Returning to Gotham with some new allies Jason prepares to make some changes.
SPOILERS AHEAD
I have to get the smaller story beats addressed before I get to the big ones. We get a more emotional look at Miguel dealing with how powerful he is, possibly being able to pick up on all of the reboots and being held captive. It's sweet to see Jason hug him (something he wouldn't do before the first RHATO series.) I really liked the exchange where he hints what he wants Bunker to do and Bunker figuring it out. This could be a fun road to explore with Jason playing the mentor role for someone else. I'm also excited for what this could mean for Miguels' character development since we have some ground work set for some future stories.
Wingman literally says nothing and he looks younger than last issue. It's more than a little weird that Jason doesn't seem to know anything about him yet is okay working with him. Unless he's purposely waiting for Wingman to make a move.
The part where Jason talks about the Su sisters reminds me of what I heard this series was originally going to be about. I feel like this is going to bite him in the rear later. I do like the idea of him working with a group of strong women in a platonic sense especially when he's helping them reform. His "only child" talk does make me sad. While it's true biologically he only seems to bring it up when he feels distant from his adopted/foster/whatever siblings. The inclusion of the Su sisters and Jasons' reluctance to separate them feels more heartfelt once you make the connection between them. The way their family functions vs. how the bat family treats Jason. Their protect each other no matter what while none of Jasons' family really protects him.
The art is wonderful, Jason looks the proper age again. The style reminds me of a different artist but I'm having a hard time placing who. But I can look at an unmasked Jason without needing text to tell me who it is.
In a very bold move Red Hood has taken over the Iceberg. This issue was a HUGE status quo change for Red Hood as he has an interview as Jason Todd that apparently reveals he's alive to the world.
I can't tell you how amazing it is that Jason isn't considered legally dead. While this might bring some limitations in terms of his ID it opens up A LOT of potential story ideas. I'm excited about the possibilities because Jason has no life outside of crime fighting. This was briefly touched upon by Lobdell when Isabel was around to try to ground Jason some. Lobdell also showed bits with Jason not knowing how to be around normal people. Right now he's playing a part and is still working with people that work in the field like him so it should be fun to see if that changes.
There have been hints that Jason wasn't considered dead prior to this. At the start of the "Who is Artemis?" arc Jason's narration box mentioned him being buried out of the public eye. People that knew him before he became Red Hood haven't been surprised to see him alive such as Ma Gunn and Gabby. Way back at the beginning of this volume Solitary had a board of the Outlaws. Some of it has changed but one of the details I noticed was a clipping from a newspaper with an apparently civilian Jason with a bag over his shoulder. I assumed this was something like a "Wayne heir returns" story just because everything on the board is supposed to connect to the Outlaws.
Plans might have changed but I get the impression Lobdell has always had something like this in the cards. And why not? Except for Jason not being around the family in public the legally dead idea has never really been used since he returned. Not only is Jason's current state clarified but the fact he's been missing from the public eye is noted. Which has me wondering if this will be more than a nod to other titles keeping Jason out of Wayne functions and get into Jason's feelings of isolation because he's been excluded. Jason being legally dead has in my opinion always been something that's very difficult for the character. He doesn't have any life outside the mission and is essentially an unperson that is hidden like he's the shame of the family. Anyway you cut it that holds the character back and doesn't speak well for the way he's treated.
Everyone that's died (Damian, Tim, Dick, Bruce) has been able to get back into the public eye without any problem yet Bruce is fine with Jason not being able to legally exist? What if he wanted to finish school or get an actual job? That's not mentally healthy for a number of reasons and the fact that this hasn't been a priority to Bruce has bothered me for some time. It feels like it was solely done to make Bruce's life easier. He wouldn't have to deal with the emotional baggage, the explanations and has Jason under his thumb. But revealing himself to the world Jason has taken that power away from Bruce. Jason is taking control of his life, pushing himself away from Bruce's shadow and it's a step to move him away from his death. Sure PTSD might always be a problem with him but he can finally be Jason Todd again.
I should be worried for Jason after the way Bruce treated him but I'm enjoying the hell out of his confrontational attitude. It's the same kind of needling he did with Penguin prior to reading Willis' letters and well, Bruce deserves it. I was smiling so hard when Alfred covered his mouth when he saw Jason on tv.
Batman: You are out of your already marginal mind--
WOW Bruce ! Insulting Jason in a way Damian would because you're mad that you can't control him. Sure he's said cutting things to other bat kids but I don't think he's ever insulted their intelligence and implied they were crazy. Again, this is the guy who's a founder of Sanctuary people. A man who has not and is not putting Jasons' well being first. Bruce is acting more and more unhinged whenever I see him lately. Sure this wasn't as bad as him beating up Jason but this is still messed up.
Jason out thinks Bruce to the point where Bruce can't even say anything in response and leaves. While I still question how Bruce could have arrested Jason without anyone making the connection before (he has been recognized in Gotham) I'm beyond thrilled that Jason is forcing Bruce to realize why that's a stupid idea. Unless this idea gets flipped in another issue with Bruce I might be putting Jason outsmarting Bruce in my "best of" this year. Knowing me I'll probably be writing more about this at some point.
I just want to say thank you to Scott Lobdell for this big change and look forward to future issues.
Did You Notice?: Jason's narrative box has a pair of dice now.
Batmite (?) or a cartoon version of Batman out on the street. "Joke's on you casino" Wayne enterprises "we find ways."
Say What?: Jason compares Crime Alley to a shiv on a toilet which...brings several images to mind, none of them pleasant. The first was wondering if the shiv was taped pointing up on the toilet.
Candi serves drinks? Isn't she like 14? Not only is that illegal for alcoholic drinks I'm pretty sure that breaks child labor laws. I mean they could fake papers to make them US. citizens but wouldn't they be able to guess her age? Roy/Jason thought she was 12. Plus Gotham should remember Suzie as the woman that held a hospital hostage and the former dead woman.
Jason wasn't adopted now? I'm guessing editorial strikes again because Lobdell has been one of the pro-family writers.
Questions Asked?: Where did Jason go between this issue and the last? To make an offer to go legit to the Su sisters?
There's another reference to Jason being in jail but I think the staff of Arkham would recognize him in their records as Jason Todd now. Was Jason there legally or did Bruce tip a friend to keep him there? Lobdell has been hinting at this plot for awhile so I think it's one he's looking forward to telling.
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