Batman (1940 series) #408 2ND PRINT

by Max Allan Collins

The first Post-CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS meeting of Batman and Jason Todd! After the Joker injures Dick Grayson, Batman decides to go solo in his war on crime. But how long will this last...when he meets street kid Jason Todd?

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Batman, Comic Book, Comics Manga, Superheroes

Comic

Published January 1, 1940

About the author

Received the Shamus Award, "The Eye" (Lifetime achievment award) in 2006.

He has also published under the name Patrick Culhane. He and his wife, Barbara Collins, have written several books together. Some of them are published under the name Barbara Allan.

Book Awards
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1984) : True Detective
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1992) : Stolen Away
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1995) : Carnal Hours
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) : Damned in Paradise
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1999) : Flying Blind: A Novel about Amelia Earhart
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (2002) : Angel in Black

Japanese: マックス・アラン・コリンズ
or マックス・アラン コリンズ

Reviews

[Steven Shinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Jason Todd's origin here, but Batman's decision-making process is a real headscratcher. He relieves Dick Grayson of being Robin because of the dangers, but Jason Todd is gonna become Robin as well. And Ma's school is not what it seems. Also kinda weird seeing Batman laugh when he sees his tires are gone. A rare moment in this serious character's career.

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of cool to see Jason's origins redone for modern time (Post crisis) I had never read this. So seeing him dealing with being basically homeless and surviving on the street and then Batman saving him and putting him in a all boy's school (Only to be robbed basically at the end) is a nice twist. Also enjoyed the stuff with Dick and how he retired, such a nice and easy way that made sense.

[scribble · Rating 4 out of 5]

That last panel lmao.
Well, as far as retcons go, I really really liked this one. I might even say that I liked this retcon of Jason’s story better than the original one.

[Tina]

I wanted to learn more about Jason Todd, so I sought the knowledge of one of my friends, who is a big Red Hood fan. She recommended that I read Batman #408-413 to get a better idea of Jason's origin, so here I am.

You can definitely tell this comic is from the 80s. Not saying that's a bad thing, because I grew up reading comics from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and enjoyed them. But going back and reading them as an adult has allowed me to see how much they truly were a product of their time.

Again, not a bad thing. Just an observation.

[Omar Zambrano · Rating 5 out of 5]

el origen de Jason Todd es una excelente narración, lo unico es que no hay mucha referencia al porque salió dick (robin) del apoyo de batman.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love him

[Megan Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I officially bow my head in shame. And count this as my final book in my 2020 reading goal list. I technically read it. It's just debatable whether it counts haha. Oh well. I'll do better next year!

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's so refreshing to see a Batman who is nice to kids and shows his love and respect for Dick. There was no "you're fired!", no fight, no hurtful words. Just a concerned Bat-dad trying to make Dick understand that this line of duty is dangerous and as long as they are working together, Robin IS Batman's responsibility and if something bad happens, he can't have that on his conscience.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

COULD YOUR FAVE EVER

[lulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

campy bat is the best bat

[Cybernex007 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This issue follows the fall and rise of Robin. After a normal run in with the joker we see as Dick Grayson is injured and saved by the Batman. This leaves to a discussion about how Dick is perpetually treated like a child, and Dick decides to fly the coop and make a name for himself. I’m a bit confused at this portion as it doesn’t seem to integrate well with the new teen titans run where he became Nightwing. The news is reporting on the death of Robin, and metaphorically he is. Maybe there was a time where Dick wasn’t acting at all? Who’s to say, it can get confusing, plus this is post crisis so whatever.

Time moves on and it’s that time of year again: the day that Batman goes to crime alley. It’s become a yearly tradition in the alley formerly known as Park Roe, but for Batman it’s the anniversary of his parents death. He gets a chance to meet Ma Gunn, a teacher who has started a shelter for runaways and doesn’t cooperate well with social services. It appears she is trying to build up the future, and that’s the only thing that will make crime alley better. But when Batman returns to the Batmobile he finds that one of his tires has been stolen…HAHAHAHAHA. And then out from the corner pops Jason Todd with a tire iron hidden behind his back. Batman finds the entire situation hilarious and tries to apprehend Jason, only to get pelted in the stomach by the boy. Batman secretly follows him back to his hideaway, where he makes Jason put the tire back on himself. Only to have a pretty personal conversation about his life, and ending with ultimately convincing Jason to go to Ma’s school for an education and brighter future. As Batman leaves it’s only revealed to us that Ma is running some kind of racket in the back, and Jason is now surrounded by armed goons. Typical crime alley…kinda disappointing but it gives a reason for Batman and Jason to reunite.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did Robin Die Tonight?

[Among · Rating 4 out of 5]

7.5 (#408-#411)

[Alex Rodriguez · Rating 1 out of 5]

408-411

[Atenea · Rating 4 out of 5]

#408 - #425

[nat ☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“try and catch me you big boob!”

istg jason is everything and he remains iconic since his first appearance, and he will forever remain iconic.

[Ayah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason Todd orgins 🩷

[Antonia M · Rating 4 out of 5]

408-411

[Bab · Rating 4 out of 5]

ready to hurt myself

[🐾 · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I DON'T WANT TO WINDLIP IN SOME CRUMMY ORPHANAGE, OR SOME FOSTER HOME WHERE I'M SOMEBODY'S PET CHARITY CASE. I'M MY OWN MAN!
ME, JASON TODD!"

[Matheus Pacheco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ponto chave da lore da Batfamília. Dick Greyson renegado e Bruce conhece Jason Todd... ai.

[bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

JASON IMMA CRADLE YOU 😭😭😭

[gemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ amazing!!! ma gunn?? james gunn… everybody is connected…

[José Carlos · Rating 4 out of 5]

408-425

jason todd está certo
empurrou foi pouco
o batma trancando o homem no bueiro me lembrou o oz criança na serie do pinguim

[estela ✩ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ☆

jason todd!!! 💖🙂‍↕️

[kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

jason you're too cool, they will kill you. what a fun introduction to the second robin!! easily established an entertaining and compelling dynamic between him and bruce (yk class stratification (and he made him laugh!! on his parents' death anniversary!!!)) choosing to ignore those ominous and sinister almost foreshadowing signs

[Flaleman16 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desde el principio Jason siempre ha hecho sonreír a Batman :')