REVIEW: ‘Batman’ Issue 159

Batman Issue 159 is published by DC Comics. Written by Jeph Loeb, pencils by Jim Lee, inks by Scott Williams, colours by Alex Sinclair and letters by Richard Starkings.

Batman Issue 159 is Part 2 of Hush 2. Batman fights to save the Joker’s life, which puts him at odds with some of his allies. Immediately asking the important question, this issue somewhat ruins the suspense of its predecessor. The Joker isn’t dead, but that leads to a new moral quandary for Batman. He has to try and save the life of his worst enemy. Joker is taken to Leslie Thompkins’s surgery, using awkward and basic equipment to keep him alive.

The pacing for the first half of Batman Issue 159 is beautifully torturous. Bruce is forced to spend time with the Joker, taking care of him and being his nurse. This phenomenal concept tests his dedication to life to its limits.

The book’s second half is energized and desperate because Red Hood gets involved. History is dug up, and an emotionally tense battle unfolds. The lines that Batman establishes damage the Bat Family, which had already taken a long time to heal, with heartbreaking consequences. The revelations and alliances being made behind Bruce’s back are startling, possibly isolating him from those whom he’s closest to.

Batman Issue 159 perfectly represents what the title character stands for. Batman is dedicated to protecting life to a degree that could be considered insane. The Joker has slaughtered countless people and damaged every single person Batman considers family. And yet, he would fight all of them to keep himself alive. Even the most ardent supporters of Batman’s crusade would hesitate. It’s not just the dialogue in this situation that excels, but the narration, too.

Batman Issue 159 is a rare chance for the Dark Knight to get as close to the Joker as possible without reaction or danger. Joker is comatose and dying, so he can’t even utter a laugh. This gives Batman the rare chance to study him, analyzing his body and physiology. The quiet is eerie, and there is always a dread that the Joker will wake up.

When the Red Hood enters the picture, the tension and the noise get much louder. The Joker murdered Jason Todd, beating him to death with a crowbar in one of the most visceral and famous comic book stories in history. So it is fascinating to see father and son come to blows over the life of a monster. Red Hood’s rage is justified, but he’s also not telling the entire truth. There are still more layers within this story that are yet to be uncovered.

The art is sensational. It is so odd to see Batman and The Joker in such close proximity. The medical scenes are engrossing because The Joker is so still and helpless, yet ultimately safe from further harm. He looks rough, but the injuries are more subtle instead of gory. Lee and Williams lower the book’s pace and mood in its quietest moments. Batman spends a lot of time in this issue sitting down, either on a medical bed or in the Batcave. Yet he still looks cool and imposing, with his eyes hidden by thick shadows.

The fight against the Red Hood is terrific; it really intensifies Batman Issue 159 and charges it with energy. It’s a rushed scramble in the darkness. Reaching for weaponry and trying to defend as well as attack. It gets extremely violent and painful, with the past resurfacing in the present.

The colors are also intriguing. Most of the rooms and locations are dark and grimy, with only a few light sources to illuminate what’s happening on the page. Sinclair uses real light sources inside the scene as much as possible, which comes to fruition later in Batman Issue 159. The power gets shut off, and the shadows fall. Batman and the Red Hood are only seen with a red glow reflecting the gunshots from Todd’s helmet, or yellow flashes from his pistols. It creates a unique atmosphere for the scuffle and increases the claustrophobia. The lettering is by one of the most prominent and experienced letterers in the business, so of course it will be easy to read and follow.

Batman Issue 159 opens old wounds and tries to heal new ones. Loeb explores Batman’s morality to its most extreme limit, placing him in charge of keeping the Joker alive. It’s not just saving the clown’s life; he has to protect and monitor him in case his condition worsens. The mesmerizing idea demonstrates how unshakeable Bruce Wayne’s beliefs are. It doesn’t matter who you are, he will try to save you. The execution of that concept is phenomenal, and the consequences are gut-wrenching and eye-opening.

Batman Issue 159 is available where comics are sold.