Batman #160 Hush 2 Review

Happy new comic book day comic book fans! Today is a big one, with the next part to the long awaited sequel Hush 2 continuing in Batman #160. The series so far has demonstrated a great overarching storyline and made readers desperate for more, and has already proved itself a worthy sequel to such an iconic series. But will the hype continue through this issue? Let’s talk about it in this Batman #160 Hush 2 review.

In Nerdy Nook fashion, this review will be spoiler free. However, we recommend you read the previous issue if you have not already before continuing.

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The Review

Image by DC Comics

Last issue, marked the return of an icon, my favourite anti-hero, Red Hood. In Batman #160 Hush 2, Batman is eager to found out how involved with Hush Jason Todd really is and is once again tasked with saving an unlikely victim, but is that just part of Hush’s plan?

Much to my delight, this was another Red Hood heavy story. I do not think we have enough Red Hood content out there as he deserves, so seeing such big character development over the last few issues has been a treat. However, in my excitement, I did go back and read Under the Red Hood and in doing so could not help but think that Hush 2 really should be viewed as a separate storyline. This is not necessarily a bad thing, it just feels like his progression to becoming the hero he once was in Under the Red Hood has been slightly skipped over in Hush 2 – this is something I had expressed in our review of Batman #159, and while it was initially just a first thought, now it is concrete. Set aside though, this does contribute a lot to Red Hoods character.

This is not Red Hood’s story though, is it? Sure he is a big part of it, and I am grateful for that, but this is a story about Hush, and for the first time in the series, his presence was so strong in this issue – not just in the sense of him being in it a lot, but he truly is a force to be reckoned with.

Image by DC Comics

Batman #160 Hush 2 felt like a true detective comic, and in every panel, an iconic Batman comic. Jeph Loeb is such a talented writer, especially when it comes to world building, although he already started building this world so many years ago in the original Hush comic, you can really tell what kind of dark and menacing universe this is.

This issue concluded with a huge cliff-hanger. I’ve praised Jeph Loeb on his ability to build suspense between issues before, but this time feels different – it feels more final… and that should frighten readers. The first Hush had a huge effect on the Batman canon, its sequel is likely to do the same and that pretty much means that anything can happen. I’m sure Batman will finish on top, but as the issues go on, it is easy to see that this time there will be permanent consequences.

Lastly, lets give praise to the exceptional art in this issue. The fight scenes are so brutal and action packed, the more suspenseful moments like the end create fear and urgency, then there is the flashbacks. Though short, the flashbacks in this issue are so clearly distinguishable from the rest, you almost feel as though you are living through it yourself. Excellent work all around.

Image by DC Comics

Hush 2 continues to stun readers in Batman #160 with a compelling story, beautiful artwork and some of the most action packed fight scenes in a Batman comic to date. Anything can happen in this series, which is both terrifying and exciting – we are completely sold on this adventure.

What are your thoughts on Batman #160 Hush 2? Will Batman save those important to him, or will there be unforgivable consequences? Whatever your thoughts and feelings, share them with us in the comment section of this article.

See also: Previous issue

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