"Streets Run Red: Boys' Night Out:" Picked as the second Robin, Jason Todd was universally hated by fans for being brash and in a vote, the fans decided that he should die, and a crowbar wielding Joker and explosion later, he was dead. Jump 15 years, Jason comes back by... you know what... no one knows.. he just came back. But he was also batshit insane. Taking the identity of the Red Hood, Jason took to the streets to deliver brutal justice to criminals. Constantly wavering between good and evil, Jason was finally captured and imprisoned by Batman (Dick Grayson) and Robin (Damien Wayne) after killing a gang boss with the help of his partner Scarlet, a disfigured girl. After nearly being killed in prison, Jason is busted out in an attempt to lure him to a new figure who has kidnapped his partner Scarlett. Donning the Red Hood costume again, Jason is joined by Batman and Robin in rescuing the girl.
Summary: That is a kickass cover, no question... but onto the good stuff. I like interaction with Jason and any member of the Bat family, but I love his interaction with Dick. They are basically two brothers, one who was given every chance in the world, and the other never had a chance; one could do no worong while the other could do no right. Anyway, Jason chastises Dick for adding air fresheners to the Batplane, going on about how Bruce would never have allowed for this and how Dick is just the nice Batman. Damien eloquently tells him to shut up, and Jason responds about how Robins are supposed to be the lighter side of the relationship: "But maybe puberty will loosen you up. Those feelings for girls will let your mind wander... assuming you live that long." Dick tells Jason to stop acting like a tool, and Jason relaxes, just happy to hear Batman call someone a "tool." This doesn't last long as he shoots the roof of the aircraft and jumps out, parachuting down to Scarlet's location: Thomas Wayne Middle School. The female kidnapper comes out and asks him to strip down to show he's not packing any weapons. They however do not pick up on the Bat-tracer he swallowed, as Batman and Robin land behind him and try and save the girl. She is grapped and taken off, and when Jason attempts to kill the kidnappers, Dick won't let him. As the two argue of the morality of killing, Damien goes after the girl and saves her, but Jason punches him, and grabs her and runs off to his own hidden aircraft. The Dynamic Duo give chase, but Jason blows up a traintrack, where he had planted explosives before heading to prison, just in case he needed a way out sometime. With Batman and Robin changing course to save the people, Jason and Scarlet fly off into the night together. Oh that Jason... kinda reminds me another white-streaked redhead who always has a plan:
Highs: Just the opening here has made me want to a blog dedicated to the relationship between these three characters and how they function. All three seem to be getting a major role in different comics so I can only hope that we see some more of this stuff.
Lows: Its not really a great story... pretty uneventful and not surprising in the least. The art is great in places and awful in others.
Verdict: B+. I've said it before that great dialogue can save a bad story and I think that's what we have here. Its a tired concept that still keeps its head above water because Jason Todd serves as a force of chaos, and in a lot of ways, he serves as a "Joker" to Dick. The one that's always going to be his opposite. So, that does it for Dick Grayson this week, but Jason will be appearing shortly in his new Flashpoint role. Take us out, Li'l Red Hood, Master Christmas Thief...
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