DC Comics has gone to the “mega story arc” well many times with Batman and for good reason. Story arcs that promise cataclysmic change are often solid sellers. This is because they provide a sense of surprise that can’t help but catch people’s attention. Unfortunately, the well of surprise can run dry when the same formula is overused. That is why the new cataclysmic story arc “BATMAN – RIP” is proving popular. It is a great deal different from the style of previous arcs. While a decent story arc, RIP is overshadowing the “Heart of Hush” storyline that is going on in Detective Comics. That is a shame since this is one of the better storylines Detective Comics has put out in a long time.

Batman Comics have always been the source of great villains mainly because they are the right mix of human and insane. As the Killing Joke explained, most villains developed into what they have become due to their circumstances. They were once “normal” and then went sociopath. However, they are never viewed as victims. The writers don’t make excuses for the villain’s murderous ways. This makes the villains far more engaging than what you see in Marvel where the villains often work hand in hand with the US government making them clichéd members of the “government is out to get you” paranoia that many writers seem to wallow in.  

Hush, like other Batman villains, is frightening because he is real. He is a driven sociopath who defines the rules as he sees fit. He is self-justified in his behavior and feels the law should not apply to him. He thinks he has God on his side because he “says so”. That is what makes Hush so frightening. We see people like him everyday. Like a selfish employee, a narcissist bully, a psycho nerd/geek stalker, Hush does what he wants because he feels he is right. There are no limits to what he potentially can do and this makes him scary. This makes plots he appears in effective.

Heart of Hush is a real godsend because Batman and DC Comics really could use a shot in the arm.

All-Star Batman and Robin remains a solid disappointment mainly because Miller is drawing more from Sin City for inspiration that the Batman mythos. (This is a common criticism that many have pointed out) Batman RIP is engaging for its weirdness and departure from the “norm” although it is a bit surreal and confusing in spots. Heart of Hush, however, is one of the better Batman story arcs to emerge in a while.