One of DC’s Most Underrated Characters Was Only Good When He Was Dead

by

Red Hood is a consistently popular DC character, and fans are eager for fresh storylines. He has a compelling history – originally the first Robin, then famously killed while wearing the costume, and later reinvented as a darker, more violent take on Batman. This background set him up for a successful run in comics, but for years, Red Hood has been stuck in a repetitive loop. He repeatedly clashes with Batman over the issue of killing, eventually reconciles, and then inexplicably reverts to conflict, preventing significant character development.

It’s unfortunate that DC Comics hasn’t found a consistent direction for the Red Hood character since his return. Jason Todd once represented a powerful idea – Batman’s biggest failure and a reminder of the vulnerability of even his closest allies. However, since being resurrected, he’s lost that impact and has actually hindered both Batman’s development and his own. While I believe Jason has a lot of storytelling potential, Red Hood was arguably a more compelling character when he was gone.

A Neverending Cycle

After Jason Todd was resurrected, he initially acted as a villain, determined to show Batman that his methods were flawed. For a long time, he walked a blurry line between villainy and being an antihero – often resorting to violence – before eventually seeking redemption. He ultimately rejoined the Bat Family as a valued member with the launch of the New 52 comic book series.

Jason Todd has repeatedly gone back and forth between being a hero with the Bat Family and striking out on his own. He initially left due to frustration with villains constantly returning, then stopped killing and rejoined the team, only to become disillusioned again. This cycle has repeated itself, highlighting DC’s ongoing struggle to establish a consistent direction for his character.

As a huge Batman fan, “Under the Red Hood” totally blew my mind when they brought Jason Todd back to life! It was such a shocking twist, and seeing Batman forced to deal with what he saw as his biggest failure – Jason, now full of vengeance – was incredibly powerful. But honestly, I always felt they didn’t really think through the consequences of bringing him back. After that initial story, every other Red Hood arc just didn’t have the same emotional impact. Jason seemed to just wander around fighting the Bat-Family, and his original goal of proving Bruce wrong got lost in him acting like a typical villain, almost like the Punisher. It was never about *hating* Batman, you know? He was angry because he loved Bruce so much, and he’d have killed the Joker if Bruce had died. Seeing Batman let Joker live felt like the ultimate betrayal to Jason – like Bruce didn’t love *him* as much as he loved his own son. That’s what really hurt him.

Contemporary Red Hood stories often lack emotional depth. He frequently fixates on Bruce’s decision to spare the Joker, even after seemingly moving past it. Because writers haven’t found compelling new directions for the character, he’s been stuck in a repetitive cycle of struggling with heroism. He’s constantly on the verge of crossing the line, sometimes does, but these moments rarely feel impactful because the story keeps revisiting the same predictable pattern.

Red Hood Lacks an Identity

The biggest issue with Jason Todd is DC Comics’ inconsistency with his character. They can’t seem to decide if he should be an enemy of the Bat Family or one of its allies, and this back-and-forth hurts both Jason and the other heroes. He was a vital part of Batman’s team as Robin, and his death served as a powerful symbol of Batman’s failures, inspiring others to improve. While his return was initially shocking, he hasn’t had a clear purpose since then, leaving him feeling aimless.

Jason Todd is a complex character-sometimes a hero, sometimes a villain-but DC Comics needs to clearly define his role. He won’t reach his full potential unless the writers consistently develop him in a specific direction. Until they decide what they want him to be, he’ll remain underutilized, and we’ll likely see repetitive conflicts with Batman. It’s time for a firm decision to give the character the impact he deserves.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/comics/news/7-characters-red-hood-treatment-mature-dc-comics/embed/#

Read More

2025-09-28 17:14