Under the Red Hood: But Was He Wrong, Though?

I’m late to the DC game. I adored Batman: the Animated Series, Justice League, and Teen Titans as much as the next self-respecting nerd but I didn’t start delving into their comics until New 52. That said, I was drawn to the concept of Red Hood. Trained by the Batman, killed by Joker, back to fuck shit up with guns; what’s there for a boy not to love? I recently got my hands on my boy, Fredo’s copy of Under the Red Hood and after going through it a couple times, I have to ask; “But was he wrong, though?”. Please, everyone. Grab a drink, relax in your comfiest pajamas and hear my case. Red Hood’s approach to controlling crime is more compelling than Batman’s and his rage, leading to his standoff with his mentor, is understandable. 

First, a review of the graphic novel turned animated movie. We’re set in Gotham City at a time where crime is controlled by Black Mask; think Task Master in Blackface as Kingpin. Amongst the drug deals and violent crime enters Red Hood. It’s a moniker taken by a Joker in Batman: Year One. Besides that, my lack of DC knowledge betrays me. Fitted with a red mask, brown jacket and many, many weapons he goes to war with Black Mask. Attempting to be the new law of the land, his message is clear: Don’t sell drugs to children or I will kill you. Oh, and gimme money. He makes an entertaining run out of disrupting big crime in Gotham and proving himself the lesser evil, inducing a team up with Batman at one point. It is revealed that the Red Hood is Jason…