WARNING: Contains spoilers for Absolute Batman #2In a surprising twist, the new Absolute Batman series teased the debut of Red Hood before even teasing Robin’s arrival in his bold new universe. But Jason Todd fans have even more reason to be excited, as the first mention of this re-imagined ‘Red Hood’ suggests that Jason Todd won’t just be a fellow convict, but could potentially be Batman’s first ally in the war for recover Gotham City.
Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, Frank Martin and Clayton Cowles Absolute Batman #2 picks up where the inaugural issue left off, with assassin Alfred Pennyworth continuing his invasive surveillance of the Dark Knight. The previous issue saw Alfred discovering every detail of Bruce’s past, and now the killer has turned his attention to Batman’s routine and his war against Black Mask’s Party Animals gang.
As part of his data collection, Alfred notes that when Bruce is not working his civilian job as an engineer for the city, he disappears into the shadows of Gotham, with rumors circulating that he “meets Red Hood.” However, This Red Hood is markedly different from the one fans know from Earth-Prime.
It seems Absolute Batman may be echoing the past — specifically, that of Judd Winick Batman: Under the Red Hood (2005).
Absolute Batman has already changed the origin of the Joker’s Red Hood
The Absolute Joker has his own origin, disconnected from Jason Todd’s codename
Before we delve into the big change that the Absolute Universe introduced to the Red Hood, it’s important to first understand the evolution of this iconic moniker. The nickname Red Hood made its first appearance in Detective comics #168, “The Man Behind the Red Hood” (1951). In this edition, the Joker reveals that his original criminal alias was “Red Hood,” and it was under this identity that he first crossed paths with Batman – a meeting that took place at the ACE Chemicals factory, where the Red Hood fell into a vat of chemicals, leading to the birth of the Joker.
Fast forward a few decades to 1988, when the Joker kills Batman’s second Robin, Jason Todd, in Death in the family plot. In 2005, Jason Todd was resurrected in Under the hood arc, where he took on the mantle of the Red Hoodclaiming the title of his killer. This choice to adopt the Red Hood was motivated by Jason’s emotional turmoil and his twisted form of revenge against Batman, as well as a dark tribute to the villain who “remade” he. Since then, the Red Hood identity has been strongly associated with Jason, following him on his journey from villain to antihero to hero.
How DC’s Absolute Universe is changing the ‘Red Hood’ legacy
“…the Red Hood, a Suspected Resistance Group.” – Alfred Pennyworth in Absolute Batman #2
The Absolute Universe reintroduces the Red Hood moniker, but with a significant twist: instead of being associated with a villain or anti-hero, the implication is that the Red Hood represents a group of heroes. Alfred’s narration describes the Red Hood as “a suspected resistance group” who Batman is rumored to be meeting. The use of the word “resistance” and Batman’s apparent connection to the group suggests that, in Absolute Universe lore, the Red Hood is aligned with heroism. However, this brief mention of resistance raises more questions than it answers.
The more pressing question is: if this is a resistance group, what exactly are they resisting? Node Absolute Batman In the narrative, Black Mask and his Party Animals gang are the main antagonists, plunging Gotham into chaos with their attacks. However, it appears that Batman and the GCPD are the only ones actively fighting them. So what is the role of the Red Hood resistance? One possibility is that the group will provide information, especially considering Alfred’s suggestion that Batman meet with them regularly. However, This Potential Alliance Between Batman and Red Hood Feels Wrongas Bruce has never indicated that he is working with anyone other than himself.
‘Red Hood’s’ Absolute First Name Means More Than You Think
Fans could be seeing a repeat of Batman: Under the Red Hood in Absolute Batman?
The mention of the Red Hood in Absolute Batman Number 2 may initially seem like a minor detail, especially with everything else going on in the narrative. However, there may be more meaning in this mention than it seems at first glance. While Snyder’s choice of Black Mask as the main antagonist of Absolute Batman was a curious, if intriguing, decision, the introduction of the Red Hood now seems to steer this seemingly random villain choice in a deeper, more meaningful direction. It looks like Absolute Batman may be echoing the past – specifically, that of Judd Winick Batman: Under the Red Hood (2005).
Batman: Under the Red Hood is one of Batman’s most iconic stories, known for bringing together Batman, Black Mask and Red Hood. While it may be a mere coincidence that Absolute Batman is lining up these exact same three players, There’s a strong possibility that Snyder and Dragotta are paying homage to Winick’s work – or perhaps teasing future narrative developments. What strengthens this theory is the uncanny similarity between two key scenes: in Absolute BatmanBlack Mask calls out to Batman just before one of the Party Animals fires a bazooka at the building Batman is in, causing it to explode – an event reminiscent of a scene from Under the Red Hood involving Black Mask and Red Hood.
Will Jason Todd still be the Red Hood of the Absolute Universe?
Scott Snyder Teases the Premiere of Absolute Robin, Nightwing, and Red Hood
If Snyder maintains the same age differences between the characters as in Earth-Prime, it is highly unlikely that Jason is currently part of the Red Hood resistancesince he would just be a child. And for now, it appears that Snyder is sticking to the original age dynamic. Some may argue otherwise, pointing to the fact that Barbara Gordon and Bruce Wayne are roughly the same age in this universe, but it’s important to remember that the original Barbara Gordon was closer in age to Bruce than she was to Dick Grayson.
While it’s unlikely that Jason Todd will currently be part of the Red Hood resistance in the Absolute Universe, that doesn’t mean all hope is lost for his eventual appearance – especially with Snyder confirming that there will be an Absolute Robin. While it’s unclear who this Robin will be, or if there will be more than one, like in Earth-Prime, this confirmation offers hope to Jason Todd fans. One intriguing theory is that Jason could still take over the Red Hood mantle if one of his parents is part of the resistance, with Jason later claiming the name as his own to continue his parents’ legacy.
Absolute Batman #2 is now available from DC Comics.