Batman: H2SH has no doubt been a sales juggernaut. It has achieved that mark that DC Comics was certainly aiming for. Though it’s done well sales wise the actual creative of H2SH has been a massive disappointment. Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee have yet to hit the high marks they reached in their original Hush storyline. H2SH isn’t even close to matching other Hush stories like Payback, Heart of Hush, or House of Hush. Now with Batman #161 we enter the second half of H2SH. So there is plenty to turn things around. Let’s see if that happens with Batman #161.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Jim Lee
Inker: Scott Williams
Colorist: Alex Sinclair
Letterer: Richard Starkings
BATMAN #161 SOLICITATION
“H2SH WITH JEPH LOEB AND JIM LEE PART 4! Batman’s battle with Hush takes a dark turn when Damian (Robin) and Bane team up!” – DC Comics
REVIEW
Reading Batman #161 really has me questioning why I keep getting my hopes up that things will come together for H2SH to reach the level of its predecessor. It is certainly the power of having Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee return for a sequel of their iconic Hush storyline. But at this point they have shown that magic isn’t there as it was 20+ years ago. Batman #161 is the greatest example of the magic not being here.
Loeb has run into an ongoing problem many writers have had. That is not being able to write the main character’s inner dialogue in their voice but rather the writer’s voice. Any time we get Batman’s thoughts they never read in Batman’s voice. The way Loeb writes it comes across as him trying to convince the reader he knows how to write Batman. This in turn leads to it being Loeb talking to us as the reader rather than Batman reacting and thinking about what is going on.
A big theme to all of that is Batman knowing he is being a hypocrite while continuing actions that show the world that is who he is. Batman being a hypocrite comes from him constantly falling for Hush’s plans. He even points out when interacting with Robin, Bane, and Batgirl he knows this is what Hush wants.
The problem is that all of Batman’s actions show he is leaning into his worst habits. Batman falling for all of Hush’s traps does nothing to make him sympathetic. Instead it just seems that the detective side of Batman is really missing here, even though Loeb briefly attempts to tap into that side of the character. There is just too much forced sympathy with Batman’s characterization that is not hitting.
The structure of the story paints Batman as the one who has turned heel on the Batman Family, who are just trying to bring Bruce to his senses. When Nightwing shows up with the rest of the Batman Family to back-up Batgirl you are rooting for them to stop Batman. Hush isn’t even a factor in this situation. The story has become getting Batman to listen to his brain, which knows he is just falling into all of Hush’s plots.
The problems with how Batman is being portrayed also hurt how Hush is presented as the main antagonist. An example of this is the opening scene. It would have been much more effective if Hush and his crew were able to leave Batman severely hurt before Robin and Bane showed up. Hush could’ve easily bounced having proven his point of superiority that he didn’t need his crew to fight Robin and Bane. But instead Hush got punked out for falling down the trappings of a maniacal villain that Robin was easily able to escape after being caught.
Hush’s failed development also impacts Jason Todd and Joker’s role in the story. There is never concern about Joker killing one of the Robins. Nightwing is able to easily save himself and Jason. And after that both Jason and Joker just disappear. And with the way Batman #161 is structured you quickly forget that they are even part of the story. Which exemplifies how Loeb is trying to do to much with call backs to his original Hush story rather than just taking steps forward with the villain.
The only saving grace for Batman #161 is Jim Lee’s artwork. This issue is by far the best Lee’s artwork has been in H2SH. It’s back to the high level expect from him. The Batman vs Oracle fight is Lee at his best. The distinct fighting styles Bruce and Barbara have is shown well. Though there are some instances the art isn’t as strong, specifically with the beginning as Bane and Robin are consistently drawn. Hopefully the Lee we get in the second half of this issue is who we get in the last two chapters.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Batman #161 yet again fails to live up to the expectations that were set when H2SH was announced. Jeph Loeb makes way too many leaps with the plot and character choices, including writing characters in his voice as the writer. Not even Jim Lee’s artwork can help mask the obvious problems this storyline has. Which leads to H2SH going four out four in disappointing chapters thus far.
Story Rating: 2 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 4.5 Night Girls out of 10
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