Batman: Hush, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

by Jeph Loeb (Author), Jim Lee (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
By now, DC characters have become a kind of repertory company. The trick, for comics creators, is to find roles for them that both exploit their trustworthy familiarity and give them surprising things to do. Loeb (Batman: The Long Halloween) does his bit by supplying a rapidly unfolding plot in which caped crime fighter Batman battles Killer Croc and Poison Ivy. Simultaneously, he's pursuing and lusting after the lusciously amoral Catwoman, whom he teams with in a rousing (though improbably evenly matched) brawl with Superman. Other familiar characters make cameo appearances throughout. But Batman is actually following someone else's script; a mysterious, bandage-swathed observer is toying with him and the others. Readers can guess who this master manipulator is, but the real puzzle is what kind of game he's playing. Loeb is especially talented at underwriting, not crowding the page full of long explanations and snappy patter; after all, readers have known these characters for years. Penciler Lee and inker Williams also know not to overwhelm the action with fussy details: their large panels give plenty of room to let angular, sweeping lines collide in striking designs. It's beautiful stuff. Catwoman has rarely looked so seductive, nor has Batman's heroic but fearsome image often been used so well. This volume-a collection of the first five installments of a 12-part serial-doesn't achieve much emotional closure. Nor does it transform the characters, but that would be unlikely anyway. What it does do is make readers look at Batman and his colleagues with a fresh, enthusiastic eye.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist
Late last year, DC revitalized one of its major franchises when it assigned Batman to Jim Lee, one of the hottest comics artists, and Jeph Loeb, an equally popular scripter. The pair's first five issues, collected here, pit the crimefighter against two classic foes, Killer Croc and Poison Ivy, and later bring in DC's other big gun when Batman follows Ivy's trail to Metropolis, where he confronts Superman. Lee's dynamic, detailed, often overwrought art provides the excitement and drama superhero fans demand, and Loeb's combination of fast-paced action and deft characterization is equally crowd-pleasing. Despite the hype and the huge sales the Loeb-Lee series has enjoyed, it is essentially a just-above-average superhero saga that lacks the thoughtfulness of Loeb's reimaginings of Superman's and Daredevil's early years. Moreover, Lee's art lacks the innovation of such previous Batman limners as, most notably, Frank Miller in the Dark Knight series. Nonetheless, this is solid genre work, whose popularity in its original monthly installments guarantees an eager audience for this hardcover roundup. Gordon Flagg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (August 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401200605
• ISBN-13: 978-1401200602
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #11,855 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #2 in	Books > Children's Books > Series > Favorite Characters > Batman
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• This is item 1 in The Batman: Hush Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Batman, done "just right.", February 14, 2005

By	Cary S. Ashby (Sandusky, OH USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Having literally just read this trade paperback, I'm slightly embarrassed that I didn't pick this up on the newstand. (I'm not one to give much credence to hype...)

To paraphrase the storyline in writer Jeph Loeb's own words in the introduction, this is Batman done "just right." Nearly everything is here: incredible Batman gadgets; short by sweet acknowledgements to past Caped Crusader stories ("The Dark Knight Returns," "Farewell to a Friend," "Knightfall"); a host of baddies from Batman's rogues gallery; clever, tight dialogue; kick-ass art; tension between Batman and Superman (yet always, an underlying respect); just enough dry humor to balance the serious drama... The list could go on.

I'm floored. Loeb even nailed Bruce Wayne's character. That, in many ways, is the sign of a solid Batman scribe. I absolutely loved Bruce flirting with Lois Lane! That scene in the Daily Planet with her calling Clark Kent "Smallville" is what makes that issue in "Hush" and the animated Batman/Superman feature movie top notch. Most writers have no problem nailing down the Dark Knight, but the man under the cowl tends to escape most writers.

I admit it: I've never been that impressed with Jim Lee's previous artwork (it's been too generic, overblown and uninspired), but man, he did the Batman universe with great flair. Gotham, Metropolis and their inhabitants are dramatic without being too much, which is what I think Lee has done before. His Lois Lane is WAY too busty and super model-ish, but Lee's Poison Ivy and most especially, Catwoman, are amazingly sexy. Killer Croc leaves quite a bit to be desired, but... I'm willing to overlook Croc, the shorter Bat-ears and plain Bat-symbol, because Lee's moody Batman, Bruce Wayne, Alfred and the rest are spot on.

I'm a long-time diehard Batman fan. I've not been pleased with the artwork - much less the storylines - in the Batman titles in recent years. So this is refreshing to see Loeb and Lee hit Batman out of the park.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Story, August 5, 2008

By	Matthew E. Martinez "Backpack" (kerrville) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The First Part of a Great Whodunit Story, August 12, 2006

By	Slade's Downfall - See all my reviews

The story of Hush begins with Batman rescuing a young Edward Lamont from his kidnapper Killer Croc, who has suddenly changed his M.O. After the boy is safe he discovers that Catwoman in the area and pursues her after she steals the ransom money.

Unexpectedly his Batline breaks and he falls down into Crime Alley, where he is nearly murdered by a gang of thugs, but is saved by Huntress.

After receiving life-saving surgery by his childhood friend Tommy Elliot, Batman tries to discover who is behind it and why Killer Croc, Poison Ivy and possibly Catwoman are all connected.

It's a great story with excellent dialogue and exciting fight sequences. The story is a well-spun story that involves many important players ranging from Catwoman to Superman.

Jeph Loeb is a writer who knows how to tell a good story. His dialgouge is engaging and fresh. His spin on all the characters within the story take them further in their development. He knows how to grab your attention and keep it. I loved every page of this book and could not put it down.

A well done mystery that gets better and better as it continues. Hush: Vol. 2 is even better, and both are worth buying.