Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Get Your Comic On
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    • Hot Topics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Marvel
      • Power Rangers
      • Star Trek Universe
      • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
      • Titan Comics
      • Transformers
      • Universal Pictures
    • Features

      Six Crime Films to Watch After ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE

      September 29, 2025

      Five Dark Knight Animated Projects to Watch This BATMAN DAY

      September 16, 2025

      Who Could Superman and Lex Team-up to Defeat in 2027’s MAN OF TOMORROW

      September 15, 2025

      The 10 Most Memorable Deaths In The ALIEN Series, Ranked

      August 15, 2025

      Are the FINAL DESTINATION Films All Linked to the Events of 1968?

      May 17, 2025
    • Comics

      SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN: A Monster Hunter Walks into a Bar (2025)

      October 9, 2025

      STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS (2024-) #12 Review

      October 8, 2025

      ABSOLUTE BATMAN (2024-) #13 Review

      October 8, 2025

      IDW Shares First Look at Blockbuster TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES x GODZILLA Crossover Event

      October 7, 2025

      Comixology x Kindle Unveil New York Comic-Con 2025 Plans

      October 6, 2025
    • Film

      Terror Lurks Beneath the Surface in Trailer for Claustrophobic Horror A MOTHER’S EMBRACE

      October 10, 2025

      EDWARD SCISSORHANDS Returns to Home Video Sharper Than Ever with 4K UHD Debut

      October 10, 2025

      Preorder The Ultimate DISNEY Collection Box Set Now

      October 8, 2025

      JUJUTSU KAISEN: EXECUTION Coming To Cinemas This November

      October 8, 2025

      V/H/S HALLOWEEN (2025) Review

      October 7, 2025
    • TV

      Nick Blood and Saffron Hocking Announced to Lead U&Dave Original Thriller HIT POINT

      October 10, 2025

      War Rags in Full Trailer for Netflix’s Fourth Season of THE WITCHER

      October 7, 2025

      Chris is Behind Bars as A.R.G.U.S. Explores the Multiverse in new PEACEMAKER Stills

      October 7, 2025

      AMC Shares Official Trailer for FEARFEST Featuring 2025’s “Halloqueen” and Host Janelle Monáe

      October 3, 2025

      Paramount+ Renews Mega Hit Series LIONESS for a Third Season

      October 2, 2025
    • Culture
      • Anime
      • Collectibles
      • Conventions
      • Gaming
    • Podcast
    • Interviews

      Anson Mount Breaks Down the STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS Season 3 Finale (EXCLUSIVE)

      September 12, 2025

      Richa Moorjani Breaks Down ALIEN: EARTH Episode 5 (EXCLUSIVE)

      September 3, 2025

      PEACEMAKER Stars Jennifer Holland & Frank Grillo Discuss Working Together on Season 2 (EXCLUSIVE)

      August 25, 2025

      Sol Rodriguez & Steve Agee Talk Dance Routines and Sharing Scenes in PEACEMAKER Season 2 (EXCLUSIVE)

      August 25, 2025

      Danielle Brooks & Freddie Stroma Talk Shooting Emotional PEACEMAKER Season 2 Scenes (EXCLUSIVE)

      August 25, 2025
    • Directory
    Get Your Comic On
    Home»Comics»Comic Book Reviews»BATMAN (2016-) #158 Review
    Comic Book Reviews

    BATMAN (2016-) #158 Review

    The first chapter of H2SH arrives in comic book stores today.
    Neil VaggBy Neil VaggMarch 26, 2025No Comments5 Mins Read
    Batman (DC Comics)
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

    Batman #158 is written by Jeph Loeb and published by DC. Artwork is by Jim Lee, inks by Scott Williams, colours by Alex Sinclair and letters by Richard Starkings. Main cover art (left) is by Lee and Sinclair.

    Batman #158 is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.

    Synopsis

    Jeph Loeb! Jim Lee! An all-new epic saga begins here. Hush returns!

    Review

    Before we enter a brand new era for Batman we’re stepping over two decades in to the past. After much anticipation writer Jeph Loeb and DC Chief Content Officer Jim Lee are stepping back behind the page for H2SH, or Hush 2. Today, the first of the six-part story debuts in comic book stores and we finally get a first glimpse at what has brought this iconic creative team back together.

    There’s an almost immeasurable level of excitement hanging on Batman #158. Some will come to this book as fans of the original storyline. But both Loeb and Lee have built-in fanbases eager to see where their latest creative endeavour will take them. By default this issue will be picked apart panel-by-panel to justify or discredit its mere existence. Undoubtedly the creative team are all aware of the impact this book will have. So I was infinitely pleased to see that there’s no compromises here in order to provide style over substance.

    Batman #158 is actually a tantalising slow burn as opening chapters go. Hush is much less of a presence than expected. Instead the issue puts more of a focus on Joker. Albeit in an unexpected way. In doing so it allows Loeb, Lee and the rest of the team to settle back in to the rhythm of the story. Something they all seemingly do without missing a beat. This issue acts much more like a prelude, putting all the pieces on the board in their relative starting positions.

    Batman #158 interior artwork by Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Alex Sinclair and Richard Starkings

    Something which H2SH will need to do moving forwards it justify both the 20+ year wait and its overall existence. What does Loeb have to say which requires putting the band back together? If this first issue is anything to go by then H2SH is going to use the prism of Hush to explain why Batman does what he does. With Joker kidnapped and Batman compromised there’s a chance to step back and look at the bigger picture. Why put Joker and the other criminals of Gotham behind bars, only for them to escape hours later? With someone, presumably Hush, out to cross the line Batman refuses to we have an opportunity to explore his moral code rather than simply allowing it to exist.

    The approach to storytelling makes a refreshing change of pace from the recently completed Chip Zdarsky run. Zdarsky consistently challenged Batman and his methods. Deconstructing and then reconstructing him based on each life-altering experience. What Loeb, Lee and co. are doing here feels a little more traditional with more of an eye to legacy.

    Batman #158 does find itself in the unenviable position of needing to bring new readers in to the world of Hush. Whilst plenty of us will remember 2002 and the genre-defining first chapter. There will be plenty in the younger generation who may not have reached back that far. Yes I’m making myself feel old as I write this. But it’s a fact of life that not everyone picking up Batman #158 will have read Hush. So Loeb has to find a way to pick up where things left off without alienating a potential new audience. For the most part the issue handles it well, establishing itself through Joker and with Lee’s returning design work. But Hush’s lack of presence may leave some a little confused.

    Batman #158 interior artwork by Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Alex Sinclair and Richard Starkings

    As for Lee’s artwork, it’s great to see him working on a full book again. It takes something special to bring the head of the company out for 20+ pages every month for six months and Batman #158 is certainly it. His trademark style remains almost fully intact. Age and wisdom have naturally moved him on as would be the case for any other creator. His Batman defined the character for an entire generation. My generation. So to see that Batman back in action and now sporting the yellow oval was exciting enough to begin with.

    Having Joker also take a starring role in this issue is a bonus. Lee’s classic Bat-family and Bat-villain artworks adorned many a dorm room wall in my college days. But as much as I hope to see many of those designs again across H2SH, part of me hopes each of those feels authentic to Loeb’s story. That being said, the sheer fact we got to see both his Nightwing and his Batgirl this issue was thrilling.

    Verdict

    It’s difficult not to get caught up in the excitement of Loeb and Lee putting the band back together. But Batman #158 is undoubtedly a solid first chapter which goes a long way to justifying the two-decade long wait for more Hush storytelling.

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Alex Sinclair Batman Batman (comics) DC Comics Jeph Loeb jim lee richard starkings scott williams
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Neil Vagg
    • Website
    • X (Twitter)

    Neil is the Editor-in-Chief at GYCO. He has a BA in Film & TV and an MA in Scriptwriting; he currently works 9-5 in an office and 5-9 as a reviewer. He has been reading comics for as long as he can remember and is never far away from any book which has the word Bat in the title.

    Related Posts

    ABSOLUTE BATMAN (2024-) #13 Review

    October 8, 2025

    DC and Marvel Double-Down on Crossover Comic Books including SUPERMAN vs. SPIDER-MAN Anniversary Release

    October 4, 2025

    BATGIRL (2024-) #12 Review

    October 1, 2025

    POISON IVY (2022-) #37 Review

    October 1, 2025

    DC Celebrates One Year of the Absolute Universe With First Look at New One-Shot Special ABSOLUTE EVIL #1

    September 29, 2025

    HARLEY QUINN (2021-) #54 Review

    September 24, 2025
    Latest

    Nick Blood and Saffron Hocking Announced to Lead U&Dave Original Thriller HIT POINT

    October 10, 2025

    MY HERO ACADEMIA “Toshinori Yagi: Rising / Origin” Review

    October 10, 2025

    Terror Lurks Beneath the Surface in Trailer for Claustrophobic Horror A MOTHER’S EMBRACE

    October 10, 2025

    EDWARD SCISSORHANDS Returns to Home Video Sharper Than Ever with 4K UHD Debut

    October 10, 2025

    SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN: A Monster Hunter Walks into a Bar (2025)

    October 9, 2025
    Latest Podcasts
    News

    Join us to Visit the Warner Bros. Prop Archive for BATMAN DAY 2025 Celebrations

    By Neil VaggSeptember 20, 2025
    News

    ALIEN: EARTH and the Return of PEACEMAKER

    By Neil VaggAugust 20, 2025
    News

    Superman ’25 & the Future of the DCU

    By Neil VaggAugust 6, 2025
    News

    The Best of 2025… So Far

    By Neil VaggJuly 23, 2025
    News

    Reviewing FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES and Apple TV+ Series MURDERBOT

    By Neil VaggMay 21, 2025
    X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube TikTok Facebook LinkedIn
    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Community Guidelines
    • Directory
    • Pitch to Us
    • Advertise
    GetYourComicOn.co.uk is a property of Get Your Comic On Ltd. © 2025 All Rights Reserved. Images used on this website are registered trademarks of their respective companies/owners.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.