Red Hood and the Outlaws Annual #2 Vol. 2

Jason and Roy hang out for the first time since their joint title ended.

SPOILERS AHEAD

This was such an odd experience because I had all these ideas what this issue would be about. I never thought it would be as lighthearted as it was. Compared to everything going on with the Batman fight/losing teammates in the extra sized issue this annual felt much shorter in comparison.

To this day I still see people complaining that Jason "stole" Dick' s friends or saying Roy acts like a moron when he's with Jason. Neither of which I think is true, plus if you believe the former then surely Tim and Damian have done that too. While Kori wasn't around per se I like that her recording was. This issue does remind us of the last time Jason was seriously injuried and nursed back to health by Kori. He had a broken arm then too. Not too long ago I saw someone get salty that Kori didn't help Jason recently but she's not even supposed to be on Earth. Justice League Odyssey was delayed but it's coming out.

I normally don't like Suzie Su but I enjoyed her dynamic with her sisters. They weren't in the issue long but they were enjoyable. I appreciate the explanation of them being introduced by Blanc in battle which is usually an odd comic trope that doesn't make sense. I like Jason going along with it to be polite in return despite being ambushed. Suzie stopping the fight and giving information was a nice surprise too.

I liked the bit where Jason is in the middle of snapping out "I'm fine" but the lettering showing he changed his tone then paused before saying "fine." It's all his hurt and anger wanting to spill over. Only Jason realizes who he's talking to then stops himself.

I don't think Jason's over what happened with Bruce, there's just too much evidence of him being upset despite the lighter tone. There's his response to Roy's "too soon" showing that what happened is still a pretty raw wound. It's been almost a month and he's refused to speed up his recovery for a reason. We never get an explanation for it other than Jason wanting to take it one step at a time. But I believe Jason used the technology to speed up his recovery time later on since we see him training before they go to visit Suzie Su. Probably because he's determined to see his missing friends. Roy taking it as a good sign that Jason isn't in his room hints that Jason probably lingers there a lot lately save for his prior target practice.

Then there's his sad reply to holo-Starfire saying he was among family that really sounds like Jason blames himself for everything. Not only that but the subject of his family makes him sad in general. He recently learned Willis risked his life to be there for him. Everything he had with the bat family has crumbled after confronting Penguin. Kori is far away, his teammates are missing and Roy later leaves for rehab.

When the Su sisters attack the guys Jason is extremely confused why they would be there for their sibling since Suzie was the black sheep of their family. It's a direct parallel with him. Way back during the DOTF tie in Jason was preparing to go warn them and thought how none of them would lift a finger for him. Dick came in the last annual but it wasn't a smooth process. In fact he almost left and would have if Artemis didn't step in. Even then we didn't see them really hang out alone to bond.

It also reminds me of Alfred telling Bruce that others called in when Jason shot Penguin. Yet none of them rushed to Jason's defense. While the Su sisters have problems with Suzie they don't hesitate to protect her. It's sweet for them but it makes Jason's situation sadder. The only people that have shown that type of unconditional love are his teammates. Most of them are gone and Roy won't be with him after this issue. Roy took care of him after his father figure badly injured him. We know Alfred did nothing except sadly express his sorrow when he had to have known how bad it would be.

The injures Jason had were more horrific than we previously knew since we learned that his arm was broken, he couldn't walk around until this issue (almost a month), his eye is still swollen at the start, his aim was way off and it looks like he suffered a rib injury. If I had to guess I think Batsman' last punch that threw Jason into the air before landing hard then dragging him at a bad angle might have done a lot of damage. Jason could at least kick before the knock out. Being that wounded must have really drove home the point of how far and easily Bruce was willing to hurt him.

It's actually kind of disturbing how many readers shrugged this off like it was normal when they fought. I like that Roy is extremely aware of how bad it is and even questions if he's able to help and suggests Jason coming with him to get therapy. Both Jason and him show concern for each other's well being. It's the kind of support both desperately needs and is one of the reasons they work so well together as friends. Their both seen as "failed sidekicks" that don't judge each other or hold a superior status over the other. Their equals in a way they wouldn't be in the eyes of other heroes/anti-heroes. Jason has a strong friendship with Roy and just because they've been separated doesn't mean that goes away. I'm glad this issue showed how strong that bond is.

At this point I think it feels fairly obvious that Roy is going to die in HIC. It's been obvious for awhile. Harley, Wally and Booster are supposed to be accused of murder because their the only survivors. I don't think Cyborg, Kyle or Tim have even been hinted at going in for "rehab for capes." This felt like a goodbye issue and a set up for things to come. We get to see Artemis and Bizarro stuck in a hellish environment that's possibly the dark mulitverse. At first I thought they were sent into the future. Roy gets Jason invested in a mission that we already knew he was going to be looking into because of solicits. There's also a bit of a mystery with what Roy was working on. It could be an invention for Jason or it could be connected to a Green Arrow plot.

Ollie didn't know what Sanctuary was (which is confusing since it's supposed to be an open secret) and Roy assumes Jason wouldn't know either. Which I guess kind of confirms the fact Bruce never brought it up as an option for helping Jason? Because I would have thought Jason would object based on the grounds  that Bruce runs it with Diana and Clark but he doesn't mention it. According to information we have only the Trinity knows who goes and Jason might think Bruce would lock him up if he went.

When Roy dies (which he will unless this is a huge mislead) Jason will probably feel bad because he declined the offer to go with Roy. He'll think he could have saved him which will push all of his negative thoughts to the forefront. His dad risking everything for him then "dying", Artemis saving him and possibly losing hope on them being alive. Jason's reaction to his friends not being found shows how upset he is and while he seems better while training he could be in denial about their possible fate.

This was a mostly positive breather and set up issue before Jason's life gets worse. His problems might not be directly addressed but 1) he's been on he island for awhile and 2) Jason doesn't always know how to confront his issues. When he's around Roy or any of his friends he's in better spirits than when he's alone. This was a great issue that I'm sure will be even more poignant in a month or two.







Say What?: The "too soon" exchange between Jason and Roy reminds me of previous interactions where Jason mentally wondered if he was too harsh on Roy. In the first issue of the first volume Jason said he'd be considered the worst sidekick if Roy died then wondered if he went to far. Which Roy mentally agreed with. In RHA Roy compliments Jason's skills and asks if anything he does that impresses him. Which Jason shrugs off like there was nothing to be impressed with then wonders if he sounded too mean. It comes off like Jason is unsure how to interact with people. Here Roy just realizes he was harsh and actually asks if it was too soon. Which Jason admits it was. It's a nice touch for character work.

Roy calling Jason stubborn like Ducra and Dick have.

Jason mentions shooting her but didn't Roy "kill" Suzie Su last time? The first time Jason didn't kill her because he felt sorry for her. The second time she is brought back in RHA.

I believe this is the first time we've seen Jason laugh on panel without being affected by Joker toxin since his rebirth.

I'm hoping that Bizarro isn't speaking the opposite talk. I don't have the issue in hand but I recall him potentially doing that.




Question Raised?: Does the state of the ship mean we can ignore the Lobo arc Pfeiffer did?




Did You Notice?: Jason went to the effort of drawing a toothy grin on the coconut he was aiming for. A Joker stand in?

Sure Jason zipped his jacket up but no one in the hospital noticed his holsters? Well the Su sisters got away with their weapons too.

I liked the detail of Jason drinking soda around Roy. One of the things that bothers me about Jason drinking is the fact his friend is an alcoholic. In RHA Jason worried about Roy when they were in a plane and Roy ordered two drinks to challenge himself not to drink. It's a good attention to detail.