Robin & Batman: Jason Todd (2025-) #1

by Jeff Lemire, Dustin Nguyen (Artist)

Batman has a new a rash, impulsive, reckless kid with a troubledpast, who Batman was certain he could mold into Gotham’s nextcrime-fighter. But can the Dark Knight save Jason Todd from the darknesswithin himself? And when a mysterious new villain sets his sights onJason, Batman finds himself doubtful that even he has what it takes totrain the anger and torment out of his new young ward.

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Batman, Comic Book

Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2025

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

Jeff Lemire is a New York Times bestselling and award winning author, and creator of the acclaimed graphic novels Sweet Tooth, Essex County, The Underwater Welder, Trillium, Plutona, Black Hammer, Descender, Royal City, and Gideon Falls. His upcoming projects include a host of series and original graphic novels, including the fantasy series Ascender with Dustin Nguyen.

Reviews

[Mia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Damn horrible writing for Jason, Bruce and even Alfred triple homicide.

[Jadyn❀ · Rating 3 out of 5]

*2.5* I’m extremely conflicted on this. I know that Jason had his moments as Robin. He made impulsive and sometimes questionable decisions. But would Alfred really have thought Jason beyond their help? Damian ends up being worse and he was always his fiercest advocate. Jason is at his most interesting to me when his past traumas are not leaned into as a motivator for inflicting pain, but as a cause for his empathy. I can see glimmers of it here, and I really do hope that’s the direction this series decides to take.

[atinybooklife · Rating 4 out of 5]

batman needs to start considering sending these kids to therapy first.

[Sofian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Everytime I think I get actual good Jason content and then it turns out to be even worse and more out of character then a tumblr text posts

[Zoey · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was deeply disappointing. Jason’s Robin was never this dark and violent. Of course he had some lack of self control, but at the end of the day, Robin was magic to him. It was hope. This comic reduces him into some vengeful boy, who even Alfred believes is beyond saving (which, insane that he said that, also terrible writing for Alfred).

[mariana]

now …. what a terrible way to start this .

[Madison Head · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this so much. Jason is so angsty, Bruce is trying to be a good dad. Love.

[Es · Rating 2 out of 5]

The art in here is wonderful, I completely love this watercolor style.
The writing is just about character assassination of Jason Todd though. Jason Todd being characterization as “the angry Robin” is so lazy and is starting to get overdone. Where is the, “Robin gives me magic,” guy that I love?
Genuinely Todd needs to be given to someone who can actually write well. Disappointed to say the least.

[Ima Al-Ghanimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yall are so boring
Anyway read this comic and I liked it! So excited for the next issue

[Craig Schorling · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really excited for this one and while the presentation is what I was expecting, there didn't seem to be too much going on in this issue. I hope that the second one picks up.

[˚₊‧⁀➷Chadlotte˚₊‧⁀➷ · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolute cinema.

[Renae Rohde · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is gorgeous. The story and characterization of Jason...hmm. I like that we brought up his past and that he has complex issues and isn't just "a bad kid" but like, it still doesn't feel like Jason (the Jason we meet post-crisis who Batman takes in after stealing the wheels off the batmobile). And I'm not down with Alfred's take on the situation, because historically even if Bruce is upset usually Alfred is like "bro, they're kids, chill out" right? Seemed out of character for him. we'll see how the next issue goes though. Hopefully we get more nuance.

[Cybernex007 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m really glad I decided to read Lemire’s first series covering Dick Grayson’s time as Robin. Continuing in that same vein he now begs to analyze a very different Robin. Unlike Dick who was groomed by batman to be a solider, this Robin fills the gap Dick left after leaving that life precisely because of what Bruce tried to shape him to be. But unlike Dick this Robin can’t help but beg to be a solider for the cause to work in the dark as that is the only thing he has ever known, which leaves Bruce desperately trying to pull Jason into the light. Now I am of the type that has read and loved Jason’s time as Robin, he may have been a bit overly confident at times and got himself in near death situations all the time, but at the end of the day he was still a bright and joyful kid. So seeing all of that drained from him in this series is a bit disheartening, but I understand that this series intends to focus on character motivations and the most important moments to drive the story home, so cheerful moments where Jason is meeting Superman for the first time are a bit off the table.

Getting into the story itself, it revolves around Robin and Batman chasing a run of the mill crook called the cuckoo. During one of their first encounters Jason tried to go out on his own to get him, and ultimately ended up getting slashed and the villain got away, Bruce called the entire thing off with the guys goons already in custody, so they can reevaluate the situation and get him when he pokes his head out again. This angers Jason deeply, he sees no reason to stop and wants to continue fighting no matter what. This leaves Bruce and Alfred in a precarious situation, unsure if they can truly give the boy what he needs. That night we get an interesting look into Jason’s psyche through his dreams. When I’ve read the time with Jason before death in the family, one thing that continued to haunt him and drive his anger was two-face killing his dad. Ultimately Jason was able to work through it then and never cross the line of killing, but it’s very apparent that in this series that moment still haunts him. Jason sees himself as powerless to the world around him, especially when it comes to finding his mother after an apparent overdose. This entire time Jason has been powerless but now he is done hiding, and as Bruce wakes him up from his dream to inform him that they have tracked down the cuckoo…he may finally get his chance. They found the cuckoo at a bar, absolute wasted yapping about how he saw Batman’s face (an obvious lie) and is going to sell the info to the joker. Bruce allows Jason to handle the drunk bastard on his own, but once Jason rounds the corner onto the alley the cuckoo walked into…he was stunned to find that the cuckoo was shooting up drugs. Images going back to finding his mother and the needles flood into Jason’s brain as he momentarily is thrown back and once again the cuckoo is able to slash at him and run away. But this time Jason refuses to let him walk, opting to drop his comm and run after him. Jason was able to catch up, but instead of cowering this was his moment to standup and take things into his own hands, to strike fear and be the weapon he wishes he can be. And when barman finally catches up, you can imagine how disappointed and shocked he is to find Jason with cuckoo’s dead bloody body in front of him. But this wasn’t Jason, he didn’t do this. Suddenly he points up to the roof above to find a lone clothed gunman standing before them. He announces himself as the wraith and in the typical fashion, he believes that batman has been too weak so it’s up to him to put the criminals down. I’m curious to see where this will go, and if they will use the gun toting wraith as a reflection of the blood lust Jason will develop once he dies and comes back as the red hood and will ultimately be shown as an example to help Jason overcome those thoughts of bloodlust.

[RubiGiráldez RubiGiráldez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeff Lemire logra extender su revisión del pasado de Batman y Robin esta vez abordando a Jason Todd con todo lo que eso supone de tener que acabar incidiendo en la tragedia total de este segundo protegido de Bruce Wayne encumbrado a seguir manteniendo el manto del sidekick del murciélago de Gotham. Por supuesto, Lemire ya establece de entrada la gran agresividad de este joven surgido de las peores de las suertes del lado más oscuro de los callejones de la ciudad. Con un villano tan fundacional como Dos Caras ya mostrado en alguna página, el autor logra cuanto menos en este número que el antagonista sea otro personaje de nuevo cuño al que también acabará ligando otro en un perfil de vigilante inmoral que, EVIDENTEMENTE, actuará como tentación argumental para Jason al ya verbalizar sus tiranteces con los métodos y sobreprotección de Bruce.

Sigue sorprendiendo que Lemire no dude en mostrar a un Alfred totalmente seco y avinagrado. También se agradecería que Dustin Nguyen supiese caracterizar mejor a Jason... Si no haber tirado directamente con Stephanie Brown o Damian Wayne.

[Nat · Rating 2 out of 5]

when can we drop the reckless and bad robin Jason idea.

They create the idea that Jason cant be a good robin or be saved simply because his life was hard. I understand that Jason has been unable to control his anger as robin in the past but that makes him human not broken as this comic often refers to him as. The robin which Jason should be is happy, he is the literal child who said "Robin gives me magic" and they have turned this into a robin who is uncaring and weaponized and angry with the entire world. Its not even just jason who's character has been destroyed either. I don't belive Alfred would ever refer to one of the children as 'broken' or act this way in any situation.

Overall, the only thing giving it those stars are the art style.

[R. C. Ripley · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much as I tend to disagree with the zeitgeist most of a time, I do have to admit that another Jason Todd caricature characterized by angst and the instable thirst for blood is getting a bit tiresome, especially in modern stories that require the medium to be transformative one way or another. Don't get me wrong, the art is phenomenon, and is a great introduction between Batman and Robin, along with their overall dynamic. But, the aforementioned critique half of the people have unfortunately rings true to me as well. However, the series is relatively new to simply disregard it as being a lost cause. Anticipating that the next two issues subvert of what is already written or told.

[alejandro galvez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is dope!

Jason is always going to be my Robin. So much darkness in there. People who call him a Punisher knock off, don't know what they are talking about. Jason is much more nuanced than just "kill and torture bad guy" cause reasons. He is a bit of an enigma. He shows all the usual signs of being a Sociopaths, but deep down he is a boy who needed and still needs love and a fathers guidance. A mothers touch. I know tons of kids like Jason. And thats why I connected with him the most. But I digress. The art is amazing. The writing is amazing. I can't wait to buy the collected edition. So beautiful.

[Machiavelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason Todd’s first nights as Robin are a whirlwind — the rush of rooftops, the thrill of the fight, and the constant shadow of a mentor he’s desperate to impress. Jeff Lemire captures Jason’s restless energy and chip-on-his-shoulder attitude, while Dustin Nguyen’s watercolor textures make Gotham feel both alive and unforgiving. A strong opening that balances action with the raw emotions of a kid learning to be a partner, not just a sidekick, and struggling with the mental side of this. Great character depth here

[Cody Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely perfect first issue. The start of this story mixed with the phenomenal art made this just absolutely perfect. Idk what else I was expecting from Lemire and Nguyen, but damn, they knocked it out of the park. I'm already making sure to add this to my pull list cause I don't want to dare miss a single panel of a single issue. Pick this one up, like, grab your keys, go to your local LCS, and grab a copy now. You won't regret the decision.

[Puffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never much a fan of "Jason is the Angry Robin TM", not sure what to think of that whole "I am a weapon" thing either. However, it is an intriguing first issue and the artstyle is absolutely gorgeous. Really hope that they do Jason justice and don't hammer down on him being "too troubled to save" in the continuation[s]

[miss world · Rating 1 out of 5]

i hate the portrayal of jason as a naughty street kid so much he was such a good kid. i feel like the point goes missed so often - bruce and jason have conflict bc of the class difference not because jason is unruly or inherently bad or bc he needs to be saved by this child soldier making billionaire. but the art is so cute and i like the flashbacks to his step-mom and childhood.

[Annemarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars

I love, love, love the watercolour art. it's so well done, I love it. makes me want to try and paint some comic characters too. (okay, I have don't Batgirl before actually xD). it's the first time seeing a watercolour batman comic and it's great.

not sold yet on the story. interested to see where this will go.

[Elena Guza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm holding out hope we don't get another Robin Lives situation here. I see the groundwork they're laying here, but it's verging on "Jason was always angry/violent/uncontrollable" territory, and it's stressing me out.

[Dennis Brock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmmmm... I don't know. I'm torn. I Love the character of Jason Todd & I Love Alfred & Bruce too. This book just felt off a bit. Why would Alfred give up on Jason? This felt like a mirror universe or elseworlds tale! 3/5

[Joaquin · Rating 4 out of 5]

!!!!!!!! el arte me fascino y creo que no estoy siendo subjetivo por eso y porque el hecho de ver a jason chiquito me hizo mierda pero por otro lado QUE PARA EL ORTO QUE ESTÁ ESCRITO ALFRED !!!!!! y es horrible como ningún escritor entiende realmente a jason todd

[brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

OKAY i'm not entirely sure how i feel about writers now making Jason's Robin "angry" when he was heavily disliked for being "soft" in the first place (all the other Robins were just as angry, if not more)

[estela ✩ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ☆

i really loved the art style and the story, but some of the things the characters say imo are quite out of character... like would alfred really not back up jason? and just lose all hope in him? idk

[nerdsiren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I‘m surprised too (lol) BUT i‘m a fan of this story and I can‘t wait to read the next volume :)

[Emi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alfred?

[Alex Fyffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5