Throwback Thursday: Batman: Red Hood The Lost Days #6 Review

“Conclusion: Benediction and Commencement”

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: November 3, 2010

Review by: Deron from Murph Manor

Hello readers! We’ve reached the end of this fantastic miniseries. Let’s see how things pan out for Jason Todd in his quest for vengeance.

We open with a flashback scene in which Batman is teaching Jason Todd as Robin about the methods of the Joker. He draws a circle around the fact that if you’re careless in your dealings with the psychotic clown then it’s a good chance that you’re going to wind up dead.

Cut to the present and we find Jason Todd’s secretly listening in on a meeting and finds the Joker in attendance. Joker’s working a deal on a new caper but Jason learns that it’s actually quite similar to one of his old schemes. Joker intends to poison Gotham’s water supply. However, this time around a chemical will cause flames to burst from the taps of the residential areas. It is here that Jason Todd decides to make his presence known in grand fashion. He launches himself out of a trunk of a car that’s released some gas on his unsuspecting enemies. Only the Joker is able to somewhat avoid the fumes but he gets crippled with a gunshot to the leg.

It is important to point out here that we get to see the differences in the moral code of Batman and Jason Todd. Jason’s got some sinister, lethal intentions in store for the Joker. He’s able to separate the Joker from his goons, where he then proceeds to cover the clown in gasoline. The art team does a great job in the series of panels involving Jason flashing back to his “death” at the hands of the Joker. Those panels make the reader wonder what exactly is going through Jason’s mind at that moment. Something happens though that disrupts Jason’s plan and he’s forced to make an exit. This leaves the Joker to be greeted by armed gunmen.

We cut to Jason Todd recounting these events to Talia al’ Ghul where he says that it will not be enough until he can get himself, the Joker, and Batman in one battle in the end. It will be only then that he’ll feel that his thirst for vengeance will be quenched. Jason reveals that it’s not about killing Batman and Talia suggests that Jason become the Batman that Batman cannot. She suggests that he does not have to answer to any moral code and to take Gotham from the Dark Knight. Talia tells Jason that her father, Raz al’ Ghul is dead and that Jason should take revenge for all of them. The next few panels suggest some “ugly-bumping action” between Jason and Talia. Jason then awakes some time later to find an increase in his bank account along with the support from Talia who has since disappeared during the night.

Jason Todd meets up with the villain, Hush, some time later and confirms the identity of Batman to be Bruce Wayne. The two seemingly make some kind of pact and Talia leaves Jason a parting gift. The issue ends with a nice panel of Jason Todd opening a box which contains his iconic Red Hood helmet.

Bits and Pieces:

All in all, this miniseries does an excellent job of filling in the blanks before the infamous “Under The Red Hood” storyline as well as some of the events in “Hush”. The artwork is consistent in quality throughout and the story is engaging and well-paced. If you’re a fan of Jason Todd then this series is an essential pickup!

8.5/10