WARNING: Potential Spoilers For The Boy Wonder #2!Red Hood’s new look in The Boy Wonder boldly rejects the traditional superhero aesthetic, offering Jason Todd the gritty anti-hero appearance he deserves. However, this isn’t the only recent makeover for Red Hood. Chip Zdarsky’s Batman run has also introduced a new design for the former Boy Wonder, raising a compelling question: between the two series, which rendition of his costume reigns supreme?

Juni Ba’s The Boy Wonder #2 continues Damian Wayne’s mission to purge Gotham of the “demons” that are responsible for citywide abductions. Throughout Ba’s series, this mission has also been accompanied by a retelling of the origin stories of Batman’s Robins from Damian’s perspective, with the first issue centered on Dick Grayson.

Issue #2 shifts focus to Red Hood, marking his debut in the series as he allies with Robin against the demons. This debut also introduces a new design for Jason, diverging from the conventional superhero aesthetic prevalent in the DC universe’s hero community and embracing a design more aligned with his typical Anti-Hero persona.

Red Hood’s New Streetwear Perfectly Rejects the Superhero Aesthetic and Elevates His Anti-Hero Status

Red Hood’s latest design maintains his iconic red helmet and firearms while revamping the rest of his appearance. Instead of the usual heavy body armor, Jason now wears a weathered dark grey hoodie paired with worn black cargo pants and battered black Converse sneakers. Perhaps the most striking change is the addition of a brown leather vest adorned with a red “R” on the left breast. While it could stand for “Red Hood,” it may also serve as a nod to Jason Todd’s tenure as the second Robin.

This street-smart ensemble is a perfect fit for the Bat Family’s self-proclaimed black sheep, presenting an aesthetic more in line with an anti-hero than a traditional hero. While in mainstream continuity Jason has transitioned more towards heroism, Ba’s series returns the character to his origins, portraying Red Hood as more of an anti-hero than a hero, making this look particularly suitable. The narrative also suggests that Red Hood is estranged from the family, explaining why he wouldn’t adhere to the typical Bat-Family standards of gear and costumes.

Batman #148 and The Boy Wonder #2 Both Gave Jason Todd a New Look, But Which One Is Better?

Ba’s series isn’t the only recent comic run to give Red Hood a redesign. Chip Zdarsky’s Batman #148 also showcased Jason in a new costume, blending Red Hood’s traditional upper body gear with a brown and black cut-off jacket combo that is integrated into the body armor. Additionally, the ensemble features what appear to be a pair of red and black Adidas-esque athletic pants, creating an intriguing yet potentially polarizing look. Thus, if there’s a winner between the two redesigns, Juni Ba’s design likely takes the lead, seamlessly merging classic elements of Judd Winick’s Red Hood with a street-style twist.

The Boy Wonder #2 is available now from DC Comics!