Hush 2 Is Heavy on the Nostalgia But at Least the Art is Great (Review)

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The original “Batman: Hush” story, created by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee, remains one of DC’s most famous tales for the Dark Knight, offering some truly unforgettable moments that significantly influenced Batman upon its release in 2002. Now, over two decades later, the sequel to this story has been published with “Batman” #158 marking the beginning of a six-issue “Hush 2” arc. However, while longtime fans of the original will appreciate the return and Lee’s exceptional artwork, the first issue seems more focused on nostalgia than innovation, as it appears to be stuck in time rather than engaging, and it largely ignores any developments and changes Batman has undergone over the years, instead focusing on revisiting the past.

The story begins when Batman confronts the Joker who orchestrates an attack on the Gotham Reservoir. A fight ensues between the two arch-nemeses, and in the scuffle, Batman falls into toxic waters with harmful fish, but as we know, Batman isn’t easily defeated. Instead, he faces a setback but doesn’t give up. The Joker, however, gets his due when Hush captures him for brutal interrogation and fatal injuries. Meanwhile, the Bat-Family can’t contact Batman because their signals are blocked, leading him to eventually discover where the Joker is hidden. In this location, he encounters not only a dying villain but also evidence of the Joker’s most heinous crimes. It doesn’t take Batman long to figure out that Hush, his longtime nemesis Tommy Elliot, has orchestrated these events.

If you haven’t read a Batman comic since 2003 or if this issue was published shortly after the original Hush story, it would still be well-crafted. It effectively recaptures the visual style, atmosphere, and essence of that initial Hush tale. Jim Lee’s artwork is exceptional, and Alex Sinclair’s colors are vivid and striking. However, there’s a problem: 22 years have passed since this comic was created. A great deal has transpired in more recent Batman storylines that have significantly altered the character, including his methods of operation, speech patterns, and overall dynamics. Loeb’s writing doesn’t take these changes into account, which makes the narrative feel out of place. This can lead to a sudden and perhaps confusing shift from Zdarsky’s run, potentially leaving readers feeling unimpressed. Not releasing this as its own limited series separate from ongoing storylines seems like a missed opportunity, as the story may need to work extra hard to win over readers.

As a die-hard film buff, I must confess that while this story holds a certain charm, it might not be as engaging for everyone due to its strong nostalgia factor. If you haven’t delved into the original Hush narrative or haven’t revisited it in a while, you might find that the pieces aren’t quite fitting together perfectly. But if you can detach from the hype surrounding this sequel and view it as a standalone piece, it evokes a vintage or even classic Batman tale – not necessarily a bad thing.

However, the question remains whether integrating this story into the mainline Batman comic was the optimal choice, as it seems somewhat disconnected from the rest of the universe.

All in all, Batman issue #158 is satisfactory, especially for fans who enjoyed the initial Hush tale. Lee’s artwork remains impressive as ever. However, it seems that this comic, along with many others from DC, is a recurring pattern: revisiting old and renowned stories to exploit nostalgia rather than creating fresh content. This installment might not offer much new, and if the first Hush story was a standalone masterpiece, a sequel may not be essential. Time will tell if future chapters bring something different, but for now, it doesn’t appear we’re treading on uncharted territory.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Published by DC

On March 26, 2025

Written by Jeph Loeb

Pencils by Jim Lee

Inks by Scott Williams

Colors by Alex Sinclair

Letters by Richard Starkings

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2025-03-26 15:10