Warning: spoilers ahead for Future State: Gotham #9!
In a new preview for Future State: Gotham, Jason Todd's Red Hood reveals the moment he sees as even worse than his death at the hands of the Joker. Having become a Magistrate agent known as Peacekeeper-Red in this potential future, Jason has chosen to work within the corrupt system to keep people safe, rather than the rest of his family who've chosen to remain vigilantes, having formed a resistance movement against the Magistrate. But while he may be at odds with the Bat-Family, Red Hood has other allies. As a mask hunter before his promotion to Peacekeeper, he worked alongside Rose Wilson's Ravager, his longtime love interest.
The daughter of Deathstroke, Rose Wilson has been in on-again off-again relationships with Jason for a while now. DCeased: Dead Planet even saw Red Hood and Ravager married as they fought the zombie hordes. However, while Future State saw them initially working together as mask hunters for the Magistrate, things have apparently soured between the two hardcore heroes.
In the new preview for Future State: Gotham #9, Jason Todd is seen in his apartment before heading to work as Peacekeeper-Red. Still in bed, Jason is seen dwelling on his past such as his death at the hands of the Joker when he was still Robin (leading to his resurrection and adoption of the Red Hood name.) However, there's apparently a moment in his life he views as far worse and more devastating than being killed: parting ways with Rose. Enjoy the preview pages and synopsis for the issue:
THE NEXT JOKER, PART TWO: MALIGNANT HUMOR
Peacekeeper-Red teams up with Hunter Panic to learn the origins of the Next Joker from the only person who seems to have answers: the psychopath Punchline! Can Jason Todd convince her to help in time to stop this deadly new Joker from killing his latest victim? And what will he have to give her to get her to do it?
Jason and Rose broke up and went their separate ways at some point between the two Future State titles, with Rose citing, "One too many broken promises, Jason." Now, as Red Hood begins an investigation into the deadly cannibal known as the Next Joker, he reflects that his recent injuries can't compare to losing someone so important. Of course, it's not mere duty that has compelled Jason to stay in his role seemingly at the cost of his relationship, but rather his commitment to Batman and the rest of his family, and working to keep Gotham safe even under the Magistrate's despotic rule. While he may be the black sheep of the former Robins, Jason has proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he puts the welfare of others above his own happiness.
Hopefully the full issue - on sale now - can provide more insights as to why exactly Jason and Rose are no more, and whether Red Hood will have a chance to rekindle their romance once he's no longer Bruce Wayne's man within the Magistrate. In the meantime, Hunter Panic is looking to fill the void as a new mask hunter, wanting to partner with Red Hood in the wake of Grifter's supposed death at the hands of the Next Joker.