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verydazedragon's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Pretty good graphics. I like the way the relationship between Batman and Catwoman was tender yet complicated.
unladylike's review against another edition
3.0
****spoiler alert****
Shortly before reading Heart of Hush, I read Kevin Smith's Cacophony and The Widening Gyre, both of which I loved, and both of which were torn to shreds in many of the reviews I read. It seems long-time Batman fans couldn't stand seeing him bent into a potentially softer character with long-term love interests. I bring this up because the critiques I've read of Kevin Smith's writing of Batman seems to apply much more to this Paul Dini story. Overall I enjoyed this story very much, but some of the characteristics I consider to define Batman most - namely studying all the angles and being one step ahead of his opponent in hand-to-hand combat - were pulled out from under him by a villian who hasn't fought a fraction of the battles as Bruce Wayne. Sure, Tommy might've beat Bruce in childhood war games, and has grown up preparing to torment and kill Bruce, but that doesn't equal tactical advantages when it comes to fighting The Goddamn Bat-man. And if we are to believe Hush's fighting and planning is on a par with Batman's, why on earth would Dini use the slow, giant mechanical T-Rex in the Batcave to disarm the villian? Of all the things that could have given the upper hand back to Bruce, we're to believe it's a robot, that its sheer loudness warrants a complete shift of attention from the villian, and that he would empty all his bullets into this robot dinosaur rather than continuing the fight he was winning? That's some silliness right there.
Shortly before reading Heart of Hush, I read Kevin Smith's Cacophony and The Widening Gyre, both of which I loved, and both of which were torn to shreds in many of the reviews I read. It seems long-time Batman fans couldn't stand seeing him bent into a potentially softer character with long-term love interests. I bring this up because the critiques I've read of Kevin Smith's writing of Batman seems to apply much more to this Paul Dini story. Overall I enjoyed this story very much, but some of the characteristics I consider to define Batman most - namely studying all the angles and being one step ahead of his opponent in hand-to-hand combat - were pulled out from under him by a villian who hasn't fought a fraction of the battles as Bruce Wayne. Sure, Tommy might've beat Bruce in childhood war games, and has grown up preparing to torment and kill Bruce, but that doesn't equal tactical advantages when it comes to fighting The Goddamn Bat-man. And if we are to believe Hush's fighting and planning is on a par with Batman's, why on earth would Dini use the slow, giant mechanical T-Rex in the Batcave to disarm the villian? Of all the things that could have given the upper hand back to Bruce, we're to believe it's a robot, that its sheer loudness warrants a complete shift of attention from the villian, and that he would empty all his bullets into this robot dinosaur rather than continuing the fight he was winning? That's some silliness right there.
batlim's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
huntercamp's review
4.0
Paul Dini and Dustin Nguyen put together a fantastic tale of The Batman coming to terms with a lot of issues. Hush returns to add a nice companion to Batman R.I.P.
dantastic's review
3.0
Hush returns and begins striking at Batman however he can. But when he attacks Catwoman and removes the heart from her chest, has he gone too far?
The Heart of Hush further fleshes out the childhood relationship between Bruce Wayne and Tommy Elliot, aka Hush, as well as that between Batman and Catwoman. It also cements Hush's place in Batman's Rogues Gallery along with legends like The Joker, the Penguin, and the Riddler.
Much like in his initial appearance, the big draw with Hush is that he knows Bruce Wayne well enough to strike him close to home, where it would hurt the most. In this case, it's Catwoman, who is used to show that Batman is still just a man. Hush continues to pal around with Bat-villains like Scarecrow and Mr. Freeze in order to achieve his goals. One thing I really liked in this volume was the Scarecrow juicing up a kidnapped, bat-fearing kid with Venom and unleashing him on Batman.
At the end of the day, however, it's not as remarkable as Hush or The Black Mirror, other recent Batman favorites of mine. Three stars, edging toward four.
The Heart of Hush further fleshes out the childhood relationship between Bruce Wayne and Tommy Elliot, aka Hush, as well as that between Batman and Catwoman. It also cements Hush's place in Batman's Rogues Gallery along with legends like The Joker, the Penguin, and the Riddler.
Much like in his initial appearance, the big draw with Hush is that he knows Bruce Wayne well enough to strike him close to home, where it would hurt the most. In this case, it's Catwoman, who is used to show that Batman is still just a man. Hush continues to pal around with Bat-villains like Scarecrow and Mr. Freeze in order to achieve his goals. One thing I really liked in this volume was the Scarecrow juicing up a kidnapped, bat-fearing kid with Venom and unleashing him on Batman.
At the end of the day, however, it's not as remarkable as Hush or The Black Mirror, other recent Batman favorites of mine. Three stars, edging toward four.
ericbuscemi's review
4.0
Between [b:Batman: Hush|6375845|Batman Hush|Jeph Loeb|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1342295000s/6375845.jpg|16256422] and this loose sequel, Bruce Wayne childhood friend Tommy Elliot / Batman nemesis Hush is quickly becoming one of my favorite Batman adversaries.
If you are able to suspend your disbelief regarding Selina Kyle being kept alive while her heart is ripped out of her chest -- which is made slightly more plausible thanks to cameos from Mr. Freeze and Doctor Mid-Nite -- as well as the intense revenge motivations of Tommy Elliot -- which is elucidated in a few brief flashbacks -- you are in for a fun ride with some wonderful elements packed into it.
There are cameos from multiple members of Batman's Rogue's Gallery, including what has to be the best Joker cameo of all time, nods to other villains, such as Bane, as well as a great nod to longtime Batman fans in the Batcave finale, where various Batmobiles through the years can be seen.
A definite must read for Batman fans, although I would recommend starting with Hush's first appearance.
If you are able to suspend your disbelief regarding Selina Kyle being kept alive while her heart is ripped out of her chest -- which is made slightly more plausible thanks to cameos from Mr. Freeze and Doctor Mid-Nite -- as well as the intense revenge motivations of Tommy Elliot -- which is elucidated in a few brief flashbacks -- you are in for a fun ride with some wonderful elements packed into it.
There are cameos from multiple members of Batman's Rogue's Gallery, including what has to be the best Joker cameo of all time, nods to other villains, such as Bane, as well as a great nod to longtime Batman fans in the Batcave finale, where various Batmobiles through the years can be seen.
A definite must read for Batman fans, although I would recommend starting with Hush's first appearance.
mjthomas43's review
4.0
Hush sees the connection between Selina/Catwoman and Bruce/Batman and we see the background (re: childhood, parents, dreams, jealousy and friendship) for Thomas Elliot's origin as Hush, Hush and Crane/Scarecrow kidnap a young boy in the plan against Batman, Hush removes Selina's heart to lure Batman, Hush reveals his plan to impersonate Bruce, and Hush is defeated through a team effort by Alfred, Damien, Dick and Batman.
Having read many of the Hush titles out of order, this work wraps everything up satisfactorily. I would give it a higher rating except that it made me feel a little too involved in the story line and made me a little uneasy before the resolution. This was undoubtedly by design but still...
Having read many of the Hush titles out of order, this work wraps everything up satisfactorily. I would give it a higher rating except that it made me feel a little too involved in the story line and made me a little uneasy before the resolution. This was undoubtedly by design but still...
bimenace's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jacquilynn's review
4.0
MUCH better than Hush Returns but for a collection this series is missing a book in the middle it seems. Despite that, it connects much better to Hush than HR and is a whole bunch of crazy. The look into Tommy Elliot’s early life and what made him who he is makes the book. To me the ending is superb.
howattp's review
5.0
I loved Heart of Hush, at least as much as the original Hush story.
Hush's (a.k.a. Thomas Elliot) attempt to get revenge on Batman for unwittingly replacing him in his mother's eyes, comes in the form of an attack on the one woman who Bruce Wayne/Batman could ever love: Selina Kyle/Catwoman.
There is a gravity to this that I distinctly felt, and I thought it could actually end in Catwoman's death, particularly because this is placed so close to [b:Batman: R.I.P.|3430164|Batman R.I.P.|Grant Morrison|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255933379s/3430164.jpg|3471065], where, I assume, Batman himself dies (or so we are led to believe...). If Bruce Wayne may be fair game, why not Ms. Kyle?
I can't wait for R.I.P., I hope it stands up to my expectations...
Hush's (a.k.a. Thomas Elliot) attempt to get revenge on Batman for unwittingly replacing him in his mother's eyes, comes in the form of an attack on the one woman who Bruce Wayne/Batman could ever love: Selina Kyle/Catwoman.
There is a gravity to this that I distinctly felt, and I thought it could actually end in Catwoman's death, particularly because this is placed so close to [b:Batman: R.I.P.|3430164|Batman R.I.P.|Grant Morrison|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255933379s/3430164.jpg|3471065], where, I assume, Batman himself dies (or so we are led to believe...). If Bruce Wayne may be fair game, why not Ms. Kyle?
I can't wait for R.I.P., I hope it stands up to my expectations...