REVIEW: DETECTIVE COMICS #850

By Michael McDaniel

      A funny thing happened on the way to write this review.  And before your think it: No, I didn’t get delayed in writing it. Though I must admit it has been well over a month since I’ve been able to write anything for the site, but I digress. What happened was, my subject matter up and changed on me. I mean, there I was all set to review the first issue of Kevin Smith scribed “Batman: Cacophony” and it happened. I picked up and read another Batman title.
     The comic in question was the 850th issue of Detective Comics, another part in the Batman RIP storyline and the last chapter in the most recent continuation of the Batman/Hush hate-fest. Remember when an anniversary issue had a higher price to help off-set the cost of its poly-bagged chromium cover? Well, this issue didn't sport a fancy cover but contained great story and some pretty good art. It was bar none, the best Batman book this year! Judging by how quickly it sold out, I’m betting that I am preaching to the choir.
     Detective Comics has a history of getting overshadowed by other Batman titles despite being the place where Bats made his debut way back in the 27th issue. From time to time, it does shine and current writer Paul Dini is the reason why its currently a must read book for me. Mr. Dini, who might be better known as the one of the forces behind the Batman Animated Series and Cartoon Network ‘s Justice League, has been on the title for about a year or so. He has consistently put out quality Bat-stories on this book while other Bat-writers have constantly under-achieved (ahem, Mr. Morrison!) One thing about Dini, is that he has a really good feel for not just for Batman but the entire Bat-cast. Whether it be Alfred, Oracle, or even Catwoman…he knows his stuff and has a healthy respect for canon.
     Catwoman has been at the center of the book for this most recent story arc. It seems that Hush, wanting to strike at the heart of Batman/Bruce Wayne, has struck at the hearts of those who Bruce cares about. Before you say, that you’ve heard that before, let me tell you- not like this! Because Dini has Hush literally do just that to poor Selina…by stealing her heart. Did I mention that he did this literally? Seriously, Hush performs an operation and cuts out her heart. Then, before she can croak, he put her on some life-support machine and lets Batman find her! All in an effort to play some twisted game of chess with the Dark Knight.

     Bruce finds himself in a race to save his on again/off again love interest and pitted against a villain who has made a name for himself by predicting Batman’s next move. Hush first appeared over five years ago in the now classic 12 part “Hush” story arc that ran in Batman issues 608-619. Written by Jeph Loeb and with art by Jim Lee, the series was landmark not just in sales but in its dealing with the relationship between Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne.  And don’t forget, the first appearance on Hush. If you’ve not read it, whatcha waiting on? It’s like the best Batman series since Frank Miller worked on Batman: Year One and the Dark Knight Returns.
Of all of the villains to appear within the last decade or so, I consider Hush to be the most intriguing. Sometimes, when a great new villain appears, writers have a hard time writing a guy who doesn’t have like five decades of back stories. It seems as if they don’t know what to do with this new face on the criminal block other than having them build a name for themselves by cheesing a more established character. Some writers since Hush first appeared have done this time and time again. In the first half of this current story arc in Detective Comics, Paul Dini’s gives us the standard Hush treatment! (Ouch, Bad pun!)
     What is different in this tale is when and how Hush gets his comeuppance and who gets to give it to him. As the issue begins, Hush has arrived at Wayne Manor and beats the crap out of Alfred - albeit with a brief but enjoyable struggle as Alfred proves why he’s the coolest butler in comics! The Batman arrives just in time to prevent Hush’s coup de grace on Alfred and then the battle continues down in the Batcave.  It’s a shame that Hush doesn’t know about my theory about fighting Jackie Chan. You never fight him in a setting like a hardware store, you fight him in a padded room where he can’t beat the crap out of you with…say a plunger or a step ladder. Same rule applies for Batman.
     Some of the best dialogue happens during the fight as Hush can’t believe the scope of the cave and Bruce’s wonderful array of gadgets and gizmos. He even mentions a Bat-whale alongside the Bat-boat…which puzzles me as to when/where this first appeared and what possible use it served. Alas, but that’s why he’s Batman. Every Bat-mobile seems to appear during the fist-a-cuffs as Dustin Nguyen ably draws the familiar automobiles from Batman’s past. Even Robin and Nightwing arrive to stand beside Batman against his childhood friend/now super-villain.  Heck, we are even treated to see the Bat-T-Rex in action as it chases Hush like some extra from Jurassic Park.
     Predictably, Hush starts to monologue about how he can always predict Bruce’s next move and that’s why he’s gonna win! Silly Hush, it’s called Batman: Detective Comics, the Amazing Hush for a reason.  I won’t spoil how the fight ends but I will say, I’ve never seen a Bat-villain bested by the Whirl-a-Bat before.

     The real payoff and fitting payback to the villainous deeds of Hush takes place in the epilogue which mainly focuses on Catwoman. It’s kind of a shame that DC canned her own solo title a few months back because this would have been a great way to cap-off her solo series. Catwoman, while convalescing after having her heart put back where it belongs, spends her days getting even with Hush by doing what she does best: being a hell of a thief! It’s nice to have allies who can assist her in fleecing the Hush/Thomas Elliot fortune of nearly every penny and thereby preventing Hush from committing another unnecessary bad-guy surgery on a super-heroes sometime super-hero/villain girl-friend!  (Whoa, did that make sense?)
     As I stated above, sometimes a new villain breaks in by tearing down an old character…almost making his bones by breaking the bones of another. It’s just good to see and old standby reminding a Tommy-come-lately who the top cat really is and I’m glad it was Paul Dini who brought it to us!