#continuity breadcrumbs

[crisis-on-infinite-batblogs]

Batman (2016) #54

Many years later...

Wayne Family Adventures Ep. 5

"It was kind of like fun."

[crisis-on-infinite-batblogs]

Red Hood: Outlaws

“I thought I hated him for what he did… but I don’t. I just kinda pity him… and in a way that’s worse.”

“I know, lad… I know.”

Detective Comics #581

[crisis-on-infinite-batblogs]

"I want him to know it was me."

I've got feelings about Jason and Bruce's relationship, so let's talk about it. As always, I'm mixing up my own continuity cocktail of pre-crisis and post-crisis and adding just a little splash of headcanon for color.

The year is 1984. The comic is Batman #368

We all know this issue as the debut of Jason Todd as Robin. More accurately, it's his first appearance as an official Batman-sanctioned Robin. (See #366 when Jason steals Dick's uniform and flies to Guatemala).

Anyway, this issue starts with the first and (to my knowledge) the last voluntary and consensual passing of the Robin mantle. Isn't that fun?

Jason is ecstatic and goes to change into his newly bequeathed colors while Bruce and Dick exchange misty-eyed nods. There's fatherly hands on shoulders and lumps in their throats and it's all very sweet.

Dick shares with Bruce a hearty handshake before leaving the cave. Over his shoulder he calls out one final farewell: "So long, Robin. Be great." And when Dick's footsteps finally fade into the shadows:

Jason shares his worries about not receiving any credit for his acts. He knows that this is selfish, and he admits to being ashamed that he even said it. He's being incredibly honest and vulnerable with Bruce, which is something I feel we don't get to see often enough.

Bruce gives an obligatory speech about how Jason will be serving justice and saving lives. He says that with this job, there is no room for a big ego. But he also says "No need to be so hard on yourself, Jay."

And in a shocking twist, Good Parent Bruce Wayne is equally honest and vulnerable and shares this little anecdote with his son:

Bruce lays a gloved hand on the new Robin's narrow shoulders, and tells him in earnest that it gets easier. He says that with every innocent life saved, that need for recognition feels less urgent. With every look of relief and gratitude on the faces of would-be victims, the glory seems less important.

(and stepping into headcanon land:)

Jason takes a deep breath, and puts on a smile. "I know you're probably right, Batman... about it getting easier?"

His smile sinks into something closer to a grimace. "And I want to believe all that stuff you said about seeing the gratitude on people's faces, and--"

Jason's bitter laugh comes out as a huff. He looks down at his hands which fidget nervously in their brand new green gloves. When he continues, his voice is little more than a whisper.

"I want to help people... I-I want to be great, just like Dick said." Trying and failing to meet Bruce's gaze, Jason throws his eyes up to search the vaulted shadows of the cave. "It just sucks that no one will know it's really me."

Bruce is reminded, not the last time, that Jason is not Dick. The same lectures he gave the first Robin won't work half so well this time around. Jason's situation is fundamentally different. The kid is stepping into a pair of well worn shoes that won't be easy to fill. Bruce sighs, and pulls his son into a hug.

"You're beginning with a rich legacy behind you, Jason, and no one can ever know who's behind that mask." He rests his chin on top of the lad's head, and squeezes as if he could draw out every last bit of self-doubt. "... but I'll always know it's really you... and I will be so proud."

(and stepping back into canon:)

Seven-odd years have passed, and a countless number of odd things have happened. Jason was gone. He was dead... but then he comes back.

He comes back to loneliness, and hunger, and so much pain. He comes back to a world that he does not recognize, and he comes back to a Batman who is so different from the one he left behind.

Talia has been warned of the so-called "Pit Madness". Her father has told her of the rage and darkness that now live in young Jason's heart. He has told her that she's unleashed a pestilence upon the earth.

But her father is wrong. It is not rage that burns in Jason's heart, but a cold and calculated revenge.

One week later, and all the pieces are in place: Batman is six blocks away, staking out a bunch of Penguin's men, waiting on a weapons seller who will never show. This gives Jason just enough time to plant the bomb on the Batmobile. A combination of Lead Azide and RDX placed six inches behind the back left tire. As close as he can get to the fuel line. And then, all there is to do is wait until the bastard arrives.

Jason watches as the Bat makes his approach. He glares through the slatted window with his thumb hovering just above the button. He waits for his moment.

Batman walks wearily toward the car. Towards safety. Towards home. He doesn't yet sense any danger. He doesn't yet see Death lurking before him. He opens the door.

You made this happen. Jason thinks, his thumb pressing every so sightly upon the trigger.

You.

And then it happens. Batman enters the vehicle and the time has come.... but Jason can't do.

He did everything right. He planned it all with expert precision. He crossed every 't', and meticulously dotted each and every 'i', but when the moment of his glory is upon him, Jason realizes that it isn't what he wants.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It's not what you think," he says to Talia.

"I'm gonna kill him," Jason says, "but he's gonna look me in the eye when he goes."

A cold wind screams across his face, brushing his dark hair into even darker eyes.

"When I take him from this world, I want him to know it was me."

[crisis-on-infinite-batblogs]

Nightwing #80 // Batgirls #3

It's possible that Dick and Stephanie both own one of these Black Canary t-shirts, but have you considered: Steph stole it from Babs, who stole it back from Dick, who borrowed it from her in the first place and never returned it.

[crisis-on-infinite-batblogs]

Red Hood/Arsenal #12 // Batman: Urban legends #4

It took about 5 years, but he got there eventually.

[crisis-on-infinite-batblogs]

Detective Comics #619

I think this is the first time that Tim has gotten legitimately angry at Bruce. He's spent nearly all of his time trying to be the perfect kid and the perfect partner. But come to find out, Batman has been keeping secrets from him, about his own parents no less!

If this sounds familiar, that's because it's the same exact thing he did to Jason in Batman #411:

Tim and Jason both say the same thing: "I had a right to know!"

In both of these instances, Bruce is trying to protect these kids from the hurt that he himself had to grow up with. While he may have had the best of intentions, we all know that Batman has zero emotional intelligence. All in all, it's not surprising that he keeps getting yelled at by pre-teens.

While Jason has never been afraid to take a swing at Bruce, Tim vents his frustration on the nearest inanimate object...

...which just so happens to be the glass case of the infamous "Jason Todd: Good Solider" memorial.

This is the equivalent of pitching a fit in public, and then realizing that you've stomped your foot on someone's grave. Tim is horrified, Bruce is silent, and the scene turns instantly somber.

I just love how Jason's absence plays such a huge role during this era and the striking image of the memorial is like a gut punch to me every single time we see it. That colorful happy suit behind it's funeral glass is just so morbid and creepy and infinitely sad.

Anyway, Tim is in an interesting situation now. His parents have been kidnapped while abroad, and it's the first time that a case has gotten truly personal. Suddenly it's not about Batman and Robin anymore. Suddenly it's all about Tim Drake.

The kid has every right to get upset and act out. He has every reason in the world to cry and scream and pound his fists against Batman's chest. That's what Bruce is expecting him to do... but he doesn't.

Tim just puts on his game face and gets to work.

(Somebody get this boy a hug ASAP!)

[crisis-on-infinite-batblogs]

Batman #383

I'm not going to say that it's out of character for Batman to make a joke like this, but it's definitely silly-mid-80's-happy-Batman behavior.

The best part is: Jason did the same exact ask-the-arsonists-if-they've-got-a-match joke on his very first patrol as Robin.

Batman #368

What I love most about this is that you can SEE how much Batman has improved since Jason came along. Back when they first started, Bruce was so in his head, that he wouldn't even permit himself a smile, but now he's quipping and laughing, and there are so many hugs. He's got his little family and he's just so happy😭😭😭

P.S. it is totally canon that Batman steals all of his jokes from Robin.

[crisis-on-infinite-batblogs]

Batman #366 / #425

5 years have come and gone, but Jason is still sneaking out, swooping in, and saving Batman's ass.