Murdered by the Joker and resurrected as a violent antihero, Red Hood is no stranger to the supernatural, but an incredible cosplay has just turned the anti-hero into a literal demon. Since his reintroduction in Under the Red Hood, Jason Todd has undergone some major transformations to become the now-beloved antihero fans cannot get enough of. Currently leading a group of zombified villains in Task Force Z, this new demonic look is fitting for Red Hood, who just can’t seem to escape death.
After a short career as Batman’s second Robin, Jason Todd was murdered by the Joker following a controversial phone poll held by DC, in which fans could vote for his fate. Despite his untimely demise at the behest of readers, Jason continued to make rare appearances as visions, a ghost, and even a demon, taunting Bruce in the one-shot Batman: Demon. Jason would later be brought back to life after a dip in one of Ra’s al Ghul’s Lazarus Pits. As the Red Hood, Jason made a name for himself by dismantling Black Mask’s criminal enterprise in Gotham and going toe to toe with Batman.
Staying true to Red Hood’s lethal origins, Jon_Reming’s wicked cosplay, posted on Reddit, draws upon Japanese folklore, depicting the anti-hero in Oni-inspired samurai armor. Despite their terrifying appearance, mythological Oni are complex beings who cannot be written off as good or evil; a sentiment very fitting for Red Hood, who is willing to cross Batman’s moral lines when necessary. Staying true to its demonic inspiration, Jon_Reming’s cosplay includes horns and jagged teeth protruding from Red Hood’s iconic helmet. Additional touches, such as a katana, help complete the samurai look.
For a character with a history of death, resurrection, and blurred morals, Jon_Reming’s Oni cosplay is fitting for Red Hood. The cosplay reminds fans of Jason Todd’s often forgotten connections to the supernatural, as, with his ties to Ra’s al Ghul, it’s not a stretch to associate Red Hood with the occult. The addition of Japanese folklore adds further depth to the cosplay’s meaning while also giving Red Hood a distinct look. Marvel's 'Momokoverse' has won a legion of fans by reimagining its world through folklore, and this cosplay makes it very clear that DC could successfully do the same thing. As an awesome comparison, Jon_Reming also shared a cosplay of Red Hood's usual costume to Reddit.
Fascinatingly, fans recently met the demon whose power is infused in Lazarus Pits, hinting that Jason really may have continuing ties to the supernatural and even demonic parts of the DC Universe. It is incredible to see such a talented cosplayer reinvent Red Hood using influences from Japanese folklore. The choice to turn Red Hood into an Oni is striking yet pays homage to the antihero’s morals and ties to resurrection.