From the DC Vault: Death in the Family – Robin Lives #1: What If Readers Saved Jason Todd

For Batman some fans, the Death In The Family storyline (Batman #426 – 429) is a defining moment in the Batman mythos, which saw the death of Jason Todd, following the infamous 900 call-in number where fans would decide the second Boy Wonder’s fate (Kill him: 5343 He survives: 5271)

Jason’s death would define Batman’s war on crime and shape the Bat-Family for years to come allowing for characters like Tim Drake and Jason’s eventual return in 2005.

The story starts with The Joker being assassinated by an unknown assailant before returning to the new sequence of events that took place in Batman #429, when The Joker was the UN representative for Iran, The main narration is picked up by an unknown person, who is journaling about the events that unfold after a short boat chase, some timely intervention by Superman, and The Joker returning to Arkham.

While this is taking place, Jason is seen recuperating in the hospital and finally returning to home to Wayne Manor where DeMatteis begins to explore how the near-death experience is affecting not only Jason personally but continues to strain his relationship with Bruce. Dick Grayson makes a cameo, trying to reach out to Jason as someone who has worn the Robin mask and had his fair share of close calls with death.

It is revealed that the narrator is a psychiatrist that Bruce reluctantly agrees to bring in after Alfred insists that something more than time and family is what Jason needs to heal from the experience. It is a nice touch how the trauma psychiatrist’s account is written in the past tense, revealing that her narration is recounting the story, while knowing how the story ends, yet not giving away any spoilers and most likely peppering clues along the way, such as she knows that Bruce and Jason have their dual identities.

Jason goes out as Robin only to find the Scarecrow, who doses him with fear gas, which forces him to relive the brutal beating by Joker, though seemingly saved by his mother who decomposes before his eyes. The issue ends with a version of the iconic panel of Batman cradling Jason as tears roll down his face.

The art in the issue is a bit distracting as it is loose and not as clean as Aparo’s work in the original story. The Joker design is also distracting, especially the red around the mouth. The batsuit is also off with a overly large bat symbol on Batman’s chest.