Part two of H2SH is out this week as Batman #159 takes a Joker-heavy focus. The villain is in a very bad way, but Batman can’t take him to a hospital or Arkham without the villain ending up dead. It’s an issue that revisits the loss of Batman’s parents and the loss of Jason Todd while thickening the plot with Hush mucking about.
Throughout Batman #159, Bruce is mulling over why he’s helping the Joker at all. The Joker is near death, with his jaw wired shut and in a comatose state. Batman takes him to Doctor Leslie Thompkins’ practice with few places to turn. She must save him, partly because Batman can’t trust that Hush isn’t keeping tabs on him and will strike at the worst moment. Batman knows Hush is up to no good, but that’s about it.
Two things to unpack in this issue don’t quite work. The first is Batman’s dark thoughts of Joker and his promise to rid the city of evil. It’s as if Batman is going through incredible self-doubt, but why? One could say it’s because he’s reminded of Crime Alley in the issue, but it’s not new for him in the grand scheme. It’s hard to know what Batman is feeling and thinking since we didn’t see him go through anything to spur this on.
Batman comes face to face with his loss. Again.
Credit: DC
The other problematic element is the use of guns. We all know Batman doesn’t use them and downright hates them, yet he uses one against Jason Todd in a close-quarters battle. Again, you could argue he was out of options, but that’s a bit hard to believe when he’s in the Bat-cave and has figured out ways to solve some of the most obtuse problems before. At one point, Jim Lee draws an incredible double-page splash, with Batman and Jason pressing guns against each other. Is it an incredibly well-drawn page? Yes, but does it feel like an accurate depiction of Batman? Not so much. It makes Batman seem desperate, which isn’t backed up by actions in this issue or the last.
The plotting of this issue is just okay, with the final few pages moving things along nicely. Nightwing and Batgirl have a new surprise ally, for instance. The medical scene with Joker runs on quite long, however, and the seven-page fight with Jason Todd is more about letting Lee cook than anything else. It is becoming very clear the single issue format won’t do this story much favors, and the collected edition will read better.
Speaking of Lee, he continues to impress with the visuals. He rarely draws sequential stories these days, and every page and panel feels like a gift. Scott Williams’ inks and Alex Sinclair’s colors keep the visuals right at home with the original Hush series.
Batman #159 continues the Hush sequel with cinematic flair, thanks to Jim Lee’s gorgeous art, but falters when it comes to emotional logic and core character values. While the pieces are in place for a grander narrative, this chapter feels like it’s buying time rather than delivering impact. In the collected edition, it might land more strongly, but in isolation, it’s a stylish yet uneven ride.
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