#the way Jason and his “stock” are introduced as Good because they were humble and helpless

[cologona]

You guys ever notice how when the Todds were first introduced and Jason's death wasn't yet a sparkle in Starlin's eye, Willis' list of crimes seems very deliberately non-violent? Stealing cars and car parts, carrying betting slips and money to-and-fro for the local illegal lottery... it's very mundane.

And since Jason was introduced doing a car-related crime as well, there's a connection made between Willis' criminal activity and Jason's. Sure on one hand it's supposed to be seen as Batman says- Jason lost his father to a life of crime~ and now he's falling~ too. But on another level Jason and Willis are being framed somewhat nobly. Jason only steals what he needs to survive, and the mundanity of Willis' crimes point to Willis being similar (if not the source of Jason's attitude.)

I gotta think, if Jason's code was to keep your head down and to get by while doing as little harm as possible, what did it do to him when Batman showed him that violence *could* be justified? That it didn't have to be a thing you tried to avoid while eeking out a living, but something that could be used for the greater good (even when you have more money than god!)

If Jason had never died his character might've gone down the path of Steph and/or Mia (idk much about her) emphasizing that there's always a choice you can make and such, but since he *did* die... well a different point is raised.

"I'll be the you you're supposed to be."