A review by softstarrynights
Batman: Hush (New Edition) by Jeph Loeb

5.0

Batman: Hush is the iconic story that sees Batman's foes play a part in a deadly game, with a mysterious gamemaster. Written by Jeph Loeb, and drawn by Jim Lee, this edition collects issues #608-619 of Batman, and an interlude from Wizard, and is everything you could possibly want from a Batman story. It's a detective story, it's a romance, it's a thriller, it's an action piece, it's a character study. This is a story that ticks all the boxes. I have always maintained that Under the Red Hood is my favourite Batman story, but Hush is definitely giving it a run for its money. The story unfolds brilliantly over the course of the run, with Loeb leaving clues for you to find, and try to solve the mystery alongside Batman. This is extremely well balanced with the way he dedicates time to exploring the characters behind the masks so that this isn't just a Batman story but also a Bruce Wayne story. It's a very human story that plunders the depths of Bruce's psyche, as all the best story ought to do. One of my favourite things to see in any Batman story is Bruce's weakness' because that drives home the truth at the heart of this character. He isn't an alien, he doesn't have superpowers, he's just a man with a lot of money and a desire to affect change. That is something everyone can relate to, whether they're hanging out on rooftops dressed as a bat or not. Loeb's art is the perfect accompaniment to this, particularly the way in which he draws the flashbacks. The watercolour washed vibe of those flashbacks created a gorgeous contrast with the traditional look of the present-day pages. To me, this really suggests the way that memories can become a little more indistinct over time, and I loved it. I loved everything about this book and only wish that I could read it again for the first time. I can't imagine how torturous it must have been to have to wait a month between issues and salute those who survive that trial. Luckily, it was clearly worth it.