could you expand on the disparities between jason’s initial and later characterization?
Thanks for the ask! I’ll focus on preboot, since n52/Rebirth was admittedly fairer to Jason and what reproaches I have against the reboot aren’t of the same nature. Let’s roast post-crisis tho:
Starting with the well-known “"fact”“ that Jason was a brash, arrogant, impetuous hot-head. Coming from Starlin and weeell reinforced by pretty much every writer that followed.
For a change, have some Jason following instructions to stay put even though he’s clearly bummed down about it; demonstrating feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy like every Robin did; thinking before he acts and coming up with well-thought plans; recognizing when his skills are lacking and how he can help best even if that means he won’t be in the middle of the action; and overall being the polar opposite of the character that was built with the sole intent to be victim-blamed.
[The New Teen Titans (1984) #28 & #26 || Batman (1940) #377]
[Batman (1940) #411 || Detective Comics (1937) #563 || The New Teen Titans (1984) #29]
Jason initially isn’t some dumb brat eager to break teeth, he often participates to the resolution of a case and provides valuable insight. ‘Tec #566 is a good example among others. Winick was on point by showing Jason as a tactician/planner first and foremost.
Long story short we went from the kid who’s given Robin to the one who breaks the costume out the glass and claims it for himself.
[Batman (1940) #409 || Nightwing (1996) #103 (Year One)]
Even Starlin had the decency to have Dick give his costume to Jason come on. If we’re treating that dude’s work as the reference we should at least take everything into account and not just the elements that incriminate Jason… Starting with the fact that it was Jason’s mother who lured him to his death, not his anger or recklessness or whatever.
Oh yeah and since Starlin Jason has an innate mean streak, is overly violent, unforgiving, and pummels criminals well after they stopped defending themselves btw
[Batman (1940) #422 & #645]
Except Jason’s compassionate nature is one of his defining traits. Even with the woman he has every right to hate for she’s responsible for Bruce temporarily losing custody of him. Even with the dude he’s known for like 30 seconds.
[Batman (1940) #380 || The New Teen Titans (1984) #21]
Even with the man who killed his father.
[Batman (1940) #411 || Detective Comics (1937) #581]
Also Johns thought it’d be a good idea to have Jason destroy Donna’s memorial for some reason??
[The New Teen Titans (1984) #20]
[The New Teen Titans (1984) #24, 26 & 21]
NTT#20 is one of my favorite issues featuring Jason btw. He is so insightful. He arrives at a period where the Titans’ put everything into question and the team cohesion is suffering. He sees Donna, current leader, emotionally vulnerable and crippled with doubts. And he, the youngest among them and the one who knows them the least, is not only able to get to the root of the problem but also to shine light into Donna’s head and provide comfort.
Donna made an extra effort to make him feel included & Jason was there for her in a period of doubt and that’s important for me.
I guess the reason I take issue against the “Jason was a bad seed” thing, blatant victim-blaming aside, is that it adds nothing to his narrative.
Jason went through a traumatic death & resurrection on many points, was indoctrinated with the League’s values, estranged from the people who loved him which helped in making him see Tim’s arrival and Joker’s staying alive as a lack of love from Bruce. He doesn’t need to be innately bad to justify his violent return as the Red Hood.
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