The long-awaited second chapter in the “Hush: Heart to Stone Heart” storyline arrives with Batman #159, and it wastes no time diving deep into Gotham’s darkest relationships. The issue centers around an unexpected and uncomfortable premise: Batman racing against time to save the Joker’s life. Yes, the Clown Prince of Crime—jaw wired shut, comatose, and defenseless—is in Batman’s care. But as with any Joker story, even when he’s silent, the chaos lingers.
From the outset, the moral quandary takes center stage. Bruce Wayne, haunted yet again by the twin ghosts of Thomas and Martha Wayne, finds himself questioning his vow not to kill and his need to save someone who has caused immeasurable destruction. Taking the Joker to Doctor Leslie Thompkins, one of the few people Batman still trusts, adds a layer of emotional tension. Leslie is reluctant, Batman is brooding, and somewhere in the shadows, Hush is watching—ready to pull strings with surgical precision.
Writerly ambition is certainly present in this issue. There are rich callbacks to Jason Todd and Crime Alley, a lingering sense of dread, and a slow-burning atmosphere that’s meant to draw the reader deeper into Batman’s fractured psyche. But that ambition comes with stumbling points. For all the emotional weight the issue tries to convey, Bruce’s internal conflict feels underdeveloped. We’re told he’s struggling with his purpose and haunted by doubt, but there’s little in the actual narrative to justify such an existential crisis. Batman’s darkness is always there, but here, it feels imposed rather than earned.
The most eyebrow-raising moment comes during a close-quarters battle between Batman and Jason Todd, aka Red Hood. The two former allies clash with such ferocity that it escalates to a moment where Batman pulls a gun—a line he has sworn never to cross. The sequence, gorgeously illustrated by Jim Lee with a jaw-dropping two-page splash of the two holding guns to each other’s heads, is visually stunning but emotionally jarring. For fans who hold Batman’s no-gun rule sacred, this scene will feel like a betrayal, or at the very least, a narrative stretch.
The pacing of the issue also leaves something to be desired. A seven-page fight scene between Batman and Jason—while breathtaking thanks to Lee’s choreography and Scott Williams’ tight inking—feels like it exists mainly to let the art breathe, rather than push the story forward. The Joker’s medical sequence, though intended to be tense, lingers too long and doesn’t land with the emotional urgency it aims for.
Despite these issues, Batman #159 isn’t without merit. The final pages offer intriguing developments as Nightwing and Batgirl secure an unexpected ally, and Hush’s presence—though still largely behind the curtain—continues to cast a long, unsettling shadow. There’s clearly a larger plan at work here, and hints of a grand conspiracy to come are enticing.
But once again, it’s Jim Lee’s art that steals the show. Every panel is cinematic in scope, with expressive character work and meticulous detail. It’s a rare treat to see Lee on interiors these days, and fans of his legendary work on the original Hush storyline will find plenty to admire. Alex Sinclair’s colors bring Gotham’s moody tones to life, while Scott Williams’ sharp inks keep the linework crisp and energetic.
In truth, Batman #159 feels like a beautiful puzzle piece that doesn’t quite fit yet. On its own, it’s stylish and atmospheric, but struggles with emotional clarity and character consistency. As part of a larger story, it may eventually find its place, and could be far more satisfying in collected form. But as a single issue, it’s a conflicted chapter that tests the boundaries of what readers expect from the Dark Knight—both in art and ethics.
If nothing else, this installment confirms that “Hush: Heart to Stone Heart” is a story not content to tread familiar ground. It’s pushing Batman into uncomfortable corners, forcing readers to question what truly separates him from the villains he fights. Whether that tension will lead to something profound or simply provocative remains to be seen.
Verdict? Visually spectacular, narratively uneven and at times questionable with Batman’s actions—but still just compelling enough to keep us reading.