Batman #160

Batman Issue 160 feels like an evolution of a world that sometimes seems stale and formulaic, making it a fascinating read on every page. Read Full Review

Overall, just like the first Hush, the highlight here is the stunning art and blockbuster storytelling, but I feel like this one nails the tone a little better so far. Read Full Review

Batman #160 delivers a compelling chapter in the “H2SH” storyline, combining intense character development with exceptional artwork. As the alliance between Silence and Hush unfolds, readers are left anticipating the ramifications for Batman and Gotham City. Read Full Review

Batman #160 is easily the best issue of the H2SH arc to-date. It s consolidates all of the groundwork which Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee has laid over the past couple of months, capitalising on Hush's knowledge of Batman to back him in to a corner. Loeb's slow burn storytelling is finally coming together to rival Lee's epic artwork. Read Full Review

Batman #160 is undoubtedly the high point of H2USH to date. With more Robins than you can shake a stick at, the deck is truly loaded. What is Riddler's true motivation for wanting to help our heroes? Joker, having recovered in a fashion that Lazarus would be jealous of, has his pick of Nightwing and Red Hood in his crosshairs, so who will fall? Why is Bane helping Damian? So many questions ready to be answered in due course. Whilst anybody knows the ultimate outcome will be the hero on top, I do feel that the longer term effects will be far reaching indeed. Bring on Batman #161. Read Full Review

Batman #160 advances the "H2SH" story with cinematic visuals and exciting confrontations, but its uneven dialogue and questionable character choices may leave longtime fans scratching their heads, even as they admire the view. Read Full Review

I'm a little worried at the overall story being built and how it might railroad itself, but it's still a fun Batman comic full of characters, action and great artwork. Read Full Review

Lee's artwork keeps Batman 160 from being largely skippable until something interesting happens. Loeb is brewing a very methodical story that needs something to truly hook readers beyond a nostalgia trip. Read Full Review

Batman #160 is a visually stunning comic with exciting action and interesting mysteries. Jim Lee's artwork is a success and a good reason to buy this issue. However, while it's getting more complex, the story still has pacing problems and too many subplots that sometimes take away from the overall impact. Fans of Loeb and Lee's previous work will likely find things to enjoy, especially the amazing artwork, but readers looking for a more focused and well-developed story might feel whelmed. Read Full Review

Batman #160 is the chapter that the Batman: H2SH storyline needed. Finally, Hush is presented as a menacing villain whose presence is felt even when not physically on the screen. There are still a lot of problems with Jeph Loeb's writing jumping the logical shark but at least Jim Lee's artwork steps in to continue to lift the story. Hopefully this is a sign the rest of H2SH will lean into its strengths rather than weaknesses. Read Full Review

Batman #160 leans into to the schlock inherent to the sequel, making for the first chapter thus far to cohesively exhibit anything in the realm of entertaining. Lee's work was genuinely flooring here as the tale begins to take shape around his more explosive strengths. Read Full Review

Too many issues with Hushs overall scheme hamper what should be a turning point in the saga. The writing feels as its missing key details to establish more with readers. Lees art continues to be the saving grace in this chapter. Unfortunately, its not enough to overcome the roadblocks set in place. Read Full Review

Batman #160delivers more urgency, action, and characters than you can handle. Jim Lee's art is unimpeachable, and Loeb certainly strives hard to cram in as many characters as possible, but the net result feels rushed and chaotic. Read Full Review

H2SH continues to be a disappointing followup to the original story from a narrative standpoint. However, this issue does have some decent art and the Macfarlane homage on the cover is fun. Read Full Review

Contrived inter-family fighting is quickly becoming the main focus of this story as Jason and Bruce's argument spreads to characters like Dick and Damian. No one's actions seem to make much sense, but the story assures us that everything is according to an intricately woven master plan that will eventually be revealed. At least the art is still impressive to look at while you hold your breath. Read Full Review

Aesopjer

May 31, 2025

I’m having fun reading this book and I’m not sure if it’s one of those so bad it’s good or I just like the comic-y feel of it. It’s not good. I really don’t even think Jim Lee heart is in it, at all. But I do enjoy the one page or two paged art.

Federico Liguori

Jun 22, 2025

Extremely chaotic.

humgruffin

May 30, 2025

It’s an improvement on the past 2 issues definitely, but continues to portray Batman and his allies as dumb and not the world’s greatest detectives. I hope the Jason reveal is true, I could maybe get behind this explanation in terms or his character devolving, otherwise he’s just another dummy for no reason. I’m also unsure why Damien would ally himself with the villain he has due to Damien’s justified hatred of him. The art is Jim Lee doing Jim Lee. This book is definitely going down my pile next issue instead of my ‘flop at the top’ system.

Afre

May 30, 2025

I am very confused by this whole story. It's not bad. I think it's perfectly fine. But this isn't 2003. Releasing this story 22 years later, while acting everything is the same as it was in 2003 is such an odd choice. Why isn't this a black label book? Loeb clearly doesn't want to play with current continuity and wants to go to what it was back in early 2000s, why have him write this now?

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Hex - May 30, 2025

This has to be an out of continuity story or something. It's going to be all the more confusing that they're splitting it into two parts, the latter half coming during Fraction's upcoming run.

motorik - Jun 11, 2025

Isn't this in the continuity of the Long Halloween and Hush? I've always sort of assumed Loeb had his own corner of DC under his name. A bit like Sean Murphy and his Murphyverse.

Hex - Jun 13, 2025

I never associated Long Halloween with Hush directly. Though most people accept Long Halloween and Dark Victory as canonical so by that measure sure. Not saying that it couldn't be the case but as far as I have experienced and seen from other people, that's never really been a talking point. Hush 1 was rather abrupt as well. It stuck out even then so maybe there is something to that theory.

mike531

May 28, 2025

Reminds me of Gotham War. Another story arc in this comic that based its narrative on forced conflict and OOC characterization. They should all be smart/experienced enough to not act like idiots and punch each other.

Gophfacekillah

May 30, 2025

At first I was like “okay I just gotta imagine this takes place after the first hush and not in current cannon” then Damien shows up so now…. Idk haha. Jim Lee art is still good, not his best tho. It really doesn’t feel like Loeb is trying. I’ll never forget Hush but I forget this run pretty much a few days after each issue.

Hex

May 28, 2025

Damascus steel isn't rare or only forged in a single region of the world. In fact, it's fairly simple and really only adds a special pattern to the metal and can maintain a sharper edge longer. Come on Loeb... A simple Google search would tell you that. He writes Jason like every awful Red Hood fan, (which is most of them) leaning into the normal equivocating, vaguely authoritarian justifying rhetoric of, "I do what Batman WON'T and that means it's justified," when we've been through this a million times. I don't care if you're now establishing that Jason's brain is more fried than the Lazarus Pit could heal. If Bruce ever thought that for a second in the years since Jason became the Red Hood and reintegrated with the Batfamily, he would h ave helped him fix it. He HAS helped him fix it. Maybe read a comic that you didn't write Jeph! Lee's work here still isn't his best but so far is the best in this arc so that's a positive. That being said, I'm not a fan of this new Riddler design. Why does he look like a SWAT officer? It does nothing to really distinguish him as the Riddler. Just a new appearance to sell a toy that no one will buy because everything is overpriced and cheaply made these days. Thank McFarlane for the low DC quality figures. Tangent aside, this book feels a lot like those aforementioned figures. Poorly sculpted, cheaply made but thrown to the masses in hopes of a quick nostalgic snatch at your wallet. Nothing of lasting substance. If a Robin dies, it's going to be a symbolic death. Jason will cast off the Red Hood mantle, Damian will transition from his position back to Talia, nothing will happen to Dick. I want to be excited. I want to not dog on a book that means a lot to me as a fan but I want and expect better. Everything is derivative of what came before and original ideas in Big Two superhero comics are few and far between when these characters are pushing 100 years old but don't do this. Don't write a sequel 23 years later. more

Superman Fan

May 28, 2025

matt fraction save us!!!

Quinn

Jun 20, 2025

This is a weird issue. So many plot points happen, one would think that the story moves forward. But so many plot points are introduced that they all get the shortshrift. Hush won’t let Jason kill Joker. It seems as lame as when Bruce won’t let Jason kill Joker. For Pete’s sake Jason, grow a pair and just do it. Stop waiting for permission. Also, Hush can throw a scalpel into a gun barrel. Meanwhile Riddler makes his play and blows up Gordon. Jason fights Dick, Joker revives and gets the drop on them. Damien arrives to save Batman riding on Bane. Dick Dastardly joins forces with Snidely Whiplash. I might have imagined the last part. But my point is that they are cramming 10 pounds of crap into a five pound bag. It seems Loeb just has too much plot for the allotted number of issues, and it shows. We see that Hush can make his own villains. So now he defeats the Joker, sets Jason against the Batfamily, develops a master plan and ties the ghost of Alfred onto railroad tracks. That’s a lot for a Mary sue villain no one cares about. The end result is a story that seems mixed up and lost, not well plotted and mysterious. Also the art seems sloppy for Lee. I am not impressed. Or I could be wrong. more

Ginger

Jun 10, 2025

Desperate, mediocre, and terribly bad writing. I think I read this in a fanfic, and I can remember that the writing wasn't that sad. First, Batman's desperation to secretly save a criminal, as if he couldn't fulfill his duty by talking to the police and leaving him to his fate. No. It has to be like a desperate lover trying to help the love of his life. Boring and beyond trite. On the other hand, we have a Hood or Jason again, not allowing for much or little development since the writers are mediocre and don't like to learn about the character. And this goes for you too, Zdasky. Now, as if trying to copy a good comic made by a good writer, they decide to make a mix of those comics and a lot of fanfic, some of which are sadly far superi or to current comics. If you don't believe me, go read Who I Am. Who I'll Never Be. by Zootopon. Believe me, this guy can teach you how to write a good story. Okay. Back on topic, another fan fic where the well doesn't completely heal Jason and he starts to get sick, and they want to threaten us into buying this shit by saying he'll kill a Robin. Nightwing is discarded, his Gary Stu, and they can't kill him. Tim is gay now, so he's untouchable, which leaves Damian and Jason, but killing them again? That would be the comics' laughable, very trite, uncreative thing. Hush is a Mary Sue villain. All this writing contradicts itself over and over again; no one has the brains to do things. Disgusting. more