SPOILERS AHEAD
The status quo for Jason Todd has changed as he's no longer legally dead. Bruce's behavior in this issue was just as horrible as it was in 25. Once more he charges in more than prepared to get violent with Jason. The only reason it doesn't go that far is because Jason just outmaneuvered him by publicly revealing he's alive. Jason has basically been forced to play by Bruces' rules since he officially came back to the family. When Bruce put down the rules at the start of this volume there was no compromise on his part. Jason either followed his rules or he'd be imprisoned no matter the reason he had for breaking the deal.
With Damian and Kate there's no such punishments in place. They have more wiggle room partly because their connected to him. If Jason steps out of line he's forfeiting his place in the family and his freedom. There's nothing he can do about it because his options are limited while legally dead. Yeah he could make a fake ID but he can't move on as Jason Todd. The bat family can only acknowledge him in the setting of mission based meetings not as family out in the open. He can be Red Hood he just can't be himself in public. This ensures Jason can never be an equal in the family, something which Bruce has exploited to his advantage to keep him in line.
Alfred talked to Damian about Jason never knowing his place and this was part of the problem: he wasn't allowed to discover it because he was being limited. Jason couldn't have a secret identity, couldn't legally hold a job or finish school. Which means that he just has the mission to devote his time to and as we've seen he's struggled with being a normal civilian as a result. He can play a part fine but he can't be honest and he struggled with that when he was with Isabel.
At the diner Bruce admitted Jason didn't technically break their deal since Penguin was still alive but he was fully prepared to punish Jason anyway. Bruce just took the bat symbol away from Jason, beat him bloody but he was not prepared to forgive him. This was the same issue where he reveals Roy died and the "compromise" for Jason shooting Penguin was to let him be exiled. Which wasn't something Jason could really fight against. While Bruce did deal with Roys' death in a more thoughtful manner he doesn't really do much to attempt to rebuild their relationship. Sure there's talk of him being there for Jason but if you read the issue where he beat Jason up it feels kind of hollow.
When you think of all the other "deaths" the family has had it begs the questions of why Bruce hasn't legally brought Jason back himself. Surely that would be in Jason's best interest to help him deal with his trauma. The only answer I can come up with doesn't reflect well on Bruce. And that's because having Jason exist in the public eye would affect Bruce. He'd have to answer difficult questions and worry more about what Jason would do since he can't control him like he previously did. That's seems to imply that Bruce really never did trust Jason.
Sure he keeps claiming that Jason betrayed him but he's the one that never took the big leap of faith. He kept Jason on a lease by restricting him and threatening punishment if he didn't do as he was told. Did Bruce ever say anything about Kate, Damian or anyone else mistreating Jason? Not that I recall. Did he ever find out what actually happened that led to Jason shooting someone? Nope. Just like Damian he insults Jason then wants to take him down because he feels betrayed.
Did Bruce just rush over there as soon as he saw the news? Did it not occur to him before Jason pointed it out that he couldn't do anything without jeopardizing his own secret identity? Neither paints him in the best of lights. If he didn't realize it he's off his game and it proves that he's not thinking anything through to the point he's only ruled by his emotions. If he did realize then he only came to intimidate Jason like he would any criminal. The latter means he would try to bank on being able to control Jason through fear.
When Jason gains control I think it's very telling that Bruce doesn't try to call him out on it. This shows that Bruce doesn't trust Jason to not unmask him. And I think that would be the case even if Jason didn't shoot the Penguin. It's a reverse of their deal where Jason is the one making the threat this time if Bruce tries to make good on his past promise.
After he leaves Jason admits he doesn't hate Bruce he just can't be him. This was a theme in the first arc of this volume where he tried to prove himself. That's not the case here as Jason is gaining his freedom but maybe Bruce thinks that Jason hates him? I'm curious where this will go or if Bruce will see how he's taken things to the extreme when they could have been settled if they just talked.
With Damian and Kate there's no such punishments in place. They have more wiggle room partly because their connected to him. If Jason steps out of line he's forfeiting his place in the family and his freedom. There's nothing he can do about it because his options are limited while legally dead. Yeah he could make a fake ID but he can't move on as Jason Todd. The bat family can only acknowledge him in the setting of mission based meetings not as family out in the open. He can be Red Hood he just can't be himself in public. This ensures Jason can never be an equal in the family, something which Bruce has exploited to his advantage to keep him in line.
Alfred talked to Damian about Jason never knowing his place and this was part of the problem: he wasn't allowed to discover it because he was being limited. Jason couldn't have a secret identity, couldn't legally hold a job or finish school. Which means that he just has the mission to devote his time to and as we've seen he's struggled with being a normal civilian as a result. He can play a part fine but he can't be honest and he struggled with that when he was with Isabel.
At the diner Bruce admitted Jason didn't technically break their deal since Penguin was still alive but he was fully prepared to punish Jason anyway. Bruce just took the bat symbol away from Jason, beat him bloody but he was not prepared to forgive him. This was the same issue where he reveals Roy died and the "compromise" for Jason shooting Penguin was to let him be exiled. Which wasn't something Jason could really fight against. While Bruce did deal with Roys' death in a more thoughtful manner he doesn't really do much to attempt to rebuild their relationship. Sure there's talk of him being there for Jason but if you read the issue where he beat Jason up it feels kind of hollow.
When you think of all the other "deaths" the family has had it begs the questions of why Bruce hasn't legally brought Jason back himself. Surely that would be in Jason's best interest to help him deal with his trauma. The only answer I can come up with doesn't reflect well on Bruce. And that's because having Jason exist in the public eye would affect Bruce. He'd have to answer difficult questions and worry more about what Jason would do since he can't control him like he previously did. That's seems to imply that Bruce really never did trust Jason.
Did Bruce just rush over there as soon as he saw the news? Did it not occur to him before Jason pointed it out that he couldn't do anything without jeopardizing his own secret identity? Neither paints him in the best of lights. If he didn't realize it he's off his game and it proves that he's not thinking anything through to the point he's only ruled by his emotions. If he did realize then he only came to intimidate Jason like he would any criminal. The latter means he would try to bank on being able to control Jason through fear.
When Jason gains control I think it's very telling that Bruce doesn't try to call him out on it. This shows that Bruce doesn't trust Jason to not unmask him. And I think that would be the case even if Jason didn't shoot the Penguin. It's a reverse of their deal where Jason is the one making the threat this time if Bruce tries to make good on his past promise.
After he leaves Jason admits he doesn't hate Bruce he just can't be him. This was a theme in the first arc of this volume where he tried to prove himself. That's not the case here as Jason is gaining his freedom but maybe Bruce thinks that Jason hates him? I'm curious where this will go or if Bruce will see how he's taken things to the extreme when they could have been settled if they just talked.
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