The opening chapter for Batman: Hush 2, or H2sh as DC Comics is now calling this sequel, was extremely underwhelming. Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee reliance on tried-and-true storytelling approaches for the Dark Knight ended up falling flat. A lot what was done was a story out of time when it is supposed to be set in a more modern time period. This is a real test for Loeb’s capabilities to evolve as a writer. Let’s see if Batman #159 can provide H2sh the momentum it needs.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Jim Lee
Inker: Scott Williams
Colorist: Alex Sinclair
Letterer: Richard Starkings
BATMAN #159 SOLICITATION
“H2SH WITH JEPH LOEB AND JIM LEE CONTINUES! After the shocking events of the last issue, Batman must make the hardest decision of his life! Guest-starring Nightwing, Batgirl, and Red Hood!” – DC Comics
REVIEW
If there is one thing to give Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee credit for with Batman #159 is that it is a quick read. The pacing was much more refined in this second chapter of H2sh that the first. While the pacing was a huge step up the problems faced by certain character and story decisions are still here.
The big hook for Batman #159 is Bruce Wayne’s choice to save Joker. The entire issue is dedicated to how this decision weighs on Bruce and the impact that it has. On that end it is not a story we haven’t seen before. Every time Bruce has had the decision to let Joker die, he has chosen to save him as it goes back to his “Batman doesn’t kill” matra.
So, from that end it is understandable that Jason Todd would not take kindly to hearing that Bruce would save Joker’s life. But that is where the understanding stops, and the questioning of Loeb and Lee’s narrative decisions comes up.
The reason Loeb tries to give for Bruce not knowing if he was fighting Jason Todd or Hush as Red Hood was head scratching, to say the least. The way Loeb writes this portrayal of Batman and Lee choreographs the fight, just seems off. It makes it seem that this Hush sequel really is happening right after the first story rather than in 2025. Loeb seemingly did zero research on how Bruce and Jason’s relationship has evolved since he introduced Jason Todd’s return angle.
This is by far the weakest Batman has ever looked and the writing is the reason for that. What Hush did to Joker is not enough to explain how poorly Bruce is written that he wouldn’t instantly be able to tell he’s fighting Jason. They’ve fought side-by-side and against each other enough over the years Bruce should be able to instantly tell its Jason. Using the excuse of Jason’s voice being muffled by the Red Hood helmet is just poor writing on Loeb’s part.
Because of all that it ends up impacting the overall result of the Batman vs Red Hood fight. The dramatics lean too long on Bruce questioning who is behind the Red Hood helmet. It is to such a degree that you’re taken out of the fight.
This ultimately leads to the outcome of the fight being Bruce discovering Jason is working with Hush to fall flat. It is a result that unintentionally doesn’t make you care about Hush role in this story. Instead, it just feels like Loeb is writing another chapter in the endless Batman vs Joker story with Hush being a trigger for this. And with us only being two chapters into this story, forgetting this is a sequel to Hush is not good.
That said, there is a better attempt made to keep the emphasis on Hush. That attempt does not involve Batman whatsoever. The most intriguing development is Nightwing and Oracle possibly partnering with Riddler to fight Hush. What makes this development intriguing is the implication that Riddler knows the identities of the Batman Family. This is the hook needed for the story of Batman saving Joker not being a secret needed. It at least makes Nightwing, Oracle, and Riddler the most interesting characters in this Hush sequel.
For all the disappointment with the writing at least Jim Lee does his best to save all of Loeb’s choices. Lee’s artwork in Batman #159 was much better this time around than it was in the first chapter. The biggest improvement is Lee maintaining the consistent high-level artwork throughout the story. Having that consistency created at least the look that the story is a big deal even when the writing doesn’t meet that same level.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Batman #159 leans too much on telling yet another chapter in the never-ending Batman and Joker narrative. This leads to easily forgetting that this is supposed to be part of the sequel to Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee’s Hush story. The only thing that saves this second chapter from being a complete dud is the development involving Nightwing, Oracle, and Riddler. That and Jim Lee’s high-quality artwork. But even then, that is not enough to save this from being a disappointing second chapter to the Hush sequel, aka H2sh.
Story Rating: 3 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 5.5 Night Girls out of 10
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