BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE was something of a techno remix of classic DC Comics storylines. Zack Snyder provided the main beat, but he worked in samples of several beloved classics to spice things up. In there, you had the obvious two, which were THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS and THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN, but there was also a reference to BATMAN: A DEATH IN THE FAMILY. 

Seen briefly in the film was this glimpse of the costume of one of Batman’s former Robins. As those of us who follow the books know, several people have taken on the mantle of Robin, and there was one- in particular- that famously bit the dust. BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE didn’t give us much to work with, aside from Bruce Wayne glancing at the suit, and a split-second of time to read what appears to be The Joker’s vandalism of it. We reported last year that we knew exactly which Robin they were referencing, and now Warner Bros. has confirmed it.

During a tour video for Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, the guide revealed the identity of this ill-fated Boy Wonder:

“This was one of the big things from Batman v Superman, right across this way. The Jason Todd Robin suit. Spray painted on the front ‘Ha ha. The joke’s on you Batman’. Those of you that know the storyline, know what happened to this Robin.”

In the DEATH IN THE FAMILY storyline, The Joker murders Todd. Eventually, in the world of comics, Todd is resurrected and becomes the Bat villain “Red Hood.” That premise is rumored to be part of Ben Affleck’s solo BATMAN film. Actor Jared Leto, who plays The Joker in DC’s upcoming SUICIDE SQUAD, has also made it his business to reference Alan Moore’s THE KILLING JOKE quite a bit, and we know that Jena Malone was to appear as Barbara Gordon in BATMAN V SUPERMAN before her part was cut from the theatrical release. So these new DC Batman films seem to be pulling from several of the most iconic story threads.

Very exciting stuff!

Quick Tangent on Remixes: While you guys know me as a writer here, my real job is that of a DJ. Celebrating my 14th year in that profession (*plays lame, generic DJ siren sound*). The remix analogy I used above was mainly included to start a conversation. Some people love them, some people prefer the original songs. The best ones have a way of elevating and/or reinventing the source material, while others just strip the songs of their original personality while tacking on the most identifiable parts of them to a soulless beat. 

What’d you think of Zack Snyder’s THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS FOR THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN AFTER A KILLER JOKE LEFT A DEATH IN THE FAMILY remix? Snyder always gets lots of credit for sticking to the comics but, in your opinion, did he incorporate the elements that made those books classics, or did he mainly just name-drop them for the sake of getting high-fives from the fanboy community? You already know how I feel, so no need to discuss that. I wanna know what you guys think of Snyder’s and Chris Terrio’s inclusion of, and references to, the books?

Discuss!

SOURCE: Batman-News