DC Comics reviews 3/26/25 – Batman 158, Absolute Wonder Woman #6
Batman 158
Batman 158 marks a landmark issue of the series as this marks the first chapter in Hush 2, the long-anticipated sequel to the 2002-2003 series from writer Jeph Loeb, artist Jim Lee, inker Scott Williams and colorist Alex Sinclair. Yes, it’s really been that long since Hush debuted.
In the wake of all those years the biggest question probably has to be was there really a need for Hush 2? So much of the Batman landscape has changed since that initial run. Nightwing makes a crack in Batman 158 about the number of Robins and Batgirls running around Gotham and it rings true.
When the first Hush neared its conclusion, the biggest bombshell was the thought that somehow Jason Todd returned from the grave as he held a Batarang to the third — and at that time final, Robin — Tim Drake. There’s been countless additions to the Bat Family since then from Batman’s son, Damian Wayne, The Spoiler as Robin, Cassie as Batgirl, Barbara Gordon ditching her wheelchair to once again be Batgirl, Duke Thomas was a Robin who became The Signal, Batwoman is now a major player and a pair of Batwings along with Batman Inc. are also in the fold. Loeb will have to tinker with this dynamic for Batman 158.
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Upon the first read through of Batman 158, Loeb is attempting to find that same magic from the first installment with the same formula that worked so well previously. This proves tricky as Loeb and Lee might have introduced Hush, but several writers and artists have handled the characters in the decade plus that followed. Tommy Elliott/Hush isn’t quite so mysterious and the demand for Hush especially now with a female sidekick, Shush, has diminished some of his appeal.
With Batman 158, Loeb dutifully sets up a similar mystery from the first series with Batman tangling with The Joker. This gives Lee a welcome opportunity to cut loose with some strong panel and page work. Lee might not be the tippy top of the superstar artist tower, but he still has no trouble delivering some exciting action. Like the original series where the Hush story was solid, the real lure here seems to once again be Lee’s artwork.
Williams’ ink work gives Lee’s art that proper amount of gravitas and refinement while Sinclair provides clean and crisp colors.
Loeb does a decent job of using Batman 158 to kick off the story. Hopefully as it develops Hush 2 will have some unexpected wrinkles and twists beyond the safe route of providing Lee with plenty of characters to draw from that he didn’t get a crack at previously.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10