The death of the Jason Todd Robin

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I remember reading this as a kid. I didn't realize at the time how outrageously offensive the Iranian angle was (due in part to the fact that Iran itself had been the target of poison gas attacks during the Iran-Iraq War by Saddam Hussein's regime, which the US supported at the time).

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Substantial_Net9923@reddit

What race?

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Jonestown_Juice@reddit

I read the TPB during a road trip from Houston to Albuquerque. Pretty powerful for 10-year-old me.

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MyBurnerAccount1977@reddit

For the longest time, it was one of the few permanent deaths in comics. The old adage used to be, "Only Uncle Ben, Jason Todd, and Bucky stay dead", but now it's just "Only Uncle Ben stays dead".

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djsynrgy@reddit

What's funny for me is how his death is an iconic moment but most of us haven't a clue about there being more than one Robin; we just think that's "the" Robin being murdered. 🤷🏼‍♂️

I mean, okay, yeah, I'm tangentially aware there's been more than one, but I don't know all their names, and have no idea when/where/why the story changed from one to the next.

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Frosty_Cloud_2888@reddit

The way the joker beat him with a crowbar and then couldn’t be touched because he diplomatic immunity because he was an ambassador of some Middle East country. That was pretty shocking, then he just toss the bomb at him.

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Professional_Scale66@reddit

Pretty sure it was Iran…

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VinylHighway@reddit

Because Batman is such a law abiding vigilante? Most of the criminals he detains would walk and also likely be able to sue him. Dropping someone off at the police and then not testifying is not a good method.

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Zucc@reddit

If that's where you draw the line for realism in Batman comics.....

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VinylHighway@reddit

It’s not really I just find it funny that they’d be like “oh he’s a diplomat so he’s untouchable now”. Batman invaded china in the movies! ;)

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Dreaming_of_Rlyeh@reddit

I didn’t read comics back then, but Under the Red Hood is probably my all-time favourite DC storyline, so thanks to all of those who voted to kill him I guess haha

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HTownGuero666@reddit

My dad picked up the graphic novels for “Death in the Family” and “The Dark Knight Returns” at the same time. Not sure when, but around the release of the ‘89 movie.

I devoured both, although I barely understood what the fuck was going on in either story! DKR is obviously bizarre, but DITF had shit like the Iranian ambassador to the UN, Lady Shiva, Superman working for the evil U.S. government…

It was basically the only Jason Todd story I ever read. Not sure I missed much! But it was amazing and unsettling. An unforgettable corporate stunt. From there I managed to get every issue of “Batman: Year Three” and I was officially a comic book freak just in time for the ‘90s boom. Tim Drake was “my” Robin.

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LeftHandStir@reddit

Just in time for Knightfall!

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badteach248@reddit

Damn...I remember voting for his death. Then being really sad and feeling genuine guilt. But I really connected with the next Robin, as I was 12 I think when he appeared.

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VVrayth@reddit

He got better.

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aliedle@reddit

I was fortunate to meet Jim Starlin at my local Comic Con a few years ago. Had him sign my copy of A Death In The Family. Nice guy.

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Last-Stop-Before-You@reddit

That artwork is erotic AF.

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AssumptionRemarkable@reddit

Looking back, the reaction to Jason Todd’s death was insane. I voted to kill him off cause he came off more reckless and a prick compared to Dick, and wasn’t alone. Definitely caused an issue at school as letting kids decide life/death was too much for my parochial schooling.

What still sticks is The Joker beating him with a crowbar and leaving him in that explosion… that was dark PERIOD

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xchester77@reddit

Favorite comic ever. Fuck Robin.

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misplacedbass@reddit

Can you give me a synopsis of the comic for someone that never read a single comic? Why “fuck Robin”?

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xchester77@reddit

Fuck Robin because he's lame.

I haven't read it in 30 years so I can't provide a synopsis. I remember there was a time bomb and Batman didn't make it in time.

What I can say is that it is a 4 part series. They let the fans vote how it would turn out. Would Robin live or die? Fans voted to kill Robin.

I was glad to be rid of him.

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VinylHighway@reddit

Perhaps you are in the wrong subreddit

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xchester77@reddit

It's possible.