From Booklist
When writer Loeb and artist Lee were assigned to one of DC Comics' highest-profile titles, it resulted in the most acclaimed Batman stories since Frank Miller revitalized the character in the Dark Knight series nearly two decades ago. Both Loeb and Lee have large fan followings, Loeb for his thoughtful takes on iconic superheroes, and Lee for his flashy, dynamic artwork. This book collects the second half of their 12-issue run on Batman, picking up where volume 1 [BKL Jl 03] left off. The story line is set in motion by a mysterious foe who is manipulating Batman's familiar villains, and that gives Loeb and Lee opportunity for distinctive versions, in this book, of Joker, Riddler, and Clayface as well as former villainess Catwoman, now embarked on a tentative romance with the Caped Crusader. For all the hype surrounding Hush, both volumes are built largely around the standard brawling by which, fairly or not, the superhero genre has long been characterized. Which is no deterrent to the wild popularity both volumes should enjoy. Gordon Flagg
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FROM THE PUBLISHER

Using the Joker, Harley Quinn, and Ra's al Ghul as his own private pawns, the enigmatic man known only as Hush makes Batman, Robin and Nightwing endure a series of torturous mantal and physical attacks. But it is not until Batman learns his mysterious assailant's true identity that he suffers his greatest defeat and betrayal.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

By now, DC characters have become a kind of repertory company. The trick, for comics creators, is to find roles for them that both exploit their trustworthy familiarity and give them surprising things to do. Loeb (Batman: The Long Halloween) does his bit by supplying a rapidly unfolding plot in which caped crime fighter Batman battles Killer Croc and Poison Ivy. Simultaneously, he's pursuing and lusting after the lusciously amoral Catwoman, whom he teams with in a rousing (though improbably evenly matched) brawl with Superman. Other familiar characters make cameo appearances throughout. But Batman is actually following someone else's script; a mysterious, bandage-swathed observer is toying with him and the others. Readers can guess who this master manipulator is, but the real puzzle is what kind of game he's playing. Loeb is especially talented at underwriting, not crowding the page full of long explanations and snappy patter; after all, readers have known these characters for years. Penciler Lee and inker Williams also know not to overwhelm the action with fussy details: their large panels give plenty of room to let angular, sweeping lines collide in striking designs. It's beautiful stuff. Catwoman has rarely looked so seductive, nor has Batman's heroic but fearsome image often been used so well. This volume-a collection of the first five installments of a 12-part serial-doesn't achieve much emotional closure. Nor does it transform the characters, but that would be unlikely anyway. What it does do is make readers look at Batman and his colleagues with a fresh, enthusiastic eye. (Aug.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

VOYA - Lisa Martincik

Batman breaks into a building to rescue a kidnapped boy being held for ransom and encounters his old foe, Killer Croc. During the battle, Catwoman appears and absconds with the cash. When he follows her across Gotham's rooftops, Batman falls victim to old masonry and is seriously injured. While Catwoman delivers the money to Poison Ivy, another longtime Gotham villain, Batman is rescued by the vigilante Huntress and meets a childhood friend. Batman and Catwoman pursue Poison Ivy, who has used Catwoman and Killer Croc to her own ends, to Metropolis, home of Superman. When Ivy uses her plant chemicals to take over Superman's mind, Batman must fight his friend and teammate. The initial volume of the Hush series collects the first five issues of this popular story arc. This story marked the return of fan-favorite Jim Lee to art duties on a monthly comic and created a fresh burst of popularity for the Batman title. Writer Loeb focuses on the basics, pulling in a host of characters familiar to fans and introducing a convenient childhood friend as a plot device. His Batman is rather simplistic in motive, good at fighting but awkward about his feelings for Catwoman, and some readers might wish for a more sophisticated tale befitting the man labeled "The World's Greatest Detective." On the other hand, it is fairly accessible to new readers, and many fans will appreciate it for the art alone. Lee's men are chiseled, and his women are buxom, although generally not to a grotesque degree. VOYA Codes: 3Q 5P J S A/YA G (Readable without serious defects; Every YA (who reads) was dying to read it yesterday; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult and YoungAdult~G). 2003, DC Comics, G128p,

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