Written by: Jeph Loeb
Art by: Jim Lee, Scott Williams
Colors by: Alex Sinclair
Letters by: Richard Starkings
Cover art by: Jim Lee, Scott Williams (cover A)
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: April 23, 2025
Batman #159, by DC Comics on 4/23/25, finds Batman forcing himself to get Joker the medical aid he needs, but another member of the Bat-family isn't happy about his mission of mercy.
Is Batman #159 Good?
Recap
When we last left the Dark Knight in Batman #158, he interrupted the Joker during the Clown Prince of Crimes sequel to one of his famous crimes involving Jokerized fish dumped into the Gotham Reservoir. Joker got the jump on Batman and dumped him into the reservoir, but Joker was jumped by a muscle-bound enforcer sent to capture him. Batman was fished out of the water by Talia al Ghul, Joker was tortured by an unseen villain, and the Bat-family went dark when Batman determined their comms network was compromised. The issue ended with Batman tracking Joker to an abandoned carnival and concluding Hush is back in town.
Plot Synopsis
In Batman #159, Batman does the only thing he can do - he takes Joker to Dr. Leslie Thompkins. Despite her lack of resources and advanced surgical skills, Leslie tends to most of Joker's serious wounds and wires his jaw shut after putting it back in place. Batman has nowhere to take Joker for recovery, so he exercises his only option - the Batcave.
Later, Batman uses the opportunity to examine the comatose Joker's mind for anomalies. Suddenly, Batman is attacked by the arrival of Red Hood, who is offended by Batman's willingness to help the Joker. After a rigorous fight, Batman is knocked out.
Elsewhere, Batgirl and Nightwing discuss their options when they're visited by the one person who seems to know what's happening - the Riddler (who appears to be recently upping his creatine intake). The issue ends when Batman wakes up and finds Red Hood, the Batmobile, and Joker gone. Batman somehow concludes Red Hood is working for Hush.
First Impressions
Batman #159 reads better than Batman #158, but the super simple script is more self-reflection and rehash than surprise and wow moments. Jeph Loeb throws a couple of swerves at the readers, but the issue is, at best, serviceable.
How’s the Art?
It shouldn't surprise anyone in the least that Jim Lee's art looks amazing. Lee's eye for powerfully framed and detailed characters is unimpeachable, and the brief action scene is top-notch. Lee is one of the few artists who can evoke nostalgia for the 80s and 90s, but the quality holds up and surpasses many of today's "best" artists.
What’s great about Batman #159?
Jeph Loeb uses "Hush" (yes, the quotes are intentional) to paint Batman into an impossible corner that challenges his moral compass. Joker is Gotham City's worst villain, so it makes sense that Batman would be brought low when forced to save and protect the worst of the worst. Red Hood's arrival only capitalizes on the anti-hero's history with Joker to amp up the dramatic tension through the words and action.
As a plus, Riddler's arrival in the story (between apparent trips to the gym) adds an unexpected twist.
What’s not great about Batman #159?
First and consistent with the previous issue, the plot, so far, feels super basic and vanilla. Batman saves Joker, Batman hides Joker in the Batcave, and Batman's decision draws the ire of enemies and allies. It's a fine setup, but there's nothing particularly surprising or impressive about it, which is a downer for a writer of Loeb's pedigree.
Second, the first third to half of the issue intermixes montages of the famous Crime Alley scene and Joker's most infamous crimes, which is nice but feels like so much filler. For a Hush story, this arc is spending much too much time rehashing the past and focusing on Joker.
Last, putting "Hush" in quotes is not a mistake because the way Loeb is setting up this story suggests Hush's return is possibly a red herring or a copycat. This reviewer could be reading the tea leaves wrong, but something smells fishy. If indeed a much-hyped Hush story turns out to be a bait-and-switch, DC is going to have a problem the likes of which hasn't been seen since the infamous Bat-Cat Wedding debacle. We shall see.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Final Thoughts
Batman #159 amps up the interpersonal drama when Batman is forced to take unusual measures to save Joker. Jeph Loeb's script is serviceable script is high on tension but short on surprises or Hush, and Jim Lee's art is masterful. Get it for the Jim Lee art, but don't expect to be blown away by the story.
6.5/10
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