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space_gaudet's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
twowhoodles's review
5.0
Retcon / New 52 aside, this is a tight story with growth for Hood and the Outlaws.
bat_books's review
2.0
2.5 ⭐️
I enjoy the parts where Jason is back in Gotham (and Roy throwing a ball around with Damian), but man I just don't like the retcon of his back story and it's bringing down this series for me
I enjoy the parts where Jason is back in Gotham (and Roy throwing a ball around with Damian), but man I just don't like the retcon of his back story and it's bringing down this series for me
lorien13's review
5.0
Oh wow. Death of the Family was an amazing arc in DC's Bat Family, but I think this is my favorite storyline in it. While for Batman and Nightwing, it was heart-wrenching, and for Batgirl and Robin it was was just a little piece of the bigger storyline going on, for Red Robin and Red Hood it was huge. Their respective teams were thrown upside down as their leaders were both abducted, forcing them to work together for the bigger picture. Red Robin's team began to understand the boy behind the mask, and why he does as he does.
But for Red Hood it was deeper. It was truly personal. Each of them faced their demons, had to come to terms with something in their past now facing them in their present, but Red Hood's past has been his present. And now he has to face it.
I loved the character development here, as Jason has to swallow some pains he's been dealing with since he woke up alive again years before. And I love that Jason starts to take steps forward. My favorite part has to be the final page.
I also adored that Jason reached out to Damien, the one who honestly has the most in common with him. I enjoyed the foreshadowing to his sad storyline that comes to a head in Batman Inc. Volume 2. It showed just a little more into a side of Damien he doesn't like to admit he has, even in his own comic Batman and Robin.
All in all, I think this flowed as well as Batman, Nightwing, and Batgirl, but had a little more heart. It wasn't so heartbreaking and added some hope in a dark plot. Amazing read!
But for Red Hood it was deeper. It was truly personal. Each of them faced their demons, had to come to terms with something in their past now facing them in their present, but Red Hood's past has been his present. And now he has to face it.
I loved the character development here, as Jason has to swallow some pains he's been dealing with since he woke up alive again years before. And I love that Jason starts to take steps forward. My favorite part has to be the final page.
I also adored that Jason reached out to Damien, the one who honestly has the most in common with him. I enjoyed the foreshadowing to his sad storyline that comes to a head in Batman Inc. Volume 2. It showed just a little more into a side of Damien he doesn't like to admit he has, even in his own comic Batman and Robin.
All in all, I think this flowed as well as Batman, Nightwing, and Batgirl, but had a little more heart. It wasn't so heartbreaking and added some hope in a dark plot. Amazing read!
keahiinfra's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
carleeiigh's review
5.0
Finally something that I actually really like out of this series! Just had to have it focus almost entirely on Jason and the Batfam NOT beating the crap out of him!
There is an issue that focuses on Roy and Kori trying to reach Jason to save him, ending up helping the Teen Titans save Joker victims. It's okay, whatever
But I loved the aftermath with the rest of the Batfam. I vaguely remember not really liking Death of the Family? But him and Bruce sort of reconciling, realizing Jason has to let go of his past, and that good things are happening with Robin now. It's nice to see him maybe move on this time? With help from his friends. It worked out with Tim before!
There is an issue that focuses on Roy and Kori trying to reach Jason to save him, ending up helping the Teen Titans save Joker victims. It's okay, whatever
But I loved the aftermath with the rest of the Batfam. I vaguely remember not really liking Death of the Family? But him and Bruce sort of reconciling, realizing Jason has to let go of his past, and that good things are happening with Robin now. It's nice to see him maybe move on this time? With help from his friends. It worked out with Tim before!
stop_hammatime15's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
rhganci's review
4.0
With every issue that I read of Red Hood and the Outlaws, I find new reasons to enjoy it. It gets increasingly apparent to me that Lobdell is really working hard to commit his run to the idea of death and rebirth for Jason Todd, as this collection really focuses on Jason's relationship to the other members of the Bat-family. Red Hood's post-Batman #17 epilogue issue is without a doubt the most emotional of those I've read, and its follow-ups dismiss all but Bruce and Jason from the scene in order to really get a picture of their relationship now that the Joker has been defeated, for now.
STORY AND SCRIPT
With a wide range of artists contributing to this volume, Lobdell's plotting provides just the anchor that the story needs. As with the other Death of the Family volumes, we get a picture of what happens to Jason Todd during his personal run-in with the Joker prior to the ultimate showdown with Batman in Batman #17. It isn't remarkably different than the others--maybe a little better than Robin's, but not as good as Batgirl's--but it crosses over with Teen Titans and, while Jason and Tim are sorting out the Joker's psychopathic machinations, Starfire and Arsenal show some of the leadership they picked up during their battles on Tamaran as they help Wonder Girl, Kid Flash and others deal with some Joker-caused menace in Gotham City. This sidebar really worked as character development for Arsenal, especially after Starfire's character gained a lot of ethos during her central role in Vol. 2, 'The Starfire'. Arsenal hasn't gotten a central role in a story yet, but he takes charge during the team-up with the Teen Titans in a believable and welcome way.
But this story is about Jason, and this is where the story really stands out. From the aftermath of the Joker's attack on Isabel to the two-issue follow-up after Batman #17, Jason develops as an anti-hero and provides a lot of introspection with regard to his place in the Bat-family. By the end of the volume, his re-introduction to the Joker is everything it's supposed to be.
PENCILS AND ARTWORK
There's a lot going on here with regard to artwork, as a wide range of artists contribute a lot of artwork. The absence of Kenneth Rocafort does change the tone a bit, but Brett Booth brings a similar realism to his issues and while Timothy Green II has a simpler, more juvenile style, it doesn't derail the story by any means. And the final issue's pencils from Tyler Kirkham match up perfectly with the tone with which Lobdell approaches the problematic relationship between Batman and Red Hood. In the end, each artist's work contributes a fresh look to each of the many arcs that this collection contains.
CONCLUSION
Of the collections unified by the Death of the Family crossover mega-event, this one does the most on a character level, which is doubly appropriate as Jason Todd has been victimized by the Joker more than any other Gotham crimefighter. We get a sincere look at the Red Hood with just the right amount of help from Starfire and Arsenal, and by the end of this collection, we're as invested in him as we are in any member of the Bat-family. Red Hood and the Outlaws is a title on the rise as the second year of DC's New 52 moves towards its conclusion.
STORY AND SCRIPT
With a wide range of artists contributing to this volume, Lobdell's plotting provides just the anchor that the story needs. As with the other Death of the Family volumes, we get a picture of what happens to Jason Todd during his personal run-in with the Joker prior to the ultimate showdown with Batman in Batman #17. It isn't remarkably different than the others--maybe a little better than Robin's, but not as good as Batgirl's--but it crosses over with Teen Titans and, while Jason and Tim are sorting out the Joker's psychopathic machinations, Starfire and Arsenal show some of the leadership they picked up during their battles on Tamaran as they help Wonder Girl, Kid Flash and others deal with some Joker-caused menace in Gotham City. This sidebar really worked as character development for Arsenal, especially after Starfire's character gained a lot of ethos during her central role in Vol. 2, 'The Starfire'. Arsenal hasn't gotten a central role in a story yet, but he takes charge during the team-up with the Teen Titans in a believable and welcome way.
But this story is about Jason, and this is where the story really stands out. From the aftermath of the Joker's attack on Isabel to the two-issue follow-up after Batman #17, Jason develops as an anti-hero and provides a lot of introspection with regard to his place in the Bat-family. By the end of the volume, his re-introduction to the Joker is everything it's supposed to be.
PENCILS AND ARTWORK
There's a lot going on here with regard to artwork, as a wide range of artists contribute a lot of artwork. The absence of Kenneth Rocafort does change the tone a bit, but Brett Booth brings a similar realism to his issues and while Timothy Green II has a simpler, more juvenile style, it doesn't derail the story by any means. And the final issue's pencils from Tyler Kirkham match up perfectly with the tone with which Lobdell approaches the problematic relationship between Batman and Red Hood. In the end, each artist's work contributes a fresh look to each of the many arcs that this collection contains.
CONCLUSION
Of the collections unified by the Death of the Family crossover mega-event, this one does the most on a character level, which is doubly appropriate as Jason Todd has been victimized by the Joker more than any other Gotham crimefighter. We get a sincere look at the Red Hood with just the right amount of help from Starfire and Arsenal, and by the end of this collection, we're as invested in him as we are in any member of the Bat-family. Red Hood and the Outlaws is a title on the rise as the second year of DC's New 52 moves towards its conclusion.