Throwback Thursday: Batman: Red Hood The Lost Days #4 Review

“Higher Learning”

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: September 1, 2010

Review by: Deron from Murph Manor

Picking up where we last left off, Jason Todd’s been a busy body as of late and on the move. We open in Somalia, Africa where a group of mercenaries have been surprised by the local Somalian militia. It is only a little later that we learn that Jason Todd had tipped the locals off to the wetwork outfits’ whereabouts. After eluding the locals, Jason convenes with a contact in the area named Rip. Turns out, Rip’s been teaching Jason Todd the ins and outs of machinery that’s of the land and flying sort.

Jason’s also been keeping some other shady Russian characters in his employ. One of those he’s been hanging out with he relates later on to Talia al’ Ghul at a pub just outside of London. It is here that we find out the Russian that Jason’s been hanging out with for the last few months is an expert in explosives and has ties with the Russian mob. As Jason divulges this information to Talia, she makes an observation that Jason’s had a habit of dispatching his would-be teachers in quick lethal fashion. Jason explains the reasons for his recent actions and at this point we find out through Talia al’ Ghul the identity of Batman’s new Robin, Tim Drake. Apparently, Talia’s had a low-level surveillance team doing some work for her over in Gotham City.

Jason’s grieved by this turn of events and it shows on the panels drawn by artist, Jeremy Haun. Seemingly taking these new details in stride, Jason begins to conduct some surveillance of his own on his Russian contact, Shurik and the Ivgene Clan. Basically Jason learns that Shurik plans to detonate some bombs all over London. It will be made to look like an Arab terrorist cell is to blame so the focus will not be on the Russians. They have 700 people targeted in this single attack and Jason’s not keen on it one bit.

Jason is able to locate the bombs in a London warehouse and is able to convert them into duds. He’s almost home free when he’s carelessly spotted by the Ivgene Clan. Almost immediately, Jason’s on the receiving end of some gunshots. He’s able to dodge the gunfire but the Russians quickly get him cornered. The issue ends with Jason leaving one of the bombs live and detonates it on his pursuers. His escape is cut short by the rest of the Ivgene Clan finally catching up with him.

Bits and Pieces:

This issue ends with a great cliffhanger and I liked our introduction of Tim Drake as Robin from afar. The art continues to score high marks with me as I’ve grown to especially like the close-up headshot panels in the issue. I’m starting to feel like a showdown in Gotham is inevitable at this point. I’m anticipating for things to pick up and get into the home stretch in this series.

8/10