Jason Todd is best known as the Robin who was killed by the Joker. Even though he came back to life and has sometimes been a villain, a hero, or something in between, he’s always been defined by that tragic event. He’s forever remembered as the boy brutally beaten by the Joker and seen as Batman’s biggest failure. After years of wanting revenge, Jason, formerly the Boy Wonder, finally has the opportunity to kill the Joker in DC K.O.: Red Hood vs. The Joker.
DC K.O. is DC’s largest event of the year, bringing back the villain Darkseid from a different universe. It centers around a tournament to determine who will become King Omega and ultimately defeat him. After initial qualifying rounds, the competitors were divided into pairs, notably including Red Hood and the Joker, who were forced to fight each other in a brutal, three-round battle to the death. This confrontation finally allowed Jason Todd (Red Hood) to get the revenge he’s always wanted and addressed a significant, previously overlooked aspect of his character.
Revenge in an Executioner’s Red Hood
The first round began with both fighters eager to attack. Jason was determined to get revenge, while the Joker simply wanted to inflict pain. Jason shot the Joker with a highly concentrated chemical bullet, similar to the one that originally damaged the Joker’s skin. Surprisingly, the Joker survived and managed to throw Jason into the very chemicals that had transformed him, winning the round. For the second round, both fighters reverted to their appearances from the ‘Death in the Family’ storyline – the Joker and the original Robin.
This time, Jason Todd relentlessly attacked the Joker. In the past, he’d held back, fearing he’d go too far and kill him. But now, Jason intentionally kept the Joker alive while torturing him with a crowbar. The fight ended with a bomb exploding, fatally wounding the Joker and giving Jason his revenge. Afterwards, Jason struggled with what kind of hero he wanted to be. He’d always been defined by his relationships with the Joker and Batman, but he realized this final confrontation required him to forge his own identity. He ultimately chose to embody the version of himself that existed after he’d become a respected hero.
This older version of Red Hood wasn’t as physically powerful as he used to be, but he was more mature and confident. He’d moved past his rage and was no longer consumed by his history with the Joker – he was finally independent. He fought the Joker not for personal revenge, but because he’d become a hero dedicated to stopping criminals, fully embracing the terrifying Red Hood persona Gotham knew so well. Although he won the battle, the Joker managed to keep himself alive with a special device. Jason ultimately died peacefully, knowing he’d conquered his demons and left his past behind.
A Hero Who Forged His Own Destiny
Ever since his death, Jason Todd’s story has been heavily shaped by Batman and the Joker. While he was alive, he represented the grim nature of their world, and after being resurrected, he remained a constant reminder of Batman’s biggest failure – the Robin the Joker had destroyed. Since his return in “Under the Red Hood,” Jason hasn’t really developed his own identity; he’s always been defined by his relationship to those two iconic characters, even sharing a name origin with the Joker. He’s lacked his own supporting network and motivations, largely driven by anger over his death and a desire for revenge against Batman and the Joker.
This story recognized Jason’s internal struggle and allowed him to finally move past it. He didn’t find peace through revenge against the Joker, but by releasing his hatred and refusing to let it control his identity. When Jason started focusing on defining himself, he was able to grow and leave his past behind. This marked a genuine change in his character, breaking a long-standing pattern. Though it’s uncertain if this growth will last, the fact that he achieved this self-realization independently is a significant improvement. For Red Hood fans, this offers a hopeful outlook for the first time in a long time.
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2025-12-27 01:41