Red Hood Was Willing to Stop Killing for 1 Bat-Family Hero (But Not Batman)
Although Batman was never able to convince Red Hood to stop killing, a surprising hero from the Bat-Family may have done just that. Jason Todd took on the role of Red Hood to do what Batman could never do: rid Gotham of its worst criminals once and for all. Despite opposition from Batman and the Bat-Family, Jason persists with his ruthless approach to fighting crime in the city. In the DC Universe, Batman is famous for his steadfast no-kill policy. Ever since discovering that his presumed-dead second Robin, Jason Todd, had taken on the Little Red Riding Hood persona, Bruce Wayne has embarked on a relentless quest to convince him to give it up. his bloody cloak, a plea that Jason firmly refused. This persistent theme persists in the three-issue DC Black Label series Batman: Three Jokers by Geoff Johns, Jason Fabok, Brad Anderson and Rob Leigh – especially after Jason kills one of the three Jokers.
Red Hood Was Only Willing to Change for Batgirl
In Batman: Three Jokers 3, after Red Hood vows to kill the remaining two Jokers, Batman tries to convince Jason by offering his former son to help him find a better path and a new identity. He begs Jason to “leave Red Hood behind.” The anti-hero refuses Bruce’s extended olive branch, saying he doesn’t need help. However, a later reveal in the same issue shows that Jason is willing to change, as long as one condition is met: Batgirl Barbara Gordon must be willing to give him a chance and help him on his journey towards change. After being captured and brutalized by the Jokers in Batman: Three Jokers 2, a poignant exchange occurs between Jason and Barbara. During this one-on-one meeting, Jason revealed that Barbara was the only person who made him feel truly cared for. This poignant moment cemented Batgirl as the only hero capable of inspiring change within Red Hood. For Jason, who has always felt like an outsider in his own family, this meeting brings a glimmer of hope and a sense of belonging – before leading to the infamous and unfortunate kiss between the Red Hood and Batgirl.
Only Batgirl Has the Power to Change the Entire Course of DC History
Although Batgirl immediately regrets the kiss, Jason’s feelings remain steadfast. In a note taped to his door, Red Hood confesses his love for Barbara, saying he is willing to give up Red Hood to be with her. This act of vulnerability shows that Jason is ultimately a character driven by emotions. With a simple statement from Barbara, DC’s most beloved antihero may have ceased to exist. Luckily for Red Hood fans, the string holding the note to the door was broken and the letter was then swept away by the janitor before Babs could read it. The impact of losing Jason from the Red Hood character will have consequences far beyond fan reaction. This will cause a series of lasting consequences, not only within the Bat-Family but across the DC Universe. However, what some may see as a character’s death may be seen by others as a rebirth. Either way, it shows fans that while bullets and clowns have failed time and time again to put an end to Red Hood, the real deadly threat is love.