Panel Biter Podcasts

Monday, November 28, 2016

Hood Facts

Let's see how much of a Jason Todd Fan you really are! Here are One Dozen Red Hood Facts!
1. Jason Todd was the second kid to be Robin The Boy Wonder. He was created for the role because editor Len Wein and writer Gerry Conway wanted to tell more Batman & Robin stories, but Dick Grayson had become Nightwing and was more associated with The Teen Titans than with Batman in the 1980's. When he was created, Jason was basically a copy of Dick Grayson as he too was a circus kid. In 1985 after "Crisis on Infinite Earths" Jason's backstory was rebooted and he was made into a street punk who Batman took under his wing.

2. Jason Todd was so disliked by the fanbase, DC Comics used a special Batman event called "Death in The Family" to start a poll deciding if Jason Todd would die by The Joker's hand or survive. By a slim margin, Jason was sentenced to death. Rumors circulate that this voting was rigged and that a script detailing the scenario where Jason survives is hidden within DC Comic's archives.

3. The modern origin behind Jason Todd coming back to life is that Ra's al Ghul had used his Lazarus Pits to revive him, but before that origin Jason was brought back to life when an alternate version of Superman punched the physical manifestation of reality.

4. After his death, Jason's Robin costume would be held in a case in The Batcave as a constant reminder of Batman's greatest mistake. The case remains there today even with Jason alive again. In another base of operations Batman has made a case containing the Robin suit of Tim Drake who is thought to be dead at the moment. Ironically, both Stephanie Brown and Damian Wayne-who had both been Robin at one point or another-never got their own memorials when they died.

5. When he came back to life and returned to Gotham City, Jason Todd took a note from Batman by taking a symbol of fear as his inspiration. While he didn't dress up as a murderous clown, Jason used a moniker The Joker used to use called "The Red Hood". As The Red Hood, Jason aimed to stop crime in Gotham by seizing control of it and killing anyone who got in his way.

6. Batman took Jason under his wing for a few reasons. First, when he found Jason Todd trying to steal the wheels of The Batmobile and grabbed for him, Jason actually put up a fight despite being young. Second, while Jason came from a very different background Batman could see a rage inside Jason similar to his own after his parents died. And finally, Batman had been missed having Dick Grayson around and Jason Todd reminded him of Grayson.

7. Red Hood is one of the only members of The Batman Family who is allowed to use firearms. When working with Batman, Red Hood only aims of hands, knees, and feet. Batman also has no issues with Alfred Pennyworth or Commissioner Jim Gordon using guns around him.

8. Along with Jean Grey, Superman, Supergirl, and The Flash/Barry Allen, Jason Todd's death is one of the most important and iconic in comic book history. Following him, Damian Wayne/Robin would die in 2013 and return months after, Dick Grayson/Nightwing would fake his death in 2014 and come back in the lime-light in 2016, and Tim Drake/Red Robin would be "seemingly" killed in 2016 and has yet to return.

9. Jason Todd and Damian Wayne are the only Robins to openly kill criminals early in their respected careers. As of 2016, Jason Todd's record claims he has 83 confirmed kills.

10. In the video game "Batman: Arkham Knight", their version of Jason Todd was held hostage and tortured by The Joker for many years while Batman assumed Jason was already dead. Jason would return as The Arkham Knight, and assume the role of Red Hood after Batman's disappearance.

11. The Red Hood formally led a team called The Outlaws with Starfire and Roy Harper/Arsenal. Currently he's a member of "The Dark Trinity" with Artemis The Amazon and Bizarro Superman. The latter team is obviously a reflection of DC Comic's long-standing "Trinity" of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.

12. In "Nightwing #118" we see Nightwing patrol New York City and openly kill  criminals. We learn by the end of the issue that it is actually Jason Todd using the Nightwing mantle to harass Dick Grayson. The following issues show Dick and Jason fighting each other before teaming up. Jason then disappears and leaves his Nightwing suit behind.
Thanks for reading!
Would you rather fight crime in a little mask or a motorcycle helmet? Comment below!

No comments:

Post a Comment