Batman: Hush, Vol. 1

The story line on this Gotham City/Metropolis cross-over is, bluntly, conventional, predictable and uninspiring but the book is redeemed by dramatic graphics and superlative inking by Jim Lee and Scott Williams.

The soap opera dynamic between Lois and Superman, Batman and Catwoman and chief villain Poison Ivy backed up by dim-witted Killer Croc is made sexy by some frankly erotic (at points) draughtsmanship.

The creative tension is supposed to be between the 'dark' Batman and the 'light' Superman, between vengeance and love perhaps, but it is overwhelmed by a lack of subtlety and a love of powerful graphics for their own sake with most shots dominated by the faces and bodies of the protagonists.

Jim Lee refers in his introduction to the show more dreadfully corny old Adam West TV series. You can see its influence, not in trying to lighten up the Dark Knight (no, this is a Titan production for DC Comics and Batman is now irredeemably gloomy) but the wonderul use of brightly coloured explosions, such as Kracsh, Rarrr, Yarrrcxh, Slam, Sprak and other onomatopeia, in the action scenes. There's even a Kraka Thoom and a Phtoosh!

One quibble is the dreadful quality of the binding between the cover and the contents in my edition - the punters deserve better quality control for £7.99. show less

This is the first volume of a compilation of a "Batman" mini-series, "Hush". It may be premature to grade this so highly, but so far the story is a very well-done work by writer and artist, set at a time in Batman's career when he is just starting to contemplate a relationship with Catwoman, and develop a more trusting relationship with the Man of Steel. Nevertheless, they do fight in this volume, in a manner prescient of Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns". There is also a rare look at Bruce Wayne's boyhood and his best friend from those years, who now unfortunately looms as the only likely candidate for the main villain in this work. The artwork is some of the best I've see, evoking memories of Neal Adams and Dick Giordano. A show more fine and promising first volume in a story I have high hopes for. show less

Phenomenal first part to a Batman classic saga. A number of Batman's archetypal foes begin behaving in new ways, committing new types of crimes and otherwise acting unpredictably. The Bat figures out that someone new -- but someone who knows him very well -- has been putting them up to it. Features some great combat sequences, the budding romance between Batman and Catwoman, and an awesome, knock-down, drag-out fight between Batman and Superman. Also provides some additional detail on young Bruce Wayne's life and introduces a childhood friend who becomes important to the story.

I was able to guess the identity of Batman's new foe by the end of this first volume, but that didn't spoil the mystery too much as I really wanted to see how it show more all turned out. I picked up Hush Vols. 1 and 2 because Hush will be featured in the current (Summer 2008) Batman R.I.P. saga and wasn't disappointed. High recommended -- plot, characterization, and art are all exceptional.

Review copyright 2008 J. Andrew Byers show less

As graphic novels go, this was okay. It's a good mystery and brings in a ton of different characters. The artwork is slick, superhero comic art. Batman's internal dialogues started to seem forced in the second volume and essentially started to make him sound stupid. Let the man brood in silence. He is the Dark Knight.

Easily the best treatment I've seen for Catwoman. Also a great use of "extended universe" characters. Also the art had some great specifics to it, like the wrinkles in the batsuit, and the fabric actually looking like fabric and not a perfect bodysuit. All in all, great volume, I'll have to read the rest, even though I already know where it goes.

Male gaze much? Every woman in this comic is hyper sexualized even in the most ludicrous moments (we see Lois's bra when she falls off a building). I can't, I can't. Get a grip comic book industry, get a grip.


Two stars for the awesome Huntress action.

This book works because of Jim Lee. The artwork is what makes everything flow. The story is good not great but the art rises above any problems the book had. The ending is well done and quiet stirring.