Making The Life And Times Of Jason Todd Video Series

Video making is one of the best ways to reach an audience, which is why I decided to start a YouTube channel called Comic Curators. The channel features comic reviews, character studies and positive mental health. I’ve recently finished creating a three part series called The Life And Times Of Jason Todd, focusing on my favourite comic character, Red Hood. I’m happy to present the second video in the series that focuses on Jason’s resurrection and transformation.

The video goes through a chronological order of Red Hood’s return. Starting from his resurrection, Jason came back to life after Super-Boy Prime punched the reality wall. As ridiculous as it sounds, Super-Boy Prime’s actions caused ripples throughout the DC Multiverse, with Jason’s resurrection being a tiny consequence.

In later years, Jason’s return would be retconned to be far more ambiguous. After coming back to life, Jason suffered from memory loss. He was a ball of rage, lashing out at everything around him. Talia Al Ghul found him, took him off the streets and gave him a purpose. The writer who deserves the credit for turning Jason into Red Hood is Judd Winick and the video features my opinion on other writers who’ve handled the character.

Judd Winick

Winick brought Jason back for the acclaimed Under The Red Hood arc. His version of Red Hood was capable, ruthless and relatable. Red Hood started a war with Black Mask in order to get Batman’s attention. Jason’s motivations stemmed from wanting to be a better crime fighter. He believed Bruce wasn’t doing enough to stop crime, so Red Hood wanted to control it.

Winick scripted an emotional confrontation between Red Hood, Batman and Joker. During the interaction, Jason’s vulnerability showed how relatable he was. He forgave Bruce for not saving him, but couldn’t understand why he’d refused to kill Joker.

“Bruce, I forgive you for not saving me. But why? Why on God’s Earth is he still alive? Ignoring what he’s done in the past. Blindly, stupidly, disregarding the entire graveyards he’s filled, the thousands who have suffered, the friends he’s crippled. You know, I thought… I thought I’d be the last person you’d ever let him hurt. If it had been you he beat to a bloody pulp, if he had taken you from this world, I would’ve done nothing but search the planet for this pathetic pile of evil death-worshiping garbage and sent him off to hell.”

In my opinion, Winick’s characterisation of Jason helped make him popular with fans. He was also responsible for writing Red Hood: The Lost Days, which added more insight to Jason’s actions.

Tony Daniels

For Batman: Battle For The Cowl, Tony Daniels handled Jason’s characterisation. I think it was one of the worst portrayals of Red Hood because he became a full blown, one-dimensional villain. With Bruce dead, Jason created his own Bat suit and killed anyone who got in his way. He tried to cripple Damian Wayne, despite having a rule about not harming children. He also tried to kill Dick Grayson and Tim Drake. Daniels never provided a full explanation for Jason’s sudden change of heart.

On the bright side, the Batman version of Jason had an awesome suit. I also liked the antagonistic relationship that developed between him and Grayson.

Grant Morrison

Morrison’s portrayal of Jason was also a mixed bag for me. The most notable change happened when Jason suddenly had red hair, a call back to the pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths version. Morrison altered Red Hood’s costume to be more like the original, only it made him look like a condom with a cape. Jason styled himself as a better ‘superhero’ than Dick and Damian, who had become the new Batman and Robin. Red Hood took on a sidekick called Scarlet, teaching her how to kill. Jason’s dynamic with Scarlet was the best part of Morrison’s writing.

 If you enjoyed watching the video I’d appreciate you commenting, liking, sharing and subscribing to Comic Curators. The last video in The Life And Times Of Jason Todd will feature Red Hood’s development in the New 52 and Rebirth reboots.

Don’t forget to watch the first video as well, which focuses on Jason’s origins as Robin!

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