Batman: Hush

• Directed by Justin Copeland
• July 19, 2019 (San Diego Comic-Con) / July 20, 2019
• Loosely based on the 2002 comic book Hush story arc of the same name

Voice Cast

• Batman/Bruce Wayne-Jason O’Mara
• Selina Kyle/Catwoman-Jennifer Morrison
• Robin/Damian Wayne-Stuart Allan
• Lady Shiva-Sachie Alessio
• Riddler/Edward Nygma/Hush-Geoffrey Arend
• Scarecrow/Dr. Jonathan Crane-Chris Cox
• Alfred Pennyworth-James Garrett
• Bane, Clayface/Basil Karlo-Adam Gifford
• Poison Ivy/Pamela Isley-Peyton List
• Batgirl/Barbara Gordon-Peyton R. List
• Nightwing/Dick Grayson-Sean Maher
• Superman/Kal-El/Clark Kent-Jerry O’Connell
• Lois Lane-Rebecca Romijn
• The Joker-Jason Spisak
• Thomas Elliot-Maury Sterling
• Reporter-Tara Strong
• Commissioner Jim Gordon-Bruce Thomas
• Harley Quinn/Harleen Quinzel-Hynden Walch
• Amanda Waller-Vanessa Williams
• Lex Luthor-Rainn Wilson

Batman and Catwoman work against a mysterious new foe who is targeting important figures in Batman’s life.

There was a time DC was absolutely killing it with their animated films with the quality being better in my humble opinion than anything Marvel was doing in the MCU. Why the DC heads never put the animated people on developing their cinematic universe still baffles me.

One of the standouts is their 2019 release Batman: Hush directed by Justin Copeland which is loosely based on the classic 2002 comic book Hush story arc of the same name. It is a Batman mystery that winds its way through the Batman world and includes a logical inclusion of Superman rather than numerous forced cameos to bludgeon the viewer with a reminder of a shared universe. Appearing in this are acknowledgements to things like The New 52 or various DC films in the form of character designs and lines of dialogue.

It is very action packed, but it’s different than many of the other stories that we’ve gotten. Maybe because it’s much better as a personal drama when it explores the Batman/Catwoman dynamic. During the investigation Batman reconnects with Selena leading the two to rekindle their relationship with the climax of the story being the choice Batman must make between being wholly Batman with a Bruce Wayne façade or being Bruce Wayne moonlighting as Batman.

It’s not the use of profanity that makes this more mature. It’s not even the moment where Damien essentially says for Batman to use protection. Hush gives Batman, a strong choice between a level of happiness over spending his nights running around the city beating people up to make up for the death of his parents.

Why does it not work as a mystery? Because while information is learned, clues are not discovered. There is a difference between the two. Nothing is shown that points towards a villain or creates questions before more is learned but we do get info on the current state of events. It is not an investigation so much as a series of events. Batman is the World’s Greatest Detective but has always had trouble getting a good mystery.

Hush in their other identity does make an appearance before their culpability is revealed, but I just don’t didn’t see the connection leading to them. The explanation of their involvement makes sense. Batman just doesn’t suddenly pull the pieces together that have been laid out for the audience to pick up like a traditional Agatha Christie whodunit. The lack of being an actual mystery hurts it but doesn’t ruin it. It is more a character story than a superhero adventure.

The humor ranges from more mature stuff to witty snark. Gordon suffers from a lack of much to do and Batgirl is almost unnecessary in her few seconds of appearance. The more I think about it the more I question why she was in the movie at all given the limited run time. Nightwing has more story prominence and could have taken some of her scenes though I do see concerns of sexism in a few moments.

Batman: Hush largely succeeds. It may not be a solid mystery, but it’s good in action and character and even manages a little humor. One of many strong DC animated entries.