Boyz n the (Red) Hood

Batman #638

Since I wasn't reading comics in 2005 (I was on hiatus from 1994-2007), I finally just read the "Under the Hood" storyline from Batman #635-638 and the related "Family Reunion" storyline from Batman #639-641.  Both stories were written by Judd Winick, and we're introduced to the new character, Red Hood, who is revealed to be a back-from-the-dead Jason Todd (former Robin). 

Obviously, I already knew that Jason Todd had come back from the dead, but I still wanted to read the actual story that brought him back.  I have to say that it was a pretty good, fast-paced storyline with a lot of great character development.  Winick did a beautiful job capturing Batman's emotions and his interactions with other superhero friends such as Green Arrow and Superman who also "came back from the dead," as he tries to make sense of Jason's possible return.  I think that's something that's missing from today's New 52: character development and personal interactions.  It's all about action, action, action, forgetting that these heroes also have personal lives and are (or should be) people like you and me, that we can relate to on a more-than-action level.  

From "Under the Hood"

One of my favorite scenes in the story was when the Red Hood/Jason Todd goes to visit the Joker and begins to beat him with a crowbar.  It's sweet revenge for Jason being beat to death by the Joker in the "A Death in Family" storyline from Batman #426-429.  

I also appreciate the irony of Jason assuming the Red Hood identity upon his return, as this was the Joker's original persona (or at least it used to be before all of his retcons).  I guess Jason wanted to acknowledge how the Joker (negatively) influenced his life and future.  
 

From "A Death in the Family"

"Under the Hood" (later changed to "Under the Red Hood") and "Family Reunion" are must-reads for any fans of Batman, Red Hood, or great storytelling!

This Joker's No Joke

After Batman's lame reboot in DC's New 52 with the never-ending Court of Owls saga, they followed it up with one of the best Batman stories ever: "Death of the Family."  Yes, it mimicked the original late 1980s "Death in the Family" title to try to grab some headlines and piggyback on that popular story's sales, but we'll forgive DC for that cheap marketing tactic.  

"Death of the Family" gave us the New 52 version of the Joker.  And he is freakin' scary.  How scary is he?  He removed his own face and then loosely reattached it.  And with every issue, the reattached face decomposed more and more as it barely clung to him, tied only with strings, with flies buzzing around the decayed skin.  Twisted!  

The story involved Joker haunting the entire Batman family of superheroes, including Robin, Red Robin, Nightwing, Red Hood, Catwoman, and Batgirl (alas, no Batwoman), and the stories ran into their own individual titles.  This is the story DC should have rebooted the Batman series with, but I can see why they'd save it in their back pocket. 

I was a little disappointed in reading the conclusion of the storyline in Batman #17.  I thought, "That's it?"  However, after a closer second reading, I appreciated it more.  It established an interesting (new) bond between Batman and Joker, and delved a bit more deeply into the Joker's past than ever before.  Joker's still up to his games all in the name of dark humor, but they're much more serious and deadly.  And I like it.  This Joker is extremely psychotic, making him all the more interesting.  I'd love to see even more character development with this new Joker.  

All in all, DC did a fantastic job with the entire "Death of the Family" storyline in Batman, including all of the related titles.  I hope they collect all 23 issues in one chronological graphic novel.  That would make for one fantastic gift.  

I give DC an "A" for effort and an "A" for content, and it almost makes up for the ongoing Owls saga (know when to quit!).  Let's hope the next time we see the Joker, he's paired with the new, darker Harley Quinn (aka Harlequin).