Writers: Jeff Trammell
Art: Rob Guillory

Colors: Jean-Francois Beaulieu

Letters: Becca Carey
Publisher: DC
Price: $5.99
Release Date: 5/11/21
Reviewer: Soycornholio

Preamble:

Jason Todd is one of my favorite Robins. He is gritty, raw, and he has a lot of emotional baggage that we do not always see with the Robins. In Truth and Justice #4, Jeff Trammell visits some of the various ingredients that sum up Jason Todd. While reading this issue, I fell more in love with Todd as a character and had several chuckles along the way. In a nutshell, this issue takes place around the murder of Todd’s childhood friend at the hands of one of Gotham’s many rogue doctors (Quinzel, Isley, Fries, Crane, etc.). On a quest for vengeance, Todd hunts down the killer but along the way, battles the various demons in his life. Let’s take a look at Robin…The Red Hood… and his latest adventure.

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Title = The Story:

Comic books are a key example of not judging a book by its cover. Often, I am captured by an amazing cover and title. Later on, while I am reading said book, I come to realize that the art is sub-par, the storyline is weak, and the title has nothing to do with the plot itself. Truth and Justice #4 however, describes the overall plot exceptionally well. Jason is constantly on a quest to discover his truth. Was he the worst Robin? Is he better than Dick Grayson? Is he still living under Batman’s shadow? Is he truly beyond redemption? I am sure that these are the questions that are plaguing Jason daily. One of the themes that play out on several pages, is the Dick Grayson phenomenon.

Dick Grayson was the epitome of what a Robin should be. He has earned the respect of the various heroes in DC, he founded a team, and he is genuinely a good guy. Those are pretty big shoes to fill. Especially from a wayward youth who was caught trying to steal the tires off of the Bat-Mobile: enter Jason Todd. I can only imagine the pressure of not only trying to live up to the title of Robin but also trying to fill in the hole that was missing once Dick left the Cave. Trammell does an amazing job of writing Jason as a hero who is currently in the middle of a war against himself.

Robin:

This has to be the most traumatizing name in all of comic book history. Death and vengeance seem to follow each of the Robins. Unlike the other Robins (even Damian) Jason lives in vengeance, he does everything he can to NOT be like Bruce (i.e., the gun). Unfortunately, he is very similar to Bruce. I believe that each of the 4 male Robins, embodies one of the various traits that is Bruce. Dick represents the innocent fun-loving playboy billionaire. Jason represents the vengeance and anger that drives Bruce to be the guardian of Gotham City. Tim represents the inquisitive nature of Bruce (in a way, he is the perfect marriage of the first two Robins). Lastly, Damian represents brute force. The non-stop brawler who stops at nothing to accomplish his goal. Now the other Robins can center themselves, so they are not fully engulfed by their respective trait. Jason on the other hand thrives with anger and vengeance. Throughout the issue, it becomes crystal clear that Jason is still mad at Bruce, he would blow the brains out of the Joker in a heartbeat, and he has a chip on his shoulder in regard to Dick. This is perfect. These are those classic character traits that sometimes mysteriously disappear over the years. If I was Jason, I would still be pissed about each of those particular topics. This is what makes him one of the most authentic members of the Bat-Family. He is not trying to stifle his emotions. He embraces his anger while trying to figure out his place in the grand scheme of things.

Final Thoughts:

Truth and Justice #4 is an epic story arc for Jason Todd. It is riddled with revenge, envy, anger, sadness, and hope. Overall, if you are on the hunt to read an emotional and raw story, this is the issue for you. Jason Todd is one of the most real heroes we have out there, and this issue solidifies it. I would 100% recommend picking it up. You will not be disappointed.