I am not being motherly, you imbecile.
Jason Todd, the second Robin and BAtmans greatest falier. We know how he died in "Death in the Family" and we kow that he came back from the dead in "Under the red hood". But what happend in those inbetween years? that is the question thats trying to be awnsered in this mini series. Red Hood the lost days #1 was more of an issue about Talia than Jason, as Jason ( though alive due to unknown reasons ) is braindead and can only respond to actions due to muscle memory, and how Talia treats the second former-boy Wonder as if he were her own son ( pre-Damina ). The Second issue is where we start to follow Jason as after being thrown into the Lazarus pit at the end of issue #1 he's no longer brain damaged, but after reading in the newspapers that Batman turned the Joker back into police custody he becomes enraged, violent and almost psycopathic as Bruce didn't kill the Joker in responce for what he did to him. He plans on killing Bruce and sets out a intelligent plan involving placing a bomb on the batmobile in one of the week spots that onlye he, Alfred, Dick and Bruce know about, but when it comes time to pull the trigger he dosn't. He decided to train, get stronger, so that when the time comes to face Bruce he'll be ready. So that's where we start in Issue #3.
This issue starts off with Jason, in Germany, learnign how to kill with out any wepons from a German gun for hire, Egon. We turn back to Talia who's trying to explain that her plan, whihc involved saneding Jason off to learn how to use gun for a month, about staling Jasons plans untill he somehow, miraculusly gets a change of heart. Back to Germany, and Jason learns that Egon is leading another 'buissness' to earn more money which would turn your stomach, so Jason decideds to cover his face with a scarf and his jacket Red Hood, armed, and decideds to put an end to Egons' plans in the way that only Red Hood can do.
This issue has uped the minisearies, in my opinion, as the previous issues were more of an explanation of what Talia trully feals, and what makes Jason want to take this road of revenge. This issue actualy shows us how Jason is going to take it, and shows us his development. He Becomes Red Hood ( not intentionaly, but his choice of disguisse was a red hood ) and brings justice to these people by crossing the line that separates the good from the bad, and getting stuck in the middle. We can tell that Jason wants revenge for teh wrongs that have been done, and that the only way to get it is to mingle with the people that he trully hates. Jeremy Haun's art really depicts that well, and i cant forget to mention how i think Judd Winick has got this new Jason down to a tee. The cover, Talia holding a wounded Jason, seems to reflect what Talia thinks of herself in this situation. Weather it depicts how Jason thinks of her is yet to be awnsered becuse even thoughhe asks for her help in his revenge dose he think of her more than a means of getting the traning he needs for revenge?
If you'r a Jason Todd fan you've probably already picked this title up, but if your a new reader or just new to comics than i'd advice staying away from this mini series. The character has had years of backstory as the second Robin that took place before this series, and years of development as Red Hood after this story ( thogh we can all forget countdown... ). So new readers it's not for you. Batman fans, Bat Family fans, or just Jason fans pick it up.
4/5
