Summary
Since the Bat-Family is, after all, led byBatman,he ultimately gets to say who is or isn’t in the family. Batman has pretty strict rules for this, but a look into the future shows the final few characters that he truly considers family, and unfortunately, it seemsRed Hoodisn’t one of them.
In the story “Better Days” by Peter J. Tomasi and Ian Bertram fromDetective Comics#27, theBat-Family has gathered for Bruce’s 75th birthday, and it seems that everyone who Bruce considers close family is there: Tim Drake, Damian Wayne, Dick Grayson, Barbara Gordon, and Alfred Pennyworth. There’s no denying that these are the core Bat-Family members.
While there are several absences, such as Batwoman, Luke Fox, Duke Thomas, and Lucius Fox, those characters have admittedly had fewer core appearances than the family members present in the scene. ButRed Hood being absent from this Bat-Familygathering is shocking to see, as there’s no denying that he was a core member — but it seems like Bruce will never truly accept him.
Batman Officially Beats His Most Powerful Villain (By Sacrificing Red Hood)
Red Hood has made a lot of hard choices in his life, and now, to help Batman defeat his greatest enemy, Red Hood has made the ultimate sacrifice.
Red Hood Will Always Be the Black Sheep of the Bat-Family
Detective Comics#27 story “Better Days” by Peter J. Tomasi, Ian Bertram, Deve Stewart, and Sal Cipriano
Red Hood’s place in the Bat-Family has always been a bit of a revolving door scenario. When Dick Grayson left the role of Robin, Batman decided he needed a new one and encountered and recruited Jason Todd. Despite how DC often portrays Jason’s Robin era now, he wasn’t a brutal, angry Robin by any means.Jason Todd was a joyous and goofy kidwho was once left speechless after meeting Superman. While there were some hiccups here and there, such as Jason possibly killing a serial abuser of woman, overall, he was a good Robin.
Jason Todd debuted in DC’s pre-Crisis continuity inBatman#357 by Gerry Conway, Don Newton, Alfredo Alcala, Adrienne Roy, and Ben Oda. He would later make his first appearance as Robin the Boy Wonder inBatman#366.
Things took a turn for Jason afterthe Joker killed Jason ToddinBatman: ADeath in the Familyby Jim Starlin and Jim Aparo. Jason was dead for several decades after this event, buthe eventually returns as the now-familiar Red Hood after the events ofInfinite Crisis. Instead of this being a miraculous return and a second chance at life, things were a bit darker for Jason. It turned out that not only had Batman allowed the Joker to live, but he also got a new Robin, which seemingly forced Red Hood out of the Bat-Family, and ironically,Batman’s treatment of Red Hood was better when Red Hood was seen as a villain.
2016’sRed Hood and the Outlaws#25 by Scott Lobdell, Dexter Soy, Phil Hester, Trevor Hairsine, Ande Parks, Ryann Winn, Rain Beredo, Veronica Gandini, Madpencil Studio, and Taylor Esposito
Batman’s treatment of Red Hood over the years has been especially brutal. During the events ofBatman:Under the Red Hoodby Judd Winick and Doug Mahnke, Batman’s position was at least somewhat understandable. Jason returned from the dead, immediately began murdering criminals, and tried toforce Batman to break his no-kill ruleby murdering the Joker. Batman taking a stand against Jason is at least somewhat understandable at the start. But bizarrely,Batman’s treatment of Jason would only grow worse over the years. After Jason’s change from villain to anti-hero, Batman only seemed to dislike him more.
After DC rebooted its universe with the New 52, Jason’s character was changed from an outright villain to more of an anti-hero. He even began wearing the Bat-symbol on his chest again. He also began showing up in Batman-centric events, such asBatman:Death of the Familyby Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo. His presence would strongly imply that Jason is in fact part of the family.Yet Batman continues to get into physical altercations with Jason time and time again,to the point that Batman even hits Jason so hard that Jason remarks Bruce has never hit the Joker like that, which is a pretty serious accusation.
Completionist Jason Todd fans will want to check out the New 52’sRed Hood and the Outlawsseries for a take on Red Hood that has him working with non-Gotham characters like Roy Harper and Starfire.
Batman and Robin#20 by Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason, Cliff Richards, Mick Gray, Mark Irwin, John Kalisz, and Carlos M. Mangual
Not only has Batman brutally attacked Jason several times over the course of their relationship, butBruce has also done some truly despicable things to Jason, such as trying to force him to relive his worst trauma. InBatman and Robin#20 by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason, Batman is overcome with grief due to the death of Damian Wayne. In his quest to try and find a way to bring his son back,Batman meets up with Red Hoodunder the pretense of going on a mission together to fight terrorists, but this mission ends up bringing Jason back to the site of his death.
Batman, however, didn’t care what Jason wanted.
One of the worst things Batman ever did to Jason was trying to force Jason to relive the trauma of his death. Batman had been going around the DC Universe investigating characters who had come back to life. He questioned Green Arrow, Superman, and even kidnapped and dissected Frankenstein to try and understand how he worked. Naturally, Jason wasn’t happy about Batman trying to trick him into reliving his death. Batman, however, didn’t care what Jason wanted. After Jason refuses to help Batman with his “research,” the two actually come to physical blows,and Jason is entirely justified in his literal battle with Batman.
Red Hood’s Nickname for Batman Accidentally Exposed Jason Todd’s Most Shocking Secret
In addition to canonically reading Pride & Prejudice, Red Hood further proves he’s a classic literature nerd by giving Batman the perfect nickname.
Batman’s Recent History with Red Hood Is Even More Complicated
FromTask Force ZtoThe Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing, both written by Matthew Rosenberg
During the events ofTask Force Z, Batman allows Red Hood to be captured and arrested by the police, and inThe Joker:The Man Who Stopped Laughing, Batman once again attempts to kick Red Hood out of the family. While Batman did try to warn Jason to escape,Bruce offered absolutely no help after Jason was arrested, which led him to being forced to lead a Suicide Squad knock-off. Batman, under the influence of Zur-En-Arrh, also went on tochange the chemistry of Red Hood’s brainto remove his ability to fight crime during the events of the massive “Gotham War"BatmanandCatwomancrossover.
After everything that has happened, Jason still manages to find it in himself to forgive Batman.
While Batman isn’t fully to blame for manipulating Jason’s mind, as he was under the influence of Zur himself, what came after is still a bit ridiculous. After everything that has happened, Jason still manages to find it in himself to forgive Batman. AsBatman is preparing for the final battle against Failsafe, Jason gives a few touching words about how they will always come together, as they’re family. This leads toBatman allowing Red Hood to once again sacrifice his life— however briefly — for the sake of a flawed duty to family.
Jason Todd Will Never Be Accepted into the Bat-Family
Red Hood Will Always Be an Outsider
Jason has always been the black sheep of the Bat-Family, and it seems that he always will be. Jason’s character has changed a lot over the years. He’s been a hero, villain, and anti-hero, and yet he can’t seem to find approval from Batman. Bruce has continually pushed Jason away, attacked him, and even tried to exploit his trauma for his own benefit. While the story “Better Days” fromDetective Comics#27 was meant to be an uplifting and loving look at the Bat-Family in old age, the only thing it really confirmed is thatBatmanwill never acceptRed Hood.
Detective Comics#27and all other mentioned issues and titles are available now from DC Comics!
Red Hood
Jason Todd is a complex figure known for his tumultuous journey as Batman’s second Robin. Initially impulsive and rebellious, he’s resurrected after a tragic death, becoming the vigilante Red Hood. Armed with intense combat skills and a moral ambiguity, he challenges Batman’s methods, navigating a path between heroism and anti-heroism in Gotham’s unforgiving streets.
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
