A surprising twist saves the life of Jason Todd in Absolute Batman #23, only to spur a far darker outcome. The introduction of five young heroes sharing the Robin title led to speculation that one of them would die. The smart money was on Todd, given his history in the classic Batman comics. However, his story has gone in an entirely different and most exciting direction.
Written by Scott Snyder with art by Nick Dragotta, Absolute Batman #23 finds the five members of the Robin Program at rest. However, Robin-2, Jason Todd, is unwilling to give up. Despite their mecha suits needing time to charge, Todd intends to hunt Batman by night. When the rest of the team refuse to follow him, he makes the foolish choice to go it alone. This is in keeping with the character of the classic Jason Todd, who was also impulsive and determined to prove himself.
Surprisingly, for all his temperamental behavior and boasting, Todd manages to capture the Absolute Batman. He is quickly joined by Robin-3, Tim Drake, who decided to back his best friend in the Robin Program after all. However, Todd is successful only because the Dark Knight had no intention of fighting. He was trying to warn the Robins about the danger posed by the Scarecrow.
Unfortunately for the Robins, the Scarecrow is also hunting Batman and he is not alone. The two young heroes are ambushed by Absolute Clayface. Jason Todd is knocked out and Tim Drake killed, as the shape-shifter takes on Batman’s form. When Todd wakes up, he is convinced that the Dark Knight killed his friend and teammate. The comic closes with Todd swearing revenge, as Batman flees into the night.
Why this shocking death in Absolute Batman is a game changer
The fact that DC elected to kill one of the Absolute Universe Robins is not that surprising. Thus far, most of the team outside of Dick Grayson hasn’t been given much development. Indeed, their characterization to date is neatly summed-up by a conversation early in Absolute Batman #23, as they discuss how they are being marketed like a band. Dick is the leader, Jason the bad-boy, Tim the brain, Duke Thomas the tough one, and Stephanie Brown the mysterious one. That leaves a lot of latitude for trimming the cast down.
Typically, when a Robin gets killed in a Batman adaptation, it is usually Dick Grayson or Jason Todd. In Dick’s case, it’s because he was the first Robin, and his dying is shocking to casual fans. In Jason’s case, it’s a nod to tradition, as he was famously killed off by a fan poll. Killing Tim Drake, however, is an unexpected change and an appropriately symbolic one given the inherent corruption of the Absolute Universe setting.
Among all the Robins, Tim stands unique as the only Robin who didn’t require a negative event to become a hero. In the classic Batman comics, he deduced Bruce Wayne’s secret identity and approached him wanting to be the new Robin. There is little room in such a dark reality for someone who actively chooses to be a hero. And the death of most idealistic Robin seems certain to fuel the fire of Jason Todd’s temper and kill any chance Absolute Batman has of recruiting the Robins to his side.
Absolute Batman #23 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
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