Anti-Hero Profile: Jason Todd

Every life is a product of nature and nurture. Certain elements are hardwired into our DNA because of our parents, their parents and so on. Other elements are the product of experience. The child of an addict has a greater likelihood to become an addict because of their parents. Some children don’t attempt to fight this sort of predestination, while others spend years fighting internal demons to try and be better than those before them. I’m getting way too existential for this one. True, the life of Jason Todd is very much a nature v nurture story, but his life can’t be so simple. Or is it? I’m getting ahead of myself, here’s Red Hood. Side note, I'm making a new Anti-Hero classification. Todd began his Red Hood career as a villain, but later shaped it into a brutal avenger, the typical anti-hero set up. He and Punisher are the only one's I've covered so far that'll get the profile distinction, I'll just tack it on to other villains that have dabbled at being good guys. On with the show.

Jason, after he put a little more Batman
into his costume design.

Jason Todd’s life sucked before he met Batman. His mother Catherine was a drug addict that OD before he was living on the street, and his father Willis was an enforcer for Two-Face. Willis disappeared after a botched assignment. They never found the body, but Two-Face isn't known for being kind. Dent is kind of a dick that way. Jason spent an unspecified amount of time on the streets of Gotham. He did what he needed to survive, stealing mostly. One night he came across an odd sight, the Batmobile parked in Crime Alley. Now your normal kid (and most adults) would have backed away slowly, watching the shadows for a large man-shape with pointy ears, and filed the memory away as awesome but terrifying. Jason apparently was unimpressed. So much so that he tried to steal the tires off the car. Kid's got guts, not much sense but lots of guts. Batman found him, and decided to try to help the boy out. This eventually led to his recruitment as the new Robin.

Jason wasn’t as skilled or physically gifted as his predecessor Dick Grayson, but he had berserker style strength and ferocity to make up for that. He also had a contempt for authority, which extended to Batman, whom the boy viewed as a mentor and father figure. He relishes in fighting, and causing pain. He views crime as an illness that could only be stopped by purging the world of the criminal element. The event that highlighted this most involved a serial rapist named Felipe Garzonas. Garzonas was a special kind of monster, he enjoyed making women suffer and because his father had diplomatic immunity he could indulge in his hateful acts as much as possible. Jason finds the corpse of one of Garzonas’ victims, she hung herself, and went straight to Garzonas’ to take care of the problem. Batman followed and was just in time to see Garzonas’ fall to his death. He found Jason at the ledge, who claimed Garzonas’ was spooked by him, fell off the ledge, and slipped from his hands when Todd tried to save him. It’s left ambiguous, but I think we all know what the more likely scenario was.

Batman says goodbye. For now.

Jason Todd’s story was paused for about twenty years after the Death in the Family story arc. In it, Jason sought out his biological mother, Sheila. She was an aid worker in Ethiopia whom was being forced to give the Joker medical supplies. Apparently Sheila had been embezzling from her company and the Joker found out about it. Part of the deal they made for his silence was the medical supplies, the other part the deal was that she handed over her son to the Joker. Joker takes them both, (a double cross from the Joker, surely not!) locks them in a room wired with explosives, and beats Jason within an inch of his life. Batman arrives just in time for the bomb to go off. He takes mother and child back to Gotham and buries them.

Todd's revival is weird, so I’m going to explain it as simply as I can. An evil Superman from a parallel universe known as Superboy-Prime or simply Prime, was trapped in a parallel dimension. He was not happy with this, despite the fact it’s described as a paradise dimension, and was desperately trying to escape. Prime beat against the walls of his prison, and by extension the walls of reality. This caused ripples of distortion that spread out across reality, time and space. One of these ripples caused Jason to spring back to life. He escaped his grave, and spent the next few years in delirium. He’s eventually picked up by Talia and the League of Assassins. At the time, two years after his revival, Jason had no memories of his past as a Robin and was only a little more than a vegetable. The League wipe any evidence of his return from Gotham. Talia bathes Jason in the Lazarus Pits, which restore his mind but shatter his psyche.

That costume isn't really flashy maitre d',
it's more motorcycle fetish in design.

Jason returned to Gotham, donned the guise of the Red Hood and started prepping for revenge. He built up a massive criminal empire, assaulted his successor Tim Drake, and starts a crime war against Gotham’s resident kingpin Black Mask. His evil plan finally culminates in kidnapping the Joker and luring Batman to Crime Alley where it all began. He reveals that his anger isn’t towards Drake, or even Batman failing to save him from the Joker. He’s furious that Batman didn’t end the Joker for it. He couldn’t stand the idea that his mentor didn’t end the Joker for taking him from Batman. Batman admits he was tempted, but could bring himself to cross that big fat line, not because it was hard but because he knew he could never go back from it. Jason offers Batman an ultimatum, shoot him, or let Jason finish the Joker once and for all. Batman, of course goes for option 3, no one dies. Batman disabled the mad former Bird boy with a well-placed Batarang/ Joker seizes the opportunity and sets off a number of nearby explosives. Batman and Joker survive, but Jason is presumed dead. We, of course, know that this was a temporary measure and Jason returns with a vengeances, striving to be a better Batman than Bruce.

Jason Todd has no superhuman abilities. His strength, speed, and agility were augmented by rigorous training under Batman. He also became a skilled detective under Bruce’s tutelage. After his resurrection he sought out teachers of Bruce’s caliber for darker skills. From people like Talia, he learned how to use just about every firearm and edged weapon known to man. He specializes with knives, which he uses as throwing weapons and in hand-to-hand combat. With Talia's help, he was able to amass a small fortune which helps keep him fully equipped for combat.

Red Hood, and Jason’s version of Robin, have been used sparingly by DC Comics.

When he makes you an offer you can't refuse,
it's with a bag of severed heads. Gross. And to the point.

For TV he’s only ever been showing in Young Justice. All we, the viewers, know is that he took up the mantle of Robin during the five year time skip between season one and two, and died. He has a memorial hologram in a hidden grotto in the YJ base.

There is a fan theory that a version of him appeared in the TV series Teen Titians. In a previous episode Robin created a villain persona called Red X to get close to the villain of the series, Slade. A short time later, the Red X costume and all of his related gear is stolen by a young thief. The thief ultimately keeps the costume after proving he’s got a bit of good in him. His identity is never revealed but Jason Todd’s name is quickly flashed when Robin and his team try to figure out who stole the suit. It’s an interesting theory if nothing else.

Jason’s entire storyline was explored in Batman: Under the Red Hood. I’ll note that one of the few changes made for the film was that Jason’s resurrection was 100% credited to Ra’s al Ghul, whom attempted to revive the boy in an attempt to “give your son” back to Batman. In this universe, it was Ra’s that hired the Joker to distract Batman in Europe, though he was appalled when he realized to what lengths the Joker went to. You want more details? Look at my review or watch the movie, either is a good choice.

Sibling rivalry at it's finest.

I like Jason a lot. The other two main Robins, Grayson and Drake, are so earnest in their attempt to emulate Batman perfectly that they seem rather boring. Jason is the only who really tried to take what he learned and be more than his mentor. Sure, he goes about it in all the wrong ways but you got to give him points for trying. He’s angry at the world, so much so that Batman surmised that without his intervention Jason would have become part of the criminal world that made him, but he does try to use that anger to fix the world instead of causing more pain. He makes it clear (at least in the movie) that his drug dealers only deal to adults. Anyone who does otherwise joins the various number twos he took out to show the top dealers he meant business. He’s brutal, but efficient. I imagine a family gathering at Wayne Manor would be filled with a lot of awkward glances from the various Robins. Grayson to Todd for what he did to the Robin legacy Grayson helped create. Todd to Drake for being the snot nosed brat that took his job. And Drake to Bruce asking with his eyes “Why do we invite him?” Batman tried to shape him, but in the end, there is a blackness in Jason’s heart that I for one don’t think he could outrun. Even if he wanted to. He’s efficient, he’s skilled, he’s the Red Hood. Next time, you think your father-in-law is tough on ya? Meet Bruce Banner’s, General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross.

 http://www.comicvine.com/forums/battles-7/jason-todd-vs-john-stewart-1598669/

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Todd#mediaviewer/File:The_Death_of_Jason_Todd.jpg

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Todd#mediaviewer/File:RH0002.jpg

 http://batman.wikia.com/wiki/Jason_Todd_%28Batman:_Under_the_Red_Hood%29

 http://www.comicvine.com/forums/battles-7/jason-todd-red-hood-vs-dick-grayson-nightwing-1592791/

Villain Profile: Juggernaut

You know how in X-men: First Class it is implied that Charles had a lovely childhood? Sure his mother didn’t pay him too much attention, but he had sweet little Raven Darkholme to keep him company. Yeah, get that nonsense out of your head. Charles’ life was very difficult during his formative years, his father died in a nuclear experiment, his mother remarried, and with his new step-dad came with a twit of a sibling. Not sweet little Raven Darkholme that would eventually grow into Jennifer Lawrence, no, his new step-brother’s name was Cain Marko, and he proved to be the single worst enemy that Charles has ever had. Remember, Magneto actually likes Charles, they're just on different sides of a conflict. For Cain there is his side, and Charles', and he won't stop until that changes.

It's Cain. Quick, hide the good China!

Not all Cain’s hate is his fault, not directly any way. His father, Kurt, was a very hateful, angry man. He married Charles’ mother when his colleague Brian Xavier died. He only valued Sharon Xavier for her wealth, and even that wasn’t enough to make him happy. He took out his anger on Cain, beating the boy regularly. Cain, transferring his anger at his father, targeted Charles. It also didn’t help matters that Kurt doted on Charles to keep Sharon happy. Cain’s torture of Charles’ was largely verbal, thought he did beat up Charles on a few occasions, mainly to avoid the fallout of leaving marks on the favored son. Charles took it in stride, which only infuriated Cain more. Turning the other cheek has its consequences too. The resulting mix of anger and pain eventually led to a very bitter, very angry Cain Marko.

Cain joined the Army along with Charles, the two even served in the same unit, although to call them anything but enemies would be a misnomer. While in Korea together, Cain attempted to desert, Charles followed him shortly thereafter, to bring Cain back. What a shock, the bully was also a coward. So unexpected. Cain found himself drawn to a temple hidden deep in the jungles of Korea. He found a magic Ruby atop an altar. He read the inscription on the altar on which the stone rested, despite not having been able to read it when he first entered. It read “Whosoever touches this gem shall be granted the power of the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak! Henceforth, you who read these words, shall become, forevermore, a human juggernaut." Cain is then morphed into the Avatar of Cyttorak, an ancient and powerful god-like being in case you hadn’t figured it out yet. The transformation, plus a round of bombs from the future North Korea, destroyed the temple, burying Cain alive. Charles witnessed the destruction and presumed Cain dead.

A good Juggernaut from an alternate time-line.
I'm digging the black costume.

Unfortunately for Charles, the powers the Gem infused into Cain quiet literally made him unstoppable. He no longer needed air, sleep, food, or water, the energies of the Gem and by extension Cyttorak sustained him. It took him a while, but the Juggernaut eventually dug his way out of the tomb and returned stateside. Presumably thinking only of his brother as he walked home. He attacks the X-mansion, easily shrugging off the combined might of the five original X-men (Cyclops, Jean Grey, Angel, Ice-man, and Beast, for those who don’t know) to get at Charles. Charles also called in the Fantastic Four’s Human Torch for back up. This turned out to be the stroke of luck that save his life. Johnny Storm created pulses of flame, like the flame of a candle, which sort of hypnotized and definitely distracted Cain long enough for Angel to swoop in and remove the Juggernaut’s helmet. Charles then mentally blasted Cain into submission. They hauled Cain away, but he’s returned countless times to menace Charles and the X-men. Cain has attempted to reform in the past, but either by the hateful will of Cyttorak or an internal malignance, Cain has always returned to the hate filled Human Juggernaut.

I'd love to see this play out, from a safe distance.
Say the Moon, preferably Mars.

Cain’s powers are mystical in nature, and not the result of an X-gene. Another thing that X-3 screwed up royally, just saying. The power of Cyttorak makes Cain strong enough to shatter mountains and use buildings as weapons. He is also possess a magical kinetic barrier that he can create around himself increasing his durability. He also heals incredibly fast, so poking his eyes out won't help for long. Once in motion Juggernaut is virtually unstoppable. He won’t get tired, he won’t stop for a coffee break, and unless he either stops himself or runs into someone of comparable strength, he’ll just keep on chugging. His helmet protects him from his one major weakness, telepathy. It can be removed, for some reason, though it’s usually all but suicidal to get that close to him at least on one’s own.

Juggernaut has appeared in several different Marvel franchises, some of which aren’t directly connected to the X-men. Interestingly, it seems most of the series retool Cain as Xavier’s half-brother rather than step-brother. Which kind of makes sense, it kind of highlights the brain vs. brawn element they’ve always had.

He appeared in a few episodes of the X-men animated series of the 90s. Like with their Dark Phoenix storyline, if you want the closest to the source material version of the character check out this show. His biggest episodes are “The Unstoppable Juggernaut” and “The Juggernaut Returns.” The Juggernaut Returns is particularly worth mentioning. In it, an archeologist uncovers the Juggernaut’s Ruby and Tablet, recites the words, and claims the Juggernaut’s power for himself. Apparently Cyttorak is a one man sort of deity. Xavier and the X-men are somewhat forced to reclaim Cain’s powers for him, given that he was gravely injured during their most recent encounter when his powers cut out. Charles communes with Cain’s mind and discovers that all of the evil torture Cain had visited on Charles was nearly Euphoric to Cain. Particularly a memory of outing Charles as a Mutant to a girl that Charles had a crush on. Despite seeing Cain as the malignant, ugly thing that he is, Charles still gets the stone to him. In gratitude, Cain withdrew, for a time.

X-men 0 Juggernaut 6.
Thankfully they get out of this one.

X-men: Evolution’s Juggernaut was similar and yet different to the classic continuity in a number of ways. The biggest alteration was that in this universe, Cain is indeed a Mutant. The twist, the X-gene that Cain inherited from his and Charles’ father was dormant for most of his life, which most likely added to his hatred of his brother. He awoke his powers using mysticism, and the Rubies of Cyttorak, a rare but not inherently magical gem stone that magnifies Mutant powers. Otherwise he’s basically the same Juggernaut. They also play up the connection to Charles by having Paul Dobson provide the voice for both parts. Dobson is talented enough that the voices sound distinct to the characters but still similar enough that you hear it. Applause for subtly.

He’s a background baddy in both Wolverine and the X-men, and Ultimate Spider-man. Two distinctly different shows and universes, but Juggernaut isn’t played up enough in either to be a real character.

He’s in X-men: The Last Stand. He’s portrayed by Vinnie Jones, who I liked in Eurotrip. I hated him in this. It’s not Vinnie’s fault, the character he was assigned to play was in the movie for two reasons, one, to be Magneto’s muscle, and two, to spout the internet meme “I’m the Juggernaut, bitch” during the films climax. No depth, no fun, no connection to Charles mentioned, just two stupid reasons to screw up a decent character. The movie sucks, the character sucks, don’t see it, pretend it no longer exists like the rest of the original X-men movies.

Juggernaut started out, and is at his core, a bully. He’s bigger and stronger than Charles, and that is all the justification he needs to make Charles’ life a living hell. He’s all about pain, he relishes in causing it. And, like Batman, at his core he is still a child. An angry little child that is screaming to the world “Dad’s wrong, I’m not nothing,” or something to that degree. He wants Charles to hurt as much as he does, and that honestly is part of what makes him a great character. He’s simple, understandable, a black for a series that is all about shades of grey. I imagine a holiday meal with these two would end with Charles asking Cain to “Pass the salt,” at which time Cain wigs out, starts smashing things and Charles calls in backup. So, they are pretty much your basic brothers. Next time, Batman’s biggest mistake, Red Hood.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juggernaut_%28comics%29

 http://marvel.wikia.com/Juggernaut

 http://wolf166.deviantart.com/art/Hulk-Vs-Juggernaut-425751753

 http://www.comicvine.com/juggernaut/4005-1445/

Villain Profile: Ocean Master

Brothers can be a pain in the butt. But at the same time, I know that any squabbling that has happened between me and either of my two brothers pales in comparison to the brothers of fiction. King Lear, Hamlet, and Richard III are three examples of sibling rivalry gone wrong. The story pretty much every time is of a younger brother, fed up with being number 2 or 3, attempting to take out the big kahuna(s). And modern royal families of fiction seem to have similar problems.

Hm... Another Ray themed costume.
You're no Black Manta, Ocean Master.

Aquaman’s half-brother Orm was born to an Inupiat woman, the illegitimate son of the Atlantian demigod/wizard Atlan. Apparently this was part of an Ancient Atlantian prophecy about two brother’s fighting for the throne. Right, I’m sure that’s why Atlan bit the bullet and sired another son. Orm spent most of his life not realizing his Atlantian heritage, growing up with a traditionalist Inupiat family. This changed when his globetrotting brother came to town. He saved Orm’s adopted cousin Kako from a polar bear. Aquaman sticks around for a while, and he and Kako got real close. Orm is very irritated by this and later attacks Kako in a jealous rage. She better be on his mother’s husbands side, or else EEEWW Orm. That’s just icky. She survives the experience, but apparently had no memory of Orm attacking her. Aquaman leaves a short time later, and then Orm follows. He spent several years pirating, amassing a large fortune, and learning of his Atlantian heritage. He got his Ocean Master costume together and attempted to overthrow his brother. Aquaman bests Orm, banishing him from Atlantis forever. Which in comic book time is probably about six months.

Evil wizard uses Trident to strip a queen of her power.
Sounds awfully Freudian to me, especially with such a phallic
object. <Slap> Stop psychoanalyzing this.

Orm, being a persistent son of a gun, continued to attack Atlantis from time to time, usually with the aid of some of Aquaman’s other foes like Black Manta. Despite the aid of other villains, they were never able to best Aquaman. Orm resorted to extremely desperate measures to beat his brother by selling his soul to Neron, a powerful Demon Lord. I’m gonna have to cover this guy soon, Neron keeps popping up in these DC villain profiles. In exchange for the low, low price of one Human/Atlantian soul, Orm got a powerful magic trident. With it, he could use immensely powerful magic attacks, but the major downside is that if he’s ever separated from it he’s suffers agonizing pain. Despite this, Orm continues to use the Trident to seize the throne, which he feels is rightfully his. Which is odd, when you think that Aquaman’s mother was the royal, and not their father. At least Edmund in King Lear was the illegitimate son of the right parent to complain about not getting the inheritance.

Orm has the same Atlantian powers as his brother. Immense strength and a resistance to the pressures of the deep ocean. He can swim at immense speeds, and breathe air and water. Since getting his magic trident he’s become an accomplished spellcaster, able to manipulate a tsunami’s worth of water, lightning, and wind.

Orm has appeared opposite his brother a number of times in the DC expanded universe.

Such brotherly love.

Orm appeared in the Justice League TV series. In this continuity he was a member of the Atlantis royal court, but is not mentioned to be Aquaman’s brother. He does his best to depose Aquaman when they first begin to interact with surface dwellers. He had Aquaman and his son on the side of a cliff, intent on wiping out Aquaman’s bloodline to legitimize his take over. This might have worked, had he not had the two imprisoned to the same big rock, thus giving Aquaman the mad energy and parental fury to slice off his own hand. Aquaman tossed his down that same fissure, killing him.

In Batman: the Brave and the Bold he appears in several episodes, again trying to take the Atlantian throne. Aquaman continues to give Orm second chances, because they are family. I’m all for forgiving family, but Matt or Scott, if either of you ever tries to kill me, I’ll disown you. And I’d expect the same of the two of you.

He has appeared in the background of the Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, supporting the much more brutal Aquaman’s attack on the surface world and Amazons. I’ve read that he and a few of the Amazonians orchestrated the entire plot to take control of the two kingdoms. It’s not mentioned in the film, but an interesting subplot to note.

It’s too early to know who is going to be playing Ocean Master in the live action movies, but it better be someone who is up to Jason Mamoa’s sheer awesomeness.

I can't take him seriously in that get up.

The whole, two royal brothers fighting for dominance thing is one of the oldest tales in the book. Remember Cain and Abel? Or Hamlet Sr. and Claudius in Hamlet? Or Scar and Mufasa in the Lion King? It’s common enough that it’s kind of amazing that a king/queen wouldn’t have the presence of mind to make all kids feel special, to avoid the whole conflict. That’s pretty much what it comes down to, a younger sibling feeling slighted that they were born second or third. Such a silly thing to hate someone over. I imagine the holidays would be tense with Orm in the Atlantian feasts. Probably have to triple check Aquaman’s food for poison before he eats it.

The Aquaman/Orm dynamic is an old one, but at least it makes a bit more sense than say the Lion King or Hamlet set up. For me it’s a lot more believable that two brother’s that have never really had any bonding time hate each other. But that’s just me. In many way’s Orm strikes me as a poor man’s Loki, especially when the magic element is added to it. But, he is tenatious enough that I’m willing to overlook such comments. Particularly since for Loki magic is a honed skill, one to make up for his lack of physical superiority over his brother, while for Orm it was meant to give him an edge over the sibling that presumably equaled his strength. He’s the undersea wannabe king, Orm, the Ocean Master. Next time, we discuss the Unstoppable Juggernaut…whom does get stopped on several occasions.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_Master

 http://aquaman.wikia.com/wiki/File:Ocean-Master%27s_Prisoner.jpg

 http://www.comicvine.com/forums/battles-7/storm-vs-ocean-master-new-52-1550939/

 http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/File:Ocean_Master_bb1.jpg