A podcast by Dr. Andrea Letamendi & Brian Ward, dedicated to the psychological analysis of Batman: The Animated Series.
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




Good article.
"For the first time ever, fans of Batman were not only being encouraged to empathize and root for a character explicitly in opposition to the Batman code and oath, but a character that was all but served up on a sleek, sexy silver platter. The perfect storm of rebel-with-a-cause edge and intrigue with a built in history rife with all kinds of dark and stormy nooks and crannies to be explored and expounded upon. "
This is how I was basically introduced to him. I watched Under the Red Hood video and loved it. Then read the court of owls run and saw some of his work and decided to get a few collected issues of red hood. I really appreciated seeing a character that would go where Batman wouldn't. It was intriguing to see. Not to mention the story of a boy feeling abandoned wanting justice or something like it. But this article just blew me away. So cool. Took my interest in Jason from "huh, interesting, i like it" to "Oh my gosh this is some absolutely brilliant writing" The ability to tie in cultural narrative to what was happening with him was so impressive! Loved this article.
In the decade plus between HUSH and "Now", Jason has had a really tough road back to a more stable life. I don't know if his problem was "resilience"...it's something else. The only anxiety Jason seemed to suffer was the usual post-Lazarus Madness, or so it seemed. Yet before the New 52 re-cast Red Hood as the Deadpool of the DCU, Jason was having difficulties adjusting to Life. And I mean that Literally.
"BATMAN: Under the Hood" takes place around the publication of INFINITE CRISIS. I see it as Continuity as Before IC. Why? Fits better? Retcon Punches effected history.
In the "One Year Later" relaunch post-INFINITE CRISIS, NIGHTWING picks up in Manhattan. Why? Dick was almost murdered by Alex Luthor and Bludhaven was nuked by Chemo. He comes home early from a year-long family bonding trip with Bruce & Tim, antsy to get back in the fray. Yet there's an imposter. And he's killing. And guess what....it's Jason!
Jason was a tagalong in the Challengers of the Multiverse story in the COUNTDOWN to FINAL CRISIS drek that I bought every issue but iDigress...Good Guys with Ray Palmer, Kyle Rayner & Donna Troy. Yet he was playing a good guy with his "new look". Brown leather jacket, expressive red helm & Two Guns.
Then in BATMAN AND ROBIN, Dick as Batman & Damien as Robin square off against Jason in a new "heroic-looking, caped" Red Hood outfit with Scarlett, a survivor of Professor Pyg's machinations. I'm pretty sure this is the last appearance of Jason until the New 52 where he wears a Bat on his Chest and his part of the Family. There might be one more yet...then comes the New 52 Version.
RED HOOD & THE OUTLAWS was something I started the New 52 with. BATMAN wasn't! I was picking up ACTION COMICS and that was it. I picked up Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo & Co.'s BATMAN in trades yet ended in Monthlies. That speaks for itself. Yet Somewhere, Jason is brought back to a better emotional place over Time. Talia al Ghul left him with some Hand Ninjas or the DCU Equivalent after his resurrection if New 52 "...and the Outlaws" can still apply.
Yet Jay-Bird...as Roy Harper nicknames him...how do you feel?? You were Dead. Now you're back. Can you describe your feelings?
Thanks.
Namaste...