Warning: Spoilers for From the DC Vault: Death in the Family - Robin Lives! #4 ahead!DC has concluded its 4-part miniseries covering what would have happened if Jason Todd had survived his fatal and fateful encounter with the Joker, and the results are heartbreaking. In the end, it appears that surviving the Joker and being able to move past the trauma he has inflicted are two different beasts entirely, and living through the attack only sets up Jason for a fate arguably worse than death.
J.M. DeMatteis, Rick Leonardi, Rico Renzi, and Taylor Esposito's From the DC Vault: Death in the Family - Robin Lives! #4 concludes the series, with Jason Todd fatally shooting the Joker after enduring humiliation after humiliation at the clown's hands. Things appear to end on a positive note, with Dick Grayson taking up the mantle of Batman and Jason retiring from hero work to oversee Arkham Asylum.
However, things swiftly turn tragic: the final issue concludes with Jason donning clown makeup and becoming a new version of the Joker, showing how, despite surviving, he cannot escape the Joker's influence over his life.
The Joker Destroys Jason Todd Whether Robin Lives or Dies
Jason Cannot Win - And He Becomes the Joker in the Process
The death of Jason Todd in Batman #427 by Jim Starlin and Jim Aparo is arguably one of the most impactful deaths in comics, having left Robin's fate in the hands of an infamously close reader poll. While Jason is eventually revived, revealed to be the anti-hero Red Hood in Batman #638 by Judd Winick and Doug Mahnke, fans have wondered for decades what might have happened if a handful of votes had gone the other way and Jason had lived. DC eventually revealed the alternate version of Batman #428 in which Robin lives, but the Death in the Family - Robin Lives! miniseries attempts to explore the matter even further.
Every issue highlights how the Joker's abuse continues to scar and torment Jason.
Death in the Family - Robin Lives! repeatedly emphasizes how Jason has not recovered from his treatment at the Joker's hands. Jason walks out on therapy, relives the moment via Scarecrow's fear gas, and even winds up back in the Joker's hands, brainwashed for a short period into being "Jokey, the Boy Lackey." Every issue highlights how the Joker's abuse continues to scar and torment Jason, essentially suggesting that, despite living, Jason never "survived" the attack at all. The Joker's treatment dominates Jason's psyche, culminating in Jason continuing the cycle of abuse by becoming his tormentor.
Even When Jason Todd Lives Through the Joker's Attack, "Robin" Dies
The Joker's Triumph Over Robin Is a Multiversal Constant
Custom Image by Kate O'Donoghue (from Rick Leonardi and Mike Mignola)
The ultimate tragedy of Death in the Family - Robin Lives! #4 is how a story that is ostensibly about Jason Todd's life only highlights how ingrained his death at the Joker's hands has become in DC canon. Jason surviving is supposed to be part of the "good" timeline; instead, it brings out the worst in him. Ironically, being murdered by the Joker ultimately leads Jason to some form of redemption as the Red Hood. Meanwhile, in the timeline where Jason lives, he instead succumbs to corruption and becomes a full-on villain. Either way, "Robin" dies.
Related
Death in the Family - Robin Lives tells a bleak story, but it is a story worth reading, driving home the importance of mental health. It highlights in stark terms how survival is more than just living through trauma: it is also the ability to move past it. In life, Jason Todd proves unable to move past what theJokerdid to him, hammering home that, one way or another, the Joker will always succeed in killing Robin.
From The DC Vault: Death In The Family - Robin Lives! #4 is available now from DC Comics.
Jason Todd is a complex figure known for his tumultuous journey as Batman's second Robin. Initially impulsive and rebellious, he's resurrected after a tragic death, becoming the vigilante Red Hood. Armed with intense combat skills and a moral ambiguity, he challenges Batman's methods, navigating a path between heroism and anti-heroism in Gotham's unforgiving streets.
The Joker is a psychopathic criminal mastermind with a warped sense of humor. Initially introduced as a remorseless serial killer, the character evolved over time, often oscillating between a prankster and a homicidal maniac. His relationship with Batman is one of the most complex in comic book history, defined by their mutual obsession. Over the decades, the Joker has become an enduring icon of chaos and madness, embodying the antithesis of Batman's order and justice.
Created By Bill Finger , Bob Kane , Jerry Robinson
First Appearance Batman (1940)
Alias Red Hood, Clown Prince of Crime, Ace of Knaves
POWERS Criminal Mastermind, Expert Chemist, Weaponized Props, Psychological Manipulation, Combat Skills, Unpredictability, High Pain Tolerance, Charisma, Escape Artist
HISTORY The Joker's history has been depicted with various origin stories, the most common being his transformation into the Joker after falling into a vat of chemical waste that bleaches his skin white, turns his hair green, and lips bright red. This disfigurement drives him insane, leading him to become Batman's greatest nemesis.
NAME Arthur Fleck
Age Varies by portrayal; generally depicted as being in his 30s to 40s.
Height Typically depicted around 6 feet (1.83 meters).
Comic Books Joker #1 , The Joker #5 , Joker: Killer Smile #1 , Batman: Three Jokers #1 , Batman: The Joker War Zone #1 , DC's Year of the Villain: Joker #1 , Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #1 , The Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #1 , Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanity Secret Files #1 , The Joker 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1
Summary
The Joker is one of the most iconic villains in comic book history, known for his chaotic nature and as Batman's ultimate nemesis. He has been portrayed by multiple actors in various media, each bringing their unique interpretation to the character, from Cesar Romero's campy take in the 1960s to Joaquin Phoenix's gritty portrayal in 2019. The Joker's influence extends beyond comics into films, TV shows, and video games, making him a cornerstone of DC's villainous pantheon.
Custom Image by Kate O'Donoghue (from Rick Leonardi and Mike Mignola) 
:quality(85):upscale()/2024/10/29/625/n/1922564/ec222ac66720ea653c5af3.84880814_.jpg)
:quality(85):upscale()/2024/10/25/846/n/49351082/bfc0fdb3671bef086c3703.42134063_.jpg)
:quality(85):upscale()/2021/07/06/971/n/1922153/7d765d9b60e4d6de38e888.19462749_.png)
:quality(85):upscale()/2024/10/29/957/n/1922441/c62aba6367215ab0493352.74567072_.jpg)
English (US) ·