Batman: Hush

Hush is such a great villain in my perspective and he just provides a certain side to the Batman universe that is needed. Since it was his first appearance it showed people a new villain that can make Batman actually afraid of what he does.

I heard about this book from a friend who said it was great and he was absolutely correct. The story was worth the money I paid for from a seller who had it in great condition. Also the pencils by Jim lee were great which made it even better.

Batman: Hush tells a story spanning a hundred pages and tens of villains. Even knowing the backstory from other media, Hush still provided an excellent story that kept me constantly guessing and refusing to put it down. You will not be disappointed.

The writing from Jeph Loeb and art from Jim Lee give us an awesome Batman story. The characters are drawn to near perfection from Lee, and the storytelling is just masterful from Loeb. Once you've finished, you'll be hard-pressed to read it again to pick up on some subtle nuances you might have missed the first time around.

This is the comic book that got me into comic books. Jim Lee's beautiful artwork caught my eye right from the start, and the story features a veritable who's who of Batman's friends and foes. It's not an earth-shattering, genre-redifining story, and I wouldn't want it to be. It's an entertaining, gorgeously drawn detective story that reintroduced me to the most awesome fictional character in history: Batman.

This is hands down one of the greatest comic books I have ever read in my entire life; I could NOT put my kindle down! Its so long, too! I was a little concerned about the price, but its WORTH IT! This is one of the perks of being an adult nerd: I CAN BUY ALL THE COMIC BOOKS I WANT. I never really shipped Bruce and Selina before, but this actually changed my view.

People seem to like this because of Jim Lee's art, which I both love and respect, but this seems more like an excuse for him to draw as many characters as he can with the story only serving as permission. Great art but forgettable story

This is hands down one of the greatest comic books I have ever read in my entire life; I could NOT put my kindle down! Its so long, too! I was a little concerned about the price, but its WORTH IT! This is one of the perks of being an adult nerd: I CAN BUY ALL THE COMIC BOOKS I WANT. I never really shipped Bruce and Selina before, but this actually changed my view.

People seem to like this because of Jim Lee's art, which I both love and respect, but this seems more like an excuse for him to draw as many characters as he can with the story only serving as permission. Great art but forgettable story

Came in excellent condition and this is a great comic and story line! Drawn by Jim Lee which is an amazing artist, and the story line is gritty and exciting.. It has all the comics of this series all in one book.. A must to have if you are a batman fan!

I loved it barely getting into comics n let's just say I'm amazed. I've been a Batman fan my whole life but never had any comics when I was young. Now sense I make my own money I can enjoy these works of art n story telling genius. If u are a fan of batman get this book. U won't be disappointed

A+!!! I'm a bit new to the batman comic book series, so this is just what I needed to get started! There were plenty of villain appearances, and an excellent plot that will explain things to you as you go for those who are new to batman or have been out of the loop for a while. -MJS

Granted, I haven't read that many Batman graphic novels yet, this one simply outclasses all the others I have read. The art is fantastic and the story is compelling. It grabs you and pulls you into a whirlwind of chaos created by the mystery character, Hush while also employing full use of nearly the entire rogue's gallery of Batman villains. The interaction/relationship between Batman and Catwoman is a must read for fans of the either and will definitely leave you wanting more.

I would definitely recommend that you pick this one up and give it a shot if you are a fan of Batman.

WOW! I love this book! The story was FANTASTIC and the art was AMAZING! It was numerous guest characters and a challenging mystery (unless you already know the identity of Hush). I HIGHLY recommend this book!

Jim Lee is by far one of the greatest artist since earlier 90's. I have 4 books of HUSH (normal issues, 2 hardcover books, Absolute Hush and now this one), and I must say: The art is the reason behind my addiction!

This is a terrific addition to the dark knight cannon. It is essential for any true batman enthusiast and introduces the best villain introduced in the last 10 years, one that will actually stand the test of time.

In general, this book was ok, but it felt fairly generic and unimaginative. The story was reasonably enjoyable but generally felt pretty uninspired. And the art...I don't quite understand how it's possible that Jim Lee has grown older but he still draws with a teenager's sensibilities, with every woman ridiculously oversexualized in every single frame. In small doses this can be fun, but when it's the whole book it keeps you from getting sucked into the story because it's so silly. Sometimes less is more Lee.

This story will keep you guessing as villain after villain, and even a few heroes, are ruled out as the mastermind behind the series of seemingly unrelated events. You get more and more wrapped up and entrapped by the plot. This is a virtual who-dunnit in the Batman universe. I highly recommend this graphic novel.

Wow! The mystery, the romance, the action, the art... a fine piece of comic book. I personally like this story because it's a detective adventure. Absolute hush for Jim Lee and Jeph Lobe's master peace.

what can you ask more? villains? check. plot twist? check. batman awesomeness? check.

greatest book I've read so far with ultimate combination of great writer and illustrator.

worth every penny.

This book blew me away!. The art work on this Novel was exhillarating to say the least. The storyline is fantastic too. I would recommend anyone who loves a good Novel to read to get this one. Probably the best Novel I've read so far!.

Great graphic novel ... Only critique is the introduction of new characters (mostly villains) at a unbelievable pace with almost too many characters involved. Overall fun and more detective than blind action.

One of my favorite batman stories, this one has a ton of familiar DC characters, which is great. I would easily give it a 5/5 if it wasn't for the crease on the back cover, i noticed it right away when i opened the package, must have been mishandled at the factory. But it arrived 2 days earlier than expected, so that was nice. Great Batman story for any Batman fan, it wont disappoint.

Great story, loved seeing all of batmans rouges gallery involved and some of his friends as well. Jim Lee's artwork, as always, was amazing. Hush is one of my favorite batman storylines I have read in a long time. A must buy for batman fans and comic book fans.

This review is spoiler-free for anyone who has not read Hush.

I understand that Jeph Loeb is widely lauded amongst Batman fans and is considered to have written many of the best Batman stories. However, having read a number of his works, the impression with which I come away is that they're actually not *good*. His style is consistent from story to story, which would be admirable in other circumstances, but the stories are convoluted without depth and at the same time predictable, which loses any luster after a first read.

This is especially true of Hush. From the beginning you're sure you know Hush's identity but early on through some spoilery means your suspect is no longer a suspect which, admittedly, lends some interest to the story. Then, at the end, when you find out you were right all along, the reveal is nothing but inflammatory to realize you were fooled with a cheap cliche parlor trick and Loeb's attempt to pull the wool over your eyes is insulting. As a reader, especially with Loeb's perceived prestige, one gives the writer the benefit of a doubt and assumes early on that he would not resort to such tactics, and you're left feeling violated and that you've been taken advantage of when all is said and done. This is further compounded when Hush's ultimate motivation for stalking Batman is revealed, which is ludicrously juvenile and unbelievable and still yet diminishes the impact of the overall story.

There's a fun moment at the end between Batman and the Riddler in which Batman proves his intellectual superiority but this is a small denouement that adds nothing to the story. This cements the point that Loeb's style seems to consist of throwing every possible member of Batman's rogues gallery in regardless of need, the inclusion of whom in tangential throwaway roles is nothing but unjustified fan service, with an internal bonus to provide the artist with a change of scenery so as to not get bored (see: The Long Halloween and Dark Victory). They are not necessary. They're filler for an otherwise bland and empty story.

Read it if you must, but expect nothing exceptional. If you're not a die-hard Batman fan don't bother.

I decided to try reading one of the DC collections that were made available specifically for the Kindle Fire and chose HUSH because I had never read it before and had heard good things. The story and art are enjoyable. The experience of reading it on the Kindle Fire is not. It limits my options on how to read the story. I am not able to rotate it into landscape mode and the only zoom capabilities are the pre-defined ones that walk you through the story panel by panel. The predefined zoom is still not enough to sometimes read the captions.

If the store chooses to update the Kindle Fire software to allow me to control my own zoom and to rotate the display, then I will score this higher.

I gave it only four stars because I thought it was the large book my daughter wanted with the colored pictures; however, it wasn't. Should the book become available in the large size and with colored pictures, please let me know. My daughter loved it, but it is not the exact one she wanted.

"Hush" is one of the best Batman stories I've ever read. The story is good, no question about it, but I think what really sells this graphic novel is the artwork by Jim Lee. He's my favorite artist of all time and this book is a good example as to why! Every single panel is drawn as beautifully as a front cover would be drawn, and his attention to detail and realism is uncanny. If you're a fan of good Batman art, this is worth owning just for all of the pretty images. The women have never looked sexier, the villains have never looked scarier, and Batman himself has never looked more bada$$. Anyway, this book collects a year's worth of Batman issues (#608-619) centered around the rise of a mysterious new villain called Hush. Jeph Loeb does a great job as writer, and this story expands much in the same style as The Long Halloween, another Batman story he'd written a few years earlier. It's just an all around great Batman story due to the mystery and the appearance of so many classic characters like Catwoman, Nightwing, Robin, the Oracle, Superman, Lois Lane, the Joker, Harley Quinn, the Riddler, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, Ra's Al Ghul, Killer Croc, Huntress, and more. Also included are notes from writer Jeph Loeb and artist Jim Lee, in addition to more of Jim's beautiful artwork that had been featured on variant covers for some of these issues. If you haven't read this Batman story, now is the time to pick it up!

So I heard alot about this book and was very excited to read it. I picked up a copy from my local library and just finished it... The reason I gave it 3 stars is because I found it to be just medicore. It wasn't a bad read, but it also wasn't too exciting. I found myself being bored alot as the author uses a TON, and I mean A TON of self relefective monologues spoken by batman. I found this made the pacing of the story slow, almost to the point where I couldn't wait for the next page just to have made some foreword process towards the end of the book so I can move onto something else. Don't get me wrong, there were some exciting parts and it was definitely fun trying to figure out who Hush really was but overall I just found it slow and boring more then I found it thrilling and exciting. The entire romance between Batman and catwoman just seemed unnecessary, but then again this is a collected edition so perhaps it was pertinent to the story in later issues, as a standalone arch the inclusion of it seems like it's a bit thrown in there just for the sake of it. The art I didn't mind so much, I suppose it was pretty cool, looked a bit rob leifeild in the early 90 s ish at times but I didn't mind that.The coloring was absolutely beautiful, no faults there, really great color use. Overall I'm pleased I read it, and pleased I didn't buy it. If you can borrow it from a friend or your library give it a read, your opinion may be totally different then mine, and then if you like it I would say buy it. Hope this review helps

Deep and psychological for all the right reasons. Hush was quite the adventure showcasing the best of the Detective Comics. Artwork by Jim Lee means it looks spectacular and PLENTY of characters make special cameos. The ink and lettering were also top notch (courtesy of Alex St Clair and Richard Starkings respectively. It's definitely a character heavy collection but highlights include any scene with Cat Woman, Poison Ivy, Batman himself, and Robin. Cameos by the Joker, Harley Quinn, Killer Croc, Ra's Al Ghoul, etc. are also interesting but definitely a LOT happens in this collection.

The story is engaging and fascinating and reveals itself bit by bit as with the best detective comics. This collection also shines through because it often has you guessing in regards to the mysteries, what's going on, and beyond. The level of details of panels is always impressive and definitely merits repeats reads.

My only gripes come from certain parts of the dialogue although this is mainly near the beginning and as the story progresses, it gets a lot better and tighter as it progresses, teasing and pulling you to new directions. The inclusion of SO many characters can also be a double edged sword but for the most part, I really enjoyed seeing a bit of everyone. The only other thing is part of the ending, although since I'm not a fan of spoilers, then you'll have to check it out.

Still, as it stands although not my fav Batman story, it is still incredibly good and will get repeat reads, which may or may not affect review scores.

For now though, best to Hush and enjoy the read

This was a fun read. I do appreciate the writer Jeph Loeb for his storytelling in other comic books especially in BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN. In fact I decided to read this book largely because of Jeph Loeb was the author. I also appreciated the artist Jim Lee. There’s a movie feel to the angles and dramatic poses of Batman.
This work is a “mystery.” I appreciated the author going for the Detective side of Batman. This book tells the story of Batman trying to figure out who is behind orchestrated attack against Batman. Whoever it is knows the ways of Batman. Whoever it is also manages to orchestrate many of Batman’s infamous villains together to fight against the Dark Knight. I like the twists and turn towards the end in which there’s a loop thrown to the readers of a sudden change on who is the mysterious mastermind now known as “Hush.” Another simultaneous story in this book is the story of Batman’s relationship with others. There’s the issue of trust and Batman is lonely enough to try to pursue love with the Catwoman. All along the issue is whether he can trust her and he takes dramatic risks of revealing himself. I love the irony that is pointed out in the book of how Batman is supposed to be this lone hero but then there’s all these connections of “Bat family” around him such as the various Robins, Batwing, Oracle, etc.
A fun read. I read this on Sunday nights after a long day and week of ministry (I’m a pastor). Great to read something that relaxes the mind. While it wasn’t as epic as BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN or Batman Year One, it was still a good story.

I finally got around to reading The Complete Hush because of the Kindle Fire. You can download the Hoopla app and with your library, check it out of the library for free. The app does a great job of showing comics and letting you zoom in panel by panel. There's a delay when you switch between horizontal and vertical layouts (the 2-spread pages in comic book pages frequently tempt you into doing this), but otherwise it works great.

The content of the story seemed very familiar. Then I realized that this story was part of what went into the story line for Arkham Knight! I enjoyed the story but it felt a bit rushed and compressed. The weakest part of it was Batman: through the entire story arc, he didn't feel competent and in charge (and that's despite of course his ability to manage Superman). I felt the video game did a better job of portraying Batman than this book did.

Batman faces two great challenges in this graphic novel spanning issues 608 to 619, published in 2003. His first challenge is solving a string of crimes committed by many of his classic villains. All of those villains are acting a bit out of character. Killer Croc kidnaps someone for the ransom, a crime that's way above his IQ. Harley Quinn robs Gothamites at the opera with guns blazing, which isn't really her M.O. either. Could someone be orchestrating everything behind the scenes, and is that someone an old enemy or a new one? There's a figure swathed in bandages that keeps appearing, seemingly the mastermind of what's going on.

His other challenge is his growing relationship with Selena Kyle, a.k.a. Catwoman. Selena has been seeing Bruce Wayne off and on; Catwoman has been on the side of good and been a bit smitten with Batman off and on. He knows Selena is Catwoman but she doesn't know Bruce is Batman. Just how close should he let himself get with her? And is this whole romance another piece in the puzzle orchestrated by the criminal mastermind?

This book does a great job looking at the various villains and allies of Batman in a new light. The book also takes into account a lot of Batman's canonical stories (Barbara Gordon is in her wheelchair as Oracle; Dick Grayson is Nightwing; Jason Todd is dead; Jim Gordon is retired, Lex Luthor is president of the United States) and blends them in as part of the bigger picture of Batman dealing with his life and his history.

I did feel like the identity of the villainous mastermind was a little too obvious throughout the book until the nice twist at the end. A bit of disappointment was turned on its head, making a satisfying conclusion to a great big Batman story arc.

Hush is not intended to be read like this. This lacks the colors and detail of the original. Some of the panels are extremely detailed and this pen and ink look only detracts from the depth that comes with colors. Only get this if you are a die hard fan and have the original

I first saw this for sale in a shop back when it first came out and always wanted it but opted for others "first". Finally got around to buying this and, seriously, it's so overhyped it's not even funny. The identity of Hush is so glaringly obvious from the get-go and the only reason you keep reading is that you assume it has to be the biggest red herring but no, dude ends up being whom you thought it was from the start. The artwork is amazing and it's a decent size and has a few almost great moments, it's not too horrible, it's just not the hyped greatest Batman story you haven't read yet everyone makes it out to be.

This book collects Issues 608-619 of Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee's HUSH storyline,. Batman's enemies are being drawn together and committing crimes in unusual way: Poison Ivy, Killer Crock, Harley Quinn. the Joker, Ra's Al-Ghul, and the Riddler all appear in the story and they're all handled exceptionally well, giving the story depth and also a fan-pleasing epicness to its twelve issue narrative.

The story also does a good job exploring a relationship between Batman and Catwoman. It has a good sense of mystery as well as great art, though I guessed the solution early on.

Overall, it's a very good Batman story that for the most part, lives up to its reputation.

The greatest thing about Batman Hush in my opinion is that you get to see so many different pieces of Batman lore in one place. Joker, Riddler, Poison Ivy, Killer Croc, Harvey Dent, the majority of Batman's most famous Rogues show up here, all at the behest of the new villain Hush. Which is where things go downhill. For one thing, and I can only speak for myself, the identity of Hush was EXTREMELY obvious. Bruce Wayne just happens to have a good friend from his childhood that's never been mentioned before and who we've never seen? Come on Loeb. I know you can do better than that. The worst part is that Loeb is apparently aware of this, as he even has Dick Grayson (Nightwing) directly ask Tim Drake (Robin) if the latter has ever heard of Thomas Elliot before, placing both characters in the place of the fans who are just finding out about him now. This wouldn't be too bad were Hush not the main villain of this storyline, and discovering his ID the main plot point. Even worse is how he's treated as such an amazing villain that is manipulating all of Batman's classic foes and training them to be better and more effective than they've ever been, in order to combat and take down our Dark Knight. Again, this could have been good had we actually seen this happening. Instead all we ever get is Bruce commenting on so and so acting different and then thinking that it's all because of one mysterious person (Hush).

But that being said about Hush as a villain, getting to see SO many of Batman's villains in one place is still a great treat. And that is one of the reasons I consider this to be an excellent entrance into Batman comics for people that aren't well-versed in Batman lore. The villains are all introduced and their MO's made fairly clear. You won't have the full history on them from reading this, but you'll know who they are. You'll also know who ALL of Batman's major allies are at this time. Nightwing, the first Robin grownup, Tim Drake, the third Robin, Oracle, the first Batgirl, Alfred, Jim Gordon, Superman, etc. The only real person missing from the group, for some strange reason, is Cassandra Cain (Who was Batgirl at the time) But since you get to see so many others i'm willing to let it slide. Furthermore, while the action is solid when it appears, there are numerous silent/downtime moments in-between where you get to see some good character development. One big thing is that Batman and Catwoman (Selina Kyle) actually get together and are in a relationship. It's over by the end of the series, but its nice to see regardless and there are again very good moments between the two. The same applies to Batman's relationships with Robin, and even more importantly Nightwing. Really this volume contains one of the best lines Bruce Wayne has ever said regarding Dick Grayson. I don't have my volume on hand at the moment, but its something along the lines of how Dick has never spoken to Bruce with fear in his voice, and that he is the person that deserves that after everything he and Bruce have been through together.

So that's the villains, the allies, let me also mention the artwork. This artwork is nothing spectacular, but its still very good. My one complaint might be that Batman (And of course Superman) physically looks way too big here for my tastes. That's something that varies from artist to artist though, so i'm not going to detract from this volume because of it. I believe this is the first comic where we get to see Bruce Wayne in this Batman Suit, the grey, oversized belt, and the modern Bat Symbol without an ellipse or anything. That being said, this is one of my favorite Bat Suits and the artwork complements it heavily. Beyond that, Everyone in this volume looks awesome. The colors are used to maximum effect and I appreciate it.

The story itself is nothing spectacular. Batman's being attacked by multiple villains, and one new guy is responsible for it all. We've seen this story done before numerous times and to better effect. It really seems like they let this story go on for too long in order to feature more characters (I mean, Harold freaking shows up and he hadn't been seen in years when this came out) But it was still decent. So while I wouldn't say this is a must have, it isn't a waste of money either.

Hush is a really good Batman book. The art by Jim Lee is breathtaking and is, in my opinion, the best thing about this book. Nearly every iconic character in the Batman universe makes an appearance in Hush. Huntress, Catwoman, Robin, Killer Croc, and Scarecrow just to name a few. The story is engaging and the writing is good. I really like Batman's internal monologues, as they give great insight into what the caped crusader is thinking. That being said, the story isn't paced as well as I would have liked. The first two thirds of this book build slowly and in the last few pages I was bombarded with a rushed climax and resolution. Overall this is a good read though. I highly recommend this book to new readers because it gives a good idea of the relationship Batman has with many members of his rogues gallery.

This book is an excuse for Jim Lee to draw Batman, nearly all of his supporting cast, and nearly all of his rogues gallery--and boy does he knock it out of the park! However, Lee's art is the only good thing about this book (and the only reason it gets two stars and not one). For those who are trying to get into Batman comics and may not be familiar with all of the character's history, this is the third "big event" type-book Jeph Loeb has written, the first two being Long Halloween and Dark Victory, respectively. Any insight into Batman's character that was present in those two books has been lost here in Hush; Batman is constantly reacting to things and never acting as he should: as a detective.

This story was marketed for two things: Jim Lee's art and Batman being portrayed as a detective. Batman is not a detective here, I don't even think he figures anything out. The plot just keeps on going and things are thrown at Batman until the story ends. I can't stress enough how reactionary Batman is here, which contradicts the semi-noir, detective-esque kind of narrative Loeb is going for. Loeb's voice for Batman is incredibly uneven and jarring here--in one issue Batman is beating Joker senseless because he killed a childhood friend of his (that he hadn't seen in twenty years and has literally no connection to), and later he's throwing people off buildings hoping a mind-controlled Superman will save them. Regardless of the interpretation, certain traits about Batman need to be consistent, and him not being a detective and him needlessly risking lives are not part of that.

Funnily enough, in Loeb's forward to Hush, he talks about working with Tim Sale in Long Halloween and Dark Victory and his anticipation for working with Jim Lee, because working with a good artist makes his writing better and helps cover up some of the mistakes--an attempt to cover his tracks as a writer, in a sense.

In general I prefer my comics to be black and white. The reason isn't because I despise color, but that I love the line work which is often obscured by shoddy coloring. This is less of a problem with modern comics, but even today the colorist can get a bit overzealous for my taste with their favorite Photoshop filter (or motion blur - Ugh!). This is personal preference, but I think the finished art loses some of the emotion and energy of the original pencils.

Naturally I was delighted with this book, which is a pure representation of Jim Lee's penciling (before inking even!) unmarred by anyone else. The only thing about this which appears "finished" are the word balloons, which for my money, they should have converted to greyscale so they didn't stand out so much.

The only problem I have with this excellent edition is that the quality of the scans are inconsistent. Perhaps I have a bad print of the book, but some pages really pick up every pencil shade while others almost look like a bad photocopy. This may be how the original boards look, I don't know.

But I must say I am very impressed that they took a chance and published a comic like this, I hope there will be more. I love it. A distinctive addition to my collection.

This is one of my favorite Batman stories, hands down. It's brilliantly written, beautifully illustrated, and perfect all the way around.

If you're new to Batman comics, I'd highly recommend this as your introduction into the world of The Dark Knight. Everyone is in "Hush", and I quite literally mean everyone. But you get insight to each character, Batman's thought/feelings on each person and it would be highly informative to someone who wants the Cliff's Notes of each villain/character. Great starting point, but if you're a seasoned comic book reader this has plenty for you too. The way the relationships develop and mutate, the change in Batman throughout the course of the story, it's all fantastic.

Finally, Hush is a great villain. It's not often we see someone arguably as smart as Batman, much less someone with so much insight into Batman himself. I found myself tense and scared several times while reading, Hush's pure malice pours off of every page he's on. You can feel his hatred and bitterness right from the start, and that makes for one good, creepy bad guy. I loved him, want to read more stories with Hush.

If you haven't read "Hush" you absolutely must. It's one you'll want to read over and over again.

Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee conclude one of the best Batman storylines in "Batman: Hush- Volume 2"! Picking up where Volume 1 left off, Batman must discover who is pitting his most deadly adversaries against him and, worse yet, the evidence indicates that this new enemy knows his secret identity. Volume 2 collects material originally published in "Batman" 613-619 and "Wizard" 0. This half of the story was pivotal to the pre-New 52 Batman comics as it portrays Batman revealing his secret identity to Catwoman and dealing with the possibility of Jason Todd, the second Robin's, resurrection, including the disappearance of Todd's body. While the New 52 and DC Rebirth reboots have retconned much of this away, the story remains one of the best.

One of the best Batman stories of the 2000's. A mysterious new villain is helping Batman's foes. Each of them is acting differently, their usual M.O. has been discarded. While chasing after Catwoman, someone cuts one of Batman's lines and he plummets to the ground, his skull fractured it is only through his old childhood friend, Dr. Thomas Elliot that Bruce Wayne is saved. While recovering, Batman continues facing his enemies while trying to discover the mastermind behind it all. Along the way, he and Catwoman's relationship heats up. With appearances by Oracle, all the former Robins, the Huntress, and of course Catwoman, Hush is an epic Batman story that will keep you guessing while you traverse the mean streets of Gotham City. Also, watch as Batman must fight a Poison Ivy controlled Superman.

From the criticism that I've heard about Jeph Loeb I was afraid that his writing would be cheap and cheesy, but it's actually very complex, thrilling, and challenging to understand sometimes (not in a bad way, but the way you might feel when you read a chapter book). I've only seen one other comic book writer who writes with much complexity: Brian Michael Bendis (ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN). His work on BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN was so thrilling that I decided to buy BATMAN: HUSH, which also sounded like a really good story to me. Even though it wasn't as widely praised as THE LONG HALLOWEEN, the clerk at my comic book store highly recommended it. I was right to buy this because it was an incredibly sensational story arc that had many memorable moments, and ultimate artwork!!!

Many scenes in the book were extremely powerful and drove deep into the heart and soul of Batman:

1: Batman forms a romance with Catwoman because they have a lot in common as vigilantes and it helps Batman feel less lonely. The price of being a crime fighter is having no one to love or care for him as he shields himself from the rest of the world to carry out his mission to destroy crime in Gotham City.
2: Batman nearly breaks his one rule as he tries to kill the Joker! The Joker has been responsible for many tragedies in the dark knight's life (shooting Barbra Gordon in the spine, paralyzing her, the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin, and murdering Sara Essen in the No Man's Land crisis) and has now killed another person close to Batman, bringing the dark knight closer to crossing the line between being a vigilante and a criminal!
3: We discover that Batman had a long lost childhood friend, Dr. Thomas Elliot, who know reenters Bruce Wayne's life, and gives us memories of Bruce's childhood before the night his parents were murdered.
4: A person, who was long thought to be dead, remerges into the life of the Dark Knight.
5: Batman's final encounter with the mysterious adversary Hush, a man whose face is wrapped in bandages, and has orchestrated a master plan involving a countless number of Batman's rogues. His sole purpose: TO KILL THE DARK KNIGHT!!!

The artwork by Jim Lee is the best I have seen in any comic book! The characters are defined very well to their personalities, and look extremely realistic! Batman is extremely muscular and heroic, Killer Croc is more reptilian than human, Joker has the appearance a homicidal maniac, both Catwoman and Poison Ivy are sexy and seductive, Oracle looks very intelligent, and Ra's Al Gul truly looks like an immortal. The realistic, gritty, and astonishing artwork presented in this book has transformed me into a fanatic of Jim Lee's art, and I'm know on the hunt for more of his works! I used to think that David Finch's artwork was the greatest, but Jim Lee's might have surpassed David Finch completely!

At first the mystery and the plot may seem hard to follow or understand, but that's one of the strengths of Loeb's writing. Jeph Loeb writes creates complicated plots that are hard to understand at first, but they are easier to grasp once you look back at the story a couple of times. Reading Jeph Loeb's works can sometimes almost feel like reading literary novel, since it's that complicated. The main villain Hush has become one of my personal favorites in Batman's rouges gallery, and while he lacks an ulterior motive for his vendetta in this book, it's later expanded on in Paul Dini's HEART OF HUSH storyline. So while Hush lacked a plausible motive in his first story, I felt that every other component of the character Loeb established made him astonishing! BATMAN: HUSH is not the kind of story that you can read in one sitting, but it is an extremely powerful Batman tale that gives us new insight on the dark knight's life. Jeph, along with Frank Miller is one of the few writers to truly dive deep into the psyche of the dark knight!

"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance."
-Aristotle

I have read A LOT of Batman comics. This includes the very much acclaimed The Dark Knight Returns, but I might say that in my own personal opinion-- this surpasses it ten fold! This is my favorite graphic novel that is sitting on my shelf. A great variety of characters who each get to have their own moment to shine (and without overwhelming you), a great story line, GREAT VILLAIN, everything about it is just great! I am a huge fan particularly of Nightwing who doesn't even show up until halfway though. For those who know me well, it means A LOT when I say that this story is amazing even if my favorite character isn't in the entire story.
Jeph Loeb is amazing as usual and features art by my favorite comic book artist, Jim Lee. Beautiful in both story and art! I highly recommend this story to EVERYONE.
and side note, this was the story that finally got me to love the BatCat pairing.

This was my first Batman story, and it has remained my favorite. Jeph Loeb crafts a great tale here, mixing in intrigue, mystery and brutal action, all hallmarks of the Dark Knight. Nearly every major ally and villain in Batman's mythos comes along for the ride, and even Superman comes into play. The story is paced perfectly, keeping the reader on their toes as to who, exactly, is the mysterious Hush, and what motivates his grand scheme to bring down Batman?

Art is handled by Jim Lee, and it is handled superbly. The detailed, gritty style suits Batman perfectly, and meshes seamlessly with the tone of the story, right down to the colors getting brighter in Metropolis (it always seems to be dark in Gotham and sunny in Metropolis). Batman and his cohorts all have a certain style in their fighting, from the rough brawling style of Huntress, to the graceful acrobatics of Nightwing and Catwoman, to the savagery of Killer Croc and the epic might of Superman. Everything looks and feels just right.

I will say, however, that this may not be the best `first Batman story' you could pick, as significant knowledge of Batman's allies and enemies is required to really understand the scope of what's going on. Here is a rundown of who you need to know:

Heroes involved: Batman, Superman (and some of his support cast, including Krypto, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen and Perry White), Catwoman, Nightwing (Dick Grayson), Robin (Tim Drake), Commissioner Gordon, Huntress and Oracle.

Villains involved (spoilers contained): Hush (who is introduced here), Joker, Harley Quinn, Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, Riddler, Scarecrow, Two Face, Clay Face and both Ra's and Talia Al Ghul.

Obviously with a cast this big some characters get a little short on page time. Nightwing in particular has little to do, showing up for one issue to have a little (well done) character development with Batman and helping him kick some ass before returning to Bludhaven, which I found a little sad as Dick Grayson is actually my favorite member of the Bat-Family. On the other hand, this story piqued my interest in Huntress, whom is quite badass when she shows up, and she is slowly growing on me. Catwoman is also well done in this book, and this story provides a big turning point in her complicated relationship with Batman.

For Batman fans, this is absolutely a must have. The story is superb, the art is great, and if your familiar with all the mythos involved, this is a very rich book.

This is one of the most engaging, insightful and suspenseful Batman sagas. Jeph Loeb always delivers a compelling story and does not disappoint in Batman: Hush. Loeb does a great job exploring the turmoil for Bruce Wayne as he deals with the loss of Jason Todd. Loeb is a master of story and character development giving the reader so much more than just a story. The art is beautiful and helps the flow of the story. I found this to be one of the best Batman stories I have ever read. I couldn't believe that Loeb could write another master piece after "The Long Halloween" and "Dark Victory" but this belongs as a classic. I would not recommend this collected edition for brand new readers since it relies on past stories but this is a great book for those who have knowledge of Batman's history especially about Jason Todd.

I am not going to review the Hush story itself. If you are looking to buy this book for the story, I would recommend getting the real graphic novel full of great inking and colors. This book is for those who have read the story and are interested in the artwork of Jim Lee or artwork in general. This book is fantastic at showing not only the great lines of Jim Lee's work, but the comic artwork process as well. I never realized how good a job inkers and colorists do until I saw Jim Lee's artwork. I'm not saying Jim lee's work needs inkers and colorists, because te work it gorgeous. But when you compare the work side by side and is interesting how good a job they do.

As for the book itself, if you want to see the original pencil work, then here it is in all of its glory. You can see (in my opinion) a better view of how Jim Lee set up each panel. Which parts he put a lot of effort into and which he left for the inkers and colorists to fill out. For example, if it should be black, Mr Lee did not shade it in, he just placed an x in the location. What this does it give more white coloring than darker shading - not what I was expecting. I loved every page.

I had two nitpicks:
1) The book is tightly bound. And since the story is a lot of issues of comics, there are some pages where you just can't get a good look at the full panel. I felt like I should break the binding just to get a better view of the pencil work. The Hush colored version I have is two graphic novels and was easier to see the internal parts. I'm not sure if the single edition of Hush has this same issue. It does mean the book is good quality, but I would have liked to have gotten a better view of some pages.

2) Some drawn lines seemed blacker than I would have expected from pencil. This could mean that Mr Lee used multiple pencils (one very tight point that draws a deep black and one that looks more normal pencil color and is a little thicker) or it could be part of the copy process which maybe darkened some lines. It looked to me as if some parts were penciled and some parts had a little ink (usually more noticeable in background buildings or when Mr Lee had drawn some technical device that had a lot of detail). Or it might just be my eyes.

In any case, I highly recommend this book.

First, I want to make it clear I haven't read many Batman comics beyond Frank Miller's material. I was lent this series by a friend, and I'm sort of glad I didn't personally buy it. The art is stupendous, and I spent a lot of time slowly reading through the graphic novel just to savor it, but I wish the story had been better. Much like in the first volume of the series, someone is screwing Bruce over, and he's still trying to figure out just who.

This is the biggest issue of the story I have, in that once you reach the finale, you're treated to not one, but three reveals as to who is pulling the strings in the background. It's like a movie having three different twist endings back to back. If the writer had picked one, and stuck with it, the plot would have seemed more complete. Instead, it's a bit like a sagging web, things touch, but very loosely. Even with that flaw, I'd still recommend this to others since the other elements of the story are very well done, and the visuals are amazing. Your eyes will thank you.

This is a review for both "Hush" vol.1 and vol.2

Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee have done what only masters of the craft of Batman-storytelling have been able to do; and that is to spotlight all of the elements that make "Batman" such a cool title. Within this epic series, you find lots of Batman in action, Batman using his detective skills, a smorgasboard of a rogues gallery, and a dark, thrilling plot full of twists and turns that makes for one fun-filled romp through the Batman universe.

There is really no way to elborate on the spectacularness that is this story. Batman isn't a newbie here(such as in "Batman: Year One"). Nor is he an older, more hardened vigilante(such as in "The Dark Knight Returns"). Both of those are phenomenal graphic novels and are worthy of 5 stars. But here, we get to see a Batman in his prime. He's at the top of his game in every way. We also get a nice interjection of supporting characters, such as Nightwing, Catwoman, and Jim Gordon(there are many more than this, but for expediency, I just named a few). We get to hear Batman's thoughts as he pieces the story together, as well as feel his emotions - something Loeb has shown an excellent ability to do in his other Batman-related stories(see "Superman/Batman: Public Enemies"). The story provides a nice depth to it, in part due to its long length. The length never makes things feel drawn-out; instead, it only adds to the gripping and thoughtful plot. The dialogue is also well-written, leaving you hanging on every word. Loeb is a masterful superhero writer. And it clearly shows in these books.

What can I say about Jim Lee? The guy is another industry icon. His artwork is legendary for being both highly(and I mean HIGHLY!) detailed and realistic, while not being so photo-realistic as to not leave behind his very own stylish fingerprints as well. His work here is truly astonishing. But this is the case with all of his works. So there's nothing new to report here in terms of the quality of art. If you're a fan of Lee's, as I am, you will not only not be disappointed, but you will find yourself asking the question, "How does this guy continue to top himself, churning out more and more amazing art with every panel I see?". For those of you who are unfamiliar with Lee(and I doubt there are many of you), take my word for it: the guy's a god. Add to this the inking and colors and lettering, and you have one of the most beautifully illustrated Batman graphic novels ever put to paper.

This is how Batman should be done. It's energetic, it's dark, it's action-packed, full of mystery and suspense, and it's a blast to read. Buy both volumes or the book that contains both volumes together. Or preferably, if you have the money, the "Absolute" edition. Any way you go, you can't lose. This is a winner, plain and simple.

So before I begin. I have to say that my favorite Batman arc would be "Under the Hood", mainly because of how personal the conflict was.
However, I'd have to say that this is probably the best handled Batman book EVER. Not only is it well written, but it is also well paced and just... well, amazing.
We have Batman at his best. Batman doing pretty much what people expect Batman to do.
There is the mystery/detective element that is well handled. The suspects and clues (and the easter eggs) are set well throughout the story. We've got crossovers in it. We've got other Bat-fam members. Pretty much his entire rogue's gallery (the villains that matter, anyway). Epic fights. Twists and misdirection. We see Batman's strengths and weaknesses. We see him as human, but still just as badass as he should be. His relationship with Catwoman is probably the best portrayal of it ever.
Overall, Batman HUSH is the most "true" of Batman's stories. If you like him as the detective, the action hero, or the human being with human issues, then this is for you.

I have been a big fan of the superhero genre for years, but oddly enough I have not been a fan of comic books. Until now.

In recent years I have been enthralled with both DC and Marvel characters that I have been introduced to via blockbuster films. Indeed, the summer of 2008 will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the best (if not the best) superhero film runs ever. If you weren't blown away by the killer line up of Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, and The Dark Knight then you obviously have no pulse. Somewhere amidst this trifecta of movie bliss, my curiosity about comics began to grow.

Batman has always been a character that I have loved in films and TV shows and Batman Begins and The Dark Knight have successfully solidified my status as a Batman fan. Batman: Hush was highly recommended to me as a great starting point into Batman comics and while my expectations were high, I was still blown away by what I discovered.

Batman: Hush is absolutely everything I could have hoped for in my first real foray into comic books. Jeph Loeb presents us with a story that is gripping at every turn and chocked full of surprises. Batman has long been a fan favorite because he isn't a traditional superhero. Having no super powers or abilities, Batman has always fed on the darkness of his childhood to instill fear into the criminals who prey on the innocent. Using his own darkness Batman longs to bring light to the world making him one of the most complex and endearing characters in literature today. Loeb gives us all of these qualities in perfect doses throughout.

This first volume gives us some memorable interaction between Batman and several famous characters that will leave readers giddy with excitement. The scenes between Batman and Catwoman are especially telling, but nothing compared to the "showdown" between The Caped Crusader and The Man of Steel. I never thought I would actually hold my breath while reading a comic book.

Batman: Hush actually works as a fantastic mystery story full of twists and turns. Each piece of the puzzle gives us more questions ensuring that we will hold on tight for the ride. Batman's often underused detective skills are on full display here, giving us yet another fresh look at this phenomenal character.

Jim Lee's art throughout is breathtaking to say the least. Epic full page spreads and flowing panels effortlessly carry along Loeb's incredible storytelling. The aforementioned battle between DC's heavyweights is drawn to such perfection that you actually forget you are reading a comic book. Lee also gives us some beautiful flashback panels that really sell this fitting storytelling device.

Batman: Hush is a must read for all fans of Batman or for anyone wanting a truly exhilarating comic book experience. Even if you aren't familiar with Batman and his truly impressive Rogues Gallery, you will still enjoy the engaging story and relentless pacing of this classic first volume.

I wasn't a fan of comic books! What was I thinking???

Reviewers of Hush seem to take 2 criteria to review this graphic novel - Artwork and Storyline.

Let's examine them separately and together to see how this dynamic works.

Artwork - Spectacular, the colouring of Gotham City has become a little more on the brighter side, very well drawn characters, nicely done backgrounds. Jim Lee is an excellent artist, and Talia Al Ghul is definitely fanboy material. Jim Lee puts huge emphasis on perfection of the female form. My wish-bone of contention is that its _too_ perfect. Talia Al Ghul is understandable, but every single female character in Hush? An artistic emphasis on realism seems slightly jarring when juxtaposed with this perfect world of females.

(Yeah, I wish it was like this too. Talia is supposed to be the most attractive, but I find Lady Shiva runs her a close second)

Storyline - Here's where the sternums and femurs of contention come into play. It is highly unrealistic that the Riddler could pull all the strings of Batman's Rogues' Gallery. I don't care what Loeb thinks, money does not buy you everything, and it's not a deus ex machina. Such a superficial way of cutting across his loose ends strikes me as sloppy. Hush's festering vengeance strikes one as _slightly_ (well, maybe not so slightly) unrealistic. I mean, he's filthy rich, he doesn't need to murder his parents for inheritance, he IS the only child!

However, does this rank in terms of importance when combined with all other factors?

I believe Loeb wanted a Batman epic where he faced his greatest enemies. He achieved that. That storyline was filmsy is not of great importance. It was never the crux of the story. Batman facing villian after villian was, and Loeb achieved THAT. This ties in nicely with the Red Hood storyline, of course. The artwork was nice, as well as the fight scenes. Batman vs Superman anyone? I think Loeb achieved what he set out to do, but there was definitely potential to stretch that bit further and create a seamless Batman story, without the plot holes.

I believe in this newest age of superheroes, and I'm all for realism, Batman Begins, No Man's Land among others. Realism grounds these stories to our world, we can relate more to these characters. But sometimes, a dash of Golden Age Suspension of Disbelief is required. A good premise may not have the greatest story, but it remains a good premise. I believe in this instance, that fans are making too much of a meal over "not the strongest story", and not enjoying the story for the ride it takes us through. I'll be the first to admit I was entertained, and thoroughly enthralled with the read while flipping through the pages, and I believe many more would agree with me.

So smell the coffee! We may not get another Batman epic for quite a while, with 52 in progress currently. 4 Stars - A great story, but I just sensed an excellent solution just lurked beyond the publishing deadline. So 4 Stars.

Coming back to read this for the second time, I purchased the kindle edition so as I wouldn't have to worry about the condition of the paper. And wow, could I enjoy it a whole lot more? Jim Lee's drawings are beautiful and, where I'm not so crazy about the villain, this is a story which has everything (from an episode with Poison Ivy to a scrap with Superman). Although others are worthy of credit, I think that 'Hush' is a close competitor for the greatest Batman story of all time.

In this tale Batman suffers a grievous injury that takes him out of Gotham and into Superman's territory where he touches base with an old childhood friend and deals with several major villains of his past. I like how Wayne's character was established. That isn't something done very well in a lot of the other Batman graphic novels. There's an obvious shades of gray as to how matters are resolved a la The Batman Way or The Superman Way. Hardcore critics will take issue with how Batman was injured and how Godlike the men and women look but isn't this a superhero graphic novel? Purist DC fans may be turned off by certain liberties taken by the author as well like an appearance by Superdog. IGN Comics ranked Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 of Batman: Hush #10 on a list of the 25 greatest Batman graphic novels, saying that "there are some truly unforgettable moments" and "Jim Lee's artwork is unbelievable." CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B plus to A minus; STORY/PLOTTING: B plus (first half so I suspect this is a setup); ARTWORK: B plus to A minus; OVERALL GRADE: B plus to A minus; WHEN READ: early January 2012.

I have to be honest. I am a comic book geek. When you're raising two kids (and one of them a two year-old) you just don't have the time to dive into a novel like you used to. That said, I've always been a Batman fan. He's arguably, the single greatest comic book hero and has been subject to some of the best comic book stories ever written.

In one of the most talked about comic stories of the Decade so far, Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee's epic story arc, "Hush," introduces a new and very menacing villain into the Batman villains pantheon. In this case, expectations were met for the most part. "Hush" is a thrilling, fast moving story and a perfect showcase for Jim Lee and Scott William's fantastic art. It echoes in certain ways to some of Loeb's earlier Batman scriptwork for The Long Halloween and Dark Victory, being the penchant for bringing in most of the rogues gallery (but when you have what is arguably the greatest selection of villains in all of comics, well, the temptation to bring most of them out is overwhelming) into the story.

If any problems are with Hush it's with the story. SPOILER ALERT. I had no problem with Tommy Elliot being "Hush," the problem is that you never glimpse his inner menace. Instead (that is, when the bandages are off) the audience should get a look into his darkness. But then again, maybe that's what Loeb and Lee intended.

Anyway, my gripes are minor. I've read "Hush," more times than I care to count. And isn't that the real test of a good story well told?

And if I could, my review should be four and a half stars.

Batman started out as a dark brooding vigilante who had no problem pounding the pavement to get what he wants. Loeb and Lee seem to capture that flavor in a somewhat convoluted and complex storyline involving yet a new villain who somehow manages to coordinate the lunatics of Gotham (Crock, Poison Ivy, Riddler, Joker, etc., etc.) In addition we have Catwoman and the strange relationship with Batman taking a new twist.
The story is quite complex. Batman and Catwoman team up to figure out the connection between a parade of villains and situations that seem a bit unrelated but enough subtle clues to tie in the connections. Lee's art works extremely well presenting us with broad splash panels and detailed characterizations. I was impressed but there is an argument to be said for lack of innovation. This was a monthly when first published and innovation can break deadlines -- I got that.
My only pet peeve is the complexity of the story. Way too many villains and too many plot twists that make the story impossible in many ways to accept but I was so caught up in the brooding Batman coming to terms with his life that I was able to ignore the ridiculous plot threads that were explained in the end, still feel very contrived. It's still a terrific read that I found fun. More streamlined plots would have made the story richer especially with more time spent with Bruce's boyhood friend.

Sorry to say, but Batman Hush is not all it's cracked up to be. It is a fairly lackluster detective story, without any real mystery solving done by Batman himself. At the end, it is all spelled out last minute to him, like they were desperate for an explanation in the first place. So many stupid things happen in this book, like the Joker getting bail (he is a mass murdering psychopath, mind you). Two things that you can get out of this book to be praised are- 1: The artwork is AMAZING! It is some of the best I have seen in any comic. Jim Lee is great at what he does. It also makes it obvious that this book was just an excuse to get one of the best artists to draw all of Batman's main villains. 2: If you do end up reading this, you will at least learn who the villain Hush is so you have some context to enjoy the far better sequel, Heart of Hush. Get through this mess, or better yet, maybe read a synopsis on Wikipedia, then read Heart of Hush. It is really underappreciated. Writer for Batman The Animated series, Paul Dini wrote it and he knows how to write a psychopath way better! No lazy last minute villain motivations like this. Thanks for hearing my opinion, even though it may not be the most popular.

Not a flop, but also not really a great book; of course, the art by Jim Lee is stunning (the sculpted drawings simply call out to be touched and fondled; the influence of artists like Todd McFarlane, John Byrne and John Romita Jr is clear). Writer Jeph Loeb is clearly intent to produce a masterpiece, so he calls up every single major Batman foe and gets them into the picture. Batman confronts the Killer Croc, Two Face (handsome after an extensive bout of plastic surgery). Poison Ivy, a bewitched Superman (yes - like The Dark Knight Returns, Batman gets to beat the snot out of Superdude), the Riddler, the Joker, Scarecrow, Lady Siva, Clayface, Harley Quinn and maybe a few more - oh yeah, Ra's Al Ghul too. But, meanwhile, there's a hidden plotter manipulating everybody, and Batman gets to figure out who it is... sort of. And, of course, there are plenty of ghostly flashback scenes to make everything in the past very alive and relevant. Nicy kryptonite ring. Interestingly, all of the Robins also make an appearance - Dick Grayson (as Nightwing), the undead Jason Todd, and the mini Tim Drake). And, of course, there are also three guys wrapped up in Hush bandages. Outrageous!

In one of the sillier scenes, he hijacks Thalia's private jet mid-air in order to provoke her estranged father out of hiding (did I mention that she now runs Lexcorp, which Lex Luthor has had put in trust while he serves his term as President of the United states. Ooooo-kay!! Did I also mention that he's now in love with Catwoman?

The most infuriating element is the resurgence of Thomas Eliot, a childhood friend we've never heard about before, who uses the word "hush" in an early scene... c'mon, how can he not be the character Hush?!?!?!? Loeb nearly throws us off the trail once, but eventually it all comes together - and how many times does he need to talk about it being a game before we clue in to the flashback scenes of Bruce and Tommy playing chess. Oh yeah... let's not just observe a detective in action, but maybe we can also be a bit of a detective ourselves. The writing is very show-offy and grandstand-ish, and in the end, even with the story concluded, Loeb still can't resist giving it another layer, so... the Riddler did it. Wow... my mind is blown.

Story: Someone is out to get Batman. And he's pitting some of the biggest members of his rogues gallery together in a chess game of intense wits. To those who know the villain of this book, you will still enjoy it. To those who don't know, prepare yourself for one of the coolest Batman mysteries you will read. Hush is top notch from start to finish, with the mystery foe appearing and slowly working his way into your mind with some memorable quotations. There's a controversy there at the end, but I didn't mind at all. It may leave you with a bad taste, however. Loeb's mystery of Hush is great, and Hush is an awesome addition to the Bat-lore.

Grade: 8.8/10

Artwork: Jim Lee does the art. Do I need to say more? I do? Fine. Lee's work is as great as you would expect. Some of the guys are little too angry looking at times, and some of the anatomical choices might be questionable, but nothing stands out as bad by any means. Also, several of the Batcave shots are so many different kinds o... Read more

I read this volume in two nights and was so impressed with the beautiful artwork. Honestly, I am more interested in the art more than the storytelling. Art aside, the storytelling was a tad lame. :( I guess I wasn't sure what to expect, but I do like Batman and want him to get closure in his life. I'm not so much a fan of the "Dark Knight" Batman as I am just the regular 1940s version. I recently started reading The Batman Chronicles and they're pretty great. I am also a fan of Batman and Catwoman as a couple because Bob Kane and Bill Finger wrote her as an early love interest. So why can't they ever make it work? This book I guess tries, but doesn't get it right. All in all it is a somewhat interesting storyline as some reviewers note, but the art is certainly the best part! I hope future collaborations can get Batman and Catwoman together for good.

Jeph Loeb does such a great job with actual detective stories and that's why he is one of my favorite Batman writers of all-time. Here he throws tons of characters at readers trying to convince them the story is heading in different directions. Some people have complained about constant "red herrings" but I personally love the misdirects. The introduction of Hush is fantastic and seeing Bruce's relationship with Selina, Clark, and Alfred are great. Jim Lee, a bonafide superstar, does superstar work here. He shows just how good he can be and its near perfect. I loved this when I read it in single issues and love it even more now. Truly spectacular work all around.

Reviewers of Hush seem to take 2 criteria to review this graphic novel - Artwork and Storyline.

Let's examine them separately and together to see how this dynamic works.

Artwork - Spectacular, the colouring of Gotham City has become a little more on the brighter side, very well drawn characters, nicely done backgrounds. Jim Lee is an excellent artist, and Talia Al Ghul is definitely fanboy material. Jim Lee puts huge emphasis on perfection of the female form. My wish-bone of contention is that its _too_ perfect. Talia Al Ghul is understandable, but every single female character in Hush? An artistic emphasis on realism seems slightly jarring when juxtaposed with this perfect world of females.

(Yeah, I wish it was like this too. Talia is supposed to be the most attractive, but I find Lady Shiva runs her a close second)

Storyline - Here's where the sternums and femurs of contention come into play. It is highly unrealistic that the Riddler could pull all the strings of Batman's Rogues' Gallery. I don't care what Loeb thinks, money does not buy you everything, and it's not a deus ex machina. Such a superficial way of cutting across his loose ends strikes me as sloppy. Hush's festering vengeance strikes one as _slightly_ (well, maybe not so slightly) unrealistic. I mean, he's filthy rich, he doesn't need to murder his parents for inheritance, he IS the only child!

However, does this rank in terms of importance when combined with all other factors?

I believe Loeb wanted a Batman epic where he faced his greatest enemies. He achieved that. That storyline was filmsy is not of great importance. It was never the crux of the story. Batman facing villian after villian was, and Loeb achieved THAT. This ties in nicely with the Red Hood storyline, of course. The artwork was nice, as well as the fight scenes. Batman vs Superman anyone? I think Loeb achieved what he set out to do, but there was definitely potential to stretch that bit further and create a seamless Batman story, without the plot holes.

I believe in this newest age of superheroes, and I'm all for realism, Batman Begins, No Man's Land among others. Realism grounds these stories to our world, we can relate more to these characters. But sometimes, a dash of Golden Age Suspension of Disbelief is required. A good premise may not have the greatest story, but it remains a good premise. I believe in this instance, that fans are making too much of a meal over "not the strongest story", and not enjoying the story for the ride it takes us through. I'll be the first to admit I was entertained, and thoroughly enthralled with the read while flipping through the pages, and I believe many more would agree with me.

So smell the coffee! We may not get another Batman epic for quite a while, with 52 in progress currently. 4 Stars - A great story, but I just sensed an excellent solution just lurked beyond the publishing deadline. So 4 Stars.

Batman: Hush is just one of those graphic novels that, before it was even released, was already a hit. Comic book fans could not wait to see what the industry's finest (artist Jim Lee and writer Jeph Loeb) would be able to offer. This is one of my favorite Batman stories out there and I also think by comic book standards it can be considered one of the best. The art of course is phenomenal, if you have no prior experience with Jim Lee's art you certainly won't forget it after reading this.

The writing is great, but what may be most impressive is the story. In 12 issues this team manages to introduce almost every single major character in Gotham City AND deliver an excellent story with a new villain after which the book is named. If you're a Batman fan and you like graphic novels this is a must read, it's up there with the greatest of all time.

All great stories are the ones that involve very personal stakes. This is no different. From his friendship with Thomas Elliott to his relationship to Catwoman and ultimately his guilt about Jason Todd, this story touches upon the many different types of relationships that involves Batman/Bruce Wayne.

I guess I’m not a Batman fan. Then again, in a way I am. The truth is, there are all kinds of us who like this caped crusader though reasons why we like him differ. I am one of those who are not entirely familiar with every aspect of Batman’s mythos and if you catch me unprepared I doubt I would be able to name all of those who wore Robin’s cowl. I’m just a guy who likes the concept of Gotham, the imagery of urban-gothic-noir with a dash of Lovecraftian madness sprinkled on top.

I take my stories almost randomly, not caring about continuity, about which universe the particular story belongs to etc. I find the entire concept of continuity in an endless series rather ridiculous. So I take my Batman as I please, trying to find in each story that I read something to cling on, something to care about, something – well – good. Batman was a large part of my childhood and one of the reasons of my continuing fascination towards this medium so I owe it to him in a way, to visit him once in a while, just to see how’s the old guy doing. I’m writing this here because I believe there are others like me. People interested or fascinated by Batman, for whatever reasons, who are not obsessed with usual nitpickings of hardcore fans.

Hardcore fans don’t need reviews. Especially not if they are written for a story that is ten years old. They already know whatever is to know and their opinions were set long ago. Having this perspective in mind you should know that I found few things of value between the pages of “Hush”. It happened before with another overhyped story arc called “The long Halloween” so it just might be that I’m not attuned to whatever Jeph Loeb is trying to do. For me, “Hush” was barely something more than lengthy rogue gallery of Batman’s villains and friends fighting amongst the weirdly colored panels of Gotham city’s buildings, rooftops and alleyways. In a way it resembled the ‘villain of the week’ concept of late 60’s Batman which served its purpose half a century ago.

Underneath the gimmicks of cabaresque villainy lays a story about friends, loves and family ties. This story continues along the road that has been opened in the 80’s, the road with a dark, brooding, somewhat psychotic loner figure of a dark knight. Loeb is trying to reintegrate Batman into the community, trying to make him both a team player and unique individual and by doing so reflecting the place of an individual in a society of today. Loeb dabbles in psychological drama as well, but that doesn’t go very far. Conceived like this “Hush” works on one or two levels. It works as a development of setting and themes of Batman’s universe and it works as a rather direct take on “importance of having friends”. Where it doesn’t work is metaphor and sense of drama/mystery. Parts of “Hush” read as high-school drama (with omg she kissed me moments), which is okay if you’re in high-school (otherwise it’s just uninteresting) and the idea of serious psychological character building just doesn’t sit well with Loeb in the same sentence (this, of course, doesn’t stop him trying to do just that).

Considering drama – the Enemy soon becomes far too obvious (I wouldn’t like to spoil so I’ll just say that ending twist adds few more camp moments to the entire thing, and the motivation, once revealed, of the Enemy is just plain ridiculous – though it’s not so unexpected in a mad place like Gotham) – which leaves you with hundred or more pages of wait before “the world’s greatest detective” puts two and two together. Considering Jim Lee’s et al. art one shouldn’t get overzealous. As someone, somewhere, said Jim Lee was a great artist in the 90’s (them being 90’s and all) but the thing is, we’re not in 90’s anymore. Towering, hulking figures with impossible anatomies and oversized whatnots, paired with unnatural postures of mostly female characters which have no life other than what a horny kid thinks life of a catalogue model is, tend to overdo it, pushing everything towards a silly camp fantasy of emotionally immature boys. Jim Lee had his moments, especially when he moves his “camera” somewhat, dealing only with iconic outlines, choreographed fights and brooding postures. These moments are far too few and one must regret it. Lee is in his best mode in flashback scenes which clearly, using artistic tools, separate the now and then. In flashback scenes collaboration of Jim Lee et al. really comes to shine whilst in the rest of the comic it almost seems that they were going their separate ways. It would’ve been a different, better, Batman if it was done like that from the beginning.

For a casual reader or a fan like me “Hush” will most probably be nothing more than a simple, undemanding, drama with action figures in the spotlight. Batman series managed to do much more than that. Thing is, when it did. Jeph Loeb wasn’t doing the writing.

This is one of my favorite graphic novels ever. Great art, great story. 4 stars for the product.

This review is specifically about the Kindle edition. Please note that although the iPad kindle app now supports graphic novels, much (if not all) of the DC material is Android-only. In other words, if you were hoping to take advantage of the great the store.com prices, think again. This is as of late July 2012.

If you are not so sure, go ahead and buy the kindle edition and try to download it on your iPad. If you get a 'Download Error', rush back to the 'Manage your Kindle' section and request a refund. I was able to get a refund for this purchase, as well as 'All Star Superman' and 'Superman for All Seasons', a couple of my other favorites.

Story: Someone is out to get Batman. And he's pitting some of the biggest members of his rogues gallery together in a chess game of intense wits. To those who know the villain of this book, you will still enjoy it. To those who don't know, prepare yourself for one of the coolest Batman mysteries you will read. Hush is top notch from start to finish, with the mystery foe appearing and slowly working his way into your mind with some memorable quotations. There's a controversy there at the end, but I didn't mind at all. It may leave you with a bad taste, however. Loeb's mystery of Hush is great, and Hush is an awesome addition to the Bat-lore.

Grade: 8.8/10

Artwork: Jim Lee does the art. Do I need to say more? I do? Fine. Lee's work is as great as you would expect. Some of the guys are little too angry looking at times, and some of the anatomical choices might be questionable, but nothing stands out as bad by any means. Also, several of the Batcave shots are so many different kinds of awesome.

Grade: 9.5/10

Overall: Hush is one of the best Batman story arcs out there. With gorgeous artwork and abounding mystery, this book resonates with all the things that make Batman, Batman. A cool mystery, a brilliant villain, numerous foes, many allies, and an intense love interest make for a fantastic read.

Overall Grade: 9.2/10

An very interesting Batman comic that is well written & has amazing artwork. I'm usually not a big fan of more modern, hyper stylized yet very clean art style but it works very well here & of course Lee's artwork is among the best. Overall the story got a little convoluted for me by the end & as a huge Nightwing fan it disappointed me to see him in only one issue of the entire book but it's still a very good story & I highly recommend it to all Batman/DC fans!

Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee were paired together to write the highly loved and yet at the same time hated mystery book Batman: Hush.

The great:
The premise for the book is that a shadowed figure, much like the Batman, is making alliances in order to get his crazed sense of vengeance realized. Because of all these alliances Batman is forced to teamup with sometimes hero Catwoman, who was forced to work with this mysterious criminal. The two are pushed to their limits, with Batman nearly killing the Joker and using Superman's greatest weakness against the man of steel. Meanwhile the alliance that Batman and Catwoman made forms into a love story that is quite enjoyable. Batman's monologue is funner then I thought it would be, as if Kevin Conroy's voice invaded by Jeph Loeb's when he was writing Hush. Also, as always this decade, Jim Lee's art is freaking amazing.

The good:
The flashback scenes that Batman had. These scenes were him and the main villain of the storyline, a childhood friend of Batman playing together and being kids. This may seem be weird to really enjoy, but Bruce Wayne (before his parents died) never really seemed to have, well, a life. This was able to show how Batman knows how to act with other people in his Bruce Wayne persona if he never had the chance to act with other people. Huntress played a minor/major part in this storyline and it helped show the idea that this was a Bat-Universe event and not just a Batman event. I also really liked what happened with Two-Face and Killer Croc, but don't want to spoil the story.

The bad: Huntress's new costume. Huntress was given a new costume in this storyline and it showed much of her chest, for no real reason other then the titilation of the male reader. This may seem to be a weird thing to criticize, but I'm sick of good storylines involving a woman who's not a slut at all wearing very slutty clothes (search up Emma Frost if your confused about what I'm talking about). Also the mystery really isn't that hard to get, in fact it's hard NOT to get the mystery, but I was more interested in the interactions between the characters anyways.

The ugly: At the very end of this storyline (I think to the third to last page) Batman is overreacting to the outcome of the mystery (of course), and Catwoman tries to calm him down and she accidently says "hush" instead of "calm down" and he brakes up with her over that. No I'm not kidding, she said the wrong word and he gets so pissed at her that he just wants to not see her anymore.

So overall, even though I did have some complaints about the book they were minor and weren't too bad.

Can I just say, I am obsessed with Jim Lee's artwork in this?? This is the pinnacle of what I imagine the characters of Batman to look like, sound like, and act. This was recommended to me by a local comic-book store employee - I bought it on the spot. I'm relatively new to reading comics, and I told him I enjoyed Batman: The Animated Series. He immediately recommended I read "Hush". And boy, am I glad I did! :) I've passed this along to my girl-friends, and they loooove it too. There are strong female characters in this book, and honestly I love how Catwoman is portrayed in this. She's beautiful, mysterious, and "sexy" - all done without looking too much like a pin-up girl - it's so awesome how she's drawn and depicted here. The storyline doesn't fall flat either. It's very similar to the Long Halloween, only instead of being filled with mobsters, now the "freaks" have taken the center stage. He follows the continuity to a tea, and it's fantastic. I really hope Loeb and Lee do some more stuff together in the future. I'll be lined up waiting to get it! :)

Jeph Loeb writes comics like summer movie blockbusters with a galaxy of stars. These movies, or comics, can be fun but may lack substance. In Hush we have an action packed story with a parade of guest stars, heroes and villains alike. Are their appearances mainly to add star power? Possibly. Do they add to the enjoyment of the story? Definately. This is no different from his previous sagas Long Halloween and Dark Victory. One thing is certain, with Jim Lee as cinematographer/artist, they have never looked better. Batman's always been a top leading man and remains a draw. As leading lady we have Catwoman, Poison Ivy is the temptress, Talia al Ghul the femme fatale. Add the Joker, Harley Quinn, Clayface, Harvey Dent, Killer Croc, Huntress, Scarecrow, Nightwing, Superman, Lois Lane ...whew, talk about a big budget flick. Here lies many of the barbs hurled at Hush. Some criticize it as a visual tour de force by the great Jim Lee and nothing more than eye candy. The plot has flaws. The reveal of the antagonist is a foregone conclusion and his motivations for becoming Hush are dubious, but now we're missing the point. This isn't about reason or logic. For fans of that there are better choices and to demand it here is being a stick in the mud. This story is all about fun, and in the context of movie blockbusters it's a complete and total success.

This is the Batman at his best! The artwork is amazing, and the story telling is phenomenal! All of Batman's major villians and allies make guest appearances, and there's even a battle with Superman. This Comic showcases Batman's Detective Genius unlike anything on TV or film. This is not a cheesy comic. It's a serious drama and a work of art. The artwork dazzles the imagination, and the plot keeps you engaged. Loeb and Lee are perfect partners crafting a thrilling and spectacular graphic novel. This may be my favorite Batman comic EVER. I'm SO glad that I purchased and read this remarkable piece of literature.

Honestly, I wouldn't if those two topics did not peak your interest, fortunately for me, I am both. Hush is what got me back into comics and Jim Lee's art is beyond beautiful to me. I don't understand why they kept the bubbles and the narration colored because it does distract a bit from the pages. It gives a huge contrast to the majority of the page, which are in black and white pencil and then you have these huge colored letters in the background. You don't buy a book like this to read the story, you buy it so you can see how the story came together and to look at the art. A great coffee table book, and a great idea by DC, it goes to show how popular the Hush story must be, because this is the first and only book released like this (to my knowledge). I would not mind seeing other versions of a series like this, perhaps Long Halloween, GL Rebirth or All Star Superman.

I don't read many comics and I had no problems following this. So this is a good place to jump in and read a superhero comic if you want to read one but not get all pulled into the DC Universe. The drawback is that maybe this would have a bit much rehash if you read tons of comics. That's just speculation, since I'm not in that category.

The plot here concerns a ransom of the freckled faced son of the head of a chemical corporation. Naturally Batman rescues the boy, but as he ties up the bad guys and checks the boy out Catwoman snatches the ransom he has just recovered. It turns out that she is in this case innocent and that she and the kidnapper, Killer Croc, who is in fact a giant human/chameleon combination, have both been duped by the real mastermind. Batman and Catwoman join up to find his or her identity and recover the money. Along the way they kiss. Catwoman doesn't stress about it but Batman spends as much mental energy trying to figure her out as he does trying to discover the identity of the villain behind the kidnapping. (Book 1 doesn't finish the main plot or the romantic plot or even any of the maybe 5 subplots it cracks open either, so you will be left hanging if you don't also have access to Book 2. Overall it seems like a consistent and safe series, so this is not a problem.)

The graphics here are well done. Each page is drawn, shaded and colored well. There is really good consistency from page to page. At the same time this is not a must see. New ground is not being broken and the layouts are adequate but not working too hard.

Overall this is an adequate comic. The graphics are well done, not breath taking. The plot is a vehicle for fights and showing off super powers but still has some nifty twists. If you get this book you won't feel ripped off, but you also aren't going to be amazed by anything new. The best use for this is maybe to try and introduce someone to the characters. Like if you think Batman is sooo cool and you want to give your 10 year old kid some exposure, then this is the book for you. The comic is clean (plenty of black PVC clad pin up super girls and two little kisses, but nothing more). If you do get it then also get Book 2, since this one ends on a cliffhanger.

" Wow" was my first reaction when I learned Jeff Loeb and Jim Lee were going to collaborate on Batman. My second reaction was, " I hope this can live up to the hype". Not only did it live up to the hype, it blew it out of the water.

Loeb and Lee begin Hush in this volume which collects Batman 608-612. The story doesn't begin with a whimper, but with a bang- a knock down, drag out fight between Batman and Killer Croc. Then, in a whirlwind Poison Ivy, Catwoman, huntress, Lois Lane, Superman, and the mysterious, bandaged Hush all build intrigue into this spectacular graphic.

A few of the treasures I was particularly thrilled with were the flashbacks painted by Jim Lee depicting Bruce Wayne's childhood before the fateful gunshots that would change him into the Batman. Also, this graphic opens with a two page retelling of Batman's origin by the Hush crew.

The only word of warning I have is since this is 1-5 of a 12 part story arc, vol. 1 will stop in the middle of the story.

Hush is one of the great Batman stories and one of my personal favorites.

Reading Hush from Beginning to End, I am deeply impressed. It borrows heavily from Frank Miller, even situations and dialogues are often so similar that one familiar with both can light up and go "A-HA!". This is in no way a bad thing. It makes Hush better because it borrows elements from the best Dark Knight comic ever(Dark Knight Returns), but it gives him a less rebellious and brutal attitude, and it showcases Batman from his best side.

The writing is sharp, although not as brilliant as Miller`s, and the drawing is masterfully done. Each page is a stunning piece of art, and while the proportions are a bit overdone, one have to admit that Batman and Catwoman have never looked so good before. Her feline grace and sensuality is present in her every move, and Batman`s experience, strength and skills are shown in every frame.

The story is one of the best I`ve read ever since DKR, The Killing Joke and Year One. I will not spoil the story, because it keeps you guessing and gasping at the surprises each chapter holds. This is really great stuff, and no wonder why it sold so well. True, its no Miller, but then again, what is?

Recommended to every fan of Batman.

***A Slight spoiler***

Maybe in a nod to Miller, one of the later chapters of Hush pits the Dark Knight against the Man of Steel. Notice what Batman thinks to himself just as he understands who just arrived, and compare it to an almost identical situation in DKR. I say no more, but it was awesome and showed the respect these guys show for the master.

***Spoiler End***

No spoilers here..! Batman: Hush is a must read. Whether you are a new reader to the Batman universe or you are a collector who is looking to expand your collection, Hush offers a lot for you. Jeph Loeb is a master level story teller and each series with his name on it continues to entertain. Jim Lee, well if you are not familiar with Lee then your eyes are missing out. Lee illustrates each page with so much detail you can find yourself staring in amazment instead of reading the dialogue. Now that you know Loeb and Lee, welcome to Batman: Hush. Read any Batman graphic novel/TPB top ten list and you are likely to find Hush on it. Hush offers everything a great Batman comic should have (a great story, the best villains and the worlds best detective work). Batman: Hush introduces you to a new villain named "Hush", who is using the best of Batman's rogues gallery to help defeat Batman. Several villains make their mark in the Hush story line and several heroes are included as well. Lots of action, lots of mystery, and lots of fun; thats what you will find here. I highly recommend Batman: Hush and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

The average comic fan struggles between trying to "look" mature and giving in to their childhood fantasies. Having said all that, the average comic fan is actually far more intelligent than most people think. I mean, the world is only now discovering things like the "Matrix" films and these are things that comic readers have taken for granted for years.
I, and many like me, have been "seduced" by the intellectually satisfying and literary rich writings of post-modern comic scribes like Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, Grant Morrison and Warren Ellis. These masters of deconstructionist, post-modern writing always seem to come up with new ways of reinventing the entire comic genre. However, all that said, there is still that part of me that is a lot less cerebral and a lot more visceral... or more romantic. It's that part of me that gasp with bated breath when Green Lantern takes his oath or when the Batman swoops down unto the roof of the GCPD in answer to Commissioner Gordon's call. And for that, I turn to Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee's "Batman : Hush".
Jeph Loeb doesn't pretend to be what he's not. He's not from the fraternity of "2000 A.D." British writers who deconstructs superheroes to show them for the fascists they really are. Jeph Loeb is a romantic - of the "Casablanca" sort. He loves superheroes and it shows in his works (check out "Superman For All Seasons" and his Marvel "color" books for further evidence). And here in "Hush", we have Loeb writing a story that I believe he himself wanted to read. All the best writers write for themselves... for their own pleasure rather than for the approval of a board of critics. In short, Loeb writes as a fellow fan to fellow fans who want to see a great Batman-Superman bout, a Batman-Catwoman romance, a Batman-Joker fight-to-the-death, etc. - you get the point! More than that, he writes for the artist. In this case, Jim Lee. Jeph Loeb is as much a fan of Lee as many of us. So he writes the scenes that he himself (and most of us) wants to see Jim bring to glorious life with his pencils. For example, who doesn't want to see Poison Ivy drawn by Jim Lee?
That brings us to the artist. Need I tell you that Jim Lee is the creator of the highest-selling comicbook of all time (X-Men #1)? Need I tell you that Jim Lee is the founder of Wildstorm? But more important than that, we respect the man for his art - which can be summed up as merely a strong sense of the human figure and tight, super-detailed backgrounds. Having grown up with his work on X-Men and Punisher, I must say that he has improved greatly here on Batman, giving us (dare I say it) the most definitive Batman since Neal Adams in the 1970s. All that is brought to glorious life by the tight inking work of frequent collaborator Scott Williams and colorist Alex Sinclair.
This first of two volumes collects the first five parts of the Hush storyline along with an introductory "origin" of Batman told from Alfred's perspective. Jeph Loeb provides the foreword himself and the book includes biographies of the creators. I gave it four stars instead of five because the paper is awfully thin. Seeing that this is a hardcover collection of the highest-selling comic of 2003, D.C. should have used a heavier paper-stock - like they did on the wonderful Green Arrow hardcovers.
All in all, I recommend this book for those who grew up with Batman and those who would like a taste of the "real" Batman apart from the awful movies.

I just couldn't put it down... every chapter ended with a cliff-hanger that begged me to continue on... This isn't the best Batman book I've read ('The Killing Joke' is hard to beat), but in terms of a detective story, I couldn't ask for anything more. The story centers around a plot by an unknown villain to kill Batman. Batman seems more vulnerable, confused and frustrated than in other story arcs. He starts questioning everything that's going on around him as he tries to figure out who the mysterious figure is. With other Heroes (Superman, Nightwing) and Villains (Catwoman, Harley Quinn) joining the story as well as numerous surprise appearances, this book is a page-turner you'll be glad you picked up. The illustrations alone are reason enough to grab this book... Jeph Loeb & Jim Lee's Batman is simply bad-ass.

I don`t think comics should be read on a phone or tablet. A lot of the words are too small and I couldn't make them bigger. May be just a case of user error. I just went to the library and rented the graphic novel for free. Great story.

I was highly pleased to have read Loeb and Lee's Batman: Hush. The artistry rivals that of Japanese manga and the story line is rich with internal detail. The reader is exposed (for me a first) to the insights of Batman's mind. Throughout the story, we know what he's feeling and what he worries about. There are times, however, where the internal narration gets in the way with the real-time events. For example, Batman will be fighting and in the same panel, he will be thinking about someone else. Hush is a good story for new Batman fans, though. Loeb does new readers the favor of explaining new and old characters albeit some may find the practice boring. Catwoman is also in need of some development. As much as I found her intriguing, I'd like to see more of the justice-seeking Catwoman, the Catwoman who fights so ardently for the weak and cannot stand to see injustice prevail.

Also, I would have to disagree with a few of the reviewers regarding the plot twists. Maybe they were meant to bring in as many DC characters into the story as possible, I found this practice entertaining. It's a new thing to see old villains being used by new ones to show how easily the old villain's insecurities and weaknesses are exploited. This approach made the old villains appear more human than the plastic characters we are so used to seeing the televised Batman series. (Before you rip my head off, the Batman series has come a long way, so don't think I consider Batman villains to be plastic as they are not so in the cartoon series as they were in the 1960's television series).

BOTTOM LINE: A great read, nearly a masterpiece. It's easy for new Batman fans to become acquainted with this fandom since new and old characters are explained. We are also exposed to the inner workings of Batman's mind, a slight oversight in Frank Miller's Batman: Year One, however annoying at times. Catwoman's character is a bit limited to her saucy and flirtatious ways, though she does not fail to amuse. Above all, a great read and well worth the time.

If there's one story arc I've kept hearing praise for over the past year, it's "Batman:Hush." How it has the most amazing artwork, the best storytelling, and is the product of the best collaboration in Batman comics in years. Not wanting to track down the individual issues or buy the more expensive hardcover, I finally grabbed the trade paperback to see for myself. My verdict? It's a fun read, but there's been better.

The problem doesn't lie in either Jim Lee or Jeph Loeb's talents, but rather that the story ends up reading like "Batman's Greatest Hits", a compilation of favourite villains and cameos without any real purpose. We go from Killer Croc to Catwoman to Poison Ivy, with appearances by Superman, Talia, Alan Scott, Huntress, and Lois Lane. The bad guys have a plan that involve ransoms, mind control, and lots of backstabbing here and there, but its all been done before. Catwoman's romance with Batman? Yep. Superman vs. Batman? Sure. And appearantly there's a bandaged guy named Hush who's working the strings from the shadows, but he shows up so little that he's basically a nonpresence, and doesn't make me excited for part 2.

So why am I still giving this 4 stars? The end result may feel kind of rehashed, but the individual components of this book are excellent. Almost every panel of Jim Lee's art could be used for a large-sized poster or trading card. He draws in a way that defines the characters, no matter what stance or angle or pose they're in. And Jeph Loeb, veteran of Long Halloween, Dark Tomorrow, and Smallville writes this fantasy world exactly like you'd want it to sound, with all the right character quirks and dialogue.

So it's not exactly the most original read, but it's still an enjoyable read by all means. If you're a Batman fan there are probably other trade paperbacks worth your money, but you should still get around to adding this to your collection.

Whatever you say about HUSH, you've gotta admit the art is good. REALLY good. Jim Lee does a wonderful job on the main characters; some things could be a little different, but it was good overall. Don't be too picky, because then you lose the big picture.

The plot is...confusing. I had to go over it a few times because I was really confused on who Hush really was. But then I got it, and all was good again. However, I did like the apperance of the famous sidekicks and such, like Robin, Nightwing, Jason Todd (that was very cool, by the way), Huntress, and the extremely famous villians, such as Poison Ivy, the Joker, Harley Quinn, Catwoman. I would have liked to see how Jim Lee would have drawn Two Face, but a minor loss.

Don't get this if you are a starting Batman fanatic. Trust me. Background information is needed to understand, at the very least, the small part about Huntress. It can get even more confusing without any background, so you might want to try something else before you tackle this one.

I'm all about the artwork, so that's what did it for me. If you're looking at the art, I'd recommend this in a heart beat. The artwork is wonderful and intriguing, and I loved it to the end. If you are looking for plot, HUSH is not the best of the bunch. It's more predictable than the usual Batman storyline, but not so much it's not worth reading. But even with the somewhat-weak plot, I still enjoyed reading HUSH. It doesn't have to be excellent to be good. HUSH isn't the best story on the block, but it holds its own in the Batman world...and that's all I ask.

Jim Lee.
He's the reason I am giving this book five stars.
Over the past year this story has kept comic books readers fascinated. It has almost held the #1 spot for the 11 months that it has been on sale. And this is due to Jim Lee's spectacular art work. In this book Lee pays a true homage, to my favorite comic book character. He is the reason I bought four copies of the book at a time. And he is the reason I bought this trade.
The story on the other hand is something else. Jeph Loeb's sense of storytelling is more of a "tell" than a "show". Most of the story is driven forward by the narration in Batman's head. The premise of Hush is supposed to be someone manipulating Batman's foes to get at him. But the truth of the matter is, with the exception of Killer Croc' (who is supposed to be too stupid to stage a kidnapping) it really isn't shown.
And of course there is Batman's "romance" with Catwoman.
Words can not express how put off with this part of the story. It's purely contrived and annoying. Catwoman comes on to Batman in one of the most sexually agressive moves I have seen in a mainstream comic book. And by the next issue he is in love?
Please
In other Batman books (including Dark Victory and The Long Halloween-also written by Loeb) he would have spurned her advances. To tell you the truth it is the portrayal of Catwoman that has ruined the book for me. The portrayal of Catwoman has to be the most annoying portrayal I have ever seen of the character. For the entire arc Catwoman behaviour alternates from bimbo to vixen. When she's a bimbo she comes across as comic relief in a tv sitcom. When she's a vixen, she comes across like the Baroness in the Sound of Music. I don't know what Jeph Loeb was doing as he's portrayed her excellently twice before. Her dialogue just grates on my nerves.
Still I must praise Loeb for giving such a great profile to Huntress. Another vigilante who gets along with Batman, like oil gets along with water. He portrayed her excellently , the fighter she is and how she will still do the right thing, no matter how badly she is treated by others.
Still I would recommend this book to Batman fans and collectors. Jim Lee's art work is worth every penny.

Okay, if you want a great story about mid-career Batman, go out and buy Hush volumes 1 and 2 immediately. Do not hesitate. If you need further convincing (and I don't doubt you will) then read on.

I first learned of the Hush story from friends on the web. Originally a 12 month story arch from the monthly Batman comic, one of DC's tentpole publications, this comic stands almost perfectly on it's own two feet as a graphic novel, which I can attest to since I don't buy monthly comics outside of the occasional trade paperback.

First off, Jim Lee's art is amazing. He strikes that elusive blend of style and realism that I seek when looking for a good artist. He doesn't go over-the-top and come off looking impressionist like many artists who have handled Batman, and yet he doesn't slip into the borigness of straight-up reality. His anatomy is solid, his environments are believable, and his women are beautiful. I'm an aspiring artist, and Jim Lee is definately an inspiration. If nothing else, buy it because it's a book full of great Jim Lee Batman art.

As for the story, I've got to hand it to Jeph Loeb. When I read volume 1 the story seemed to be mostly an excuse for Jim Lee to play around in the Batman world and draw lots of it's favorite characters. But when I read Volume 2, it was a completely new ballgame. Most recent Bat-stories have fallen into the trap of meeting and maintaining a status quo. Hush is one of those rare stories that doesn't just change the status quo, it destroys it. I won't spoil anything, but I'll tell you that it has some pretty big impact on the Batman mythos, and unlike many recent comics it manages to evolve the story in ways that some will condemn, but others like myself will praise.

Basically, without spoiling too much, the story is about Batman at the top of his game, but someone is organizing his enemies and Batman ends up wrapped up in a waist-deep conspiracy against himself. The plot is chock full of huge twists and surprises that I'll admittedly didn't see coming. In between the juicy details are some good action scenes with alot of great action with famous Bat-villains, some great dialog and character developement for Bats himself. And if you like Catwoman, HUSH offers one of the best stories about Batman's relationship with her I've read, and I found it very touching. The whole thing is a genuine rollercoaster of intruguing plot twists and solid character developement, and I was surprised at how well it kept me guessing.

Overally, HUSH is definately a quality Batman story. If you've already had your fill of "early years" Batman stories, buy yourself Hush volume 1 and 2. Jim Lee's gorgeouse art with Jeph Loeb's compelling narrative is a genuine home-run for DC, and I really hope they come back together in a few years to give us another one.

"Hush" is a 12-issue series originally published in 2002-2003 that careens from one supervillain encounter to another, laying the groundwork for the terrific Batman video games, "Arkham Asylum" (2009) and "Arkham City" (2011). It also features Catwoman as a romantic interest and Superman in a welcome cameo. In short, "Hush" manages the rare feat of bringing in a large cast and integrating with the wider D.C. universe without losing its focus on the dark knight himself.

Unlike more recent storylines, "Hush" wastes little time on needless brooding and exposition. If you like your Batman fun and fast, "Hush" is a treat.

Hush is a brilliant Batman and Catwoman story which brings in a lot of the Batman villians into a great story. It shows flashbacks of Bruce Wayne and a childhood friend and finishes a great story. If you are a Batman fan, or Batman villian fan this is a must read.

I thought I could never love reading another Batman or Superman book. After countless takes on the Joker, I almost recoil in disgust at another attempt to re-invent the story.

Wow- Hush blew me away! It has the perfect balance of action and psychological introspection and the perfect balance of dark and light. The writing and the artwork both approach perfection.

Hush never gets too bogged down in the dark mind-melt psychoanalytics that Miller falls prey to. The artwork and colors are much more vibrant than darker treatments of Batman, without the goofy pre-1980s "cartoony" look.

Finally, I was able to get "lost" in a superhero book - and it was a great place to get lost- uber-detailed Gotham scenes, unbelievably sexy and interesting female villains, and color! I don't remember enjoying a Batman book this much since I was 8 years old watching the Batman TV show. (Writer Loeb also references his love for that series).

As close to perfection as Batman books get. Even the most jaded super-hero fans will love this series.

I really enjoyed reading this story and it kept me guessing until the end. It's also a fun tour de force that lets several of Batman's great villains share the spotlight for a bit. Visually, the artwork really shines with interesting perspectives and fine detailing. In particular, I liked the style of showing ghosted animations of the more acrobatic characters so you could get a real sense of how they did that cool flip move. Though I'm relatively new to the world of comics, this is easily one of the best arcs I've read.

I'm relatively new to graphic novels/comic books, so I don't have much to compare this story to. All I can say is that both the art and the story are amazing, I was completely hooked within the first few pages. It contains a very strong narration from Batman himself, & it features a lot of great moments from other characters within the DC universe.

Absolutely loved it - I'd rate it higher if I could.

I was blown away by how amazing this story is and the art. The creative team on this hit it out of the park. The story developed many aspects of the dark knight mythos and associated characters. Enjoyed this much better than the inked version though that is good too

As a old fan of the Batman series of comics, I was a little suspicious of "Hush" when I first saw it in a books store.

Let me say that my fears were unfounded.

I found myself, almost an hour later, still in the book store, closing the cover and searching for volume 2. The romance and action are all perfectly balanced, not to mention the masterful art of Jim Lee only adds to this masterpiece.

Even if you don't know everything about the history of Batman and Robin, all pertinent information is explained and elaborated on.

Even if you don't like Batman, this is the comic series for you.

Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee would get a chance to create a full year, 12 issues, of Batman comics. They created a year-long story. This is the first 5 of those 12 issues, and it is outstanding. A very good detective story, with some of the greatest artwork ever done in a comic book.

Vol. 2 is probably better, but keep a lookout for a single volume containing the entire run.

Includes a "Forward" by Jeph Loeb.

In the review from 'Publisher's Weekly' they say, and I quote, "...Catwoman, whom he [Batman] teams with in a rousing (though improbably evenly matched) brawl with Superman." I just want to point out that this is not entirely correct.

(Please note I choose my words carefully since I don't want to give too much away. This graphic novel rocks out and I highly recommend reading it.)

But back to my point...the 'brawl' as they call it takes place with Batman's thoughts sort of narrating...and he makes a point of mentioning that he knows Superman was holding back during the fight, because if Superman hadn't then he would have pretty much gotten smashed to a pulp.

I appreciated that comment more then anything else in the book/comic. It shows how the author recognizes the impossibility of a fight between the two of them, but still found a way to play it out in spite of that. It was WELL DONE and I'm miffed at that review casting a negative light on a skillful balancing act.

This is a great Batman story with a whos who of villains and allies. The art is spectacular and pops off the page with vivid colors. There's plenty of action in this book also. Overall a great engaging story with some shocking moments and a strong ending. Highly recommended.

Hush vol. 2 collects the second half of Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee's 12 issue Hush storyline which features basically every major Batman villian...ever...a mysterious new villian named Hush is manipulating all of Batman's old villians. Batman is nearly killed in the first part and is nursed back to health by a doctor who was a childhood friend, Dr. Thomas Elliot.

There are plenty of plot-twists as Batman tries to unravel the mysteries of Hush. In fact there are a bit too many plot twists which seem to be thrown out to beef up what could have been a rather simple plot. If Hush really wanted Batman dead there certainly was ample opportunity. If the villain wants simply to inflict a grievous defeat on Batman, and he knows that Bruce Wayne is Batman, why not destroy him simply by revealing this to the world?

The revealing of Hush was anti-climactic to say the list. Guessing the identity would not take a master detective. If I could figure it out then certaintly Batman should have a LONG time before that. We know that Jim Lee always wanted to work on Batman. It would seem that he also always wanted to draw every notable Batman villian...whether they were central to the plot or just brought in for a cameo as many of them were. So what we get is some beautifully rendered fight scenes as Batman battles the various villians, held together by an angel hair plot. Unfortunately this is what happens when a popular artist is given too much power. It's the mistake Marvel made in the 90's when they turned over their major characters to the hot artists of the day like Lee, Liefeld, McFarlane, and others. Hush vol. 2 has a bit more substance, but not by much.

I'd like to preface this review by saying that I really respect Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee and the work they've done on various titles over the years; they've added a lot to the comics field over the years and I consider myself a big fan of each of them.

That said, "Batman: Hush", the tremendously-hyped team-up of Loeb and Lee on Batman from a few years ago, was quite the let-down. There have been worse stories done, but when you consider the past performances of this arc's creative team...well, I would have thought that there would have been a much higher glass floor that the book couldn't possibly fall beneath. The art is fine, a high point for the book, but I really don't agree with any assertion that it stands out in any way from the other Batman material that was being published at about the same time. If we look at all the Bat-related books being published in the same era as the "Hush" arc, there was a lot of great art being done, some of it still widely unheralded today. The story writer Jeph Loeb (who's shined on such titles as Superman and Cable)has come up with is, in itself, a good one, an intriguing premise. It's how that premise is handled, and, more so, the surprisingly weak handling of the characters, where the arc runs into trouble.

"Batman: Hush Volume 1" reprints #s 608-612 of the ongoing Batman series (the rest of the "Hush" arc runs through 619 and is reprinted in the "Hush Volume 2" TPB) as well as a previously unpblished two-page prologue by Loeb and Lee called 'The Legend Of The Batman: Who He Is And How He Came To Be', which is actually one of the best parts of the whole volume. The basic premise is that a number of linked crimes are happening - beginning with the abduction of a young boy - that are all part of a larger scheme, and are deliberately constructed so that the Batman will know there's more to them than the obvious, will know that he's being purposefully provoked to follow up deeper and find out what is truly behind it all. (If you're thinking that this sounds like a great basis for an extended Batman arc, I'm in agreement 100%. This could have been such a Tremendous story.) A number of Gotham's highest-profile 'freaks' are participating in these crimes/ruses, and it's immediately a question as to whether they're in on the whole plan or are being manipulated. Again, sounds good.

Now, the downside: Batman is the Dark Knight, an intense, fearsome creature of the night with an iron will and a veiled abundance of compassion and nobility beneath the darkness and the ironbound fury. Most of the time. Here, though, the Batman's character is changed in so many ways, often subtle, sometimes more open. The darkness and the intensity are played down, but with them drop the brighter aspects of the character as well. We're left with a character who - in absolute contrast to the Dark Knight who's been built up over the years - seems to have little sympathy for the various people he protects; who comes off as innately cold and heartless rather than the cauldron of turbulent emotions kept in check only by an iron will and a deep-rooted phschological fear of his own emotions; and whose motivation is murky at best. Another botched characterization - an even more egregious one because at least the Bat retains something of an 'open-to-interpretation' factor - is Poison Ivy. Ivy's part in the flow of this book is her participation in a scheme to abduct a child for ransom, and have him left in a state where he's going to be killed anyway even after the money is delivered. This Is Not Poison Ivy, not if you're going to try and be in any way consistent with the last decade of her portrayals. The other partner in this job, Killer Croc - that's arguable. I would say that most of the time he wouldn't kill a child, but his personality has always fluctuated along various states of the moral spectrum, the same as his physical appearance has - it's part of the makeup of the character. Although there have been times Croc's been a more sympathetic villain it's not his constant state, and I can accept that at the time "Hush" takes place his psyche could have shifted again into a raw evil, or a near-mindlessness. Poison Ivy isn't a child-killer though. Read "Batman/Poison Ivy", her role in the "No Man's Land" mega-crossover or the two-parter in Detective Comics #s 751 and 752 (yet to be reprinted in Trade form, I believe) for a better representation of the character. She will kill, but only for what she considers the greater good and only those she feels are guilty. Her pyschological state may be questionable at times, but she's not blatantly evil like the Joker or Mr. Zssazz, and money has not been a significant motivating factor since her earliest days. It doesn't end there - in flashbacks Thomas Wayne seems mishandled as well, although not so badly as some of the others. Catwoman comes off right though, once you're into the story and realize what's behind her initial actions. The Catwoman/Batman romantic angle though, feels contrived, not the way one would have hoped it would be when the books finally got around to opening that door wider.

Okay, with that out of the way, time to focus on some of the good aspects of the book. The story Loeb's created has a lot going for it, and even with the characterization hampering its flow (and too many convenient coincidences) it still manages to pick up some momentum and suspense - although this also seves to remind one of how overall great "Hush" could have been. Jim Lee's art is a high point, and he does a particularly great job in the chase and fight scenes that take place high over the city, on rooftops and using cable-guns, and captures the dynamic, fast-paced nature of such action to great success. His best drawn character is Killer Croc, who's just monsterous. The cover to 610 is awesome. Back on the writing side, a couple of unexpected cameos are very effectively woven into # 611, and are a welcome surpise.

So on a technical scale "Hush" has quite a bit going for it, but the twin banes (no pun intended) of falling so short of what it clearly could have been, and of the unfortunately inconsistent depictions of some of the DC Universe's best characters, add up to quite a disappointment. Batman books in general, books written by Jeph Loeb in general, and books drawn by Jim Lee in general, all surpass "Hush" by a nice margin. Oh well; not everything can be brilliant. At least there are the good points (like the art on Killer Croc and the really neat guest-appearances in 611) to keep it from tanking too badly.

This story is so inspiring with a new mystery in every corner. Before this masterpiece I never read a comic book that satisfied me and interested me this much. The art work is the best I have ever witnessed. The characters are all pictured so perfectly. As most batman stories the villian is always smart and violent. Hush just adds to the show exept 10 times better

Since the beggining Hush was a story full of hype and expectation. And of course, if you read it with that much expectation, you won't like it. It's Batman's, it's Loeb's and Jim Lee's, but certainly it's not definitive.

Ok, ok, let's go easy, from there it looks like i didn't liked the story, and I did. Seriously. I really like Jim Lee's art and Loeb's stories may be goos sometimes. But that's the thing: it's Jim Lee and Jeph Loeb, so you should read expecting lots of - amazing - splash pages and cliffhangers all over the series.

I think it's better if I don't tell anything about the plot because I read it all once in a paperback edition here in Brazil, but it deals with Batman's past, a love case involving he and a women, some famous characters and villains. So if you like Gotham City's wolrd, you probably will like the story.

Hush may not be what you're looking for if you are wanting a classic, but if you want e cool and exciting Blockbuster and a few hours of fun, then you got it.

Hush vol 2 is to the comic book medium as Saving Private Ryan is to film. In the same way Spielberg was able to bring the characters to the forefront in a film awash in cinematic action. In the same way Hush is neither an action movie nor your standard techno-drama/ mystery, it is both at the same time, and not only that it does it incredibly well. Fans either of Jeph Loeb's writing or Jim Lee's illustrations will be happy to add this to their collection. The story line is riveting both for it's twisting plot but also for its rich characters. The Dark Knight's character is more human and real than your standard take on Batman because of Loeb's skilled narration. At the same time Jim Lee makes the characters jump off the page in a way I've only seen matched by Alex Ross's "Kingdom Come". The result, exactly what most fans are looking for, a new take on the tired character of Batman presented in a way that will blow you away, pick this one up.

Preceded by
Batman: Hush, Vol. 1

While the story line of "Hush" is merely so-so, it's the art that really makes this book shine. Each character is an amazing depiction, and most of the big names are in here. Between Hush 1 & 2, you've got Batman (duh), Superman, Joker, Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Harley, Nightwing...the list goes on and on. Each one of these characters "feels" how they should (well, Riddler is a bit weak), and the dialogue between them is dead-on.

Still, it's the artwork that sells. The scenes in the Batcave are particularly good, with the glow from screens casting eerie illuminations, and reflections seen in the glass. My only complaint is that the Joker (my favorite character) is drawn REALLY exaggerated. I realize that the guy is far from normal looking, but I still prefer the understated styles of someone like Alex Ross. The bottom line is, even with the over-the-top Joker, the rest of the art is so good, that it more than makes up for it.

If you prefer eye-candy over a good storyline, definitely look in to "Hush."

I don't read many comic books, but I enjoy Batman and I enjoy talented artists. The artwork in this comic book is awesome ... great drawings, great use of color. The storyline, however, is amateurish. Admittedly, you must approach all fictional writing with a degree of "suspension of disbelief", however this pushes the bounds of what is tollerable. Spoiler: c'mon ... a 10 year old boy wants his parents to die so he can be an orphan? And then plots his revenge against Bruce Wayne for 25+ years after his Bruce's dad was able to save the mother? DESPITE now himself being a world famous physician? The plot brings every villan into suspicion ... seems like a weak attempt to get all of Batman's most famous enemies on the cover to sell more comics. The writer gave us no sense of the torment of the antagonist, no real motive. Were his parents abusive? Why the displaced agression towards Bruce? The writer wasted valuable storyline on dead ends rather than building real suspense and drama. I am going to continue to read Batman graphic novels in hopes that there is something better than this out there. I wished the writing lived up to the art work.

The story is a very good tale and the art is done by Jim Lee a very talented artist. It features several of Batman's villians including my personal favorite Killer Croc. My major problem is the only way to get the whole story in one volume is the absolute edition which is ten more dollars then the two volumes put together. Other DC stories with Absolute Editions, such as Kingdom Come, you can get the whole story without buying the absolute edition.But on story and art alone I recommend but the presentation is sloppy.

Most people complained about this book as a Jim Lee story written by Loeb, and I partially agree. There is a lot of eye candy in this book courtesy of Mr. Jim Lee, who is a phenomenal comic book artist. But, in some instances he may be too good. I felt that some characters from both Batman's rogues galary and his comrades were forced into the story. Why did Huntress show up? It felt very unnecessary to me, but on to the greatness.

This story was a good detective story with a lot of twists, but because of my prior knowledge of Batman, I knew who the killer was right away, but it did not take away from the story. It starts with Batman running off to save some kid (first 2 pages, don't worry), but all of a sudden, the Bat is flung into this insanely twisted mystery that, until the very last pages, he had know idea who was behind it all. As I said earlier, MANY of Batman's villains are in this and they all played a fairly significant role in the grand scheme of things...And it was a GRAND scheme. I give kudos to Loeb for consistently being able to layer a story with so many twists and turns to keep me reading. If you do not like Loeb, stay away from this. If you like reading a good Batman story with incredible art, BUY THIS PLEASE. This was my first exposure to the comic book Batman (previously played both Arkham games), and I loved every page (minus Huntress :p) of this book.

Jim Lee continued to deliver some solid artwork, and while the second part may not be quite as good as the first part, with some of the mystery starting to become obvious, and be revealed, it is still a good story.

Tart Huntress detracts a little, I think, too, being visually jarring. The twist involving the master planner wasn't obvious though, so all in all, looks very good and well written.

When I read the reviews I keep seeig people saying that they guessed the villian from the first pages. Either I'm really dumb, or they are really smart, because it kept me wondering, especially since the mystery changes several times.

I'm a new Batman comic reader. I saw the movie, ehcih was awesome, and that rekindled my interst for the Dark Knight after Batman and Robin crushed it. Maybe since I'm new to the comics is why I wasn't able to figure it put, but the artwork was great, and being a new reader, I loved seeing all the bad guys that made appearences.

Ive read Hush, which has been my favorite, The Dark Knight whicvh comes in an extremely close second, and The Dark Knight Strikes back, one wehere I read the reviews and bought it anyways. Mistake.

I loved this story and the art, and as a new fan that it was spectacular. I plan on reading more form Loeb's writing in the Batman universe.

This deserves its reputation, despite the long lost best friend of Bruce Wayne, child, plot variation #5. It is done well enough to make it worth doing, and leave you wanting more. It doesn't hurt that Jim Lee is on top of his game, and appears to care a lot about this work. A good introduction to Batman and his rogues gallery for new readers, as well, not to mention Superman.

I had heard that this was one of the great Batman storylines, and I believe it lived up to the hype. Lots of great characters, and lots of fun action. I really felt like I was in Batman's mind during this reading. In conclusion, Batman and Catwoman...awesome!

I'm going to tell you something you can bank on. When you see Jeph Loeb's name on a comic collection or comic book, you will not be disappointed. This holds true with Hush, where Batman cuts through a multi-layered mystery to discover that his enemy is a friend from his past. I've always thought that DC characters, especially Superman and Batman, were far superior to anything Marvel, but the comics always suffered from mediocre to poor artwork. Jim Lee does for Batman what he did for X-Men-the girls are supermodels, the vehicles otherworldly, the scenery surreal. Loeb gives the reader a good sweep of major Batman allies and villains, in a story that puzzles you to the very end. Hush has to be the most clever and manipulative Batman villain in quite some time. Go ahead and pick this up. While you're at it, get Dark Victory and the Long Halloween. This is the stuff that inspired the wonderful resurrection that is Batman Begins.

This book is amazing the way the new villain Hush is presented and he has dark connections to Bruce Wayne's past. I will not spoil the story at all. Batman gets beaten and battered. Hush is a very tactical with his approach towards Batman. The art is really good and that is to be expected from the legendary Jim Lee. Some of the poses Batman is in are so epic with the nice inking and coloring. This is pre New 52 and if you like this get Batman Vol.1: The Court of Owls which is also a great book with fantastic art. 5/5 stars!

Having just finished reading the Hush storyline I have to say that the twist-after-twist story was overall good, but the ending was quite unsatisfying. I think this is a common feeling among readers, and at about three quarters the way thru the book I was REALLY into it. But then the ending...meh. The implications of one storypoint could have been so good had they thought not to throw it away in one page at the very end!

The art is of course FANTASTIC. I especially like all the batmobiles being drawn into the garage including ones from the Adam West show and the movies. The dialogue was really well done, but I wouldnt see myself re-reading this story very often like I do a few other comic book tales.

There was a lot of hype surrounding this series for the lead up to its release, so its difficult to compare the result to its expectation. Technically there is nothing wrong with this trade paperback collection of the first half of the Hush story-arc. Jim Lee's artwork is slick and dynamic, the inking is crisp, the coloring is lush and vivid. The action sequences are fun and the characters are rendered with the fantastic musculature and big-breasted look typical of super-hero fare. Jim Lee does a great pin-up and you can tell he puts a lot of love into what he does.

But sadly the whole comic (both trade volumes) reek of heavy marketing and editorial imput at the expense of a good yarn. Big Villains and Big heroes pull customers, so DC whipped out most of its big names in a typical 'event' storyline without much overall logic of story-telling subtlety. Jeph Loeb did it twice with the Long Halloween and Dark Victory, and those were great series (and great tpbs, check them out), but here he's take out all of the nuanced writing and replaced it with management gimmicks. Its not really his fault, he has a lot of bosses to answer to.

Its all like the hollywood blockbuster starring and directed by the current who's who from the celebrity gossip pages. The production values are top-notch but you end up leaving with a bad taste in your mouth and a sense of guilt that your money will be used to produce more along these lines.

I wanted to enjoy this series, and I gave it a go since I've been keen to see what the Batman franchise has been up to in recent years. However, it is glossy and slick to cover up the fact that story doesn't really matter as much as sales numbers. This is the typical big-house outlook that really pulls in the cash but produces a lot of eye-candy junk.

These sorts of 'events' books really offer nothing and deliver nothing to the genre and aren't worth your time except if you're a Batman/DC worshipper.

'War Games' is a much better recent batman arc.

Skip this one.

It was harder than hell to guess who was behind this story at the time it came out, thanks to Jeph Loeb reading online forums. He said several times people actually guessed who was behind it, so he kept changing the endgame so people weren't right. If this story is new to you, don't let anyone tell you, just try to guess, I hope it has the same impact on you as it did me in my early twenties. The pencils are great and the story as well. I can't wait to get the rest of the unwrapped editions.

Wow! Some of the best artwork ever in a Batman book. Jim Lee is just unbelievable. This is one of the best recent Batman books. We get to see many of the rogue gallery and enjoy a great murder mystery. Lots of action sequences but plenty of detective work as well. I thoroughly enjoyed these books when they first came out and reading them again was an absolute joy. I just can't get over how great the art is. It will leave you breathless. Essential for the Batman fan.

Hush is the reason why I began to read Jeph Loeb's work on the Dark Knight. This Volume 2 is the conclussion of one of the best (if not THE one) contemporary stories of the Knight Crusader.

Jim Lee's art is impressive and the plot written by Jeph makes the perfect match. This is a MUST READ for all the followers of the Batman.

This story is taken from the regular Batman comic and twistes every character in Batman's world. Nobody escapes the grasp of Hush; not only villains but also heroes; everyone can be (or will be) corrupted by his stench.

After this awesome story you'll be only able to whisper: "Hush, Batman, hush".

I was blown away by how amazing this story is and the art. The creative team on this hit it out of the park. The story developed many aspects of the dark knight mythos and associated characters. Enjoyed this much better than the inked version though that is good too

As a old fan of the Batman series of comics, I was a little suspicious of "Hush" when I first saw it in a books store.

Let me say that my fears were unfounded.

I found myself, almost an hour later, still in the book store, closing the cover and searching for volume 2. The romance and action are all perfectly balanced, not to mention the masterful art of Jim Lee only adds to this masterpiece.

Even if you don't know everything about the history of Batman and Robin, all pertinent information is explained and elaborated on.

Even if you don't like Batman, this is the comic series for you.

Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee would get a chance to create a full year, 12 issues, of Batman comics. They created a year-long story. This is the first 5 of those 12 issues, and it is outstanding. A very good detective story, with some of the greatest artwork ever done in a comic book.

Vol. 2 is probably better, but keep a lookout for a single volume containing the entire run.

Includes a "Forward" by Jeph Loeb.

In the review from 'Publisher's Weekly' they say, and I quote, "...Catwoman, whom he [Batman] teams with in a rousing (though improbably evenly matched) brawl with Superman." I just want to point out that this is not entirely correct.

(Please note I choose my words carefully since I don't want to give too much away. This graphic novel rocks out and I highly recommend reading it.)

But back to my point...the 'brawl' as they call it takes place with Batman's thoughts sort of narrating...and he makes a point of mentioning that he knows Superman was holding back during the fight, because if Superman hadn't then he would have pretty much gotten smashed to a pulp.

I appreciated that comment more then anything else in the book/comic. It shows how the author recognizes the impossibility of a fight between the two of them, but still found a way to play it out in spite of that. It was WELL DONE and I'm miffed at that review casting a negative light on a skillful balancing act.

This is a great Batman story with a whos who of villains and allies. The art is spectacular and pops off the page with vivid colors. There's plenty of action in this book also. Overall a great engaging story with some shocking moments and a strong ending. Highly recommended.

Hush vol. 2 collects the second half of Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee's 12 issue Hush storyline which features basically every major Batman villian...ever...a mysterious new villian named Hush is manipulating all of Batman's old villians. Batman is nearly killed in the first part and is nursed back to health by a doctor who was a childhood friend, Dr. Thomas Elliot.

There are plenty of plot-twists as Batman tries to unravel the mysteries of Hush. In fact there are a bit too many plot twists which seem to be thrown out to beef up what could have been a rather simple plot. If Hush really wanted Batman dead there certainly was ample opportunity. If the villain wants simply to inflict a grievous defeat on Batman, and he knows that Bruce Wayne is Batman, why not destroy him simply by revealing this to the world?

The revealing of Hush was anti-climactic to say the list. Guessing the identity would not take a master detective. If I could figure it out then certaintly Batman should have a LONG time before that. We know that Jim Lee always wanted to work on Batman. It would seem that he also always wanted to draw every notable Batman villian...whether they were central to the plot or just brought in for a cameo as many of them were. So what we get is some beautifully rendered fight scenes as Batman battles the various villians, held together by an angel hair plot. Unfortunately this is what happens when a popular artist is given too much power. It's the mistake Marvel made in the 90's when they turned over their major characters to the hot artists of the day like Lee, Liefeld, McFarlane, and others. Hush vol. 2 has a bit more substance, but not by much.

I'd like to preface this review by saying that I really respect Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee and the work they've done on various titles over the years; they've added a lot to the comics field over the years and I consider myself a big fan of each of them.

That said, "Batman: Hush", the tremendously-hyped team-up of Loeb and Lee on Batman from a few years ago, was quite the let-down. There have been worse stories done, but when you consider the past performances of this arc's creative team...well, I would have thought that there would have been a much higher glass floor that the book couldn't possibly fall beneath. The art is fine, a high point for the book, but I really don't agree with any assertion that it stands out in any way from the other Batman material that was being published at about the same time. If we look at all the Bat-related books being published in the same era as the "Hush" arc, there was a lot of great art being done, some of it still widely unheralded today. The story writer Jeph Loeb (who's shined on such titles as Superman and Cable)has come up with is, in itself, a good one, an intriguing premise. It's how that premise is handled, and, more so, the surprisingly weak handling of the characters, where the arc runs into trouble.

"Batman: Hush Volume 1" reprints #s 608-612 of the ongoing Batman series (the rest of the "Hush" arc runs through 619 and is reprinted in the "Hush Volume 2" TPB) as well as a previously unpblished two-page prologue by Loeb and Lee called 'The Legend Of The Batman: Who He Is And How He Came To Be', which is actually one of the best parts of the whole volume. The basic premise is that a number of linked crimes are happening - beginning with the abduction of a young boy - that are all part of a larger scheme, and are deliberately constructed so that the Batman will know there's more to them than the obvious, will know that he's being purposefully provoked to follow up deeper and find out what is truly behind it all. (If you're thinking that this sounds like a great basis for an extended Batman arc, I'm in agreement 100%. This could have been such a Tremendous story.) A number of Gotham's highest-profile 'freaks' are participating in these crimes/ruses, and it's immediately a question as to whether they're in on the whole plan or are being manipulated. Again, sounds good.

Now, the downside: Batman is the Dark Knight, an intense, fearsome creature of the night with an iron will and a veiled abundance of compassion and nobility beneath the darkness and the ironbound fury. Most of the time. Here, though, the Batman's character is changed in so many ways, often subtle, sometimes more open. The darkness and the intensity are played down, but with them drop the brighter aspects of the character as well. We're left with a character who - in absolute contrast to the Dark Knight who's been built up over the years - seems to have little sympathy for the various people he protects; who comes off as innately cold and heartless rather than the cauldron of turbulent emotions kept in check only by an iron will and a deep-rooted phschological fear of his own emotions; and whose motivation is murky at best. Another botched characterization - an even more egregious one because at least the Bat retains something of an 'open-to-interpretation' factor - is Poison Ivy. Ivy's part in the flow of this book is her participation in a scheme to abduct a child for ransom, and have him left in a state where he's going to be killed anyway even after the money is delivered. This Is Not Poison Ivy, not if you're going to try and be in any way consistent with the last decade of her portrayals. The other partner in this job, Killer Croc - that's arguable. I would say that most of the time he wouldn't kill a child, but his personality has always fluctuated along various states of the moral spectrum, the same as his physical appearance has - it's part of the makeup of the character. Although there have been times Croc's been a more sympathetic villain it's not his constant state, and I can accept that at the time "Hush" takes place his psyche could have shifted again into a raw evil, or a near-mindlessness. Poison Ivy isn't a child-killer though. Read "Batman/Poison Ivy", her role in the "No Man's Land" mega-crossover or the two-parter in Detective Comics #s 751 and 752 (yet to be reprinted in Trade form, I believe) for a better representation of the character. She will kill, but only for what she considers the greater good and only those she feels are guilty. Her pyschological state may be questionable at times, but she's not blatantly evil like the Joker or Mr. Zssazz, and money has not been a significant motivating factor since her earliest days. It doesn't end there - in flashbacks Thomas Wayne seems mishandled as well, although not so badly as some of the others. Catwoman comes off right though, once you're into the story and realize what's behind her initial actions. The Catwoman/Batman romantic angle though, feels contrived, not the way one would have hoped it would be when the books finally got around to opening that door wider.

Okay, with that out of the way, time to focus on some of the good aspects of the book. The story Loeb's created has a lot going for it, and even with the characterization hampering its flow (and too many convenient coincidences) it still manages to pick up some momentum and suspense - although this also seves to remind one of how overall great "Hush" could have been. Jim Lee's art is a high point, and he does a particularly great job in the chase and fight scenes that take place high over the city, on rooftops and using cable-guns, and captures the dynamic, fast-paced nature of such action to great success. His best drawn character is Killer Croc, who's just monsterous. The cover to 610 is awesome. Back on the writing side, a couple of unexpected cameos are very effectively woven into # 611, and are a welcome surpise.

So on a technical scale "Hush" has quite a bit going for it, but the twin banes (no pun intended) of falling so short of what it clearly could have been, and of the unfortunately inconsistent depictions of some of the DC Universe's best characters, add up to quite a disappointment. Batman books in general, books written by Jeph Loeb in general, and books drawn by Jim Lee in general, all surpass "Hush" by a nice margin. Oh well; not everything can be brilliant. At least there are the good points (like the art on Killer Croc and the really neat guest-appearances in 611) to keep it from tanking too badly.

This story is so inspiring with a new mystery in every corner. Before this masterpiece I never read a comic book that satisfied me and interested me this much. The art work is the best I have ever witnessed. The characters are all pictured so perfectly. As most batman stories the villian is always smart and violent. Hush just adds to the show exept 10 times better

Since the beggining Hush was a story full of hype and expectation. And of course, if you read it with that much expectation, you won't like it. It's Batman's, it's Loeb's and Jim Lee's, but certainly it's not definitive.

Ok, ok, let's go easy, from there it looks like i didn't liked the story, and I did. Seriously. I really like Jim Lee's art and Loeb's stories may be goos sometimes. But that's the thing: it's Jim Lee and Jeph Loeb, so you should read expecting lots of - amazing - splash pages and cliffhangers all over the series.

I think it's better if I don't tell anything about the plot because I read it all once in a paperback edition here in Brazil, but it deals with Batman's past, a love case involving he and a women, some famous characters and villains. So if you like Gotham City's wolrd, you probably will like the story.

Hush may not be what you're looking for if you are wanting a classic, but if you want e cool and exciting Blockbuster and a few hours of fun, then you got it.

Hush vol 2 is to the comic book medium as Saving Private Ryan is to film. In the same way Spielberg was able to bring the characters to the forefront in a film awash in cinematic action. In the same way Hush is neither an action movie nor your standard techno-drama/ mystery, it is both at the same time, and not only that it does it incredibly well. Fans either of Jeph Loeb's writing or Jim Lee's illustrations will be happy to add this to their collection. The story line is riveting both for it's twisting plot but also for its rich characters. The Dark Knight's character is more human and real than your standard take on Batman because of Loeb's skilled narration. At the same time Jim Lee makes the characters jump off the page in a way I've only seen matched by Alex Ross's "Kingdom Come". The result, exactly what most fans are looking for, a new take on the tired character of Batman presented in a way that will blow you away, pick this one up.

Preceded by
Batman: Hush, Vol. 1

While the story line of "Hush" is merely so-so, it's the art that really makes this book shine. Each character is an amazing depiction, and most of the big names are in here. Between Hush 1 & 2, you've got Batman (duh), Superman, Joker, Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Harley, Nightwing...the list goes on and on. Each one of these characters "feels" how they should (well, Riddler is a bit weak), and the dialogue between them is dead-on.

Still, it's the artwork that sells. The scenes in the Batcave are particularly good, with the glow from screens casting eerie illuminations, and reflections seen in the glass. My only complaint is that the Joker (my favorite character) is drawn REALLY exaggerated. I realize that the guy is far from normal looking, but I still prefer the understated styles of someone like Alex Ross. The bottom line is, even with the over-the-top Joker, the rest of the art is so good, that it more than makes up for it.

If you prefer eye-candy over a good storyline, definitely look in to "Hush."

I'm not much of a comics reader, but Batman is easily my favorite character (although I'm in the minority who have found his live-action adaptations to be disappointing). And this particular collection is THE comic book for people who don't often read comic books.

Only a passing knowledge of Batman lore is needed to enjoy the story, and virtually all of the characters in his history make appearances of varying degrees. The highlight is his battle of wits with Superman, and seeing the famous contrast in styles between the two characters at work here, both as combatants and allies. It makes one desperately wish they'd make a live-action crossover film (and while one almost did get made before these current reboots, it seems unlikely now, save for the upcoming Justice League film). There are also some great interactions here between Clark, Bruce, and Lois.

Jim Lee's style can be a bit too technical and lacking in character, but I'm still a fan of his clean, dynamic style, and it's great to see it applied to the Batman world. His Catwoman/Selina is particularly memorable. The way all the characters are shoehorned into the story can come off as contrived in some regards, but for the most part it works and makes for a highly entertaining adventure.

Jeph Loeb once again does a great job of writing an epic Batman tale and Jim Lee's artwork is nothing short of beautiful. If you liked the old the story lines of Batman: The Animated Series and the graphical art from any of the Batman Arkham games then you won't be disappointed with this phenomenal graphic novel!

This book starts out simple enough, Killer Croc (A long-time foe of the Dark Knight) has kidnapped the son of some rich capitan of industry type, and Batman can't have that. Not in his city. But after saving the child, and defeating Croc, Batman realizes that Killer Croc was not the mastermind, and the kidnapping of the young man was only the tip of the iceberg in a plot to test the mental and physical limits of Gotham City's Dark Knight! This title (which is only the first of two volumes) is an excellent mystery which keeps you guesing as to who the real mastermind is. Writer Jeph Loeb, and artist Jim Lee have created the best saga in the mythology of Batman since Frank Miller's '80s classic "The Dark Knight Returns". The "HUSH" storyline features appearences by all of the best Bat-Villains, and is DEFINATELY a must have for any Batman fan, or any comic book fan at all for that matter. In one word........ CLASSIC!

So Volume II is better than the first. Lee's artwork takes on a darker approach, as if he's found his stride and is now running with it. Loeb's story gets better too! It barrels along and takes no prisoners.

On the overall, I liked Hush. It was sometimes a little predictable but it was a good Batman yarn. The villain was interesting and scheming to the almost the same level as the author, which is convenient, if you ask me.

Good and interesting story. The villain is exactly who you think it is, but it does well to try to throw you off. It is interesting to see so many characters; however, many are rushed in and rushed out seemingly, would be better if there were more "fat" on it for lack of a better word. Same goes with the romance involved. All in all though, this is really nit picking, and is still definitely worth a read. Buy it!!

Let me tell you the story was a little hard to follow but most of the time that means it is not blatantly simple. However the art work is amazing!!!! I'm a huge Jim Lee fan and this work is amazing. When he made the switch his work only got better at DC. A hallmark in DC's collection of titles!

I would definitely recommend for you and a friend!

One of the most visually beautiful books I've ever seen.

I found myself staring at each page for more than a normal amount of time because the artwork just owns.

One of the best Batman stories on top of some of the best penciling, inking and coloring ever.

Read. This. Book.

Volume 2 was just as good as Volume 1. There was a point in my reading where I was going to finish through that particular issue and then I had to stop reading and do something else. I got to the end of the issue, and I couldn't stop! I had to read on and see what was going to happen next. In conclusion, I thought that Catwoman made a great ally for Batman/Bruce Wayne. I hope to see more of that in the future.

This volume contains the last 7 of 12 monthly issues created by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee.

Loeb gives us a very good detective story for the Dark Knight. Lee provides some of the greatest artwork ever done.

Vol. 2 is probably better than Vol.1, but keep a lookout for a single volume containing the entire run.

Includes a "Forward" by Jim Lee.

First off, I absolutely love the art. Jim Lee is one of my favorite artists and he portrays Batman with just the right amount of darkness and flair. The storyline is also amazing. The plot twists and turns as you, like Batman, try to figure out the answer to the riddle. What has gone wrong and who is the man behind the bandages? I'm a big Batman and comic book fan in general. Hush might be my all-time favorite. You won't regret this purchase.

After reading Daredevil: Yellow I had higher expectations for this book. The book is essentially aimed at twelve year olds, which is fine for what it is. The story telling is technically precise and the plot it tight, but don't expect any amount of intelligence or depth like you might find in Frank Miller, Grant Morrison, Alan Moore or Ed Brubaker's Batman work. This is just a mindless entertainment product with lots of punching.

I really dislike Jim Lee's art style. Although he is highly detailed (there are lots of lines on the page,) his characters are essentially cartoons. All of his women are barbies in spandex, and all of his men bodybuilders. In one of the opening panels, Batman's bicep is approximately twice the size of his head. With artwork like that, this book could only be a story for children.

The art of Lee is nice like all his work men strong, women hot. I can't deny that, however, his Joker is the worst I've ever seen. But the story, well... maybe it would be great in 1 or 2 issues, but not twelve!!!! I think is sucessfull because Loeb know how to write the last page of each issue to keep you waiting for the next, but in two or three years when people can get the book all together, it would be forgotten. Batman look sometimes like a cyborg, sometimes like a fool, sometimes like the bad guy, but never like the DETECTIVE that he is. If you want a really great Batman's story read anything that Frank Miller had wrote.

I don't really see the appeal of this book... Yes, the art is nice, in a nineties way, and the pace is pretty good over the span of the whole collection. There are some fight scenes and some explorations of Batman continuity, but.. it's not good. The story is presented as a mystery, in which one character is shown to be the only real suspect, and then after ten issues or so, other suspects emerge momentarily but never for more than a few pages. Is a reader supposed to be surprised at the semi-reveal at the end?

Also, there are token appearances by about a million heroes and villains associated with Batman (like Loeb's work in The Long Halloween), but no one is really given enough time to be an effective and worthwhile addition to the story, at least from the perspective of a reader mostly unfamiliar with DC comics in general and Batman comics in particular. The exception is Catwoman, and her growing romance with Batman forms the emotional arc of the collection, but I never really bought it. I'm not a fan of stories where characters say "I have feelings for her" a lot but do not really seem to demonstrate those feelings - that may be a key part of the stoic Batman's character, but I found it irritating.

In context, maybe this series of issues had value, but as a new reader, I just found them pointless and underwhelming.

This is the introduction to a great Batman story. If you've read Loeb's previous work then you'd know he's worked on stories involving Batman's early career. After reading Dark Victory this feels more or less like an indirect sequel to that story. This is definitely the same Batman, but he's far more experienced now, and much more sure of himself (until he falls in love...or does he?) Anyway. Pick up part one, and part two. You won't regret it!

Having really enjoyed Loeb's Long Halloween and Dark Victory Stories (as well as his work on Marvel's Yellow, Blue and Gray) I was looking forward to HUSH. What a letdown. Quite frankly, very hackneyed . I expected more. Slightly rescued by the great artwork of Jim Lee.

Great artwork and storytelling. It has a cinematic feel to it. Jim Lee's illustrations are perfect. the artwork on each page catches your attention. This along with Frank Miller's Batman page - graphic novels should set the standard for other creators. This Graphic Novel delivers.

Batman: Hush was a exciting and thrilling story that tied together in the end rather well. As a new reader to comics, I picked this up because of the great art and huge response from reviews. And It didn't disappoint me at all. It drawled me into the story and leaving me wanting to either keep going or stop to want to know about the characters background to really know them and how they came to be.
Jeph Loeb did an excellent job on the story, characters, and feeling like I was at the edge of my seat. Truly amazing and unforgettable. I will be sure to check out more of his works.

Haven't read a comic book in over 10 years and I never read a DC comic until this one. I'm glad I did though, I obviously been missing out on Batman specifically. Always been a marvel guy myself until recently. Decided I wanted to try something new, batman has always been a popular character but never really knew a lot about his lore or particulars. Anyway, awesome comic book. Great art and awesome story. I give it a five out of five.

I really loved this story line. I had hoped to make it last longer but I couldn't stop reading it. Every twist and turn that was thrown in made the comic better and better. Hands down one of my favorite comics to date.

Finally! Previously available as two separate volumes, this is the first time all 12 monthly issues of the Loeb/Lee run have been put together, giving us the complete HUSH story.

Jeph Loeb gives us a very good detective story. Better is his character-study, nuanced approach to the Dark Knight, himself. Loeb manages to bring fresh eyes to the Batman, displaying a longing and a loneliness previously unrevealed. The scenes with Catwoman are some of the best in years. Those with Nightwing (the original Robin) show growth and a new maturity for both characters. And, of course, the new villain - Hush, is a great addition to the rogues gallery.

Jim Lee's contribution is possibly even greater. He draws some of the most iconic and visually stunning pictures of Batman, EVER. There was Neal Adams, Norm Breyfogle, Dick Sprang, and Alex Ross. Add to the `Top 5 Batman Artists of All Time' list - Jim Lee. And he may have taken over the Number 1 spot, at that! Sharp, dynamic, and nothing less than electrifying, Lee's work here is some of the greatest artwork ever done in a graphic novel or comic book.

Ranking high on the list (just after The Dark Knight Returns, Batman: Year One, and Batman: Absolution), HUSH instantly becomes one of the most important and character-defining Batman stories of all time.

I was introduced to Jeph Loeb (and artist Tim Sale) in a couple of comic series: Batman: The Long Halloween and Superman All Seasons. Both series were extremely well written and easy to read and understand, Jeph Loeb turned out to be one of the few writers in my watch list.

So when I saw that Jeph Loeb had teamed up with Jim Lee to do a Batman piece, I was extremely excited and bought this graphic novel without thinking twice. A great story teller with one of the most influential and greatest comic artist - no brainer, right?

It turned out to be a mistake.

Batman: Hush is made up of 13 comics. It has similarities to The Long Halloween in that the whole point of the story is to find out who is the mysterious villain, Hush. The first 12 comics see Batman on a wild goose chase from Gotham City to Metropolis to find out the identity of Hush - and it is not your typical wild goose chase from a good detective novel. No, this is a disparate mesh of story lines and characters, most of them unrelated, trying to gel together a dramatic story. It has failed terribly.

If I were to analyze how Hush has failed compared to Jeph Loeb's earlier work, I'd say that he was probably `star struck'. Star struck by Jim Lee/Scott Williams. Instead of Lee's art telling the story that Loeb crafted, it became a slide show of Lee's art gallery. Instead of a story, we have scenes being set up so Lee could craft a beautiful piece to wow the audience.

Why else would you see a host of villains and Bat-friends being involved in this story? We see Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, Riddler, Harlequin, Joker, Ra'al Ghul, Clayface, Two Face (Harvey Dent) and Catwoman, Superman, Nightwing, Robin and Huntress. Someone in DC is obviously twisting Loeb's arm to make sure he give Lee a chance to depict all these villains and heroes.

The art is nice, no doubt. Lee's take on many of the characters and scenes are really nice. But, sadly, many of his character (body and face) are like cookie cutter. They all have the same `dreamy' eyes and same body build up. They are all made of cookie cutter. Case in point, Commissioner Jim Gordon looked like Superman with white hair and spectacles who looked like Batman who looked like Harvey who looked like Robin. You get the idea. I was looking back to Loeb's Batman The Long Halloween and marvel at the variety of characters in there, all drawn with different mug faces and body shape. Some are skinny, some with long face, some really fat guys, big build mobs, etc. So, I am disappointed that Lee's character doesn't really stand out at all.

All in all, if you want a book of Lee's art, get Hush. If you are in for a story, buy The Long Halloween instead.

When it comes to Batman, Loeb can do no wrong. I've read Long Halloween, Dark Victory, and Hush and they are all literary masterpieces. If you are a fan of Batman then you simply need to read this graphic novel!
P.S. The art is fantastic some of the best I've seen.

This is one of the best Batman graphic novels written. It visits most of the classic Batman villains while introducing a new one. I felt the Joker got very little face time, but if he hadn't then he would have upstaged HUSH. The part with Poison Ivy was well drawn and well written.

Hush....... no I will not!!! From front to back this is the Batman we all deserve. A great storyline and fantastic artwork throughout. I wanted to take my time and savor it but I couldn't put it down! If you love Batman then this is the book for you.

While not everyone will agree, this is one of my favorite Batman stories. This came out while I was still collecting comics, and I waited on the edge of my seat for every new issue to arrive. My friends and I had so much fun analyzing the story, and trying to figure out who would ultimately be revealed as Hush. I hope that someday, DC will animate this story

Having read Jeph Loeb's earlier outings (The Long Halloween and Dark Victory), I had high expectations of this one. Sadly, I finished it feeling slightly underwhelmed - the artwork is indeed great, but the storyline felt to me like "Batman's Greatest Hits", and simply didn't sustain the dramatic tension. I would certainly recommend Loeb's earlier work over this.

After reading Daredevil: Yellow I had higher expectations for this book. The book is essentially aimed at twelve year olds, which is fine for what it is. The story telling is technically precise and the plot it tight, but don't expect any amount of intelligence or depth like you might find in Frank Miller, Grant Morrison, Alan Moore or Ed Brubaker's Batman work. This is just a mindless entertainment product with lots of punching.

I really dislike Jim Lee's art style. Although he is highly detailed (there are lots of lines on the page,) his characters are essentially cartoons. All of his women are barbies in spandex, and all of his men bodybuilders. In one of the opening panels, Batman's bicep is approximately twice the size of his head. With artwork like that, this book could only be a story for children.

The art of Lee is nice like all his work men strong, women hot. I can't deny that, however, his Joker is the worst I've ever seen. But the story, well... maybe it would be great in 1 or 2 issues, but not twelve!!!! I think is sucessfull because Loeb know how to write the last page of each issue to keep you waiting for the next, but in two or three years when people can get the book all together, it would be forgotten. Batman look sometimes like a cyborg, sometimes like a fool, sometimes like the bad guy, but never like the DETECTIVE that he is. If you want a really great Batman's story read anything that Frank Miller had wrote.

I don't really see the appeal of this book... Yes, the art is nice, in a nineties way, and the pace is pretty good over the span of the whole collection. There are some fight scenes and some explorations of Batman continuity, but.. it's not good. The story is presented as a mystery, in which one character is shown to be the only real suspect, and then after ten issues or so, other suspects emerge momentarily but never for more than a few pages. Is a reader supposed to be surprised at the semi-reveal at the end?

Also, there are token appearances by about a million heroes and villains associated with Batman (like Loeb's work in The Long Halloween), but no one is really given enough time to be an effective and worthwhile addition to the story, at least from the perspective of a reader mostly unfamiliar with DC comics in general and Batman comics in particular. The exception is Catwoman, and her growing romance with Batman forms the emotional arc of the collection, but I never really bought it. I'm not a fan of stories where characters say "I have feelings for her" a lot but do not really seem to demonstrate those feelings - that may be a key part of the stoic Batman's character, but I found it irritating.

In context, maybe this series of issues had value, but as a new reader, I just found them pointless and underwhelming.

HUSH is a profoundly compelling & intricate crime story. Jeph Loeb has created an exceptional suspense thriller, which becomes deeper & more mysterious as it unfolds. A true page-turner which I could not put down once I started reading it.
Loeb's exceptional writing has been combined with the extraordinary talents of Jim Lee, one of the most influential pencillers ever, and inker Scott Williams, whose ability to embellish produces images that are nothing short of stunning. Colorist Alex Sinclair's contribution makes every page a great work of art in itself.
Combined, these three have created images that are so detailed and captivating that after one finishes reading the books, you have to go back & dwell on every panel in order to fully absorb the remarkable amount of detail in the artwork.
BATMAN HUSH is a fantastic work on every level.

This is the introduction to a great Batman story. If you've read Loeb's previous work then you'd know he's worked on stories involving Batman's early career. After reading Dark Victory this feels more or less like an indirect sequel to that story. This is definitely the same Batman, but he's far more experienced now, and much more sure of himself (until he falls in love...or does he?) Anyway. Pick up part one, and part two. You won't regret it!

Having really enjoyed Loeb's Long Halloween and Dark Victory Stories (as well as his work on Marvel's Yellow, Blue and Gray) I was looking forward to HUSH. What a letdown. Quite frankly, very hackneyed . I expected more. Slightly rescued by the great artwork of Jim Lee.

Great artwork and storytelling. It has a cinematic feel to it. Jim Lee's illustrations are perfect. the artwork on each page catches your attention. This along with Frank Miller's Batman page - graphic novels should set the standard for other creators. This Graphic Novel delivers.

Batman: Hush was a exciting and thrilling story that tied together in the end rather well. As a new reader to comics, I picked this up because of the great art and huge response from reviews. And It didn't disappoint me at all. It drawled me into the story and leaving me wanting to either keep going or stop to want to know about the characters background to really know them and how they came to be.
Jeph Loeb did an excellent job on the story, characters, and feeling like I was at the edge of my seat. Truly amazing and unforgettable. I will be sure to check out more of his works.

Haven't read a comic book in over 10 years and I never read a DC comic until this one. I'm glad I did though, I obviously been missing out on Batman specifically. Always been a marvel guy myself until recently. Decided I wanted to try something new, batman has always been a popular character but never really knew a lot about his lore or particulars. Anyway, awesome comic book. Great art and awesome story. I give it a five out of five.

I really loved this story line. I had hoped to make it last longer but I couldn't stop reading it. Every twist and turn that was thrown in made the comic better and better. Hands down one of my favorite comics to date.

Finally! Previously available as two separate volumes, this is the first time all 12 monthly issues of the Loeb/Lee run have been put together, giving us the complete HUSH story.

Jeph Loeb gives us a very good detective story. Better is his character-study, nuanced approach to the Dark Knight, himself. Loeb manages to bring fresh eyes to the Batman, displaying a longing and a loneliness previously unrevealed. The scenes with Catwoman are some of the best in years. Those with Nightwing (the original Robin) show growth and a new maturity for both characters. And, of course, the new villain - Hush, is a great addition to the rogues gallery.

Jim Lee's contribution is possibly even greater. He draws some of the most iconic and visually stunning pictures of Batman, EVER. There was Neal Adams, Norm Breyfogle, Dick Sprang, and Alex Ross. Add to the `Top 5 Batman Artists of All Time' list - Jim Lee. And he may have taken over the Number 1 spot, at that! Sharp, dynamic, and nothing less than electrifying, Lee's work here is some of the greatest artwork ever done in a graphic novel or comic book.

Ranking high on the list (just after The Dark Knight Returns, Batman: Year One, and Batman: Absolution), HUSH instantly becomes one of the most important and character-defining Batman stories of all time.

I was introduced to Jeph Loeb (and artist Tim Sale) in a couple of comic series: Batman: The Long Halloween and Superman All Seasons. Both series were extremely well written and easy to read and understand, Jeph Loeb turned out to be one of the few writers in my watch list.

So when I saw that Jeph Loeb had teamed up with Jim Lee to do a Batman piece, I was extremely excited and bought this graphic novel without thinking twice. A great story teller with one of the most influential and greatest comic artist - no brainer, right?

It turned out to be a mistake.

Batman: Hush is made up of 13 comics. It has similarities to The Long Halloween in that the whole point of the story is to find out who is the mysterious villain, Hush. The first 12 comics see Batman on a wild goose chase from Gotham City to Metropolis to find out the identity of Hush - and it is not your typical wild goose chase from a good detective novel. No, this is a disparate mesh of story lines and characters, most of them unrelated, trying to gel together a dramatic story. It has failed terribly.

If I were to analyze how Hush has failed compared to Jeph Loeb's earlier work, I'd say that he was probably `star struck'. Star struck by Jim Lee/Scott Williams. Instead of Lee's art telling the story that Loeb crafted, it became a slide show of Lee's art gallery. Instead of a story, we have scenes being set up so Lee could craft a beautiful piece to wow the audience.

Why else would you see a host of villains and Bat-friends being involved in this story? We see Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, Riddler, Harlequin, Joker, Ra'al Ghul, Clayface, Two Face (Harvey Dent) and Catwoman, Superman, Nightwing, Robin and Huntress. Someone in DC is obviously twisting Loeb's arm to make sure he give Lee a chance to depict all these villains and heroes.

The art is nice, no doubt. Lee's take on many of the characters and scenes are really nice. But, sadly, many of his character (body and face) are like cookie cutter. They all have the same `dreamy' eyes and same body build up. They are all made of cookie cutter. Case in point, Commissioner Jim Gordon looked like Superman with white hair and spectacles who looked like Batman who looked like Harvey who looked like Robin. You get the idea. I was looking back to Loeb's Batman The Long Halloween and marvel at the variety of characters in there, all drawn with different mug faces and body shape. Some are skinny, some with long face, some really fat guys, big build mobs, etc. So, I am disappointed that Lee's character doesn't really stand out at all.

All in all, if you want a book of Lee's art, get Hush. If you are in for a story, buy The Long Halloween instead.

When it comes to Batman, Loeb can do no wrong. I've read Long Halloween, Dark Victory, and Hush and they are all literary masterpieces. If you are a fan of Batman then you simply need to read this graphic novel!
P.S. The art is fantastic some of the best I've seen.

This is one of the best Batman graphic novels written. It visits most of the classic Batman villains while introducing a new one. I felt the Joker got very little face time, but if he hadn't then he would have upstaged HUSH. The part with Poison Ivy was well drawn and well written.