Summary
Warning: Contains spoilers forBatman #149!!
The Bat-Family has seen plenty of difficult times over the years, but being free of Zur-En-Arrh hasBatmanreconsidering his priorities. In a bid to truly live as part of Gotham andpart of the family, he’s creating a new home called Pennyworth Manor, and the whole extended family received an invitation…exceptRed Hood. Jason’s absence, while not surprising, signifies just how turbulent his relationship with the others still is.
Batman#149– written by Chip Zdarsky, with art by Steve Lieber –sets up a new chapter for Bruce Wayneand his family. After losing control of himself to Zur-En-Arrh and making a number of hurtful decisions, he’s trying to start over in a big way.
He doesn’t intend to make the move alone.All former Robins, Signal, and all three Batgirls receive an invitation to join him, butRed Hood is notably absent from the crew.As Batman surrounds himself with the core members of his family, Jason Todd is excluded.
Batman Redefines His Crime-Fighting Philosophy, Introducing 1 Priority ABOVE Gotham
Batman has officially changed his crime-fighting philosophy and is putting the well-being of the Bat-Family over Gotham (or at least he says he is).
Red Hood Wasn’t Invited To Be Part Of The Bat-Family’s Fresh Start
Batman#149 – Written By Chip Zdarsky; Art By Steve Lieber, Michele Bandini, Nick Filardi & Clayton Cowles
Despite that, Jason sacrificed himself to stop Zur and Failsafe inBatman#148, proving how far he’s willing to go for family. Yet Red Hood remains something of a pariah, left on the outskirts, and it appears that hasn’t completely changed.
Rather than return to Wayne Manor, Batman begins anew with a derelict mansion he has dubbed “Pennyworth Manor.”
Bruce Wayne has pushed away or alienated most of the Bat-Family at some point, but the distance never sticks the way it does with Jason. While the two had some degree of tension during Jason’s Robin days,they have experienced little besides conflict during his time as Red Hood.Jason often pushes back against Batman’s rules and won’t always take a back seat to them if he believes another path is necessary to help someone or save Gotham. Beyond their differences as vigilantes, the lingering hurt remains overBatman’s refusal to killthe Joker in the wake of Jason’s death.
During theGotham Wararc, Jason became one of Batman and Zur-En-Arrh’s targets. His body was altered to equate any adrenaline spike with an extreme fear response, leaving him struggling or unable to do something as essential as save a child from a fire. Despite that,Jason sacrificed himselfto stop Zur and Failsafe inBatman#148, proving how far he’s willing to go for family. Yet Red Hood remains something of a pariah, left on the outskirts, and it appears that hasn’t completely changed. If an invitation was extended, he may have refused it.
Red Hood’s absence at Pennyworth Manor speaks volumes about the current state of Jason’s relationship with his family, but there is room for change.
Batman’s New Era Could Give Bruce & Jason A Chance To Make Amends
Red Hood Could Still Rejoin The Bat-Family
Red Hood’s absence at Pennyworth Manor speaks volumes about the current state of Jason’s relationship with his family, but there is room for change. Some part of Jason will always want to be included; a desire also beautifully illustrated inBatman: Urban Legends #6when he nearly succumbs to Cheer Gas to stay in a vision of everyone living as a happy family. If Bruce ever does want to bring his son back into the fold, he’ll need to extend more than an invitation, however.Red Hoodisn’t currently involved withBatman’srebuilding efforts, but there’s hope for the future.
BATMAN #149 (2016)
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
