Lazarus Pit, a mystical pool that grants extended life and healing but also induces temporary madness. This reliance on the Lazarus Pit, while granting him immortality, has also contributed to his increasingly unstable and ruthless nature.

Driven by a belief that humanity is inherently corrupt and destructive, Ra's al Ghul aims to cleanse the Earth through ecological disaster and rebuild society in his own image. He often sees Batman as a worthy successor and attempts to recruit him to his cause, viewing their combined skills and intellect as the key to saving the planet, albeit through extreme methods.