Batman: Hush

Today I would like to showcase a comic book that I bought recently in my Black Friday post: Batman: Hush (the complete story arc). This book contains Batman issues 608-619. The art is done by Jim Lee who is one of my favorite comic book artists, and Jeph Loeb on the writing. This was a comic book that I always knew was on my "must read" list so I was thrilled when I found it on Black Friday sale at Undercity.

Batman: Hush should be a must read for everyone into comics or Batman.

This story arc was…amazing. I had heard that it was good, but it was great. The art was beautiful as Jim Lee's art tends to be so there isn't really a huge surprise. But the story oh my goodness the story by Jeph Loeb. Let me tell you about the story. This story feature's Batman going up against the whole menagerie of Batman villains but they are led by a new villain, Hush. Hush is methodic and meticulous in manipulating the Batman villains and teaching them new tricks to slowly dismantle the caped crusader. Bur Batman isn't without his allies. Alfred, Nightwing, Robin, Huntress, Oracle, and even Superman makes a cameo. But the person who really makes a splash in the story and in Batman's heart is Catwoman. The chemistry between Bruce and Selina adds a dimension to an already excellent detective story.

At the crux of the love story and detective story is Bruce/Batman's lifelong journey to find people who he can trust in his life of crime fighting and his life as a gazillionaire tycoon. His trust issues stem from his parents who were taken away from him as a boy. So he is always worried about someone either attacking him or the people he cares for. This story forces him in some cases to reassess his decision not to trust, and in others reassess his decision to trust. Matthew 10:16 says"

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."

We aren't called to be stupid and naive as Christians, in fact, Christ acknowledges that we are among wolves, so we must acknowledge that too. That's where being shrewd as snakes comes in. But we aren't called to act or react towards others in a way that would besmirch the innocence Christ has given to us. We're still called to trust and we're still called to love as Christ love, therefore being innocent as doves.

Batman really trusts Catwoman.

I cannot praise this story arc enough. The cameos are appropriate, not over done. There are lots of twists in the storyline that tie everything together well. And at the core, the story continues Bruce's development as a person through relationships.

So make sure that you put this on YOUR "must read" list and read it sooner than later!

Blessings!