Red Hood (and the) Outlaw(s) #36

This issue makes the start of the Year of the Villain tie ins.

SPOILERS AHEAD


I knew Cobblepot would never keep the knowledge of Red Hood's ID but just shrugging it off at this stage is weird. I think it might have to do with the YOTV plots being forced in. It still makes me unsure what Jason was trying to accomplish by revealing his ID. Which is what I'm most disappointed in. Was it just a mistake he made in the heat of the moment or did Jason's plan need for Penguin to know? Was he planning on holding Penguin forever? If not then why was it such a big deal that he escaped?

While some readers called it last year with the memory loss due to the bullet it feels odd to confirm it at this late point. No, this doesn't come out of no where and it does fit into what we were shown. Still, it did feel like Penguin knew although we never techically got confirmation of this. Yet...we kinda did.

I checked and Cobblepot links the shooting with Jason (the editorial note says he means #24) when he claims Jason tried to kill him. Doesn't that mean he already knows Jason is Red Hood? Why would he assume there was a connection unless he remembered? He doesn't know what the connection is here so how does he know Jason Todd was involved? And isn't it bad for Jason that he has bad guys believing he can be bought? All the memory loss thing does is make Pengiun ignorant of their connection and the link to Batman.

This still puts a target on Jason's back and everyone around him. Sure he got Penguin in trouble but he also threatened dangerous people as Red Hood and stated Jason Todd worked for him. I was hoping there was more to the plan than just getting Cobblepot in trouble while he personally ticks them off. I mean what is he even going to say about this? People will ask where Cobblepot was and all he'll have to do is blab that Jason kept him locked up for an Outlaw. Maybe some people won't believe him but his backers know Red Hood took over and Jason is involved.

I don't think Penguin is lying because he has no reason to when he thinks he has Jason in his crosshairs. Bunker comes in after Jason gets the upper hand and this is a part that feels like it was rushed. I was worried this was entirely motivated by Solitary manipulating him but Miguel has some moral reasons for not agreeing with what Jason did. While the two did bond in previous issues it wasn't built up to the point this breech in trust feels too devastating for the reader. Their not friends like Tim and Miguel were. While Jason was supportive and provided a job there still felt like there wasn't much trust, at least from Jason's side.

Miguel has every right to feel betrayed because he was mislead. I could see him drawing parallels to what happened when he was locked up. Plus Solitary was messing with his head, something I think would have manifested in the villains return. That's just my own guesswork but Lobdell was clearly building something with Miguel getting weirded out by his powers and his memories. Miguels' quiet response and Jason's text box really bring home just how disappointing Jason's actions are. I expected more of a fight but what's said is much more impactful. Miguel just leaves which allows Penguin to escape too.

Suzie Su has been more intriguing this time around but I do wish there was a better build up for why she and by extension her family wanted to go straight. Her bond with Jason has been entertaining to watch. Sadly I don't see DC, who have been ignoring most plots from RHATO, letting the Su family keep the casino. I liked that Jason made the effort to help them but won't this put them in an awkward position?

Wingman gets poetic about how beautiful Gotham looks but Jason feels bitter about the city. This gives another twist to the talk he had with Isabel earlier in the arc. There he voiced his disgust with the people there that all ignored his suffering as a child. This time Jason seems to see the city as a liar--which is also what Bunker called him. He talks about how it keeps letting you down. Later on he even hopes he's leaving for the last time but it's not just the city he's disappointed in, it's himself. After this we get confirmation (Jason doesn't) with the tattoo that Wingman is indeed Willis Todd.

For a second in an earlier page I thought Wingman was Bruce until I realized that made no sense. But the pride he has when Jason reveals that he never intended to kill Penguin reminded me of Bruce. I have suspected Wingman's ID for awhile and there were plenty of clues around. Unlike the Bunker and Penguin exits this isn't disappointing for me. We have known Willis was around for some time and the hints were already there. I'll probably write more about this else where but I like that Jason tells Willis what he couldn't tell Bruce at the diner.

It wouldn't have worked if Lobdell forced a situation where Jason learned Wingman was his dad or tried to explain the Solitary connection. Confirming for the audience who he was while showing his pride in his son worked much better. Despite him being a bad father Willis manages to see the good in Jason when he can't see it in himself.

Despite the intrusiveness of the YOTV tie ins I do like how Jason is able to tell at a glance what's following him and guesses it's Lex Luthor (despite him being dead) before he even speaks. I would have liked more of a meeting between them given their history with in this series. Especially since Jason knows Lex ordered the hit on the prison. Wait, Lex wants Jason to train students and that's also the gift? That seems like a rip off.





Say What?: I'm not sure if Jason really believes Penguin could have gotten out earlier.

The sentence about Bunker not normally being so alpha just sounds odd to me. I get the intention but that's a strange thing to think when it looks like Bunker is going to complicate the situation with Penguin.

Jason thinks Wingman is valuable and loyal...despite knowing nothing about him and literally threatening him last issue.

Wingman calls Jason "son" and Jason doesn't see the importance of it.




Did You Notice?: When Miguel seperates Penguin from them to talk to Jason I noticed the seemingly judgemental look on dog's face. It was unintentionally hilarious.

The dog jumping off the boat with Jason made me smile.