Posted in: Batman, Comics, DC Comics | Tagged: Batman, chip zdarsky, jason todd, red hood, urban legends

Jason Todd, Red Hood, Crosses The Line in Batman: Urban Legends #1

Published Tue, 09 Mar 2021 06:00:22 -0600

Last updated Tue, 09 Mar 2021 06:01:22 -0600

Over a month ago, we looked at the rumour that Jason Todd, The Red Hood, was to turn full cold-blooded murderer in the DC Universe. Today sees the publication of Batman: Urban Legends #1 from DC Comics and that rumour has turned to cold-blooded fact.

Jason Todd, former Robin, killed/left for dead by The Joker, then revived, took on the Joker's old identity of The Red Hood and carried the crowbar the Joker used to kill him. Rejecting Batman's moratorium on guns, and becoming a far more violent vigilante, closer to Rorschach than the Batman – but participating in Batman crossovers, even if he got a few scowls in his direction.

But as you can see, he does use rubber bullets these days. More likely to maim than kill. But recently Batman: The Three Jokers, we saw Jason Todd, The Red Hood, kill a captive version of The Joker, in cold blood, changing his relationship with Batman – and Batgirl – there and then. But is this in continuity? Everything happened, everything matters.

Because Chip Zdarsky and Eddy Barrows take Jason Todd further away from Robin and closer towards The Punisher.

Today DC Comics shows Red Hood commit an act of cold-blooded murder against someone who he believes deserves it. Someone who is cruel, psychopathic, indifferent to the well being of others including children – even his own – and who infuriates Jason Todd, but who is not a direct murderer themselves, and not an immediate threat. Jason Todd is Judge Dredd now, judge, jury and executioner. All he needs is his big red helmet. Is this the moment that, in Future State, will see him switch from a vigilante to one who captured and imprisons vigilantes? Because he knows what happens when you go too far?

BATMAN URBAN LEGENDS #1 CVR A HICHAM HABCHI
Batman may be the biggest name in Gotham City, but there are lots of other heroes—and villains—who will get a turn to shine in Batman: Urban Legends, a brand-new monthly series tying into the biggest events in Gotham City. The series begins with these can't-miss tales: Superstar writer Chip Zdarsky enters the world of Gotham City with celebrated Detective Comics and DC Future State: Robin Eternal artist Eddy Barrows for a six-part story chronicling Red Hood's investigation of a new drug sweeping through Gotham. It's a night that will change his life forever—and put him in Batman's crosshairs. Writer of the DC Future State "Grifters" story Matthew Rosenberg picks up where he left off, continuing from the pages of Batman #101! Superstar artist Ryan Benjamin joins the team as we learn why Cole Cash is in Gotham in a tale that hints at what Halo might be…and we also get Batman vs. Grifter—round two! New Harley Quinn writer Stephanie Phillips and DC Future State: The Next Batman artist Laura Braga join forces for a Harley tale set just before the launch of her new series. Harley's determined to sort out her history with Poison Ivy—but first, she'll have to find her! Coming off the DC Future State "Outsiders" tale, writer Brandon Thomas begins a three-part saga reuniting Black Lightning, Katana, and Metamorpho. But this reunion quickly turns into a confrontation with a figure from Katana's past, in a story drawn by fan-favorite artist Max Dunbar (Champions, Dungeons and Dragons, Judge Dredd)! Retail: $7.99 03/09/2021

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