Batman: Hush, Vol. 2

I actually purched this while in Prague, Czech Republic. No I can't read Czech, but I like to pic up comics in other languages. Some like postcards, I like comics. Well after just going through the artwork, I was determined to get the English version and read what was going on. The storyline is excellent, the art is well done and it includes a great cast of characters. If you're a Batman fan, the HUSH series is a MUST!

Unfortunately, this second volume of "Batman: Hush" falls victim to the same problems that usually plague the second halves of graphic novel series. In other words, the storyline is predictable and the action outweighed by tedious amounts of exposition, as though the author is trying to unravel the previous volume's mysteries as fast as possible rather than allowing the story to unfold more naturally. The artwork is still very solid, but I would have greatly preferred to sacrifice some of the mystery of Volume I (which is excellent!) if it would have meant keeping Batman from long expository ponderings while he's supposedly fighting for his life!

Reading this second volume, I was reminded again and again of the second volume of "Superman: For Tomorrow", which suffers almost all the same problems. Overall, I'd say both series are still worth reading, but in both cases, the first half is definitely better!

Jim Lee's art is fantastic. The only reason I've cracked this book open again after my first and only read is to look at the art, and the art alone.
Jeph Loeb's storytelling is the same as it's always been. Bits are genuinely cool, good characterization here and there- which keeps you reading. But then the guy starts randomly shoving in cheap twist after twist- until the whole thing is reduced to an unintelligible pile.
He ends with little to no resolution on important plot points.
That sort of thing leaves some people wanting more.
I only wonder why I bought the damn thing.

This book presents a new part of Bruce Wayne's life that nobody remembers, the story involve all the greatest villians and friends in Batman universe, but has an open ending that leaves you with more answer and wanting for more.

Volume two concludes a great story from Loeb (Superman for All Seasons, Batman: The Long Halloween and Dark Victory, Catwoman: When in Rome, and Superman/Batman: Absolute Power).