Review: Red Hood - The Lost Days

HERE BE SPOILERS!

Red Hood: The Lost Days is a captivating six-issue comic book series, initially published by DC Comics in 2010. The brainchild of Judd Winick, with illustrations by Pablo Raimundi, Cliff Richards, and Jeremy Haun, the series was compiled into a compendium in 2011 and reissued in 2025. This dark yet compelling narrative sheds light on the resurrection of Jason Todd and the events that followed up to his adoption of the persona of Red Hood.

Jason Todd, as the second Robin to assist Batman, succeeded Dick Grayson after the latter took on the mantle of Nightwing and ventured off to lead the Teen Titans. From the outset, Jason was a divisive figure among fans. His erratic and volatile nature, coupled with a penchant for violence, starkly contrasted with the more composed and beloved Grayson. Jason's unpopularity ultimately led to his demise at the hands of The Joker in the infamous 1988 storyline A Death in the Family.

However, comics are no strangers to resurrection. Jason Todd was reborn in the 2010 narrative Under the Red Hood, also written by Winick, where Batman finds himself face-to-face with the vigilante Red Hood, only to uncover it's his former protégé, Jason, alive but forever changed. Red Hood: The Lost Days fills in the critical gaps between Jason's resurrection and his return to Gotham, where he is ready to confront Batman with vengeance on his mind. [For more about Jason's resurrection story, see Jason Todd's Empty Grave.]

The story kicks off with Talia al Ghul, the daughter of the notorious villain Ra's al Ghul and a recurring love interest of Bruce Wayne. Talia is deeply concerned about Bruce's well-being following Jason's death, and she deploys operatives to keep an eye on him in Gotham. Her investigation leads her to a young man in a mental asylum, a mysterious figure found wandering aimlessly, dressed in a suit and tie, and covered in soil—a grim indication that he has clawed his way out of a grave!

The young man, though devoid of memory, is haunted by trauma and bears the physical scars of an explosion. DNA testing reveals the startling truth: this lost soul is none other than Jason Todd. Talia, defying her father's wishes, decides to rehabilitate Jason and immerses him in the Lazarus Pit, a mystical pool famed for its restorative powers. While the Pit revives Jason's memories, it also rekindles his trauma and resentment, particularly towards Bruce Wayne, who failed to avenge him by killing The Joker and has since replaced him with a new Robin, Tim Drake.

Driven by vengeance, Jason returns to Gotham, intending to blow up the Batmobile with his adoptive father inside. Yet, at the last moment, he cannot bring himself to kill Batman, opting instead for a more personal confrontation. He vows to Talia that he will face Batman and end his life with his own hands. Concerned by his growing instability, Talia fears she has unleashed a psychopath.

To prepare for his revenge, Jason infiltrates an international terrorist group, not to join their ranks, but to learn and refine his skills. His moral compass, though twisted, remains intact as he annihilates the terrorists upon discovering their involvement in human trafficking. He spends the next few years dismantling criminal organizations worldwide unti he ultimately decides to confront The Joker, the architect of his death, now free from incarceration. Yet, as he stands on the precipice of revenge, ready to immolate The Joker, Jason steps back. He confides in Talia that the conflict transcends mere revenge; it's a complex web entangling him, The Joker, and Batman. The story culminates with Jason embracing his Red Hood persona, setting the stage for Under the Red Hood.

Red Hood: The Lost Days is a masterful exploration of Jason Todd's trauma and the psychological intricacies that define his character. Judd Winick delves into the depths of Jason's psyche, unearthing the turbulent emotions and moral dilemmas that were often overlooked in earlier tales. Jason's hesitance to kill Batman, alongside his eradication of mobsters and terrorists, reveals a deeply ingrained moral code, though warped by his suffering.

His anguish is a tapestry of PTSD, a troubled childhood, resentment towards his adoptive father, jealousy over Tim Drake, and Talia's manipulative influence. The decision to portray Jason and Talia's relationship as sexual was an odd choice on Winick's part, considering the age disparity between the two, Talia's previously "motherly" affection for Jason, and her recurring relationship with his father. It raises questions — was it a further way to manipulate Jason?  Was it an expression of sympathy for the troubled Jason — or some form of revenge against Bruce for whom she has very complicated feelings? Whatever the case, it felt unnecessary.

In the final analysis, this book stands as one of my favorite Jason Todd stories, as it provides a profound insight into his emotional and psychological landscape. The narrative primarily exists outside the traditional "Batman universe," making it distinctly Jason's story. Batman's presence, when it appears, is mostly through flashbacks, reinforcing focus on Jason's journey.
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The dark and emotive artwork complements Jason's tumultuous path and his internal struggle. What's more, Red Hood: The Lost Days not only solidifies the Red Hood character but lays the groundwork for Jason's eventual redemption and reintegration into the Batman Family.

RELATED FEATURES: Red Hood Collection | Batman Collection | Nightwing, Batman and Adoption Problems | Tim Drake Collection | Jason Todd's Empty Grave | When Jason Todd Helped Save Superman | Nightwing Collection