Batman: A Death in the Family
| "A Death in the Family" | |
|---|---|
Cover of Batman: A Death in the Family trade paperback; art by Jim Aparo.
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| Publisher | DC Comics |
| Publication date | December 1988 – January 1989 |
| Genre | |
| Title(s) | Batman #426–429 |
| Main character(s) | |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | Jim Starlin |
| Penciller(s) | Jim Aparo |
| Inker(s) | Mike DeCarlo |
| Letterer(s) | John Costanza |
| Colorist(s) | Adrienne Roy |
"A Death in the Family" is a four-issue Batman comic book story arc first published by DC Comics in Batman #426-429 from 1988 - 1989, which gave fans the ability to influence a critical plot point through voting with a 900 number, which would determine whether Jason Todd, the second person to assume the mantle of Batman's sidekick Robin, survived a bomb.
The story was written by Jim Starlin, pencilled by Jim Aparo, inked by Mike DeCarlo, colored by Adrienne Roy, lettered by John Costanza, and covers were illustrated by Mike Mignola. The story was collected as a trade paperback under the title Batman: A Death in the Family.
The story follows Jason Todd, the second Robin. In the beginning of the story, Jason and Bruce are in uniform hiding behind some crates while a mob plans. Then, out of the blue, an impatient Jason leaps out from behind the crates and attacks the criminals. When the struggle is over, Bruce asks him what he was doing and warns him that his impulsive behavior could cost him his life. Bruce then asks if he thinks that what they do is a game, to which Jason replies "Yes, life is a game." Bruce therefore relieves him of his duties. When Bruce mentions Jason's parents, the latter becomes upset and storms off, refusing to discuss the issue.
While walking through his old neighborhood, Jason meets Mrs. Walker, a friend of his parents, who gives him a box containing his father's old papers and other documents, including photos and articles relating to his family. Among the items, Jason finds his birth certificate and a stunning surprise: the name of the mother has been almost blotted out, but the first initial is "S", not "C" as in Catherine Todd, the woman Jason knew as "Mom". He concludes that Catherine was, in fact, his stepmother and resolves to find his biological mother. Searching the box, he discovers his father's now out-of-date address book which gives the name of three women whose first name starts with "S", and he tracks their present whereabouts using the Batcomputer. However, all three are based in the Middle East and Africa. Jason therefore runs away from home to find them.
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Wikipedia