It’s clear Loeb hasn’t read a Batman title since the last time he was writing one. So he doesn’t know that this conflict between Bruce and Jason is pretty stale and is only regressing Jason more. The art was also pretty basic especially for Lee. But I don’t really blame him with Loeb not really giving him anything to work with. You can tell Loeb’s heart really isn’t in this and I’m bummed that I’m excited for this to be over only two issues in. I really hope I’m wrong and it turns around. But for now it’s not a tragedy to Batman but it is at best an unnecessary side step. more

I rate this an “oh, brother.” B takes J to Leslie Thompkins’ clinic. Leslie lives there, talk about dedication to mission. No wonder Bruce is so neurotic. His great inspiration never leaves the office.

So Leslie’s clinic has surgical facilities, but is not open 24/7 - strike one. Leslie and Bruce argue but she saves Joker - strike two. Because Bruce doesn’t trust any other medical family in the world to save Joker, including JLA ones, he brings J to the Batcave, which is apparently sterile enough to offer post-op care - strike three. Strike four is Bruce shooting Jason in the head (flesh wound, not fatal, great shot for a guy who hates guns). This is done because Jason wants to kill the Joker. Bruce gets knocked out again and Jason takes Joker away because he is working with Hush. Meanwhile Riddler has crashed Batgirl/Oracle’s hq because he is just that smart. Strike five. Bruce should have a terrible concussion, but oh, well.

So many questions, like how does Bruce get the Joker’s body to the cave after Leslie’s surgery? An ambulance, a Batambulance, strapped to the passenger seat of the Batmobile?

I ask these questions because it’s like the old “South Park” bit about underwear gnomes who say “one steal underwear, two blank, three profits.” Steps are skipped, and the story reminds me of so many in the past. That’s the problem with Jason, he is a character created in a corner surrounded by wet paint. There is one story you can do with him, and that story has been done to death, pun intended.

And don’t get me started on Bruce’s no kill rule being greater than his no gun rule. Batman Beyond answered that question, and to have him shoot Jason in the helmeted head just to save the Joker? Talk about a bridge too far. Loeb is going back to a plot that is 20 years old, but that train left the station. The result is a story that ignores character progress while repeating plots that have been repeated over and over again in the last two decades.

Not a good story. Art is even pedestrian. Or I could be wrong. more

Disappointing. This issue is riddled with inconsistencies in the characterizations. Not to mention Batman spends 2/3 of the story sitting in chairs, inert. When he becomes active, it’s to have yet another fight with Jason Todd and he shoots him in the head to stop him when he could have stopped him in half a dozen other ways. We get an out of left field plot development with Barbara, Dick and the Riddler in yet another new costume variant and with knowledge of their identities. Finally, we are 1/3 of the way through the story and Hush has barely appeared. Very disappointing. The art, while not spectacular, saves the issue from being purely mediocre. more

As a fan of the first issue, I get why this doesn't shine as we would've hoped it would. It doesn't spark, the story isn't mind blowing, the art is just solid... but we're not on the edge of our seat, holding our breath while reaching the end of the issue, need a minute to think it over after its done, craving for more... We wanted this, but they didn't deliver that.

Let me be clear its not bad, but they didn't deliver on their promise. more

While this was still far from excellent, I have to say I actually enjoyed this issue, despite a few really terrible story choices. Batman having to use a gun against Jason Todd is the biggest offender. Batman's actions here completely diminish the climax of BATMAN UNDER THE RED HOOD. He didn't need to use a gun against Jason there, and shouldn't require one to overpower him here.

That being said, I did find Batman's dilemma of being conflicted towards saving Joker very interesting, as was the scene with Leslie Thompkins. This issue did give me similar vibes and got me itching to re-read Peter Tomasi's DETECTIVE story where Leslie gets "Jokerized". Anyway...

There are still many areas where the art looks rushed, but overall the art does look a lot better in this issue than the previous. Well, everything except for The Riddler's new look! WTF?!

This is far from becoming my favorite Batman story, but it is getting me interested in what is coming next. Hopefully it'll hold my interest going forward. more

This is a great follow up to last month’s Batman #158. The mystery expands and there is some great character work with Bruce Wayne. Loeb brings in characters that can show a different side of Batman like Leslie Thompkins and Jason Todd. He’s unsure around them both and Loeb makes that part of the story. Loeb also continues to uses the pieces of the original “Hush” as he brings other characters in. It’s another fun and exciting comic that captures a classic feel and exposes some of the deficiencies in many contemporary comics. more

Batman Hush 2, is just really OK. It doesn't feel like this should be in continuity. Batman saves the life of The Joker, Red Hood get's pissed and that is pretty much the entire issue. Batman saving the life of his mortal enemy, at the cost of his biggest failure and even calling himself out for it. This is just opening old scars in Batman, and I don't know if it is really needed. I'm still in for the ride on this, and hope that it'll do better in future issues.

I'll be doing a full Lunchbreak reviews on this book ASAP! more

Absolute Batman is my current favorite Batman. I love the newness of it. I like how it's just Batman, and people in the Batman world, and they really aren't what you think for the most part.

Absolute Batman #7 is the start of a 2-issue Mr. Freeze story, and I'm 100% down. Scott Snyder is telling a great story, that keeps me hooked.

The Art is great as well. Everything flows fantastically in the book. There are a few panels that really shine, especially that Mr. Freeze revel!!!!

Check out episodes of my podcast, Lunchbreak Reviews. I cover comics, tv, and movies, go over critic & user reviews, then put it through the Lunchbreak point system! more

I pride myself on knowing way too much information on many of superheros. This is one, that I don't know much about. I really enjoyed this one. No big spoilers here, just go give it a read!

This is the Green Lantern book I've been waiting for. I love the Lanterns but on the main earth it's just gotten way too complicated. It's why I really like the Absolute versions of the characters. I think this is my favorite of the newest 3, The Flash, Martian Manhunter, & Green Lantern. I can't afford to collect all 6 of the absolute titles, I'm going to have to pick 3. This will be one of them.

I think Al Ewing is a great choice for this story. I love that it feels very horror/sci fi. I really dig the beginning of the story. Al had me hooked from the first page. The art by Jahnoy Lnsday is equally great. This is a great team, and I hope they stick around. I can't wait to see where it goes!

I'll be reading this and several other reviews on my podcast, "Lunchbreak Reviews." Look it up, and reach out to talk comics, tv, & movies. more

Like most artists past their prime, Jim Lee recycles his older dynamic poses and iconic set pieces to mixed results. I won't say it looks bad but it's definitely derivative of his own earlier work and it stands out. Loeb's writing is much the same. This is definitely post Loeb peak. He's harder, his stories darker in tone, vocabulary and scope. He went through trauma. It makes sense. What doesn't is this story's existence. I'm happy to read more Batman but this story should have been written 20 years ago. This came out of nowhere.

One thing stuck out to me very specifically and I think it is very telling about Loeb's approach to storytelling and his perception of Batman. I don't think he has a lot of reverence for him which isn't a horrible thing. You don't have to worship a character and keep every part of their core tenets uniform forever, that's how characters change. But here, in the first two pages Batman kicks the mask off of a Joker henchmen, activating some form of Joker toxin/acid killing him. After yelling at their corpse asking where the Joker is Batman immediately turns around and kick the mask off of the other goon, again killing him. That's not even plausible deniability of murder or manslaughter on the second guy. Come on man. The first I can let slide. In the moment, he wouldn't know but considering that he's the world's greatest detective and this is once again somewhat of a detective story, he would easily be able to deduce that kicking the mask off of the second guy would result in the same reaction as the first one!

Overall, I do like this. I takes me back to a Batman that I've been missing for a long time but unlike some people, I would rather just read the old stuff than beg for what is new to be old again to eternally be disappointed or to actually get their wish and have two men who have really no business creating a sequel to a book 23 years later. It's well drawn. For Jim Lee, it's a bit disappointing. It's fairly well written. For Jeph Loeb it's disappointing. In total it's derivative and unnecessary.

One final note, I'm calling it now, this isn't about Hush. It's about Jason. They're going to make him a villain again. more

I am a huge Jeph Loeb fan. This underwhelmed. I re-read the original Hush to prep for this. It's a masterclass in comic book writing. Although, truth be told, it takes a bit for everything to click.

As such, I have faith this will increase in quality. I'm not going to write it off in 1 volume like an inflammatory child with an agenda against the writer.

Wow. Sometimes feeling like you’ve gone back in time when reading a comic is good. While some are hoping that Jim Lee and Jeph Loeb’s return to the pages of Batman for a sequel to their seminal “Hush” storyline will be a return to great comics of 20 years ago, it actually does more than that. This comic manages to grab the feel of Batman comics from even further back to the Bronze Age. There’s some Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams here as well as Gerry Conway, Len Wein, Jim Aparo, Don Newton and Doug Moench. This is a great start to a storyline and while it references recent status quo that has happened since the original Hush story, it blends it into the classic much more effectively than Batman or Detective Comics has in a while. There’s no B.S. in this issue. It’s just great comics. There’s Batman as detective in this issue, the Bat-family is firmly in play, and Loeb has an angle on the Joker that’s certainly not seen often. Jim Lee is doing some great work in this issue, he’s never been a favorite, but his storytelling is quite good here. This is going to be a special storyline and I believe it will live up to hype and expectations. Don’t be surprised if Batman surpasses Absolute Batman as the sales juggernaut for DC! more

Let's start this out by saying that the standards are pretty high going into Hush2. If that's fair or not, IDGF, it is what it is, and I can't help it. HUSH is probably one of the best Batman stories that has been told. The story is just starting, so I can't really fault much, about that. I had a hard time following the panels in different parts of this book. This is why I rated it an 8. The art was good, I loved the look of Batman, but lets be honest, Jim Lee isn't going to disappoint. I'll be in for the long haul on this one. It has all the things you want in a Batman book, the BatFam. No spoilers, go buy it!

Check out Lunchbreak Reviews to hear this and other reviews in audio format, and reach out if you want to be part of the show! more

Absolute Batman #6 maintains the all gas no breaks approach as the story presses on through a break neck pace of action laced panels. Nick Dragotta and Scott Snyder have made a genuinely funny series within a bleak premise and I applaud them for it since it is a rare feat worthy of praise.

usually don't give out 10 out of 10. But this is just because of how entertaining and fun this series is. Nick Dragotta's art finally won me over, I think he might be the next definitive artist for Batman if he keeps this out. Legit, this run can be the 2020s version of New 52 Batman. Absolute superman may be my favorite, Absolute Wonder Woman may be the best. But Scott Snyder? He's the reason why I became a Batman fan and got me reading comics like crazy. Absolute Batman is the most entertaining out of the Absolute series. In my opinion Scott Snyders the best Modern Batman writer of all time. more

Arc one is done. Arc two is a go! This picks up and continues Absolute Batman's story. The story is Epic, the art is fantastic, and he literally punts a baby... thingamabob! IDK. This is a good fun ride, and I'm here for it. I hope this one is in your pull box for sure.

Check out my podcast LUNCHBREAK REVIEWS, I go over the good & bad reviews, and then I go through the book on my own review system, the Lunchbreak point system. more

probably a cold take but this is my favorite Absolute universe series of all time. This is like if Superman wasn't self-less and was driven by vengenance of righteous rage. I am happy that Rafa Sandoval is the artist because this is his best work. I like Jason Aaron, the coloring, and Jason Aaron's vision of a different Superman. I think I am going to re-read this and the previous 5 issues so I can fully appreciate it. This was a knockout punch, and I hope this series will end on a very strong note. more

I've been reading Superman nearly all my 61 years. Long before I could read words , I could look at the wonderful pictures of a man that came to save us all. The story so far I have enjoyed but the art today by Rafa Sandoval brings me full circle to why I love comics. His art alone is worth everything to a real fan of Superman
.Absolutely the best interior art yet. Before anyone says this or that. Remember we all love comics and we all love what we love so let the nay sayers say nothing for a change....JM more

This was the book’s first perfect issue as we see the end of Krypton brought to vivid, horrifying life thanks to the incredible creative team. I was brought to tears witnessing Kal experience the gut-wrenching loss of his parents, his dog and his planet in a way that countless earlier DCU retellings have failed to measure up to. It also gives this Superman a clear mission statement that the regular DCU Superman lacks: to ensure that the horror of what befell Krypton doesn’t repeat itself, and which he sees already happening on Earth. I can’t wait to see where things go from here! more

This is the one I've been waiting for since the launch of this title. We get to see the destruction of Krypton, done in such an amazing way that will make you look at the world we are living in and wonder... and HOPE. The Absolute titles is my favorite part of the DC world currently, and I hope they keep it up.

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You know. Although Absolute Wonder Woman is the best, and Absolute Superman is my favorite. Batman used to be my favorite hero, and most of that aws because of Scott Snyder. I can easily say that Absolute Batman is the coolest of the bunch, and I love the world-building and Nick Dragotta's art. This series go so f*cking HARD and I love it.

Every issues of this book has been Batman AF! This Batman is on a mission, and good to see. It's violent, and story driven. I prefer the art of Dragotta over issue 4. No spoilers, because you need to go to your local comic store and purchase all 5 of the issues. I'm very much looking forward to where this is going to go next!

I'll be covering several reviews on my podcast Lunchbreak Reviews, as always reach out if you want to be a guest! more

Everything in the Absolute universe is really awesome. I'm enjoying all of the titles. I'm normally not a huge fan of Superman, as I feel like he is just too overpowered, and that there aren't any good stories with him anymore. Que Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, and the Absolute universe. This new take is out at the right time, and it really feels like the Superman I want to route for. Jason Aarons story is great, the art continues to SLAY, and I love the layout of this book. I like when we meet the characters that we know, and see how they are different in this universe. I'm looking forward to many more amazing issues!

Check out several reviews on my Podcast/Streamcast."Lunchbreak Reviews". more

This series and Tom King's Wonder Woman is like night and day. I like how this series focuses specifically on Wonder Woman, and the art really works for the dark gritty alternate universe the Absolute DC Comics are in. This was a solid read, and Absolute Wonder Woman has honestly been the best book coming out of the Absolute DC Comics.

Again, I really hope when James Gunn green lights the new Wonder Woman movie for his universe, I hope it's taking inspiration from this series. more

I’ve been a bit of a wait and see on the Absolute line because I don’t trust DC to not screw it up. They’ve been screwing these things up since immediately post crisis (Now I feel old).

I picked up and read the first four issues of this today. This is great and a nice change from the legacy DC titles which have become overly focused on everyone’s extended family. the bat family. Super family. Wonder family. Flash family. Whatever the mess of characters Green lantern is. All of those legacy books have lost focus on their core characters and for me are lesser for it. So I will go to absolute for the focus on the core characters (and will ignore Snyders card game scene in issue 2 of absolute Batman which made me want to go blind).

I will also go to this as I prefer the overall approach to the art versus what I’m seeing in JLU, Batman, Superman, and worlds finest. I realize people like the artists on those books but for me it all looks the same - fast paced with very limited sequential storytelling. Very Jim Lee influenced style, who I’ve never really been a fan of. Personal preference.

I’m “all in” on the absolute titles until they start crossing over with the main universe, change the creative teams, or start forcing alignment with the legacy universe.

I don’t want that flash of two worlds until absolute flash 123. But doubt they will wait that long.

Pretty impressive that Batman is probably third best of this launch. more

I unironically want nothing more from a superhero comic than a creative team with the fearless self-assurance to write something formally and emotionally breathtaking like the Circe flashback and then follow it with over-the-top surreal superhero bullshit like the giant sword, and to make it truly work. This is everything I love about superhero comics

Kelly Thompson is creating such an amazing Wonder Woman, and is some of the best work that I've ever read for the character. Creating the new status quo for a line that I hope will ABSOLUTELY be around for awhile. I love that we are starting to meet Wonder Woman's supporting cast, and can't wait to see how everything plays out. If I had to criticize anything about this book is that the art lacks a little for me on this issue, especially in some of the faces. The layout of this comic was ABSOLUTELY beautiful though! keep it going, I'm hooked.

Check out several reviews of this comic on the podcast "Lunchbreak Reviews". more

This was the best issue yet and brings home the core concept of the series and what makes this Batman different, and why making him decidedly NOT a billionaire was done. This Batman is very not just doing this out of a hatred of evil, but a desire to help people and to curtail corruption by those who have the power to enact change but don't.

Its not the first time the character has flirted with these ideas but id dare to say its never been more intertwined with the Bat mythos. Really good stuff. I think I'm in on this for the long haul now.

Gabriel Walta being on art duties is a big shift from Dragotta but I've liked Waltas art for some time and I think he's particularly skilled at conveying the emotion of this issue and the gritty struggle of Bruce trying to adapt to a situation he can't possible comprehend the scale of.

A great read all around. more

I really liked the story here. It was probably my favorite yet. However, I just can't get past the art. It worked better in the slower sections where there was mainly dialogue, but, it was just not great when it came to anything action-related or anything with a faster pace. I'm not even fully sure I want to score this as high as I am because of Walta's art, but Snyder's origin story here was just really, really good. more