I am one of the 99%. Well, the 99% that thought that Princess Koriand’r (Starfire) was a filthy, filthy whore in Red Hood #1. I too have been grumbling as well as mumbling about the sex-pot issue and was prepared to be further disgusted by issue 2. The first part felt like a gross miss-handling of the character as we know her, but the series’ scribe Scott Lobdell has stated that there is a reason for her acting the way she is and I’m willing to hang on until then, because you know what? This was actually a really fun issue! Dammit, I was all up on my high-horse and indignant like a jerky fan-boy SHOULD be, and now I have to eat my hat. Oh stupid, hat…why couldn’t you be made of delicious pancakes?

We get a glimpse into Jason Todd’s post-crowbar resurrection and training from the All-Caste monks and The Ancient One, some jet-setting to Hong Kong and the Himalayas, and even get a good chunk of action for good measure. It was well-paced, engaging and I don’t think Starfire had random sex with anyone (unless she squeezed it in between panels…heh. Squeezed it in.) It’s James Bond and Kill Bill rolled up in one. Next to Damion, I think Jason is becoming my favorite part of the Bat-Family. He’s straight-to-business and incredibly skilled, but has a personality beyond just “angry youngster”. Half the fun is the back-n-forth between Jason and former sidekick, former heroin-addict Roy Harper. It’s the usual “we’re probably best friends, but I’m gonna pretend to hate you” guy relationship, which I can totally relate to, and that makes it all the more fun for me.

I also love ‘Hood’s costume. It’s sleek and hooligan, if not probably a little warm for Jay, what with it being a full-body Kevlar offering with a useless leather jacket OVER it. Dude must be sweating like an overweight Furry in that get-up, but dammit, it looks cool. And it’s a nice touch, ‘Hood using the Bat-symbol, presumably to piss off Bruce.

The art by Kenneth Rocafort is rad, by the way. He has a sketchy penciling style that works really well with the subject matter, though I would like to see what it looks like inked. Rocafort’s line is for the most part clean enough that he gets away with it, but I can’t help but wonder if it wouldn’t pop more with a less sketchy line quality.

Despite all the negative hubby-bubb about issue #1, number 2 may just be worth your time! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go construct myself a delicious pancake hat.