WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for FROM THE DC VAULT: DEATH IN THE FAMILY - ROBIN LIVES #3!DC rewritesA Death in the Familylore, revealing that Jason Todd’s brutal death at the hands of theJokerin 1988 may have been the best possible outcome for the secondRobin, as far worse fates lurk beyond death. Yet, the true extent of Jason’s new, darker fate has yet to completely unfold, giving fans much to speculate about.
The preview for J.M. DeMatteis, Rick Leonardi, and Rico Renzi’s From theDC Vault: Death in the Family - Robin Lives#3opens with a literal bang. On the first page, the Clown Prince of Crime lies slumped on the floor, a bullet wound square in his forehead and his eyes lifeless. The next page shows Jason Todd, still in his Robin uniform, holding a gun, his expression one of disbelief as he struggles to process his actions. Batman, equally shocked, asks,“Jason, what have you done?”This scene leaves no doubt—Jason Todd is the one responsible for killing the Joker.
Jason Todd’s Robin Kills the Joker InFrom theDC Vault: Death in the Family - Robin Lives#3
“It Was a Turning Point. The Moment When Jason Todd Was Truly Born and Robin Was Buried Forever.”- Jason’s Therapist inRobin Lives#3
Despite the excitement among Jason Todd fans overthe Joker’s death, they may want to hold off on their applause. According to the narration by Jason’s therapist, the Boy Wonder’s fate is anything but a happy ending. Narrating from a future perspective, the therapist provides a sobering view of the aftermath of Robin’s actions. She quotes Jason’s own troubling recollection, wherehe reveals that he can’t even remember how he got to the point of killing the Joker.Jason describes the experience as if he were in a disorienting“fugue state,”underscoring the depth of his turmoil and fraying mental state.
Jason then admits that killing the Joker“broke”him, yet he describes this break as“the best thing that ever happened to [him].”While Jason speaks positively about his experience, his words raise significant red flags regarding his mental state, suggesting an unsettling level of instability. The concern is echoed by his therapist, who narrates, “‘The best thing?’ Debatable. But it was a turning point.The moment when Jason Todd was truly born and Robin was buried forever.”This preview sets an ominous tone, hinting at a potentially even more tragic outcome for Jason than what was seen in the originalA Death in the Family(1988) storyline.
Robin Lives#3 Teases the Consequences of Robin Killing Joker (Hint: There’s A Lot)
Robin LivesIs Gearing Up to Be a Brutal Repeat ofBatman#424 (1988)
The confirmation that Jason has killed the Joker raises a host of questions, particularly about what drove him to pull the trigger, especially since the Boy Wonder himself doesn’t seem to remember how things reached that point. Fortunately, issue #3 appears to focus on unraveling this mystery. Jason’s therapist narrates that to understand this pivotal moment in Jason’s life, it is essential to first examine the days leading up to the incident. Thus,it seems that issue #3 began with Joker’s death and will now delve into the key events that led up to it.
Another major question arising from this reveal is what the consequences of Robin killing the Joker will be. The most intriguing consequences to speculate about are how this act will affect Jason and Bruce’s relationship and who Jason will become as a person, especially since the therapist indicates that Robin was“buried”that day. Considering Bruce’s reaction whenhe thought Robin had killed Felipe Garzonas—a rapist who fell to his death inBatman#424 (1988)—it’s likely that a significant emotional divide will form between them, with Bruce potentially taking the Robin mantle awayfrom Jason.
Taking the Robin mantle away from him could potentially lead Jason to strike out on his own and pursue a vigilante life independent of Batman, much like Dick Grayson did whenBruce similarly took the Robin mantle away from him. However, given Jason’s trauma and fragile mental state, it is unlikely he will thrive as Dick did. Instead,Jason may face a grim fate, either getting himself killed or adopting a persona that leans more toward villain or anti-hero rather than traditional hero.Therefore, the twist in Robin Lives could be that Jason Todd was always destined to die and/or become the Red Hood.
Robin LivesProves That Jason Todd’s Robin Was Always Destined to Die
Jason Todd Surviving the Joker in theA Death in the Family storyline Is a Far Greater Tragedy Than Him Dying
In a way, when Jason’s therapist says,“Robin was buried forever,”it effectively confirms that Jason Todd’s Robin dies. Although this is likely meant metaphorically, it is particularly significant because it represents Robin’s death in an entirely new way. In ADeath in the Family(1988), Robin died a hero, attempting to save his mother despite her betrayal. However, inRobin Lives(2024), it’s implied that Robin’s death occurs when Jason kills the Joker. In that moment,Jason becomes something Robin is not—a murderer—making it impossible for the two identities to coexist, and thus leading to the death of Jason Todd’s Robin.
‘Robin Lives’ demonstrates that one’s death can occur through the act of murdering another.
The metaphorical death of Robin overshadows the literal one, emphasizing the profound tragedy of Jason’s continued existence while grappling with the repercussions of his choice to kill the Joker. This symbolic death is especially poignant because it signals the potential dissolution of the Batman and Robin partnership. In addition to potentially losing his relationship with Bruce, Jason may also face the severe loss of being stripped of the mantle that once gave him a sense of“magic.”Most heartbreakingly,he will be left to endure trauma that no child should ever have to face.
Jason Todd Just Proved Why Batman’s ‘No Kill’ Rule Is For the Best
Panels Come From Judd Winick’sBatman: Under the Red Hood
Judd Winick’sBatman: Under the Red Hoodmarked the return of Jason Todd as a rising crime lord with a vendetta against Batman and a mission to rid Gotham of its worst criminals. This storyline was one of the first to put Bruce’s ‘No Kill’ rule under intense scrutiny, presenting a case that fans could rally behind when it came to justifying killings. However,Robin Livessuggests there may be more to Batman’s ‘No Kill’ rule than merely maintaining the GCPD’s favor and showing mercy. The rule might also serve to protectBatmanand hisRobinsfrom losing themselves, asRobin Livesdemonstrates that one’s death can occur through the act of murdering another.
From the DC Vault: Death in the Family - Robin Lives #3is available now from DC Comics.
