10 Best Fights in Batman: Hush

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Writer Jeph Loeb, artist Jim Lee, inker Scott Williams, and colorist Alex Sinclair teamed up to produce one of the greatest Batman comic arcs of all time: “Hush.” From Batman #608-619, readers experienced incredible moments and showdowns as Batman ran the gauntlet of villains – from a bloody confrontation with the Joker to an epic clash with a Poison Ivy-controlled Superman.

“Hush” features incredible Batman comic fights; no issue lets up. Every part builds on what came before as the “Hush” storyline ramps up to a deadly showdown between the Dark Knight and his new villain. Stellar writing and memorable art helped create legendary Batman fights in nearly every issue. Readers who love precision in Batman’s combat, tactical strategies, and good, old-fashioned brawls will find it all here.

10

Batman Uses Precision In Gotham City

Batman Vs. Kidnappers – Batman #608

“Hush” started with a bang, confirming that readers held something truly special in their hands in the first few pages. As Batman tracks down the kidnapped son of a wealthy family in Gotham City, he encounters criminals with various levels of military training, forcing Batman to utilize his tactical mind.

While not as memorable as his future showdowns with the Joker or Superman, the first fight in “Hush” features a strategic Dark Knight, assessing his opponents’ strengths while capitalizing on their weaknesses. Beautifully illustrated by the art team of Lee, Williams and Sinclair, the panels feature first-person POVs from Batman, with great internal dialogue explaining the methods behind his attacks.

9

Huntress Rescues Batman

Huntress Vs. Crime Alley Criminals – Batman #609

After pursuing Catwoman, who stole the ransom money Killer Croc secured for the kidnapped boy, the Dark Knight fell from the rooftops of Gotham. He landed hard in Crime Alley, where a group of criminals attempted to remove his cape and cowl. Huntress, thankfully, came to the unconscious Dark Knight’s rescue.

Riding in on her motorcycle, the Huntress fights precisely and tactically, striking the criminals with her metallic staff. Huntress falls during the fight, but Batman’s mere presence motivates her to stand back up. It’s a quick fight, but one of Huntress’s best scenes in “Hush.”

8

The Dark Knight Hunts Killer Croc

Batman & Catwoman Vs. Killer Croc – Batman #610

In the belly of Arkham Asylum, Batman gets his rematch with Killer Croc. The sewer-dwelling villain of Gotham City is larger and stronger than he’s ever been, allowing him to break free of containment, striking both the GCPD and the Dark Knight himself.

The first Batman/Killer Croc was a great way to kick off the series, but their rematch is even better. Lit entirely in red, security lights in Arkham, the entire battle is beautifully colored, making Croc even more menacing. Batman pursued Croc into Gotham streets, where he received much-needed assistance from Catwoman. Everything in “Hush” is connected, and Batman’s brawl with Croc brought him closer to Catwoman, aligning them for the rest of the series.

7

Catwoman Gets Revenge On Poison Ivy

Catwoman Vs. Poison Ivy – Batman #611

Catwoman wasn’t too pleased to learn that Poison Ivy mind-controlled her and forced her to steal money for her. Catwoman confronted Poison Ivy, attempting to deceive her with false loyalty, but Ivy saw right through it, getting some good shots in herself. Ivy used larger vines to attempt to strangle Catwoman before Batman arrived to save her.

Though Poison Ivy summoned a mind-controlled Superman to her rescue, Catwoman got one last shot in when they confronted Ivy at the end of the first half of “Hush.” Though Catwoman and Ivy would become teammates and friends in Gotham City Sirens, “Hush” featured one of their last confrontations as enemies.

6

Batman Wears A Kryptonite Ring Against The Man Of Steel

Batman Vs. Superman – Batman #612

Readers have seen Superman fight Batman before… but never illustrated by Jim Lee. Lee is one of the greatest comic book artists for a reason. He delivers incredible action with dynamic poses, all with realistic anatomy but a tinge of superheroics to remind readers they’re in a comic universe. The Man of Steel/Dark Knight showdown in “Hush” stands shoulder-to-shoulder with other memorable clashes in books like The Dark Knight Returns.

Wearing a kryptonite ring, Batman successfully bests Superman, even using Lois Lane as insurance to snap Clark out of Ivy’s mind control. With full-page action and double-page spreads, Batman’s fight with Superman is easily one of the best in “Hush.”

5

The Joker Is Batman’s Prey

Batman Vs. The Joker – Batman #614

While Batman’s showdown with Superman was emblematic of great action in superhero comics, Batman’s confrontation with the Joker in the following issue was epic for a different reason. Batman hunted the Joker through Gotham’s back alleys as rain pelted them and lightning cracked above their heads.

The Joker had just killed Dr. Tommy Elliot (supposedly). As Batman brutally beat the Joker down in the present, the stark red and black panels reminded readers of all the terrible acts the Joker committed to Batman’s friends and family in the past, such as shooting Barbara in The Killing Joke and killing Jason Todd in “A Death in the Family.” Only Catwoman prevented the Dark Knight from doing something he may have regretted.

4

Batman’s Rematch From The Bronze Age

Batman Vs. Ra’s al Ghul – Batman #616

Batman believed that Ra’s al Ghul was responsible for the unfolding plot in Gotham City and the death of Tommy Elliot, so he confronted the Demon Head in the middle of the desert, each wielding a sword, a clear callback to Batman’s legendary battle with Ra’s al Ghul in the Bronze Age, illustrated by Neal Adams.

Though Batman was incorrect and Ra’s was not behind the Hush plot, this battle was epic and remains one of Batman and Ra’s al Ghul’s best clashes. Batman battles his physical equal, his rage overtaking him, while Ra’s compliments the detective on his commitment and skill.

3

Catwoman Fights One Of DC’s Deadliest Assassins

Catwoman Vs. Lady Shiva – Batman #616

While Batman clashed with Ra’s al Ghul, Catwoman guarded a captured Talia al Ghul. Unfortunately, Lady Shiva arrived, hired to save Ra’s al Ghul’s daughter. Catwoman is a skilled fighter, of course, but Lady Shiva has a reputation as one of the deadliest assassins in DC Comics. While Batman’s fight with Ra’s was iconic, Catwoman’s fight with Lady Shiva was even better.

Lady Shiva demonstrated inhuman speed and agility, parrying all of Catwoman’s attacksand tossing her across the room. Ony Talia came to Catwoman’s rescue, a message to Ra’s to stay out of her life. This fight and Catwoman’s near death only brought Bruce and Selina closer.

2

The Return Of Jason Todd

Batman & Robin Vs. Jason Todd (Clayface) – Batman #618

Building off the clue that Ra’s al Ghul gave Batman about someone returning from his past, both Batman and the readers were tricked into believing the ultimate villain of “Hush” was a resurrected Jason Todd. In actuality, Clayface disguised himself as an older version of the deceased Robin.

This fight was charged with the weight of Batman’s guilt from “A Death in the Family.” In many ways, itwas a better Batman/Jason Todd fight than the ones fans received in “Under the Hood,” the comic story in which Jason Todd actually returned from the grave.

1

The Titular Batman/Hush Showdown

Batman Vs. Hush – Batman #619

In the final chapter of “Hush,” Batman finally met the titular villain. It wasn’t Harvey Dent, Ra’s al Ghul, or a resurrected Jason Todd. Hush was actually Tommy Elliot, Bruce Wayne’s childhood friend–a dark reflection of Batman. Where Bruce became Batman after the death of his parents, Tommy tried to murder his to purposely gain their inheritance. After Thomas Wayne saved his mother’s life, Tommy held a grudge against the Waynes.

The final battle was emotionally charged, calling back to Bruce and Tommy’s childhood. Hush proved to be a fantastic addition to Batman’s rogues gallery–someone with a connection rooted in Bruce Wayne’s childhood and the present-day resources to topple Batman’s empire, which he nearly succeeded in doing.

“}]] While Batman faced a new villain in Hush, the storyline also featured several epic fight scenes with nearly the Dark Knight’s entire rogues’ gallery.  Read More