This Jokerized Red Hood cosplay, equal parts chilling and epic, flawlessly blends the iconic personas of the fan-favorite anti-hero and the Joker together. In doing so, it delves deep into the psychological fears of Jason Todd, resurrecting his most profound nightmare, by making him confront the terrifying possibility of becoming the very monster that once brutalized and killed him.

Shared by da_ancientgod on Instagram, the cosplay masterfully mixes together Red Hood's iconic ensemble infused with the unmistakable colors of the Joker.

Adding to the eerie transformation is Jason's hood, intricately painted in the clown's signature makeup shades and adorned with a sinister, Joker-esque smile.

Red Hood Gets Jokerized In Chilling Cosplay

Fans have previously borne witness to some of their favorite heroes become 'Jokerized' in groundbreaking comics like The Batman Who Laughs, by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo. In that dark narrative, Batman, Shazam, Blue Beetle, Hawkman, Donna Troy, James Gordon, and Supergirl fall victim to Joker toxin, leading to a nightmarish transformation that unveils their darkest and most deranged versions, complete with manic grins and pallid skin. Noticeably absent from this lineup was Red Hood, a character whose profoundly unsettling connection to the Joker would have made him an apt addition to the storyline. However, this omission has been rectified by da_ancientgod's paradigm-shifting cosplay.

The cosplay also explores Jason's deepest fear: becoming the Joker. In Truth and Justice #12 – by Jeff Trammel and Rob Guillory – when the Red Hood is exposed to Scarecrow's fear gas, he confronts a hallucinatory version of the Joker, which taunts Red Hood with the idea that he could become just like him, asserting their undeniable similarities. Fear gas amplifies a person's worst fears, confirming Jason's greatest is becoming the Joker. This theory finds further support in Batman: Three Jokers #2 – by Geoff Johns, Jason Fabok, Brad Anderson, and Rob Leigh – when Jason, displaying vulnerability, confesses to Batgirl that he's afraid of being like the Joker.

Jason Todd's Fear Is What Defines The Red Hood

The best part of da_ancientgod's cosplay, though, is how Red Hood’s typical firearms are replaced with a crowbar, a macabre callback to the weapon that the Joker used to beat Jason to death the first time. These twists unite the essences of the Joker and Red Hood, giving rise to the ultimate Red Hood Who Laughs. Jason's profound fear of metamorphosing into the Joker adds depth to his character, and emphasizes the influential role of fear in shaping his Red Hood identity, underscoring his unwavering commitment to ward off the same darkness that consumes his tormentor. da_ancientgod's delves deep into Red Hood and the character's psychology to deliver a high-caliber look.

Source: da_ancientgod