Batman fans, the wait is over! Batman #158 has officially dropped, marking the beginning of the Batman Hush 2 story arc. The original Hush arc is widely regarded as one of the top five best Batman stories of all time, with its gripping narrative and iconic artwork. Jim Lee’s blue and gray Batman design, complete with the classic black bat symbol, remains one of the most recognizable looks for the Dark Knight. Now, with writer Jeph Loeb and artist Jim Lee returning for the sequel, fans have plenty to be excited about.
But does Hush 2 live up to the legacy of the original? Let’s break down everything that happens in the first issue and see how it sets the stage for what promises to be an intense and dramatic continuation.
A Nostalgic Opening: Echoes of the Original Hush
Right from the start, Batman #158 captures the essence of the original Hush storyline. It opens with Batman narrating, reminiscent of how the first arc began. We see the Caped Crusader soaring through the Gotham sky on his glider, forming a bat symbol as he passes the moon. His monologue reflects on his promise to rid Gotham of evil, a vow made at his parents’ gravesite. This immediately immerses readers in the story with a tone that feels both classic and fresh.
The issue quickly jumps into action as Batman investigates a crime that seems eerily familiar—Joker attempting to poison Gotham’s reservoir with his infamous Joker Fish. This callback to classic Batman lore is a strong way to pull in long-time fans while setting the stage for new conflicts.
A Brutal Encounter with the Joker
Batman lands on a garbage truck that is dumping the Joker’s toxic fish into the water. He swiftly takes down the henchmen but realizes something is off. The Joker has never repeated his old crimes—so why now? Just as Batman pieces this together, the Joker ambushes him with a crowbar, delivering a devastating blow.
The Clown Prince of Crime taunts Batman, saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, cry, cry again.” This classic Joker line reinforces his twisted sense of humor and sets the stage for a confrontation that quickly escalates. The Joker kicks Batman into the reservoir, where a swarm of Jokerized piranhas immediately attack him. The scene is intense, and as Batman struggles against the deadly fish, he decides to use an emergency defense mechanism built into his cowl. Removing it slightly, he releases an electric charge that incapacitates the piranhas—but also knocks himself unconscious.
A Mysterious Rescuer: Enter Talia al Ghul
As Batman floats unconscious in the water, a helicopter’s spotlight finds him. A mysterious woman swims toward him and administers CPR. Batman’s foggy mind briefly registers the name Selina, but when he regains consciousness, he realizes his rescuer is none other than Talia al Ghul.
Talia explains that she was in Gotham to visit Damian and that she has a vested interest in Batman’s survival. She reminds him, “The greater the number of people who believe in you, the more they are disappointed in you.” Her cryptic words leave Batman with more questions than answers as she departs via helicopter.
The Joker’s Nightmare: Hush Returns with a New Ally
Meanwhile, the Joker finds himself in an even worse predicament. A towering, Samoan-looking figure manhandles him, making his ears bleed with a mysterious sonic attack. This enforcer, revealed to be named Silence, works for none other than Hush himself. Hush has captured the Joker, strapping him into a torturous contraption designed to pry his mouth open. As Hush speaks, his words are chilling: “Excellence is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort.”
As he cranks the device further, the Joker’s fate looks grim. Hush then spins him on a Wheel of Death, throwing knives with surgical precision, strategically injuring him. The Joker is bleeding internally and only has hours—maybe a day—to live. Hush tells him, “You told me once that Gotham wasn’t big enough for two homicidal maniacs. I have news for you: I am not a maniac.” With that, it becomes clear that Hush has set out to do what Batman never could—kill the Joker.
Batman’s Realization: Hush is Always a Step Ahead
Back at the Batcave, Batman suits up in a classic yellow-oval Bat symbol suit while repairing his damaged blue-and-gray suit. As he examines the situation, Barbara Gordon and Nightwing contact him, explaining that his signal had disappeared, and they had trouble tracking him. Batman quickly realizes something is wrong.
Then he notices something unsettling—a shoe, unmistakably belonging to the Joker, placed strategically on a table in the Batcave. The realization hits hard: Hush was able to breach the Batcave. This revelation leads Batman to deduce that Hush is using Amusement Mile as his base, a location often associated with the Joker.
The Final Confrontation: Batman’s Worst Nightmare
Batman arrives at Amusement Mile and finds fresh footprints. As he moves cautiously, the lights suddenly switch on, and robotic arms wielding revolvers begin firing at him. Batman dodges and neutralizes the mechanical threats before making his way through a maze of mirrors.
On the other side, he finds the Joker strapped to the Wheel of Death, battered and barely conscious. A recording of the Joker’s voice plays, taunting Batman and forcing him to relive some of his worst memories—the Killing Joke, the death of Jason Todd, and Jim Gordon’s suffering. The emotional toll is evident as Batman processes the weight of his past failures.
Then, the unthinkable happens.
In a moment of sheer intensity, Batman stabs the Joker in the head with a scalpel. This shocking turn of events forces readers to question: Did Batman finally cross the line? But as the issue ends, Batman realizes the true mastermind behind it all—his childhood friend, world-renowned surgeon Tommy Elliott. Hush has returned.
A Promising Start to a High-Stakes Sequel
Batman #158 delivers a thrilling start to the Hush 2 arc. The issue sets up a compelling conflict between Batman and Hush, raising the stakes higher than ever. By forcing Batman to confront his greatest moral dilemma—whether he should finally kill the Joker—Hush is playing a dangerous game, and it’s only just beginning.
With Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee at the helm, this story is in the hands of creators who deeply understand these characters. The promise of twists and turns keeps anticipation high, and the return of Jim Lee’s stunning artwork makes it a nostalgic and visually breathtaking experience.
One thing is certain: Hush 2 is shaping up to be an unforgettable Batman story.
What’s Next?
The issue leaves us with burning questions: Will Batman go through with killing the Joker? What role will Silence play in Hush’s plan? And most importantly, how will Bruce Wayne outmaneuver a villain who knows him better than almost anyone?
As the story unfolds, fans can expect even more shocking revelations. What did you think of Batman Hush 2’s first issue? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Stay tuned for more updates on Gotham’s latest battle between darkness and justice!
