JayToddz for the masses

Scott Lobdell talks Red Hood and the Outlaws

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/dcnu-scott-lobdell-talks-red-hood-110608.html

Well, I’m thinking this looks pretty promising. What about you guys?

FYJT: That interview is really exciting. It’s been one of the few exciting things about this entire relaunch. Scott Lobdell shows some great insight into the character and really seems like he cares. The idea of redemption through friendship is wonderful. 

Some bits that I (mod!Liz) liked: 

Aside from a clearly dysfunctional relationship with Scarlet, Jason hasn’t spent a panel since his return as Red Hood interacting with anyone that didn’t fuel his overwhelming obsession to punish Batman or Joker or both or sometimes neither. That can’t be healthy for the guy.

Since he crawled out of that grave, however, Jason hasn’t done much mentally get out of that pine box: he hasn’t left that “dark place.” I’m looking forward to seeing him interact with other people that have nothing to do with his quest for vengeance or trying to kill his way through the Gotham City Yellow Pages of Crime.

So much of this is Jason to a T. And it’s nice to see the writer mention Scarlet, as always.

Honestly, who wouldn’t want to write the next chapter in the life Jason Todd?

As Jason fans, we don’t often get to hear writers who aren’t Judd Winick talk excitedly about writing Jason. So to read this was wonderful.

It is a book about three people and how their rough edges grind up against each other and invariably become better people for the experience. That is a book I’m looking forward to reading, let alone writing!

Since much of Countdown felt like a pissing alpha male contest between Kyle and Jason in order to win Donna, this is refreshing to read. Personally, I’m excited to read interaction between Jason and Roy. And Kory is an interesting add to the mix. I’m not sure what of her personality will be kept in the relaunch or if her origin will be changed, however, some of the key aspects of her personality are how open, honest and loving she is. 

I am more interest in who Jason has become than who he was. I think there is only one reference to Batman or Gotham City in issue #1 and none at all in issue #2. Could you imagine if Superman referenced Jor El and Smallville every issue… or Batman said “Eat, Alfred? How can I eat when my parents were murdered in front of my eyes twenty years ago?!”

Old fans picking up Jason will have extra insight into the character, and new fans will feel like they are picking up the first issue of a series about a guy who has made some really poor life choices and is looking at ways to do things better — and the more they come to like the character they’ll be driven to watch Judd’s excellent animated DVD or seek out all the great Red Hood stories that have come before.

This is also interesting. However, there are some aspects of Jason’s past where it would be nice to see referenced (particularly the Garzonas issue) or discussed by Jason as his character continues to develop. 

Haven’t heard anything about Roy’s brother and sister, Connor and Mia, following the relaunch, so here’s hoping those two show up! At one point, DC considered putting Jason and Connor in the same book together (That book became JLI: Generation Lost). Additionally, Jason and Mia are homies — they’ve already interacted and have quite a lot in common.