I started collecting comics in 1989, as the hype for Tim Burton’s Batman was ramping up and a month or two after DC Comics killed Jason Todd, the second Robin, in an event that scored major media attention. So it’s little surprise I started my comics collection with Batman, a book I’ve bought off and on for the last sixteen years. When it looked like Jeph Loeb had revived Todd as a villain in his “Hush” storyline, I was pretty excited. I thought it was an interesting change in the status quo for the character, and a way to have Jason’s death have a lasting impact beyond Batman morosely staring at a memorial in the Batcave every few issues. So, of course, within a few issues it turned out to be a hoax. I thought that was the cheap way out, and Lord did I get into some arguments with my brother over that one.
At any rate, Judd Winick took over the book about a year later, and has brought Jason Todd back for real as an antagonist – someone who’s willing to use deadly force against criminals and anyone who gets in his way. Loads of character conflict and an examination of the “why Batman doesn’t kill” question, which is well-mined but interesting territory. I just read issue #647, the latest chapter in the storyline. It kind of ties into DC’s ongoing Infinite Crisis crossover event, but it stands on its own pretty well. Definitely some of the most readable Batman comics I can remember in years.