Batman Villain’s Name Changed: ‘Lady Death Man’ Quietly Renamed to ‘The Ojo’ Ahead of Issue #5 Release

DC Comics has officially renamed Batman’s newest villain from “Lady Death Man” to “The Ojo,” just days before the character’s debut in Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez’s ongoing Batman run, as reflected on the cover of Batman #5, due for release on January 7, 2026.

In a highly unusual move, DC Comics has made a last-minute alteration to the identity of its latest Batman antagonist. The villain initially listed in previews and solicitations as “Lady Death Man” will now appear in Batman #5 under the name “The Ojo.” This update was confirmed by a notable change to the issue’s cover, which had originally featured the text “Lady Death Man Strikes” but now presents “The Ojo Strikes.”

Key Facts and Timeline: The Ojo Replaces Lady Death Man

• Character Debut: The Ojo (formerly Lady Death Man) will be introduced in Batman #5, releasing January 7, 2026.
• Creative Team: The ongoing Batman run is written by Matt Fraction with art by Jorge Jimenez.
• Name Change: All previously released promotional materials, including the issue #5 cover, originally used “Lady Death Man.” DC has now updated the cover and all branding to “The Ojo.”
• Story Context: The Ojo and the 000 Gang crash Bruce Wayne and Dr. Annika Zeller’s date night in this issue, marking her official first in-story appearance.

The name change was first highlighted by Bleeding Cool and reflects DC’s efforts to secure the right branding for this major new addition to Batman’s rogues’ gallery. As noted in the source, “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 remains unknown whether the character will still reference her former alias in the story or if all traces of “Lady Death Man” will be dropped from the narrative. The shift comes amid a tightly managed promotional window, with Batman #5 scheduled to land in shops and digital platforms on January 7, 2026.

A ‘Sinister Assassin’ With Fresh Branding

Introduced as a “sinister assassin,” The Ojo’s transformation in name appears aimed at avoiding confusion and potential controversy as she enters canon. Quoting from discussions in the original report: “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.”

DC’s adjustment underscores the publisher’s ongoing vigilance in character branding, particularly for key new villains in legacy series like Batman. As stated: “DC wants to ensure this debut villain’s key branding is correct before she debuts in Batman #5 next week.” Any use of her original moniker will likely recede into comic history, preserved only in early solicitation screens or preview materials.

The source adds that “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.” Regardless, early readers and fans who collect variant covers or solicitations referencing “Lady Death Man” may want to preserve those as potential rarities.

Context: Fast-Evolving Batman Run

Batman’s current series by Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez is only four issues in, but has already demonstrated “remarkable storytelling strides,” with the new villain set to become pivotal to the narrative. The Ojo, described as “novel for a sinister assassin character with a terrific design,” is positioned to make a significant impact in both Bruce Wayne’s personal and superhero lives, starting with Batman #5. This also marks a noteworthy editorial flexibility in how DC debuts new characters in flagship titles.

Summary Data Block for Citation:

• Villain Name (Current): The Ojo
• Previous Name: Lady Death Man
• First Appearance: Batman #5 (January 7, 2026)
• Batman Creative Team: Matt Fraction (writer), Jorge Jimenez (artist)
• Story Details: The Ojo and the 000 Gang disrupt Bruce Wayne and Dr. Annika Zeller’s date night
• Original Cover Text: “Lady Death Man Strikes”
• Revised Cover Text: “The Ojo Strikes”

Fans and media analysts can expect further revelations around The Ojo’s role and backstory once Batman #5 ships. For collectors, early materials referencing “Lady Death Man” may offer a brief glimpse into DC’s editorial decision-making before the final canonical version, “The Ojo,” takes centre stage in Batman’s mythos.