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Red Hood and the Outlaws #25 - Zero Year: The Beckoning Dark

4

Who was Jason Todd years before he became Robin? What was he up to during 'Zero Year'? We find that out and more.

The Good

Some of the Zero Year tie ins have left us scratching our heads. This issue does a good job in staying associated with the time period and events without trying to force a Batman connection with the character(s). Here we see poor Jason Todd. He didn't have the greatest life before meeting Batman and that's part of what set him apart from the other Robins.

James Tynion IV refers back to some elements he introduced in the Robin backup in BATMAN #0, including Jason's crummy friend, Chris. What's interesting is how Tynion connects Jason to the current storyline in the series. Seeing this element added to Jason is something we'll have to keep an eye on. Again, it further sets him apart from the other Robins. In a way, it helps to make it easier to accept that some random street kid could have the potential to become Batman's partner. The appearance of a certain other character is a little chilling and, if nothing else, pretty cool to see, visually.

Speaking of visuals, Jeremy Haun's art is pretty slick here. There's a nice amount of gritty detail in Jason's surroundings and action scenes play out really nicely. I'd love to see more of his art here.

The Bad

While I did really enjoy this issue, there are some moments of confusion. There are some discrepancies with RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #0 (Joker's involvement, Jason's mom's hair, etc). Unless we chalk it up to issue 0 being Joker's twisted view on the events.

The connection Jason has to a certain key player in this issue is definitely intriguing but almost a little too close to home (or at least Batman's home). I'll definitely be seeing how this plays into future issues.

The Verdict

I'm still a sucker for seeing the early days of the DC characters since there's some unknown elements in the New 52. Jeremy Haun's art is welcoming and I'd love to see more from him with these characters. James Tynion IV takes the basic element of Zero Year and uses it as an opportunity to explore more of who Jason was and who he could become. There might be some more questions in how this relates to what we've seen already but it is providing some interesting seeds for future stories.

18 Comments

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Master_Thief

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Wasn't the joker the reason jason became robin

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AllStarSuperman

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im conflicted to buy this, I want it, but can I afford it?

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2cool4fun

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Edited By 2cool4fun
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2cool4fun

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Okay i am seriously getting tired of my comments being instantly blank after i post them, jesus comicvine fix this please >.<

@allstarsuperman

Any way, as i was saying in the comment above me, you should get this, cause Red Hood, Birds of Prey & Detective Comics are the only 3 worth buying, cause they not only give a god story, but a one that matters, unlike Batgirl, Nightwing, Etc. Who not only give meh stories, they give pointless filler stories.

Well Action Comics was a great filler story, but that's cause Greg Pak.

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AllStarSuperman

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@2cool4fun: I am getting Action Comics, and I already got Nightwing, but this same month is "Return to Krypton" so I cant spend a whole lot. or at least I shouldn't spend a whole lot. I may anyway though...

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2cool4fun

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@allstarsuperman:

Yeah big month for DC, we got a 12 tittles Batman crossover, a 4 tittles superman crossover ( 1 of them being an annual ) and 7 ( correct me if I'm wrong ) Forever Evil Tie-Ins ( not counting the ending of "Constantine" "Pandora" "Phantom Stranger" )

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consafo80

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Edited By consafo80

I hope to to god that Joker manipulating Jason into becoming Robin was just Jokers twisted view point as its stupid.

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AllStarSuperman

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Edited By AllStarSuperman

@2cool4fun: I don't read Forever Evil. It had crappy art I didn't feel like paying for.

I will read it online when its all said and done though....

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daredevil21134

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This was a great issue

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BallPointHero

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Edited By BallPointHero

Still liked his 'stealing tires off the Batmobile' origin better.

Prescription pills...pfft.

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Sleepbutnodream15

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@ballpointhero: If they're trying to makeit more modern, the idea of a kid stealing tires off the Batmobile might be too ridiculous. Stealing drugs actually works well with the whole 'kid off the streets' idea.

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BallPointHero

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@sleepbutnodream15: Winnick had a plausible explanation(batmobile's security features being turned off for maintenance or upgrading or something along those lines). I know that stealing drugs is more realistic, but stealing the tires off the batmobile made Jason more badass in my eyes. He's been kinda mild so far in the n52.

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nfareed71024

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looks like hush lol

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ThePRez

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Edited By ThePRez

I hope to to god that Joker manipulating Jason into becoming Robin was just Jokers twisted view point as its stupid.

thank you!!!

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daredevil21134

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@sleepbutnodream15: Winnick had a plausible explanation(batmobile's security features being turned off for maintenance or upgrading or something along those lines). I know that stealing drugs is more realistic, but stealing the tires off the batmobile made Jason more badass in my eyes. He's been kinda mild so far in the n52.

agreed

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LordoftheNorth

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Sorry hated this issue one they stuck with the stupid new origin of joker pulling strings and two the stupid all blades crap. Can jason please go back to being the awsome guns weilding anti-hero/villain becuase iam sorry but the new 52 verson is freaking lame

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Dstick88

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I really like Jason Todd as a character but i have to agree some of his story lines in the new-52 have been very......meh.