The character work in the confrontation in this conclusion is pretty great, but the story itself is a bit of a let down. The Joker having been nursed back to health after his beating in part 1, left to his own devices for an extended period of time (as seen in "War Crimes") and then re-attacked and kidnapped by the Hood is stupid and convoluted, making both Joker and Hood look foolish and incompetent (the former for not being prepared for a second attack once his new enemy showed his hand by beating him, the latter for letting him go when he could just have kept him captive until needed). Hood's fake fight with Black Mask is unnecessary and poorly explained, and takes up a whole issue. And then Infinity Crisis happens and overtakes and overshadows the ending that should have been enough in its own right.

I also personally think the issue detailing the Red Hood's origin should have come before the final chapter, rather than after, as it now feels like a compulsory continuity clean-up, rather than chilling set-up for the final confrontation if placed slightly earlier in the paperback.

But on an emotional level, Batman's confrontations with Hood are solid, the dialogue memorable and the Joker's delighted cackling as events unfold adds a great layer to the storytelling, as it is obvious to the reader the only person winning here, ironically, is the supposed victim. "Under the Hood" remains a great Batman story with lasting consequences for the mythos and character, but it deserved a better conclusion. ( )

The conclusion to the comeback of Jason Todd (the second Robin), now waging war against the underworld as the Red Hood, in a most un-Batmanlike manner. This is a mixed bag, with inconsistent artwork, good dialogue and characterization, a dynamic and emotional confrontation between Batman and Jason, and a dismayingly confusing conclusion. We are left wondering about the contrived and implausible explanation for Jason's revival (coffin sensors that detect a break-in, but not somebody tearing their way out?). And the destruction of Dick Grayson's Bludhaven toward the end, by Chemo the living bomb for gosh sakes? And at the end, it's not even a certainty whether Jason is alive or dead? A very promising idea, well-handled in some respects, but muddled by stretching some science-fiction concepts to tissue-paper thickness. ( )

I really, really wanted to like this. The first volume was fun, its mystery surprisingly intriguing. This final volume starts off well enough, till you arrive at the final chapter. The payoff is virtually nonexistent, mainly because there is no ending whatsoever. Extremely frustrating, and ultimately disappointing. ( )

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