If DC Kills Jason Todd Again I’m Done

by

The dynamic between Bruce Wayne (Batman) and Jason Todd (Red Hood) has been fraught with tension for quite some time now, ever since the latter’s demise and subsequent return. Their encounters have often stemmed from Jason’s resentment towards Batman’s methods in dealing with Gotham City’s roster of villains. Over the years, Red Hood has oscillated between heroism and villainy, flipping more times than is fair to count. The “Hush 2” story arc has again brought father and son into conflict, as Jason Todd aligns himself with the sinister Thomas Elliot in his quest to destroy Batman. However, this confrontation might be their last, as Batman #160 hinted at Jason Todd’s impending demise, and only Hush may have the power to save him. If he chooses to do so. And if Hush allows Jason to perish, I will no longer be a reader.

Hush Said Three Robins Die Tonight

How did this predicament unfold? It all began in issue #158 of Batman comics, where Batman found the Joker planning to contaminate Gotham City’s water supply with genetically altered fish. As he tried to thwart the villain, Batman was pushed into the water and the Joker was abducted. However, Batman was revived by Talia al Ghul. Curious about the Joker’s motives for repeating an old crime, Batman uncovered a plot devised by his former friend turned enemy, Thomas Elliot, also known as Hush. Hush manipulated Batman into taking the injured Joker to the Batcave for treatment, but Jason Todd then attacked Batman and kidnapped both the Joker and Hush.

In issue #160, Batman faced off against one of Hush’s henchmen as Nightwing fought Red Hood. However, this was just a part of Hush’s plan, as he managed to kidnap Damian Wayne and take Jason Todd’s guns, threatening both former Robins. Hush warned that three Robin-related deaths were imminent for the night. To make matters worse, it appeared that the Joker might have to kill Jason again because Hush revealed that Jason is dying due to his deteriorating brain. Even the Lazarus Pits can’t save him now, and Hush, the master surgeon, controls his fate. I am furious about this turn of events.

So Jason Todd is Dying… Again

It appears that DC is once again planning to resurrect the idea of killing Jason Todd in ‘Hush 2’, and frankly, they should reconsider. The storyline so far has felt more like a trip down memory lane than a continuation of the series, and it seems they are determined to keep this pattern by focusing on the one aspect of Jason’s character that many people remember: his death. Since he was effectively voted off in a phone poll, Jason Todd is often remembered as ‘the Robin who died’, an image that stuck even after he returned. Initially, this bitterness was understandable given how he met his fate, but over the years it’s become a less sympathetic portrayal of the character.

As a devoted comic book enthusiast, I find myself standing at the precipice of frustration, watching the ongoing saga of Jason – a character whose cyclical journey from villain to hero and back again has become more predictable than the Bat-Signal illuminating the night sky.

Time and time again, DC comics have placed him in confrontations with the Bat Family, rehashing issues that have long been resolved or laid to rest. It’s as if they are trapped in an endless loop of conflict, a cycle that denies Jason the opportunity for truly captivating storytelling.

Jason’s return and his current role within the Bat Family presents a golden opportunity for fresh narratives, yet DC seems unwilling to seize it. Instead, they threaten to end his life once more, a move that feels less like a bold storytelling decision and more like an unjustified act of cruelty towards a character who deserves better.

Jason’s initial death was a groundbreaking moment in comic book history, one that forever altered the Batman character. But to maintain its impact, such a dramatic event can only be effective once. It’s time for DC to create new and compelling stories for Jason, stories that reflect his complex nature and rich history rather than repeatedly revisiting the pain of his demise.

If Jason were to die again today, it wouldn’t carry nearly the same weight as it did in the past. This is not only because many other Robin characters, and indeed numerous comic book heroes, have died and come back, but since his return, Jason has essentially become synonymous with death. He’s defined by his repeated demises, and despite attempts to move beyond this anger and grow as a character, he often finds himself pulled back into the same state he was after his resurrection. For example, the ending of the “Gotham War” arc showcased a powerful moment when Jason and Bruce reconciled for their past actions, with Jason even sacrificing himself to bring down Zur-En-Arrh. This selfless act resonated deeply because it demonstrated Jason overcoming his deepest fear and bridging the divide between him and Bruce. However, he was swiftly revived using Lazarus Resin, yet the message remains: his return from death has become so frequent that it has lost its impact.

Instead of Jason having resurrected himself from death, he’s back in the same predicament, on the verge of dying once more. It seems that DC Comics have struggled to find a consistent direction for Jason Todd, and bringing him back to life again will only exacerbate the issue. Rather than allowing Jason to evolve as a character beyond this single incident, DC keeps relegating him to his initial state. Reviving Jason again wouldn’t offer an intriguing avenue for character development; instead, it would unnecessarily worsen his existence. If DC wants to keep Jason interesting, they must let him grow and change, and repeating this cycle is the last thing they should do.

Read More

2025-05-29 16:10