Living Dead Boy: Jason Todd Versus the Culture That Killed (And Resurrected) Him

I just read this totally awesome & worth the time essay on one of my favorite Bat-Subjects. Jason Todd.

It's called Living Dead Boy: Jason Todd Versus the Culture That Killed (And Resurrected) Him.

As the 70s turned into the 80s, I went from a mere kid to what we'd now call a "tween". Robin grew up to be Nightwing and by the time the Crisis on Infinte Earths came about, it was almost time for my Bar Mitzvah. Alright, Irish-Catholic Confirmation where I took the Saint's name Matthew to make me Ma happy but iDigress...

I was a BATMAN reader then as I am now. I remember the visciousness Crazy Quilt had coming after an ill-preparred 2nd Robin, the villain not knowing the difference. I remember going "what the heck" with the diplomat's son. And then the Ad with the Phone Numbers: Live or Die. I didn't call. My Ma wouldn't let me. She wouldn't let me 1-800-DIAL-MTV either.

One thing the author didn't mention was how Judd Winick got to adapt his own BATMAN arc into the animated "BATMAN: UNDER THE RED HOOD". From the confusing meta-mess of retcon punches comes the simple elegance of atonement as Ra's Al Ghul places the dead Robin in a Lazarus Pit, feeling responsible for the Detective's Loss as you'll see in the movie.

I think the subject of Comicbook Death is something we should plumb on the couch of the Arkham Sessions? What ya say, Bat-Gang?

Thank you,

Sully

Hub o'the Multiverse