Batman: Hush is an interesting comic to try and write a sequel to, because so much of the original is meant as a showcase of everything Batman comics have to offer. Yes, there’s the overarching mystery of who is trying to kill Batman, but that’s mostly just a loose thread tying together twelve separate chapters each with some new villain and/or ally. For the longest time it was the comic to recommend to new readers because it gave you a taste of everything (and was also very pretty to look at).
What would a sequel to that even look like? You could do what Paul Dini did and just write entirely new stories using Hush as the villain, but does that capture the spirit of the original for a proper “sequel”? Do you just make another showcase, but one that shows off the state of Gotham in 2025 instead of 2002? It’s tough to say. With this first issue, we at least get a small look as to where the story might be headed.
The first thing you notice is that Jim Lee’s art still delivers the tremendous level of detail and style that has made him so famous. Reading through the pages, you can see why his projects can often take so long. His drawings, along with the return of Alex Sinclair’s colors, Scott Williams’ inks, and Richard Starkings’ letters make it almost feel like 2002 again. If there’s one noticeable departure from Batman: Hush, it’s the lack of big, poster-worthy splash pages. The original story seemed filled to the brim with art that could and did get used for merchandise and promotional material for years. The art here is still impressive, but more focused on telling the story.
Speaking of playing the hits, H2SH continues its predecessor’s trend of showcasing plenty of Batman characters. In just this first issue we are introduced to Nightwing, Batgirl, Joker, and Talia al Ghul. Each time the story (often through Batman’s narration) gives the reader a description of their role and how they’re connected to Batman. While maybe not quite as detailed as the intros from the first Hush, the sequel still intends to act as a jumping on point for new readers. Joker’s plot even involves revisiting iconic past capers like poisoning the Gotham Reservoir and creating “laughing” Joker fish.
As for the rest of the plot, so far writer Jeph Loeb is playing things pretty close to the chest. Hush’s identity obviously can’t be the mystery again, so now the question is what he’s planning. All we know is that he wants revenge (when doesn’t he?) and it involves his new, hulking henchman named “Silence”. Talia also seems to be connected somehow, despite her claiming that her appearance is purely coincidental. It’s not an especially thrilling opening, but it sufficiently sets up the story for what’s to come.
More than any specifics relating to the overall plan, what this first issue does is spend a lot of time building up the threat of Hush as a character. Using Silence to capture and then torture Joker is meant to establish to the reader that he is more capable and dangerous than even Batman’s most infamous foe. When he hacks into the Bat family’s communications network, Nightwing and Batgirl respond with shocked disbelief, and Batman is forced to shut the whole thing down.
Ultimately, this is the Hush that should be familiar to anyone who read the first book. He’s presented as a genius mastermind capable of manipulating dozens of characters (that I’m sure will show up in good time) in order to get his revenge on Bruce Wayne. He also still likes to drop strange, almost meta references to his own name, such as telling Joker that you command more authority by speaking softly. Whether you buy this level of hypercompetence will depend largely on whether you were able to buy it the first time around.
Recommended If
- You were a fan of the first Hush story
- You want to see Jim Lee back behind the pencil
- You’re a new reader looking for an introduction to the Batman mythos
Overall
The opening chapter of H2SH is almost a direct continuation of the visuals, storytelling, and tone of the original Hush over twenty years ago, for better or worse. From the cavalcade of character introductions to the mystery plot stringing them all together, fans of the original should feel right at home, while critics might not find enough has changed to win them over. So far there is little information as to what Hush’s new plan might be, but the story goes to great lengths to try and (re)establish him as a credible threat.
Score: 7/10
DISCLAIMER: DC Comics provided Batman News with a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review.
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