Hush: Part 1
NOTE: This is a repost from my journal. Since I'm planning on writing part two and posting it here, I figured I'd better post part 1.
The 12.5 issue arc called Hush was, in my opinion, one of the best Batman stories written. Yes it has its flaws. Yes, some people hate Loeb. But I don't care. Because the relationships between the protagonists, (especially the Bat/Cat relationship) more than makes up for any of the failings.
Hush has six things going for it.
6. The rogues gallery - Most of the major players are all there. It's pretty cool to see, even if it stretches credibility.
5. Krypto liking someone other than Superman - It's an established fact that Krypto hates everyone.
4. Jim Lee's Art - it's just gorgeous.
3. The bat-family and allies - The family dynamics are well done and where they should be.
2. Batman vs. Joker - one of the most awesomely powerful scenes I've seen in a while.
1. Twiterpated Batman - also known as: "OH MY GOSH I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT JUST HAPPENED!"
Don't think I'll be talking about all of these aspects. I'd be posting the entire story. And the Catwoman stuff will take up WAY more than one post. So read on for Batman and Catwoman goodness! Spoilers ahead!
I finished reading Hush and I was TOTALLY blown away. I couldn't believe DC actually let them make such a fundamental change to the Bat/Cat relationship. I mean let's face it, I might be a Bat/Cat fan, but I don't think there's a snowball's chance that DC will ever actually permanently hook them up. The fact that they even let her learn his real name just blew me away. But I'm getting ahead of myself. That doesn't happen until 2/3rds into the story. So without further ado Batman issues 610-611:
Catwoman gets put under Poison Ivy's control and is forced to steal from Killer Croc for her. Batman shows up and saves her from Croc. That leads to catwoman showing up and thanking Bats:
Ok. Now that's just REALLY impressive. I especially like the last panel. Why? I mean they've kissed before. No big deal right? This time it is. This time it's not her coming onto him and teasing him. This time it's not: I need you to do something for me Catwoman, and if I have to play this card then I'll do it. This time he's reciprocating. She may be kissing him, but for the first time he's really kissing back.
...and kissing back some more...
And then Bruce goes to Metropolis to hunt down Ivy. He bumps into his old childhood friend Tommy (part of the book's real plot.) So he and Tommy chat for a bit.
...and Bruce just can't focus. The. Batman. Can't. Focus. For the rest of this issue, and most of the storyline for that matter, Bruce's thought process goes something like this: ...I kissed her... gottafocusgottafocusgottafocus... I kissed her...
Makes me howl every time. There's a reason I never picked up on the plotholes and flaws with the riddler stuff. I was too busy laughing at the awesomeness that is Bruce Wayne discovering feelings.
So he and Tommy talk more. I cropped a bit of a flashback when he and Tommy were young, You're not missing much for the purposes of this discussion... oh look: They're still at it!
Now I have got to point out two things here. Each one of these shots of them kissing is different. I'm really impressed that Jim didn't just draw one shot and crop it three or four different ways. It also makes something very clear. This was a REALLY REALLY long kiss. I mean I'm betting we're talking tonsil hockey here... oh gosh I just grossed myself out.
Ok. They're done. And Catwoman still manages to leave him reeling...
...and get off quite the zinger.
Aside from the twitterpation, I really love the befuddlement on Batman's part. He may be a playboy, but he's got no real idea about relationships. She does stuff that most people would consider normal in a relationship and he doesn't get why she's doing it. (More on that in a later post.)
Just to wrap up the scene with Tommy. What is this? Snark at Bruce day? well, I suppose he needs it occasionally.
Slight interlude here. I really loved the scene inside the Daily Planet on its own merits. But Bruce's little mental comments are what made me post it. He's just SO adorable. And the PDA line rocks.
Then it's back to buisness. Catwoman and Batman meet before they go to take down Ivy.
...aaaand there he goes again. I didn't even notice the background of the last panel the first time I read this. I laughed so hard when I did. The man's going to get himself killed if he can't get his mind back on the job.
Twitterpated Batman is AWESOME.
Bonus image! Batman 612:
Krypto now officially likes TWO people. Superman...
...and Catwoman.
The 12.5 issue arc called Hush was, in my opinion, one of the best Batman stories written. Yes it has its flaws. Yes, some people hate Loeb. But I don't care. Because the relationships between the protagonists, (especially the Bat/Cat relationship) more than makes up for any of the failings.
Hush has six things going for it.
6. The rogues gallery - Most of the major players are all there. It's pretty cool to see, even if it stretches credibility.
5. Krypto liking someone other than Superman - It's an established fact that Krypto hates everyone.
4. Jim Lee's Art - it's just gorgeous.
3. The bat-family and allies - The family dynamics are well done and where they should be.
2. Batman vs. Joker - one of the most awesomely powerful scenes I've seen in a while.
1. Twiterpated Batman - also known as: "OH MY GOSH I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT JUST HAPPENED!"
Don't think I'll be talking about all of these aspects. I'd be posting the entire story. And the Catwoman stuff will take up WAY more than one post. So read on for Batman and Catwoman goodness! Spoilers ahead!
I finished reading Hush and I was TOTALLY blown away. I couldn't believe DC actually let them make such a fundamental change to the Bat/Cat relationship. I mean let's face it, I might be a Bat/Cat fan, but I don't think there's a snowball's chance that DC will ever actually permanently hook them up. The fact that they even let her learn his real name just blew me away. But I'm getting ahead of myself. That doesn't happen until 2/3rds into the story. So without further ado Batman issues 610-611:
Catwoman gets put under Poison Ivy's control and is forced to steal from Killer Croc for her. Batman shows up and saves her from Croc. That leads to catwoman showing up and thanking Bats:
Ok. Now that's just REALLY impressive. I especially like the last panel. Why? I mean they've kissed before. No big deal right? This time it is. This time it's not her coming onto him and teasing him. This time it's not: I need you to do something for me Catwoman, and if I have to play this card then I'll do it. This time he's reciprocating. She may be kissing him, but for the first time he's really kissing back.
...and kissing back some more...
And then Bruce goes to Metropolis to hunt down Ivy. He bumps into his old childhood friend Tommy (part of the book's real plot.) So he and Tommy chat for a bit.
...and Bruce just can't focus. The. Batman. Can't. Focus. For the rest of this issue, and most of the storyline for that matter, Bruce's thought process goes something like this: ...I kissed her... gottafocusgottafocusgottafocus... I kissed her...
Makes me howl every time. There's a reason I never picked up on the plotholes and flaws with the riddler stuff. I was too busy laughing at the awesomeness that is Bruce Wayne discovering feelings.
So he and Tommy talk more. I cropped a bit of a flashback when he and Tommy were young, You're not missing much for the purposes of this discussion... oh look: They're still at it!
Now I have got to point out two things here. Each one of these shots of them kissing is different. I'm really impressed that Jim didn't just draw one shot and crop it three or four different ways. It also makes something very clear. This was a REALLY REALLY long kiss. I mean I'm betting we're talking tonsil hockey here... oh gosh I just grossed myself out.
Ok. They're done. And Catwoman still manages to leave him reeling...
...and get off quite the zinger.
Aside from the twitterpation, I really love the befuddlement on Batman's part. He may be a playboy, but he's got no real idea about relationships. She does stuff that most people would consider normal in a relationship and he doesn't get why she's doing it. (More on that in a later post.)
Just to wrap up the scene with Tommy. What is this? Snark at Bruce day? well, I suppose he needs it occasionally.
Slight interlude here. I really loved the scene inside the Daily Planet on its own merits. But Bruce's little mental comments are what made me post it. He's just SO adorable. And the PDA line rocks.
Then it's back to buisness. Catwoman and Batman meet before they go to take down Ivy.
...aaaand there he goes again. I didn't even notice the background of the last panel the first time I read this. I laughed so hard when I did. The man's going to get himself killed if he can't get his mind back on the job.
Twitterpated Batman is AWESOME.
Bonus image! Batman 612:
Krypto now officially likes TWO people. Superman...
...and Catwoman.