37 Years Later, DC Is Finally Going to Avenge Batman’s Biggest Mistake

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The biggest DC event of the year, *DC K.O.*, is finally underway! Thirty-two of DC’s most powerful heroes and notorious villains are battling it out in a tournament to become the next King Omega and challenge Darkseid. While the initial lineup and first-round matches were revealed previously, sparking plenty of fan debate, DC surprised everyone at the start of the event. It turned out they had secretly switched one participant: the Joker unexpectedly took Batman’s place and fatally wounded the Dark Knight.

Although the rules say players are only eliminated until the tournament ends, the Joker somehow defeated Batman and took his place. This means the Joker will fight Star Sapphire in the first round. If he wins – and it’s likely he will, considering this shocking turn of events – he’ll face someone he’s deeply wronged: Jason Todd. This gives Jason a chance to finally confront the Joker and potentially defeat him.

A Death in the Batman Family

Jason Todd was the second person to become Robin, but tragically, he was also the first to die while fighting crime. In a famous storyline called “Death in the Family,” the Joker tricked Jason into going to Lebanon and brutally attacked him with a crowbar. Jason ultimately sacrificed himself trying to protect his mother, shielding a bomb from exploding, but he didn’t survive. However, Jason didn’t stay dead for long. He eventually came back as the Red Hood, determined to get revenge on both the Joker and Batman, though he never quite succeeded in killing the Joker – at least, not in the official DC storylines. A major reason for this is that the Joker is a popular character, and DC Comics wants to continue profiting from him.

Jason now has the chance he’s been waiting for to get revenge. He’s competing in a tournament where players gain power by causing cruelty and feeding on hatred – and Jason has plenty of hatred for the villain who killed him. This fits with his recent return to his violent, anti-hero ways, as seen in the ongoing storyline where he’s hunting the Joker. He’s held onto this anger for decades, and now, almost nothing is stopping him from getting his revenge.

DC KO Promises A Final Chapter to This Rivalry

Okay, so Red Hood’s finally getting a clear shot at the Joker, and it’s brutal. Usually, Batman’s there to play peacekeeper, but the Joker actually *beat* Batman this time around, leaving Red Hood with a surprisingly open path. The usual public outcry and political maneuvering that’s always protected the Joker? Doesn’t matter much in a world where death isn’t permanent. Red Hood is genuinely free to go after him, if they both survive their first fights, and let me tell you, those first rounds are going to be *tough*. It’s a really interesting setup – no holding back, and a genuinely dangerous path for both of them.

Okay, so things are getting *really* interesting in this tournament. Jason Todd – our Red Hood – has a tough road ahead, facing off against his brother Damian, who honestly might be the better fighter at this point. And then there’s Joker, who’s somehow got to take down a Star Sapphire Lantern, which seems… unlikely, given his usual arsenal. But here’s the kicker: this isn’t just a brawl. The next issue promises to throw some seriously powerful DC Universe gear and abilities into the mix. I’m talking game-changers. This could easily propel both Jason and Damian into the second round, setting the stage for an epic, final showdown. I’m genuinely excited to see how this plays out!

The latest Red Hood story has everyone wondering: will Jason Todd finally get his revenge on the Joker, or will the Joker once again overpower him? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

DC K.O. is on sale now!

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2025-10-10 23:40