Isabel Ardila

I didn't expect her to show up again but I'm curious what will happen now that she's back.


I was never against Isabel's character or the relationship. I was curious how Lobdell would have written the relationship if it lasted longer in the first run. Back then it had been in the early stages and I like the idea of Jason having someone that's normal in his life. She was drugged by Joker in the Death of the Family tie in issue and ended the relationship with Jason in #28 of the first volume at the end of Tynion's run. She's returned recently which I've come to learn has upset some readers.

There's been some speculation that Isabel is the same flight attendant from DITF. I think that she was based on that flight attendant but it isn't meant to be her. Some think she's a creepy older woman that has been checking out Jason and somehow has been remembering him since then. Which wouldn't make sense even if she was because she would have no reason to suspect he's the same person. I had a friend that worked at an airport right out of high school and a quick check online confirms that you can be 18 to be a flight attendant. If Isabel was the same woman at 18 then Jason would have been 15. The current age gap wouldn't be as big as some are suggesting and I never got the impression the flight attendant or Isabel like minors. Regardless Jason is not currently a minor.

Isabel's timing is highly questionable to many especially with how Tynion ended the relationship. She broke up with Jason because his life was too crazy for her. She reappears in his life not long after he is reintroduced to the world as one of Bruce Wayne's kids that now runs a casino. According to her other people from work came along too and she didn't think she'd actually see Jason.

On their date an issue after her return what she says to Jason seems to confirm her "gold digger" status for many. Isabel mentions that that her job is paying for her hotel so he doesn't have to worry about her loving him for his money.

While I admit her choice of wording did seem weird to me. I think that it's said to let Jason know that the cost of her hotel room is already covered, so she's not expecting him to pay her way. There's also been some talk online that a few people think Lobdell had Isabel say this as a "take that" to readers that criticize her but I'm not sure if he could do that in the very next issue. What I found weird about her statement was that she says that she doesn't love him for his money. Does she love him? I think they both care about each other but it's still feels way too early for that kind of wordage.

Yes she was his ex before they picked up where they left off but they weren't dating that long before they broke up. Their first date was interrupted by their sudden trip to space and they stayed on Tamaran for roughly an Earth week. They returned to Gotham to finish their date then Joker attacked. (*1) Jason had a memory loss plot and after being gone for awhile took her on another date that ended with Isabel breaking up with him. Now their back together for their third date in #34.

Sure it's a turn of phrase and Isabel might be using it as a lighthearted joke (although she calls him love in the next issue) but Jason's reaction shows that it IS a big deal for him. Jason doesn't hear people tell him that they love him often. I admit that seemed like a weird thing to say especially since she says "nope" when a startled Jason starts to ask for confirmation.

I've seen speculation that Isabel will be used as a love triangle or killed. While I think having Isabel, Essence (if she ever gets out of the sword) and Artemis around might make Jason feel awkward I don't know if Lobdell would make a big deal out of it. I always got the impression DC wanted Lobdell to kill Isabel. During the Death of the Family tie in DC claimed that everyone wanted to be part of the event. Glass was writing Suicide Squad and from what I heard it was fairly obvious that he hated being forced to write it. He did the tie in then acted like it never happened. Gail Simone was briefly kicked off her book after refusing to kill off a female character. Lobdell apparently knew he was being taken off RHATO by the time the tie in came around and seemed to have compromised by having Isabel taken out of the picture but still alive.

I've seen more positive responses to Isabel and the relationship after #35 but I'm still not sold. I'm not against it per se, I'm just not convinced this is a good relationship yet. Those that like Jason with her claim he opens up to her more and she has a good influence on him. Well...kinda. Sure, Jason mentioned stuff about his dad, Gotham and resentment of the people at the charity. But he: 1) literally has no one else he can really discuss this with and 2) still isn't being completely honest with her. While Isabel put the moves on him first without knowing if he gave up crime fighting (which she wanted at the end of Tynions' run) Jason hides the fact that he hasn't left that life behind. He is not in a good place now and that would be an issue in any relationship. And it's not like Isabel is the only woman he's open up to but the comments I've seen seem you think she is.

Despite having some problems with Jason and Essence it's clear to me that she's very important to him. They met right after he came back to life and despite everything he went through she made him feel alive. She's part of his life that he hasn't really shared with anyone. Jason told Artemis how he didn't feel connected to his family and his lack of dating experience. He got her to open up about her past too. He's been open with his non-romantic relationships too, at least with his friends.

As for Isabels' influence, she seems to make him happy when their together but so far she's not changing his POV. Despite her upbeat outlook Jason still holds his bleak perspective. He still comes off like he's miserable most of the time. Isabel does help him deal with some of his grief over losing his best friend since she's one of the only people currently in his life that knew him. (*2) She's sort of a reminder from a different time in his life when he was happy. But at present it feels like Isabel is more invested in the relationship than him, at least to me. Maybe because it seems like Jasons' scheme to mess with Cobblepot mattered more to him? The lying is part of it.

We still don't even know much about Isabel herself.

For me personally a relationship has more chemistry and weight when it's built up. It was this way for Linda/Wally, the will they or won't they with Selina/Bruce and pretty much all of the major couples I like in comics. I like Isabel okay I'm just not invested in her being with Jason.





*1 It seems to be implied that Isabel and Jason weren't dating when on Tamaran. Isabel jokes that he doesn't know how to kiss and Jason explains that he wasn't trying before. The only previous time we saw them kiss was on their date when Jason was trying to end it due to feeling guilty about lying.

*2 The only other person around is Suzie and she didn't exactly know Roy well.