Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez’s Batman run has made a curious change that seems like it’ll have a sizable impact. As noted by Bleeding Cool, the run’s brand-new villain, who was once named Lady Death Man, has evidently had a name change prior to issue #5: the Ojo.
Releasing on January 7, 2026, the antagonist previously known as Lady Death Man will simultaneously debut as a new Batman villain while she and the 000 Gang also ruin Bruce Wayne and Dr. Annika Zeller’s date night in issue #5. But in an unprecedented alteration, ‘Lady Death Man’ may no longer be going by that name.
Batman’s Newest ‘Sinister Assassin’ Villain is a Woman of Many Names
While Batman #5’s cover originally read “Lady Death Man Strikes,” it now reads, “The Ojo Strikes.” It’s presently unknown if the character’s name has been changed to the Ojo exclusively, or if she perhaps goes by either name, but the lettering alteration is intriguing nonetheless.
For instance, the cover’s name swap suggests that ‘the Ojo’ is what she’s meant to be addressed as exclusively, despite her being referred to as Lady Death Man multiple times in the past. It’s seemingly a small change overall, and yet it’s likely that DC wants to ensure this debut villain’s key branding is correct before she debuts in Batman #5 next week.
Batman’s New Run is Still in Its Infancy
Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez’s Batman run is only four issues old at the time of this writing, and it’s already made remarkable storytelling strides. The Ojo, for example, has an opportunity now to be quite novel for a “sinister assassin” character with a terrific design, and her role in the run’s overall mythos will hopefully be equally compelling.
For now, DC subtly changing her name may have been done in an effort to not cause confusion or stir needless controversy after the issue has been released.
The name ‘Lady Death Man’ may soon be lost to previous solicitation previews or cover images that were captured when they still bore that name before the change. After Batman #5 debuts the Ojo, it may well become clear why the name was changed, or it could simply be a last-minute editorial change that DC and the team behind the run believed better-suited the character.
- Created By
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Bob Kane, Bill Finger
- Alias
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Bruce Wayne
- Alliance
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Justice League, Outsiders, Batman Family
- Race
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Human
- Franchise
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D.C.
