Batman #163 Hush 2 Review

Happy new comic book day fellow superhero fans! Today is a special day, after 6 months of waiting, the latest installment of Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee’s fan favourite sequel Hush 2 is finally here in Batman #163 and boy, was it worth the wait! There is a lot to talk about, so be sure to read on for our Batman #163 Hush 2 review.

This review will be relatively spoiler-free. However, since it has been such a long wait, a brief recap is required. If you have not yet read the previous issues and want a completely blind experience, we recommend you read those before continuing.

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The Review

Image by DC Comics

Last issue, Batman found himself up against his closest allies in a brutal battle which ended in an explosion. Now Batman, seemingly trapped by Joker, must rely on his greatest enemies to take down Hush for good.

I would be lying if I said I had not already forgotten basically everything that happened in the Hush 2 story so far. I had to read through the previous issue just to remind myself of where exactly the story is at. With that being said, the worst thing about Batman #163 was the long wait for its release. After a brief reminder, I was sucked right back into this story and honestly loved every minute of it.

It was hard not to feel sorry for Batman, considering this is all clearly part of Hush’s plan, but his own guilt has got the better of him here. This is, without a doubt, the most vulnerable we have seen Batman in a long time in the main universe and that just makes this icon feel so much more relatable. Where this issue really shines is how it demonstrates that the Bat family now goes beyond Batman being at the heart of it. These characters will stick together no matter what, against all the odds, even Batman himself.

Image by DC Comics

Jim Lee’s artwork, as always, is incredible. It is always a pleasure to see these two work together, and this issue is no different. In fact, this issue has so many pages that I want to just cut up and frame, but of course, that would mean destroying a comic, and there is no way I can possibly bring myself to do that… just look at the images in this article and tell me they are not poster-worthy.

Just when you think the Hush storyline couldn’t get any larger, this issue shows us that there is so much more story to be told here. Of course, I may be slightly biased here. As a long-term fan of Red Hood, a story centred around this complex character, as he continuously battles with the betrayal and inner turmoil caused by the Joker all those years ago, was always going to be a winner for me. Then something happened, that felt like a perfect bookend not only for the Hush series, but for Red Hood’s story after so many years.

I wish there was more I could say about Batman #163 when it comes to you reading these comics, but I want you to experience it the same way I did, gasp when I did, shout when I did, so instead I am just going to close with this… this is the best Batman comic released this year (so far). It is an absolute must-read for any Batman fans, especially those who happen to enjoy Under the Red Hood as much as me. This story complete that saga. pure perfection.

Image by DC Comics

Batman #163 Hush 2 is a true return to form for Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee. The story is complex, the artwork is stunning, and the great thing is it’s not over yet. This issue might seem like a perfect bookend, but it proves there is so much more to the Hush storyline. Completely worth the wait.

What are your thoughts on the Batman #163 Hush 2? Whatever your thoughts and feelings, share them with us in the comment section of this article or on our Instagram page. Until next time, thank you for reading!

See also: Must Read Batman Comics

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