ROBIN II
Jason (peter) todd
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Probably the most controversial Robin.
By the 1980s, the original Robin (Dick Grayson) had largely moved on. However, with the character no longer featured in Batman comics, the disadvantages of telling Batman stories without the character to act as a sounding board for Batman became apparent; Jason Todd was created as Dick Grayson's replacement as Robin.
Though initially popular, following a revamping of his origin (after Crisis On Infinite Earths), the second Jason Todd version of Robin was not well-received by fans.
For 1988's Batman: A Death in the Family storyline, DC held a telephone poll to determine whether or not the character would die at the hands of the Joker. However, many years later, in the Batman: Under the Hood story arc (2005), the character was resurrected, eventually becoming the second Red Hood and assuming a new role as an antihero who resembles Batman in many ways, except with a willingness to use lethal force and weapons.
By the 1980s, the original Robin (Dick Grayson) had largely moved on. However, with the character no longer featured in Batman comics, the disadvantages of telling Batman stories without the character to act as a sounding board for Batman became apparent; Jason Todd was created as Dick Grayson's replacement as Robin.
Though initially popular, following a revamping of his origin (after Crisis On Infinite Earths), the second Jason Todd version of Robin was not well-received by fans.
For 1988's Batman: A Death in the Family storyline, DC held a telephone poll to determine whether or not the character would die at the hands of the Joker. However, many years later, in the Batman: Under the Hood story arc (2005), the character was resurrected, eventually becoming the second Red Hood and assuming a new role as an antihero who resembles Batman in many ways, except with a willingness to use lethal force and weapons.
Origin [pre-Crisis]
First Appearance (as Jason Todd)
Batman #357 (March 1983)
Jason Todd appears for the first time in Batman #357 (March 1983).
How original...
Batman #357 (March 1983)
The very first time we see Jason Todd (Batman #357).
Trying on a costume
Detective Comics #526 (May 1983)
Jason Todd's first appearance in a costume (NOT Dick Grayson's Robin costume), takes place in Detective Comics #526 (May 1983).
Tragedy
Detective Comics #526, May 1983
Like Dick Grayson, Jason Todd is the son of circus acrobats, Joseph and Trina Todd, who are killed by Killer Croc.
In the story, Dick Grayson asks the Todds to help with tracking Killer Croc. Things go horribly wrong...
In the story, Dick Grayson asks the Todds to help with tracking Killer Croc. Things go horribly wrong...
Gee whiskers!...
Detective Comics #526
Meanwhile, back at Wayne Manor, Jason, who is waiting there to hear something from Dick and his parents, wanders around and finds the Batcave. And some old circus costumes that belong to Dick Grayson.
History repeats
Detective Comics #526 (May 1983)
Jason tracks down Batman, Robin and Batgirl and helps defeating Killer Croc. Then he hears what happened to his parents...
New beginnings
Detective Comics #526 (May 1983)
In the epilogue of Detective Comics #526, Bruce adopts Jason Todd, as Dick Grayson watches in approval and remembers his beginnings with Bruce.
Jason becoming Robin
Batman #366 (1983)
In Batman #366, Jason wanders around Wayne Manor, again. This time, he finds Dick Grayson's Robin costume.
Tough beginnings
Batman #366 (1983)
Jason surprises Batman when he comes to help him beat the Joker, dressed as Robin.
''The Batman, for one, is unamused.''
''The Batman, for one, is unamused.''
Batman #366 (1983)
Finding the right name
Batman #367
In Batman #367, Batman and 'Ishmael' hit the streets of Gotham...
Batman still needs ROBIN
Batman #367
However, Batman still calls for Robin when he needs assistance.
Settling with a new name...
Batman #368
Tonto!?
Passing on The Mantle of robin
Batman #368
Batman #368
Just like the Robin of the 1940s through 1960s, the first Jason Todd was occasionally impetuous and immature. He made mistakes, and showed more emotional reactions than Batman. He was, after all, still a kid.
In that period, each superhero comic usually had a complete adventure in one issue, but subplots extending over many months. The first Jason Todd became the object of a custody battle between Bruce Wayne and Natalia Knight, the criminal Nocturna; basically, he went undercover as her adoptee. Again, that plot emphasizes how Robin is still a child at that point.
In that period, each superhero comic usually had a complete adventure in one issue, but subplots extending over many months. The first Jason Todd became the object of a custody battle between Bruce Wayne and Natalia Knight, the criminal Nocturna; basically, he went undercover as her adoptee. Again, that plot emphasizes how Robin is still a child at that point.
In Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’s terrific Superman story, “For the Man Who Has Everything” (1985), an extraterrestrial conqueror dismisses Jason as “the little yellow one.” Yet who saves the world in the end? That tale is the first Jason Todd’s finest hour.
