Detective Comics #846 - 850 "The Heart of Hush" Talkback (Spoilers)

[James Harvey]

A Batman: R.I.P. issue — and part 1 of the 5-part story "The Return of Hush!"

DETECTIVE COMICS #846

http://images.comicbookresources.com/solicits/dccomics/200807/superman_batman/sm/DTC-Cv846_solicit.jpg (http://www.comicbookresources.com/images/solicits/dccomics/200807/superman_batman/DTC-Cv846_solicit.jpg)

Written by: Paul Dini
Art by: Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs
Cover by: Nguyen

Readers who were surprised by Catwoman's return last month haven't see anything yet as Hush makes a dramatic return to the life of Batman. What will this mean for Bruce Wayne? This epic story kicks off the countdown to Detective Comics #850!

Comments?

[spidl]

As some one who has never read a Hush story I thought this was an excellent introduction to the character. Dini does a great job of keeping me, the casual DC/Batman, up to speed. I get everything I need to know about the characters, for the story, within the story.

[James Harvey]

A Batman: R.I.P. tie-in!

DETECTIVE COMICS #847

http://dccomics.com/media/product/9/9/9927_180x270.jpg (http://dccomics.com/media/product/9/9/9927_400x600.jpg)

Written by: Paul Dini
Art by: Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs
Cover by: Dustin Nguyen

Secrets shared years ago between Bruce Wayne and Tommy Elliott begin to have dangerous repercussions in the present. Why is this mystery driving Hush to destroy Batman's life? And what part does Catwoman play in Hush's plans?

Comments?

[Samhaine]

I haven't had a chance to read any of this story yet, but I just had to say, Nguyen's art and covers have been excellent. I almost wish they had put him on Batman and Daniel on 'Tec, just because I think the styles would mesh better.

That said, I've never been a fan of Hush, but I actually find myself interested in this arc, thanks to Dini and Nguyen.

[dukealoops1993]

I been enjoying this arc so far and it written by paul dini one of the men who made batman the animated series

[Batman]

I didn't like the Hush stories in the "Hush Returns" arc over in Batman: Gotham Knights but I am enjoying this arc so far. The artwork has been great and Paul Dini seems to really be at the top of his game so far. He has been hit and miss on this book since he started but it looks like he's doing much better here.

[M.O.D.O.K.]

Good stories so far. I especially liked Hush's twisted hospital.

[James Harvey]

A "Batman: R.I.P." tie-in!

DETECTIVE COMICS #848

http://dccomics.com/media/product/1/0/10162_180x270.jpg (http://dccomics.com/media/product/1/0/10162_400x600.jpg)

Written by: Paul Dini
Art by: Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs

"Heart of Hush" Part 3 of 5! To save the sanity of a kidnapped child, Batman must confront the Scarecrow! But their battle is just a part of Hush's plot against Batman and Bruce Wayne, setting the stage for the most shocking surprise ending of the year! Guest-starring Catwoman!

Comments?

[M.O.D.O.K.]

Excellent issue. I have to admit that was an excellent cliffhanger with Hush grabbing Catwoman's heart during surgery in life-support.

I also think Hush might have used the plastic surgery to have his face ressemble Bruce Wayne's. That would explain Catwoman's surprise when scratching him.

[spidl]

Dini may not get the headlines, but this book is awesome. The ending put this story on a different level.

[James Harvey]

A "Batman: R.I.P." tie-in!

DETECTIVE COMICS #849

http://dccomics.com/media/product/1/0/10349_180x270.jpg (http://dccomics.com/media/product/1/0/10349_400x600.jpg)

Written by: Paul Dini
Art by: Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs

In this penultimate chapter of the 5-part arc "Heart of Hush," Batman tears his way through Gotham City's underworld to reach his dangerous adversary. But after the Dark Knight learns what his childhood friend-turned-villain is really after, will Batman be able to survive what Hush plans next? The lives of both Bruce Wayne and Tommy Elliot come full circle in this story of beginnings and brutal endings!

Comments?

[Aizen]

This guy draws a really great Catwoman!

[James Harvey]

A "Batman: R.I.P." tie-in!

DETECTIVE COMICS #850

http://dccomics.com/media/product/1/0/10524_180x270.jpg (http://dccomics.com/media/product/1/0/10524_400x600.jpg)

Written by: Paul Dini
Art by: Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs

"Heart of Hush" concludes in this anniversary double-sized issue! Catwoman's life hangs in the balance during this final battle between Batman and Hush! And the life of Bruce Wayne will never be the same as the confrontation with his childhood friend Tommy Elliot reveals a terrible and shocking secret!

Comments?

[adoptedBatpuppy]

I enjoyed the Hush storyline from a few years back, a certain bad friend of Bruce's is back?! I thought he was killed off the last time, we saw him.
Anyways, Can someone tell is there a variant cover to this? :confused:

[WrenchNinja]

Just picked up issue 850 to complete the arc. Definitely a great read. Dini has managed to make Hush an interesting character and managed to fix up Loeb and Lieberman's screw ups with him. Some great dialogue in this issue, love Hush's comments about the bat cave and Bruce's obsession. Also a great moment with Bruce and Selina. Cant wait for the continuation with Selina and Hush duking it out.

I also got to say, Detective Comics' latest artist has been fantastic.

[RedKing52]

Just picked up issue 850 to complete the arc. Definitely a great read. Dini has managed to make Hush an interesting character and managed to fix up Loeb and Lieberman's screw ups with him. Some great dialogue in this issue, love Hush's comments about the bat cave and Bruce's obsession. Also a great moment with Bruce and Selina. Cant wait for the continuation with Selina and Hush duking it out.

I also got to say, Detective Comics' latest artist has been fantastic.

Yeah, Dini really made Thomas Elliot ( whom I've long felt should never have survived past "Hush" and was a one-shot foe) an interesting character. And I've liked the artist, Dustin Nguyen, for a long time. His artwork is like Lenil Francis Yu' meets Mike Mignola and the months are always kicka***.

[M.O.D.O.K.]

I liked the conclusion. I liked the overly cruel fate Hush met, much worse than death. Overall, another excellent story by Dini.

[spidl]

The issue was good. I thought the final confrontation between Bats and Hush was a little lackluster. I liked the Catwoman epilogue at the end of the story, and I am looking forward to the two issue wrap up that is coming up.

[Temple Fugate]

Definitely the best Hush story ever. I liked the character in his debut story arc, and always wished they had done him better service over the years. Dini brings Hush back in a big way. His detailed origin story spread out over the five issues gives this story the backbone it needs to resonate as more than just a guy from Bruce's past come to kill him. Combine that with Hush wrangling Catwoman into the mix, and you've got yourself a strong story that doesn't disappoint.

Bruce and Selina's final scene was perfect. It's nice how both of their notable encounters with Hush made positive changes to their relationship. (The other of course being Batman revealing his identity to Selina.)

The Riddler, the new Ventriloquist, and now Hush. Dini has been performing some magic with Batman's rogues gallery. I've been reading Detective constantly since 2001 and I have never seen it this good for this long.

[The_NewCatwoman]

Hate to bring up an old thread but I purchased the HC this past weekend and it was fantastic. It probably would have felt more suspenseful if I'd read it over the course of those few months rather than one afternoon (and if I hadn't already read the concluding issue).

Bruce and Selina's little scene at the end was marvelous (just as it was when I first read it) and a nice shot at the nonsense with Jezebel Jet (I avoided R.I.P. like the plague).

I only have one chagrin. I decided to go back and read some of the original Loeb/Lee Hush and there's that lovely scene in Metropolis when Bruce and Tommy are boys where they see Alan Scott as the Green Lantern fighting the Icicle. They make it very clear that this is a winter scene (what with the snow and all) and state that Bruce's parents were killed not long after. But in Dini's portrayal, Tommy has that little incident at the summer camp and doesn't see Bruce until well after the boy's parents are dead. That's one heck of a plot hole (but understandable given the general fluidity of comic books in general). But that's a small tidbit and doesn't take away from what Dini otherwise accomplished. He settled the Catwoman question (at least in the "you'll always be tops with me" sort of way) and he built Hush into a much deeper, if still ridiculously irrational foe.

I did read the two-issue conclusion to this story arc and I wondered in what manner could Hush seek revenge in the future? The BftC teaser posited the idea of Elliott aligning himself with Damian (who, given his immaturity, might not be able to tell the difference between his father and an imposter) but he might also go after Catwoman by finding Helena and involving her in his shinanigans. After all, he's managed to peel back every other layer of Bats' and Cats' lives and hates them more than enough to use their children as pawns.

Anyhow, four-and-a-half stars. Phenomenal but there are a few minor flaws.

tNC