Batman: H2SH has not been hitting the way I was hoping for. The first two chapters were a major disappointment. It has all come down to Jeph Loeb’s dated writing just not hitting like it did for the original Hush story. There has been so much missing as Loeb is just playing the hits with the Batman Family rather than doing something new. And arguably the Hush angle on this story has been its weakest element. That is not a good thing at all given Hush is supposed to be the lead along with Batman. Will things turn around with the third chapter? Let’s find out with Batman #160.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Jim Lee
Inker: Scott Williams
Colorist: Alex Sinclair
Letterer: Richard Starkings
BATMAN #160 SOLICITATION
“H2SH WITH JEPH LOEB AND JIM LEE PART 3! The gentleman’s name is Silence, and his alliance with Hush will destroy Batman!” – DC Comics
REVIEW
Well, it only took three chapters, but we finally got a solid chapter for Batman: H2SH. And when saying Batman #160 is solid that comes with expectations for this storyline lowered. A lowered expectation level did make for the developments in this issue to work better than what has been presented thus far. Though even when the developments are better presented there are still many problems holding Batman: H2SH back from reaching its full potential.
The biggest strength of Batman #160 is that Hush is presented as a much more menacing villain. The first two issues did a horrible job at Hush’s presentation and this issue really highlighted why. When Jeph Loeb puts in the effort to present Hush as Batman’s biggest threat he is right up there with the likes of Joker and Two-Face.
And it wasn’t just Hush’s physical presence but presence overall throughout the issue that made Batman #160 work as well as it does. Loeb writes Hush effectively enough in the opening video flashback that you sense his presence with everything else that goes on here. It is a very simple thing that was massively missing from the previous two chapters of Batman: H2SH.
That said, the explanation for Hush and Red Hood teaming up does put a lot on the reader set aside their logic. Jason Todd suffering from a brain injury is oddly presented on Jason’s part. Even the way Hush says it and Jason responds both know this was just a storyline convenience development so they could team up.
Especially when considering that the crux of their team up is Hush proving to Jason that Bruce would save Joker. Jason agreeing to see this out doesn’t fully make sense for who his character is at this point. It is a reminder that Loeb likely has not read how other writers have developed Jason and his relationship with the Batman Family since he wrote the original Hush storyline.
But while it is a problem for how Jason’s character is presented, it no doubt accomplished the job of making Hush ever presented in Batman #160. All of the actions taken are a form of Hush manipulation Batman and others to do what he wants. Hush has removed the ability for Batman, Nightwing, Batgirl, and Jim Gordon from having options. It is either acting or letting everyone die without the option of saving them.
Which makes Riddler’s involvement work even better. Riddler is the outside party member that Nightwing and Oracle needed to listen to but couldn’t because of their own nature. Riddler is almost treated as an extension of the reader with his advice to Nightwing and Oracle about sticking together.
Though because of that Loeb does lean a little into presenting Nightwing and Oracle as not very smart. Specifically, since there is nothing in this story that says that they need to find Jason right away. As soon as Oracle gets the message her dad is in danger both should’ve addressed that while circling back to Jason. It is a fault of Loeb’s writing that how these two end up being split up just does not work.
Which leads to the other big development of Damian Wayne’s Robin suddenly showing up with Bane to help Batman. This is the definition of coming out of nowhere. Loeb leans on Jim Lee’s artwork to get over this moment. But that just makes how apparent it is Loeb is hiding this development coming out of nowhere really is. There is no in story reason given. It is just a random team-up for the sake of a moment.
It would have made much more sense if there was even a panel of Batman, Nightwing, or Oracle contacting the rest of the Batman Family for help. At least then it would make sense why Damian would suddenly appear as the Robin still in Gotham City. It still would not explain Bane’s presence, but again Loeb is clearly not thinking that way, believing he can get away with it because Lee is drawing everything.
Then there are the new villains that were introduced in Batman #160. Armori and the brick wall of a muscle have cool abilities. But unfortunately, Loeb misses out on at least dropping a hint that Hush used elements from around the DC Universe to create his new henchman. It would have been a cool tie into what is overall going on with DC All In if it was referenced that Hush used Metal Men or Amazo tech for his new henchmen. A big, missed opportunity for Batman: H2SH.
The ending with Hush threating Robin and Joker threating Nightwing and Red Hood is one of those wait to see endings. This ending plays into the teaser Loeb and Lee put out as an answer to their recent H2SH Discord Q&A where they said, “We are going to do something about this Robin problem.” Now this hints at killing one of the Robins, which we know Loeb has propensity for using death as a storytelling crutch. With the development of Jason’s brain injury we could be in store for something else when it comes to “this Robin problem.” That is why it will be a wait to see what is done.
Jim Lee’s artwork is the one constant for Batman: H2SH. Lee’s artwork is helping to create momentum as we go from scene to scene throughout Batman #160. It is not the strongest artwork we have seen from Lee but at least it does what it needs to do to lift up the weak spots in Loeb’s writing.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Batman #160 is the chapter that the Batman: H2SH storyline needed. Finally, Hush is presented as a menacing villain whose presence is felt even when not physically on the screen. There are still a lot of problems with Jeph Loeb’s writing jumping the logical shark but at least Jim Lee’s artwork steps in to continue to lift the story. Hopefully this is a sign the rest of H2SH will lean into its strengths rather than weaknesses.
Story Rating: 5 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 6.5 Night Girls out of 10
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