Warning! This post contains a preview for Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #2Things have become very bizarre for DC’s Joker, and a new preview confirms the Clown Prince’s new conspiracy may motivate an ultimate reckoning with Jason Todd’s Red Hood. Having been murdered by the Joker when he was still Batman’s second Robin, one would assume that the Red Hood would always be seeking lethal justice and revenge against Joker following his resurrection. However, Jason Todd’s recent growth may result in an unexpected encounter, one which may prove the Red Hood is ready to become the next Batman.
Recently in DC Comics, Jason Todd has been undergoing some pretty big changes as the Red Hood. Having recently decided to stop using lethal methods of justice, Jason symbolically wields a crowbar (the same tool Joker used to beat him before his death). Not only has this change brought Red Hood closer into the fold of the Bat-Family, his time leading a team of zombie villains known as Task Force Z ended with Jason headed for Texas, the Joker’s last known location. Claiming that he’s looking for closure, it’s still unclear as to what kind of closure Jason is searching for.
Now, the new preview for Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #2 from Matthew Rosenberg, Carmine Di Giandomenico, and Francesco Francavilla has confirmed that there are now 2 Jokers in the DC Universe. While one Joker is in California and has publicly announced his mission to take his mayhem nationwide, another Clown Prince has been revealed who’s still in Gotham. Likewise, the preview confirms that Red Hood has begun investigating Gotham’s Joker, potentially teasing a new reckoning between the vigilante and villain (at least this mysterious version of the Clown Prince). Here are the preview pages and synopsis for the upcoming issue:
Will Red Hood Finally Get His Joker Revenge? Or Something Else?
- JOKER: THE MAN WHO STOPPED LAUGHING #2
- Have you ever wondered if you’re the best version of you? What if the best version of you was on national television committing shocking acts of atrocity that could only be perpetrated by a mind as bent and broken as…The Joker’s? The Clown Prince of Crime is about to find out a shocking new truth…
While the synopsis seems focused on Joker and questioning which Clown Prince is truly the best version of himself, the same question could easily be applied to Red Hood as well. Is Jason Todd the best version of himself as the Red Hood, or could he be something more? Considering all of his recent growth, the ultimate test would be for Jason to face the Joker and bring him to justice, rather than seeking revenge and trying to kill him as one would expect based on their shared history.
If Red Hood does manage to face one or both Jokers and expressly chooses to not kill either of them, it would certainly signify that Jason could be ready to take on Batman’s mantle in the future. It’s also notable that Jason decided to stop using guns on his own, rather than in response to Batman’s disapproval. Here’s hoping Red Hood’s growth and journey from his past darkness will survive the ultimate test: facing Joker. The full Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #2 will release on November 1st.
