Throwback Thursday: Batman: Red Hood The Lost Days #5 Review

“After School Activities”

Writer: Judd Winick

Artists: Jeremy Haun

Colorist: Brian Reber

Letterer: Pat Brosseau

Assistant Editor: Janelle Siegel

Editor: Michael Marts

Cover Artwork: Billy Tucci

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: October 6, 2010

Review by: Deron from Murph Manor

Gotham’s forgotten bastard son’s got his hands full at the moment. He’s about neck deep in Russian mob entanglements. But don’t worry, if there’s one thing that Batman always taught him and that’s be prepared for every foreseeable scenario. This one’s no different because Jason’s staring down the barrels of several drawn guns aimed in his general direction. Desperate times call for desperate measures as Jason’s able to create a distraction and grab the head muscle at gunpoint after shooting a chunk of the guy’s foot off. Jason’s able to convince the rest of the Ivgene Clan’s members that the authorities are enroute so he’s able to vacate the premises in haste.

A while later we find Shurik the bombmaker for the Ivgene Clan making a phone call when Jason makes his appearance. Jason’s able to subdue Shurik and place a small explosive on the guy’s chest. It’s not enough to kill the guy, but sufficient enough in ensuring the Russian’s full cooperation. After getting the general vicinity of the bombs in London, Jason is able to guarantee Shurik’s compliance by placing another bomb on Shurik’s chest complete with a timer. Upon arriving in the main center of London, Jason learns that the Russian mob’s been using the Arab population of the city to pin the blame on for their attempted attack. Jason knows that if this attack comes to fruition that it will be sensationalized by the media and that Arab teens will be unfairly persecuted as a result. Posing as a local detective, Jason’s able to reach some of the Arab teens and warn them of the potential disaster. Jason’s investigative efforts lead him to Westminster Bridge where he’s able to locate and dispense of the bomb into the water below. Having done all this, Jason is still able to get away from the cop questioning him which I still don’t see happening. But hey, I guess that’s comics people!

Jason Todd is able to escape from the chaos on the bridge and figures it’s high time to get out of the country before attracting any more attention. The problem is that Shurik ratted Jason out to his fellow Russian cronies and Jason literally walks into an ambush. The thing is that Jason makes the whole thing look easy. He goes through the pack of Russian gangsters like laxatives going through a constipated fat guy. We get to see a prelude of the person that Jason Todd will ultimately become which is complete with guns ablazing! The issue ends with Jason drawing his gun on the last Russian mobster who claims that he has information to the Joker’s whereabouts. This revelation stops Jason in his tracks and commands his full attention.

Bits and Pieces:

We’re building toward the end of this miniseries and Jason’s about to reintroduce himself to the Gotham stage! I especially liked the intense action and frantic pace of this issue. The artwork continues to not disappoint and the big cliffhanger at the end just ensured the reader that the big payoff is about to happen. With this miniseries wrapping up next issue, as a reader you have to see how these events will play themselves out.

8.2/10