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Batman
Hush – Chapter 5 – The Battle
612/APR/2003
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Jeph Loeb
Pencils: Jim Lee
Inks: Scott Williams
Colors: Alex Sinclair
Letters: Richard Starkings
Price: $2.25 US/R11.95 SA
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Batman has been a high profile title since #608,
when the dream-team of Jeph Loeb & Jim
Lee took over the writing & art chores respectively.
Judging by the spectacular sales this run has had lately, it hasn't
failed to meet expectations. This is, of course, the one people
have been waiting for - Batman slugging it out with Superman!
Jim Lee is on top form depicting this. Big dramatic splash panels
throughout the issue, energetic line work, and those highly stylized
poses Mr Lee is so famous for. Either his art has improved since
his X-Men & Wildcats days,
or it just looks better because Batman is such an iconic and classic
character. Art wise I found this issue hard to fault, its exactly
what Batman and Superman should look like bashing each others brains
out.
Drooling over the art makes one forget that there is a story unfolding
here. Master scribe Jeph Loeb unfolds a tale of mystery as each
issue to date reveals a villain from Batman's bizarre rogue's gallery.
Yet, the story hints at a behind-the-scenes villain who appears
to control many of the events. The pacing is fast but evenly spread,
and Loeb is clearly in control. Despite the dramatic action sequences
that take centre stage, a plot is definitely but slowly developing.
Nevertheless, the art of Jim Lee is given precedence over story
- Loeb admitted that this was a conscious decision on the part of
both creators. It’s a showcase for Lee's art and Loeb's writing
is taking a back seat. Fans are not complaining!
The slugfest between Batman & Superman is eventually
resolved at the end of the issue, as these kinds of stories tend
to go. The one weakness in the story was the way in which Batman
managed to hold out against Superman for any length of time. While
I admit that Batman had to have some trick up his sleeve (otherwise
this story simply cannot work), arming Batman with a Kryptonite
ring to weaken the man of steel is hardly original. Superman's enemies
have traditionally used green kryptonite against him since the 1950's
when it was first introduced. This reflects Loeb's extensive familiarity
with superhero lore and history (apparently he has a garage filled
with DC and Marvel back issues dating back to the 1960’s),
rather than a lack of creativity. Having said that, this issue still
lives up to the hype and it deserves a rating of 8/10!
Score 8/10
Reviewed By:Planeswalker
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Comic Reviews
