The History of Jason Todd: Origins (Part 1)

[tsuki_the_geek.insanejournal.com]

So, with The Old Place gone, so went with it my History of Jason Todd. Well, after much debating I decided to repost it, with up-to-date info. 

I still feel that Jason is one of the most polarizing characters in the DCU, from his shift from pre to post-Crisis, his 900 number death, and his return and (mis)use in Countdown... you either love him, hate him, or don't see what the fuss is about.

So, here is Part 1 of my "History of Jason Todd series," giving a quick pre-Crisis background and the post-Crisis origin.

(12 large, non-dial-up-friendly images after the cut)

So, after Dick Grayson made the shift to Nightwing and was very clearly not a "kid" sidekick anymore, DC decided to bring in a new Robin. Note the emphasis on the fact that he is a "boy"



This was the first Jason Todd. His background is that he was part of a circus family who worked on the trapeze, and Batman takes him in after they die. Hmmm, sounds strangely familiar, no? Jason also had a similar personality to Dick-- he was energetic and sweet. And Batman seemed to naturally dote on him-- if you ever see a tender moment between Batman and Robin and Batman calls his sidekick "Jay"... chances are that scene is from this run. 

In fact, the only real distinguishing difference between this Robin and the original is that this one had naturally blond hair. At first Robin dyes his hair and takes on the original costume, but after being encouraged to make his own identity and not stand in the shadow of the old Robin, Jason gets a new look:



So, you'll notice that this Jason was introduced in 1984. Crisis on Infinite Earths happened in 1985. So, no more blond Dick-Grayson-clone Jason Todd.

The post-Crisis version of Jason Todd showed up in 1987, and he was a VERY different sort of "child of the 80s." 

In fact, one can see a lot of similarities in style and attitude (and adult fears about such kids) between this Jason and "troubled" kids in many 1980s films, including the brother in the 1986 film A River's Edge, who even looks like he stole post-Crisis Jason's pants (scenes can be seen here and here. Warnings for foul language and Keanu Reeves).

Here is the original version of Jason's origin from Batman #408:







And if I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times... I dare you to look at the bottom left panel and say that's a cigarrette Jason's smoking. So, this Jason Todd we know is (1) a thief, (2) living on his own in a scummy apartment off of Crime Alley, (3) smokes weed. Ladies and Gents, THIS is no Dick Grayson!



So, in this version of Jason's origin, Batman takes him to a "home"/charity for street kids, only to find out that it's really a cover for a crime organization. Jason helps Batman take down the group, and thus proves himself good enough to train as Robin. It was, truth be told, a very stupid plot.

In Jason's updated origin, from Nightwing: Year One (2005). This time, when Batman catches Jason stealing his tires, what does he do?



That "oh dear lord, help me!" look is priceless in my book.

Jason's post-Crisis origin is also retold in Winick's Under The Hood arc. There he ads one detail:





Yeeeah, nowadays we really would expect Batman to booby-trap and alarm everything on his car. Nice detail, I'm kind of a fan. NOT as big a fan of Batman smiling so much, but Winick's clearly trying to capture the tone of the original '87 origin as much as possible-- thus the Batmobile style. But I do find it amusing that this update, like Nightwing: Year One, felt the need to change Jason's outfit. A much needed change, for sure...

Lastly, there is a tad bit of contradiction over how Jason gets the costume. In the 1980s, Batman gives it to him and Jason is notably surprised--- 


(from Batman #410)

In Nightwing: Year One, however, Jason honors the more recent sidekick tradition of taking the costume without permission:



ACK! LEGS... DRAWING... ACK!!!

Ahem, but anyway, I really like the detail that Jason as already mentally signed on to the crusade before he even knows that Batman is Bruce Wayne-- it's a nice contrast to Dick, who knew Bruce first.

The really, really recent Batman #683 seems to walk the middle ground between the two versions of the story-- Bruce gives Jason a choice, and Jason, in a way, takes the identity of Robin:



(And yet another Jason-outfit-update, although this one looks closest to the original style... just with sleeves)

In our next installment, Post-Crisis Jason and his (short) time as Robin--

Comments

[kagome654.insanejournal.com]

Ah yes, the 80's threw up all over Jason Todd. Fun stuff. I always like when writers attempt to make a new character seem edgy and cool. I find that with younger characters like Damian and Jason it becomes endearing just because they're trying so hard. Like those little yappy dogs with the Napoleon complexes.

On the other hand, Jason looks way too pretty in the Winick panels.

[mr_anon_y_mous.insanejournal.com]

He looks like a tom boyish girl, and it happy in my pants confused since I find tom boyish looking chicks hot.

[icon_uk.insanejournal.com]

I should dig out my "Original origin of the original non-original Robin" posts from the other place, and finish off Jason Todd Mk1's story...

[tsuki_the_geek.insanejournal.com]

PLEASE do-- I've never owned them since that version of Jason isn't my cup of tea (read: obsession), but I'd love to see more if you have it!

[zhinxy.insanejournal.com]

Please do, especially as borked as it was in the telling, the Nocturna saga's climax has always haunted me...

[icon_uk.insanejournal.com]

Also, I'm not sure what you mean by "updates", suggesting there was any difference in appearance for Jason's costumes (other than Jason Mk1's first attempt), when there wasn't.

The only thing different is in the reference to the original Jason Mk2's costume being body armour. In terms of design and appearance though, they're all identical to Dick's.

[tsuki_the_geek.insanejournal.com]

Oh by updates-to-clothing I meant his street clothes not the Robin suit. I am endlessly distracted by the bubbly vest and red shirt/pants combo, so it's something I'm intensly/oddly aware of when people redraw the scene. In N:YO, it was jeans and a red tee, in Winick a black non-puffy jacket with red tee and jeans, and the recent Batman a puffy jacket with red shirt and dark chords or something-- the last being closest to his orginal "OMG IT'S THE 80S!" outfit that he met Batman in. That's all

[tsuki_the_geek.insanejournal.com]

Hmm, actually, re-looking at the Winick one it looks like he's wearing ripped khakis, not jeans... Ooookay, I'm spending way too much time thinking about this. O___o

My point being: red shirt w/ a puffy vest and reddish-brown pants does horrible things to my brain.

[bluefall.insanejournal.com]

you either love him, hate him, or don't see what the fuss is about.

Three poles! What defiant madness is this!

Kind of weird, though, the slow shift from Bruce giving his kids their identities to them taking them for themselves. Dick, Jason, and Cass were all handed a costume, but Jason gets retold as having taken it, Babs made her own even after getting knocked down in age, Tim went on that first mission of his own initiative, and Steph actually broke into the 'Cave to fight for Robinhood. It's probably to get Bruce away from the image of willful child endangerment a little bit, but it also has the odd effect of making him seem less self-aware and, in some places, quite a bit more manipulative.

[tsuki_the_geek.insanejournal.com]

Er, three poles for three Robins? (*dodges tomatoes from Steph fans*)

I also find the shift in "willful child endangerment" fascinating-- and it sort of reminds me of the JLU episode "Legends" when the modern Justice League is clearly concerned about "sidekick" Ray Thompson rushing off into battle with Catman without any real training or protection. Oh the times they are a'changin'...

[sistermagpie.insanejournal.com]

Also, I feel like after recently reading the Babs-retcon that it's a not-admirable lack of imagination. Or else a sort of shallow idea that it makes kids look badass by talking back to him.

[balbaroy.insanejournal.com]

That Batmobile looks like the bastard child of KITT and an AMC AMX. I really don't know if I like it.

Still, I do so love the art in that first set of scans. Thanks for posting this!

[bwmedia.wordpress.com (from insanejournal.com)]

...of KITT...

You just sold me on it! :D

[fungo_squiggly.insanejournal.com]

This time, when Batman catches Jason stealing his tires, what does he do?

Kidnaps him and leaves him tied up and gagged in the batcave all night long?

Awesome. And yes, especially because of Jason's eyes pleading for a rescue.

[civilbloodshed.insanejournal.com]

HOLD THE FUCKING PHONE! Do I spy a Poison Idea poster?! I think I just may have jizzed my pants.

[tsuki_the_geek.insanejournal.com]

Awesome, no? Oh, 80s Portland Punk... and THAT, ladies and gents, is why Jason Todd is awesome. Really, no reason to even continue this series. ;)

[civilbloodshed.insanejournal.com]

Hardcore! They were like, THE post-punk Hardcore band from Washington. Also, they rule!

[proteus_lives.insanejournal.com]

I forget what issue, but I read in robin where Tim described the three Robins as Marsha, Jan and Cindy. It made a surprising amount of sense. Jan is of course Jason. The ignored/hated Robin. I liked Under the Hood. JT has so much potential if used right.

[interrobamf.insanejournal.com]

Who are Stephanie and Damien, though? Geri Reischl and Cousin Oliver?

[perletwo.insanejournal.com]

Ahhh, I so love punk-ass Jason!

[rosecain.insanejournal.com]

Oh thank you, tsuki. This comm needs more Jason love.

[janegray.insanejournal.com]

I love the original '87 origin to bits ♥

On the other hand, the Year One origin creeps me out, and not in the funny way. It's uncomfortably close to Dick's origin in All Star, with pedo!Batman the child-abuser.

[toasty_fresh.insanejournal.com]

I totally agree. The original origin is the best.

[sistermagpie.insanejournal.com]

I left a comment above re: the whole "I just took the costume thing" and for I don't really like it. It's like the addition of Batman clearly smirking at Jason for trying to steal the tires, as if he secretly fanboys crminals and bad boys as much as the writer--because everybody knows they're cool. As opposed to the Batman who actually does not approve at all of a kid doing something like that.

It seems like there's a real trend towards kids "proving themselves" by defying Batman as if that's his whole game and I just don't buy it. (Also that often goes across with the kid in question being all about themselves and their self-expression.) Iirc, didn't Tim go on a mission because he thought it was important but not wear the Robin outfit because he respected it as something you had to earn? There's a reason the "goody-two shoes" are better Robins.

[moneyless_jew.insanejournal.com]

I could swear I'd seen pre-Crisis Jason stories with him just in the original uniform with dark hair; how long does this blonde new costume thing last?

I have no objection to Morrison making Damien Robin for awhile if that's coming, but I still think it was way too soon to retire Tim, and frankly Battle For The Cowl and all that shit screams Didio to me, not Grant.

[tsuki_the_geek.insanejournal.com]

Oh he was black haired with "original" Robin costume for awhile (as much as anything he did was "awhile" anyway, given he was only around for about a year).

You'll have to ask someone (icon_uk?) more MK1 literate than me about the specifics, though-- I pretty much stick to buying/reading post-Crisis for everything but Superman and Wonder Woman.

But, man, I do love that crazy costume...

[sistermagpie.insanejournal.com]

I think he dyed his hair to look more like what people thought Robin was supposed to look like based on Dick. Though the meta-reason was that they didn't want Robin to look so different from the iconic version that was on all the merchandise.

[icon_uk.insanejournal.com]

Jason dyed his hair black the first time he stole Dick's Robin costume to sneak out and help Batman (in South America as it happened). As Dick was still using the Robin ID at the time, Batman was not pleased. I'll include that story in the series...

[thehefner.livejournal.com (from insanejournal.com)]

Ooh, will you be doing the bit about Harvey killing his father? I don't recall if I've actually seen that, and I'd like to catch what little about Willis Todd I haven't already! For... perhaps obvious reasons.

(By the way, if you haven't gotten any further--and seriously, no worries if you haven't!--I've just finished draft seven! Or possibly eight.)

[tsuki_the_geek.insanejournal.com]

YES, Harvey will be definitely be in the next post. :)

(Dude, I owe you the biggest apology ever-- I have been up to my eyeballs in work and haven't had the chance. Every once in awhile I'll be doing something like washing dishes and suddenly think, "Wow, I really need to read that Two-Face novel!!!" and then something comes up or I get distracted, etc. SO SO sorry. I know it's a ways away, but I have the month of June almost totally off and can definitely look at it ALL then. Sincerest apologies!!!)

[thehefner.livejournal.com (from insanejournal.com)]

No worries! You seem to have that strange and bizarre phenomenon known as "a life," so it's all good! Remember, you're the one doing ME the favor here, so I'm in no position to be offended! :)

June, eh? Then around May, I'll send you the current draft!

[tsuki_the_geek.insanejournal.com]

Sounds great!

[bwmedia.wordpress.com (from insanejournal.com)]

So they used part of the Jason Todd origin for Tim in Batman/Superman Adventures, then?

[thehefner.livejournal.com (from insanejournal.com)]

Exactly. And I dare say, they gave him more of Jason's personality than Tim's.

[tsuki_the_geek.insanejournal.com]

Yeah-- BTAS Tim's origin is a mix between comic Jason and comic Tim, but he also gets Dick's snark/pep. So sort of an amalgamation of everyone!

[halloweenjack.insanejournal.com]

A lot of this smacks of "not really knowing what to do with the character at this point."

[daggerpen.insanejournal.com]

Sweet- I'd been missing this series since Scans_Daily got banhammered.

[mcbangle.insanejournal.com]

Oh ick, '80s Batmobile is so... '80s!!

[longhairedlady.insanejournal.com]

Thank you for this! I love the post crisis origin, it makes sense that Bruce tries to get him into a children's home or whatever first, much lesss creepy than the kidnapping in Under the Hood!