Batman started out as a dark brooding vigilante who had no problem pounding the pavement to get what he wants. Loeb and Lee seem to capture that flavor in a somewhat convoluted and complex storyline involving yet a new villain who somehow manages to coordinate the lunatics of Gotham (Crock, Poison Ivy, Riddler, Joker, etc., etc.) In addition we have Catwoman and the strange relationship with Batman taking a new twist.
The story is quite complex. Batman and Catwoman team up to figure out the connection between a parade of villains and situations that seem a bit unrelated but enough subtle clues to tie in the connections. Lee's art works extremely well presenting us with broad splash panels and detailed characterizations. I was impressed but there is an argument to be said for lack of innovation. This was a monthly when first published and innovation can break deadlines -- I got that.
My only pet peeve is the complexity of the story. Way too many villains and too many plot twists that make the story impossible in many ways to accept but I was so caught up in the brooding Batman coming to terms with his life that I was able to ignore the ridiculous plot threads that were explained in the end, still feel very contrived. It's still a terrific read that I found fun. More streamlined plots would have made the story richer especially with more time spent with Bruce's boyhood friend.

As a old fan of the Batman series of comics, I was a little suspicious of "Hush" when I first saw it in a books store.

Let me say that my fears were unfounded.

I found myself, almost an hour later, still in the book store, closing the cover and searching for volume 2. The romance and action are all perfectly balanced, not to mention the masterful art of Jim Lee only adds to this masterpiece.

Even if you don't know everything about the history of Batman and Robin, all pertinent information is explained and elaborated on.

Even if you don't like Batman, this is the comic series for you.

HUSH is a profoundly compelling & intricate crime story. Jeph Loeb has created an exceptional suspense thriller, which becomes deeper & more mysterious as it unfolds. A true page-turner which I could not put down once I started reading it.
Loeb's exceptional writing has been combined with the extraordinary talents of Jim Lee, one of the most influential pencillers ever, and inker Scott Williams, whose ability to embellish produces images that are nothing short of stunning. Colorist Alex Sinclair's contribution makes every page a great work of art in itself.
Combined, these three have created images that are so detailed and captivating that after one finishes reading the books, you have to go back & dwell on every panel in order to fully absorb the remarkable amount of detail in the artwork.
BATMAN HUSH is a fantastic work on every level.

Good story, pacing, and artwork. I especially like the glossy page presentation, it fits the work nicely. I think the art and layout give the series a sort of blockbuster or epic feel that I enjoyed while reading. Great use of background characters, I think this series managed to do what the Clooney / Kilmer Batman movies could not--present a large and varied cast or rogues without giving them a cheap or campy feel. Don't forget Volume 2 as well.

Well this is the best Batman Story ine i had read in years. It is very hard hitting. Batman goes off the hip, and its hard not to give away any spoilers, but vol. 1 leaves you wanting more. So if you order Vol. 1 be ready and order volume 2, because seriously, you'll wanna read vol. 2 right away with out waiting, i know i did. Hush is the best since The Long Halloween.

I have to be honest. I am a comic book geek. When you're raising two kids (and one of them a two year-old) you just don't have the time to dive into a novel like you used to. That said, I've always been a Batman fan. He's arguably, the single greatest comic book hero and has been subject to some of the best comic book stories ever written.

In one of the most talked about comic stories of the Decade so far, Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee's epic story arc, "Hush," introduces a new and very menacing villain into the Batman villains pantheon. In this case, expectations were met for the most part. "Hush" is a thrilling, fast moving story and a perfect showcase for Jim Lee and Scott William's fantastic art. It echoes in certain ways to some of Loeb's earlier Batman scriptwork for The Long Halloween and Dark Victory, being the penchant for brining in most of the rogues gallery (but when you have what is arguably the greatest selection of villains in all of comics, well, the temptation to bring most of them out is overwhelming) into the story.

If any problems are with Hush it's with the story. SPOILER ALERT. I had no problem with Tommy Elliot being "Hush," the problem is that you never glimpse his inner menace. Instead (that is, when the bandages are off) the audience should get a look into his darkness. But then again, maybe that's what Loeb and Lee intended.

Anyway, my gripes are minor. I've read "Hush," more times than I care to count. And isn't that the real test of a good story well told?

And if I could, my review should be four and a half stars.

I recently bought this graphic novel and I was totally impressed with the brilliant artwork. The journey from Gotham to Metropolis is exciting and seeing the battle between Batman and Superman may be a sign of things to come. I've always loved Batman and I think he would win out in an all out brawl to the finish. I have a cybercomic of my own on www.revolutioncomics.net; If you're a Batman fan you may want to check it out.

The story of Hush begins with Batman rescuing a young Edward Lamont from his kidnapper Killer Croc, who has suddenly changed his M.O. After the boy is safe he discovers that Catwoman in the area and pursues her after she steals the ransom money.

Unexpectedly his Batline breaks and he falls down into Crime Alley, where he is nearly murdered by a gang of thugs, but is saved by Huntress.

After receiving life-saving surgery by his childhood friend Tommy Elliot, Batman tries to discover who is behind it and why Killer Croc, Poison Ivy and possibly Catwoman are all connected.

It's a great story with excellent dialogue and exciting fight sequences. The story is a well-spun story that involves many important players ranging from Catwoman to Superman.

Jeph Loeb is a writer who knows how to tell a good story. His dialgouge is engaging and fresh. His spin on all the characters within the story take them further in their development. He knows how to grab your attention and keep it. I loved every page of this book and could not put it down.

A well done mystery that gets better and better as it continues. Hush: Vol. 2 is even better, and both are worth buying.

This may just be the greatest Batman comic ever. The story, the writing, the pictures, the colors. They're all great! And, Batman and Catwoman finally KISS! THANK YOU, Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee, and Scott Williams! They should make books like this more often!

Reviewers of Hush seem to take 2 criteria to review this graphic novel - Artwork and Storyline.

Let's examine them separately and together to see how this dynamic works.

Artwork - Spectacular, the colouring of Gotham City has become a little more on the brighter side, very well drawn characters, nicely done backgrounds. Jim Lee is an excellent artist, and Talia Al Ghul is definitely fanboy material. Jim Lee puts huge emphasis on perfection of the female form. My wish-bone of contention is that its _too_ perfect. Talia Al Ghul is understandable, but every single female character in Hush? An artistic emphasis on realism seems slightly jarring when juxtaposed with this perfect world of females.

(Yeah, I wish it was like this too. Talia is supposed to be the most attractive, but I find Lady Shiva runs her a close second)

Storyline - Here's where the sternums and femurs of contention come into play. It is highly unrealistic that the Riddler could pull all the strings of Batman's Rogues' Gallery. I don't care what Loeb thinks, money does not buy you everything, and it's not a deus ex machina. Such a superficial way of cutting across his loose ends strikes me as sloppy. Hush's festering vengeance strikes one as _slightly_ (well, maybe not so slightly) unrealistic. I mean, he's filthy rich, he doesn't need to murder his parents for inheritance, he IS the only child!

However, does this rank in terms of importance when combined with all other factors?

I believe Loeb wanted a Batman epic where he faced his greatest enemies. He achieved that. That storyline was filmsy is not of great importance. It was never the crux of the story. Batman facing villian after villian was, and Loeb achieved THAT. This ties in nicely with the Red Hood storyline, of course. The artwork was nice, as well as the fight scenes. Batman vs Superman anyone? I think Loeb achieved what he set out to do, but there was definitely potential to stretch that bit further and create a seamless Batman story, without the plot holes.

I believe in this newest age of superheroes, and I'm all for realism, Batman Begins, No Man's Land among others. Realism grounds these stories to our world, we can relate more to these characters. But sometimes, a dash of Golden Age Suspension of Disbelief is required. A good premise may not have the greatest story, but it remains a good premise. I believe in this instance, that fans are making too much of a meal over "not the strongest story", and not enjoying the story for the ride it takes us through. I'll be the first to admit I was entertained, and thoroughly enthralled with the read while flipping through the pages, and I believe many more would agree with me.

So smell the coffee! We may not get another Batman epic for quite a while, with 52 in progress currently. 4 Stars - A great story, but I just sensed an excellent solution just lurked beyond the publishing deadline. So 4 Stars.

I don't read many comic books, but I enjoy Batman and I enjoy talented artists. The artwork in this comic book is awesome ... great drawings, great use of color. The storyline, however, is amateurish. Admittedly, you must approach all fictional writing with a degree of "suspension of disbelief", however this pushes the bounds of what is tollerable. Spoiler: c'mon ... a 10 year old boy wants his parents to die so he can be an orphan? And then plots his revenge against Bruce Wayne for 25+ years after his Bruce's dad was able to save the mother? DESPITE now himself being a world famous physician? The plot brings every villan into suspicion ... seems like a weak attempt to get all of Batman's most famous enemies on the cover to sell more comics. The writer gave us no sense of the torment of the antagonist, no real motive. Were his parents abusive? Why the displaced agression towards Bruce? The writer wasted valuable storyline on dead ends rather than building real suspense and drama. I am going to continue to read Batman graphic novels in hopes that there is something better than this out there. I wished the writing lived up to the art work.

In the review from 'Publisher's Weekly' they say, and I quote, "...Catwoman, whom he [Batman] teams with in a rousing (though improbably evenly matched) brawl with Superman." I just want to point out that this is not entirely correct.

(Please note I choose my words carefully since I don't want to give too much away. This graphic novel rocks out and I highly recommend reading it.)

But back to my point...the 'brawl' as they call it takes place with Batman's thoughts sort of narrating...and he makes a point of mentioning that he knows Superman was holding back during the fight, because if Superman hadn't then he would have pretty much gotten smashed to a pulp.

I appreciated that comment more then anything else in the book/comic. It shows how the author recognizes the impossibility of a fight between the two of them, but still found a way to play it out in spite of that. It was WELL DONE and I'm miffed at that review casting a negative light on a skillful balancing act.

In the review from 'Publisher's Weekly' they say, and I quote, "...Catwoman, whom he [Batman] teams with in a rousing (though improbably evenly matched) brawl with Superman." I just want to point out that this is not entirely correct.

(Please note I choose my words carefully since I don't want to give too much away. This graphic novel rocks out and I highly recommend reading it.)

But back to my point...the 'brawl' as they call it takes place with Batman's thoughts sort of narrating...and he makes a point of mentioning that he knows Superman was holding back during the fight, because if Superman hadn't then he would have pretty much gotten smashed to a pulp.

I appreciated that comment more then anything else in the book/comic. It shows how the author recognizes the impossibility of a fight between the two of them, but still found a way to play it out in spite of that. It was WELL DONE and I'm miffed at that review casting a negative light on a skillful balancing act.

I wish they had put this out as one big graphic novel instead of breaking it in half. At least it is reasonably priced. The writing of Jeph Loeb is great, he is one of the best when it comes to writing for Batman. Jim Lee's art is some of the best that I have seen from him. Pick up these two volumes, or splurge for the absolute Hush hardcover. A winning combination of art and story.

I wish they had put this out as one big graphic novel instead of breaking it in half. At least it is reasonably priced. The writing of Jeph Loeb is great, he is one of the best when it comes to writing for Batman. Jim Lee's art is some of the best that I have seen from him. Pick up these two volumes, or splurge for the absolute Hush hardcover. A winning combination of art and story.

Note this story is told in two volumes, and this review covers both. It all starts with a routine kidnapping. But when things begin to heat up, Batman realizes everything is not what it seems. A mysterious, new villain has come to town and he/she has recruited, and manipulated, the deadliest members of the Bat's Rogues gallery-Joker, Harley Quinn, Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, and Riddler among others, and has set in motion a chain of events all in one, big attempt to drive the legendary Dark Knight out of his mind.

Writer Jeph Loeb has, once again, proven he is the definitive person to write about the "world's greatest detective" side of the Batman. Prior to working on "Hush", Loeb showed us the darkest side of the Dark Knight's scared mind in "The Long Halloween" and its sequel "Dark Victory", both taking place in an earlier era in Batman's crime fighting career. After some years of silence, Loeb returns to Gotham and Batman is wrapped up in another long, mind-teasing mystery. Someone is going through great lengths trying to drive the world's greatest hero insane? Who? That's the question on the Bat family's mind this time. But, even when the story ends, the clues may seem obvious who the mastermind is but the real villain is never unmasked.

Storywise, "Hush" is one of the greatest achievements in the Batman legacy, complete with suspenseful writing and amazing artwork by Jim Lee. It's full of twists and turns, shows the characters, even Batman himself, in new lights, and possesses some of the most unforgettable moments in Bat history-Batman kicking Superman's butt and getting THANKED for it, the Joker pleading his own innocence and actually meaning it, and Jason Todd (the second Robin who, years ago, was killed by Joker) "returning" from the dead. Sometimes it's even hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys. Like when Harvey "Two-Face" Dent appears with the badly scared part of his face repaired and actually seeming sane, for most of the story. Though I miss Loeb's crime noir Batman writing, which fit in so well in the dark Batman universe (read "Long Halloween" and "Dark Victory"), it is impossible to deny "Hush" is an essential inside anyone's Batman graphic novel library.

Note this story is told in two volumes, and this review covers both. It all starts with a routine kidnapping. But when things begin to heat up, Batman realizes everything is not what it seems. A mysterious, new villain has come to town and he/she has recruited, and manipulated, the deadliest members of the Bat's Rogues gallery-Joker, Harley Quinn, Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, and Riddler among others, and has set in motion a chain of events all in one, big attempt to drive the legendary Dark Knight out of his mind.

Writer Jeph Loeb has, once again, proven he is the definitive person to write about the "world's greatest detective" side of the Batman. Prior to working on "Hush", Loeb showed us the darkest side of the Dark Knight's scared mind in "The Long Halloween" and its sequel "Dark Victory", both taking place in an earlier era in Batman's crime fighting career. After some years of silence, Loeb returns to Gotham and Batman is wrapped up in another long, mind-teasing mystery. Someone is going through great lengths trying to drive the world's greatest hero insane? Who? That's the question on the Bat family's mind this time. But, even when the story ends, the clues may seem obvious who the mastermind is but the real villain is never unmasked.

Storywise, "Hush" is one of the greatest achievements in the Batman legacy, complete with suspenseful writing and amazing artwork by Jim Lee. It's full of twists and turns, shows the characters, even Batman himself, in new lights, and possesses some of the most unforgettable moments in Bat history-Batman kicking Superman's butt and getting THANKED for it, the Joker pleading his own innocence and actually meaning it, and Jason Todd (the second Robin who, years ago, was killed by Joker) "returning" from the dead. Sometimes it's even hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys. Like when Harvey "Two-Face" Dent appears with the badly scared part of his face repaired and actually seeming sane, for most of the story. Though I miss Loeb's crime noir Batman writing, which fit in so well in the dark Batman universe (read "Long Halloween" and "Dark Victory"), it is impossible to deny "Hush" is an essential inside anyone's Batman graphic novel library.

I'm a Batman fan, hands down. It's all ways been about the Dark Knight, more so than the Boy In Blue and all of DC's other characters. Batman has always been top of the line for me. I may not collect the monthlies but many of my favorite comics are Batman comics: Dark Knight Returns, Batman: Year One, The Killing Joke, Gotham by Gaslight, to name a few.

When I heard that Lee was going to be joining the Batman team, I was pretty excited. I checked out the issues as they came in. Never buying, but looking them over. One of my favorite images of Batman was this drawing that Lee did for Batman Black and White many years ago. I was excited to think of what he might do with a whole comic let alone a few issues.

Now that I've seen the final product, I guess I feel a little let down. Maybe I'm preferential to other artists like Miller, Breyfogle, Wagner, and others who portray him as a creature of the shadows and not a hulking brute who just beats the crap out of everything he comes across. Right from the get go, we're getting a Batman who looks more like Spartan from Wildcats with a cape. I did like his work on Killer Croc and Catwoman. All complaints aside, Jim Lee can draw women better than anyone out there save John Cassaday.

I guess, what I was hoping for was Jim to mess with his usual style and maybe try some of the stuff he used to do with Deathblow and come up with more darkness than was used. Although, he seems to do that a little more in the second Volume of Hush, I just wasn't feeling that his art style was the best for Batman.

As for Loeb's writing, it's really good. The story kind of goes from plot point to plot point and it's kind of like a who's who in the Batman Rogues Gallery. The Catwoman/Batman twist makes for good reading but sometimes his narrative seemed forced and not needed. We see his Batline get cut but do we need to be told "Someone cut my Batline!" I don't think so.

Good start. Volume Two is much better.

I'm a Batman fan, hands down. It's all ways been about the Dark Knight, more so than the Boy In Blue and all of DC's other characters. Batman has always been top of the line for me. I may not collect the monthlies but many of my favorite comics are Batman comics: Dark Knight Returns, Batman: Year One, The Killing Joke, Gotham by Gaslight, to name a few.

When I heard that Lee was going to be joining the Batman team, I was pretty excited. I checked out the issues as they came in. Never buying, but looking them over. One of my favorite images of Batman was this drawing that Lee did for Batman Black and White many years ago. I was excited to think of what he might do with a whole comic let alone a few issues.

Now that I've seen the final product, I guess I feel a little let down. Maybe I'm preferential to other artists like Miller, Breyfogle, Wagner, and others who portray him as a creature of the shadows and not a hulking brute who just beats the crap out of everything he comes across. Right from the get go, we're getting a Batman who looks more like Spartan from Wildcats with a cape. I did like his work on Killer Croc and Catwoman. All complaints aside, Jim Lee can draw women better than anyone out there save John Cassaday.

I guess, what I was hoping for was Jim to mess with his usual style and maybe try some of the stuff he used to do with Deathblow and come up with more darkness than was used. Although, he seems to do that a little more in the second Volume of Hush, I just wasn't feeling that his art style was the best for Batman.

As for Loeb's writing, it's really good. The story kind of goes from plot point to plot point and it's kind of like a who's who in the Batman Rogues Gallery. The Catwoman/Batman twist makes for good reading but sometimes his narrative seemed forced and not needed. We see his Batline get cut but do we need to be told "Someone cut my Batline!" I don't think so.

Good start. Volume Two is much better.

Jeph Loeb is indeed one of teh rgeatest Batman writers of all time. And Hush is one of my favorates of his. Great story! To add to it, Jim Lee did the art work. I grew up seeing his work with the X-Men and loved what he did with Batman. VEry rarely do you have great writing and great art work in such a capacity as was here.

Jeph Loeb is indeed one of teh rgeatest Batman writers of all time. And Hush is one of my favorates of his. Great story! To add to it, Jim Lee did the art work. I grew up seeing his work with the X-Men and loved what he did with Batman. VEry rarely do you have great writing and great art work in such a capacity as was here.

"A defining moment in the long history of mankind." ??
Come on. Hyperbole like that is going to put me off checking out the comic.

Sometimes, a story transcends it's genre. Maybe even transcends it's medium. Maybe even transcends its culture. When this happens it becomes something more than the sum of its parts. It becomes a work of art. A classic. A defining moment in the long history of mankind. In other words, a LEGEND. Believe it or not, even comic books, dismissed by so many as child's play and kids stuff, have had a few of those moments. And it should come as no surprise, because after all how many people in this country view good and evil, how they DEFINE it, is largely shaped by comic books and their influence in popular culture (if there is such a thing). But what I'm really getting at is...

This is one of those moments. The first part of Batman:Hush is one of the defining moments the history of what has become an American icon. Jeph Loeb's fantastic writing, and Jim Lee's phenomenal artwork are truly astonding. I went to a superstore not long ago and saw the cover of the first issue plastered on a skateboard. In an advertisement for a comic store I saw a picture from one of the issues in the Hush plotline. And the way things are carried out here just maybe redefine how people look at Batman and his universe for a whole new generation.

The first panels show how Batman came to be in a rapid series of flashbacks, then transition to the present, where Batman is intervening in a hostage situation. Periodically, we see things from HIS perspective, where the high-tech gadgetry gives him a tremendous tactical advantage, and we can see just how prepared, dedicated, focused, and well-equipped the dark knight is. But things don't go as planned, and quickly the ransom money is stolen away by Catwoman (who later hands it over to Poison Ivy) while Batman fights off the now monstrous Killer Croc. The pursuit results in a miscalculation (nearly a fatal one), and things are looking BAD.

The second chapter of the story is pure genius, as an almost completely helpless Batman is rescued by Huntress, who is acting under orders from Oracle (the now paralyzed one-time Batgirl who runs THE de-facto superhero information network). Not only do we get to see Huntress in action (WHOA.), but we also get a very fast and eye-opening glimpse into Batman's world (if we were not already familiar), by being shown through ACTION that Batman knows, trusts, and can rely on some amazing friends. This chapter then concludes with Batman getting some much needed medical attention from an old friend (more flashbacks, artfully done), and then paying a little visit on old Killer Croc.

Chapter three is about Croc's escape, Batman's pursuit, some old history with the doctor who patched Batman up, and another (warm and AFFECTIONATE) encounter with Catwoman. There's a kiss between Batman and Catwoman that takes up a whole page and is downright perfect (= it's the sort of thing you want to poster-size and hang on your wall if you're the romantic type, because it is ridiculously romantic =).

The fourth chapter deals with Batman's trip to Metropolis, meeting with a some old friends (Lois Lane and Talia Al Ghul), and then Batman and Catwoman's confrontation with Poison Ivy. This would probably be all too easy, if Poison Ivy hadn't mind-controlled SUPERMAN!

The final chapter of the first part of Hush is a glorious battle between Batman and the Man of Steel himself. The fight would be impossible if Superman weren't fighting the mind control, but still it takes all of Batman's strength and cunning to figure out a way to beat Superman. The ending to this part of the series is wildly satisfying.

I may not care too much for the second part of Hush which begins another story arc, but this one is solid gold. I haven't even begun to describe everything that happens in this graphic novel. There is so much action, romance, and insight into the CHARACTERS (something a good many comics could use more of) that it should be enough to satisfy ANYONE who complains about a lack of intelligence in comic book writing. There is not enough that can be said for the artwork, as it is some of the most beautiful and brilliant I have ever witnessed (and not just just in comic books; ANYWHERE). This is undoubtedly Jim Lee and Jeph Loeb's best work thus far. One of the alternates to the cover of the first comic book the Hush story arch (Batman #608) sells for more money than any other modern comic book I know of ($2,850 was the price quoted in Wizard for a CGC 9.8). There IS a reason for that. If you love Batman, buy this now. If you love great graphic novels, buy this now. If you're looking to get into Batman or comics, ummmm.... BUY THIS NOW!

I don't read many comics and I had no problems following this. So this is a good place to jump in and read a superhero comic if you want to read one but not get all pulled into the DC Universe. The drawback is that maybe this would have a bit much rehash if you read tons of comics. That's just speculation, since I'm not in that category.

The plot here concerns a ransom of the freckled faced son of the head of a chemical corporation. Naturally Batman rescues the boy, but as he ties up the bad guys and checks the boy out Catwoman snatches the ransom he has just recovered. It turns out that she is in this case innocent and that she and the kidnapper, Killer Croc, who is in fact a giant human/chameleon combination, have both been duped by the real mastermind. Batman and Catwoman join up to find his or her identity and recover the money. Along the way they kiss. Catwoman doesn't stress about it but Batman spends as much mental energy trying to figure her out as he does trying to discover the identity of the villain behind the kidnapping. (Book 1 doesn't finish the main plot or the romantic plot or even any of the maybe 5 subplots it cracks open either, so you will be left hanging if you don't also have access to Book 2. Overall it seems like a consistent and safe series, so this is not a problem.)

The graphics here are well done. Each page is drawn, shaded and colored well. There is really good consistency from page to page. At the same time this is not a must see. New ground is not being broken and the layouts are adequate but not working too hard.

Overall this is an adequate comic. The graphics are well done, not breath taking. The plot is a vehicle for fights and showing off super powers but still has some nifty twists. If you get this book you won't feel ripped off, but you also aren't going to be amazed by anything new. The best use for this is maybe to try and introduce someone to the characters. Like if you think Batman is sooo cool and you want to give your 10 year old kid some exposure, then this is the book for you. The comic is clean (plenty of black PVC clad pin up super girls and two little kisses, but nothing more). If you do get it then also get Book 2, since this one ends on a cliffhanger.

I don't read many comics and I had no problems following this. So this is a good place to jump in and read a superhero comic if you want to read one but not get all pulled into the DC Universe. The drawback is that maybe this would have a bit much rehash if you read tons of comics. That's just speculation, since I'm not in that category.

The plot here concerns a ransom of the freckled faced son of the head of a chemical corporation. Naturally Batman rescues the boy, but as he ties up the bad guys and checks the boy out Catwoman snatches the ransom he has just recovered. It turns out that she is in this case innocent and that she and the kidnapper, Killer Croc, who is in fact a giant human/chameleon combination, have both been duped by the real mastermind. Batman and Catwoman join up to find his or her identity and recover the money. Along the way they kiss. Catwoman doesn't stress about it but Batman spends as much mental energy trying to figure her out as he does trying to discover the identity of the villain behind the kidnapping. (Book 1 doesn't finish the main plot or the romantic plot or even any of the maybe 5 subplots it cracks open either, so you will be left hanging if you don't also have access to Book 2. Overall it seems like a consistent and safe series, so this is not a problem.)

The graphics here are well done. Each page is drawn, shaded and colored well. There is really good consistency from page to page. At the same time this is not a must see. New ground is not being broken and the layouts are adequate but not working too hard.

Overall this is a fine comic, but not a must read. The graphics are well done, but not breaking new ground. The plot is a vehicle for fights and showing off super powers but still has some nifty twists. If you get this book you won't feel ripped off, but you also aren't going to be amazed by anything new. The best use for this is maybe to try and introduce someone to the characters. Like if you think Batman is sooo cool and you want to give your 10 year old kid some exposure, then this is the book for you. The comic is clean (plenty of black PVC clad pin up super girls and two little kisses, but nothing more). If you do get it then also get Book 2, since this one ends on a cliffhanger.

Loeb captures the essence of the characters in all his work being Superman,Spiderman,Hulk Grey or even the Smallville episdoes he works on, telling a detailed story of who they are and why they are the person (or superhero) they have become. In 'HUSH' He writes a brilliant mystery in which the dark knight has to face demons from his past and come to terms with how it shapes his future, I loved the twists and turns, the involvement of all he has taken under his wing and the appearance of Superman just makes it even better.

Then teaming him with Jim Lee was just the best thing DC has done in a long time making this story go from good to master piece. I always think the art should reflect the story, in some comics this is just not happening, there are some books you just glance through because even though the story is good the artwork will not grab your focus...Jim brings this out in everything he does. Even the recent Superman miniseries he worked on with writer Brian Azzarello, the story was lacking in alot of things, Jim's work was the only thing keeping me going from issue to issue.

HUSH is a great read and a must for anyones collection.

I'm going to tell you something you can bank on. When you see Jeph Loeb's name on a comic collection or comic book, you will not be disappointed. This holds true with Hush, where Batman cuts through a multi-layered mystery to discover that his enemy is a friend from his past. I've always thought that DC characters, especially Superman and Batman, were far superior to anything Marvel, but the comics always suffered from mediocre to poor artwork. Jim Lee does for Batman what he did for X-Men-the girls are supermodels, the vehicles otherworldly, the scenery surreal. Loeb gives the reader a good sweep of major Batman allies and villains, in a story that puzzles you to the very end. Hush has to be the most clever and manipulative Batman villain in quite some time. Go ahead and pick this up. While you're at it, get Dark Victory and the Long Halloween. This is the stuff that inspired the wonderful resurrection that is Batman Begins.

Batman> Hush, is very good in many ways. I LIKED IT, The story and the art are fantastic. all sides of batman/bruce wayne, alfred, gordon, robin, nightwing, catwoman, jocker and all were ilustrated on the dot. if jim lee and Jeph Loeb would team up on a single comic book for a longer run they very well could be the new Chris Claremonth and Jhon Byrne, im not kidding.
any way. This book is good for many rasons...
1.-because you get fantastic vissuals.
2.-because the story is goooooooooooood.
3.-because if you dont realy know who or whats up with robin and got no idea how come there have been diferent robins, and dont understand the diferrence between them this story line will ilustrate you well on it (as it did to my non comic fan friends).
4.-This is also a good introduction to the batman world for new comers and a good catch-up read for former batman fans.
--even people who dont like comics say thats its preaty good.
5.-mistery, action, love, honor, revenge, redemption, and tons of awwsomeness will be found on this book as well on the second paperback, but dont worry is not over saturated its balanced just fine.
and thats all folks.
...by the time you read this part you will find out that i have nothing else to say and it will be to late because you have already read it.

The basic premise of the book is that some villain is pulling strings all over Gotham City. Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, and other villains are being manipulated by an even greater threat. Is it the man in bandages that watches the conflagration from a safe distance and a sadistic smile? Or is it even more complex than that?

It is as though all the characters in the Batman universe are players on a giant chess board and one mastermind is manipulating them all. Worse yet, this manipulator appears to know that Bruce Wayne is Batman.

This is the beginning of the mystery, and I would encourage you to buy both volumes of "Hush" because the second volume is thicker than the first and contains the climax and resolution that the events set forth in vol. 1 demand. Just so you'll know, if you aren't a big Catwoman fan, let me warn you up front that she is a big player in this storyline.

The plot to these two volumes is rich and are worthy of the World's Greatest Detective. Villains seem to attack the Batman in new ways, shirking their once seemingly indomitable addiction to gimmicks. A plot beyond the scope of even Batman threatens to consume him. The plot is unpredictable because you are not sure which direction Batman will be led by this mysterious "Pied Piper." The art also is some of the best I've ever seen, with the backgrounds and characters springing to life.

The basic premise of the book is that some villain is pulling strings all over Gotham City. Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, and other villains are being manipulated by an even greater threat. Is it the man in bandages that watches the conflagration from a safe distance and a sadistic smile? Or is it even more complex than that?

It is as though all the characters in the Batman universe are players on a giant chess board and one mastermind is manipulating them all. Worse yet, this manipulator appears to know that Bruce Wayne is Batman.

This is the beginning of the mystery, and I would encourage you to buy both volumes of "Hush" because the second volume is thicker than the first and contains the climax and resolution that the events set forth in vol. 1 demand. Also, I like the way they draw Selina Kyle/Catwoman. If you aren't a big Catwoman fan, let me warn you up front that she is a big player in this storyline.

The plot to these two volumes is rich and are worthy of the World's Greatest Detective.

The basic premise of the book is that some villain is pulling strings all over Gotham City. Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, and other villains are being manipulated by an even greater threat. Is it the man in bandages that watches the conflagration from a safe distance and a sadistic smile? Or is it even more complex than that?
It is as though all the characters in the Batman universe are players on a giant chess board and one mastermind is manipulating them all. Worse yet, this manipulator appears to know that Bruce Wayne is Batman.
This is the beginning of the mystery, and I would encourage you to buy both volumes of "Hush" because the second volume is thicker than the first and contains the climax and resolution that the events set forth in vol. 1 demand. Also, I like the way they draw Selina Kyle/Catwoman. If you aren't a big Catwoman fan, let me warn you up front that she is a big player in this storyline.
The plot to these two volumes is rich and are worthy of the World's Greatest Detective.

Its a shame really that Jim Lee (my favourite person who draws Batman now!) just didnt get the story he deserved to draw. This first half of the storyline is of course, nessicary before reading the much-improved 2nd half of the collection.

Sure Batman and Superman have some words, but where havent we seen that before? Its more valuable just to see Batman and Supes drawn by Jim Lee on the same page!

Anyway, the only tip I can give you is that you should buy the softcover version rather than the Hardcover. Never mind it not being worth the difference in price, but I rather liked the feel of the softcover binding I read volume 2 in.

" Wow" was my first reaction when I learned Jeff Loeb and Jim Lee were going to collaborate on Batman. My second reaction was, " I hope this can live up to the hype". Not only did it live up to the hype, it blew it out of the water.

Loeb and Lee begin Hush in this volume which collects Batman 608-612. The story doesn't begin with a whimper, but with a bang- a knock down, drag out fight between Batman and Killer Croc. Then, in a whirlwind Poison Ivy, Catwoman, huntress, Lois Lane, Superman, and the mysterious, bandaged Hush all build intrigue into this spectacular graphic.

A few of the treasures I was particularly thrilled with were the flashbacks painted by Jim Lee depicting Bruce Wayne's childhood before the fateful gunshots that would change him into the Batman. Also, this graphic opens with a two page retelling of Batman's origin by the Hush crew.

The only word of warning I have is since this is 1-5 of a 12 part story arc, vol. 1 will stop in the middle of the story.

Hush is one of the great Batman stories and one of my personal favorites.

While the story line of "Hush" is merely so-so, it's the art that really makes this book shine. Each character is an amazing depiction, and most of the big names are in here. Between Hush 1 & 2, you've got Batman (duh), Superman, Joker, Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Harley, Nightwing...the list goes on and on. Each one of these characters "feels" how they should (well, Riddler is a bit weak), and the dialogue between them is dead-on.

Still, it's the artwork that sells. The scenes in the Batcave are particularly good, with the glow from screens casting eerie illuminations, and reflections seen in the glass. My only complaint is that the Joker (my favorite character) is drawn REALLY exaggerated. I realize that the guy is far from normal looking, but I still prefer the understated styles of someone like Alex Ross. The bottom line is, even with the over-the-top Joker, the rest of the art is so good, that it more than makes up for it.

If you prefer eye-candy over a good storyline, definitely look in to "Hush."

i dont really know how to put it into words, jeph loebs story telling and jim lee's art style just feel right and make the story just a masterpiece! if you are looking for a great batman story i definately suggest this!!!

Having literally just read this trade paperback, I'm slightly embarrassed that I didn't pick this up on the newstand. (I'm not one to give much credence to hype...)

To paraphrase the storyline in writer Jeph Loeb's own words in the introduction, this is Batman done "just right." Nearly everything is here: incredible Batman gadgets; short by sweet acknowledgements to past Caped Crusader stories ("The Dark Knight Returns," "Farewell to a Friend," "Knightfall"); a host of baddies from Batman's rogues gallery; clever, tight dialogue; kick-ass art; tension between Batman and Superman (yet always, an underlying respect); just enough dry humor to balance the serious drama... The list could go on.

I'm floored. Loeb even nailed Bruce Wayne's character. That, in many ways, is the sign of a solid Batman scribe. I absolutely loved Bruce flirting with Lois Lane! That scene in the Daily Planet with her calling Clark Kent "Smallville" is what makes that issue in "Hush" and the animated Batman/Superman feature movie top notch. Most writers have no problem nailing down the Dark Knight, but the man under the cowl tends to escape most writers.

I admit it: I've never been that impressed with Jim Lee's previous artwork (it's been too generic, overblown and uninspired), but man, he did the Batman universe with great flair. Gotham, Metropolis and their inhabitants are dramatic without being too much, which is what I think Lee has done before. His Lois Lane is WAY too busty and super model-ish, but Lee's Poison Ivy and most especially, Catwoman, are amazingly sexy. Killer Croc leaves quite a bit to be desired, but... I'm willing to overlook Croc, the shorter Bat-ears and plain Bat-symbol, because Lee's moody Batman, Bruce Wayne, Alfred and the rest are spot on.

I'm a long-time diehard Batman fan. I've not been pleased with the artwork - much less the storylines - in the Batman titles in recent years. So this is refreshing to see Loeb and Lee hit Batman out of the park.

Reading Hush from Beginning to End, I am deeply impressed. It borrows heavily from Frank Miller, even situations and dialogues are often so similar that one familiar with both can light up and go "A-HA!". This is in no way a bad thing. It makes Hush better because it borrows elements from the best Dark Knight comic ever(Dark Knight Returns), but it gives him a less rebellious and brutal attitude, and it showcases Batman from his best side.

The writing is sharp, although not as brilliant as Miller`s, and the drawing is masterfully done. Each page is a stunning piece of art, and while the proportions are a bit overdone, one have to admit that Batman and Catwoman have never looked so good before. Her feline grace and sensuality is present in her every move, and Batman`s experience, strength and skills are shown in every frame.

The story is one of the best I`ve read ever since DKR, The Killing Joke and Year One. I will not spoil the story, because it keeps you guessing and gasping at the surprises each chapter holds. This is really great stuff, and no wonder why it sold so well. True, its no Miller, but then again, what is?

Recommended to every fan of Batman.



***A Slight spoiler***

Maybe in a nod to Miller, one of the later chapters of Hush pits the Dark Knight against the Man of Steel. Notice what Batman thinks to himself just as he understands who just arrived, and compare it to an almost identical situation in DKR. I say no more, but it was awesome and showed the respect these guys show for the master.

***Spoiler End***

This book starts out simple enough, Killer Croc (A long-time foe of the Dark Knight) has kidnapped the son of some rich capitan of industry type, and Batman can't have that. Not in his city. But after saving the child, and defeating Croc, Batman realizes that Killer Croc was not the mastermind, and the kidnapping of the young man was only the tip of the iceberg in a plot to test the mental and physical limits of Gotham City's Dark Knight! This title (which is only the first of two volumes) is an excellent mystery which keeps you guesing as to who the real mastermind is. Writer Jeph Loeb, and artist Jim Lee have created the best saga in the mythology of Batman since Frank Miller's '80s classic "The Dark Knight Returns". The "HUSH" storyline features appearences by all of the best Bat-Villains, and is DEFINATELY a must have for any Batman fan, or any comic book fan at all for that matter. In one word........ CLASSIC!

No change or progress in Lee's art style. Unfortunately a lot of fanboys/girls as well as editors feel this is the style that should be used for superhero comics. Save your money and instead purchase Batman interpretations by Frank Miller, David Mazzuchelli, and Matt Wagner. Storywise, it was alright.

The creature of the night is stalked by a new villain, who sets up a seemingly elaborate scheme to control the Gotham crime network and subsequently destroy the Bat in the new storyline `Hush`. In response , the Dark Knight embarks on a languid endeavor to impede the unknown antagonist as we're taken throughout Gotham City to Metropolis to North Africa and back.

Thomas Elliot - a boyhood friend of Bruce Wayne's - now a doctor ,is the new character/villain that is introduced. A person so imbued into Wayne's life with such an impact as we are told, that this is the first time he is ever referred to. He becomes a Darkman-like character that speaks in whispers and inconceivably shadows Batman's every move.

Jeph Loeb then inserts the most popular of Batman's rogues gallery and loosely weaves a story around them, however dubiously. The inclusion of these enemies seems more of a substitution in place of a linear storyline. Despite past violent fallouts, the writer has an insistence that the villains are conceptually unified without any conflict, simply with the collective intent of killing Batman. In doing so their behavior is illogical and unbelievable. They're not the malevolent crime that has plagued the city, but minor obstructions that are freely subdued.

In the first half alone, Batman tangles with Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, and even Superman, begins a relationship with Catwoman, and has brain surgery all courtesy of the "mysterious" Hush - whose alter ego Dr. Thomas Elliot operates on Wayne as the neurosurgeon. The story only further disintegrates in the second part of `Hush' . As the new persona manufactures more incogitable hindrances for the Dark Knight to overcome.

Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee are the creative duo, arguably the two most popular figures in the field, which is not without controversy. With Lee penciling everyone looks good (and the same).Though he lacks the cinematic paneling and layout by artists like Tim Sale, who Loeb collaborated with on Long Halloween/Dark Victory. Gotham has barely more than a monotonous backdrop. Jeph Loeb scripts tales like Roland Emmerich directs films,relying far too heavily on visual gratification over plot and logical timelines. Hush as it proceeds is no different.

I've always been a great fan of Jeph Loeb, ever since I first picked up his celebrated "Batman: The Long Halloween". His writing style brings out the art, in my opinion, as the venerable Jim Lee's art also brings out his partner's words. It is not, however, in these two's gifts that make "Batman: Hush" so special. It is the fact that unlike some other books, "Hush" appeals to its audience in that it is not only a collaboration of the industry's greatest talents, but also a collaboration of Batman's whole life. Poison Ivy's talents return, Superman's back with a vengeance, and miss Catwoman's romance with Batman is rekindled. Truly, I could not ask for more in such a collaboration - and neither could you.

If there's one story arc I've kept hearing praise for over the past year, it's "Batman:Hush." How it has the most amazing artwork, the best storytelling, and is the product of the best collaboration in Batman comics in years. Not wanting to track down the individual issues or buy the more expensive hardcover, I finally grabbed the trade paperback to see for myself. My verdict? It's a fun read, but there's been better.

The problem doesn't lie in either Jim Lee or Jeph Loeb's talents, but rather that the story ends up reading like "Batman's Greatest Hits", a compilation of favourite villains and cameos without any real purpose. We go from Killer Croc to Catwoman to Poison Ivy, with appearances by Superman, Talia, Alan Scott, Huntress, and Lois Lane. The bad guys have a plan that involve ransoms, mind control, and lots of backstabbing here and there, but its all been done before. Catwoman's romance with Batman? Yep. Superman vs. Batman? Sure. And appearantly there's a bandaged guy named Hush who's working the strings from the shadows, but he shows up so little that he's basically a nonpresence, and doesn't make me excited for part 2.

So why am I still giving this 4 stars? The end result may feel kind of rehashed, but the individual components of this book are excellent. Almost every panel of Jim Lee's art could be used for a large-sized poster or trading card. He draws in a way that defines the characters, no matter what stance or angle or pose they're in. And Jeph Loeb, veteran of Long Halloween, Dark Tomorrow, and Smallville writes this fantasy world exactly like you'd want it to sound, with all the right character quirks and dialogue.

So it's not exactly the most original read, but it's still an enjoyable read by all means. If you're a Batman fan there are probably other trade paperbacks worth your money, but you should still get around to adding this to your collection.

The average comic fan struggles between trying to "look" mature and giving in to their childhood fantasies. Having said all that, the average comic fan is actually far more intelligent than most people think. I mean, the world is only now discovering things like the "Matrix" films and these are things that comic readers have taken for granted for years.

I, and many like me, have been "seduced" by the intellectually satisfying and literary rich writings of post-modern comic scribes like Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, Grant Morrison and Warren Ellis. These masters of deconstructionist, post-modern writing always seem to come up with new ways of reinventing the entire comic genre. However, all that said, there is still that part of me that is a lot less cerebral and a lot more visceral... or more romantic. It's that part of me that gasp with bated breath when Green Lantern takes his oath or when the Batman swoops down unto the roof of the GCPD in answer to Commissioner Gordon's call. And for that, I turn to Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee's "Batman : Hush".

Jeph Loeb doesn't pretend to be what he's not. He's not from the fraternity of "2000 A.D." British writers who deconstructs superheroes to show them for the fascists they really are. Jeph Loeb is a romantic - of the "Casablanca" sort. He loves superheroes and it shows in his works (check out "Superman For All Seasons" and his Marvel "color" books for further evidence). And here in "Hush", we have Loeb writing a story that I believe he himself wanted to read. All the best writers write for themselves... for their own pleasure rather than for the approval of a board of critics. In short, Loeb writes as a fellow fan to fellow fans who want to see a great Batman-Superman bout, a Batman-Catwoman romance, a Batman-Joker fight-to-the-death, etc. - you get the point! More than that, he writes for the artist. In this case, Jim Lee. Jeph Loeb is as much a fan of Lee as many of us. So he writes the scenes that he himself (and most of us) wants to see Jim bring to glorious life with his pencils. For example, who doesn't want to see Poison Ivy drawn by Jim Lee?

That brings us to the artist. Need I tell you that Jim Lee is the creator of the highest-selling comicbook of all time (X-Men #1)? Need I tell you that Jim Lee is the founder of Wildstorm? But more important than that, we respect the man for his art - which can be summed up as merely a strong sense of the human figure and tight, super-detailed backgrounds. Having grown up with his work on X-Men and Punisher, I must say that he has improved greatly here on Batman, giving us (dare I say it) the most definitive Batman since Neal Adams in the 1970s. All that is brought to glorious life by the tight inking work of frequent collaborator Scott Williams and colorist Alex Sinclair.

This first of two volumes collects the first five parts of the Hush storyline along with an introductory "origin" of Batman told from Alfred's perspective. Jeph Loeb provides the foreword himself and the book includes biographies of the creators. I gave it four stars instead of five because the paper is awfully thin. Seeing that this is a hardcover collection of the highest-selling comic of 2003, D.C. should have used a heavier paper-stock - like they did on the wonderful Green Arrow hardcovers.

All in all, I recommend this book for those who grew up with Batman and those who would like a taste of the "real" Batman apart from the awful movies.

This book is the first in a series that teams up Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee in a new DC adventure. In this story, when Batman discovers Killer Croc involved in a kidnapping, he realizes that there is more here than meets the eye. When Catwoman enters the fray, he realizes that something very strange is going on. And, when the trail leads to Poison Ivy and Metropolis, things begin to get downright weird! Old enemies put in an appearance in this story, as do old friends, and sometimes it's hard to tell who are the friends and who are the enemies!

This is a great story! I loved the storyline, with all its twists and turns, and found the illustrations to be absolutely excellent! My son and I both loved this story, and highly recommend it. We're also breathlessly waiting until we can see the sequel!

Jim Lee.

He's the reason I am giving this book five stars.

Over the past year this story has kept comic books readers fascinated. It has almost held the #1 spot for the 11 months that it has been on sale. And this is due to Jim Lee's spectacular art work. In this book Lee pays a true homage, to my favorite comic book character. He is the reason I bought four copies of the book at a time. And he is the reason I bought this trade.

The story on the other hand is something else. Jeph Loeb's sense of storytelling is more of a "tell" than a "show". Most of the story is driven forward by the narration in Batman's head. The premise of Hush is supposed to be someone manipulating Batman's foes to get at him. But the truth of the matter is, with the exception of Killer Croc' (who is supposed to be too stupid to stage a kidnapping) it really isn't shown.

And of course there is Batman's "romance" with Catwoman.

Words can not express how put off with this part of the story. It's purely contrived and annoying. Catwoman comes on to Batman in one of the most sexually agressive moves I have seen in a mainstream comic book. And by the next issue he is in love?

Please

In other Batman books (including Dark Victory and The Long Halloween-also written by Loeb) he would have spurned her advances. To tell you the truth it is the portrayal of Catwoman that has ruined the book for me. The portrayal of Catwoman has to be the most annoying portrayal I have ever seen of the character. For the entire arc Catwoman behaviour alternates from bimbo to vixen. When she's a bimbo she comes across as comic relief in a tv sitcom. When she's a vixen, she comes across like the Baroness in the Sound of Music. I don't know what Jeph Loeb was doing as he's portrayed her excellently twice before. Her dialogue just grates on my nerves.

Still I must praise Loeb for giving such a great profile to Huntress. Another vigilante who gets along with Batman, like oil gets along with water. He portrayed her excellently , the fighter she is and how she will still do the right thing, no matter how badly she is treated by others.

Still I would recommend this book to Batman fans and collectors. Jim Lee's art work is worth every penny.

Loeb has proved himself to be one of the best Batman writers around, and Lee was already a comic book legend after his run on X-Men. Together, they have created one of the most intriquing Batman stories in recent memory, at least one that takes place in the actual continuity of the Bat-books.

Vol. 1 collects the first five issues in the 12-part "Hush" storyline. This first installment sets up much of what is to come in this storyline, introducing Bruce Wayne's boyhood friend Tommy, and the mysterious bandaged stranger unofficially dubbed Hush, who really, really has it out for Bats and can get at him (I spoil nothing for anyone by stating that my prediction is that Tommy and bandage-face will turn out to be the same person).

Lee's take on the world of Batman is simply stunning; he is producing the art of his career on this run. I love his take on Killer Croc, who finally actually looks like a monstrous human crocodile the way Lee draws him. Superman pops up, and while it's cool to see Lee draw him as well (before he takes over the artistic reins on a Superman comic after this Batman run), I'm sick of Batman and Supes getting pared up, it's been done TO DEATH! ENOUGH ALREADY, THEIR CONTRASTS AS CHARACTERS AREN'T ENOUGH TO WARRANT THESE ENDLESS TEAM UPS!!! Ahem. Anyway, I can't wait to read the end of this storyline in a few days and find out who this 'Hush' guy is...

The art of Lee is nice like all his work men strong, women hot. I can't deny that, however, his Joker is the worst I've ever seen. But the story, well... maybe it would be great in 1 or 2 issues, but not twelve!!!! I think is sucessfull because Loeb know how to write the last page of each issue to keep you waiting for the next, but in two or three years when people can get the book all together, it would be forgotten. Batman look sometimes like a cyborg, sometimes like a fool, sometimes like the bad guy, but never like the DETECTIVE that he is. If you want a really great Batman's story read anything that Frank Miller had wrote.

If you are a Batman fan, big OR small, buy this book! 'Nuff said.

The HUSH story line that is currently running with Loeb and Lee has been by far, the single greatest Batman story that I have ever read. This is saying an awful lot too, because I have been reading Batman comics for a long time, and have seen some fantastic story lines. The first eleven issues of Batman: Gotham Knights with Hugo Strange were amazing. Batman: A Death In The Family is an all-time classic. And the characterization of Batman/Bruce Wayne by Grant Morrison in the current volume of JLA was marvelous.

So what stands out about this series being so fantastic? Two basic things: One - Jim Lee. The artistry has been absolutely phenomenal. From even simple things like the Batmobile headlights looking like the Batsignal to the double-page splash shots of Batman punching Superman around, Jim Lee is out-doing any of his work (Including X-men from 1991) with each issue.

Two - Jeph Loeb's writing style. As the story continues, each issue ends with you thinking "Wow, that was fantastic!" and then the next issue gets better. Loeb is also doing a fantastic job of not giving away too much information about who the real villian is and strategically placing clues throughout the issues to make you think you know who it really is.

At this point I have had the chance to read all but the final issue which comes out next month. The story has been phenomenal the entire time. Because of how great this story line is, and because the early issues are hard to find, I would strongly recommend getting the trade paperback simply to ensure that you will be able to read the entire when part two comes out, and not miss out on the best Batman story ever.

All of it is so dull and dry. I read it and get deja vu - 'didn't that already happen?', 'haven't I seen this plotline before?'. Dick Grayson attempts to connect w/ Batman! Catwoman seduces him like only she can! Villain has to be brought down! Batman wants to kill but then feels bad that he ever contemplated it! It all seems unnecessary, like it's going in a circular pattern. The art is good (great in many spots) but stylistically rather plain. Though in '95 I would've been thrilled.