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Doing
Justice :
Batman: Hush Vol. 1
DC
Hardcover review by : Troy
Brownfield
Writer:
Jeph
Loeb
Pencils: Jim
Lee
Inks:
Scott Williams
Colorists: Alex Sinclair
Letters: Richard Starkings
More
Info: www.dccomics.com
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When
it was announced that Jim Lee would handle the Bat, there
was much rejoicing. I've always been a fan of Jim Lee's art.
I haven't always liked the material that he's worked with,
but his art itself was always tremendous to behold. The guy
is a veritable explosion of images; pair him up with his long-time
inking pal Scott Williams, and you're in for a visual extravaganza.
The duo has always excelled at the basic tenets of super-hero
books: cut guys, sexy chicks, and outlandish action. Double
all of that with a keen sense of design directed at the basics
of the comic book world (cityscapes, the soles of Batman's
boots for God's sake), and you've got an eye-popping work
in progress.
It
was only logical that the writer for this particular revamping
should be someone with solid Batman cred. Considering his
stints on "Long Halloween" and "Dark Victory",
Jeph Loeb is indeed the right man for the job. The team began
its run on Batman #608, and it's not too far off the
mark to say that it's changed the immediate comics environment
rather drastically. Loeb and Lee's run stormed the sales charts,
restoring the Bat to the top spot for the first time in years.
Every other book was simply brushed aside, proving that the
old-time icons will sell if you give them the right combination
of talents.
So,
in the collected issues of 608 thru 612, how are the talents
working out? Pretty damn good if you ask me. Not shy about
the toys they have to use, the team immediately started a
plot that would involve a through-line of mystery that brought
in all the archetypal Bat-villains while simultaneously propelling
the subtext of Batman's involvement with Catwoman into the
spotlight. THESE are the things that the fans want to see.
They want to see Batman finally kiss Catwoman. They
want to see Batman and Superman duke it out. They want
to see Batman be both detective and ass-kicker. And they
want it to look good. That, in a nutshell, is why the Lee/Loeb
Batman works.
There
have been some minor fan quibbles, and I'll allow, to each
their own. I really enjoyed the use of Superman, Lois, and
the family pet herein. I think that Jim Lee draws the best
Catwoman this side of actually putting Krista
Allen in the outfit. And I love the various uses of Bat-hardware
that the guys have incorporated into the stories. The creators
are taking Batman down to his essence, and giving the fans
a primal, visual story that builds on the past without being
overwhelmed by it.
It's
hard to give a final assessment of the run as it's still ongoing.
Volume 2 will be just as great, with possibly the best Batcave
shot ever and the involvement of more members of the Bat-family,
Harley Quinn, and of course, The Joker. As it stands, this
is a call to Bat-fans who'd lost their way or to those that
have never read Batman before. You may start with Hush;
enjoy yourself.
Troy Brownfield is the Editor-in-Chief of Shotgun Reviews.
Email Troy at psikotyk@aol.com.
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